Page 40 of Shifters' Fated Summer
It was Cade’s turn to run, and I did my best to catch him, Luca flanking me.
For hours, we ran and chased, wrestled, andgave each other affection. My human awareness faded until I was fully wolf, all instinct and heightened senses.
The moon arched above us as the night grew colder and we drew closer. Far from the pack house, there was nothing but the three of us and the bondsburning between us.
Chapter 14
Morning
Birds chirped, pulling me from slumber. Leaves and pine needles pressed into my bare skin, but my head and shoulders were cradled against something warm.
Awareness filtered back, and I shot up, my messy hair falling around my face. Brushing it back, I shook my head, trying to clear my mind.
Beside me, Cade was stretched out, asleep on his back. I had been sleeping against his chest. On his far side, Luca curled around him, one leg slung over his. Cade’s head rested on Luca’s outstretched arm, cushioned on his bicep.
My heart pounded. What had happened? I remembered running as a wolf, but the rest was a blur.
I remembered Cade mounting me, breeding me like the mate I was.What the absolute fuck.
Pulling my knees up to my chest, I dug my fingers into my hair, trying to block that memory. It couldn’t be possible. But even now, I wanted to crawl over Cade and take his cock into my body. I could sink over him and rock my hips.
This fated mate bond was fucked up.
A whine escaped me as I ran a hand over my chest and pressed my palm to my breast, needing something to relieve the raging need.
Cade blinked, his honey gaze landing on me. His lip twitched in disgust and my stomach dropped. Disappointment radiated through our bond, so sour it turned my stomach.
Luca stirred, grumbling in his sleep, and Cade froze. Slowly, he reached out and brushed Luca’s curls off his forehead. The tenderness tore open my heart, seeing proof this man could be sweet and loving, but chose to hate me instead.
Rocking back on my heels, I rose unsteadily to my feet. I was still naked but there was nothing I could do about that.
Tears blurred my vision as I took off jogging, wincing at the leaves and sticks digging into my feet. Something innate told me the pack house was this way, but I wasn't confident that feeling was correct. Anything would be better than here, though.
Cade made no move to stop me, and I didn’t glance back at him. It hurt too much. Even now, my body screamed for me to turn around and throw myself at him.
I let the tears flow freely once I was alone. My breathing stuttered as I choked on them, hiccupping and gasping for enough air. My feet slowed and I bent over, sinking into a crouch and hugging my legs.
It was bad enough wanting Luca and knowing he was with Cade. But for a fated bond to connect me to Cade? I would never escape him. There was no way to stay on the outskirts and enjoy a relationship with Luca when this damned bond made me ache for Cade.
I could smell them both on my skin. I realized that all along, I had smelled Cade’s warm, sweet scent on Luca. The blend of the two was heavenly. I’d gladly bathe in it given the opportunity.
There was no chance of that now.
Heaving sobs shook my entire body as I finally let them out. Each breath was ragged as the sadness consumed me. Maybe I deserved this. Maybe I belonged with the vampires, being used and abused, and this was the misery I deserved for leaving Evrin and falling for Luca.
Tears dripped from my chin as I choked on my sobs. Slowly, they started to soften until I could breathe normally. My hair curtained my face as I slowly came back to myself.
The sounds of leaves crunching under feet jolted me from my sorrow. Through bleary eyes, I looked around. Two figures appeared through the trees, and my heart leaped thinking it was Luca and Cade. But they were too slim.
Harper’s wild red hair caught the light, and Rae followed like her shadow. They were already dressed in simple black leggings and loose t-shirts.
Both pressed their lips into thin lines. Gone were the sneering taunts. They were deadly serious and that terrifiedme.
“Found you, cunt,” Harper stated. “I bet you thought you hit the jackpot, having a mate bond with the Alpha.”
“I didn’t want that,” I tried to say, but my voice cracked and my words fell away.
Rae split away from Harper, pacing to one side while Harper circled the other.
