Chapter 4 Seduction into the night

“Try telling that to those guys.” Brennan pointed to the crowd. “Most of them believe the way their parents believe. They don’t even stop to ask why.”

They stood together, her caught between them, and watched as the crowd got even rowdier and louder. She felt small compared to them and, as she looked at their faces, she saw the flicker of the bonfire lighting up their features.

Why couldn’t a werebear like a werewolf? Had anyone ever tried? Could werebears and werewolves have children? Or was it going against nature?

The words were out of her mouth before she knew they were coming. “Well, you’re werewolves and I like you.” A blush rushed into her face, heating her cheeks. Why had she blurted out such an embarrassing confession? “I mean, you’ve got to be okay since you saved me, right?”

She steeled herself, ready to hear their derisive laughter. When none came, she dared to meet first Brennan’s, then Mark’s eyes.

“We like you, too, little bear,” offered Brennan.

She was just about to haul off and playfully slap him when a low growl had her whirling around. Her heart caught in her throat at the sight of her father striding through the trees. His scowl was darker than any she’d ever seen before.

“Dad, what are you—” “Quiet, girl.”

She closed her mouth. His eyes blazed with amber. A dusting of fur slid along his face. His bear was pushing at the surface of his control, demanding to be set free, struggling to get loose and tear into the two young werewolves.

She could sense Mark’s and Brennan’s inner wolves jumping to life. A snarl lifted Mark’s mouth while Brennan tucked his chin, amber flaring in his eyes, his wolf ready to fight.

“Back away from my daughter, dogs.”

“We’re no fucking dogs.” Mark let out a low snarl.

Brennan grabbed his brother’s arm. “Shut up, man. There’s no reason to make this any worse than it already is.” He leaned in to whisper in Mark’s ear, but it was loud enough for her to hear. “Calm down or you’ll make it harder for her. Back up.”

The Cagle brothers stepped away. She wished she could go along with them. Not only was she well past her curfew time, her father had found her at a werewolf party. Worse, he’d found her talking to two male werewolves. She was sure she’d never see another free day until she turned twenty-one.

“I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing, Jenny, but you must’ve lost your damn mind. Hanging out at a werewolf party with two of the mangy mutts? What the hell are you thinking?”

She suddenly realized the music had stopped. The other teens edged closer, their eyes filling with amber. Were they going to attack her father?

“Dad, I’m sorry. Let’s go home, okay?” She tugged on his arm, trying to bring him along with her. “I’m sorry. Please, I want to go home.”

“If you touched my girl, you fucking hounds, you’re going to wish you were dead.”

Mark took a step forward, along with Ronnie and a few of the others. Brennan came to his brother’s side. Not to stand with him, but to keep the crowd from getting any closer.

She was to the point of begging. If she’d known what kind of trouble she’d cause, she never would’ve let Feather talk her into going. “Please, Daddy. They didn’t touch me and they didn’t hurt me.” Her gaze jumped to a nervous-looking Ronnie. “None of them. They didn’t bother me at all. Let’s go home, okay?”

For the first time, her father seemed to acknowledge that he was outnumbered by the werewolves. Still, it wouldn’t have stopped him if he’d thought they’d harmed her. He took her roughly by the arm. “Girl, you have a lot of explaining when we get home.”

With a growl, he whirled them around to head in the other direction. When she glanced over her shoulder, Mark and Brennan were still watching her, their sad expressions making her humiliation complete. The night’s chaos lingered in the air, thick and heavy, as her father’s grip on her arm tightened. His eyes, still burning with the amber glow of his bear, darted between her and the crowd of werewolves, bristling with anger and suspicion. Her heart pounded in her chest, torn between fear and frustration. She knew this confrontation was far from over.

“Dad, please,” Jenny whispered, voice trembling, “they didn’t do anything wrong. I was safe. I was just talking to them.” Her plea sounded hollow even to her own ears, but she clung to it desperately. She saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes, mingling with the stubbornness that refused to let her go.

He hesitated, the muscle in his jaw twitching. Then, with a grunt, he loosened his grip slightly but kept her close. “We’re leaving. Now.” His voice was rough, edged with protective fury