Free Wild Instinct by Sarah McCarty Page A

scent was stronger here, more addictive. He breathed deeply. Her little mewl of protest stroked across his desire, shredding his complacency. She was his. His teeth scraped down her neck, a tiny promise of the claiming that would soon take place. She shivered and turned her face, arching her neck.
    Yes. Make it easy for me. Invite me.
    He lowered her to the floor, easing her gently against the packed earth before following her down. Her body was so much smaller than his, yet somehow fit him perfectly. Her head twisted to the side. It was natural that his mouth found the hollow between her shoulder and neck, natural that his canines lengthened as primitive emotion overrode caution. He didn’t care that they weren’t alone, didn’t care about anything except this moment in which she would become irrevocably his. He fitted his teeth to her shoulder, getting drunk on her scent, her taste. Now. She had to be his. Now. It had to be now.

Ten
    “GARRETT!”
    A hand touched his shoulder. The scent of another male stole past the pleasure in which he was drowning. He snarled, jumped up and lashed out. Kelon swore and leapt back.
    Donovan grabbed Garrett from the other side. “Stand down.”
    Garrett shook his head. Too close. They were too close to Sarah Anne.
    With a snarl Garrett broke Donovan’s grip. The energy in him gathered. Head lowered, he took a deep breath. Aggression laced the air, layering over Sarah Anne’s sweet scent. Burying it.
    “Get back.”
    Kelon closed in on one side, Donovan on the other. “Not until you have yourself under control.”
    Only one word ground past the primitive rage. “Mine.”
    “Not yet,” Donovan countered. “And you’re not claiming her against her will.”
    “She’s not complaining.”
    In reality, Sarah wasn’t doing anything but lying on the floor where he’d placed her, her soft little body twisting with the yearning for his mark. The knowledge flowed through him. He shook his head, the flood of emotions not abating—his, hers . . .
    Kelon knelt. Garrett lunged, only partially in control. Donovan knocked him aside. Sarah Anne gasped and moaned. Linked. They were still linked. He felt her scream build. A woman’s reaction to rage pouring from him to her. He tried to sever the connection. Easy. Easy.
    He sent the command to her, unable to break their link. She held him too tightly, wanting the security. How long had she felt this scared?
    I’ve got you, darling.
    It was himself he had to get under control. Kelon reached for Sarah Anne.
    “Don’t touch her.”
    Kelon’s glance darted between Sarah Anne and Garrett, narrowed. “Shit.”
    “What the hell?” Donovan asked.
    Kelon looked over at his brother, and Garrett knew his secret was out. “Looks like Megan isn’t our only talent.”
    “Let her go, rogue.”
    Rogue. The hated name. “It’s not me.”
    Donovan snarled. “Like hell.”
    “Maybe to start, but now it’s her. She won’t let go.”
    “Why the hell not?” Kelon snapped. “You’re not that good-loo kin g.”
    Because she was scared, and had been for a long time. But Garrett wouldn’t tell them that. One thing Sarah Anne had in spades was pride.
    Kelon leaned in. Garrett snarled, the urge to kill drowning all but a remnant of sense. “Stand back now!”
    “Don’t get fussy with me, rogue.”
    He ground out the truth. “I can’t control my instinct with her in my head.”
    It galled his pride to give that explanation, but without space, he wasn’t going to be able to last much longer.
    From the back came Daire’s deep rumble. “He’s not lying. If she’s linked with him, he’s dangerous.”
    “Back off, Kelon,” Donovan ordered.
    Kelon stayed put, canines showing. “He’s not in control.”
    “Neither is she. They are together, though.”
    Kelon paused and then cut Garrett a glare. “Don’t mate her.”
    He wouldn’t. Not yet; not here. “Just stand back.”
    Sarah’s whisper twined through his mind, a siren’s call for