by Eva Brandt
Daimon must have realized it, because his aura of seduction grew thicker and even more potent. “My bride…” he whispered in my ear. “My mate. Go ahead. Come for me.”
As he spoke, he pressed his thumb over my engorged clit. I couldn’t have resisted him if I’d tried. “Daimon! Ah!”
Convulsing in his arms, I came, my pussy tightening around the digit inside me. Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through my body, making me vibrate with sensual energy. It felt so good that I didn’t realize what Daimon had in mind until it was too late.
In the blink of an eye, Daimon withdrew his finger from my cunt and positioned his cock against my folds. In one single thrust, he buried his dick inside me.
Still riding on the peak of my first climax, I was utterly unprepared for the new assault on my senses. It was so overwhelming that my ability to form words vanished altogether, as did everything else that wasn’t lust and need.
As another orgasm exploded over me, I clung to him, willing him to give me more, to fuck me hard. I didn’t say the words out loud, but Daimon heard them anyway and replied, “Oh, I fully intend to.” And he did.
His lips curled into a vicious snarl and he started moving in and out of me at a punishing pace. Overwhelmed, I couldn’t keep up with him. I couldn’t do anything except surrender and take it.
Daimon’s dick burned me from the inside out. With every second that passed, his skin grew hotter and hotter. At one point, it even began to crack, displaying the glow of the demonic core hidden inside him. But he didn’t care, and neither did I. He fucked me in deep, hard strokes, and I was lost in his fiery eyes, in his strength, in his ruthlessness. I was a vessel of his need, and much to my shame, I loved every second of it.
I didn’t know how long it lasted. Time stopped having any meaning. I panted, whimpered, and sobbed, my mind a litany of “yes, more, give me more.” And Daimon didn’t disappoint, his vicious thrusts practically ravaging my insides.
But nothing could last forever, not even such a wild exchange. Daimon crushed his lips to mine in another kiss, one that tasted like smoke and blood. I kissed him back. Groaning, he thrust one last time inside me and came, pumping me full of seed. A new surge of heat flooded me, and I followed him over the edge, into another electrifying orgasm.
Fire and energy crackled between our entwined bodies. Something exploded in the room. The ceiling of the cave blackened with soot. My wild uncontrollable power ran free, and it felt so good, so liberating.
Daimon slid out of me and we both ended up kneeling on the floor. I slumped against his chest, tired but content. He held me just as closely as before, his hands still roaming over my naked form.
“See?” he purred in my ear. “I told you there’s nothing you can do to escape.”
Just like that, the fog over my brain lifted. His words extinguished the passion that had burned away my sanity. All of a sudden, I remembered who I was and what I was doing here. I remembered my werewolf lovers and my stomach turned at the realization that I’d forgotten them so easily.
I recoiled and freed myself from his arms. “N-No,” I stammered. “What… What did you do to me?”
He allowed me to move away, still smiling that small, infuriating smirk. “I did absolutely nothing, my lovely bride,” he said. “Nothing you didn’t want me to do, at least.”
As if to prove a point, he reached between my legs and found my clit. One single touch made my treacherous body come to life all over again.
He laughed. “Like I said. Nothing you didn’t want.”
I ached to deny it, to scream at him, to attack him. But even now, a part of me was whispering, “Just don’t think about it. Let him have you. It feels good, doesn’t it?”
It did, God help me, it did. It felt so good it scared me. And I didn’t know what I’d have done if a familiar voice hadn’t interrupted my exchange with Daimon.
“Imogen? Genny!”
Daimon’s smile faltered and his eyes started glowing with fury. “Treacherous pest… You again!”
“Genny!” the voice insisted. “Can you hear me?”
Daimon’s body started to blur, as did mine. Reality swirled and shifted. The next thing I knew, I cracked my eyes open and blinked, trying to chase away the fuzziness in my brain.
As my vision cleared, I found myself meeting Ulysses’s concerned gaze. “Are you all right?” he asked.
I opened my mouth to tell him what I’d seen, to tell him about the way Daimon Rossi had come to me. But as my thoughts finally started to realign themselves, I realized I couldn’t do that.
I was in bed, still dressed in the clothing I’d put on before Byron’s departure. There was no sign of any damage in the room. I couldn’t see any scorch marks on the furniture or walls.
That could only mean one thing. It had all been a dream.
“Genny?” Ulysses insisted when I didn’t answer. “You’re scaring me.”
I knew I was, but I was scared too. I was no idiot. I knew very well that demons could come to people in their dreams and twist their minds that way. And logic stated I should warn my lovers about it. But how could I explain that the demon had fucked me, and I’d enjoyed every second of it?
I didn’t have the courage to do it. They’d accepted me as their soulmate, at a time when everyone else had turned from me. I’d betrayed them, but I was selfish enough to keep it quiet, as long as it meant still having a place by their side.
“It was nothing,” I said at last. “I had a strange dream.”
Ulysses frowned, not looking very reassured. “A dream? What about?”
“The battle at the compound,” I replied. “My brother and that demon… They were… They were both…”
I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence, feeling too guilty about lying to Ulysses. Ulysses didn’t push me. Instead, he curled next to me on the bed and pulled me in his arms. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. I’m here.”
I did my best to relax. When one of my shifter soulmates was there, everything else seemed like a distant nightmare. But dream or not, the memory of Daimon’s hot kisses still burned me, and my pussy ached from the pounding he’d just given me.
Trying not to think about it, I focused on Ulysses. “Did you catch the intruder?”
“Unfortunately, no, but no one was hurt. He was probably a scout. There may be a pack clash in the future. But you don’t need to worry about that.”
If everyone else was worried, I should be too, but I didn’t say that. I had a feeling that Daimon’s visit was related to the arrival of the strange werewolf scout.And I knew that was important information, something vital for the safety of the pack, but I didn’t reveal it.
Instead, I pulled him on top of me and wrapped my arms around him, spreading my legs. “I’m not worried,” I said, “not as long as I have you. Now, come on… Since you’re here, why don’t we have some fun together?”
Ulysses still seemed a little unconvinced, but his carnal instincts won out. And as he slid his dick into my pussy, I clung to him and tried not to think about how good another cock had felt inside me.
Chapter Ten
Full moon.
Like the witching hour, full moon nights are a time dedicated to the supernatural. According to our older records, many years ago, the full moon was able to force shape-shifters into their secondary forms. But we no longer live in such simple times.
Once, the full moon was an excellent occasion for hunters to weed out the monsters in our midst. But now, such nights are traps. Paranormal beings—particularly shifters—are always at their most powerful during the full moon.
Hunters are advised to be extra cautious and avoid missions during these nights of power. If it is impossible to postpone an operation, take extra precautions and be prepared to have a difficult fight on your hands. First and foremost, be prepared for death. No full moon fight has ever ended without loss of life—on our side.
- Klaus Julius, “A Young Hunter’s Training Manual,” Private Records
of the Julius Hunter Clan -
* * *
Xander
“There’s something wrong, Byron. I can feel it. Something’s wrong with Imogen. I shouldn’t be doing this.” I stalked through my quarters, feeling like my wolf was about to claw its way out of my skin. “I can’t leave her.”
“I know you don’t want to do that, Xander,” Byron said, “but we don’t have much choice. Tonight is the full moon and you can’t postpone the run.”
I growled under my breath, knowing Byron was right, but still hating the truth of his words. Tonight, my union needed me, and I couldn’t avoid or escape that. I had to lead them on our traditional, full moon run. It was extra important after that weird attack the other day. We’d failed to capture the intruder and that didn’t sit well with anyone. As an Alpha, it was my job to make my pack feel safe. That meant I had to leave Imogen behind.
I bit the inside of my cheek so hard my fangs sliced into my flesh. A treacherous thought popped into my head. If she’d been a werewolf, we wouldn’t be in this situation at all. I furiously chased it away. There was nothing wrong with Imogen’s nature. The circumstances were fucking us over, that was all.
“I understand why you’re worried, Xander,” Ulysses said, giving me a concerned look. “You know I feel the same. But right now, the pack needs you to be its Alpha. I promise I’ll be with her. I won’t leave her side for a second.”
I nodded and forced myself to calm down. I trusted Ulysses. My Omega was the best choice to handle the situation. Imogen would be safe with him.
My wolf was still restless and still howled that we needed to stay together, as a unit. But digging my heels in like a child wouldn’t help me. “Right. Thank you, Ulysses.”
“Don’t mention it. You know I’d do anything for her.”
I did know and that knowledge gave me the strength to slide back into my room.
Imogen was lying in our bed, slumbering peacefully, covered by a thick blanket. The only thing that could make her sleep was fucking her, the harder the better. It would have been hypocritical of me to claim I didn’t enjoy it, but at the same time, I was worried.
My mate had gone through a very traumatic experience and she had shown no desire to address it in any other way. We’d made a tentative attempt to ask her about her new powers, and that had ended with her riding Byron while I fucked her tight little ass. I could understand taking refuge in our bond and our sexual intimacy. It might have even been a good idea for a werewolf. I just wasn’t sure it would be enough for Imogen.
We’d noticed it from the very beginning, and it was why we’d held back from fully claiming her. I’d hoped that slowly, with time, she’d heal and be able to make a more permanent decision about our future. But the way I saw things right now, that wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
I walked up to the bed and knelt next to her. Imogen cracked her eyes open and shot me a sleepy smile. “Hi. I thought you said you were going for a run?”
“We are. I just wanted to see you again before I left.”
Imogen’s smile widened. “Did you?” She threw off the blanket, exposing her naked body to my eyes. “Well, here I am. Want to do anything more than that?”
As she spoke, she spread her legs and started toying with her own folds, thrusting a single digit into her tight cunt. My mouth went dry. I tried to remember this wasn’t what I’d come here for, but it was a little hard to do that when my soulmate was in front of me, aroused and practically begging for me to fuck her.
“I do,” I admitted. “But there’s no time.”
Imogen’s smile faded into a look of chagrin. “Sorry. I forget myself sometimes.”
She reached for the blanket again. I was faster. I tucked the quilt around her. “Don’t apologize,” I replied. “When we come back, we can do whatever you want. In the meantime, Ulysses will make sure you’re not too lonely.”
As if following my cue, Byron and Ulysses both entered the room. “I’ve won the lottery today,” Ulysses said. “This is so much better than going on a full moon run with the pack.”
“I can’t say I disagree,” Byron commented. “I wish I could stay behind with you. But you know how it is… Duty calls.”
“Don’t tease me,” Imogen said, narrowing her eyes at us.
“Who’s teasing?” I asked. “We’re being perfectly honest.”
I dared to steal a kiss from her sweet lips, and then pulled away. “Don’t go anywhere. We’ll be back before you know it.”
I shared another discreet look with my Omega. Ulysses nodded, a simple reiteration of the promise he’d already made me.
Somewhat reassured, I forced myself to leave my quarters and headed outside, with Byron following me. We moved quickly, but by the time we left the caverns, the rest of the pack had already gathered.
The elders shot me ugly glares, but I ignored them. Pushing back my personal desire to return to my mate’s side, I reached out to my union. “The full moon rises,” I said as I walked up to them. “Tonight, we run together once again.”
In the sudden silence, my Alpha voice echoed like thunder. It didn’t scare anyone. In fact, I spotted several shifters relax or smile at one another.
Imogen’s addition to the pack had made them all anxious. Soon, I’d have to fix that. I’d hoped to do that tonight, at the celebration after the run. But Imogen wasn’t ready and trying to push matters would make things more complicated. I’d just have to stall for a while longer.
“This past month has been difficult for us,” I continued. “There has been pain, fear, loss, and also joy. But together, we will overcome every obstacle and endure. The moon shines on us! Let’s hunt!”
It wasn’t my best speech, but werewolves didn’t care that much about speeches anyway. The full moon was already coming out, and we all wanted to get on with it, to feel the blades of grass under our paws, to revel in the unique blessings this night bestowed upon us.
I shifted first, followed by the pack elders. Byron was next, then everyone else, one by one, some faster than others. We waited until every person was in their wolf form. Then, I lifted my head and howled. My pack members echoed me, and we called out to the moon, to the earth, to our mates, to our enemies, to everyone who could hear us.
Ours wasn’t a complicated message. We’re together. We’re strong. Thank you for your gifts and for your love. Attack us at your own peril.
I wondered if the enemy werewolves had heard it. I hoped they had and took the warning seriously. With Imogen here, the last thing we could afford was a pack war.
As the last echoes of the sound faded into the distance, I took position in front of my pack. “With me!” I called out to them. “Stay together.”
A few werewolves would stay behind at the den to guard the pups and pregnant females who could not join us. To them, I sent a different message. “Be watchful! Keep our home safe!”
The guards growled, promising that no one would be able to go through them and enter the den. As for the others, they’d already gathered around me in perfect formation.
When we started the run, the whole pack remained a coherent unit. No member strayed away from the group. Even the people who had an issue with my leadership respected my commands.
I guided them all through the greenery, having no need for a path in my own forest. At first, we ran just for the sake of it, to stretch our muscles and enjoy the full moon. But as the excitement rose, I searched for prey nearby and guided us in that direction.
There were a lot of animals in our territory, and we coexisted naturally. We procured our food from the wild, but we were never wasteful, and we traded with the witch covens for added products. We only held large organized hunts on the full moon, since on a regular basis, most of us were too busy with secondary duties.
I had to admit that, on a basic level, I enjoyed it. The beast inside me reveled in the simplicity of sniffing out the inferior creatures hiding from us. I picked a herd of deer for us to feed on. The animals tried to flee, but
they didn’t have a chance.
I was much too fast for a regular animal to escape me. In one powerful leap, I was on top of the first creature and brought it down. Gypsy and Byron caught two others.
I wasn’t hungry, so I ripped out the deer’s throat, ending its life as swiftly as possible. Once it was dead, I moved back and gave my pack room to feed. Right now, I couldn’t appreciate the gift from Mother Earth as it deserved, but the others could.
If things had been different, if I’d been less concerned about my mate and more inclined to eat, I might have missed the alien presence approaching us. I might have been unable to sense the power attacking us until it was too late.
But I was on the edge and paying attention, and when the spell reached us, I was faster.
I dodged to the side, and the net of bright crimson magic whizzed right past me and hit a tree. The others were instantly on guard, their food forgotten.
“Demon!” I warned them. “Be careful! Find it! Take it down!”
I tried to keep my voice steady and calm, but I didn’t know if I was successful. For the first time in my life, I was truly terrified.
There was only one reason why a demon would be here, and that was because of Imogen. The den was guarded, but the people I’d left behind might not be enough to make sure my soulmate was safe.
Fuck.
* * *
Ulysses
Sometimes, I really hated full moons.
It might have seemed a little crazy. After all, what kind of werewolf didn’t enjoy such nights?
But I wasn’t exactly normal, so I was relieved that I could stay behind instead of having to go on the hunt. I’d have been happier about it had my excuse for it not been my mate’s health state.
I sat down on the bed and reached for Imogen’s hand. She smiled at me, threading our fingers together. “Thank you for staying.”
“Like I said, I’m lucky to be able to. The others would have done the same if they’d had a choice.”
