On the Ridge by Jayda Marx

Chapter Five

Zane

 

I slowly regained consciousness and along with it came the memory of the bear attack. I braced myself for pain, but it didn't come. I actually felt...pretty great. My body was resting on a soft bed and my head was nestled against a pillow, but none of it felt familiar.

“Where am I?” I thought out loud, and I flinched when fingers combed through my messy hair.

“You’re in my home, and you’re safe,” a warm voice replied.

My eyes sprung open and blinked against the low light until a handsome face came into view. I recognized the man - or whatever he was - smiling down at me. He was from the forest. He rescued me.

“You’re the creature,” I blurted out, and his lips spread into a dazzling grin. Now that I wasn’t fighting for life, I realized just how gorgeous he was. He had thick, shiny black hair, a stubble beard, and full lips. His features were strong but his expression was kind. His eyes were dark brown and gazed at me with tenderness.  

“I suppose I am. My name is Ridge.”

“I’m Zane.” Ridge repeated my name in a whisper and goosebumps pebbled over my arms. “I can’t believe I finally found you. My dad and I have been searching for-” My words died and panic seized my gut. “My dad! I have to get to him!”

I sat up quickly and noticed that I had no pain in my abdomen. I looked down and found that I was only in my underwear, probably because my clothing was ripped to shreds. That wasn’t the sight that alarmed me; where there should have been gashes and wounds on my skin, there were only fresh pink scars. “Oh god, how long have I been here? I have to get to my dad. He’s sick - he’s dying. He needs me!”

I jumped to my feet and Ridge quickly joined me. He caressed his hands over my arms and bent down a few inches so that he looked directly into my eyes. “It’s okay, my love. You’ve only been asleep for a few hours.”

How is that possible? Did he give me stitches? Did I need blood? My wounds were deep; they should’ve taken much longer to heal. Wait a second; my love? “You told me that you loved me in the forest.” Every second that passed, I remembered more and the situation became stranger.

“I did,” Ridge nodded. “You told me too.”

What? “No I didn’t.”

I jumped when another voice said, “Oh shit,” from the other side of the room. My eyes jerked to the sound and I saw a second man, sitting completely nude in a nearby recliner.

“Who the hell are you?” I demanded, and the man stood up. He was a little shorter than my five-foot-ten frame and he was thin, but shredded with muscle.

“I’m Rowdy,” he answered with a wide smile. “I’m Ridge’s best friend.”

“You’re naked!” I pointed out, and Rowdy just shrugged with a nod.

I looked back at Ridge and noticed for the first time that he was naked too and goddamn. His body was sculpted, toned, and coated with fine black hair. My gaze instinctively dropped and my eyes bulged at the sight of his thick, heavy cock hanging between his hairy thighs.

I was only able to draw my eyes away when Ridge spoke up. “So...you weren’t trying to tell me that you loved me earlier?”

I shook my head quickly. “I was trying to ask why you would say such a thing. You don’t even know me; we just met.”

“Oh shit,” Rowdy repeated. “Rider’s gonna be pissed.”

Rider? “Who’s Rider?”

“Our Alpha,” Rowdy answered. “He gave Ridge the green light to mate with you.”

“What?” Moisture flooded my eyes and Ridge became blurry. “You mated with me when I was asleep? How could you?” My voice hitched when I admitted, “I was a virgin.”

Ridge shook his head and raised his hands in front of his chest. “No, no, no, Zane, that’s not what mating means! I would never-”

“Whoa, you’re a virgin?” Rowdy interrupted.

“Rowdy!” Ridge scolded, and his friend held out his arms.

“What? He’s a good looking guy. I’m just surprised.”

Ridge growled - actually fucking growled - at his friend and I lost it. I sat back on the mattress and pulled my legs to my chest to sob into my knees.

“I don’t understand what’s happening. All I know is that I was attacked and now I’m healed, but I’m with two naked forest creatures. I don’t know where I am and I need to get home.”

The bed dipped when Ridge sat beside me. He didn’t reach out to touch me even though for some crazy reason, I craved it. I wanted him to soothe and comfort me; I needed his touch even though I didn’t know the man...animal...manimal.

“I’m so sorry,” he said gently, and I could actually feel the truth in his words. “I greatly misjudged the situation earlier. I thought you recognized me and knew of my kind. The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable or upset. I will get dressed and then I’ll explain everything while I take you home to your father.”

I sniffed and nodded against my legs. Ridge stood up and my body grew colder with each step he took away from me. I kept my face in my knees, but I heard the conversation across the room.

“I need some time alone with my mate now,” Ridge told his friend.

“I understand. And I’m really sorry; I thought he knew.”

“So did I. Just do me a favor and don’t mention any of this to Rider yet, okay?”

“Of course. Good luck, Ridge. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

There were footsteps, shuffling, and the sound of dresser drawers opening and closing before Ridge returned to me. I looked up and saw that he was dressed in jeans and a black sweatshirt, and holding out a stack of clothes.

“I’m sorry; your clothes were ruined.”

I nodded as I took the stack he offered. “Thanks.”

Ridge walked away again, giving me privacy as I dressed in a pair of black sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt. I liked the feel of his clothing on me even if they were a little large. He was only a couple of inches taller than I was, but he had much more muscle mass.

Ridge returned with my hiking boots and once I had them tied securely, he asked, “Are you ready?”

I was oddly conflicted; while desperate to get home and check on my father, I hated the thought of leaving Ridge’s place. It didn’t make any sense, but I needed to be near him. At least he’d be with me on the journey, and I really wanted an explanation as to what the hell was going on, so I nodded and stood up, hoping that I was ready to hear what he had to say.