Page 345 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

Completely fucking naked.

We both stare after her in silence as the tent flat rustles shut behind her.

For a while, the only sound is the calm river around us and the wind in the trees. We’re standing waist-deep in the dark water, and the only light out here comes from the moon now looming above us and the embers of the campfire.

Valek pushes his wet hair away from his face. "Fuck," he grits out under his breath with a low, dark chuckle. "Do you think she wants us to follow her yet?"

Not sure, I sign, sinking onto my back. Maybe let her text them first.

I look over at the tent again, treading my arms through the water to keep myself afloat. My muscle is dense enough my body sinks every time I let myself completely relax.

The camp lantern comes on inside.

Ivy's silhouette moves around inside the now glowing tent, phone in hand, then sits in the middle.

I watch her looking down at her screen.

I could watch her all night.

Fuck the moon.

"How are you feeling?" Valek asks.

My hands rise above the surface. Fucking terrified, I admit.

Valek watches me for a moment, then vanishes into the dark water.

I sit up, craning my neck.

I don't see him.

He resurfaces nearby, close enough to make me move away, rolling effortlessly on his back to float even though his muscle is even leaner than mine. He moves in the water like a snake.

Like he moves on land, too, I guess.

"What are you afraid of? Marking her?"

Yes. That. Of course. And…

His silver eyes watch my hands.

I keep going. I can’t wear masks anymore. I can’t live like this.

Valek’s expression doesn’t change, but he turns fully toward me, rolling onto his stomach with only his eyes above the water.

I look toward the tent.

The walls glow softly from the lantern inside, Ivy’s shadow moving across the fabric while she searches for her phone. Even from here, I can smell her wild honeysuckle beneath the woodsmoke and wet earth.

My fingers falter. I clench them into fists, forcing the tremor out, then finish.

I horrify everyone who sees me. Even Ivy was shocked.

There’s a difference between Ivy loving me when I can give her some semblance of a normal life and Ivy having to give up a normal life every time she's with me outside the pack house.

She’ll be a girl with a monster.

Every restaurant, store, arena, and sidewalk will become another place where people stare at her and judge her for choosing me.