Free Strength of the Pack by Kendall McKenna Page A

leaf-strewn forest floors. In his dream he had four legs and was covered in brilliant white fur. He ran for the joy of it, feeling the wind on his face, blowing through his fur and across his ears. Lucas was jostled by wolves who ran alongside, all smaller than he was. He could smell the night air, the wolves who ran with him and all the prey that ran from them in fear. When the smaller wolves snarled and bit at one another, Lucas broke them up with growls and the snapping of his jaws.
     
    Ahead, he spotted a towering pile of rocks. He sprinted toward it and climbed to the top with little effort. Lucas stood, surveying the barren landscape, feeling strong and powerful. Nothing out there was any threat to him and his pack. There was only prey waiting to be run to ground.

    Lucas wanted to run on forever. He didn’t want the night to end. As the sky lightened and the sun approached, he knew he had to turn back and lead the pack back the way they had come. He hesitated.
     
    In his dream, Lucas glanced back over his shoulder in the direction they had run from. There was something back in that direction. Something important. Something special.

    Decision made, he leaped down from the rocks and led the pack back in the direction they had come from. There was something waiting for him, which was more important than freedom or food.
     
    Lucas felt like he’d only just closed his eyes when Rigby shook him awake.

    He rolled up his bedroll and tucked it into the corner. “I’ll be back for that after I’ve confirmed all the werewolves have returned.”

    The two Marines coming on duty told him there was no hurry.

    Lucas made a quick visit to the head before taking his clipboard with him to stand just inside the gate to wait.

    Pink light streaked the sky when someone called down from the watch tower. “They’re all dressed and heading this way, Lieutenant.”

    Minutes later, Lucas made out the distinct form of Noah jogging across the uneven ground, a large group of Marines following behind. As he drew nearer, his gaze found Lucas’ and held it. As Noah passed through the gate, he dropped into a fast walk until he came to stop directly in front of Lucas.
     
    “Welcome back,” Lucas greeted, feeling slightly out of breath. Noah looked exhausted. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and his shoulders sagged.

    Noah didn’t answer him with words. Instead, he stepped in close and rubbed his cheek against Lucas’. Lucas pressed back, feeling the rough stubble of Noah’s beard. Lucas closed his eyes at the feel of Noah’s warm breath against his skin. Noah skimmed his cheek over Lucas’ hair, before finally stepping around to press his chest to Lucas’ back.

    “The gym is open,” Noah addressed the assembled werewolves. “Spar only with a referee present. If anyone is caught in an unsanctioned fight, I will punish you myself. If you fuck, do it out of public view.”

    Lucas bit back a smile. Noah was trying not to be obvious, but Lucas could feel his erection where it brushed against his ass. He tried to ignore the flashes of graphic fantasies that wanted to force their way to the front of his mind.
     
    “Now check in with Lucas so he can be sure you all made it back safely,” Noah concluded.

    It went quickly. The Marines all approached Lucas quietly, provided their names before slipping into the growing crowd around them. When Lucas turned to look up at Noah, he appeared almost asleep on his feet.
     
    “Let’s get you to your hooch,” Lucas said, tugging Noah in the direction of the living quarters. Noah hadn’t been this exhausted after the run back at Pendleton, and it confused Lucas. Suddenly he realized leading a run on familiar and safe ground had to be different than leading a run in a hostile country where you’re part of the invading military.

    Noah’s quarters were empty when they arrived, both beds made with Marine Corps precision. Lucas knew Noah shared the hooch with Sergeant Viejo, and