Page 6 of Bunny Be Mine
Looks like the rumors are right, and these idiots really did change for the worse.That’s what had me worried.
“And how exactly are you doing that?” I needed to find out all I could. Maybe they were just playing games with some local shifters. Still, the asshole moves were but something the pack should quickly nip in the bud.
“By hunting them and showing them who rules this area.” Marcus slapped me on the back, laughing and eyeing my bottle. “Don’t worry, nobody dies. We just rough some of them up and have a good time with a few others. Especially if we find ones close to their heat. Those are the best. Delicious.” I felt my stomach roll at his insinuation. Why had no one stopped him yet? “Finish up your beer and let’s start the night right.”
The guys around him cheered, and my stomach dropped. That same icky feeling of dread filling the pit of my stomach returned. This really was bad. And now I was stuck with these fools. And I was really getting annoyed with all the back pounding these jerks seemed to like to do.
At least with me here, I could help save some poor prey shifter from dealing with these guys.
“I’m cool, man. I don’t really drink these anymore.” I placed my bottle down on the ground.
Marcus picked up the bottle and handed it to his buddy. “What? Did the city life ruin your taste buds?”
More like teach me what a good brew tastes like.
“Must have, I guess.” I shrugged, biting my tongue to not insult the local brewery. Even if the beer I just tried tasted like piss water. I felt like brushing my teeth for an hour after that one swig.
“Now, let’s get the night started, shall we?” Marcus stripped and let out a howl. “Let’s shift and sniff out our targets for the night.”
“Hey, guys.” I looked around at everyone undressing and getting revved up on bad energy. All my instincts warned me that only bad things were going to happen if these men got their way. Part of me wanted to leave and have no part of this situation. But another part of me knew I had to stick around and try to help any poor victims that may land in Marcus’ path.Fuck. Can I stop this?“Why don’t we drop the hunt idea for the night and just go hit up the bar. Get drunk and find a willing hookup. We don’t need to do shit like hunting down prey to prove ourselves as dominant alphas. Come on, let’s just go.”
“We aren’t going anywhere, Fen. Except for farther into these woods to find a special bunny.” Marcus’ cousin Kevin, high-fived the idiot next to him, Robert. “Right, Marcus? Arley was smelling ripe this afternoon.”
“If he doesn’t stay in his cabin all weekend, this seems to be the perfect time to catch him and show him why no one rejects me or ignores me.” Marcus shook his head; an evil sneer curled his lips. “That’s enough talking. It’s time to shift and sniff out what’s waiting out here for us tonight.”
These men were not the same as the boys I had fun running around with in my teens and childhood. Dad was right. Something had changed and turned Marcus and these fools into shifters I didn’t ever want to associate with again. But I needed as much info and evidence as I could get tonight. These men had to be stopped before even more trouble was stirred. But how deep did this go?
Fine. Let’s just shift and run with them. If we sense any prey shifters out, we’ll help them get away to safety. Then tomorrow we can tell Mom and Dad the truth and bear witness of these activities in front of the elder council before I leave for school again.
I agreed with my wolf and decided to just try to stay two steps ahead of them if I could.
Before shifting, Marcus raised his fist and addressed the whole group. As always, split into three groups, some shifted; some stayed human. “We should be able to hunt in either form so no one loses out on the fun. First group to capture prey wins the night’s game. Bring them back here so we can all share in the spoils.”
These guys were making me physically ill. I had to find a way to stop them.
I followed Marcus’ group but as soon as I had a chance, I ran a bit ahead. I needed to sniff out any poor shifters stuck in the middle of this trap tonight. I wouldn’t allow anyone to be a victim.
Coming upon the area where woods met lake, I discovered the most enticing scent.
The sweet smell of warm freshly baked chocolate brownies met my nose and filled my soul with warmth. In one instant, my whole life changed. I knew what this meant. I had been waiting to experience this my whole life. Everything I ever wanted, needed, and craved was right in front of me—in the form of an adorable white bunny.
My wolf howled. The sound of triumph and celebration.
Our mate. We have finally found him. Protect him, Bond him. Claim him!
Just as I was about to step forward and pick up our tiny mate, the energy around us changed and then before my eyes, he shifted into the most breathtakingly beautiful man. A short, clean cut of light-brown hair, mesmerizing eyes the color of chocolate, and a body that was made for sinning. And he was all mine.
There was definitely no way Marcus and his goons were going to lay a hand on this man. Fuck finding more evidence or digging deeper; I only had one priority now. To protect my mate and get us both to safety. Even if it meant killing Marcus and his friends.
No one better dare touch my mate.
Arley
I ran in the woods for what felt like hours, evading the men who were out to capture me as part of their sadistic Friday night game. Every time I made it close to my house, I was chased in the opposite direction. I needed to get past these men. But my options were getting fewer and fewer.
I had shifted back into my rabbit form to find a better hiding spot when I heard the hunters getting closer.
If I couldn’t get away from them, then maybe I needed to find the tiniest hole to burrow in and speak a small hiding spell to mask my scent from the predators on my trail. The magic I could wield wasn’t very long-lasting, but perhaps it was enough to trick this group into giving up on me. But once I saw my fated mate, I had shifted back to human. And now I stood frozen in the middle of a forest. There was a pack of wolves hunting me—intent on either eating me or fucking me, depending on which of them caught me first. Yet, I couldn’t move.
