Hunger Awakened (The Feral Book 1)

by Charlene Hartnady

  Talon’s eyes sparkled, and the edges of his mouth twitched. “I’m sure you want a full body workout. Not just your upper?”

  “You’re absolutely right. Full body is a must.” She was seeing sexual innuendos in everything.

  “Let’s work on the punches first. Take plenty of breaks, there’s water in my bag. First show me the three.”

  She did them for him. Talon gave her a couple of pointers for each of them. “You okay to work on it for a bit on your own?”

  She nodded. “Definitely.”

  “Great, let’s get in some hits and we’ll move to legs in a few?” Talon spoke as he moved to a bag one position up, leaving an open space between them.

  “Sounds good.” She was already feeling her arms but she could do this. She could.

  Talon took up the fight stance like it was second nature, his fists coming up. When he landed the first few punches, everybody in the facility stopped to watch. He moved quickly, with such grace and agility. Pow! Pow! Pow! She could understand what he meant when he said to keep it tight and concise. It didn’t look like he was really trying and yet his punches landed with such power. One, two, three. One, one, one. A series of all of them.

  Wow.

  Just wow.

  Talon stopped, arms still braced, he glanced her way. “Are you going to watch me all day?”

  Oops! “It’s just that you’re really good at that.”

  “I thought you wanted a workout?” He smiled.

  “I do.” She turned back towards her own punching bag. Head in the game. One, two, three. A little awkward. Forget concise and tight, but she got to it anyway. Only, she was tired in no time. She punched and rested and punched a bit more and rested. One thing was for sure, she was using muscles she never even knew existed. Her arms burned. She felt sweat form on her brow.

  Just like with the one-armed push-ups, Talon was relentless. He went at that bag like it had done something terrible to him, or to his family maybe. She realized that she didn’t really know much about Talon. Did he have a family? A mom or dad? Brothers or sisters? What was his life like back … wherever he came from?

  “Taking a break?”

  Shit, she realized she had been staring at him again.

  “Yeah, this is hard work.” She looked him over. “I can’t believe you’re not out of breath. You haven’t even broken a sweat.”

  “This is nothing.” He walked over to her. “We normally spar for hours. Full contact, male on male.”

  “I would love to see that.” It just slipped out.

  “It can be pretty gory. Lots of blood. You said that human females don’t like such things.”

  “Most human females, I guess.”

  “Not you though?”

  She bit down on her bottom lip. Why was she biting down on her lip? Vicky stopped. “I would like to see. As long as you didn’t get hurt. I don’t think I’d like that.” That sounded flirty. She shouldn’t be flirting with him. She hadn’t meant it like that. “You’re a friend and I wouldn’t like to see someone I considered to be a friend, get hurt.”

  “I’m one of our best fighters.” He shook his head, looking all nonchalant again. “You might see me hurt a couple of the others though.”

  The thought thrilled her. In ways it shouldn’t. “They would heal though?” A husky whisper.

  “Yes, they would definitely heal and quickly.”

  “Then I guess it would be okay.”

  Talon looked her in the eyes, deep in the eyes. “You are a strange female, but I like that.”

  More of those damned butterflies. She really needed to think more about her date tonight and not get all hung up on a guy who was still hung up on his deceased mate.

  “I wish I could take you.” He had a faraway look. “You might like Monsoli.”

  “Your home?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “Then again, it lacks many of the comforts you have here, but it is beautiful. So vast and untouched. The air is clean.” She could see that he was picturing it. There was a look of longing on his face.

  “Unlike the city.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “It stinks here.”

  “Yeah, we have pollution.”

  “The stench from the vehicles, the garbage and the drains.” He shook his head. “Where I am from, the streams run clear, the air is sweet and—”

  “You’re really making me want to visit and since I can’t …”

  Talon shook his head. “No, I’m afraid it would be impossible.” It may have been her imagination but he seemed upset that she couldn’t. Then he got this stern look. “Enough chit-chat.” He pronounced the words with care. Probably new ones in his vocabulary. “I will show you the kicks now.”

  “Let’s do this.” It was fun. Something completely different.

  “Face the bag head-on,” Talon instructed, “and kick, kick.” He alternated legs.

  He took her through a series of kicks in much the same way he had with the punches. “Got it?” he asked.

  “I think so.”

  “Are you okay with us practicing on our own for a few minutes?”

  “Sure.” She couldn’t wait to see him in action.

  Talon moved up the line and began kicking.

  Oh wow!

  She had to force her eyes back onto her own punching bag. How was it possible for a guy to be that big and that agile? How? She really needed to know.

  Vicky felt clumsy as she started on her own bag. She must look like an idiot in comparison. She wasn’t thinking along those lines though. She was going to get it right. No pain no gain became her mantra after a few minutes. Vicky took a break, trying not to drool as she watched Talon go at it, even faster than before. He was breathing a little heavier at this stage. Still no sweat though.

  She was thirsty but realized there was no opening a bottle with gloves on her hands. Within a few minutes, she resumed her kicks, practicing each one. Front upwards kicks. Side outward jab kicks and then her favorite, the more arced kick, where she connected with the front of her foot. According to Talon, perfect for snapping a rib. Good information to know. A total turn-on as well. Who knew she was such a perv.

  Good thing he was there to protect Vicky if the need arose because there was no way she could defend herself. He would bring her back, try to teach her some more moves. By the time he left, she would be in a better position to defend herself. He’d see to it.

  Right now, Talon had to keep reminding himself to take it slow. Not to put too much power behind the movements. He didn’t want to accidentally break any of the equipment or possibly even accidentally hurt someone.

  Slow.

  Easy.

  Breathe.

  At the same time, he needed to get rid of some energy. There was far too much of that buzzing around him. Making him crazy. That was probably where his need to mount was coming from. Cadon hadn’t mentioned having the problem but then again, Talon couldn’t bring himself to mention that he had a problem, in his daily conversations with the male. He was too ashamed. Maybe not being able to shift and fly was the reason. Maybe he was not the only one suffering. If he got a chance to stretch his wings and really burn some energy, maybe his problem would go away. He couldn’t count on it though.

  Talon punched the bag a little harder. Easy. Take it easy. A few more jabs, a few more kicks. He glanced at Vicky. The female was watching him in fascination. It seemed that, like his own kind, human females were also enamored by males who could defend and protect. Enamored by strength. He liked that she was watching. Liking it altogether too much.

  “I’m really thirsty.” Vicky tapped her gloves together.

  Or she was waiting patiently for him to finish so that he could get her some water? Talon nodded, wiping his brow. At least he had finally managed to break a sweat. Not much, but it was something. Tension still radiated through him. He unzipped the bag and pulled out a water bottle, which he unscrewed, holding it to her mouth.

  Vicky drank deeply. “Thank you,” she
said, when she finally came up for air. “I’m feeling it. Going to be a bit stiff and sore in the morning.” She smiled.

  “Good.”

  “If you say so.” She made a face.

  “It means that you will have worked. That you have made progress.”

  Vicky smiled. He liked it when she smiled, made him feel good inside. “I know. I’m only yanking your chain … joking with you,” she added when she caught his frown.

  Talon drank some of the water. “Are you ready to spar? One on one with me?” He tapped his chest.

  “We’re a little unevenly matched.” Her voice was soft and she seemed to be breathing more heavily. Maybe she was afraid.

  “I will go very easy on you.”

  “Okay. How are we going to do this? You’re not going to hit me in the face or anything?”

  Talon shook his head. “I would never hit a female, not ever.”

  Vicky smiled broadly. “I didn’t think so. That’s why I was asking. You not hitting back kind of defeats the whole purpose though.”

  “I will wear these.” He put the hand pads on as he spoke. “You must do your best to try to connect with me. I will block your punches with these.” He lifted his hands, tapping them together. The pads made a twack sound.

  A look of horror crossed her face. “What if I actually hit you?”

  Talon laughed. “You won’t.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Very.”

  Vicky raised her brows. “You look so incredibly sure. You’re not worried I might get one tiny hit in?”

  “I’m sure and no, I don’t think you will manage even one hit.” He wasn’t saying it to goad her, and yet, he could see her jaw tighten, her whole stance became tense as he spoke.

  “Alrighty then.” She put one foot in front of the other and dropped down a little on her knees, lifting her hands into the defensive position. “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” Her eyes blazed.

  Another human saying. He could guess what it meant. Talon nodded once. “I’m ready.” He held his hands just in front of him.

  Vicky went straight for a low jab. Trying right off the bat to actually hit him. He liked this female. No messing around. She was trying hard, a frown line of concentration on her forehead. He was damned if he didn’t feel it low in his stomach. If he didn’t feel his prick stir.

  Blast!

  Not now.

  Talon breathed deeply, trying hard to concentrate on the sparring session and not on Vicky. How her ponytail bounced. How her nose wrinkled when she’d put in, what she considered to be, a particularly good hit. He easily blocked her and she went straight for a right jab. He blocked her again. She tried several combinations. He blocked each and every one.

  "Dammit!" she finally yelled.

  “You drop your left before every right.” He smiled.

  “And how do you know I’m about to hit left?”

  “You take in a slightly deeper breath before each punch. It’s subtle but there.”

  Vicky punched a couple more times. “Yeah, you’re right. Thing is, I have to breathe out when I let her rip, right?”

  He nodded. “You should try to keep your breathing even at all times though.”

  “There are so many things to remember.” She used the back of her glove to wipe some hair off of her face. Her cheeks were flushed. “This is difficult. I can’t believe I actually wanted to hit you there for a moment.”

  Talon couldn’t help but smile. Little hellion! “I could see it. It’s good. Another pointer and something you can try is to bounce and move your feet like this.” He showed her, holding his hands up. “Makes it harder to judge what your next move is going to be.”

  "Okay." She swiped a gloved hand over her forehead. "I can do that. I used to go to dance class as a girl. Hip-hop." She bobbed her brows. "I have rhythm." Vicky began to bounce gently.

  Even with her hands in the defensive position, he could still see how her breasts bounced. It wasn’t an exaggerated movement. Enough to draw the eye. Enough to get his mind working, his imagination went into overdrive.

  Bounce.

  Bounce.

  Bounce.

  Conjuring up what she might look like naked. He knew her nipples were plump. He’d seen them through her clothing a time or two. Would they be a lighter shade of pink or darker? How would such heavy mammary glands look …

  Whack!

  On the side of his jaw. Not hard at all.

  “Oh my god! Are you okay?” She put both gloved hands on his chest. Her eyes were filled with concern. “You weren’t ready. I came at you and you weren’t ready. I’m so sorry.”

  “No,” he shook his head, “you did a good job.”

  She smiled, her face radiating pure joy. "I did?" Then she frowned. "Wait a minute, you're not just saying that to make me feel good about myself, are you? I got in a low blow when you weren't ready, and you're giving it to me because you feel sorry for me?"

  “I would never do that. I take sparring seriously. A fighter must always be ready. You got me fair and square.”

  She grinned.

  Talon wasn't sure what came over him in that moment. Part of him wanted to show her what he meant by being ready at all times, but there was a part of him that was thinking with his prick, for sure.

  He gripped her left wrist and side-swiped her with his foot onto the padded mats. Talon was sure to fall as well, placing his body under hers so that, despite the padded mats, she wouldn’t land on the floor.

  Vicky landed on top of him. Her eyes wide, the air left her lungs in a shocked sounding gasp as she made contact. He realized his mistake the moment all her softness landed on all of his hardness. Her legs straddled him, knees on the mat. Her breasts were flat against his chest. He could feel her heart race. Her lips were slightly parted, and she was panting softly.

  The problem.

  His prick went from semi to fully erect in the time it took them to fall. It was hard as granite and perfectly positioned at the juncture of her thighs.

  His balls tightened, that feeling was back in the pit of his stomach. His eyes also widened and he pulled in a big lungful of air. Blast! “Um …” He was gripping her upper arms. “I’m … I’m sorry.” He lifted her off of him in one quick motion that put himself in a sitting position and her sitting on the floor in front of him. “I wanted to show you what I meant by being prepared. It was stupid of me. Here,” he looked down at her gloved hands, “I think that’s enough for one day.” He un-velcroed one of her gloves, opening it up so that she could get her hand out.

  Her eyes were still wide, her breathing still elevated. He couldn't blame her. By all that was clawed and furry, he had just molested her. "I'm really sorry about that. I don't know what happened. I—"

  She touched his arm. “It’s okay. You don’t need to explain. It’s one of those things. You’re a guy and I’m a woman and these things sometimes happen.”

  “Thank you for being so sweet about it. I guess you are right. It’s no excuse. None!”

  “Stop beating yourself up.” She shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”

  Talon grit his teeth for a few seconds. “It’s a big deal to me because I see you as a friend and …” His mate. Lark. How could he?

  “I can see in your eyes that you feel bad. That you’re feeling guilty,” she spoke softly. “You can’t help your body’s reaction. It’s like trying to stop yourself from breathing … it’s not possible. It doesn’t make you a bad person, Talon, it makes you human.”

  “Except, I’m not human.” The words came out as a deep rasp. Things more under control, he jumped to his feet, holding out a hand to Vicky. “We’d better get going.”

  She nodded, undoing her other glove on her own. She handed it to Talon. She looked upset and he couldn’t blame her. What the hell was wrong with him?

  Chapter 15

  That night …

  By all that was both feathered and furred.

  He did a double-take and then feigned disinterest.
It was almost impossible considering how his heart raced, sending blood south. Blast and damn and blast again! He had zero control.

  Throb.

  Throb.

  Talon shifted, uncomfortable in his seat. He glanced back up while Vicky fiddled in her purse. She wore a dress similar to the one she was wearing the night they went out for drinks. It hugged all her curves and was as green as the sweet new grass of spring.

  He had to force himself to stop staring all over again. Her ass, those thighs. Hellfire but she caught him staring. Her beautiful blue eyes locking with his.

  “You look … you … you look nice,” he stumbled over his words. “Are we going out tonight?” Talon paused, looking down at himself. He wore jeans and nothing else. Not sufficient clothing to leave the house. “I can shower and change quickly. I didn’t—”

  “No.” Vicky shook her head and sort of smiled. It didn’t quite reach her eyes. She clasped and unclasped her hands. Her shoulders looked tight. The human was nervous. Why? “I’m headed out, on my own,” she quickly added when he frowned. “I left the take-out menus next to the phone. You can call and order whatever you like. The Steakhouse—”

  “Where are you going?” The question came out harsher than he intended.

  She cleared her throat.

  He realized how rude he was being. “I’m sorry. You do not have to answer if …”

  “No, it’s fine.” She licked her lips. Acting like she didn’t want to confide in him. Why? “I’m going out on a date. We spoke about it the other day.”

  “Two days ago. That is quick. Did you already find someone on Google?”

  “Not exactly on Google but yes, I met someone online and I’m meeting him for a drink.”

  “Like we went out for drinks the other day?”

  Vicky nodded. “Yes, just like that.”

  Everything in him tightened. The thought of Vicky meeting someone, of allowing someone other than him to mount her—

  Brimstone and hellfire! Vicky could do what she wanted. She was a female in her prime. She could make her own decisions. Do whatever she pleased. It had nothing to do with him. “That’s nice.” He wanted to smile but he knew it would be forced. She would think there was something wrong with him when in truth he was fine. No problem here. None at all!