All Hallows Eve, Vol. 3

Chapter 1

One

What the fuck did I agree to? My pulse jackhammers in my throat as I strain to see through the black hooded cloth over my head. It’s useless. The motion of the truck as it flies down back roads to god knows where is my only indication of time passing.

When Dee suggested that we sign up for this Annual Halloween ‘Primal Hunt,’ it seemed like a fun adventure. A scary time of being chased through a corn maze by masked men who wouldn’t actually hurt you if they caught you. Taking a haunted hayride to a whole new level.

Granted, I had been drunk off my ass when I filled out the application. If I read the fine print, there’s no way on earth I would be wearing cuffs with a bag over my head in the back of a truck heading to an unknown location in the middle of nowhere—wearing a bunny suit—with at least ten other people.

I’d be at home in my PJs eating so much candy—the only kind of hangover I’d have tomorrow is a sugar one.

The rules, at least the part I read, demanded that participants wear something innocent or a costume that’s prey. And to arrive au natural with nothing to hide our scents.

Why not wear a mask that covers half my face?

At least then, if I run into someone I know, they won’t know it’s me. Unless I've been close enough for them to know my natural perfume. But even that’s slightly tainted by my nervous energy right now.

I can’t imagine being chased through the woods by someone like Jerry Johnson, a beta who would love to play alpha, even for just a single night.

Growing up with half the town makes the chances of knowing the hunters pretty high. And I'd like to stay in the dark on that count.

Wind whips around us, making it impossible to talk, and I’m only thankful the night isn’t a freezing cold one. Perks of living somewhere that’s warm seventy-five percent of the time, I guess. Tires crunch over gravel as the driver comes to a halt.

The clang of the tailgate hitting the bumper fills the air, along with the creaking of someone climbing up into the bed. A large someone. Dee squeezes my fingers attempting to hide the fact that she’s been trembling since we were loaded into the back of the truck. The girl on my left yelps, and then the air next to me feels empty, even without being able to see.

“This is going to be fun, Ally,” Dee whispers, her words muffled, but her fingers shake in my hold, giving her fear away.

Guess I’m not the only one second-guessing being here.

“If we die out here, I’ll never forgive you,” I whisper loudly.

Hands wrap around my biceps and haul me to my feet, earning a surprised squeak from me. Then another set of hands wrap around my waist and lift me from the vehicle. My booted feet find purchase on the soft ground, and the hood’s drawn off my head.

Before me is a shirtless, masked man, his blond hair sticking up in crazy, untamed curls above the wolf-looking ears. His blue eyes drop from mine and travel over my body. Earning me a sinister smile as it curls up the edges of his wide mouth. He looks like every bit the predator he's dressed as.

His musk, a tantalizing deep amber wood, announces his designation as an alpha, and it makes me squirm as I inhale.

He swipes his tongue out over his lower lip, bringing his gaze back to mine. It makes my heart beat double time between my thighs, and I clench them together before slick can gather. That's not what this is about.

“Well, hello, little Bunny,” he says, the gravel in his voice doing insane things to my body before settling in the same place I'm currently throbbing, between my legs, like a physical touch. “Are you ready to run?”

A thrill courses through me, reminding me why I signed up. Hot damn. I might like this little adventure after all.

Dee appears next to me, her hood removed, and he turns his attention to my best friend before I can reply. He takes in her costume with a slow perusal of her thin body. “A naughty nun?” He chuckles and fingers the cross hanging from her neck. “Luca will like you.”

Another man, this one wearing a mask that looks like a crow, with hair the same color as the feathers, approaches. He has a button-up black shirt, rolled up his toned forearms, and a pair of black slacks that will give him an edge at blending into the dark corn stalks behind him. Much better than the shock of white of my barely there costume.

His attention glides over me, and I have a feeling he’s taking in more than he gives away. “Taunting the fresh blood, Oz?”

Oz–the wolf–brings his eyes back to me, his smile growing wider if possible. “A bunny, Wade, just for us. Beck will be over the moon.” He trails a long finger over my cheek just below where my mask begins as his gaze does a lap around my face.

My lips part as I inhale deeply, the sweet smell of maple and amber wood mixing together as the scent of pure alphas fills my lungs, mingling with the soft scent of damp earth and pine that surrounds the corn field. Why does it sound like they are planning to hunt me for more than just the purpose of catching me? And why does that thought light me up?

Wade faces me, tilting his head, looking for all the world like the bird he’s dressed up as. A bringer of death. He steps into me, and my cuffed hands bump against his thigh as he captures my chin between his fingers. Wood and fresh syrup wafts off him, and I lick my lips. Unconsciously leaning into him.

He chuckles, low and deep, as his thumb glides over my lower lip. “Is that right? Are you just for us? A little rabbit to be chased through the maze and caught in our trap?”

Whoa. I’m pretty sure the application didn’t mention anything about this. The air catches in my throat on my exhale as it hits me. Their musks, at least a muted version, are familiar. I know them.

Their names.

Their reputation.

Only missing one.

Beckett Sterling, Wade Cross, and Ozwald Ashbourne. If Blue Ridge had royalty, it would be those three. They live in one of the most expensive homes off the lake. They also co-own the company I work for. An up-and-coming law firm in our town.

Who am I kidding; they are the only law firm in Blue Ridge, and they pay well. Mainly due to the millionaires who use them. Never mind that the commute is so short I can walk.

Back in college, Dee and I had gone to Beckett’s for a party. It was back when they first opened the law firm. He inherited a four-story mansion on the water from his parents, who are apparently so well off they could just give him it. Fully loaded, with every room you could think of—including a movie theater—and a beautiful view of the water and mountains in the distance. Not to mention a hot tub and a huge infinity pool overlooking everything.

Besides the massive parties they were known for back then, they are also very open about the fact they share—everything. The stories alone make me blush thinking about them now. And the memory of walking in on them with that lucky girl back then still haunts my waking moments.

Especially when I’m tasked with bringing any of them anything while they are in the boardroom. But they are the picture of professionalism in the office. No matter how damp they make my panties.

They may be the picture of prestigious lawyers while they are out on the town. But in the confines of their home, I saw the truth. And right now, danger bleeds off Wade and Oz, encouraging my heart to try to get a head start on the hunt. This is not how they make me feel when I fetch a cup of coffee or bring them a file they are working on. This pure primal instinct to run, to be caught, is animalistic, setting me on fire.

Warmth radiates off of a body behind me, locking me in between two of them, and I pull my face away from Wade’s hold and hazard a glance. I know who it will be before my eyes even land on him. Swallowing, I make a mental image of him. He wears a grizzly bear mask, his chest bare, his muscles on full display with wide shoulders that don’t look so big when he’s sitting behind a desk in his expensive suits. His hair is trimmed close to his skull with neat lines. And the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen.

Beckett.

My palms go clammy. My bosses are here, as hunters, and it’s every fucking wet dream I’ve had come to life.

“What do we have here? A little bunny.” A shiver washes over my entire body, making me feel funny all the way down to my toes at his low tone.

He runs two fingers down my bare shoulder to where the cuffs hold my wrists together in front of me. His breath ghosts over the side of my neck, carrying with it a strong hit of his musk. Tart lemon, sour and then sweet. The sort you'd add to sweet tea on a warm summer day if you want a slight bite.

“Don’t worry, we will get these off of you. You’ll have your best chance to get away. But if we catch you, I hope you’ve read the fine print.”