Howls and Home Runs (Mascot Matchups #1)

14. Lainey

Chapter fourteen

Lainey

I ’m up bright and early as promised, taking the time to curl my hair and do just a little more than my usual minimal makeup. Did I go out of my way to look good for my mascot? Yes, yes I did.

We’re practicing with the entire team today and Coach Reynar wants to see my progress with being Wilder. Oops. Hopefully our days exploring each other’s bodies give me enough confidence to impress Reynar and keep my job.

I remember to toss my laundry in the washer before grabbing my keys and bag to head out. I stop at my door, the car from last night plaguing my thoughts. I peek out the window before opening my door. Shaking my head at myself for being ridiculous.

Shortly after arriving at the stadium, I’m greeted by the team. “Hey Lainey!” One of the rookies shouts. I wave and smile. The team, although I haven’t really hung around them much, seem like a nice little family. With talented rookies and well loved veterans sending us to the World Series every year, the Westland Wolves really are a force to be reckoned with.

I turn the corner, heading to the locker room Wilder is in, my head in the clouds thinking about that gorgeous cock and thick tongue. Jett turns the corner at the same time I do, causing me to slam right into his body. His mustache bounces as he smirks down at me. God that thing is gross. “Hey Lainey. Lots of late nights practicing- are you ready for today?” He gives me a slimy smile, almost like he knows… No, he can’t. We were alone… I wrap my arms around myself and step back, putting space between us. “Oh, hey Jett. Yep! Looking forward to being the best Wilder there ever was!” Giving him two thumbs up attempting to walk backwards, I crash into a wall.

Jett looks up and down the corridor quickly before he closes the distance between us, caging me against the wall with his arms.

“Wha-”

“I see the way you look at that fur suit. Wishing it was a man.” He takes a long slow inhale by my neck, making me cringe. A growl echoes in the hall from the locker room but Jett either doesn’t hear it or ignores it. Shit. Does he know about Wilder?

He leans in further, his mustache scratching my ear and whispers, “Meet me by Wilder’s locker afterwards and we can have some one on one practice.” He nips my earlobe causing me to yelp. Footsteps echo down the hall, thank God the team is walking this way . Jett pushes off the wall walking backwards brushing his thumb over his lip before sternly saying, “Locker. After practice.” Then turns and walks back down the hall towards his team. Tears sting my eyes as I swiftly walk into the locker room slamming the door behind me, sinking to the floor.

Heavy paws come padding across the room. Wilder sits on the floor, cradling my face, looking me over. “I felt you, you were scared.” He growls. “It was Jett wasn’t it? I will rip him to pieces for scaring you. Tell me what happened.” My tears fall in ugly fat droplets and Wilder pulls me to his chest.

My heavy breaths come quicker, and my vision starts to blur. He takes deep, slow breaths. I know he does it solely for my comfort. My sweet wolf. I match his breaths, his warm fur grounding me. “That’s it sweet girl. Breathe for me. I got you.” His words wrap me up in a blanket of calm.

My breathing finally settles. I tell Wilder that Jett cornered me, caged me against the wall, and demanded I meet him here after practice. A thought snaps into place then I blurt out, “And there was a strange car by my place when I got home but it left as soon as I was inside…” “Lainey,” Wilder’s voice turns dark and feral, “Do you think Jett followed you home?”

“Oh my god!” I cry out. “Has he been watching us this entire time? Does he know? He did mention my late nights here…” Wilder holds me tighter and falls silent. His head is physically empty, I know that, but I swear I can hear his thoughts roaring like a dark storm.

“Tonight. Meet Jett here. I will handle it.” I look up at him feeling scared. Scared of Jett, scared of what Wilder is suggesting. What does he mean, handle it? Is he suggesting we kill Jett? Just get rid of him without any consequences. And use me as bait to do it? My fear bleeds into anger.