Chapter 15

She ran through the quiet city streets, sneakers slapping against pavement, keeping her breathing steady. Houses blurred past on either side, dark windows and neat lawns sliding by under the streetlights. One more block. She could already see it ahead, the skeletal frame of a building under construction rising against the night sky. Scaffolding wrapped its sides like a metallic web. Cranes stood imposing and huge. Stacks of lumber and pallets of materials lined the fenced lot.

She cut through a gap in the temporary fencing and crossed the open ground without slowing. Boards, machinery, and scattered tools was around her. She dashed straight into the center of the empty concrete slab and stopped. I know he’s behind me. That relentless bastard.

She planted her hands on her knees and sucked in air, golden eyes lifting. Scaffolding climbed the unfinished walls. The building rose at least ten stories, open floors and crossbeams dark against the sky. Boards leaned in piles. A mixer sat near one corner. Construction equipment lay scattered around. She scanned every direction, listening for boots, for the soft sound of his approach. Excitement tingled along her skin. I hope this works.

Then she saw him.

The Booty Hunter walked into the site without hurry, black shape moving between the stacks of material. He strolled straight toward her, deliberate and smug. She straightened and watched him approach, face composed, ears angled forward.

He stopped a few paces away.

“So,” he said, voice low and sexy. “You tired of running, pretty wolf? Ready to play now?”

She smiled.

“Well, I’m pretty sure you’ll be fun to play with, big boy, especially from what I’ve seen in past episodes. But I think I might have to take a rain check. Maybe they might want to play with you instead.”

Ten figures stepped out from behind boxes and pieces of equipment, forming a loose ring. All male. Some were already in second form, looking humanoid except for ears and tails. Their shirts all had the same kind of slogans: Protect Our Women. Keep Our Women Pure. Real Men Don’t Chase Women. They Take Care of Them.

She had called them here. A little guilt flickered through her. She was using them to slow him down. The leader, William, was a were-raccoon barely five feet tall, a little overweight, opinionated, the purest incel she had ever met. She had told him that if his group could hold the Hunter back, she would let him sniff her and see her naked. That was all it took.