Chapter 4

 

Hannah joined Selena at the cafeteria table, ignoring the stares of the recruits scattered among the other tables.

Selena eyes widened at the giant slab of steak on Hannah’s plate and Hannah gave her a guilty look. “I’m craving meat like you wouldn’t believe.”

“Yeah, I’m not surprised.” Selena grinned at her. “At least you’re still eating vegetables.” She stared at the small amount of steamed broccoli on the plate.

“Only because my mother made me promise to continue eating my veggies.” Hannah laughed as she cut into the steak.

“How are you feeling?” Selena asked curiously as she ate her chicken.

Hannah shrugged. “Honestly? Really weird. I have this crazy amount of energy. I did a 10 km run this morning without breaking a sweat. Douglas said my eyesight and hearing would improve and it has. I can hear everything and it’s nearly impossible to sleep. I don’t know how to drown it out – people are so fucking loud, Selena.”

She glanced around at the other people in the cafeteria. “I swear I can hear all of them chewing.” She grimaced. “And last night I could hear Leanne having sex with someone, and her room is three doors down from ours.”

“Glad to see some things don’t change.” Selena rolled her eyes.

“It’s good to have a routine again.” Hannah replied. “The recruits started training yesterday and I think everyone is feeling a little better because of it.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Selena toyed with the salad on her plate. “Have you met any of the recruits they sent down to help us patrol?”

“A couple of them. I just finished patrol and there were a few on patrol with me. I think the other recruits have been sharing information because they were decidedly nervous around me.”

She chewed happily at a piece of steak before swallowing and smiling at Selena. “By the way, I hear congratulations are in order. Mannie said that you had graduated.”

“Yeah.”

“He also said that you told him you were quitting.”

Selena sighed and pushed her plate away. “Reid convinced me to stay.”

“Good. We need you.”

Selena shook her head. “I’m not sure that’s true. I’m – I’m not like you, Hannah. I freeze up and I’m afraid and I – “

“I’m afraid too. I told you that before.” Hannah said firmly. “Besides, you don’t freeze up. You saved Reid’s life, and Mannie and Mallorie and Ryan. Not to mention a bunch of the babies. You’re good at this, Selena. As good, if not better, than the rest of us.”

“Maybe.” Selena said moodily.

“What are you doing tonight? We could go to the farmhouse and visit with my parents and the twins for a while. I know they’d like that.”

Selena shook her head. “Thanks but I’ve got the late shift in patrolling tonight. I want to sneak in a quick nap before – “

She stopped, her face flushing, when Reid sat down next to Hannah. “Hey.”

“Hi, Reid.” Hannah smiled at him. “Where have you been? I feel like you’re avoiding me.”

“No. Just busy.” His gaze flickered to Selena and Hannah watched curiously as his cheeks reddened. “Hello, Selena.”

“Hey, Reid.” Selena mumbled. She had suddenly become fascinated by the table surface as Reid cleared his throat.

“Have you heard from Will?”

“No.”

“He’d better get his ass back here before the new guy shows up tomorrow.” Reid replied. “It won’t exactly make a good impression for him to be missing in action, and Jordan’s a hard ass.”

“You know him?” Hannah asked.

Reid nodded. “He was second in command at my old facility in LA. Honestly, I’m surprised he agreed to come here. The small town scene didn’t really seem to be his thing. But, he was anxious to move up so maybe he figures this is his only chance.”

“What’s he like?”

“I didn’t know him that well, to be honest. He seems like an okay guy, just a real stickler for the rules and,” he hesitated, “I know he doesn’t like the idea of allowing supernaturals to be involved with the facility. He’s not an outright racist, but he doesn’t believe that we can trust any supernatural.”

“Great.” Hannah sighed. “Just great.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” Reid said soothingly. “Just don’t piss him off and when Will decides to show his hairy face here again, maybe tell him to keep his wolf under control.”

“Right.” Hannah replied grimly.

He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before glancing at Selena again. She was still studying the table and he cracked his knuckles nervously before standing.

“I should go. See you later, ladies.”

“Bye, Reid.” Hannah smiled at him as Selena gave him a brief wave without looking up.

It wasn’t until he had left the cafeteria that she raised her gaze, and she blushed hotly at the look Hannah was giving her.

“What?”

“What do you mean - what?” Hannah replied. “What’s going on with you two?”

“Nothing!” She said quickly. “There’s nothing going on with us. Why would you think there’s something going on with us? There isn’t. I hardly know the guy.”

Hannah took another bite of steak and stared thoughtfully at Selena. “Are you going to tell me or do I have to ask Reid?”

Selena glared at her and took a large drink of water. “Alright, fine. We kissed, okay?”

A grin crossed Hannah’s face. “That’s great.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” Selena scowled at her again.

“Because why?”

“Oh for the love of – because I learned the hard way that getting involved with anyone in this program means heartbreak, because Reid’s an instructor, because he has a thing for you!” Selena snapped.

“He doesn’t have a thing for me.” Hannah replied.

“Please, don’t even try and tell me that – “

“He might have had a thing for me at one time,” Hannah interrupted, “but trust me – he doesn’t now. He knows I love Will and besides, he’s not real fond of Lycans. He tries to be accepting but…”

She trailed off and took a quick glance around before leaning closer to Selena. “C’mon, girl. Spill your guts.”

Selena sighed before resting her chin on her hand. “The night that Samuel attacked the facility, Reid, Douglas and I went to the common room. Mannie and the others were in there and they were being decimated. There were leeches everywhere and all three of us knew that we were going to die when we stepped into that room. You know?”

“I do.” Hannah said gravely.

“Anyway, Reid looked at me and basically just said, fuck it, that no one lived forever and then he kissed me and we ran in.”

Hannah grinned. “He has a way with words.”

Selena snorted softly. “Anyway, after I told Mannie that I quit, Reid came after me to convince me to stay. I asked him why he kissed me that night and he said he didn’t know, that it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Hannah rolled her eyes before motioning at Selena with her fork. “Go on.”

“He took me into Chen’s training room and kept questioning me and finally I told him the truth. Then, like a complete idiot, I started crying. Reid hugged me and God, it felt good to be hugged by him. The guy’s body is hard as a rock but he was so warm…”

She trailed off and stared absentmindedly at her dinner plate as Hannah waited patiently.

“He wiped the tears from my face and I was staring at his mouth and, I don’t know, I just lost my damn mind and kissed him.” Selena dropped her face into her hands. “I’m such an idiot.”

“What did he do?” Hannah asked curiously.

“He kissed me back. The next thing I know we’ve got our tongues in each other’s mouths and he’s got an erection, and I’m ready to just rip his clothes off and take him right there.” Selena’s voice was muffled.

Hannah laughed. “Nice. He likes the saucy girls. What happened then?”

“I came to my senses, told him I was sorry and I shouldn’t have done that, and ran away.” Selena said miserably.

“Oh.” Hannah patted her arm gingerly. “That explains the awkwardness.”

“Yeah.” Selena sighed.

“Why did you stop? Is it because of Tyler?” Hannah asked gently.

Selena shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I mean I miss him terribly and I still love him, but it’s more because of what I said before. Falling in love with someone at this place means heartbreak and loss sooner or later.”

She gave Hannah a quick look. “Not that I’m falling in love with Reid, because I’m not.”

“I know.” Hannah smiled at her. “Reid’s a pretty good guy but he doesn’t seem like the settling down type to me so it’s probably better if you don’t fall for him.”

“Yes, I know, that’s why I – “

“Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t boink the hell out of him. I bet he’s super fun in the sack.” Hannah said cheerfully.

Selena blinked at her. “Reid’s an instructor.”

“So? You’re not a recruit anymore.”

“It’s not a good idea, Hannah. Besides, it’s still against the rules.”

Hannah shrugged. “Fuck the rules. The rule-makers are idiots if they think they can keep people from having sex in this place. People need to blow off a little steam and sooner or later, the higher-ups will figure that out.”

She looked earnestly at Selena. “You’re a grown woman so I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I do think that a little no-commitment nookie might just be what the doctor ordered. And it sounds like Reid would be a-okay with it.”

A small smile crossed Selena’s face. “I know you think that I need – “

She paused, watching curiously as Hannah stiffened and dropped her fork to her plate with a loud clatter. She raised her head and inhaled deeply.

“Hannah? What’s wrong?”

“He’s back.” She said softly.

“Who? Will?” Selena turned and looked around the cafeteria. There was no sign of the large Lycan and she turned back to Hannah. “How do you know that?”

“I can smell him.” Hannah inhaled again before standing. “I have to go, Selena.”

Selena caught her hand. “Are you alright?”

She dropped Hannah’s hand when the woman smiled at her. Her eye teeth had become sharp fangs and her eyes had lightened to a brilliant jade.

“I’m fine.” She said dreamily as her eyes began to glow. “I’m just fine.”

“Hannah – “

Hannah made a low, soft, growl and Selena watched as she turned and ran nimbly from the cafeteria.

* * *

 

Hannah stood outside the door of Will’s apartment and took another deep breath. Despite the barrier between them she could easily both smell and hear Will. She closed her eyes, listening to the rasp of his jeans as he pulled them over his hips and the louder purr of the zipper.

He won’t need those.

Lust had exploded in her belly from the moment she had smelled him. Despite being in the hallway where anyone could see her, she slid her hand into her pants and underwear and cupped her warm center. Her fingers were soaked instantly and she grinned again, baring her fangs, as she reached for the door handle.

It was unlocked and she entered the room, shutting the door firmly behind her as Will looked up from the middle of the living room. He didn’t look surprised to see her and smiled nervously.

Mine.

Her nostrils flaring, her desire beating within her like a steady, unrelenting drum, she stalked toward him. She could feel her need to shift bearing down on her, and she touched her fangs with the tip of her tongue. Her anger with him had been buried beneath her overwhelming need to claim him and his eyes widened as he caught the scent of her need.

“Hannah – “

“Mine!” She growled at him and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. She mashed her mouth down onto his, her fangs cutting into his lips, as she thrust her tongue deep into his warm mouth. She ripped his t-shirt in half, the fabric tearing with a low purr, and yanked it from his body before pulling her mouth away from his and tracing his hard chest. Her fingernails had lengthened into sharp claws and he let his breath out in a low hiss when she ran them along the waistband of his jeans.

“Hannah, I – “

She flicked the button open on his jeans and thrust her hand under the material. She wrapped her fingers around his length, he was already hard and pulsing, and squeezed firmly.

“This is mine.” She growled.

“Yes.” He said immediately. “But we need to talk first. We need to – “

“No!”

He grunted with surprise when she gave him a hard shove and knocked him to the floor.

She stripped off her clothes, slicing her bra in half with her fingernails when she couldn’t undo the clasps fast enough, and straddled him. She reached between them and yanked the zipper down on his pants before pulling his cock free.

She growled again and he moaned harshly when she rubbed the head of his cock against her swollen clit.

“Jesus, Hannah.” He groaned. “Just wait, honey, we need to – “

He cried out when she impaled herself on his thick cock. She growled happily and snapped her teeth at him as her eyes glowed in the dim room. She bounced on his cock, using her legs to thrust herself back and forth as his hands circled her waist and he arched his back under her.

She braced her hands on his chest and rode him madly as their bodies slammed together. Will, his own eyes glowing, suddenly growled and flipped her on to her back. He plunged in and out of her, the veins in his throat standing out in stark relief as he fucked her hard.

She moaned and gasped and growled as her fingernails raked long, deep scratches into the flesh of his back. He had never been so rough with her and as he bent his head and nipped at her breast with short, stinging bites, she dug her nails into his back until he hissed in pain and lifted his head.

“You’re mine.” She snarled at him.

“Yes, yours.” He tangled his hand into her hair, pulling her head back roughly and sucked hard on her throat.

His fingers found her clit and he rubbed the swollen nub firmly as she arched her back and wrapped her long limbs around his waist. She squeezed his cock tightly and he gave a harsh bark of need before tugging on her clit.

The pleasure exploded within her as the colours of the room began to sharpen and Will’s harsh panting grew to an almost unbearable level. She was starting to shift, she could feel it, and she fought desperately against it.

“Will!” She shouted his name as her orgasm flooded her body and unable to stop herself, she lifted her head and sank her fangs into the meat of his shoulder. His blood filled her mouth, warm and surprisingly sweet, and his entire body shuddered before he climaxed with a loud, hoarse howl.