18

Ranger

I was so painfully hard that my bones ached and the muscles were shaking in my lower back. I'd have fucked Aspen against the tree, pressing myself into her tight and eager cunt, if my cock-blocking sister hadn't cleared her throat behind us.

"We have an audience," I spoke through clenched teeth, half-hoping Aspen wouldn't care.

As expected, her body tensed like a coiled spring while she gasped and tried to shove me away.

"Is it time already?" Aspen gathered the edges of her flannel shirt and held them closed in front of her, smoothing down the material as if it'd always been buttonless. It was cute, this illusion of modesty. Like I wasn't covered in her desire and she hadn't gushed for me when I told her to run.

I groaned as she slid past me. The hem of her shirt barely covered her round ass. Spanking it hadn't been enough. I wanted to sink my teeth into it.

"Is something wrong, Alpha?" Beau trotted over in wolf form with lighter saddlebags after he'd rounded up everyone who needed to run with us this season.

"No." Not if we weren't counting the obvious tent in my shorts and the way Aspen literally bounced over to the group of shifters who'd gathered around my sister and John. I held to my growling beast, hoping no one would choose this moment to test my patience and look too long at my mate.

They're breathing too close to her.

I shook my head, wishing I could dunk my face in cold water and sober up from the thrumming lust that was clouding my brain.

"Do me a favor and check the inlet to the pond. See if we can follow the creek," I told Beau, too anxious to leave Aspen alone here to scout myself. Beau's wolf rushed to fulfill my orders.

"You look thirsty." Aspen smiled and blinked her long lashes as she handed me a bottle of water from the saddlebags Beau left behind. "I don't want you to get dehydrated."

This woman was going to be the death of me.

I licked my lips discreetly, testing the air to see if her sex hormones were coming on as strong as mine were. So close. We could taste it on the tip of my tongue. I wasn't sure if the rut hitting this early would send the females into an earlier heat, but I wasn't going to stand around wasting any more time to find out.

Now that Aspen stayed to run, my job was to lead these mutts as quickly as possible so I could tend to her needs this season.

I'm ready. Let's get started.

I chugged the water as I did a quick headcount. Sixteen males including myself were here. I didn't expect Chad, Brett, or Scott to show up until the last minute if they were coming at all. It surprised me that Trenton wasn't lurking somewhere nearby, but I sensed it wouldn't be a problem.

The other three would be though. I didn't know when, but it was coming. I'd have to cross the bridge when I came to it. There were more pressing concerns now.

John's wolf caught my attention and I frowned, watching my sister standing next to him as she spoke to Aspen. Her normally painted nails were bare and her hand was buried in his fur. I wasn't sure if she noticed what she was doing, but John did and he growled at me for staring too long.

I smiled to myself, dragging my attention back to the group of anxious shifters, most of whom were already in wolf form and tasting the air as they rubbed against each other.

"The creek widens and flows down from the south-facing mountain," Beau panted as he hurried back to my side. "It runs the opposite direction from all the nests."

I had to picture what he was describing, wishing I was surrounded by a bigger team and on familiar terrain as I leaned into my wolf's senses. He dragged himself away from the scent of Aspen to listen to the call of the night.

I'm not picking up on any other apex predators. He growled his confusion.

It was probably the only thing the show had done right by dropping the females' nests in a safer location. And if all the sheds were on the north slope uphill from the accessible roads…

I'd put money on there being more trail cameras set up along the path we'd be taking tonight. The producers weren't stupid. They'd created a new backdrop for Mating Season six times already. This was the first time I knew of where camera crews weren't staged in the woods. I had to wonder if that had something to do with me.

Molly would've known I'd be coming for her and the rest of the production team after learning what they'd done to Aspen. I wasn't sure the show had mature enough ratings to film what I'd do if I was caught in the rut and something more happened to my mate.

Though with the way things were going, I wasn't sure it was safe for any human to be around any of these beasts. A male wolf stalked the edge of the group, humping the air.

We needed to move.

"That's everyone who said they were coming." Colton and Tucker walked over, sporting raging twin boners. I could see why. The soft moans of female frustration and the rising smell of them all gathered in one place were enough to make a younger wolf beg.

I licked my lips again, watching Aspen as she spoke in a soft voice to soothe some of the other females. "None of your friends or crew are running with us."

"We made sure of it." Colton nodded.

"Trenton said to tell you goodbye and that you better take care of Aspen." Tucker folded his hands over his crotch, trying to be respectful.

The punk left and couldn't say his departing words to my face . I sniffed again, confirming what they said as Beau pressed himself against my side.

"See if you can get with the other mated males to round up some game," I told Beau as I tracked the moon through the sky. Almost time. "When Jones and Foster get here, have them take as many men needed to get coolers stocked and bring back supplies."

I knew there was more I was missing. Contingencies I hadn't thought of. But I hoped this would be enough. If I'd planned to lead the season, I would've enlisted more help to make sure everyone was taken care of in case the show producers didn't come through. And we had no way of knowing what the show had in store for us after the season started.

Chad might, my wolf reminded me.

I fisted my hands at my sides.

One thing at a time.

"Don't worry, Alpha." Beau's tongue lolled out of his mouth as he stared up at me. "This isn't my first season. You kids will be fine."

"Kids?" I arched a brow.

He scuffed the dirt with his front paw. "No disrespect, Alpha. I just want you to enjoy this season. Let us take care of you for a change while you take care of your mate."

I caught Aspen's eye, watching as a smile lit up her beautiful face under the silver light of the almost full Worm Moon. She was wringing her hands, but her back was straight. The females naturally clustered around her calming presence.

It's midnight.

I pushed the shorts off my hips, watching in slow motion as Aspen let the flannel shirt fall from her shoulders. The moon glowed off her silky skin and soft curves, illuminating her like a shifter goddess bathed in the night. My soul physically ached as it called to hers.

"Males, behind me," I barked out, sending enough Alpha power to make a few of them whine as paws scrambled to obey.

Aspen took a tentative step in my direction. Her heart was fluttering so fast. I resisted the urge to pull her close and make lovers' promises that everything would be okay. Wolves surrounded us and I wouldn't give them weakness–especially not in the state they were in and not knowing who we could trust.

"You'll run to the creek from the pond and follow it upstream." I nodded in the direction. "If you need anything, have Fallon call for me or Beau."

"Okay." Goosebumps covered her naked flesh as she stood before me. Her chest heaved with panicked breaths. "So I just–"

I caught her chin as it trembled, looking down into her eyes to see them spark in defiance as she steadied herself to meet an Alpha's direct gaze. "Now is the part where you run."