“That cloak certainly does.” Hunter cackled from behind us feigning holding his nose. “She definitely sweats in it.”

“Round little thing, aren’t you?” Racer stepped aside me and lightly poked me in the belly. Unaware it was the soft bindings I layered under my clothes.

I nodded hesitantly. Let them think that.

But I was nervous. I always was around them.

Vanquish led me near the creek.

***

Soon the other two were splashing and laughing.

I was pointedly ignoring them.

After a time, I was sure they were busy frolicking. I made a break for it. Trying to retreat back to the safety of my hut.

I'll need more nails and boards to keep them out.

But as I slowly edged toward the border of trees I bumped into a solid wall and flinched.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Vanquish’s inescapable eyes were locked on me. Thick muscled arms crossed over his chest disapprovingly. As unyielding as the wall that locked in the Asara Pack in these woods.

Damn him.

How is he always everywhere?

***

“Come play with us!” Hunter, the more playful of them, invited.

“No.” I shook my head adamantly.

I’m not getting in there.

These three exuded lust as surely as they breathed.

No way am I taking off my clothes.

“Cindy or Aloira would come in.” Racer complained.

I'm sure they would.

They're skanks.

I’d often heard one or the other of the triplets having a go at the two willing female breeders.

The other five of us dodged all the males like the plague. Knowing that tempting them could prove a dangerous game.

They were all predatory, aggressive, and willing to fight for what they wanted. And to breed any female of age.

I don't want bred.

“I asked you a question.” Vanquish sneered.

Forcing me to look up into his fierce green eyes.

“I was just-just...” I looked around desperately. “going to pick some berries.”

I fled to the bush I’d spotted and began desperately plucking the berries and stacking them in my hand.

Vanquish descended on me while I cowered near the bush. He batted the berries out of my hand. Snatching me under my arms and tossing me in the water.

I surfaced spitting and desperately made for shore. Knowing all the extra fabric on my body could quickly weigh me down.

“Come on.” Hunter told Racer and they swam to me. Tugging me back into the water. I felt their cloying hands pawing me. But under all my oversized and padded garments, they were unable to feel anything.

“We really need to get these clothes off her and see what’s under here.” Racer frowned.

No. I looked fearfully from one to the other as they pinned my arms to the bank.

"Just hold her." Hunter leaned in close while Racer complied and feigned humping his groin against me.

I jerked from Racer and floundered onto the bank. Climbing to my feet.

They laughed uproariously as I fled, tugging at my hood to keep my hair hidden.

***

"Where you off to so fast?" Vanquish lightly shoved me sideways. Sending me toppling. "We didn't say you could go anywhere."

"Yeah." Hunter climbed from the water.

"There's a cost for residing in the safety of our pack." Racer contributed.

The three half naked males stood over me with their hair dripping and keen eyes alert. Chests glistening damply in the sunlight as fat water droplets trailed down over their ripped abdomens to their soaked pants and over bare feet.

All three eyed where my ankles peeked from the bottom of my cloak and I feared they were tempted to peer under it.

I clambered to my feet gracelessly and fled back to my hut.

"Oh, come on, Vanna Rae!" Hunter taunted.

"You going to cry?" Racer.

"Can't run forever, Rabbit." Vanquish said.

I hate when he calls me that.

And he knew it. It was his favorite nickname for me. Mocking that I often cowered and twinged away.

It was less that I feared them now and more that I feared what they'd become if they knew what was under my cloak.

It was my worst fear that they'd find out.

And they're seeming progressively more determined to. I was getting the clear sense that this Mating Moon might be my most dangerous one yet.