Taming her Wild Mates

the wind whispered through the nearby trees. The narrow pathw

. The Annual Purge-the werewolves' brutal celebratio

led her conversation with he

an who had always treated Meredith l

voice low. "It's the Purge. Go home, Meredith. Lock your

e concern, but deep down, she knew t

human, little

apart, of innocent lives taken without mercy. The werewolves claimed it was thei

used. Perhaps it was that if the werewolves decided her

pathway ahead led into the darkened forest. S

owls, laughter, the distant

and if this was her fate, so be it. Besides, she was alread

ing candles casting shadows that danced on the

es. Hopefully, Carrick, the owner, noticed her weariness and gently suggested she take over

ng trays and serving drinks, her

e men at the far end of the table. Their eyes followed her every

eyes narrowing as he studied her. "You look t

she set down their drinks. "It's been a busy week," she replie

nd here would dare to work this late, especially t

espond. She could sense the ot

aze with as much courage as she could muster. "B

sent a shiver down her spine. "Brave words fo

feeling their eyes boring into her,

etter than

he side of his face, leaned forward. "You ever heard of the Moo

dry. "Everyone here knows of

honor her with the hunt. You should be careful, girl

r support. "I appreciate the warning," she said, ba

first man called out to he

ing over her shou

ng the name. "We'll be seeing you ag

away as quickly as she could

ime Carrick announced the end of t

tched on his face. "You should go home now, Meredith.

a tired smile. "I'll be fine, Car

er. "You're strong, Meredith. But strength d

watching him leave befor

, the moonlight was casting long

r way home. But before she could take a

on?" a familia

, she saw the men she

she ran aimlessly, the cold air burning her lungs. She du

a way out, but there

! Come quietly, and we

. She stumbled into a narrow alleyway, hoping it

she reached the end, her heart sank as she he

silhouette blocking the only exit. The others emerg

she was pressed against the cold brick wall.

s smile darkening. "It's not

er arms and pinning her against the wall. Meredith screamed, stru

came in r

r until his face was inches from hers. "There's

. "Why me?" she whispered, her

, though his eyes remained cold. "I assur

a cloth from his pocket and pre

nt of chemicals overwhelmed her senses. Her vi

r murmured as her body began to

s lifting her off the ground, carrying her

re was nothin

*

adows, she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. Slow

he Annual Purge-the time when werewolves hunted human fem

gh her mind. She had been taken in a similar

ood scraped against her skin as she shifted. It wasn't just her-countless other

us," one woman sobbed.

d, "We're all going t

nd an opening. But the walls seemed to cl

tay here. She

d the women fell silent. The sound grew louder, closer,

ed by the hood of his cloak. He carried a small lantern. He lo

a desperate whisper, she plead

," he whispered back. "No one can interfere with fate. I

st be a way," she insisted. "Ple

as if checking for any unseen obser

you reach the Musk River, you'll be free. But

oat. "The river... How d

a single star shone brightly in the night sky. "Head

o the shadows. Around her, the other women began to stir, some w

her life, the dreams that might never come true. She sobbed for t

hed before looking up at the sky wh

ments away. The boy's eyes flickered as he notic

last time. "I w

and the sound of locks being

crambled out, their screams piercing

lted from the box. The sound of

darkness. The branches scratched at her skin as she pushed herself harder. But th

kle, and for a moment, s

erself to her feet. She limped forwar

a little further, and s

slammed into her back. The impact knocked the brea

of a predator brushing against her neck. She had come

ars streaming down her face as she

into the darkness. "Pl

fangs and the tearing of claws. But instead,

grew heavier, pinning her to the grou

gers gently cup her chin. Her breath caught in her throat as her face was

e, with steely eyes that seem

warm against her cheeks as he w

ind him, their forms shifting until they stood as na

intensity as the first man's. Sl

ey all stared down at her, t

n cue, they spoke

ut a vow. She was surrounded, c

y moment, she was no long