Scent of the Heart Read Free Page B

point.”
    The skunk peered up at him, then rubbed its face against his leg. Casey stood stock-still. The claws were sharp and hurt like a bitch as the skunk climbed his body, but it didn’t seem as if the thing was trying to hurt him. It began to rub on his stomach, digging in tight to hold itself steady. It wasn’t long before a warm spray soaked through Casey’s shirt, but this didn’t stink like…. He jumped back, horrified at the realization of what just happened. The skunk fell to the ground, cocked his head, then dark eyes opened wide and it fled into the forest.
    “Not enough that the damn things spray me, now they jizz on me too. This is just freaking great.”
    Casey pulled a cloth from his satchel and began mopping up the mess. Jake would scent it anyway, and that would lead to all kinds of ribbing.
    “Should just burn the damn shirt,” he muttered. Some of the nice people of the village had made him clothes. Hakiim had been right. There were amazingly talented people in the enclave. What he liked best about the people, besides their openness and generosity, was the fact that there was no division between men and women. Everyone did what needed to be done without old-fashioned thoughts about gender roles. Mr. Adamczeski knew how to knit. Mrs. Tanangier chopped lumber like no one’s business. The twins he’d helped deliver earlier had a teacher for a mother and a fisherman for a father. Yet he would help raise the children while his wife gardened.
    Casey stripped his shirt off and threw it on the ground. If Mr. Adamczeski wasn’t averse to lotion for his rheumatism as payment, maybe Casey could get a couple of shirts from him. He sighed and picked up the mushroom, putting it back in his pouch, then turned toward home.
    ***
    Tsvetok was mortified. He’d been so overcome by the scent of his mate he couldn’t help himself. He had to touch, to love. Casey had to be shown how much he meant to Sev. Instead he’d rutted against him and marked him. Shame coursed through him. He shifted back to his human form, reveling in the pain he so richly deserved. When the transformation was complete, he stepped from behind the trees where he’d concealed himself and began the long walk home.
    Spotting the discarded shirt that Casey had worn, Sev picked it up and held it to his face. His musky scent mingled with Casey’s earthy one, creating a wholly new and delightful aroma. Sev sighed and clutched the shirt to his chest. He pictured Casey, his round, mischievous face, sparkling blue eyes, and shaggy blond hair smiling at his beast. He’d been afraid, but hadn’t shown it. Few creatures did that around a skunk. Even predators in the enclave respected his beast enough to give it a wide berth, even if the people themselves did not.
    Sev caught a whiff of the shirt again and his cock began to lengthen. He sneered, disgusted with himself that he would fawn over another man. He was not interested, and his beast would have to learn that the spirits made a mistake and let go. Even if it meant he could never find love, it would be better to be alone than with someone he could never have feelings for beyond the physical. He threw the shirt down and kicked it away. Then stormed homeward. He would, could never love someone like Casey.
    And for a moment, Sev truly believed it. Then he pictured Casey once again. His gentle demeanor, his strange attempts at humor, the smile that never seemed to dim. He turned back, picked up the shirt and brushed the detritus from it, put it on to wrap himself in the amazing scent, and headed for home. This time he walked slower than he normally would. It wasn’t because he was enjoying the scent, though. That wasn’t it at all.
    And he thought if he said it enough times, he might actually start to believe himself. One day.

CHAPTER TWO
    “Please, tell me again what happened,” the Alpha asked as he leaned forward, chin on his palm. “I am intrigued.”
    “I hate you, Zak,” Casey grumbled.