Hunting Season

by Kate Rudolph

  Was that what she wanted?

  A week ago she probably would have said yes. But an entire new world had opened up to her, and now she was filled with curiosity of a shape-shifting variety.

  "You still there?" Luna asked.

  Stasia realized she had been quiet for too long. "I'm still here. I need to think about it before you give them my name. It's been a really busy week."

  "Okay." Luna didn't sound too disappointed, but she normally was peppy enough. "You owe me drinks. And I expect a call back. I don't care that we're not working together anymore. We're still friends."

  "I promise," and Stasia meant it. She had a feeling she was going to need someone normal, someone who knew nothing about the werewolf world, to ground her as her life was changing. And Luna was just the person for that.

  The door to the bedroom opened just as Stasia said goodbye and hung up the phone. Owen wrapped his arms around her tight and Stasia felt some of her tension melt away.

  "Did you hear that?" she asked. He might have been outside the room and she wasn't sure just how sharp his hearing was. Now that she knew he wasn't completely human she had to wonder what exactly he could do.

  "Nope," he said. They rocked back and forth a bit as if swaying to music that wasn't playing.

  "My friend Luna got a job at a new hospital. She invited me to apply for a position there. They're looking for doctors. It would probably be a good fit." It sounded like she was trying to justify it to herself. Why didn't it feel right anymore? It wasn't just the werewolf stuff. Stasia had been adrift for a while, ever since she left her last job. She hadn't been sure it was right then, and she didn't know if it was right now.

  "Do you want to go back to a hospital?" Owen asked gently. It was clear he was not trying to influence the decision. It would be so easy if he did try and influence it.

  "I don't know," she admitted. "It should be right up my alley. It's high-pressure, it's important."

  "But it's not what you want," said Owen, plainly stating what she was afraid to confess.

  "No, it's not what I want." It was strange and freeing to admit that. It was something she had been dancing around for quite some time. She had spent so long and worked so hard to earn her qualifications and to get jobs where she would truly make a difference. But it didn't satisfy her anymore. It wasn't right. Not anymore.

  "You know we could always use a doctor." Owen offered. "You saved Vega's life. And you could probably tell us a lot about what's going on in our bodies that we don't understand. I can't guarantee it will pay much, but it'll be interesting."

  It was almost too good to be true. Stasia's heart beat a little faster and her mind whirred with possibilities. A doctor to werewolves. No one else had that kind of opportunity. "Is this you asking me? Or Gibson?" She didn't know which one she wanted to be offering her the job. She didn't want Owen to offer her out of pity or out of some weird effort to keep her close, but she also liked the idea that it would be Owen thinking of it instead of his boss. Even as her mind warred against it, her heart wanted him to want her close.

  "Gibson suggested it," Owen admitted. "But I think you would be great at it. I want you here. But if I was making up a job for you it would involve a lot more sexual favors," he added.

  A surprised laugh burst out of Stasia. "I'll probably throw in the sexual favors for free."

  She wasn't ready to make the decision. Not yet. No matter how intriguing doctor to werewolves sounded, she had some thinking to do. Then Owen kissed her and she decided that she could think later.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Owen couldn't resist kissing Stasia. Every moment they were apart was too long, and he and his wolf were in agreement on that. The thought of her staying with them, working with them, only added fire to his blood. She hadn't said yes. She might not say yes. But the possibility was there now.

  There was no telling what the future held for them, but now they had a chance to seize it.

  Stasia wrapped her legs around his waist as he leaned against the wall and held her in place, his cock hardening to steel as he pressed against her.

  "Yes," his mate groaned, deepening their kiss.

  Owen's mind was in a haze of lust as he flashed through all the things he could do to her, all the things they could do together. He wanted to steal her away and lock them both up in a tower somewhere so that no one would find them. The more barbaric part of his mind imagined chaining her to the bed, but as she nipped at his lip the fantasy changed until he was the one in manacles and Stasia was having her way with him.

  Yes.

  Both.

  Either.

  Whatever happened, so long as it was with her.

  At points in his past he'd worried about finding someone to stand by forever. He'd thought he'd feel cramped, limited. But now his mind was completely focused on Stasia and there was no limitation. She was all he wanted. All he would ever want.

  Mate.

  The thought was music to his ears.

  He swung her around and sat her gently on the bed.

  "I'm not fragile, you know," Stasia said with heat as she tore off her top and tossed it across the room.

  "I know." Owen made quick work of his own top and unbuttoned his jeans, but he didn't get them all the way off. Stasia was right there and far too tempting. He knelt between her legs and began kissing every inch of exposed skin, paying special attention to her breasts when she moaned as his tongue swirled around a nipple. "Not fragile at all," he said between kisses. "But precious. Mine."

  She moaned again before threading her fingers through her hair and surprising him with a countermove right out of a jiu-jitsu studio, using her hips to thrust up and flip him over. She straddled his waist, her hair hanging over them like a curtain. "Yours?" There was a challenge in her eyes.

  Another man might have treaded carefully, but Owen was one with his wolf and he knew it was time to prove to their mate just where she belonged. "Absolutely. Forever."

  And if she thought she was going to best him with a move like that, she was mistaken. She had a few tricks up her sleeve, but he was a trained soldier and bodyguard. And he was claiming her.

  Owen sat up and gripped Stasia close, crushing their mouths together in a branding kiss. He flipped them back over so he was on top, his full body covering Stasia's and holding her in place. She didn't seem to mind as she wrapped her arms and legs around him and kissed him for all she was worth.

  He needed to be inside her. His cock throbbed in desperation and he could practically feel the tight press of her wet heat, but no force in the universe was strong enough to pull him back from kissing her.

  He let his hands roam over her silky skin and took pride in her shiver as she fell deeper into the kiss. And when they rolled the next time Owen didn't even think to fight it. This wasn't really a battle of wills. There was no need to tame or conquer.

  They were in this thing together.

  "You're mine too, you know," Stasia panted when they finally separated for a moment.

  "That was never in doubt." There were more words to say, another declaration even stronger to make, but Owen held it back. Between the bite and the other revelations, it was far too much too soon.

  He'd wait.

  Until at least tomorrow.

  But right now he needed something more physical. He kissed his way down Stasia's body again, and this time when he made it to her pants he started to pull them off. They managed to get tangled and Stasia's curse at the complication almost had him laughing.

  His mate had a rough edge to her, a side always willing to fight, but she was aligned with him and he reveled in it. His teeth ached along with his fingers and he could feel his wolf rising to the surface.

  No.

  He tried to pull the change back. This was something human, something just between him and Stasia, and he wouldn't scare her by letting his other half take over.

  We are one, his wolf whispered to him.

  Were they really? Kind of hard to t
hink that was true when he was imagining the creature speaking to him.

  He didn't want to pull back from Stasia, but with the wolf so close to the surface, so determined to claim her, he feared that he would go too far. She'd accepted the wolf stuff but there had to be a limit. And a part of him would die inside if the limit came from him.

  He pulled back and sat up, turning away from Stasia and breathing deep, trying to center himself. He was a man. He was with his woman. There was no need for the wolf to get involved.

  But he could still feel it, lurking. It made no move to recede, no matter how much he tried to pull himself together. If anything, he was making it worse. His hand shook as he tried to run it through his hair, and when he brought it back down he saw his nails sharpening into claws.

  It couldn't have taken more than a few moments, but Stasia sat up, knowing something was wrong.

  "Let me see you," she said. "I'm here."

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Stasia sat up and placed her hand on Owen's cheek to turn his head towards hers. He resisted for a moment and then let her move him. When she caught sight of his eyes she almost gasped. They'd gone that same wolfish yellow she'd seen before, and she could almost swear she saw fangs peeking out of his mouth.

  "Why are you trying to hide from me?" she asked. Maybe the sight of his wolf so close to the surface should have scared away her lust, but her body was still tight with it. She wasn't about to run away just because she was seeing some of Owen's true self.

  Owen turned his head until he could brush a kiss against her palm before he spoke. "You're dealing with enough, you shouldn't need to deal with my lack of control."

  "Control?" She couldn't help but smile. She kissed his cheek. He was too close for her to keep from touching and she wasn't even going to try and resist. "You seem pretty controlled to me. Or are you going to let the change go further?"

  "How can you look at me and say that?" He sounded wrecked, and Stasia never wanted to hear that tone from him again. Her man was cheerful, confident. He embraced his wolf and his life and didn't get scared because of a few small changes.

  She kissed him, careful to avoid the sprouting fangs, but not too careful. And then she deepened the kiss and forgot about the fangs altogether. It was hard to think about anything but Owen when they were naked together.

  She pulled back and took a good look at him. "You seem safe enough to me."

  "You're not scared?" He still sounded doubtful.

  "You're a werewolf. I can stand a little weird. Now come back here and fuck me." The next time she kissed him wasn't as gentle. Owen said he was out of control? She dared him to show her.

  He did.

  She heard a growl start deep in his throat and it awakened something deep inside her. She didn't know if she had a wolf of her own, but there was definitely a piece of her soul that responded to his and she never wanted it to end.

  He tipped her back on the bed and pressed her against the mattress, kissing her like he would brand her. His sharp teeth were there, but he wasn't a vampire and they weren't razor sharp.

  Did vampires exist?

  The thought was washed away in another wave of lust and Stasia didn't care enough to chase it. Owen's hands raked down her side and he cupped one of her breasts, stroking her nipple with his thumb. She loved the feel of his hands on her and needed more.

  Did she have to beg?

  Before she could make a noise, his other hand found her entrance and his fingers teased her wet heat, dipping inside and stretching her, making her ready for him.

  "Fuck," she groaned. And then something occurred to her. "Fuck! Condom."

  Owen stopped moving for a moment and Stasia almost told him to forget about it. She was on birth control, they could take their chances. But after the day they'd had, they didn't need any more surprises.

  Luckily, Owen had restocked his wallet and after a minute he was suited up and ready for more.

  There was no hesitation now, no concern for yellow eyes or his wolf rising to the surface. Stasia trusted Owen and knew he'd never hurt her. It was freeing to give herself over to that trust and watch him unleash.

  They came together with a desperate ferocity and the sounds they made were completely feral. Stasia had never sounded like that in bed before, but Owen brought the intensity out of her and made everything more.

  He entered her and they moved, and the pleasure mounted. Stasia was full to the core but she still wanted more. She couldn't quite say what more was as she held Owen tight and urged him on.

  "I'm yours." The declaration was true deep down in her soul. She'd never be rid of this connection, this impossible bound that had sprung up between them. It was impossible to explain, deeper and truer than emotion.

  Her body rippled around his as she came and Owen let out a roar of triumph as he joined her. Then his eyes flashed an even deeper yellow and his fangs got impossibly long.

  She didn't have time to be scared as he bit down on her shoulder, marking her as his. She cried out in a mix of pleasure and pain as her vision went white and she passed out.

  Chapter Thirty

  "I'm fine, I promise. Stop looking at me like that." The mark that Owen had left on her shoulder wasn't nearly as bad as they feared. In fact, it was already mostly healed, and since Stasia's body still felt delightfully stretched from their lovemaking, she had a feeling there was some sort of magical bullshit contributing to it.

  Her werewolf boyfriend bit her. She knew she should be freaking out. That was a freaking out kind of thing. But for some reason she wasn't.

  Maybe her quota for freak outs had been used up, or maybe it was something else. She wasn't going to examine it too closely. She was going to consider a lack of panic a good thing for now.

  "I'm not looking at it," Owen insisted. He was packing up a few things to take back to her apartment. There wasn't much. They hadn't intended to stay overnight in the first place.

  Gibson had offered to let her stay in the safe house until everyone had a better idea of what was going to happen to her, but Stasia had a nice home just a few miles away and she would rather sleep in her own bed.

  It had taken Owen and the rest of his pack three months to turn into werewolves; she wasn't going to stay in Brooklyn that long if she could avoid it. And there was half a chance she wouldn't turn into a werewolf at all. They didn't have a way to measure it, so all she could go on was instinct and her knowledge of her own body.

  She was trying to decide if she felt any different. Her stomach felt a little upset, but the only meals she had eaten for the past day and a half were greasy fast food. Anxiety mixed with fat and grease was a particularly sickly combination. It was no sure sign of lycanthropy.

  Stasia had finally gathered up the courage to look at the bite mark that Vega had left, and it was already healed enough to get rid of the stitches. She had taken them out herself without asking for help.

  It was another sign that she was likely turning into a werewolf. An upset stomach could be anything. Healing from a wound that big so fast? There was nothing human about that. Was she dealing with the trauma by avoiding the possibility? Yes. But she figured she had at least a few days—maybe months—to get her mind wrapped around the situation.

  She had put a fresh bandage over the bite just so it didn't raise questions from the other guys. Maybe it was stupid to keep that from them, but she was entitled to a bit of stupidity for at least a day. She hadn't even told Owen and knew he'd hold it against her, but she just needed a bit more time. He'd understand. Right?

  Em knocked on the door and Owen answered it. "I need to take off," she said as she entered the room and got close to Stasia. She looked regretful. "My manager has been blowing up my phone. I was hoping I could buy a couple more days, but it doesn't look like it. Are you going to be okay? Because I will cancel the tour and do whatever I need if you want me to stay." Stasia recognized sincerity when she heard it, and Em meant every word she said.

  But it wasn't something
Stasia could ask of her. That tour cost millions of dollars and there were thousands of fans that would be disappointed if she backed out at this point. And that had nothing on what kind of speculation there would be in the press. She couldn't do that to her sister. "I'm doing fine. I will let you know if anything happens. I promise." It wasn't even a lie. Not exactly. She had no way to know what was happening or when.

  "And she has me," Owen added. He was her silent watcher, done with the bag but still there, ready to stand at her side as long as she wanted him.

  The other healed over bite burned at the thought, but it didn't hurt. It was a reassurance that Owen was there, a steady presence she could always count on.

  Em nodded at him and then gave Stasia a hug. It was a relief to know her sister didn't hesitate to get close to her even though she could turn into a furry monster at any moment. Stasia flashed back to an hour before when she'd been taming her own monster and Owen's bite tingled again. Maybe their family didn't have a healthy sense of survival, after all.

  "I love you," said Em, hugging her again. "And you better call me. Werewolf or not. That shit is cool. I want to know more." She gave Stasia a kiss on the cheek and took off.

  Stasia sank down onto the bed and let out a breath. Maybe the werewolf shit was cool from the outside, but she was exhausted. "I'm ready to go home. Take me?"

  The look Owen gave her was too serious for the moment and his word felt like a vow. "Anywhere."

  Leaving the safe house didn't take long. Andre was nowhere to be found and Vega made himself scarce. None of the rest of the pack asked Stasia any probing questions, though she did see Gibson give Owen a significant look. She decided to ask about that later; for now, she just wanted to be gone.

  Owen brought the car around and she climbed in to the front seat. The traffic gods blessed them and getting back to her place didn't take too long. But once the car was parked they didn't get out.

  Stasia wasn't sure what to do. Momentum had pushed her this far, but now she had actual choices to make. Choices about Owen and her and what they really meant to one another.