Far From Innocent by Lorie O'Clare

den. Erin fought until he let go of her and then crossed her arms over her chest. A cold wind blew over the side of the mountains. She ached to change, race the breeze and be warm in her fur. She glanced over her shoulder, no longer seeing Juan but aching to run and find him.
    “Go home and shower and then I’ll take you on a run.” Dimitri glanced down at her then looked ahead quickly.
    She shook her head. “We need to find you a good bitch.”
    “Don’t worry about me.”
    “Why not? You sure are wasting energy worrying about me.”
    “It’s not a waste of energy. Nic and I have done our damnedest since our parents died.” His words trailed off.
    His pain smelled sour and mixed with the spicy scent of his anger, which hadn’t subsided. Thinking about her sire and mother right now would just worsen her mood.
    She sucked in a cold breath, willing the pain that threatened to weigh down her heart to go away.
    “You two have done fine,” she said quietly.
    “You’re wild as hell and I can smell his come on you.”
    “Dimitri!” Erin licked her lips, tasting Juan. Her pussy throbbed, wanting—no, needing—more of him. “I’m not a fucking cub. And I sure as hell don’t question you every time you come home smelling like some bitch.”
    Dimitri combed his hands with his fingers, grinding his teeth as he growled. They both heard panting to the side of them, and her littermate grabbed her and pushed her behind him. She clung to his arm, sniffing the new scent that approached quickly.
    The chill in the air picked up when Josie and Nicolo crashed through the trees and slowed when they hit the road. Both of them looked like they’d been running for a while and panted heavily, their dark hair windblown and their expressions grim.
    “What the hell is this?” Dimitri let go of her and put his fists on his hips.
    Erin decided not to move. She didn’t like the smells coming off either one of them.
    Her oldest littermate had a scratch on his cheek. They’d been fighting. And the adrenaline that filled the air quickly led her to believe the fight wasn’t over.
    45
    Lorie O’Clare
    “The lunewulfs made a run into our territory,” Nicolo said quickly, sucking in breath and then slowly letting it out.
    “Damn good thing we didn’t have any of you single bitches with us.” Josie tilted his head to get a better look at her with Dimitri still in front of her. “They made more noise than anything, and we got a few good swipes in.” He tugged on his sweatshirt that hung crookedly on him, as if he’d dressed quickly. “We pushed them back to their territory and now are heading into town to see what anyone’s learned.”
    “Let’s go then.” Dimitri turned to head back down the road, his gears shifting quickly at the prospect of a good fight.
    Nicolo met her gaze before Josie and Dimitri did. She found herself staring at all three of the werewolves and knew what was coming.
    “I’m going with you.” She stuck her chin out, daring any of them to suggest they send her to her den.
    She’d had just about enough of that shit tonight. The action would be in town. And more than likely, Juan would be there too.
    “She’ll be safe. I’ll see to it.” Josie patted Dimitri on the shoulder.
    She clenched her teeth so her jaw wouldn’t drop when Dimitri simply nodded and then turned, breaking into a sprint and heading down the mountain. He’d leave her in the paws of Josie, a werewolf who had the gift possibly as strongly as Dante and Moira.
    He also had a reputation for rolling with any willing bitch he could find on a dark night.
    Irritation roared in her veins as she matched her littermates’ speed and hurried down the mountain toward town. Josie was Nic’s age. But he’d run with both of her littermates growing up on Malta. Usually she had no problem with him. And she’d be the first to admit he was a good werewolf, albeit more of a slut than most. Josie had the good looks, the charm and wit that almost