“I am serious,” I laugh.
“The Oklahoma Dogman?” Ruka crosses his arms. “Do you hear how ridiculous that sounds?”
I shrug a shoulder, keeping my eyes on the road. We’re only a few minutes away from the bar. This is the perfect story to kill some time.
“There’s a legend.”
“Wait!” Nariko pulls out her phone and aims the camera at me. “What? It’s good footage for the followers. Say hi, everyone!” She pans the phone left and right. “Dust Bunnies, long time no see! Sorry it’s been a few days, but I’ve been a little busy.” She points the phone at me next, and I tip my hat. “That’s my boyfriend,” she whispers, only for them to hear, but regardless, I smile from ear to ear knowing she wants to show me off.
“Tell us, Oakley!” Millie leans forward, her eyes seeming bigger behind her big thick lenses.
“Legend has it, there’s a creature that roams the plains of Oklahoma. He’s part man, part wolf.”
“So a werewolf,” Ruka bores, yawning.
“Don’t ever let a werewolf hear you say that.” I wince, forgetting no one else in this truck knows about paranormals except Nariko, and she hasn’t learned that there are so many creatures who walk amongst humans.
Another howl rips through the air, and Millie grabs her wife’s arm, staring out the window.
“It’s a cryptid. No one knows for sure if the Dogman is real, but it’s said it has canine-like features, a muzzle, ears, teeth, and its body is more human. Apparently, it growls before an attack, stalks its prey, and loves to hunt humans, but I have had a sheep, or two, go missing throughout the years.” I smirk, the rearview mirror showing Ruka gulping, Jess grinning as Millie grabs onto her so tight, her knuckles turn white.
“All our followers are saying it’s true!” Nariko shares. “There are so many unidentified animal attacks. Some people think it’s a mountain lion or bears, but witnesses say something else. Describing a creature that is upright with a long snout and dog-like ears. That is amazing! I love Oklahoma.” Nariko’s fingers fly over her phone, messaging people back.
I lean across the middle seat and whisper into her ear. “I love you too, Sugar.”
She snickers, meeting me halfway. “You have a great sense of humor if you think that statement was about you.”
“Last I checked, I’m Oklahoma,” I sigh, shrugging a shoulder. “It’s just who I am.” I straighten, focusing on the road before I decide to turn this truck around and cancel everyone’s plans.
But I can’t stop thinking about Nariko’s body dancing against mine. I need that more than I need blood tonight. I want to show her off. I want all the men in that bar to see my hands on her and wish they were me.
“Keep it PG with me in the car, okay? I don’t want to get sick tonight.”
“Oh, grow up, Ruka,” Nariko snaps, never looking away from her phone.
Another howl surrounds us, and every person in the car gasps. Nariko drops her phone, and it bounces off the seat onto the floor.
That story will keep them occupied on every single chase. I’m proud of myself. Look at me, disrupting people’s lives.
Ah, shit. Maybe Lorcan is rubbing off on me.
Finally,Boot Knockin’sbright red sign comes up on the left. There’s a cowboy next to it too, leaning against the sign, hat tilted, and some mechanism has his arm moving to put his hat off and on.
The sign beneath it says, “Buy one beer, get the other half off. Ladies get in free tonight!”
There are a ton of people in the parking lot who are making their way over to the entrance. I’m driving slowly, my headlights beaming into people’s eyes. They won’t get out of the way. Men in cowboy hats and freshly tucked-in shirts look like they haven’t seen a real day of work on a ranch.
Finding a spot in the back, I park, and Westin is right next to me.
“Don’t you move,” I warn Nariko.
“Whatever you say, Cowboy.” This time, it’s she who winks at me.
My eyes flash in warning, daring her to play with fire. I’m on edge when my mate is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but tonight? Her outfit is clawing at my control.
By the end of the night, there won’t be any left.
I’m at her side and opening the door, offering her my hand.
