Mud and Strawberries
SAINT
The mud smelled like rot and wet earth.
I loved it.
My wolf was close to the surface, clawing under my skin, wanting to come out and play. But I stayed human. Rules said no full shift. Fine. I didn’t need to be wolf to protect what was mine.
Scarlett was struggling beside me.
Every step she took, the thick black mud tried to pull her down. Her clothes were already soaked and clinging to her body, the thin fabric outlining every soft curve, her breasts, her hips, the dip of her waist. Mud streaked across her cheek and down her neck. She looked wild and messy.
Perfect.
I kept one arm around her waist, lifting her slightly so the mud didn’t swallow her.
Kane was in front, bulldozing a path like an angry bull, laughing every time he dragged one of the nervous Betas forward.
Rhys moved behind us like a shadow, one hand steady on Scarlett’s lower back, golden eyes scanning everything.
“Careful, little one,” Rhys murmured when she slipped again.
I growled low in my throat when another male from our team got too close, trying to help her. He immediately backed off.
Good.
Then the whistle blew again.
“Team versus Team!” Professor Ryan shouted. “Wrestle for the flags in the deep pit! Go!”
Kaiden was on the opposing team.
The moment I saw him, my red eye burned brighter. He moved with quiet confidence, hazel eyes flicking toward Scarlett for a second too long.
Mine.
Kane grinned like a demon. “Finally. Time to play.”
We charged into the deeper section of the mud pit. The mud here was waist-deep, thick and heavy. It sucked at our legs as we moved. Scarlett gasped as it rose higher on her body, soaking her completely.
I didn’t hesitate.
I scooped her up with one arm, holding her against my chest as I waded forward. She yelped, grabbing onto my shoulders, her wet body pressed tight to mine.
“Saint…!”
“Safe,” I grunted. “You stay with me.”
Two Alphas from Kaiden’s team rushed us.
Kane met the first one head-on, slamming into him with a roar. Mud exploded around them as they wrestled, fists and elbows flying. Rhys moved like liquid shadow, taking down the second with terrifying grace, one hand around the male’s throat, pushing him face-first into the mud.
Another opponent came straight for me.
I shifted Scarlett higher against my chest, one arm under her thighs, and used my free hand to grab the charging Alpha by the collar. I slammed him down into the mud so hard he disappeared for a second.
Scarlett’s heart hammered against me. Her breath was warm on my neck. Her sweet pheromones, even mixed with mud, was driving me insane.
“Saint… you don’t have to carry me the whole time,” she whispered, embarrassed.
I just growled and held her tighter.
Kaiden appeared suddenly, mud covering half his body, silver eyes sharp. He wasn’t attacking recklessly. He was watching, calculating.
He locked eyes with me for a moment.
I bared my teeth.
*Don’t touch her.*
He smirked like he understood, then turned and helped one of his teammates instead.
Kane finally emerged from the mud, holding the enemy flag high, roaring in victory. Mud dripped from his messy hair and down his powerful chest. He looked feral.
“We got it!” he shouted.
Rhys appeared beside us, calm despite the chaos, one hand brushing mud from Scarlett’s thigh like it personally offended him.
The whistle blew again.
Our team won the first round.
But I didn’t care about winning.
I only cared about the way Scarlett’s soft, curvy body felt pressed against mine. The way her fingers clutched my shirt. The way her scent kept getting sweeter every time I touched her.
I leaned down, pressing my face into her wet hair, inhaling deeply.
*Mine.*
Kane waded over, grinning wildly, and kissed her mud-streaked cheek with a loud smack. “Our girl looks good covered in dirt, doesn’t she?”
Rhys’s golden eyes darkened as he wiped more mud from her jaw. “She looks like ours.”
Scarlett’s face turned bright red under the mud.
I didn’t say anything.
I just held her tighter and carried her toward the next obstacle, my wolf purring with satisfaction.
We would tear apart anyone who tried to take her from me even if it was just a game.
I was still carrying Scarlett when the complaint came.
A sharp female voice cut through the chaos of the mud pit.
“This is bullshit!” A female Omega from the opposing team shouted, covered head to toe in mud, face twisted in anger. “It’s not fair! Scarlett and Lily are getting carried by their Alphas the whole time! How are we supposed to compete when they have three giant Alphas helping them?!”
Several students muttered in agreement. Even a few instructors looked over.
Scarlett stiffened in my arms.
I growled low, my red eye flashing as I pulled her tighter against my chest. No one was allowed to speak to her like that. My wolf wanted to lunge.
But before I could move, Scarlett pushed against my shoulder.
“Put me down, Saint.”
I hesitated, a soft whine building in my throat.
“Saint,” she said more firmly, though her voice was still gentle with me. “Put me down.”
I reluctantly lowered her into the thick mud. She sank to her thighs immediately, but she stood tall, chin lifted, eyes flashing with that stubborn fire I loved so much.
Lily waded over to her side, brown hair plastered to her face with mud.
Scarlett grabbed Lily’s hand.
“You’re right,” Scarlett called out loudly, voice carrying across the pit. “It’s not fair that we have help. So we won’t use it.”
She looked back at us, me, Rhys, and Kane with a determined glint in her green eyes.
“Stay back,” she told us. “This part, Lily and I do together.”
Kane looked like he wanted to argue. Rhys’s golden eyes narrowed slightly. I stepped forward instinctively, but Scarlett gave me a soft, pleading look that made my chest ache.
“Please,” she whispered. “Let me do this.”
I forced myself to stay put, fists clenched at my sides. Every instinct screamed at me to protect her, to carry her, to destroy anyone who looked at her wrong.
But I stayed.
Because she asked.
Scarlett turned to Lily, still holding her hand. “Ready?”
Lily grinned, mud streaking her face. “Let’s show them what two girls can do without giant babysitters.”
They moved.
Together.
Scarlett grabbed one of the hanging ropes and used it to swing forward, pulling Lily with her. They landed in the deeper mud, sinking fast, but Scarlett didn’t panic. She grabbed Lily around the waist and half-dragged, half-carried her toward the next beam.
When they reached the low crawling section, both girls dropped to their bellies and crawled under the barbed wire together, side by side, helping each other when one got stuck. Mud covered them completely now, faces, hair, clothes but they kept going.
At the flag-wrestling pit, another team tried to block them.
Scarlett surprised everyone.
She charged forward with a fierce little growl, slammed her shoulder into a Beta girl’s chest, and used the momentum to knock her off balance. Lily followed up by grabbing the flag while the other team was distracted.
They were messy, slower but they were fierce.
I watched with my heart pounding. My wolf was torn between pride and the overwhelming need to run over there and shield her from everything.
Kane whistled low beside me. “Our girl’s got fire.”
When Scarlett and Lily finally crossed the finish line for their section, both of them panting, covered head to toe in thick black mud, laughing breathlessly, the entire field went quiet for a second.
Then some students started cheering.
Scarlett looked back at us, chest heaving, eyes bright with triumph, then she winked.
I couldn’t hold back anymore.
I waded through the mud straight to her and pulled her into my arms, not caring about the mess. She was filthy, wet, and shaking from exertion, but she was glowing.
“You were amazing,” I whispered against her hair, voice rough.
Kane reached us next and ruffled her muddy hair. “That’s my fierce little Omega.”
Rhys wiped mud from her cheek with his thumb, golden eyes soft. “Proud of you, darling.”
Scarlett smiled up at us, exhausted but radiant, even while covered in filth.
And I knew, deep in my bones, that no matter how many walls she tried to put up…
She was already ours.
Completely.
******
I stayed with my back against the tree, eyes closed, arms crossed tightly over my chest.
The girls were bathing just beyond the line of trees, washing off the thick mud from the challenge. I could hear the water splashing, their laughter, the occasional squeal. The sweet scent of various Omegas filled the air but one stood out above all the others.
Scarlett.
Her scent was warm honey and wild strawberries, it was bright, and addictive. Even after the mud and the river, it cut through everything and went straight to my chest. My wolf whined softly inside me, tail thumping. I wanted to go to her so badly it hurt.
But I stayed.
I turned my back completely. I would never watch her when she didn’t want me to. She deserved that much respect from me.
I waited.
Heard them finish, dress and their footsteps moving away.
Only then did I open my eyes and turn.
Scarlett and Lily were walking together toward the main path. Scarlett’s long dark hair was wet, hanging heavy down her back and swinging just above her butt. She wore a pretty yellow sundress that clung slightly to her still-damp skin. She looked so soft and clean.
I moved.
In three long strides I was behind her. I grabbed her waist and pulled her back against my chest, slamming her gently but firmly into me before she could scream.
She gasped.
Lily spun around, eyes wide with fear.
“Saint!” Scarlett breathed, recognizing me instantly. Her body relaxed a little in my arms, but her heart was racing. “What are you doing?”
Lily looked ready to shift and attack. “Saint, let her go right now…”
“Please,” I said softly, voice soft but rough. My face was buried in Scarlett’s wet hair. “Can I have a moment with her?”
Lily narrowed her eyes. “What do you want to do?”
I looked down at Scarlett, cheeks burning. My ears felt hot. I was never good with words, especially not when my heart was this loud.
Scarlett sighed, glancing at her friend. “Lily… go. I’m coming. I promise.”
“You sure?” Lily asked, still wary.
“Yes.”
Lily gave me one last warning look. “I’ll be a few feet away. Scream if you need me.” She walked off but stayed close enough to watch.
The second Lily turned away, I spun Scarlett gently in my arms so she was facing me. My hands stayed on her waist, thumbs stroking the soft fabric of her sundress.
She looked up at me, cheeks flushed. “Saint… you ruined my dress with your muddy body,” she said, half-laughing, half-scolding as she noticed the fresh mud streaks on the yellow fabric.
My eyes widened in horror. “So sorry, mate,” I mumbled, embarrassed. “I will get you many more. Ten. Twenty. Whatever you want.”
She chuckled softly, the sound making my chest feel warm. “It’s fine. But what’s going on? Why did you grab me like that?”
I swallowed hard.
My face was burning. I looked down at her, then at her lips, then quickly away. My hands tightened on her waist. I wanted to pull her closer. I wanted to bury my face in her neck and breathe her in until the world disappeared. I wanted to kiss her so badly my lips tingled.
But the words stuck in my throat.
I leaned down slowly, pressing my forehead against hers, breathing shakily.
“I… I just wanted to hold you,” I whispered. “And… and smell you. You smell so good after the bath. Like sunshine and strawberries.”
Scarlett’s breath hitched. Her hands came up to rest on my chest.
I swallowed again, ears bright red.
“And…” My voice dropped even lower, almost shy. “I want to kiss you. Can I… kiss you, Scarlett? Please?”
I finally looked into her green eyes, vulnerable and hopeful, my body trembling slightly with how much I wanted her.