Rowe (Primal, #1)

by Dylan Page

I wore a pair of high-rise jeans and a black Led Zeppelin t-shirt underneath a wool sweater. My strawberry blonde hair I’d parted down the middle, my draping bangs loose to frame my face, was tied back with a blue ribbon to keep it out of the way.

She sounds so cute I love her 🖤

Jen was relentless and usually got what she wanted. I also suspected she might have let one get a look at her hoo-ha’s or something as an extra incentive, but I knew better than to ask. The answer was, most likely, yes.

Kate pls 😭

Although I could hear the other three talking about something to do with the lifejackets, I was too busy savouring this moment.

Why do I feel like that's gonna come back as important soon.

I’m pretty sure Stephanie had been bullied hard in high school. When I first met her, she was timid as hell, quiet, and stood even shorter than my five-foot-five. She was like a tiny mouse, and my heart immediately went out to her. Now that our first year of University was behind us, I could see how much she’d grown since September. Though she was still quiet and shy, she started to speak up more and push herself on our adventures rather than remain on the sidelines like she used to.

Kate is such a good mom friend 🥺🖤🖤

Isn’t that just the way? You always want the opposite of what you are.

FOR REAL

Steph’s big blue eyes slowly peered up at me, and she whispered, “You saved me, Kate.”

🥺🖤

Hopefully, it had just been a warning, a life lesson from the heavens, to proceed with caution and never take things for granted.

*looks at the camers nervously*

“So… the actual route we were supposed to take was at the first fork in the river… taking us left instead of right…” She shifted in her seat.

👁👄👁

“It’s not the wrong way… it’s just not the… proper way.” Jen moved a little to the side, taking her farther away from Lisa, and I didn’t blame her. Lisa looked like she was ready to fulfill her promise to drown her in the river at that moment. “But it’s okay. I’ve studied this route hundreds of times. It will lead us to the lake, where the rangers have a bus arranged to bring us home on the ninth. This will just be a special adventure for the four of us. An unexplored section of the river that hasn’t seen people in years! Far out, right?”

*stares in disbelief at the Caucasity* 👁👄👁

“Takes us… to a place called… Headless Canyon! You psycho! Gonna… pull your… pretty hair out!” Lisa was panting, now managing to get Jen in a headlock. “Just stories!” Jen was gasping, “They aren’t true! Just… ghost stories!” “Guys, c’mon! Stop! Let’s take it down a notch, yeah? Chill out!”

Omg

“It is bad, Jen. Because Steph almost died, and we have no idea how bad the waters ahead are, or if there are more drops like that one… or worse,” I said, my hands shaking as I fought to keep my calm and assess our situation realistically.

Kate's in pissed off mom mode, AS SHE SHOULD BE

“Which means that if we decide against abandoning the kayaks and hiking back, we’ll need to proceed downriver with a lot more caution, stopping at every bend to check ahead and gauge what we’re up against. And that means,” I added, now glaring at her, “this could take longer than four days. Have you ever thought that if we got hurt out here, or lost, or whatever, the rangers would be looking for us on the actual planned route? They won’t think to look here!”

EXACTLY!!!

“She didn’t sleep.” Lisa yawned wide, looking like she’d had a hard time, too. “Said something to me about someone pacing around the campsite last night.”

excuse me? 👁👄👁

It took nearly an hour to make it through the canyon. When we finally emerged on the other side, the sun was now shining down on us, warm and bright, and I could hear the sounds of nature again with birds calling out to each other, giving the false illusion of serene refuge.

I don't know why, but I have the very distinct feeling that this is about to be my new comfort book.

Instead, I found the current was getting stronger and stronger, and before I knew it, I was helplessly being swept after them at an alarming rate, coming upon the nightmare that was waiting for us.

Omg

As the night went on, the temperature dropped, and I shivered hard where I lay, causing the leaves I was using as my bed to rustle, breaking the silence of the darkness. Though I tried to be quiet, I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t think I’d ever fall asleep, but at least I felt safer here than wandering in the dark and possibly hurting myself by tripping on something and spraining or breaking my ankle. Also, I feared the predators that hunted at night.

I'm really glad that she's a FMC that has some true SENSE to her. I feel like I don't read enough of those often.

I cringed, shrinking down where I lay beneath the leaves, wanting nothing to do with whatever creature made such freakadelic noises.

Freakadelic, please that is such a 70s word 😭

With ease, multiple footsteps moved through the darkness, revealing that it was not just one but numerous creatures, and they moved like they had no problem seeing their way.

Oh dear 👁👄👁

It was in a moment like this where fight or flight is supposed to kick in. Me? I played possum.

No because I love how realistic this is so much 😭

Though I couldn’t make out details about their features, I knew they were on two legs, though some had bowed forward to rest on their knuckles like… like gorillas. Their bodies were absolutely massive, the outline broad and covered in fur. What the hell were these things?

I'm a tell you right now, I am fucking LOVING this book.

Oh my God… it’s ribs. The sound of them breaking, followed by the garbled drowning as its lungs filled with blood, was horrifying, and it wasn’t until it stopped moving completely that the winner let it drop to the ground, panting heavily over its still form. The newcomers retreated, their champion having fallen, and disappeared into the dark, being chased off by the winners’ companions.

👁️👄👁️ omg

He was enormous; they all were, standing over seven feet tall. He was bulging with muscles, without a trace of fat on his body. His face, though covered with a thick, dark beard, was heavy, not ugly, just… incredibly structured. His brow was the most expressive part of him. And as his dark eyes looked in my direction, his face relaxed, its tightness vanishing. He shook his long, dark hair out of his eyes and, moving forward, loped towards me. I instantly shrank back, squeezing my eyes shut, fearing the obvious strength of a creature that had just crushed its enemy to death.

Ooh!! 👁👄👁🖤

And I got my answer when he suddenly reached out and scooped me up into his arms, cradling me close to his chest. I cried out in surprise, but all he did was take a seat, brows raised in shock at my little scream, and began inspecting my arms and legs, like he was looking for an injury or else… testing to see how much meat I had on my bones, perhaps? Oh God, would he eat me? Was this primitive man a hunter? Did he and his companions, who were returning by this time, believe in cannibalism? Despite how warm he was, I continued to tremble in his arms, for I had no idea how much longer I had to live.

Honestly those are valid questions

Their facial structures were similar, too, and their expressions gave away everything going on in their heads, like it was the primary way of communicating with each other without having to speak. It was disarming. I guess I’d taken for granted that I could just talk to people whenever I pleased. Usually, my face was buried in a book or watching TV, so I would casually reply without even bothering to look up. These guys, well… it was almost a necessity.

This is fascinating to me

My companion moved around me, shifting the furs like he was trying to make it as comfortable as possible, though I found it perfect the way it was. He skimmed over my bare legs and arms, making small grunting sounds of disapproval. I bet I was a walking bruise after what happened in the river yesterday. It only made him move even more cautiously around my still form, like he was afraid he’d hurt me further.

He's so sweet 🥺🖤🖤🖤🖤

When I did, I bumped against his legs, and a thick, hard arm wrapped around my stomach and pulled me backward so my ass was pressed against his stomach.

Oh? 👀

I remained limp, deciding the best way to deal with this guy was to be cautious, nonthreatening… I didn’t want to get my bones crushed like that other dude. Knowing how strong he was only added to how absolutely terrified and uncertain I was. Proceeding with caution seemed to be the wisest course of action.

See this is what I said about my girl having common sense. She's like, "I like my ribs where they are. In my chest, whole, and intact. :)"

“Rowe?” I asked, elongating the sound of the ‘O’ in his name. He nodded eagerly, that tiny smile reappearing on his face.

He's so cute 😭🖤

I caught my name, ‘Kayd,’ and his while the others listened intently. Then, one by one, they came right up and barked a simple sound in my face. “Rull!” “Grar!” “Woke!”

My Clan of the Cave Bear stanning ass is loving this so much

Rowe, who looked absolutely horrified, grabbed me then, crushing me to his chest, making that little chirping whistle between his teeth and patting my head as though apologizing for nearly killing me. I glanced back at my saviour through my tear-filled eyes to see the old male, Rull, standing close, watching carefully.

Oh I can't, oh my heart 😭😭

Again, he just smoothly turned me around, nudging me back. When I tried to mime, hoping to find another way to explain, he simply scooped me up and carried me back to the other women, and I realized then that just leaving here wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought.

Well duh

But the moment I headed back to the way up, they pounced. I screamed when they tackled me down to the ground. I tucked in, landing on my side, my arms coming up over my head, curling my legs to my chest, trying to shield myself as they raged and thudded their fists into me. Each punch hurt almost as much as the boulders I’d crashed into in the river and judging by the size, it was definitely one of the girls.

BRUH, NOT MY GIRL GETTINNG JUMPED 👁👄👁

I burst into tears, covering my face with my hands. I felt like my sanity was hanging on by a thread. I didn’t think I could take much more.

Valid, honestly.

She hung her head as she emerged, shame radiating off every part of her. She limped a little, avoiding Haara by giving her a wide berth. Huh, I guess the old lady kicked her ass. Good.

GET HER HAARA

Seconds later, the female’s mate came storming out of the tunnel, baring his own teeth at Rowe, snarling and snapping back. But Rowe wasn’t having any of it. He stood up completely straight, his head close to the ceiling, standing a good several inches taller than the other, and was practically spitting in his face. From the tunnel, the female appeared, and Rowe snatched at her at once.

See, my man Rowe is a man of few words, but many actions, and we love him for that. 🖤

All I could feel were rock-hard muscles beneath my palm, all flexed as he roughly pulled my ass against his front again, rubbing against me with a soft groan. One of his hands moved around and cupped me over my shorts. I let out a squeal at that, but he just pressed against me, using that as a means of continuing the act while also rubbing on me. At his strong touch, I felt my thighs close around his hand, like my legs were acting out of their own free will. The sluts.

👁👄👁

I can’t believe I just let a… a… caveman dry hump the shit out of me, and now I’m checking him out… I need to see a therapist when I get rescued, I thought. I watched as he cleaned himself off with the animal skin, removing his loincloth completely before curling up in the furs at my side.

Well we all learn new things about ourselves everyday don't we? 🥴

He blinked again, only this time, his jaw clenched and his arms around my waist tightened. “Kayd hum. Hum!” he growled, pulling me down into the furs. “Kayd hum jugra Rowe!”

😭😭😭🖤🖤💔💔

He did, but he held me there for another minute until he finally let go, pulling back just enough to look me right in the eye and hiss, “Kayd hum jugra Rowe!”

*clutches my chest* Oh my heart 😭💔🖤

Understanding crossed his features, and he shook his head, pointing instead to Haara.

We stan Haara 🖤

However, I didn’t miss the way his little, or should I say big, soldier suddenly decided to give me a salute, rising up from the water when his hand went down to clean my private area. I felt a heavy blush creep over my cheeks as he cleaned me there, slowly rubbing around and between my folds, his eyes never leaving mine.

😳

What if hunters find me with them, and I’m buck-ass naked? Why is he bringing me outside? Has Rowe agreed to release me? Is that what he and the others were discussing? Is that why he wanted me to eat? So I’d be strong enough to travel to where I needed to go? I need some clothes… oh God… I think I just brushed against his dick… hello, mister half-chub… no! Focus, Kate! Where are we going?

The way she is too relatable 😭

Everyone, led by Rull, came to greet Haara first before all others. Even the Couple of Shame got quick, little headbutts, while I, the newest member of the clan, was last, yet their greeting felt a little warmer than what the other two shunned ones received. Even Rull had come over and given my head a gentle, little nuzzle.

Awwww 🥺🖤

“Dickless,” he grinned and waggled his fingers at me.

Him saying dickless for ticklish will never not be funny 😂😭

I had no idea that they were fucking each other behind my back until the day I came home early from working at the grocery store, only to find Linda riding Michael in my bed.

DAMN

He’d sat up, grabbing onto her hips, stopping her, and stared at me like an idiot, mouth hanging open. Linda had turned, noticing me at last, and for about ten seconds, no one spoke a word, until she finally said, “Maybe you should leave?”

WOW.

Another tie was undone, and then he moved to the last, his fingers working expertly while he continued to suck, lick, and bite at my neck. I could feel a shivering thrill race through my bones. Never has someone made me feel so… treasured.

😳🥺🖤🖤🖤

At first, Rowe’s face was one of wonder, his mouth falling open in surprise, like this hadn’t been at all what he had expected. He pulled out a little, staring between us in fascination, watching as he slid back in. His movements were uncertain at first, like he was testing out the feel and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was his first time. He seemed to know what made a woman come, judging by how he expertly handled me. That, or he was just so attuned to me that he picked up any little cue I gave.

*lies down softly and wails* 🦋🦋🦋🦋

Mmm, yes, fucking come in me, Rowe… Do you want a baby with him? In the wild? My eyes snapped open at that. Yeah, you horny bitch. You didn’t think about that part, did you?

WELL. 😳

Rowe kept me in his nook for three days, only taking me to the pool room for water or to relieve myself. Then I was herded right back into the furs where he’d take me again. The others in his troop brought us food, passing through some more trout and the berries that I liked. Rowe was relentless with his lovemaking… or should I call it fucking. He took me every which way he could think of, favouring holding me up while bouncing me on his lap, and then from behind, holding my ass up in the air while he slammed into me hard.

Rowe said that he's making damn sure his wife is satisfied, you best believe that. 😤🖤🖤