Hunter cursed as the limo pulled away from the mansion. The minute they’d arrived at Ilsbeth’s house, he’d used his GPS, and texted the coordinates to a personal driver. Willa slept soundly next to him, her heart beating in rhythm with his.
Mate. He still couldn’t believe this woman was his. Feisty and brave, Willa both played and fought. His heart squeezed as he traced his finger over her cheek, brushing a hair from her eyes.
He’d spent hundreds of years without love, watching others find their mates. His brother Tristan. His sister Katrina. Yet living remotely in Wyoming, he’d never given consideration that he’d actually find a she-wolf who matched his beast.
Willa. So delightfully unexpected. A serendipitous encounter. Meeting his mate in Hell did make for a good bar story, but it wasn’t exactly romantic. He glanced down at his beautiful mate, her hand resting on his thigh. Willa should have loving memories of her mating, not simply a chance relationship born of Hell. When this nightmare ended, he planned to court her like she deserved…fitting for his princess.
“She’s special, yeah?” Viktor commented, sitting across from him in the limo.
“Our mating shouldn’t have happened like this.”
“You can’t control it. You know that. The Goddess does what she wants.”
“But it should have been different. She deserves flowers and dancing, not death and demons. We should have had time to get to know each other.”
“Says who? You? The universe does what it wants. And besides, you’re one lucky son-of-a-bitch.”
A corner of his lip turned upward, his heart warmed at the sight of her snuggled in his lap. “I am.”
“She’s a princess.”
“I’m a king.” Hunter laughed.
“Don’t get too crazy. Don’t let all the royalty bs go to your head.”
“Definitely the king.”
“You’ll have time when we get done with all this demon shit. Time to woo. Have a life. Not everyone gets that.” Viktor’s expression flattened. “You’ve got a few hours until the plane leaves.”
“That we do.” Hunter smiled.
“Maybe I can help you out with a little romance. I’ve got friends in high places. Don’t get me wrong.” Viktor laughed. “Plenty of friends in low places too. Wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression of me.”
“I don’t want to do anything to attract the wolves or the demons before we leave.”
“Are you sure you’re going to be safe at your house for a few hours? I know you’re not in town much.”
“As safe as anywhere. It’s daybreak and unless we go outside and start to deliberately provoke ‘em, we should be okay. Wards are up but it’s never one hundred percent. We should probably eat before we leave for Belize, but it’s not like we can go out, so I guess I’ll have to make something.”
“That’s where I come in. I’ll flash in and flash out. Bring you what you need. I’m like a regular fucking fairy Godmother.” Viktor raised his hands in the air, wiggling his fingers, a mischievous smile growing on his face.
Hunter laughed. “I don’t know. Don’t take this the wrong way, Vik, but you don’t strike me as a party coordinator.”
“I’ve got this.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Willa’s got to sleep. I can just make us eggs or something. Soup and sandwiches maybe. Got some French bread back at the house. I’ll scrounge somethin’ up.”
“Ten hours until the jet’s ready. Besides, you can sleep when you’re dead.”
“Easy on the d word.” Hunter’s eyes widened as he shot the vampire an annoyed look.
“I’ve got this.” Viktor lit up in amusement.
“There is something wrong with you, you know that?”
“You’ll thank me later.”
Hunter considered the vampire’s suggestion. He glanced to Willa. She’d been through so much, tortured, lost her brother, and now believed she’d had a vision with him alive. She’d sworn she’d connected with Julian, that he was running from wolves to keep her safe.
Hunter used to think that being immortal was a given pleasure of life. But his taste of Hell reminded him that immortal meant ‘you live until someone kills you.’ Searching for the skin book was rife with danger, he was certain. He didn’t trust Ilsbeth, unconvinced the artifact would sate the demon.
No, Willa deserved so much more than the shitty cards she’d been dealt. His clever doctor. His princess. His mate.
“Promise not to get crazy,” Hunter told Viktor, uneasy with his decision to let the vampire plan his date. “Keep it simple. We don’t have a lot of time.” A corner of Hunter’s mouth turned upward, a sinking feeling churning in his stomach. What could this vampire possibly know about romance, besides sex?
“Scout’s honor.” Viktor held up two fingers.
“I’m in.” The words passed through his lips before he could stop himself, but he wanted to do something nice for his mate.
“Delightful. Well, then. I guess it’s best if I get going. Chop chop. Things to do. People to buy off.” Viktor edged toward the front of his seat.
“Be careful.”
“Ah yes, well you too then.” He raised his hand into the air. “Alpha. One more thing.”
“What?”
Viktor grinned from ear to ear. “I was never a boy scout.”
Hunter shook his head as the vampire disappeared, praying to the Goddess Viktor didn’t draw attention to them.
Willa moaned, and he protectively laid his arm over her.
“Shh…. it’s all right, sweetheart. Get some sleep. Your Alpha’s not goin’ to let anything happen to you.”
What the ever-loving fuck? Hunter sat on the sofa, stunned at the sheer number of candles illuminating the room. It was official. He didn’t need to worry about the demons or the rogue wolves trying to kill them. Viktor was going to burn down his whole damn house. Fucking vampire .
The Alpha glanced up at the two-story-high ceiling. Over a hundred black and silver balloons danced in the air. His dining room table had been formally set; a silver candelabra sat centerpiece accented by exotic flower arrangements. In the foyer, a string quartet played Bach while flames lit up the fireplace. While it wasn’t his jam, the quiet smooth strokes of the violin calmed his nerves.
It was as if he’d hired a bad wedding planner. Except there was no wedding. And they had exactly five hours until the jet was ready to go. Skin book. Demons. No fucking wedding.
Hunter sucked in a deep cleansing breath, wishing he’d paid more attention at the hot yoga class his sister, Katrina, had made him attend. There wasn’t enough meditation that could keep him calm when it came to Viktor. Don’t draw attention. Keep it simple. Yeah, no. He should have known Viktor wasn’t capable.
Damn vampire had insisted he dress up and had sent him downstairs so he could attend to Willa. Why did I listen to him? he inwardly asked himself, exhaling a deep sigh.
Hunter closed his eyes and listened. Footsteps. He reached for Viktor but didn’t sense him. The distinctive sound of a woman’s heels tapping down the staircase sent him to his feet.
His eyes flashed open, his heart pounding in his chest as Willa descended. As he took in the sight of his gorgeous mate, blood rushed to his dick. The skin-tight, virgin-white, satin dress hugged every inch of her sexy-as-sin body. Goddamn vampire planned a wedding.
“Willa,” he managed. “You’re…you’re stunning.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “What is happening here?”
“I wanted to do something special. I know we’ve just met but you’re my mate, and I just thought…Viktor offered to help but clearly he’s gone overboard with some kind of human-themed romantic shindig…I’m going to take you on a proper date when this is all done but I…” Hunter lost his words as she drew closer. Her hair had been swept up, revealing the beautiful contours of her face, her red lips parted. Stop stammering like a fucking teenager and get it together, boy. “It’s just…I wanted to do something special for you. Is it inappropriate? We can stop all this.”
Willa smiled and reached for him, gently placing her finger across his lips. “No. It’s perfect.”
Hunter’s heart squeezed. “You sure?”
“No one has ever done something like this for me.” She closed the distance between them, tilting her head.
“I can’t take all the credit. Viktor.” Hunter glanced to the balloons and back to Willa. He wrapped his arm around her waist, her energy sizzling through him as her body brushed against his.
“But you agreed to this? For me?” She smiled broadly.
“Yes.” Hunter studied her face, the swell of her bottom lip, aching to devour her. Hints of her floral perfume complemented the distinctive scent of his mate. He smiled at her and began a slow dance.
“This is special,” Willa told him, her eyes swimming with happiness.
“It’s almost like we’re real people.”
“Exceedingly, wonderfully real.”
“If we were human, it’s almost like we really did get married.”
“If we were human, I’d marry you in a second, but I much prefer you as wolf.” Hunter dipped his head toward Willa, his lips edging close to hers. “You’re absolutely stunning.”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Hunter’s lips crashed onto hers, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. Passion threaded through him as she kissed him back and his wolf growled, seeking his mate. His cock stood at attention as she rubbed her body against his. Jesus, she’s fucking incredible. No, no, no. Not yet. Dinner. Feed her. Get through dinner. Stop acting like an animal.
Willa laughed into their kiss, and as he slowly pulled his lips from hers, their foreheads touched.
“Dinner?” she smiled.
“Do you see what you do to me? I’ve lost my head.”
“Don’t do that now. I need both.” She winked. “Hmm…what is that smell?”
“What? Oh yeah…that. Food. Real food.”
“I’m starving. I think we should eat quickly because I don’t think we’re going to get through dinner.”
“I’m not sure where Viktor…”
“You called?” the vampire materialized before them, holding a massive-sized golden giftbag in the air. He glanced up at the balloons. “Awesome, aren’t they? I missed my calling.”
“What are you doing here?” Hunter asked. “Can’t you see we’re on our date?”
He laughed. “Well yes. But it’s not a party without me. They do say the best things in life are free.”
“They do,” Willa agreed with a small laugh. “Thank you for all of this. It’s quite lovely.”
“You’re welcome, princess.” Viktor held the bag up into the air. “Congratulations on your…mating. Weddings always make me cry.”
Willa accepted the gift as he handed it to her.
“Weddings are for humans,” Hunter told him.
“Who’s to say they get all the fun? I was married once and I…” Viktor’s words trailed into silence, and he took off toward the kitchen.
“What was that about?” Willa asked Hunter.
“I don’t know. He spends all this time denying his humanity. Perhaps he misses it more than he lets on.”
“I feel his sadness.” Willa wrapped her arms around herself.
Hunter gave a closed smile, his gut tightening at her statement. He’d drank her blood. No matter his denial, he’d created a small bond with Willa.
“Whoever he married, he must have loved her,” she guessed. “The sadness. He hides it. I’m worried about him.”
“He’s going to be okay. Let’s just focus on us tonight. He did this for us. For you. We deserve a little celebration.” Hunter smiled.
Two servers came scurrying out of the kitchen, placing steaming dishes of food onto the table. A loud pop sounded, and they began pouring champagne.
“Bon appétit,” Viktor cheerfully declared as he entered the dining room, wearing a white chef’s hat. Both Hunter and Willa stared up at him wearing a look of surprise. “What?”
“What’s with the…” Hunter gestured to his head, “get up?”
“Oh this. The hat? What, does it clash with my red suit? I thought so.” Viktor snatched it off his head and tossed it across the room. “Ah well, I must be going. I have to get these people back to where they came from. The musicians are wolves. These guys,” he nodded toward the servers, “they’re vampires. But don’t worry. They have no idea where they are. They’ve all been sworn to secrecy. Trust me when I say they won’t talk. Or they’ll die. No choice really.”
“We weren’t worried about any of that…” Willa began but was interrupted by Viktor.
“Hurry now. The food is getting cold. Open the gift before I leave and then I’ll be off.”
“Um. Okay. Do you want to do the honors?” Hunter shrugged and smiled at Willa, nervous about Viktor’s gift. He didn’t trust him after the one hundred and one balloons floating above their heads.
Willa reached inside the gift bag, laughing as she retrieved a black leather paddle and handed it to Hunter. “It’s, it’s…it’s lovely. Really. I was expecting something Tiffany’s perhaps, but this is a surprise.”
“What the hell, vampire? Seriously?” Hunter shook his head. Not that he opposed giving her a good spanking, but Viktor had no business giving his mate sex toys.
“I knew you’d like it. Trust me when I say you will love the feel and the sound of it.” Viktor clapped his hands together, his eyes lit with delight. “It’s my favorite.”
“Well…my…now this…gee, I don’t know. I already have one but it’s in pink.” Willa laughed as she handed Hunter a two-foot-long silicone penis. “What do you think, dear? Will it go with the curtains?”
“I thought you’d like it. Don’t worry. I didn’t forget the lube. Blueberry flavored. You’re going to love it. Goes well with dessert.”
“Time to go, Viktor,” Hunter told him, his voice firm. “We’re done now.”
“What? She said it goes with her curtains.”
“We’ll meet you at the jet in three hours. Now off with the cooks and the musicians.”
“You’ll thank me later. Give me a minute.” Viktor strode into the kitchen pressing through the swinging doors and returned within seconds. “Musicians are next.” As he began to walk toward the foyer, he paused, turning his head toward them. “You’re blessed, you know. Not everyone finds someone…gets to have a lifetime with their person.”
Hunter sensed Willa’s sadness as Viktor disappeared with the musicians. Her empathetic smile touched his heart. “He’s going to be all right. He doesn’t think he’s going to find anyone again but he’s wrong.”
“How do you know?” she pressed.
“Because if I can find a princess in Hell, our vampire…our friend…the Goddess has someone for him too. Even if he doesn’t know it, I have faith.”
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Come…let’s eat.” Hunter took her hand as she set the bag onto the ground.
“This is beautiful,” she admired the incredible spread on the table, lobster and fresh vegetables, candles and flowers.
Hunter drank in the sight of his magnificent mate, and his cock twitched. He was never going to get through dinner.
“That was amazing.” Willa brought the glass of champagne to her lips. “I’ve never had someone treat me so…like…just so nice…like a princess.”
“I love that you’re independent, that all this time you’ve survived, but you’ve got me now. I’m not saying it will be easy. But we’re going to get through this, Wills. And when it’s all over, we’ll have dates. Lots of them. Maybe we’ll go horseback riding.”
“Skydiving,” she suggested.
“Horseback riding,” he repeated, giving a low chuckle.
“Skydiving then horseback riding.” She smiled, batting her eyelids at him.
“Wolves are hard to kill, but not impossible.”
“It’ll be fun.”
“I can think of some other things that would be even more fun.” He winked.
“Perhaps we should open the rest of our gifts?” she suggested, a flirtatious lilt in her voice. “You stay there.”
Hunter watched in anticipation as his delicious mate stood and glided across the floor. With her back to him, she stopped in front of the bag, pausing to look over her shoulder, a sultry smile forming on her lips. Her hand found the back of her dress and she teased down the zipper. Hunter sucked a breath as the entire gown pooled around her feet.
Wearing nothing but heels and a thong, she bent over, ever so slowly reaching for the bag and turning toward him. A sexy smile crossed her face as she held it into the air. “Do you want to go first or shall I?”
Hunter laughed, his cock hard as concrete. Little wolf wanted to play.
Candlelight and the shadows of the balloons reflected off her olive skin. Her devilish smile told him she’d try to test him.
“Maybe…” Willa pulled out the paddle and held it up in the air, shifting her hips back and forth. “A spanking?”
Hunter laughed, without revealing what he’d planned on doing to her. If she only knew. He’d love nothing more than to see her beautiful ass a nice shade of pink.
“No?” She tossed it onto the sofa and dug her hand back into the bag. “Ooh kinky.” Willa wore a broad smile as she retrieved a shiny bulbous toy. “Look. It has a pink crystal on the end. Ah…there’s a note attached.” She fingered the white paper that had been tied with a white silk ribbon. “For the princess who has everything. Your friendly neighborhood vampire.’ He included lube. How thoughtful.” She winked and tossed it along with the paddle. “It’s a keeper.”
Hunter adjusted his painful erection that strained against his zipper. Jesus, this woman was going to fucking kill him.
She held up the two-foot-long dildo and dropped it onto the floor with a shrug. “Hmm…that would be a nope. Maybe we can regift it. You never know when someone’s going to have a secret Santa at the office.”
“We can give it back to Viktor. Something tells me he’d find a use for it.”
“Ah, now this…” She held up the penis-shaped sleeve. “Is this some sort of an extension?” Willa shook her head and threw it clear across the room. “Definitely don’t need this.” She shot him a sexy look and licked her bottom lip.
“The vampire is dead to me.”
“Nipple clamps? No thanks. The only thing I want on my nipples is your mouth.” She laughed, tossing them. “But wait. There’s more.” Willa dangled a pair of red leather handcuffs from her finger.
“Now those I could use.” Hunter stalked toward her, enjoying her nervous laughter.
Hunter’s smile broadened. Thank you, Vik. The Alpha resisted taking his mate, simply reaching for the handcuffs. His eyes drifted to her lips and to her pert breasts, her taut nipples standing at attention. Her thong, fashioned from fine white lace, barely covered her mound.
“Is red your favorite color?” The smell of the fine leather teased his nostrils, his dick hardened as she presented her arms to him.
“Yes, yes tonight it definitely is.” Her voice trembled.
Hunter reached for her, trailing his fingers down her inner wrists, and turned her palms upward. He made quick work of securing the cuffs and tugged on the chain that connected them.
She smiled as he pulled her toward the sofa. He glanced to the toys and his gaze met hers, fascinated by her sinful smile. His little wolf wanted to play? Play they would.
“These here…all keepers?” He glanced to the silver butt plug she’d thrown on the sofa.
She laughed, her cheeks blooming pink.
“You.” Hunter pulled her toward him and glided his hand down her stomach. His fingers slipped underneath the delicate fabric, delving into her slick pussy. “You’re wet.”
“Always for you.” Willa moaned, her head lolling forward.
His fingers played over her clit lightly, never offering enough to sate her. She released an audible sigh as he withdrew and his hand trailed up her stomach, between her breasts.
Hunter’s dick lengthened as he wrapped his fingers around her neck, his fingertips teasing behind her ear. She lifted her heavy lids, her hungry gaze settling on his.
Just a taste , his wolf urged. With restraint, he pressed his lips to hers and she melted into him. Tasting his mate sent desire surging through every cell of his body.
He reluctantly tore his lips from hers. “Hands above your head,” he ordered, his mouth dipping to her chest. “Don’t move.”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice breathy. Gooseflesh broke over her skin as his lips brushed her nipple.
He gently rolled her taut rosy peak between his fingertips, gently pinching as she arched her back, thrusting her breasts toward him. Sucking her nipple into his mouth, he flicked his tongue over it.
“Hunter. I…I…” she breathed.
He groaned, his dick throbbing to be released. The second her fingers speared into his hair, he laughed softly. “You don’t listen well, do you?”
“I do but…” She giggled as he turned her around, bending her over the sofa, resting her arms on its cushions. He smiled as he slipped his fingers under the edges of her panties, slowly tugging them off and tossing them aside. His fingers trailed over her bared bottom, her feral energy sizzling his fingertips. “I’ve been waiting so long to do this but who knew my naughty little princess enjoyed a little kink.”
“You never asked,” she replied, her coy smile hidden by her long mane that feathered around her face onto the sofa.
“Ah, well, we have a lifetime to explore, don’t we? But this,” he paused, palming her ass. “Oh yeah. This. This is nice.”
She wiggled her bottom at him and laughed, her forehead lolling forward onto her arms. “Hmm…you can’t leave me like this.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ve got plans for my bride.” Hunter unzipped his pants, making quick work of shucking his clothing.
“The longer you leave me like this…” She squirmed, widening her legs, deliberately revealing her glistening pussy. “I’m suffering.”
Fuck. Hunter blew out a breath, ready to come just at the sight of her. His devilish mate enjoyed teasing him. A fresh rush of blood surged to his cock. He took his shaft into his palm, giving it a firm stroke, and glanced to the silver bulb. “You know, you’ve got a beautiful ass.”
“Lonely ass. So lonely,” she whined. “I’m dying.”
Hunter smiled at his sassy she-wolf. Reaching for her hips, he pulled her towards him, the broad crown of his dick brushing over her bottom. He tapped his shaft up and through her slick folds. She moaned as the tip teased her clit.
“I can’t wait…” Hunter eased his cock inside her wet pussy, slowly plunging inside her as she adjusted to his size. “Ah.”
“Alpha…yes. More,” she begged, her wrists bound.
Hunter shivered and sucked a breath. Her quivering pussy contracted around his cock, milking him as he slid in and out of her.
“Oh fuck, you feel so good. I could just,” he paused and gave a sharp thrust, plunging himself to the hilt, deep inside her, “fuck you all night long. Ah yeah. But. Toys.”
“No, don’t stop,” Willa panted. As Hunter fucked her harder, her limp body dangled over the sofa, her fingers still curled onto the edge of a cushion.
“This.” He reached for the toy and a small bottle. Willa pushed back on him, sending a fresh rush of arousal to his dick. He resisted the urge to come. “No, no, no movin’, sweetheart. I’ve got somethin’ special here for you.”
“I need…” she breathed.
With his cock still inside her, Hunter dripped the cool gel over her ass and glided the smooth metal plug down her cleft, stopping as it reached her back hole. He gently circled its tip over her puckered skin.
“Easy now.” He sucked a breath, as he pressed it inside her bottom. “There you go…fuck, it’s so tight.”
“Oh Goddess. It’s so…so…” Willa panted, losing her words.
“Almost…there. That’s it. What a pretty ass you have, princess.” Hunter smiled as the pink crystal plug lodged firmly in her ass, her pussy tightening around his cock.
As he slowly withdrew his shaft and slid back inside her, he leaned over Willa, pressing his lips to her shoulders, gently making love to his mate. With every hard thrust, his energy spiraled, arousal building, his orgasm on the edge.
He wrapped his arm around her chest, his palm finding her breast. As he lifted her upward and brought her toward him, his fingers dipped into her slick pussy, teasing her clit.
“Oh, Goddess…” Willa arched her back into him as he drove himself deep inside her. “Fuck me. Hard.”
At his Queen’s demand, he slammed hard inside her core, his orgasm hurling into him. As Willa fell into ecstasy, her pussy contracted, fisting his cock, milking every last tendril of his climax. His wolf growled, in awe of his mate, and Hunter lost himself in feral pleasure, wondering how he’d gone his whole life without her.