Page 125 of Not Your Ordinary Shifter

He wouldn’t allow his mate to go hungry. Ever He’d seen and experienced it too much in his life. Working for Keeley Raferty and living within a shifter community allowed for him and his family to have enough money to sustain themselves, which also meant not having to scrounge for food or ration portions.

“We will,” Johnathan said. “There’s a feast provided to the pack by the surrounding restaurants and the Alpha families. I hope you brought a third stomach.”

Lika wrapped his arm around his mate, pulling him close. “I got lucky finding you.”

Johnathan grinned. “Kind of happens here. I believe it’s a magnetic pull because of all the Indigenous ties to the land here.” He went to his tiptoes and whispered in Luka’s ear, “I think they knew we’d find protection here. That’s why the draw is so powerful.”

Luka wasn’t sure what he believed. Being oppressed and scared most of his life didn’t allow for exploration or study. However, he agreed with Johnathan. The desert was alive with the spirit and strength of the people of Window Rock. When his parents told him of a home with red rocks and vast vistas and foreign trees that didn’t look like any trees he’d ever seen, Luka couldn’t imagine a place so exciting yet so scary existing. Now, he didn’t want to contemplate his life being anywhere but there. “I think they’re calling us home.”

Johnathan’s smile brightened. “Yeah, I like that idea. Calling us home.”

A cow bell sounded in the distance. “What is that?”

His mate laughed before brushing his lips with a kiss. “Dinner is ready. Let’s go join our pack/pride.”

Luka found them a seat at an open picnic table surrounding the small stage where Kalkin, his mate, his twin, Rapier, and his beta, along with four others he hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting, yet, sat. The woman beside Kalkin, however, did appear to be related to the Alpha. Kalkin raised his hands as he stepped forward, quieting those who’d stayed for the festivities. All eyes were on him and their quiet respect, endeared Luka to the Alpha. The pack/pride liked him. Respected him most of all.

“Good evening,” Kalkin said, “welcome to the Harvest Moon event. I hope you’ll stick around after the feast to trick or treat and run with us as a pack.”

Anticipation clung to the air, covering them with a thick blanket of excitement. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to that. It’d been his family alone in the mountains for so long, having this beating heart of a rather large family engulfing him, was a little strange to say the least, but also welcoming. Having the whole of the pack/pride there, felt like he was grounded to the town, the people, and his mate.

“I thought I would introduce everyone to our newest family that has joined us.” He extended his hand toward Luka and his family. “If you don’t mind standing for a minute, Mr. and Mrs. Novikov.”

His parents stood as did Ilariy.

Luka followed suit.

“Please make them feel welcomed,” Kalkin said. “We also have been informed today by the county a new box store will be built not far from here, allowing us better access to supplies.”

After a round of applause, he turned to his mate. “We are so grateful for each and every one of you who have stuck with us and those of you who sought Keeley and I out. Over the last couple of years our families have grown, and our lives have settled into a peacefulness we have rightfully earned. I believe our time of prosperity is upon us and this coming year will be the best we’ve ever had. So, tonight, eat, have fun, and remember the rules.” He gave all those who joined him a pointed look. “We will be watching. Now, let’s eat.”

Luka frowned. “What was that all about?”

Johnathan took his hand, leading him to the buffet line. “Before most of us arrived or had been born, there was a huge issue of humans abandoning their babies at the border of the pack/pride lands. Most humans didn’t know what they were getting into by sleeping with shifters. Others...” Johnathan exhaled, “we don’t talk about. Anyway, when Keeley and Danielle arrived, things changed. Kalkin made rules and since then, orphaned babies have diminished as have assaults. We have more mated couples and the rest is history.”

Luka nodded. “Then the rules are what will happen to you if you do something bad?”

“Yes,” Kalkin said, joining them. “I’m sure Johnathan will give you a full rundown before our run tonight, but here’s the jest of it, don’t fuck where you’re not wanted. Don’t force yourself on someone either.”

“I’d never,” Luka said.

“Good. Didn’t think you would,” Kalkin replied, patting Luka on the shoulder before turning away. “But, rules are rules. See you on the trail, boys.”

“That was intense,” Luka muttered as Kalkin disappeared into the crowd of people.

“I’ll explain everything later. But he’s right. We don’t fuck where we’re not wanted, and we don’t force people to fuck us.”Johnathan lifted his shoulder. “They’re pretty simple rules if you ask me.”

“Agreed.”

Once they sat back down, Luka indulged on the different types of food that’d been prepared for them. He knew he couldn’t eat all of it, but he wanted to sample everything. He swore by the time he was finished; Johnathan was going to have roll him home. He chuckled to himself at the thought.

As darkness descended over them, and all that was left to light the way was the amber glow of twinkling lights and decorative lamps hanging from different locations around the area, a new sense of excitement overtook the crowd. In the distance, the large Harvest moon ascended into the sky, reminding all of them just how small they truly were. Johnathan stood then held out his hand. When Luka placed his palm to Johnathan’s, a current of power raced up his arm and settled over his heart and groin. He groaned, sucking air between his teeth as he felt the charge consume him in a way he’d never experienced before.

It was as if every person who sat or stood in that space was connected by an unseen tether. His pleasure was Johnathan’s as his mate’s was Luka’s. A soft murmur spread through the pack/pride members, growing more intense by the second. He glanced at his mate, and he was set ablaze as he watched Johnathan begin to strip. It was then he realized there were no children or teens in the area. Only the adults remained.

“What’s going on?” he asked, not sure if he was so overstimulated, he couldn’t figure out if he wanted to be naked too or too scared of what was happening around him to perform.

“We’re going to run,” Johnathan said. “If you don’t want to tear your clothes, I suggest you get naked for me.”

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