Howls and Home Runs (Mascot Matchups #1)

16. Lainey

Chapter sixteen

Lainey

“ Y ou need to leave.” I tell Jett firmly, but he keeps backing me up until I hit the bench, shit. My confidence wanes and I know I need to take Wilder off so he can protect me. “Ok, let me just take Wilder off then.” I smile using the last of my confidence, conceding so Jett will hopefully stop his pursuit.

While I set Wilder’s head on the bench, Jett leans against a nearby locker. Watching my every move with a predatory look on his face. My stomach flips and fear roils inside me. Slowly pulling the zipper down, I slip out of Wilder’s suit, also placing it on the bench. Jett strides over and in one swift movement swipes Wilder off the bench onto the floor before sitting down, tapping the empty space next to him. Swallowing down my anger and the knot in my throat, I sit. “Why are we here Jett?” I ask defeated as his presence overpowers me.

Jett is six foot two, nearly as tall as Wilder. He’s lean but strong and he’s got a cocky attitude that alludes to danger but you can’t quite tell if he’s actually dangerous or just convinced he’s special. My mom’s boyfriend was the same way.

My hands twist in my lap and his arm lands around my shoulder, sliding me into his side. He whispers in my ear, “I’ve been dying to get you alone little Lainey.” The tears well in my eyes and my body freezes. I glance over to where Wilder was on the floor but he’s no longer there. “I saw you those nights you know. Kissing Wilder’s head. Fantasizing. Talking dirty to it…” He spits as he talks into the side of my face.

My memories of those nights fly by in a haze. He hasn’t mentioned seeing Wilder… has he only seen me? Jett starts to kiss my cheek down my neck as his free hand roves over my thigh. I’m frozen. I can’t move or speak. Where are you Wilder?

Then I hear the clicking of claws on the linoleum floor. Jett somehow doesn’t and a flash of red fur sends him flying against a locker with a loud bang. “AGHH!” he screams, holding his head. “What the fu-” Wilder pins Jett to the locker with one paw. For a moment I panic about his claws but his paw is partially shoved into a baseball mitt. I tilt my head curiously. “No blood.” He gives me a wolfy grin over his shoulder while Jett struggles. My clever wolf.

Wilder applies enough pressure to keep him quiet while we wait for any other sounds. Coach Reynar and the team should be gone by now. Wilder releases some pressure on Jett. “W-what the fuck. You’re alive?! You- you did it. You killed that player. HELP! Someone help!” Jett screams and thrashes while Wilder snarls.

I jump up off of the bench, my heart racing. “Wilder!” He looks over his shoulder at me. “W-what are you going to do?” My voice shakes along with my body. “Grab his phone.” I don’t register what he is saying at first, my fear taking over. Wilder repeats himself, gently, and I snap out of it, rushing over to grab the phone from Jett’s pocket while he continues to wear himself out.

“Open it and see if we can work with anything.” “There’s a password!” I cry out. Wilder growls in Jett’s face showing his sharp teeth. “Password?” Jett cried out the four digit code. I type it in and scroll quickly but my hands shake violently making me drop the phone. Wilder slams Jett harder into the locker before bellowing, “STAY.” Jett flinches but obeys.

Wilder walks over to me, picking the phone up and placing it in my hands. “Breathe, you’re ok.” He models deep breaths for me and in our moment of distraction I see a bat fly down onto Wilders head bending a foam ear. Wilder barks and shoves me out of the way as I slide across the floor. My hand flies over my mouth to conceal a gasp as I watch Jett swing again attempting to knock Wilder’s head off. “Behind you!” I scream and Wilder moves out of the way just in time.

The two fight across the locker room in a fit of swings and growls until Jett lands a blow, knocking Wilder’s head off, sending it across the floor next to me. I throw my body over his head before Jett can put his bat down on it again. Wilder appears behind Jett, snatching him up, and holding him tightly against his body . Too tightly. I hear the disgusting sounds of cracking as Wilder increases pressure. His eyes are no longer a warm amber but a deep black, and his growls echo through the locker room nearly shaking the walls. He looks absolutely feral and not like my Wilder at all.

“Wilder, stop!” It’s like he doesn’t hear me so I scream again. “STOP.”

A loud snap pierces the air followed by deafening silence.