Pack Hunter

by Crissy Smith

  Sara wasn’t surprised by his question. She’d guessed they would start small and get to the bigger questions as they got more comfortable.

  “Most of my life, yeah. I did go to business school down south for a few years, but as soon as I could, I came back. I love this place.”

  “I can tell that. And can’t really argue.”

  “This town… I don’t know. We’ve always lived here. Dad, as you know, is the sheriff, I have a cousin that owns the candle shop, my uncle is the mayor, my aunt runs the community center and most of my friends are still here. It’s just home. What about you? Where are you from originally?”

  “Not far actually. About three hours north of here. A small town named Gonzales. My dad worked at the Compound when I was a kid. So I visited often. It just made sense that when my service was over I would come back here,” he explained.

  “You have been here before?” she questioned. “Maybe we’ve met.”

  Clint moved the arm that was draped over the back of the couch to her shoulder and encouraged her closer. Sara leaned into him and ran a finger down his chest.

  “Maybe. When we did visit, we always kept away from most of the locals. I remember the park and my mom used to take me to the library. She was friends with the woman that ran it.”

  Sara smiled. No doubt Clint was talking about her mom.

  “Service? Army, right?” she asked next. She slid her hand over his thigh.

  He nodded. “Yeah. It’s tradition for my family. My father, uncles and both grandfathers all served. ”

  His voice had dropped in tone as she rubbed his leg, and she was pleased at the husky sound.

  “So…” She drew the word out. “Want to see the rest of the house?”

  He licked his lips. “Is that all your questions?” He seemed surprised.

  “Well, I have enough information to know that I want to move onto the next stage. You won’t be taking off in the next few days, so…”

  Clint laughed.

  Sara frowned up at him.

  He shook his head. “I just expected a lot more questions. I know shifters are new for you. Most people can’t wait to ask about my ability to turn into a wolf.”

  “I reserve the right to ask any questions later, but I know what I need to right now,” she assured him.

  “So”—he removed his arm from her shoulder and grasped her hand—“the shifter thing? You’re okay with that?”

  Sara blinked, caught off guard. She hadn’t even been concerned about that.

  “Oh!” she said. “I hadn’t thought about… I mean, is there something to stop us…?” She waved a hand between them, “Can you not be with someone who isn’t a shifter?”

  She was confused. What was Clint doing there if he couldn’t be with her? She pulled away.

  A look of shock passed over his features before he started to shake his head. “No! No, I just didn’t know… I mean I’ve been with humans in the past, but they didn’t know what I was. And as taken as you were with my wolf, I didn’t even know if you would want…well, me.”

  “Okay,” Sara stated quietly. She could understand where he was coming from. “But in all honesty, I didn’t think about your, uh, animal when we were kissing. I mean, don’t get me wrong—I am enthralled with your wolf—but as to spending my night with you… It was you, as a man, that I wanted.”

  The grin that spread across his face was so strikingly handsome it took her breath away. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that!”

  Before Sara could even blink, Clint’s mouth was on hers and he had buried his hands in her long hair. He moved over her to lay her back on the wide couch and settled against her body.

  Sara was swamped with need as their bodies pressed together.

  “Oh, God!” she panted when Clint’s hands went under her shirt. That…that felt awesome.

  Chapter Six

  Clint knew he needed to slow down. On the couch in Sara’s living room was not the place for their first time together.

  But he was barely able to hold back his desire from hearing Sara telling him that it was him, as a man, that she was interested in.

  He ground against her softer body as he plunged his tongue inside her mouth. Now that he knew that Sara was interested in him, his wolf had awakened and wanted to claim her.

  Sara shuddered under him and arched into his hands. Clint lifted up enough to push her shirt up and she helped him yank it over her head. He cupped her breasts and squeezed gently. She responded beautifully.

  Arching her back and moaning for him, Sara was an amazing sight full of want and arousal. He craved to have her come apart in his hands. To sate the hunger in her eyes.

  He bent his head and teased her right nipple through the thin silk material that still covered her.

  “Please,” she whispered.

  Clint was glad to give her what she needed. He reached around and unclasped her bra and bared her body to him. Clint dipped his head and started to worship her. He slowly ran his tongue over her firm breasts and played with her nipples with his lips.

  She panted under his assault and urged him for more.

  Very slowly, he slid his hands down her sides and started to pull the soft cotton pants from her hips. She planted her feet on the couch and lifted to assist him in removing the rest of her clothing.

  He shifted to the side in order to get the pants and her panties off then threw them over his shoulder. He reached back and yanked his own shirt over his head so when he moved back over her, flesh met flesh.

  The only barrier between them was his jeans. He would correct that shortly, but first…first he needed another taste of her.

  He settled between her legs and kissed her again. He didn’t think he would ever get tired of the flavor of her. He licked at the roof of her mouth and started to run his hands over her, mapping her body, familiarizing himself with every inch of her.

  Sara gripped his sides, her nails digging in just a little, and bucked up into him.

  Clint brushed his fingers between Sara’s folds and, finding her slick and wanting, pressed one digit into her.

  “Uh, Clint, please,” she begged.

  Such a sweet sound.

  He plunged his finger in and out, loving the way her hips lifted with him. His cock had been hard all night, but now he knew if he didn’t get inside her soon he would come in his jeans. He didn’t want that to happen.

  Inside, his wolf was clawing at him, need and want driving the animal into a frenzy.

  “Clint!” she cried.

  “Baby,” he murmured against her neck as he added a second finger inside her.

  “I need you,” she told him, pressing up and digging into his back before reaching to his front.

  Clint gasped as she cupped his erection through his jeans.

  She rubbed him harder and he moaned. She undid the button of his pants and Clint rose onto his knees so he could help Sara get his jeans down. Once his pants were past his hips and to his knees, he kicked just enough to get them off.

  He urged Sara’s legs up toward her chest and lowered his face to tease her sweet pussy. She cried out and clutched his head.

  Clint loved the scent and taste of this woman. Sara was also vocal. He liked that in a lover, knowing that he was pleasing his partner.

  He spent a few minutes pleasuring her until she was shaking and almost sobbing. Then he scooted closer and placed himself against her center, his cock positioned and ready to claim her.

  “Look at me,” he ordered and she raised her gaze to his.

  Eyes locked on hers, he slowly started to enter her.

  She was hot. Hot and moist, and as he pushed inside, so damn good and tight.

  He pulled back out and their moans mixed together.

  He thrust back inside and was in heaven. Gently, he started to love her. In and out, hard short strokes, until he couldn’t control himself and just started to plunge inside.

  The slap of skin against skin filled the room as they ro
cked together. Sara met him stroke for frenzied stroke and scored her nails down his sides. The little bit of pain nearly sent him off and he levered himself up just enough to really pound into her.

  “Yes!” she screamed and her inner muscles clamped down as she climaxed.

  “Fuck!” He came hard. Spots formed in front of his eyes as he emptied into her. He collapsed on top of her, trying to catch his breath.

  “Holy shit!” she said with a laugh.

  He roused himself to look at her face. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Sara ran her hand over his cheek. “That was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.”

  Clint’s heart soared. God, he could fall for this woman. He rocked his hips very gently. He was still half hard buried inside her, asking without words for more.

  She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, hell yeah,” she said and reared up before she latched her mouth to his.

  * * * *

  Clint walked into the compound and knew he had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face, but he couldn’t help it. His night with Sara had been possibly the best of his entire life.

  After the couch had been well used, they’d showered and crawled into bed, exhausted.

  He’d woken with her mouth wrapped around his cock. It had been the best wake-up call he’d gotten in a very long time. After he’d gently made love to her until she’d been breathless and worn, they’d napped until her alarm had gone off again. Darkness had still showed out of the window and he had been horrified to see that it was before dawn and Sara planned to get up and ready for work.

  He’d started the coffee pot in the kitchen while she’d showered and dressed. His mind had still been muddled when she’d come into the kitchen ready for the day.

  She’d kissed him and that hadn’t helped with his morning confusion. Clint had always thought he was a morning person, but the early hour at which Sara started her day was just inhumane.

  They’d shared an omelet and toast before leaving the house. Clint couldn’t have imagined a better morning.

  Kurt came down the stairs and Clint was surprised to see his friend up so early.

  Kurt glanced at his watch and shook his head. “Just coming in? Well…well…well…”

  Clint flipped his best friend off and laughed. He was still in a damn good mood.

  “Well, at least I don’t have to call you,” Kurt said seriously.

  “What’s up?” Clint questioned.

  Kurt waved him to follow and Clint did. They went into the same room they’d been in before and he saw Tony was already inside, pacing.

  “Hey, thanks for getting up early,” Tony said and shook their hands.

  “No problem,” Kurt said.

  Tony motioned for them to sit. Gage and Austin entered with a tray full of coffee cups.

  Coffee was passed around and Clint couldn’t help but compare the brew to what Sara had served earlier. It didn’t even come close to Sara’s. He hid his smile behind his cup.

  “Colt called last night,” Tony started to explain. “He and some of his new friends will arrive this morning.”

  Kurt sat back and raised his eyebrow. “That’s quick.”

  Tony nodded. “They’ve been told that there are two shifters here causing the town problems and they need to be captured. Colt said his man got word from Perry Costa.”

  “So Perry is still running the show here? No sign of Dan Carter?” Kurt asked.

  “And we’re the two shifters they are coming after?” Clint inquired.

  “Yeah, no word from Carter, and they were given pictures of the two of you.”

  “What are the orders?” Clint questioned.

  “Capture, alive,” Tony told them.

  “At least they didn’t say just to shoot us on sight,” Kurt stated happily.

  Clint grinned at his friend. Capture? Oh, that wasn’t going to happen. There was a reason that Kurt had headed his own unit in the Army and why Clint was one of the top hunters in the world. They worked well as a team.

  Gage’s chuckle drew Clint’s attention.

  “From the looks on your faces, I take it you’re good with being bait?” the Alpha asked.

  Clint and Kurt both nodded.

  “Of course,” Kurt responded easily.

  “Crazy ass bastards,” Austin murmured under his breath. Everyone chuckled.

  “Colt’s going to try to keep us appraised as best he can, but he can’t blow his cover. So unless your life is threatened he won’t step in. You will be on your own,” Tony told them.

  Tony drew out his phone and clicked a couple of buttons before he handed it over to Kurt. Kurt took a quick look then passed the phone to Clint. Clint glanced down.

  “That’s Colt,” Tony told them. “So at least you’ll know who he is.”

  The picture was of a young attractive man sitting at a table with a mug of beer in front of him. The man was smiling into the camera, obviously happy with life.

  Clint handed the phone back to Tony, who took it and glanced back at the picture. The soft expression on Tony’s face drew his attention. Clint recognized the look. He’d seen it plenty of times. Maybe not on his own face but on others.

  Tony was in love with Colt.

  He wondered if Colt knew or if he felt the same way. Being gay wasn’t anything that bothered Clint and he knew Kurt would feel the same.

  Kurt’s brother Kenny was in a relationship with another man and they both respected the hell out of Todd—the shifter that Dan Carter had kidnapped in Riverwood.

  “As much as we want to get to Dan Carter, we need to treat Perry Costa as a threat. He’s obviously in charge here,” Austin added to the conversation. “Colt’s never even met Carter. But Carter’s son Bruce is coming down with Colt’s group, so that is going to put a lot of heavy power in one place. They have to be planning something big.”

  Silence fell.

  “There’s more,” Alpha Babcock stated as he joined them.

  Gage stood and offered his seat to the Council Alpha, but Alpha Babcock waved him back down.

  “I’m on my way to a meeting with the other Council members. I just wanted to let you know that I just received a call from one of my guards in town. About fifteen minutes ago, the Church members started to show up in town.”

  “How many members?” Gage asked.

  “Around thirty or so,” Alpha Babcock answered. “And they are carrying protest signs.”

  “They’re staging a protest in a town where they don’t even live?” Clint inquired.

  The Council Alpha nodded. “Yes, and the publicity is a concern. That’s why a meeting has been called.”

  Tony stood. He walked over to the large bay window. “What exactly are they hoping to do?”

  No one had an answer for him.

  Alpha Babcock cleared his throat. “I’ll give you a call later.”

  Austin stood and went over to Tony. He placed a hand on Tony’s shoulder and spoke to the other man quietly.

  “It could be just a way for us to give in. Bring in the protesters and cause bad publicity for us until we agree to meet with them,” Clint offered.

  “But if they really want the two shifters that we brought up here, why would they want the attention? They can’t pull anything off if we’re being watched. It just puts their own mission more in the open,” Kurt argued.

  “That’s what I can’t get a handle on. When Perry Costa first appeared, he mentioned the two men we have in custody. But when he sent Colt and the others here, he didn’t mention them. Just wanted you and Kurt captured,” Gage said with a growl of frustration.

  Tony and Austin walked back over and joined them.

  “You okay?” Clint gently asked Tony. He didn’t want to pry but hoped Tony knew if he needed anything Clint would help.

  Tony nodded and offered his a small smile. “It’s maddening. We worked so hard to make sure that when we went public that we were treated properly. We have the government behind us. Have friends in high place
s.”

  “Hey, you did awesome bringing us all together,” Kurt assured Tony. “I was proud to have the wolves represented by you. We’ll take care of this mess and everything will be fine.”

  “Then we need a plan,” Tony stated. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Chapter Seven

  Sara couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The normally small, quiet town that she called home was overrun with people she had never seen before, holding up signs and chanting. There were protesters in the streets in front of her shop and the other stores on the block.

  She glanced over at Cecil as they watched from the front window.

  Cecil shook his head. “I can’t believe this,” he whispered.

  Sara wasn’t sure why he was whispering, but she nodded. It was an unbelievable sight.

  Men, women and children were marching in the street and on the sidewalks, signs against shifters moving up and down, and every time someone walked or drove by, they would call out to try to get them to join in.

  The coffee shop was empty. In fact, other than a few cars and some brave souls, the streets were almost deserted of locals.

  She turned her back to the window and stalked to the counter, her temper rising. She slammed her hand down. This was just crazy.

  Surprised when the front door opened, she whirled around. She had no intention of serving any of the protesters and prepared to turn the person down for service.

  “Dad!” She waved him over. “What is all this?”

  He shook his head, pulling at the collar of his uniform shirt. “Absolute bullshit. And one of my guys just called over the radio and said news vans were headed this way.”

  “The news?” she gasped. “Damn, those aren’t even residents out there!” Anger had her clenching her fists.

  “Don’t you get involved,” her dad ordered, pointing a finger in her direction.

  She didn’t know what he’d seen on her face but knew she couldn’t make him any promises. She wished she had Clint’s number. That was number one on her list the next time she saw him. Okay, maybe a kiss first, but then right after she was getting his number. She hated to think that he might believe the residents were actually involved with this circus.