Callie's Captors [Mountain Men(38)
“Scrunch?” Blue gaped at her. “You named it?”
“Never mind that.” Pete took her hand. “They’re dangerous because they hate our people for being human and for having the lives we have. They’re animals and unable to control themselves. They usually attack at night and against one or two of us while we’re in the forest, but that’s not always the case. The fact that your Scrunch is out right now and got that close to you proves it.”
“Damn. Don’t you start calling him that name. And sure as shit don’t call it hers.”
“Relax, Blue.” Pete squeezed her hand. “Do you understand why we don’t want you near him? We’re afraid for your life.”
“Do you really think he’d hurt me? That he might even kill me?”
“They’ve killed before. And if he scratches you, it could make you very ill. Possibly even kill you. We can’t let that happen.”
“But why would he? He didn’t act like he hated me. In fact, I’d say he’s trying to do the exact opposite. Like he’s trying to make friends with me. Maybe these Cursed things are trying to change. Or maybe it’s just him. Either way, I don’t think he’d hurt me.”
“Maybe he wouldn’t, but we don’t want to take that chance.”
“Pete, come on.”
He waved off Raine’s objection. “You have to know one more thing. The Cursed want to mate with a human woman. They think that if they do, their children will have more human blood running in their veins. The more generations that mate with a human woman, the closer it brings their kind to becoming like us.”
Her throat closed up. She didn’t mind befriending Scrunch, but the idea of one of them taking her was unthinkable.
“Don’t worry. We won’t let them get to you.”
She nodded, understanding as much as she could. It would take more time to get it to sink it. Still, she couldn’t shake the impression that Scrunch would never do anything to her.
Pete brushed her hair away from her cheek. “Let’s get back home, okay?”
She started to deny that the camp was her home, but didn’t. A feeling of warmth washed over her. What would it be like to have a real home? And how amazing would it be to have a home like The Hidden with the Deacon men in her life? They’d stood up for her, protected her as no one had ever done. She’d let her guard down and, for once, she’d placed her trust in the right place and with the right men. Letting Pete help her, she slid off the rock and kept his hand as they walked back to camp.
* * * *
Callie strolled from one side of the campsite to the other. After what Pete had told her about The Cursed, she’d needed time to think and she’d asked the men to give her the rest of that day and the next. After all, what was the rush? According to them, she wasn’t going anywhere.
Besides, wasn’t anticipation part of the fun of a new relationship? With three luscious men wanting to take her into their bed, the anticipation was that much better.
What she hadn’t counted on was finding so much to see around the camp that she ended up not thinking about Scrunch and the Deacons at all.
The people here are amazing. Strange, but amazing.
Maybe it was her surroundings, or Scrunch, or the way she’d gone wild with the Deacon men, but she was beginning to wonder if she’d lost her mind. Why else would she start imagining so many things? Like when she’d almost run into two women with odd silver eyes. Surprised, she’d come to a quick stop and was thrown by their exotic look. But the eyes weren’t the most unusual thing about them. For a moment, too fast for her to be sure, she would’ve sworn she’d seen wings on their backs.
She’d stopped to gawk until Luke, the larger-than-life man, had swept by her. He’d mumbled a “Hey” in greeting and she’d answered. Then, turning around to give her a big grin, she’d seen his face. Fur covered most of his face. Stunned, she’d timidly pointed it out to him, but he’d acted unconcerned. Instead, he’d widened his huge grin, added a “Yup,” and hurried on his way.
“I’m losing it big time.”
“Losing what? I can help you find it. I’m very good at finding things.”
“Oh, I didn’t see you there.” She regarded the boy in his late teens that had snuck up behind her. “No thanks. I didn’t lose anything.”
“So you aren’t trying to find something?” His dark eyes flashed in his wide face as the breeze blew his black hair around.
“No. Just my mind.”
He tilted his head to the side, reminding her of her men…and a little of Scrunch. “You’re with the Deacon brothers.” He leaned closer.