Page 13 of Mating Season
Oh, no.My eyes widened as the realization dawned on me.
The team Ranger sent to move our belongings from the trailer would’ve packed up my bedroom. I bolted upright and clasped my hands together, praying harder to the Moon Goddess than I’d ever done before.
Please don’t let my papa have seen my dildo collection.
*
That was it.
I couldn’t wait anymore.
It’s been one morning.My wolf groaned.
Yeah, well, being a damsel in distress was the most boring thing I’d ever done in my life.
I gathered up the top bedsheet, making a quick pack with some of the 550 cord.
Ranger is coming.My wolf tried to force the shift as I reached for a bottle of water to stow in the pack. I smacked my own hand, making her claws retract.
Will you chill out?I was just going to explore the area and see if I could find any signs of where I was. Maybe run into more of the Luna contestants.
The trail cams were still on and recording, making me wonder if we were all isolated for the show. It felt veryAlone-ish. That particular show didn’t do well the one time they included a bearshifter. She went into animal form and hibernated the whole winter. It took a team to find her after the Arctic spring started.
I thought she earned the money fair and square despite what the humans argued.
Hoisting the makeshift bag of food and water over my shoulder, I started to hike away from my camp. I couldn’t just sit around. Plus, I had traps to check. And the anxious feeling never quite left, leaving me restless. What if I was waiting for Ranger, but he was somewhere hurt?
He’s not.
How do you know?I was getting a little tired of her complete confidence in the guy.
Feel it.She slammed against the barrier separating us, making me gasp for air as it felt like my heart skipped a beat.
That weird feeling in my chest intensified. It was a pulse now instead of an empty ache. The drumming was weak and infantile, but I justknewif I nurtured it, it would strengthen.
Is this the fated mate bond?
That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.
This is real.I relaxed into the sensation as I walked, rubbing the hard plate between my breasts.
He’s really coming. Just wait.
A branch snapped in the distance.
He’s h–
“Aspen! Where are you?” The shrill female’s voice echoed down the mountain, sending a lone crow in the trees to flight.
Fallon.I wasn’t sure if I was disappointed or elated to hear her voice, butI caught myself before returning her loud cry. We were too close to the coming heat and instinct had me leaning into self-preservation, not wanting to give away my position to whoever else might be close by.
We couldn’t have that.
Not when we’d be vulnerable soon.
The heat’s really creeping up on me.I gave an embarrassed chuckle, fanning myself with the open sides of my flannel shirt and realizing my thoughts were spiraling and hormonal.
Just go with it.My wolf urged me forward.Quietly.