Wolf on the Hunt

by N. J. Walters

  Louis was proving to be more perceptive than the average male. There was an entreaty in his voice that pulled on her heartstrings.

  “I’m here.” Even if what was between them was only temporary, she didn’t want to shortchange either of them.

  “Don’t leave me.” He buried his face against her throat and lightly nipped her skin.

  Gray moaned and rocked her hips more frantically. She was getting closer. She’d always been in control sexually, until she’d met Louis. He brought out needs in her she never knew existed.

  “I’m here,” she repeated.

  He growled and she sensed those words weren’t the ones he’d wanted to hear, but they were the only ones she had to offer him. She was drawn to Louis in a way that defied all logic. They hadn’t known one another very long, but they’d been through some major life-altering events together. That built a bond it might have otherwise taken months to develop.

  His sharp teeth grazed her nape but never broke the skin. Pure adrenaline and excitement flowed through her veins, along with a longing for something else, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. There was an emptiness inside her, a craving for a deeper connection.

  Gray shoved aside the unwanted emotion and concentrated on the delicious physical sensations coursing through her. She squeezed her inner muscles. Louis swore and his cock rippled. The warmth of his orgasm set off her own. She moaned as her body shook and shivered. Her inner muscles squeezed him tightly.

  Louis wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

  Her orgasm wasn’t as explosive as the ones she’d had the night before, but there was an emotional depth to it that left her shaken to her core. Louis had come into her life and unerringly found his way into her heart.

  She was in big trouble.

  Then the sensual fog lifted and she was aware of a more practical concern. “We didn’t use a condom this morning or last night either.” She was on birth control, but there were other concerns like sexually transmitted diseases.

  Louis stilled and then he kissed the top of her head. “Werewolves don’t get or transfer any kind of disease.”

  That was good to know.

  “As for pregnancy,” he continued, “the chance of that happening is astronomically small.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re a half-breed and I’m a full-blood. Werewolves don’t breed well outside their own species.”

  “But it does happen,” she pointed out. “After all, I’m here.”

  He carefully withdrew, but it was still a very tight squeeze. Gray gritted her teeth to keep from asking him to stay inside her. He turned her so they were lying face-to-face. He brushed her hair away from her eyes. “You’re here. And I’m very glad you are.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind if you got pregnant.”

  What kind of a man said such a thing? Most of the men she’d known were more concerned about their careers, nowhere near ready to settle down and have kids. Of course, he was male and wouldn’t have primary care of the child. “Easy for you to say,” she grumbled.

  He kissed her, a soft, seeking caress. She responded immediately, tilting her head to deepen the contact.

  “You’d never be alone.” He dropped soft kisses on her cheeks and forehead. “I’d take care of you.”

  Gray knew he was sincere. Knew he wasn’t feeding her a line. It warmed her even as she shied away from it. “Tell me about werewolves.”

  He sighed, rolled onto his back and tucked her under his arm. She rested her head on his shoulder and used her fingers to trace designs on his skin. The crisp hair on his chest tickled her hand.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “You said that werewolves are almost always born, rarely ever made through biting.” She was trying to get all her facts straight. She’d done a lot of reading about werewolf folklore, but there was no way of knowing how much or how little of it was true.

  “That’s right.” He skimmed his fingers over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. She liked the way he was always touching her. “Our metabolism is faster than that of a human. But you already knew that.”

  She nodded. “I’ve always been different in other ways. Enhanced vision, hearing and smell.” There was something that was bothering her. “If you’re a separate species, why is there no record of you? No bones in a museum or something?”

  He gave her a quick squeeze before continuing. “We heal faster than a human. Because of that, our life expectancy is also higher.”

  “Really?” That was intriguing. “How long?”

  “We can live twice the lifespan of a human—150 to 200 years. Of course, our world is a violent one and not many live to be that old.”

  Gray was having a hard time wrapping her head around that one. “What about me?” She was only a half-breed.

  Louis tightened his hold on her as though he was afraid she might slip away. “I don’t know. I assume you’ll live longer than the average human.”

  That was pretty cool. “What does this have to do with my earlier question? Why don’t humans know about you?”

  “It all ties in together. Our fast metabolism continues after death. Our bodies decompose rapidly. Two or three days tops, and we’re dust. We also cremate our dead. That only takes minutes. Fire is very dangerous to us.”

  “Holy crap.” She sat up and stared down at him. “You’re not kidding?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.”

  Gray blinked and studied Louis. No man had a right to look this good in the morning. His short-cropped hair looked slightly tousled and his dark-brown eyes warmed the longer she stared at him. He was all tanned skin and muscles. If it were only his looks she were attracted to she’d be okay, but Louis was so much more than that.

  He was loyal and honest and brave and funny.

  “Hey, you okay?” He sat up in bed. The sheet pooled in his lap, but there was no disguising his obvious arousal. Another reminder that he wasn’t quite human.

  “It’s a lot to digest.” She had a lot more questions but was almost afraid to ask. The more she knew, the more she got pulled into his world. She knew it was cowardly to back away, but she wanted to take things slowly.

  Gray laughed out loud. Yeah, they were taking it slow all right.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  He glanced away and she had the feeling she’d hurt him with her dismissal of his question. Before she could think of something else to say, he turned back. His jaw was set and there was a familiar determination in his eyes.

  “Come home with me today. Meet the others and spend some time with us.” He took her hand in his.

  Gray closed her eyes against his entreaty. She was already too close to him, already in over her head, but she’d also been alone for so long. His offer was very tempting.

  “I’m a half-breed. You said yourself that most werewolves don’t like my kind.” And that had hurt her. Even among those of her own kind she was an outcast. She didn’t seem to fit anywhere. Not with humans and not with the werewolves. Still, Anny had seemed sincere in her offer last evening. She hadn’t sensed any animosity from the other woman, only a friendly curiosity.

  Louis caught her chin in his hand. His gaze was steady and reassuring. “We’re not like other packs. I wouldn’t take you there if I thought for one second you’d be in any danger.”

  She knew that, and still she hesitated.

  “Let’s get a shower and have breakfast before you make any decisions.” He rolled out of bed and then held his hand out to her. “Either way, you’re stuck with me. I’m not leaving you alone.”

  Gray took his hand and let him pull her off the bed. Determination bled from every pore in his body. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do about the invitation. A part of her longed to meet the others and t
o see where Louis lived, while another part warned her to not get too close, to not get too involved in their lives.

  Louis led her into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He helped her step into the tub and then pushed her back against the cool tile. He slapped his hands on either side of her head and loomed over her.

  She swallowed heavily. Louis was going to protect her whether she wanted him to or not. He was going to stay with her if she didn’t go home with him. It was more dangerous for him here. He’d be safer with his pack, his family. She knew it would do no good to point out that fact to him. He wasn’t leaving her alone.

  No one but her grandmother had ever put her first. Emotion threatened to choke her so she reached around Louis, grabbed the soap and started working it into a thick lather between her hands.

  He started to speak again but then stopped himself. Instead, he took the soap from her. “Here, let me.” He rubbed the bar between his palms until a thick froth coated them. Then he tossed the soap back into the holder and rubbed them over her shoulders.

  Louis wished he knew what Gray was thinking about. She’d gone pensive, and he could see the upset in her eyes, practically scent the sorrow coming from her. His wolf grumbled, not happy with the turn of events.

  Sex with Gray was the most moving experience of his entire life. Probably because it was more than just sex. His entire being was involved. It had taken every ounce of willpower not to toss her onto her stomach this morning and take her from behind while he marked her with his teeth. It had been so close, his wolf pushing him to mate with her.

  Even now, he could turn her toward the wall and mount her. He struggled to keep his fangs in check.

  His cock prodded her belly, and she gasped. “Are you serious?”

  He shrugged. “What can I say? I find you utterly tempting,” he teased, hoping to make her smile. It didn’t work. She was far too serious, thinking way too much for his liking. He didn’t pretend to understand women. Any man who claimed to be able to was a fool. They were much too complex. He’d always known that, but having women in the pack since last year had driven the point home.

  Louis ignored his swollen cock and concentrated on washing his woman. And she was his, whether she admitted it or not. The wolf in him recognized her as his mate. Gray was instinctively drawn to him, but he didn’t know how much of the mating impulse was actually a part of her and how much was muted by her human side.

  He rubbed his soapy hands over her delicate collarbone before he cupped her breasts. Her breath hitched and he caught the scent of fresh arousal. His wolf rumbled his approval until he realized Louis wasn’t going to take advantage of the situation.

  He was smart enough to know he’d already pushed her as far as he dared, at least physically. He needed to give her a break. Later, he promised his wolf. The beast grumbled but subsided.

  Louis went down on one knee before her as he spread the lather over her flat stomach and down her thighs. He briefly dipped between her legs and almost lost it when he felt her moist heat.

  Gray shivered and took a half step back. Louis surged to his feet and gently maneuvered her under the spray, letting the water wash away the soap and cool her growing arousal. She glanced over her shoulder and he could see the question in her eyes.

  “I don’t want you to get sore. You heal faster than most humans, but I don’t want to push it.”

  Her cheeks turned pink before she looked away. Louis tried not to notice the curve of her hip and ass as he vigorously washed away the sweat and remnants of their lovemaking. His answer to her was only partially true. Sure, he didn’t want her getting sore. He didn’t know how quickly she’d recover from their vigorous love play. He had no idea just how much werewolf was inside her. He also wanted to leave her wanting more so she’d hopefully welcome his attention again later.

  He didn’t think of it as being deceitful or manipulative, but smart. When dealing with a woman, a man needed every edge he could get. And Louis was playing this game for keeps.

  He waited until Gray was finished cleaning and rinsing herself before he stepped under the full force of the spray. It didn’t take him long to finish and turn off the water. Gray had already stepped out of the tub and was drying herself. He grabbed a clean towel and did the same.

  “Well?” He felt like cursing himself for his impatience, but the stress of not knowing was gnawing at him. “Will you come with me to meet the others?”

  She wrapped the towel around her and tucked the ends in between her breasts. “Shadow comes too.”

  The sense of relief he felt made his knees weak. He hadn’t realized how important it was for him to introduce her to the pack was until she’d accepted. They were his people, his family, his responsibility. He also wanted the others to accept Gray into their tightly knit group. Only then would he be satisfied. It was the first step in his goal to claim her as his own.

  “Absolutely. The others will love Shadow.” He thought about two who might not be so enamored.

  “What?” Gray reached for her comb and dragged it through her curly hair.

  “I wonder what the cats will think of him?”

  Gray smiled and shook her head. “I’d forgotten about them. It’s still crazy to think about a bunch of werewolves with cats.”

  Louis tossed the towel over the rod to dry. Gray’s gaze skated down his body, landing on his erection for a moment before skittering back up to his face. “Tigger and Seymour got used to us, so they shouldn’t have any trouble with Shadow.”

  He sauntered back into the bedroom and pulled on his jeans. Gray was close behind him, but she was still wearing her towel. Once again, she’d put her hair up into a ponytail. He didn’t mind. Taking it down later would give him an excuse to play with her curls. Now that the edge was off his hunger for her, he hoped to be able to take longer to savor her next time.

  By the time he was dressed, she’d donned fresh underwear and jeans. She was bent over a dresser drawer, rummaging around for a top. She pulled out a fresh tank top in a dark purple and pulled it on.

  “You should bring a sweater,” he told her. “It’ll get chiller later.” He gave into his need to touch her and went to her. “Why don’t you pack a few things and spend the night?” That’s what he really wanted.

  “That’s probably not a good idea.”

  She would have walked away if he’d let her. He caught her by the shoulders. “It would be safer for you. You know, in case the hunters come back.”

  “What about your enemies? Maybe I shouldn’t be going to your place at all.”

  Louis growled. He couldn’t help himself. She frowned but didn’t seem afraid of him. “Doesn’t matter. You smell like me, and they’d sure as hell pick up my scent off you.”

  She frowned, lifted her arm to her face and sniffed. Her frown deepened. “But we just showered.” She dropped her arm and leaned against his chest and buried her nose against his neck. “I don’t understand. Why can I still smell myself on you and you on me?”

  “It’s what happens when werewolves have sex.” Not all the time, only when the other is a potential mate. He held back that little tidbit, knowing it would make her run.

  “You should have told me that before we ended up in bed.” The tart scold in her tone only served to turn him on. His wolf didn’t want a weak mate. And Gray was turning out to be one hell of a strong woman.

  He gave her a heated glance. “I wasn’t exactly thinking about scent imprinting when I took you to bed.”

  She shook her head and sighed. “No, I suppose not.”

  She started toward the bedroom door. “Are you staying the night?” he asked.

  “Don’t push your luck,” she warned. “I want breakfast and then I need to put in a couple hours work before I think about going anywhere.”

  Grinning, he followed her to the kitchen. Shadow was lying on a blanket in the corner of the d
ining area and rose and went to Gray. She scratched behind his ears and the big animal huffed out a sigh.

  Laughing, she fell to her knees and hugged the big animal. “I know. You’re not happy about sleeping out here all on your own. I didn’t mean to abandon you.”

  The dog didn’t exactly talk, but he did grumble. Louis leaned one shoulder against the wall and watched the two of them interacting. They were more than owner and pet. They were family. They were pack.

  It hurt him to know that Shadow was her closest companion, yet he was glad of it too. Wolves weren’t meant to be alone. Whether she realized it or not, she needed the friendship and camaraderie his pack could offer her.

  She rose and dusted off her jeans. “If I do go over to your place later, I’m not leaving my car here. If the hunters come back, it would be too much of a temptation.”

  He couldn’t fault her reasoning there. “I’ll leave my truck.”

  She shook her head. “You drive your truck, and Shadow and I will follow you.”

  He was smart enough not to protest. After all, he was getting what he wanted. Gray was coming home with him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gray wondered what the hell she was doing. Shadow picked up on her unease and turned to look at her before giving a small whine. She automatically reached over and petted him with her free hand, keeping the other on the wheel of her vehicle as she followed Louis down a dirt path off the main road. The trip had only taken about twenty minutes, but she had the sensation she was about to enter a strange new world.

  “I’m okay,” she told Shadow. She wasn’t sure who she was trying to reassure, the dog or herself. The closer she got to Louis’s home, the more her stomach tightened. The urge to turn around and gun it down the highway was overwhelming. But this was a chance to meet others like herself, to truly discover who she was.

  She’d spent hours thinking about the situation, trying to decide what her best options were. Louis had remained unobtrusive, giving her the space she’d needed after breakfast. He’d made a phone call and spent the morning patrolling outside while she’d been working, or at least pretending to work.