Night Hunter

by Vonna Harper

  She knew this land; at least, she comprehended the pulse of the wilderness. But she wasn’t fool enough to trust everyone who shared it with her. If not for the primitive heat between them, she’d have already put distance between her and the stranger. Wouldn’t she?

  A nod of his head distracted her. He was so damn sexy, all male energy and promise, dangerous as hell. “Don’t be afraid of me,” he said. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Of course you aren’t. I won’t let you.”

  “You’re brave. That’s good.”

  Throat dry, she wrenched her awareness off her pussy and glanced behind her to make sure she had a path to freedom. “You’re not making any kind of sense, and I’ve had enough of whatever the hell this is.”

  “It’s destiny, what the spirits have ordained.”

  Cougar Spirits? Enough! God damn enough! Not so much as blinking, she slid her right hand into her rear pocket and extracted her knife. It opened with a soft click, the blade aimed at his throat. “I don’t know or care what damn spirits you’re talking about. This conversation has gone on more than long enough. You go your way, and I’ll go mine.”

  “I can’t let that happen.”

  The words hit her like drumbeats. There was more than a little wildness to him, as if he was driven by instinct instead of his mind. What if he had no control over his actions, was dangerous?

  She took a backward step, and then another. Her gaze remained fixed on him. He didn’t move, didn’t breathe. And he didn’t seem surprised by her actions. A few more steps brought her close to a thicket. To the right of it grew a number of widely spaced evergreens. As long as she watched her footing, she could easily navigate her way around the trees.

  Could run.

  Sucking in the oxygen she’d need for the task, she spun on her heels and leaped into the shadows. Her backpack dragged on her shoulders and back, and she unhooked the straps that fastened it to her chest and waist. If need be, she’d discard the pack and run full-out.

  A sound, a growl, something coming from deep inside a man or animal’s chest, sounded behind her. Her nerve endings told her he was coming after her. Not taking time for the scream that ached to erupt, she shrugged out of her pack and flung it aside. Her pistol was in it, but at least she had her knife.

  Could she use it on Mountain Man?

  Before she could reach top speed, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground. She dangled for precious seconds before digging her nails into his forearms. “Stop it!” she screamed. “Damn you, don’t!”

  Not letting go, he lowered her to the ground and forced her onto her knees. When he hit the ground beside her, she renewed her efforts to tear out of his hold. Although she drew blood, his grip remained strong, making it hard to breathe.

  He was trying to force her onto her belly! Terrified and furious, she wrenched to the side. Too late she realized she’d released her hold on his forearms.

  “God damn you!”

  He seemed to be everywhere, blanketing her, pushing her down. Her breath whistled, and her muscles screamed as she struggled, but she was no match for him. The ground pressed against her breasts.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she demanded, although she already knew. He didn’t answer.

  Bending her knees, she tried to kick him, but he straddled her, his weight imprisoning her thighs. At the same time, he pushed down on her shoulder blades, making it impossible for her to do more than lift her head. Her left arm was caught under her, the right at her side. She managed to slide her right arm upward, but found nothing to grip.

  “Let me go!”

  “I can’t.”

  Lying under him like some trapped wild animal was unacceptable, so she twisted and squirmed. Panic clawed, and sweat coated her skin. So heavy, so damn solid! It would take little for him to crush the life out of her. She was still struggling, albeit with lessened strength, when he stopped pressing on her back. She managed to turn her head a little more, then wished she hadn’t, because he was removing his own backpack and reaching into it.

  “This is insane. I’ll charge you with—you know I will.”

  When he held up a length of rope, she screamed. And screamed again, her voice spiraling into the trees.

  No! Not rope being tied around her free wrist! But although she fought the restraint with everything in her, he easily tied it in place. Then, using the loose end to hold her arm up behind her, he pulled her trapped arm out from under her. She fought the inevitable, fought and swore and screamed again, but he easily lashed her wrists together.

  Not content with rendering her arms useless, he slid off her and grabbed the ankle next to him. Despite her resistance, he bent her knee up so her heel rested on her buttocks and hog-tied her ankle to her wrists. It mattered little that he’d left enough slack that she wasn’t in danger of losing circulation. What could she do with only one free leg?

  Still on his knees, he scooted away. Rolling onto her side as best she could, she locked her gaze on him. Much as she needed to scream, she feared that would enrage him. He stared back at her, his expression unreadable. Her heart beat like thunder, and yet an emotion she refused to acknowledge calmed and quieted what could have become panic. Every inch of her was alert and alive and focused on her beautiful captor.

  “What do you want?” she asked when his silence became more than she could stand. “Damn it, what is this about?”

  “It’s about following our destiny.”

  One act of kindness cements a destiny she couldn’t fathom.

  Wolf

  © 2010 Cara Carnes

  An Enchanted Story

  As a child, the Lost Woods were Hannah’s passion. A place where she dreamed of mysterious creatures, including one she saved—a man who magically changed into a wolf. Now, twelve years later, the woods are her refuge from a horde of marauders who killed her mother.

  This time, it is the wolf who saves her. And he is no dream.

  Stephan can’t help but remember the time Hannah encouraged him to free his injured leg and continue the soul journey required of his kind. The child unwittingly bound herself to him, and now the woman tempts him like no other. Yet if she learns his secret, her fragile trust could be broken for all time.

  Hannah doesn’t see how she can possibly fit into Stephan’s world—especially when their overwhelming passion reveals the one reason she should not trust him. Stephan has fought more than his share of battles, but the one for Hannah’s heart is the one that could break his own…

  Warning: Kickass, shape-shifting alphas will leave you breathlessly begging for Lost Woods. Be careful…they may know what you think!

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Wolf:

  Stephan.

  My pulse quickened and I fiddled with the hem of my borrowed dress. I gawked at his powerful body as he greeted Nalla. His eyes danced with adoration when around her, and I wished I could see the same glimmer in his eyes when he thought of me.

  The same type of clinging leather pants molded against his powerful thighs. Muscle rippled across his stomach, partially visible through the open wood-colored vest. His chest was unmarred by hair. My fingers longed to trace the contours of his smooth skin.

  Heat spread through me to center at my nether regions. I squeezed my thighs together and looked down because I was afraid my cheeks were stained with shame. My attraction to him had grown, and my body refused to behave.

  His long legs brought him to me faster than I was prepared for. I stood, my legs wobbling as my breathing accelerated. His hands grasped my arms, steadying me with a strength that made me shiver. Not even the mightiest of my village’s fighters were so honed and muscular. I’d seen enough of his people to know none of the men in his pride were like the men I was accustomed to.

  “Thanks.”

  Thanks. Not only was it a naïve and foolish thing to say, but it came out with a meekness that made my mind scream at my blathering tongue. I’d thought of clever retorts and envi
sioned conversations with him about many things for the past few nights. I’d even fantasized about him.

  And all I had to say when he stood before me was “thanks”. A flicker of darkness appeared and disappeared in his golden eyes.

  Nalla shuffled a chair. The dragging sound across the bare floor of the eating area pulled me from my lustful thoughts. I focused my attention to where his fingers touched my skin. Tingles danced there and spread through me like molten fire. Heat rushed to my core. My pussy moistened. My nipples hardened.

  I fought the urge to tug on my dress or look down to see if it was apparent. I refused to sever my contact with him.

  “She’s been asking about you.” Nalla’s voice quashed the connection I’d felt. I stepped back enough to allow my heartbeat to slow, but his assessing gaze remained on me, and I was lost in the tumbling waves of desire his presence had incited.

  “Really?” His voice, filled with curiosity, made me smile. “I’ve been catching up on pride issues. Some of it is quite tedious. I’m sure your company would have broken up the monotony.”

  “She has a restless spirit, much like you.” Nalla chuckled. “Were she one of us, she’d be prowling in animal form.”

  Stephan grinned. I couldn’t understand their amusement, but I knew she had no ill regard for me. She sat at the table and regarded us.

  “Is her leg healing well?” he asked.

  I hadn’t realized how injured my leg was until Nalla had begun treating it. “Those poultices of hers don’t burn anymore. Surely that’s a good sign.”

  Nalla laughed. The rich tones of her wise voice soothed me. I hadn’t realized I missed my gran until that moment. They were too alike for me not to be drawn to her.

  “She’s been asking about your talisman and wanted to walk the village. Perhaps you can appease her.”

  “Sure.” His voice was low. “I’ll gladly tell her why she has our talisman and what it represents.”

  “Your father wouldn’t approve.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I stopped heeding his advice long ago. If anyone has need of me, send Fallon for me.”

  Fallon. “He’s your brother, right?”

  “I see you’ve been learning of my family. I trust Nalla’s delighted in telling you many stories of my foolish youth.”

  I wished that was the case. The woman had offered nothing.

  “I will, now that I see you approve.”

  Stephan chuckled and touched my arm. The contact made my skin tingle. “Let us go before she starts now.”

  His arm rested on my back just above my waist. Cool air whipped through my hair when we exited the home I’d been locked away in. Unable to contain my glee, I paused and took a deep breath.

  “I should’ve come sooner, but Nalla kept telling me you needed to heal.”

  “She’s very protective.”

  “It’s in her blood. Women in my clan have been healers for many generations.” His hand fell away from me when we began to walk through his village.

  Everyone halted their activities as we passed. I found their scrutiny disconcerting. The first few moved to their knees as if about to undertake a chore I didn’t understand. All the homes we passed resembled one another. Most displayed a talisman on the entry.

  I tried to study them without being obvious, but decided it best not to when Stephan drew me closer to him.

  “Your people don’t like me.”

  “They’re unaccustomed to strangers. There’s a difference.” The sincerity calmed my nervousness even though I doubted it was the truth for everyone.

  “I’ve heard some of them yelling at Nalla.” I winced when his jaw twitched. “She tries to hide it, but I hear them. They want me gone.”

  “She should have told me this. I would’ve dealt with their meddling myself.”

  I shook my head. “They have a right to be upset. I’m doing nothing to earn my keep and am not of your pride.”

  We continued our path toward the woods and my pulse quickened when I realized he didn’t intend to remain within the village. A few awkward smiles greeted me once we neared a group of homes with the same talisman that I wore around my neck.

  “This is your family’s area?”

  He nodded. “On my father’s side.”

  “Why isn’t Nalla here? She displays this talisman, yet is on the other side of the village.”

  “She’s on my mother’s side, but may display whichever talisman she feels within her soul since she’s a healer. She’s chosen this one since it’s stronger than her other option.”

  “Do all your kind get that option?”

  “Only the healers or those within the royal line.” His hand returned to my back and drew me toward him until my thigh brushed his as we walked. “You gather information well.” My mind swelled with his admiration.

  He paused and turned me to face him. His attention moved to the village, now a good distance from our secluded cove. I was fascinated by the large tree misshapen by time. Its trunk was hollowed near the base. A small sitting stool rested within the area.

  “This is my retreat.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  His fingers grazed my cheek. My heart flailed in my chest. He’d brought me here—trusted me with his private spot. Could he be feeling the heat between us as I did? My breathing became ragged. My nipples ached with a hardness my naïve mind couldn’t deny. My entire body yearned for Stephan.

  “You have no idea what hunger you incite in me, Hannah.” His breath fell against my forehead as he drew me forward until my hips collided with his groin. “Your thoughts drive me mad with the need to possess you.”

  I stumbled on his statement, but any attempt to understand it vanished when his hand wrapped in my hair and he drew me to his lips. I closed my eyes. Unable to breathe, I prayed my pounding pulse wouldn’t explode with the turbulent flames of anticipation burning me.

  His lips caressed mine and his tongue tasted my mouth, tracing the contours before foraying to my tongue. I swallowed his groan, thinking it more of a growl. My arms wrapped around him.

  The kiss was unexpected and unlike any of the wayward advances village men had made—not that many had tried. I followed his lead and clung to him, my body burning with a need I didn’t understand or know how to sate. All I knew was Stephan would absolve me from my raging desires.

  His kiss grew more demanding, more consuming. I relished his body crushed against mine. Heat spread through my legs as he lifted my dress. I moaned when he guided me toward the tree until my back was pressed against it. His hand ran up my thigh while his mouth claimed mine.

  His other hand rubbed an aching nipple through my dress. I longed to strip and feel his fingers on me there. A growl echoed around us and mingled with my gasp as his fingers found my pussy.

  Hot lips moved to my ear. The huskiness of his voice rumbled through me. “You’re so wet for me, Hannah.”

  Night Hunter

  Vonna Harper

  Will she lose him to the Everglades and his destiny?

  When a black-clad motorcyclist pulls up alongside her, thrilling her with dark eyes that promise raw, wild sex, Mala Bey’s system goes into overload. Moments later, the stranger loses control and crashes into the Everglades. Horrified, Mala desperately searches for the compelling man, but it’s as if the thick vegetation swallowed him whole. Yet she hears his voice calling for her…

  Caught in a portal filled with disembodied voices calling him backward in time, Laird Jaeger clings to his only lifeline to the present—the woman with the haunting gray-green eyes. A mystical thread connects their thoughts as ancient forces drag him farther back into a past only his Seminole blood remembers.

  A mysterious, panther-like creature guides Jaeger toward a past life as Thunder, an ancient tribe’s only hope of survival. Even as the past wraps tendrils around his soul, his and Mala’s connection endures. Its power is enough to burn a fiery path of desire through time, but their growing love may not be strong enough to break des
tiny’s spell.

  Warning: Lots of hot sex in the Everglades with no bugs. Or snakes. But some rather judgmental Seminoles.

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  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520

  Macon GA 31201

  Night Hunter

  Copyright © 2011 by Vonna Harper

  ISBN: 978-1-60928-418-3

  Edited by Linda Ingmanson

  Cover by Kendra Egert

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: April 2011

  www.samhainpublishing.com