Nodding, her brother offered her a sympathetic look and a lethal glare in the direction of Conner. Wyatt just tossed her the keys and smiled reassuringly at her.
Mackenzie got back into the truck and aimed it towards the cabins. Parking in front of the main house, she knew Connie and possibly Sophie were inside. She wasn’t up to seeing them right now. Walking behind the house, she went far enough into the trees so the house was just visible in the distance. She stripped out of her clothes and left them piled neatly next to a fallen log.
Taking a breath, she asked her cat if she wanted to run. The resounding roar had her laughing, she let her cougar push forward, unfolding out of her skin in a shimmering sparkle.
Her cat was average size for a cougar, or mountain lion or puma depending on where you lived. Mackenzie’s animal even looked like her, curvy and athletic. A tan colored coat with flecks of gold shining through it. Giving a long exaggerated stretch, she wanted her cat to have fun, and pulled back, letting her have the lead.
The cat took the opportunity and took off at a dead run, jumping over fallen logs and scattering the small animals ahead of her.
They ran for hours, even tracked a bunny down for a snack. Mackenzie was not a big fan of raw meat, but it kept her animal happy and they were one. It was happy, she was happy. Or relatively speaking.
Realizing it was getting late, her cougar knew it was time to head back too. They took it slower making their way back to the cabin. By the time she could see the faint glow of the cabin in the distance, she’d slowed to a walk.
Her cat suddenly hunkered down in the brush. Mackenzie hadn’t been paying that much attention, but now knew there was something else out there. Scanning with their excellent night vision, she saw a lumbering form trotting towards them.
Her first thought was they should run the other way, but as the direction of the wind changed, the scent of her mate floated over her. It made her damn cat purr, frisky tramp.
The huge grizzly stopped in front of where they were crouched down and let out a ridiculously loud roar.
Oh no he didn’t.
Chapter 9
Mackenzie pushed her cat back and let her human form take shape. “You did not just roar at me Conner Rochon,” she screamed.
The mountain of a bear stood on his hind feet and growled, at almost seven and a half feet, he was impressive. Then the bear shrunk before her eyes as a blast of sparks swirled and Conner was standing in front of her, huffing, scowling, and looking pissed off.
“I’ll sure as hell yell at you! What the fuck do you think you are doing out here in the woods? You don’t know this area. We have a psycho out to hurt our families and you go gallivanting off on your own,” he continued to yell, taking a step closer to her.
“I was just fine on my own! I’m a grown woman and in case you forgot, I’m a fucking cougar! I can defend myself against a measly human with a grudge. Why are you even out here? Shouldn’t you be home, being single, watching football, or scratching some random body part,” she snipped, taking a step towards him. Two could play this game.
“I’m out here looking for you! When your brother couldn’t find you, he said you probably went for a run. I came out here to find you and bring you home.”
“Well, as you can see, I was just fine and clearly don’t need any help from you!” She screamed back at him, standing on her tippy toes to get close to him.
Conner realized how close they were and took a step back. He also realized that they were both standing naked in the woods yelling at each other.
“Fuck me,” he said, running his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Gladly, bend over,” she shot back.
Raising his eyebrows at the crass come back he couldn’t help but laugh. “You talk to your mother with that mouth?”
“Yup, and she hates it as much as you do I bet,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. It was then that she realized she was naked. Being naked wasn’t a big deal around your pack or clan. It was part of life and a general sense of don’t see, don’t tell was the custom. Standing naked in front of your mate was a totally different kettle of fish.
Mackenzie took the opportunity to take in Conner Rochon. Over six feet tall, he was broad. Wide shoulders with a perfectly carved chest. Tight abs that tapered his waist down to a narrow V that aimed perfectly at his rigid erection. Good to know he liked her, she thought.
Conner saw her taking him in and he took the chance to look his fill too. Starting at the bottom he worked his way up a pair of firm tanned legs, she had thick rounded thighs. Her waist was tiny above her heavy hips and a pair of perky full breasts pointed straight towards him with dark rose-colored nipples, budded and tight, he couldn’t help but lick his lips.