Page 67 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
“Good. Keep her away from the west woods. It’s off limits tonight. I’ll be running, with Lottie.”
The west woods is usually a space reserved for our family, a place I usually run during the eclipse to keep away from the rest. I would argue but I don’t plan on shifting if I can help it. And if he’s running with Lottie that could only mean he intends to solidify their bond. To chase her under a full moon, take her and knot her, then bite her to form that unbreakable and permanent bond.
A strange pounding throbs in my chest at the idea. Jealousy mixed with elation for my brother and his happiness.
“Really? Tonight?”
“Maybe.”
I nod, knowing that maybe all relies on Lottie. Hunter knows what he wants and is patient enough to wait for Lottie to choose him as well. I know the feeling. Only my female doesn’t know yet that I believe she could be my mate. She knows about mates, I told her. She seemed intrigued by the idea, so perhaps convincing her she’s mine won’t be as hard as I imagine.
“I will. And congratulations, brother. She will make a great mate.”
“Thank you.”
He squeezes my shoulder once more, this time without the claws to reassure me of his gratitude and trust. No matter how much I want Tess, I will not break my brother’s trust. My brother turns and leaves me, returning to Lottie and the others while I watch my Red saunter up to me. A growing grin on her face and sway to her hips that has me sweating.
Chapter 36: Tess
“Was that your brother?”
I watch as Hunter walks away from Ryder, his back turned towards us. I haven’t actually met him yet, I haven’t met anyone in Ryder’s family. He also hasn’t offered to introduce me to any of them. Not that I can blame him. I’m not exactly the type guys take home to meet the parents. I’m more of a wild indulgence to fulfill their crazy quota. To Ryder, however, I’m not crazy. I’m perfectly sane. Maybe it’s the hunting werewolves’ bit.
“Yeah, that’s Hunter,” Ryder replies, ignoring his brother and focusing on me instead.
“He didn’t want to stick around to say hello?” I ask sarcastically. I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.
Ryder’s lips pinch as he gives me an apologetic smile. “He’s not ready, yet. I haven’t told him about you, about us,yet.Plus he’s a little preoccupied with a female of his own.”
I take a second look in Hunter’s direction and again see him wrapping an arm around Alexandria, who’s wearing a short white dress and looking like it’s her wedding day. Hunter presses a soft kiss to her temple, and I watch with a hint of longing.
“They look good together. If I had known there was a dress code, I would have worn something more appropriate.” I gestureto my all-black attire more suited for hunting or a funeral than a backyard bar-be-cue.
“I think you look perfect.”
Ryder steps closer and wraps a possessive hand around my waist. The heat of his body warming my own and stirring a needy heat farther south. His crisp orange scent spikes and washes over me. It’s intoxicating in a way I never thought a smell could be. I want to roll around in it, spread it across my skin like oil. Shifters like to spread their scent over each other, and I wonder for a moment if I’ve been hunting werewolves for so long, some of their mannerisms have rubbed off on me.
“It’s a special night for Hunter and Lottie. He plans to solidify his mate bond with her tonight.”
“Oh? Is there going to be a ceremony or something? Do you marry like humans do?”
He grips my hip and plays with the end of my ponytail with his free hand, admiring the red strands and twining them around his fingers then letting the strands sift and fall free. I’ve noticed his fascination with my hair and wonder if he has trichophilia. (The technical term for a person with a hair fetish) Inwardly I hope he doesn’t and it’s just my hair he has a fascination for.
“No, no ceremony. Shifters bond in a special way.”
“And what way would that be?”
His body tenses and his pupils dilate as he stares down at me with an intensity I’ve never seen in another man before. He brushes the bare skin of my exposed neck with a gentle and covetous caress that sends shivers down my spine.
“We chase, we catch, we fuck, and we bite. Under a full moon is preferred but not required. Under a blood moon is considered lucky for the couple. If you believe in such things.”
Goosebumps race a path from my neck down my arm and chest, pebbling my nipples and I suck in a small shallow breath.His touch, mixed with his words, have me wanting to feel those sharp teeth pressing into my skin and claiming me for himself. What a strange compulsion. Maybe I’m part shifter. What a funny thought, that I could be part of what I’ve been chasing for all these years.
“And will we be partaking in any activities tonight?” My voice is low and laced with desire. Other than the mate bond part, most of what he described sounds fun.
His expression hardens and the lustful haze lifts. “No. The chase requires a shift, and I will not be shifting tonight.”
I frown up at him confused. “But I thought you said shifters can’t fight the shift during a blood moon?”
