Free A Lycan's Mate by Chandler Dee Page A

discrete distance to
ensure nothing went wrong, that no alphas ganged up on her or
turned on each other. The cool, crisp air teased her sweaty skin
and her nipples hardened in response. Like Beryx, she was covered
in dirt. Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to get clean
again.
     
    "How is your mate, Beryx?" She asked,
inquiring about the newest addition to the community, a young woman
the pack picked up from the sacrifical clearing not two days ago.
She would be running straight for that clearing in a few hours. The
first male to catch her, claimed her. Jurisa had no intention of
being caught by just anyone.
     
    Jurisa smiled at Beryx’s discomfit to her
question. When they first encountered the woman, Beryx reported a
strong attraction to her and the instinctive recognition of a
compatible mate. He asked for the chance to host her in his home
and Jurisa agreed. She was glad he had found someone after so many
years of service in the pack.
     
    Beryx shrugged his shoulders. "Not mated
yet," he said ruefully and they shared a laugh.
     
    "Be patient," Jurisa said, "Everyone needs
time to adjust."
     
    Beryx nodded, licking his lips. A familiar
look of anxiety showing in his eyes. Jurisa had seen that look in
too many of her pack members over the years. It was the discomfort
of being separated from one's mate before consummation.
     
    "Go check on her," she said to him, gesturing
towards the village beyond the forest. "We have a few hours before
the run."
     
    Glancing at Jurisa for confirmation, Beryx
grinned again and turned back the way they came. He jumped the trip
wire, changed mid-air, and landed on four paws in a swift gallop.
In moments, Beryx was gone, leaving Jurisa alone with her
thoughts.
     
    She turned to the left, hearing something in
he woods, the shifting of pine needles underfoot. Stilling her
entire body, she listened and scented the air, but could only smell
the deep, rich pine mingled with the still fresh odor of Beryx.
Deciding it was nothing, Jurisa relaxed.
     
    On sudden whim, she changed into her wolfen
form with thick salt and pepper fur and long, sharp claws, then
took off towards a nearby river. No longer running a race, Jurisa
allowed herself the freedom of an easy pace. Her mouth open as she
panted. Her eyes squinting slightly as cool air rushed past her
face. Tail up, she barked excitedly, warning all other animals in
the area that a wolf was coming. Not that she minded a brief chase
with a mountain deer. Jurisa was currently more interested in the
glacial mountain stream ahead.
     
    She scented the sharp, cold water long before
she reached the edge of the forest along the river banks and jumped
in without giving herself a chance to think about how cold it would
feel. It was bracing enough to shock Jurisa back into human form.
She spluttered for a few moments before growing accustomed to the
temperature. Spying a sandy riverbank, Jurisa picked up a handful
and started rubbing it over her skin. Gritty and course, the sand
helped removed the accumulated dirt and surface oils. Jurisa rinsed
herself clean in the water and emerged feeling much more relaxed
for her invigorating experience.
     
    She was in the process of swiping the excess
water from her body when she heard the shuffling sounds of
footsteps again. Turning into the light breeze, Jurisa picked up
the scent of Feodor. She stiffened. He must be watching her from
the woods. Jurisa slowly scanned the trees for signs of the hulking
alpha.
     
    He'd been particularly aggressive in his
attentions since arriving at the community. Jurisa didn't doubt
he'd try to force a mating if he felt his odds of winning the hunt
were poor. She knew for a fact that they almost certainly were,
because she'd had his evening meal spiked with a sedative. It would
start to kick in during the hunt and slow him enough that the other
alphas could edge him out.
     
    The werewolf stepped out from behind some
bushes in human form. Leering at her body, he came forward