Our Wild Mate *Teaser*

3 Tempers and Mystery

Logan

Wind whistles through the poorly fitted shed boards as the storm continues to rage outside. My jaw aches from how hard I'm gritting my teeth, but I can't seem to stop.

I thought coming out here and taking care of the talix would be enough work to keep me occupied, but I just feel my temper growing. If it wasn't as bad of a storm as it is, I would have taken off for a run and worn myself out. Lord knows I've already done every other menial task to keep myself occupied, including cutting and stacking enough wood to last a week or more.

The door creaks behind me as someone slips in before latching it against the wind. Gryph walks around and raises a brow as he takes in my work.

"She doesn't want anything but the horn... You do know this could have waited till morning, right?" He frowns, but the look in his eyes tells me he understands.

Of all my brothers, Gryph knows me the best. I never feel out of place with him, or feel like I need to apologize for just being me. I know he's gone to bat for me, too. If anyone will understand what I'm feeling, it's him.

"This is a mistake," I growl. I toss another hunk of meat onto the tray between us and keep working. "You know it, Finn knows it... Even Cole knows it, though he's too stubborn to admit it."

Gryph's frown deepens, and he sighs, confirming my point. "It's not our call."

My temper flares to new heights, and I feel my skin ripple. My wild side is clawing to get out. He can't handle this again... the hope... the loss... emptiness and longing. I lash out, sending pails crashing to the ground.

Gryph watches me but says nothing, his gaze mirroring my own struggles. Like always, he locks his feelings deep inside, whereas mine just explodes out of control. This is why I'm the monster, not him, not the others, just me.

I take a deep breath and try to reel myself in. I know he's right, that we can't force her to stay, but they don't even want to try. After the last time, something broke... it hasn't been the same, and it's my fault. I broke us. I have to try to fix it this time.

Gryph rolls up his sleeves and straightens the buckets back for me. He picks up one of the knives and trims the rough cuts.

There's nothing left to say. Just time to pass so I do what I do best and throw myself into work.

We fall into an easy rhythm, silently working to finish tonight. By the end, my eyelids feel heavy and my limbs have the ache of a long day.

"Go shower up and hit the hay, I've got this." Gryph waves me off and loads the trimmed meat into totes to clean up.

I try to dismiss him, but he won't back down. After a third try, I give up and head in. Cole sits in the shadows on the back porch, not even bothering to look my way as I pass by.

I can take a hint.

Inside, the cabin is quiet except for soft crackling sounds from the fireplace. Finn is seated, reading one of his books by the firelight.

She's sleeping, once again curled up on the couch, still wearing Gryph's t-shirt. Silently, I approach, wanting one last look.

Her features are softer in her sleep and more relaxed. I furrow my brows, finding myself drawn in by her mystery. One question still gnaws at me.

How is she not claimed yet?

She's by no means old, but we'll past twenty... most she-wolves have settled into their chosen packs by then. As far as I can tell, there's nothing wrong with her.

The way she handled herself while we took down the talix was incredible. I've never heard of a she-wolf who wanted to hunt, yet here she was fearless and lithe.

Her graceful neck shows no blemishes, not even faded love bites... I can't imagine she has a perspective pack. They would be fools to leave her on her own like this. If she was ours, we would never do that to her.

Hunting is dangerous to begin with, but going after a mature talix bull? That's suicidal alone, which begs the question: why?

What were you thinking? What else are you hiding?

"You good?" Finn whispers. He's keeping a watchful eye as he holds his place in the book with his finger, giving me his full attention.

I nod and turn back to her. Knowing no answers will be had tonight, I head to the bathroom and shower up, washing the grime from the day away.

The hour is late by the time I flop into bed, yet sleep won't claim me. I keep replaying the hunt over and over again in my mind. Even my wolf can't stop thinking about it. He longs to run with her and chase game... I have to block his thoughts as they wander to more provocative ones.

How can we get to know her if she won't even tell us her name? I know she was scared when she first woke up. I can't blame her, but even when she calmed down, she still evaded any personal questions.

For as annoyed and uninterested as Cole tries to act, I didn't miss how he strained to hear every detail. After the last one, he won't let it show, but he's curious too.

After what feels like forever, Cole and Gryph walk in. Cole says nothing and slips in on the far side, rolling over so his back is towards me, and goes to sleep.

Gryph changes and slips into bed between us. The bed is massive, with plenty of room for all of us to spread out, though I rarely sleep here. I'm just as comfortable out under the stars, but wet dog isn't a good look for me.

'Don't let him get to you,' Gryph links.

I sigh, not bothering to respond. That ship is long sailed.

Long into the wee hours of the morning, I lay there, my mind racing. Finn never turns in, no doubt opting to keep an eye on our house guest.

My thoughts refuse to leave her as I finally drift off with the first rays of morning painting the skies.