HuntressUnleashed

by Clare Murray

  “He is still nearby.” She frowned, concentrating. “I never could feel the wizard. Da would have.”

  Immediately, Eagan reached across the table, cupping her chin with his hand. “Look at me, lass. Ye are no less a Huntress because of your werewolf blood. It merely makes ye different.”

  “But I could never bring myself to kill my prey. Da had to do it for me every time.”

  “How old was he before he made his first kill?”

  That took her aback. “I…do not know. He was nearly eighty-one when he died, but I never asked him much about his youth.”

  “It is no shame that ye could no’ kill your catch, lass. Your Da was working from a long lifetime of experience. I have no doubt ye would have made a fine Huntress in your own right.”

  Her blue eyes glowed at his praise. “Thank you.”

  “There may be occasion for ye to use your tracking skills as my mate,” Eagan warned. “If this dark wizardry continues to spread, our enemies will only grow stronger.”

  She nodded. “Eagan, will you begin to age now?”

  “Aye, lass. I’ll grow old with ye on my cock.”

  Caitrin sputtered, nearly spilling her tea. Her eyes immediately sought the organ in question, finding it hard and ready. “I am not quite certain how it fit inside me last night.”

  “I can remind ye.”

  She giggled again as he swept her into his arms, carrying her to the couch in the sitting room. “It is well that we are so isolated here. There’s only me to ogle you.”

  He thrilled at the possessiveness her words implied. Supporting her waist, he sat her atop him, leaning forward to kiss her. After her robe slipped open, exposing her breasts, he paused to kiss those as well.

  He vowed to concentrate only on pleasure for the moment, although his thoughts swirled darkly. What if my mark does no’ work? What if she leaves me?

  Caitrin trembled as cool air met her skin. He soothed her with his warm hands, running them all over her body. He couldn’t get enough of her. She was so responsive, so willing, even though her trust had been hard earned.

  When she was slick and ready for him, he lifted her thighs and entered her. Closing his eyes as raw pleasure coursed through him, Eagan kept his hands upon her thighs, guiding her in a rhythm that left them both breathless.

  This time he didn’t try to control himself. The feeling of her wet tightness pulling against his cock was beyond good. Eagan let out a harsh cry as he spent his seed deep within her, crushing her close.

  Caitrin dropped her head to his shoulder as her werewolf tightened one arm around her. His other hand went to her clit, stroking even as he jerked in his own orgasm. The world exploded moments later. Caitrin muffled her cry against his bare skin, tasting the salt on his heated body.

  For a long while he held her close, content to remain inside her. She drifted in her own thoughts, her mind whirling now that her body was fed, rested and sated. He’d marked her last night; the spot was still tender. Yet she felt no different. Eagan continued to emanate lust, and the bite hadn’t Turned her.

  Was it not supposed to trigger an immediate Change? She sifted through her very limited werewolf knowledge. Da had been protecting her all along, sheltering her from any contact with her grandfather’s people, probably at her mother’s request.

  And now she was mated to an Alpha.

  Where would they go? What would happen to her croft, her animals?

  Damn, the sheep!

  She sprang upright and away from Eagan, pulling her robe back on. How could she have been so stupid? The barn was witchwarded against predators—it would easily have given Delaney pause. But the pasture was unguarded. Damn! The flock would have been safer roaming free in the hills.

  Heedless of her unorthodox attire, she stomped into the boots at the door, snatching up the sword for good measure. Only then did she become aware that Eagan was speaking to her.

  “—absolutely no’ going out there, Caitrin! It is far too risky. Talk to me, lass!”

  “The sheep,” she told him, glaring mutinously to cover threatening tears. She’d never been this rattled before and she wasn’t in the habit of explaining herself to others after spending three years alone.

  “All right, lass. I’ll go check on them.” Gentling his voice, Eagan drew the briefest of caresses on her cheek. Then he put his face level to hers, wordlessly commanding her full attention. His voice became otherworldly, commanding. “Ye will stay inside the cottage until I am done.”

  Her body instinctively responded to that dominant voice, freezing in position as Eagan strode naked through the door. Caitrin grabbed the sword, flinging the door open. Raised her foot to take the first step—and froze again. Her muscles locked every time she made a move to cross the witchward.

  Eagan had…cursed her? No, that couldn’t be it. Caitrin gasped, suddenly realizing what he’d done. He was her Alpha now. He’d ordered her to remain behind, knowing that her inner wolf—well, whatever she had of an inner wolf—would instinctively obey.

  Grinding her teeth in frustration, she began to pace up and down, staring fretfully through the open yet inaccessible door. Eagan was out of sight. Even with her supernatural hearing she couldn’t make out where he was or what he was doing.

  One of the collies crept up behind her, giving her an idea. “Bannock, Frost! Find the sheep. Bring them into the barn!”

  Whining, the dogs looked up at her, evidently torn between staying to protect her and obeying her command. After agonizing for a few seconds, both of them ran off and Cait breathed a sigh of relief. The Guardians would protect Eagan if necessary—she was certain of that.

  Still, she was relieved beyond measure when the collies came back, panting triumphantly as they skidded indoors. Behind them was Eagan, twirling the kilt with one hand.

  “Should I put it on or leave it off?” he inquired. His expression turned serious as he drew closer. “What’s wrong, Caitrin?”

  To show him precisely what she was so furious about, Cait charged toward the door. She expected her muscles to lock, preventing her from crossing the threshold. Instead she crashed headlong into a solid wall of muscle.

  She was saved from an ignominious fall on her backside by Eagan’s quick grasp. He stared down at her in astonishment. “Lass?”

  Oh. His dominance had ended the moment he returned, so she was once again free to leave the cottage. Caitrin waved a self-deprecating hand, pulling away in embarrassment. “I am not used to a werewolf ordering me about.”

  He caught her up in a fierce embrace. “So my dominance worked?”

  “Too well.” Caitrin was suspicious of the jubilant note in his voice.

  He kissed her, not bothering to give her an explanation for his amusement. “The sheep are indoors again, lass, all thirty-two o’ them.”

  Cait sagged in relief. Having grown up raising sheep, she was quite fond of the silly animals. “I thought Delaney would have slaughtered them.”

  “Mutton will be of no interest in comparison to the prospect of winning a werewolf mate, Caitrin. He remains close, seeking to take ye from me.” Eagan turned to scan the pastures, his green eyes fierce. Although he looked calm and collected, his grip around her radiated tension. What was he so worried about?

  “Will Delaney move on to another area now that I am mated to you?”

  “He may try to challenge me.” Eagan reached out to close the door, a dangerous glint in his eye.

  “I am not standing aside so you two can fight over me,” Caitrin warned. “He’ll find a sword in his back.”

  The fury in Eagan’s eyes lessened as he laughed. “I have no doubt he will, lass. But he may well invoke the Right of Challenge. Ye will no’ be able to interfere with that—it is ancient werewolf magic.”

  “What of the dark wizard?”

  “That’s what I’m worried about. He may be able to tamper with the Right, and the runes on Delaney may be a problem.”

  “Should I see if the wizard has cast any more wa
rds?”

  Cait made a move toward the door, but Eagan shook his head. “Nay. Leave it be, lass.”

  Annoyance flared sudden and bright. “I cannot stay inside for the rest of my life, Eagan.”

  “Nor am I asking ye to. I merely want ye to rest until tonight.”

  Tonight? Several different thoughts played through her head, the foremost inducing a blush. She turned away, surveying her little cottage. She’d spent so much time here in the past three years that it was like a second skin. Although the two bedrooms were tiny and the sitting room not much larger, it was all she knew.

  “As you say. Game of chess?” she suggested. She made a conscious effort to tamp down her irritation.

  “Aye, would no’ mind.”

  Cait hadn’t played anyone since Da had died. She retrieved the old wood-and-bone set, aware that Eagan was still regarding her strangely. Self-consciously she pulled her robe closer, plunking the chessboard onto the table. “White or black?”

  “Black.”

  “Very chivalrous of you.” She made the first move, attacking with her knight. Shortly, the board was littered with pawns. Eagan captured two and swiped her queen just as she felt the game was getting underway. And he kept watching her, hardly taking his eyes away. She was beginning to feel stifled.

  “Check,” he said softly.

  Caitrin glared at him, irrational fury burning her up. Her hand darted in, jerking the king to the next square. Across from her, Eagan nudged his bishop into place. “Checkmate.”

  “Very well.” She bit the words off. “Winner cleans up.”

  She stalked across the room, wanting to…run? What was wrong with her? It was as if ants were crawling underneath her skin. She wanted to move, to punch the walls away. She’d never felt so cooped up in her entire life. Even the plinking of the chess figures into their box was annoying.

  “Shall I gather the eggs from the barn?” Eagan inquired.

  “Oh, do what you like!” she flung at him.

  “What I like?” His voice came from behind, his breath hot against the nape of her neck. How had he moved so fast? She tensed as his hands closed around her breasts and arched against him in sudden, hot desire. His naked erection pressed hard against her backside, his hands bending her across the back of the couch.

  Irritation channeled itself into passion, but she didn’t want to give up control so easily. She grasped his cock, wrapping her hand around its tip as she allowed him to bend her over. The way he handled her was brisk, almost abrupt, as he mounted her.

  He nudged forward, letting out a low growl as his cock pushed through the pressure of her hand and, finally, inside her. Eagan pinned her hips, driving so hard that Caitrin had to hold on to the couch to prevent herself from falling forward. He made tight circles around her bare nipple with his finger, the sensations driving Cait half out of her mind.

  She was wild beneath him, bucking against his movements, wanting it rough, fast, right now. Focusing solely upon his touch, his thrusts, took all her energy. Her orgasm took her half by surprise. She didn’t bother to stifle her screams.

  Eagan held her tight, whispering her name over and over. Eventually he withdrew, stroking a caress up the length of her back. “Better now, lass?”

  “Mmm…somewhat.” She was exhausted now, her cheek pressing into the softness of a cushion. If she closed her eyes she felt as if she would sink into oblivion.

  Eagan lifted her onto the couch, covering her with a nearby blanket. At first she resisted, trying to call upon that now-gone spark of irritation but it was gone, having dissipated with sex.

  She was drifting, her muscles sore, somewhere in between full-on sleep and mere dozing. Yet she was aware of Eagan’s presence, the weight of his arm across her stomach as he stayed in physical contact even as she slept.

  When she woke she had no idea what time it was. Eagan was staring at her as if he was expecting something. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. “How long have I slept?”

  “Hours.” Eagan nodded toward the darkening skies, visible through the window.

  Cait’s jaw dropped. She’d slept through the midday meal? No wonder her stomach was rumbling. It was nearly time for dinner!

  “There is food on the table. Eat.” Eagan seemed to be reading her mind.

  She leaped up, nearly overbalancing. Her leg muscles, sore from yesterday’s headlong flight, seemed suddenly stronger than ever. Proceeding more cautiously, she sat at the table and devoured the plate of food Eagan had prepared.

  “It will be dark soon,” Eagan said conversationally. He propped his chin on one hand, watching her eat with an enigmatic smile.

  “I am not sleepy.” Cait took a bite of toast. With cheese melted across the top, it tasted heavenly.

  “Caitrin, did your da tell ye anything at all about werewolves?”

  “Only that I should stay away from them.”

  “Ye never felt any effects from your own wolf blood?”

  “Mm-mm.” Cait shook her head, chewing, swallowing. She’d never been so hungry in her life. “Nor did my mother. I think she probably repressed any werewolf instincts.”

  “What about during a full moon?”

  Caitrin finished the last bite of toast and took a long drink of water. “Mother never ventured far from the croft,” she finally said. It was difficult to remember if her mother had ever evinced any signs of a werewolf. As far as Cait had been concerned, she’d just been a normal human, albeit married to a Hunter.

  Now that she was finished eating, that strange energy propelled her to her feet. She paced the kitchen, half lost in memories. “Why are you asking me these questions?” she flung at Eagan.

  “Wanted to see how much ye ken about werewolves,” he replied. He continued to watch her every movement. “There is a full moon tonight, lass.”

  Caitrin sucked in a hasty breath as realization dawned upon her. “Tonight?”

  “Aye.” Was that compassion in his eyes?

  “Your mark…” She paused to finger it. It was still tender although the punctures were closed. “I feel so strange, Eagan.”

  “I know. The first Change is always the worst, especially if it’s a bite that Turns ye.”

  “I want to run.”

  He went to her immediately, enfolding her in his strong embrace. “Ye can no’ leave the cottage, Caitrin. Ride this through inside, safe here with me.”

  “But I want to see the moon,” she protested.

  “Through the window only,” he warned. “Delaney is still out there.”

  She pulled out of his embrace, restlessly pacing. “We have to deal with Delaney at some point!”

  “Aye, but not on the night of your first Change.”

  “I do not even feel—” She stopped, doubling over at an abrupt cramp in her stomach. The pain was followed quickly by an odd stretching. She cried out, stumbling—and Eagan was there, holding her up as the pain racked every fiber of her body.

  She twisted away, batting at his restraining hands. Pain became white-hot agony for an instant, the world tilted, changing colors.

  Caitrin stifled a sob in an oddly shaped throat, closing her eyes. The stone floor beneath her felt blessedly cool. For a long while, she lay still as the hurt drained from her body. Eagan was half draped around her again, having held her steady as she’d thrashed her way across the kitchen.

  Very carefully she flexed one arm. It shouldn’t have been a surprise but she was shocked all the same to see a paw—her paw—moving at her command. She scrambled to her feet, swaying a little as she accustomed herself to an entirely new perspective.

  Her mate was beside her in human form. Why was he not shifting? She struggled to remember.

  Inside. They had to stay inside. Away from the moon. How vexing.

  Rearing up, Cait placed her paws on the windowsill. She could just make out the glow of the full moon against the darkening sky. The wind, blowing from the east, brought with it the smell of desolate moor. She knew instinctively that it would fro
st tonight.

  Energy welled up inside, spurring her into action. Dropping to all fours, she paced the room, aware that the not-quite-dogs were watching her alertly. Her mate followed, his eyes watchful as she neared the door. Muscles straining to break into a run, she clung to that tiny speck of human deep inside, forcing herself to calm.

  Cait paused, sensing something…off. Something that had been nearby recently. What was it? She inhaled deeply.

  PREY.

  Oh, this was a fine time for her Huntress skills to come to fruition. Cait struggled to hold on to any kind of rational thought. The combination of raw physical power and this terrible needling energy made that nigh impossible. She felt the other werewolf’s presence in her territory like a throbbing toothache.

  Da said he’d been half overwhelmed when he first felt the overriding call to Hunt. She had never understood what he meant, never grasped the enormity of the intense need to follow the—

  PREY.

  The call was irresistible. She burst into a frenzied sprint, clawing the door open and charging outside into darkness. Her mate was behind her, snarling dominance that she ignored. She was fury on four feet, furred Huntress. She would outrun him. And the PREY’s trail was easy to follow.

  Chapter Six

  Eagan had been elated when she’d responded to his dominance, obeying him involuntarily. Watching the lass accustom herself to wolf form filled him with a sense of pride and worry.

  First-time Changes were always the toughest. There was always the slight chance that a new werewolf would go rogue, staying permanently inside the wolf until none of their humanity remained.

  His Caitrin was handling the experience well, up until she ran for the front door, knocking it half off its hinges as she disappeared into the night.

  Eagan took the time to Change, begrudging every second of the process. The Guardians had already followed her, uncertain yet soulbound to protect. He followed their trail, snarling as he recognized Delaney’s scent.

  What was the lass doing?

  He reached for her with his mind, hoping against hope that their fledgling telepathic connection would strengthen. In an instant he felt her drive to hunt the Other who had invaded her territory. Both werewolf and Huntress instincts were affecting Caitrin, driving her forward into danger. Lacking his centuries of experience, she was helpless in the face of those combined urges.