Page 59 of Mating Season

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’ve never been more serious in my life.” His jaw clenched as his fist rested against the ground. “If you’re going to leave the nest smelling like that, then you’ll be physically attached to me the entire time.”

We really needed to work on his bossy nature.

But also… this sounded kind of fun.

I jumped on his back and clung to him like a spider monkey as Ranger hiked down the mountain. It was an awesome way to travel. He may have grumbled a bit about safety and brats, but I could tell he liked gripping my thighs as he adjusted my weight and the random kisses I placed on the back of his neck when I felt like it.

My traps were empty. I’d expected as much with the scent of Ranger’s piss marking the area. He must have gone out last night when I’d slept.

Worthy mate.

Stop swooning already.

I pressed another kiss to his shoulder and felt him tighten his grip on my thighs.

There was a faint scent that didn’t belong near my nest though. I inhaled, cataloging, but Rangerdidn’t comment so I wasn’t going to be the one to talk about it.

Beau’s wolf ran alongside us as he clued Ranger in on the events from the night and morning. At my prodding, Ranger relayed the information to me. Jones and Foster were taking Sarah to Denver to a heat clinic. Thank the Goddess that all worked out.

Some of the other mated members of packs who came with their Alphas went with Foster and Jones to get food for the week. Either the show wanted us to be safer in a less gamey area or intended for us to starve if we didn’t have sponsors coming through. Knowing Molly, I suspected hunger was an easy way to increase ratings.

There was no sure way to tell who had supplies and who didn’t without calling shifters out so Ranger made sure everyone was getting the same amount. I’m not sure the show considered how Ranger would react. Maybe they thought he’d be driven by the rut and cause some real drama on TV. I could only imagine a beast of his strength and caliber tearing apart everything in his way. But they didn’t know him. Not like I did. He was always in full control. Though the other Alphas’ teams were helping, Ranger took charge by doing things his way this season.

Beau was pretty proud of himself as he explained the level of organization he’d planned throughout the night and how quickly he was to follow orders. The tone of Ranger’s deep voice givingdirections and praise freely had my ovaries basically begging to get pounded.

Nests were knocking as we went past them while Ranger checked on things and finalized plans with Beau for dropping off food and running patrols. I clung tighter to Ranger’s back grateful he insisted I wasn’t allowed to walk. Already, I could feel my core swelling as more blood rushed to it.

Things were really heating up.

The camera drones followed us as we neared the pond. I frowned when we saw the Tulia nests. Both of them were quiet and their scent trail was old.

“Beau says Chad’s team left this morning,” Ranger said.

I nodded. That didn’t explain the scent I’d picked up, but maybe I was wrong. I wasn’t totally feeling like myself.

Every random touch from Ranger had my insides melting and I must have gone through the rest of the granola bars and jerky in Beau’s saddlebag. I asked to walk a few times, but Ranger wouldn’t let me. He hurried to check on the rest of the nests as if he was leaving his scent in the area as a warning.

Even with the annoyance radiating from him, I could tell he was a good Alpha.

Our Alpha.

I fell in love with him a little more as I held to his back while he made the hike uphill. The lull of sun peeking through the tree branches and the cool breeze in the shade made me sigh as I rested my head on his shoulder.

“That’s just about everyone,” Ranger said gruffly. His skin was coated in salty sweat. I pressed my lips to his neck again.

“Trenton’s gone too,” I said.

“I know.” He motioned for Beau to run ahead.

“I’m glad you didn’t kill him.” I closed my eyes. “Trenton isn’t bad. Just stupid.”

“If you’re stupid, you should be taught to keep your mouth shut.”

I thought of the past which seemed more like a dream now after everything that had happened lately. “He knew how to do that.”

Ranger seemed to sense there was something more to this, but when I didn’t elaborate, he didn’t press. “Well then I hope he gets smart enough to learn when to speak up someday.”