Hunting Season (The Gathering Book 1)

by Shelly Laurenston

  All day he’d been waiting for Morgan to get her ass to his house, so she could tell him Neecy was as good as she was going to get so that he could have his dirty way with her. But Morgan had to take care of some other business in the City first. That meant all day he’d avoided Neecy. He had to. He was starting not to care about her goddamn sling or her wounded wings or the stitches in her back. Which meant he really had to stay away from her. The bottom line was, he couldn’t promise he’d be gentle with her. In fact, he could actually promise he definitely wouldn’t be.

  Now he had those freak Shifters on his property. They didn’t even come to him as human, but as wolves. Like that was normal behavior.

  They’d walked slowly toward his house while it was still light out, ensuring they’d all see them. They didn’t make any sudden moves or do anything that the Crows or Ravens would consider threatening.

  Yager stayed slightly behind Didi as she moved toward their leader. Many of the Crows and Ravens were perched in the trees or on the roof of the house, silently watching. And he’d sent Tye and Mike to keep an eye on Neecy. He’d decided not to tell her and Didi agreed. No way would she stay out of it if she knew the Shifters were here. And with only one arm and her wings still unusable, she’d be more a liability than a help.

  Didi walked up to a silver-and-black wolf. She braced her feet apart and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  “So… what do you want?”

  The wolf looked Didi over and Yager wondered what it would take to bash the shit out of him. Could he do it by grabbing this mutt’s tail and just going slap happy?

  Man, I am in a shitty mood.

  After a moment’s hesitation, the wolf shifted. Right before Yager’s eyes a wolf became a man. A big ole naked man.

  Didi, startled, glanced at Yager. She was doing her best not to laugh. Apparently being naked wasn’t that big a thing for the Shifters. Still… it was a little distracting.

  “I’m Danny Lewis. You met with my father and baby brother a couple of weeks ago.”

  Didi nodded as she tried to avoid staring at the man’s package. Not easy. Even Yager had to admit, the guy had nothing to be ashamed of.

  “And you wiped my other brother from the face of the earth.”

  Cool. Fight.

  Neecy couldn’t believe she was crying. But she was. While watching some business show on CNN, no less. But she hadn’t been able to stop crying since she woke up from that dream. The dream where something hacked off both her wings.

  When younger, Neecy used to have nightmares where all her hair fell out or all her teeth had been broken. Those had been horrible, scary dreams, but this dream…

  She woke crying and hadn’t really been able to stop all day. Thankfully, Yager had been avoiding her. Not surprising since he kept getting up the night before to take cold showers. Because of her stitches that hadn’t been an option for her. So, instead, she dreamed. At first they were her typical wet dreams about Yager, but then they became darker.

  Neecy didn’t know why the dream still upset her so. She’d been awake for hours, why hadn’t she recovered yet? But, still, she kept crying. She’d hidden herself in Yager’s den most of the day, using his big desktop with the three hard drives and four monitors to catch up on email from her students and play computer games. Eventually, she thought she had complete control of herself, so she’d gone into the living room. It was empty, which was good. Because a television ad for cars or something showed a bald eagle soaring through the blue sky and she started crying all over again.

  Hearing footsteps heading her way, Neecy quickly wiped her eyes and did her best to stifle any more pathetic girl tears, as she liked to call them.

  The footsteps stopped outside the living room entrance and she glanced up to see Tye and Mike staring at her from the archway.

  She forced a smile and quickly went back to the fascinating world of stocks and bonds. She thought the men would leave. But, instead, Tye sat on the sofa next to hers and Mike sat down right by her side.

  There was a moment of awkward silence, then Mike said, “So you’re a professor.”

  Forcing her voice and herself to remain calm, Neecy said, “Yeah. Of history.”

  “Cool.”

  Yeah. Right. She really didn’t see Mike I’m-a-proud-liar Molinski being that interested in history of any kind.

  “The game we’re working on is set in the Middle Ages. Maybe you could take a look at our graphics, make sure the armor and weapons are right.”

  Neecy shrugged, keeping her eyes on the television. “Sure.”

  “You’d be amazed how crazy some of these geeks get about accuracy,” Tye added.

  “Really?”

  “Oh, yeah. Especially with RTS games.”

  “RTS?”

  “Real-time strategy games. You know, where you create yourself a kingdom, an army, enemies, whatever. You create your entire world.”

  Neecy nodded. “That actually sounds kinda cool.”

  “It’s fun, I guess. I think Yager likes those more than we do. I like role-playing and Mike likes to blow shit up.”

  “I’m really good at that.”

  Finally, Neecy smiled. “How shocking.”

  “So—” Mike stretched his arm out over the back of the couch, “—as a professor, I was wondering…”

  Neecy looked at the arm behind her and back at Mike. “Wondering what?”

  “Well, say I’m in your class. And I’m bad…” He grinned and Neecy understood immediately why so many females had fallen for this gorgeous blond butthead. “How would you punish me?”

  Laughing, Neecy looked at Tye who rolled his eyes and turned back to the television.

  “I mean would you use corporal punishment to keep me in line, O Professor Lawrence? Because I’ve been feeling especially naughty lately.”

  For the first time all day, Neecy completely forgot about her nightmares.

  Didi opened the envelope one of the wolves dropped at her feet. She pulled out a thick sheaf of papers and pictures.

  “My brother was a lot of things. But he wasn’t smart enough to take and successfully use what he had. Then I heard about your second-in-command. That’s when I knew something was very wrong. Talked to some other Shifter breeds, found out that Waldgrave was active again… and now it seems he has some disciples.”

  “Waldgrave? You mean this man?” Didi pointed at the picture of the older man with grey and blond hair.

  “Karl Waldgrave. He’s very wealthy. Very dangerous. And he likes to hunt, shall we say, difficult game.”

  “Oh, that’s nice.”

  “But what truly pisses me off is that he used my brother to get to you guys.”

  “And yet you’re just handing him over to us?”

  “It was discussed between the Packs. About doing this ourselves. But we’re wolves. We’ll just go in and kill them.” Lewis smiled, if you could call it that. “But the Crows and Ravens are much more… artful about this sort of thing.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Let’s just say, you guys really enjoy your job. But if we’re wrong, let us know.” Lewis’ hand reached for the papers he’d given them, but Didi slapped her own hand down over them.

  “We’ll take it.”

  “Good.” Lewis motioned to his wolves with a flick of his head. Slowly, they began moving out. “And you’ll make sure they suffer, right?”

  Didi looked at the man, her brown eyes cold. Nope. No mercy there. “Oh, yes. They’ll suffer.”

  The Shifter’s grin widened and Yager could see fangs moving out from his gums. “Good.”

  He stepped away from the table and followed after his Pack. As he moved, he shifted, and by the time he hit the trees, he was wolf again.

  Then he was gone.

  Didi pushed the papers to Delia. “Find out everything you can on this guy.”

  “Got it.”

  With that, Didi grabbed Yager’s arm and dragged him back into the house. Once in the hallwa
y, she stopped and looked around. Once assured they were alone, Didi leaned in and whispered to Yager, “You cannot go after Waldgrave yourself.”

  “Why not?” He’d already begun building his team in his head. He planned to wipe them out that very evening and spend the rest of his time in bed with Neecy if Morgan gave her the go-ahead.

  “Because their deaths don’t belong to you. They belong to Neecy.”

  “They belong to Neecy? Why?” Didi didn’t answer and Yager felt cold fear grip him around the throat. He stepped away from her. “This? This is her Trial?” There wasn’t one Crow or Raven who hadn’t had a Trial of some sort. The Viking gods loved a good test of spirit and strength. But this one seemed particularly brutal. Even for Skuld.

  “I’ve gotta warn her.”

  “No!” Didi took a firm grip on his arm. “If you tell her… just trust me on this. She has to do this on her own. Especially now. Especially ‘cause he wounded her.”

  “But—”

  “Yager, if you love her, and I know you do, then you’ll back off. Don’t fuck with Skuld on this.”

  He’d never seen Didi worried about much, if anything. And he’d definitely never seen her pleading before, and that’s exactly what he saw in her eyes even if her words were commands.

  He had no idea what Skuld had said to Didi, but it was enough to convince her it was safer not telling Neecy the truth.

  “Okay. I’ll keep my mouth shut for now.”

  Didi let out a deep breath. “Thank you. But trust me, Yager. I won’t let Neece face this completely alone. We just have to play this a little differently.”

  Hearing that, Yager eased up a bit. “Okay. Good.”

  “Excuse me.”

  Yager and Didi looked up at Connie.

  “What’s up?”

  “We’re ordering pizza for dinner. Does that work for you two?”

  “Yeah. That’s fine,” Yager said as Didi nodded her consent.

  “Great. Um… and I was wondering, since everyone is getting a little antsy, if I could set up my equipment and—”

  “Connie,” Didi warned.

  “What?” Yager asked.

  “They wanna throw a party,” Didi explained. “Which, if I were you, Yager, I’d say no to.”

  “I don’t mind.” Connie was right. Everyone was getting a little antsy. Actually, they were getting a lot antsy. A little house party might safely blow off some steam.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. Sure. My closest neighbors are about six miles away and I’ve never had a party here.”

  “Yes!” Connie turned and headed back to the kitchen, where the Crows and Ravens had taken to congregating on a regular basis.

  Didi followed after her, but not before adding, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  The one thing he knew about Crows, they wouldn’t be inviting any rowdy outsiders to his house. Crows only allowed other Crows and friends of Crows to their parties because they didn’t really “party” unless their wings could come out.

  Pushing it out of his mind, Yager went in search of Neecy. He needed to see her, to know she was okay. He would do as Didi promised and not tell her anything about Skuld’s plans for her, but he still needed to see her.

  Of course, he didn’t expect to find her in tears, hysterically laughing, with Mike Molinski draped over her lap, his ass in the air. Thankfully the little bastard wasn’t naked.

  “All I’m asking for, Professor, is a little demonstration.”

  A grinning Tye was the first to notice Yager. Clearing his throat, he reached over and slapped Mike in the head.

  “What?”

  He motioned to Yager and Mike’s head whipped around. “Oh, uh… hi, bro.”

  Shaking his head and scowling, Yager turned and walked away.

  Neecy followed Yager into his bedroom. “You’re being ridiculous.”

  “I’m being ridiculous? You have Michael Molinski on your lap with his ass in your face, but I’m being ridiculous.”

  “Don’t be mad at him.”

  Yager’s grey eyes glared at her from across the room. “So now you’re protecting him?”

  “Don’t bark at me! He was just trying to make me feel better.”

  “Feel better about what?”

  “Forget it.” Neecy headed toward the door, but Yager was already standing in front of it. He’d even closed it. She didn’t hear it close. Christ, how does the man do that!

  “Feel better about what, Neecy?”

  “I don’t wanna have this conversation now. Move.”

  “Talk to me now. Or stand here forever. I don’t give a shit. But you’re not leaving until you tell me what’s up.”

  Letting out a short scream of frustration, Neecy moved away from the door. She eyed the window and, realizing that was no longer an option of escape, turned all her rage and fear on Wilhelm Yager.

  She spun around. “You wanna know what’s wrong?” He didn’t move as she advanced on him. “This!” She pointed at her tied down arm. “This is bullshit!”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Everything that meant anything to me is gone! And we both know it!” She hated yelling, but she couldn’t help herself. She’d lost it. Panic turning to full-on rage in a heartbeat.

  “Neecy—”

  “I’m not a warrior! I’m not a Crow! I’m a fuckin’ invalid!” And the next words were out of her mouth before she could think about stopping them. “Why didn’t you just leave me? Why didn’t you just… just…”

  “What?” he yelled back. “Let you die?”

  That’s exactly what she was about to stupidly say and the thought tore through her like a blade. Christ, how pathetic was she? Letting something like this make her feel inferior. Weak. Vulnerable.

  And that’s when she burst into tears. Yet she didn’t even have to reach for Yager—he was already there. His big arms wrapping around her, holding her close to his warm body. She wrapped her free arm around his waist and held him tight as the tears and fears from the past five days flowed out of her in one horrible torrent.

  He should have seen this coming. Should have known she’d be feeling this way… he sure as hell would have.

  Sitting himself on the floor, he pulled Neecy onto his lap and let her cry. The physical pain Neecy could always deal with. She was definitely a girl who could take a punch to the face or a knife to the stomach. But for some unknown reason, she felt like The Gathering somehow defined her. Somehow made her worthy of everything she had. But all Skuld did was give her a second chance. It was up to Neecy to actually take that chance. She did, too. And made herself into the woman he’d fallen madly in love with.

  After ten minutes, the tears turned to sniffles, but it took another ten for her to finally pull back from him—as he knew she would.

  Wiping her eyes, she tried to pull out of his lap, but Yager wouldn’t let her go. “Sorry about that, Yager. Um…” She shook her head. “I have no excuse for that little display.”

  “Ax in the back can do that to a person.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah. I guess.”

  Again she tried to pull out of his lap, and again Yager pulled her back.

  Smiling shyly, “You know, you can let me go now, Yager.”

  “I don’t want to. I like you here on my lap. Although, all that wiggling is giving me a hard-on.” He ran his hand down her cheek. “Who the fuck am I kidding? I’ve had a hard-on for you for the past five days.”

  Using the sleeve of his Giants sweatshirt, Neecy wiped the remainder of her tears. “You sweet-talker, you.”

  “You’re lucky I’m able to speak at all.”

  “What? You think it’s been easy on me?”

  “Girls have it easy.”

  “You must be high.” She held her free hand up. “I’m startin’ to get carpal tunnel.”

  Yager buried his face in her neck. “I so didn’t need that visual.”

  “What about me? Every time you went into the
shower…” She growled. “Yowza.”

  His arms tightened around her waist. “Don’t, Lawrence.”

  “Come on, Yager. You’re killing me here. Besides, I need comfort… I’ve been crying.” For emphasis, she sniffled. Twice.

  “Stop it right now, Lawrence. I mean it.” He was holding on by a thread. A very thin thread.

  She rubbed her cheek against the top of his head. “Yager,” she whispered softly. “Will.” Tricky little brat! She knew that would get him. And she was right. “Fuck me, Will. Now.”

  Christ, how was he supposed to fight that? So he didn’t. Instead, he gripped the back of her neck and kissed her. Deep, long, and hard. Like he’d been wanting to do for days. She relaxed into him, showing no resistance whatsoever.

  He could do this. He would do this. And he’d be careful… and gentle… and…

  “Open the door, Will,” Morgan ordered from the other side, completely uncaring as to what she may be interrupting.

  Groaning, the pair separated. “No. No. No. No. This isn’t happening,” he practically whined. He looked at Neecy’s face and saw exactly what he was feeling.

  “Wilhelm Yager the Fourth, you open this door right now!”

  Neecy grinned. “The fourth?”

  “Quiet.”

  He stood, Neecy still in his arms. Gently, he placed her back on her feet. He kissed her forehead, turned, and snatched the door open with one angry move.

  “Don’t look at me like that.” Morgan walked into the room as Neecy finger-combed her hair off her face.

  Shaking her head, “I swear. You two.” Morgan motioned toward Neecy as she moved to the bathroom. “Come on, you. Let’s see if we can get that sling off you.”

  Neecy locked eyes with Yager and he knew she felt it, too. That heat of longing building up around them. Much more of this and they’d start killing people.

  “Let’s go, Crow!”

  And it looked like Neecy may start with Morgan.

  Mike stared at his friend staring at his computer screen. Yager wasn’t typing or anything. Just staring.