He didn’t inherit that honor, he earned it. He fought, destroyed many Alphas who didn’t adhere to the laws his father had set forth to bring the Alphas together, after the humans tried to wipe them off of the face of the earth, and then denied they ever existed.
When Bane turned and glanced at Adrienne she had fallen into a deep sleep. He stood and walked over to her and picked her up. Looking down on her she appeared so innocent. Not like the hard female she tried to portray. He didn’t blame her for being tough. He wouldn’t expect anything less for a mate.
Laying her in the bed after taking off her coat and pants, he smelled her, and he was wild with need. But he could control himself. It wasn’t the time of the full moon yet. But when it came, he wasn’t sure he could keep from taking her especially since she was the closest female around. It was the way it was. He is a werewolf and their bodies are dictated by the moon. They embraced that. They knew nothing else. They wanted nothing else, at least not to be human, which they were half human. And because of that, Bane hated all humans.
He never thought of Adrienne but to destroy her until he saw her. Now he’s envious and covetous of her. He wants to rid himself of Wilder and his brothers so he can control her and all Wilder’s lands. He wants to become the Alpha of all Alphas and with Adrienne he knows that this is possible. So when he threatens her it is just an empty threat.
His desires and his future is dependent on her and only her. Because now he wants nothing else but to have her the way Wilder and his brothers has her—as his mate, devoted and loving.
Adrienne hugged the pillow thinking she’s back in her bed at the ranch. Bane lies down beside her and turns gazing at her.
During the night the fire in the chimney extinguishes and all that’s left is red embers. Because it’s bitter cold in the room, and the bed has a light cover, she snuggles under the warm arms of Bane. She’s dreaming and she whispers Wilder’s name. Bane wakes and sees her small body and hands grasping his large arm. He raises it and holds her close to him.
He’s never slept with a female. Before when he had finished satisfying himself with the werefemales, he would send them on his way. Is this how it feels to have a warm small human body next to you? His mind questions. She has little hair over her body. She has a different clean smell, not like the werefemales. Her scent is like the fresh water that flows down from the mountains. A scent that arouses a man and now him.
Pulling her in his arms her head falls to his chest, and she rests peacefully in his arms with her hand on his cock. He places his large hand between her legs and they both fall asleep.
When Adrienne wakes the next morning, she glances over and sees Bane. She snatches her hand back. But she can’t push his hand from between her legs. He is cupping her mound.
“Wake up. What were you doing to me?” Bane jerks up and around.
“I haven’t done you anything. Why am I giving you an excuse? If I wanted to do something to you, you wouldn’t be able to move this morning and you would love it.”
“You undressed me and I find your hand in-between my legs.”
“You were the one who placed your hand on my cock.”
“I must have been dreaming. I never would have done that.”
Standing, Bane reaches for his jeans and shirt. “Get dressed. We’re leaving early,” his voice is anxious and angry.
“When can I get something to eat and when can I get some fresh clothes. I’m beginning to smell.”
“I like your smell that way. You almost smell like a werefemale.”
“That’s the problem and why am I not surprised you would say that.” Adrienne reaches for a bag and goes into the restroom. There she brushes her teeth and puts on the new underwear Bane bought or stole for her. When she comes out, she’s dressed and Bane is dressed.
“Put on your hat it’s cold outside.” Bane pulled the red fox fur hat down over her long brown curls.
“What do you care?” Adrienne says with a flash of her eyes at him.
He gazes at her and walks out the door. She follows behind him holding on to her sack containing her underwear and toothbrush. They stand looking at the truck. It looks like an old moose that was cut from his herd, waiting to be eaten by a pack of wolves. The fenders are all dented near the hood and rear. The back window had been shattered but still had some glass.
“This thing isn’t going to make it to the highway.”
“Yes it will.” Bane scraped the ice from the windows as Adrienne sat in the truck with her stomach gnawing at her insides begging for food. When he had completed the task, he opened the door and sat near her. He took one look at Adrienne, and then cranked the motor. It wouldn’t turn over. He didn’t want her to be right. He hit the gas pedal over and over and finally it roared to life and they took off. He turned to her with a smirk.
Adrienne was praying that the old truck would delay them further until Wilder would find them. Where is he, and why haven’t they gotten here by now, her mind wondered. I could be dead for all they know.
“Look in that compartment and pull a map out and tell me how far it is to Anchorage, Alaska.”
“I don’t know how to read a map.”
“What do you know?”
“Who would have thought that you would steal a truck without a directional finder?”
“I bought this. I don’t steal.”
“So you are broke.”
“No. As a matter of fact I am very rich. Not as rich as those Samsas, but rich. Maybe not your kind of rich. The money I have in Oregon is for my pack. I left it with them. But I have a considerable amount stored for safekeeping in Alaska.”
He turns looking at Adrienne who has her head buried in the map trying to figure it out. “Does that make me a little more desirable to you? I heard you female humans like your men rich.” He turns his head back looking at the road.
“Not if you call hunting for animals and bringing them in for women to cook. We don’t need someone to hunt anymore. We can make our own money. Something you no doubt denied to your werefemales.” She glances at him for a reply. He drives, his breathing is hard, and his gaze is intense. She could tell he was angry so she changed the subject.
“I figure that it’s about twenty five hundred miles to your destination. A lot quicker if you just leave me behind. And you aren’t going to get there in this truck,” she says looking at him.
“It will make it,” Bane says looking her way from the corner of his eye.
“Not on empty. This monstrosity is out of gas.” When Bane glanced down at the gas gage, the truck coughed, spurted, and died.
“Now what?” Adrienne said rolling her eyes.
“Now we get out and walk.”
“How can I do that? I’m weak from not eating,” she said in a panic.
“Then you will be food for the wolves. And what’s lurking around here are those brown timber wolves. They are always hungry, and they might not mind tasting you even if you are skinny, but I bet those little pups you have in your stomach would make a tasty desert.”
“You are horrible.”
“You won’t have the luck to get a werewolf because there aren’t that many in these parts, except this horrible werewolf. You could run across a few lone werewolves who was thrown out of their pack. If one finds you, he will just take you, fuck you, and use you up. Maybe he’ll make you his mate if you’re strong enough and can fight over him, and kill your food, but that’s if you’re lucky. But out here, there are packs of plain old wolves just waiting for a weak little thing like you. You look like a helpless deer to them.”
After scaring Adrienne and making himself look like a better alternative, Bane jumped out and walked casually around and opened the door.
“Are you ready to go?” He said holding out his hands. Adrienne instantly reached for his hand and he took her in his arms, and headed off in a sprint carrying her into the woods.
“What do we do now?”
“I know a lone werewolf. He lives about fifty
miles from here outside of Portland. He will have food and maybe transportation.”
Bane ran a while and walked carrying Adrienne. She glanced up at his face every so often. She couldn’t help think about his handsome face. His eyes darted around looking for wolves. He was always on high alert and his body became rigid as he ran through the woods carrying Adrienne.
Bane saw a small hut like cabin with smoke coming from the chimney. “There it is. Looks like,” he placed his nose in the air, “and smells like he’s cooking his morning catch.”
“I can’t see anything and I can’t smell anything.”
“That’s because you’re nothing but a human. Now keep your smart mouth closed. And don’t say anything. Promise me you’ll do as I ask.”
“Why?”
“Do you see what I mean? Don’t even do that. Whatever he says don’t respond to it.” As the cabin came into view Adrienne could smell meat cooking. It was only that she hadn’t had anything to eat for a few days that she would think that what was cooking was edible to her.
Dropping her to her feet, Bane walked in front of her so the werewolf could catch his scent. As they neared the small hut, it was surrounded by two dogs that looked like wolves. One was lean and full of fight. The other old and had scars. He was the one that showed his teeth and gave a snarl as they passed by. They respected the superiority of the werewolf and thought that that Adrienne was his prey walking behind him, and because of that, they wouldn’t attempt to snatch his food.
Their fur was brown and black and their heads were large. They appeared to be of mixed breeds. Ferocious mixed breeds. They were tearing away at a carcass, and all was left were the bones, and they were fighting over it until Bane walked up the path heading to the door of the hut.
Adrienne did all she could do to keep from bolting in the opposite direction. But she knew enough about canines and less about wolves, but what she did know was to show no fear, because she was with the most fearsome of the species—a werewolf.
As Bane passed them they heeled and whined. But when Adrienne neared, they quickly jumped to their feet growling and snarling with their lips recessed, and fangs showing. She ran and grabbed a hold of his shirt.
“Don’t leave me,” she whispered.
“I said don’t talk.”
Bane raised his hand to knock at the door when it opened. There stood a large man looking creature. He stood taller than Bane who was all of six three. This werewolf must have been over six five and counting. His hair wild and white.
“What did I do to deserve my Alpha’s visit?” Adrienne knew right off he was a beta and not an Alpha.
“I was traveling this way and thought I would stop over and see how you were doing. Maybe go hunting with you like we used to.”
“Why do I believe that you aren’t genuine?”
“Do I have to stand out here until your wolves attack me?” Bane said gazing strongly at the werewolf. He stepped aside.
“I thought I smelled a female. And a human female.”
“What are you doing with her? Stole her and you’re trying to hide her to mate with her? I used to do that when I was your age.”
“Uncle. I need some food for the human.” He looked at him. “And I need to take your truck.”
“I can’t get around without my truck. I’ll let you have it if you give me the female.”
“I’m not a piece of...” Bane turned with a stern look aimed at Adrienne.
“You haven’t cut out her tongue. Leave her with me and when you bring back my truck you will have a willing female. One that knows when to shut her mouth.”
“I can’t do that. It’s important that I bring her to mate with the young werewolves in Alaska.”
The old werewolf sat and shot a curious glance over at Adrienne. “I have some meat in the pot I had to cook. My fangs aren’t what they used to be. Had to start cooking my meat after I caught it. And I’m not able to catch the young ones. The meats old.”
“I’m sure she won’t mind.” And Bane turned to Adrienne. “Will you?”
Adrienne said nothing and shook her head side to side. He watched as Bane walked to a kettle hanging over a fire. Adrienne walked behind him to stay close. She didn’t want to be within a foot of the old werewolf. Bane opened the pot and the smell made him nauseous.
He reached for a ladle and handed it to Adrienne. She smelled it and began throwing up.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s carrying my pups and she can’t eat too much. She’s not used to the food we eat.”
“Well those pups want that meat and she can’t feed them like that. I don’t think she’s strong enough. What you need to do is let her have the pups and then get rid of her. But I doubt she could have the ones she’s carrying if she can’t eat this food.”
“I can eat it,” Adrienne said in defiance of the old werewolf. She held her nose and drew in a breath and swallowed two chunks of large pieces of meat. She wiped her mouth with her hand and sat in a chair across from the old werewolf.
Bane knew his uncle was impressed. He almost threw up on smelling the concoction and Adrienne to prove a point ate the rancid meat.
After the old werewolf gave his nephew a few words of wisdom, “Get rid of the human, she’s nothing but trouble.” Bane left in his truck. It was one not as old, yet it didn’t appear as sturdy as the last, but a lot more reliable.
“If you don’t get me some food, I will not be responsible for my actions.” Was she threatening Bane? How could she? Bane glanced at Adrienne and laughed.
Adrienne glared at him. She had had enough and she made up her mind to take control. She had what he wanted and he would never get it if he didn’t change. One change was to get her some real food.
They had driven over a hundred miles and Adrienne was out of her mind with hunger.
Chapter 15
Wilder stood watching as Drayton limped to the wooded area with Hunter and Devin walking beside him. A silent sigh rushed through his lips, but he turned his head thinking about the task ahead of him. There wasn’t but one thing to do. Go after Bane alone. How would he handle Bane knowing that he held Adrienne, and may have caused injuries to her mind or body?
Will his emotions come into play when dealing with Bane? Was the talk he had with his sons just that talk?
Hunter and Devin extended their hands, but Drayton rejected their help as he made one more painful step in the direction of the camp. Hunter lagged behind, hoping he could go with his father because Drayton didn’t relish the help he offered him.
There was no way Drayton would appear weak in front of his nephews. Drayton thought it’s a sign of weakness for a true warrior to receive help. He wouldn’t ask for it, or accept it even if he was clearly in anguish. He is in excruciating pain, yet his will is strong, and he knows he can endure all just to hold Adrienne one more time.
Before they entered the forest, Drayton turned back to Wilder, his eyes barely open, with a feeling of hopelessness descending over him. He wanted to be the one to bring Adrienne home. He wanted to be the one who challenged Bane, to bring him down. It was a matter of respect. It was a matter of him being Adrienne’s husband. It was a husband’s right to defend his wife, and now that was left to Wilder. And he had promised Robert to bring Mena back to him.
Drayton forgot that Wilder had as much to lose and as much honor to defend as Drayton, or maybe more. Wilder is the one who first laid eyes on her, who mated and loved Adrienne, and it was Wilder who Adrienne declared that she could never love another as much as she loves him.
“Wilder, bring Adrienne home. I don’t care how, or what you have to do, bring her back to,” he wanted to say bring her to me, but he looked into Wilder’s eyes, and he knew it wasn’t just him who loved her, “bring her back to us. I don’t care what Bane has done to her. I need her.”
A look came over Wilder and he nodded, watching at the ground thinking, wondering about what she’s doing now. Wondering if he would still find the bea
utiful woman he loved. Had Bane broken her?
When Wilder raised his head, a flash of his steel blue eyes showed. He had been transformed into the lone werewolf. The hunter who always gets his prey. The hunter that brings down wild animals and men. A hunter with a single purpose. To kill or be killed. His eyes wandered and his gaze caught Hunter and he stood staring into his son’s eyes.
The son he named Hunter, because in him, he saw himself before he met Adrienne. A werewolf that was neither man nor beast, but he possessed the coursing desires of both running through his veins, and if not checked, would have destroyed him, and he would have remained a bloodthirsty hunter.
It was Adrienne who tamed the beast and gave him his sons Hunter and Devin.
“Father, I’m going with you.”
“You have to learn to listen,” Wilder’s voice hoarse and strong. “Now go with Devin. There is a reason I don’t want you along. I have to find your mother on my own. Bane is an adversary that you aren’t prepared for yet.” He placed his hands on Hunter’s shoulders and turned him around to face the path Devin and Drayton had taken. He hit and pushed him hard and Hunter understood. He had felt his father’s strong hand on many occasions when he tried to venture into the woods alone.
“You will have your time to fight, taste hardship, love, and experience sexual passion, now go take your uncle home and wait for me to bring your mother back.” Hunter walked slowly away measuring each footstep. Looking back, as he headed in the direction of the forest out of the clearing, his father was no longer there.
He appeared baffled at his father’s words and quick departure. He didn’t understand what Wilder meant by love and sexual passion. He had no concept of sexual passion because he had not come into that age. He was still a young cub for the moment. But he was growing fast. He grew quickly because he was part werewolf, but his manhood hadn’t taken over consuming every waking hour of his life, and that human part of him hadn’t blossomed where he would know sexual passion.
Insatiable Box Set: Books 1-4 Page 33
