Hunter couldn’t explain what drove him to kiss her. He knew it was wrong. Jesus. Six hours ago, they’d all met at a barbeque in Hell, and here he was tasting the lovely she-wolf he’d rescued. Lies rolled off her tongue yet he yearned to taste her mouth.
He didn’t press her too much for the truth. If there was one thing Hunter knew, it was that secrets ate at the soul of a person. He’d watched her keep herself tightly wound, hedging, then telling one of her well-crafted answers. While it was clear she believed she put him in danger, she hadn’t fully explained why.
Willa still hadn’t shifted, something rare for a wolf. In his entire existence, he’d only seen a handful of wolves unable to shift after an injury. Unless they were about to die from a mortal wound or suffering the ill effects from dark magick, wolves could always transform, healing themselves.
Something about her felt familiar, as if he’d known her his entire life. Her unusual energy intrigued him. He should have walked away but with her in his arms, he indulged his desires. Her honeyed kiss lured him under her spell, her feminine scent stirring his wolf to rise. If only he could keep her.
Hunter gathered his strength, resisting the temptation to touch her further. As his lips brushed over her ear, his contemplation was broken. Fucking vampire .
“You know, I thought I was good, but you’ve got some sick moves, bro. No, no, no…keep going, please.” Viktor gave a sly smile and winked at Willa. “She is smokin’. Or is that just Hell I still smell?” He pinched his shirt and sniffed.
“What the actual fuck?”
“What?” Viktor shrugged, fell back into a chair and propped his feet on the ottoman. “Jesus, this has been a long month. I really need a vacation.”
“Where’s Ilsbeth?” Hunter shot to his feet. “Tell me she’s handcuffed somewhere. You did not just leave her upstairs.”
“Do you take me for a fool?”
“Who’s Ilsbeth?” Willa asked.
“Seriously.” Hunter rolled his eyes. “Who here got captured and put in Hell?” He glanced to Willa. “No offense. I’m not talking about you. Although I know there’s more to your story than you’re telling me.”
“She’s indisposed.” Viktor answered, his gaze drifting around the room. “Nice digs. It’s not exactly my taste, of course…rustic. Fitting for a wolf. Classic in its own way, I suppose.”
“What the fuck did you do with Ilsbeth?” Hunter’s voice reverberated throughout the room.
“Who is Ilsbeth?” Willa sat straight up on the sofa.
“Why, she’s the witch, of course,” he answered
Willa’s head snapped towards the vampire. “There’s a witch in this house?”
“Interesting. She’s worried about the witch.” Victor dropped his fangs, giving her a broad, toothy smile. “You’d think she’d be more concerned about the vampire in the room.”
“Who are you?” Willa asked.
“Where is the fucking witch?” Hunter demanded.
“I took care of things.” Viktor sniffed again, this time into the air. “Is something burning?”
“It’s the grill. Don’t worry about it. Where? Is she?” Hunter struggled to control his anger at the vampire’s nonchalant attitude.
“Ilsbeth is under control, man. Just chill. Like seriously, did you think I’d leave her by herself?”
“No, no, no.” Knowing it would be counterproductive to saving his ass, Hunter resisted the urge to choke him. “You did not fucking let her go.”
“Do you take me for a fool? We’re talking about Ilsbeth. I took her where she belongs. New Orleans.” Viktor stood and crossed the room to the kitchen, waving a hand in the air. “But don’t worry.”
“She threatened to leave, didn’t she?” The Alpha rolled his eyes. “Of course, she did. That fucking bitch.”
Hunter stormed across the room and slammed his fist onto the cold granite countertop. Willa flinched at the sound, but kept her eyes trained on the vampire.
“Yeah, about that bitch thing.” Viktor glanced to the seasoned steaks that lay on a plate. He wrinkled his nose. “Something is definitely burning.”
“I just told you. It’s the grill, for fuck’s sake.”
“Let’s get to it. Can’t you see she is starving?” Viktor smiled at Willa, who sat across the room, wearing an expression of annoyance. “Please continue making sexy with the pretty wolf. Although you probably need to tend to that burning first.”
“What do you know about wolves and hunger? You don’t even eat.” Hunter plowed his fingers through his hair. “Why the fuck did you take Ilsbeth back to New Orleans? I told you I needed to talk to her. I want to know her involvement in this. What was she doing in Hell? Who put her there?”
“I don’t know the details, but I suspect whatever demon she’d traded favors with had come callin’. Time to pay the piper. Could’ve been for the black magick she used to try to trick Dimitri. Could be for something else we don’t even know about. Who knows? Who cares?”
“Where exactly is she?” Hunter asked, keeping a concerned eye on Willa as she stood and walked to the fire, her back to both of them.
“Ilsbeth is where she belongs…in the coven.” Viktor looked to Hunter. “I can cook if you let me. I used to be a chef.”
“No, you didn’t. Fuck off, vamp. The only thing you know about is blood. Quintus told me you don’t eat.” Hunter took a deep breath, restraining his anger. He reached for the plate of steaks and curled a finger around the door handle. As he slid the glass open, fresh air rushed into his lungs and he stepped outside onto the porch. He proceeded to fork the meat onto the grill, a hiss sounding as the hot metal seared the steaks.
Viktor raised an eyebrow at him, smiled and glanced to Willa. He closed the door, keeping his voice lowered to a whisper. “She doesn’t remember me.”
“She’s struggling,” Hunter sighed.
Viktor leaned against the door. “I meant what I said. I didn’t hurt her. But her lack of memories? She’s traumatized. It was Hell. Who knows how long she was there? And speaking of which, why hasn’t she shifted? It would help. She still has a few bruises. Granted, they look like they’re better but…”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure what’s happening.” Hunter flipped the steak. “It’s what you said. Something’s different about her. She’s special.”
“I already told you that.”
“No. I mean it. There’s something else. I’m not talking about how she tastes.”
“Well, this is interesting.” Viktor laughed. “Are you smitten?”
“Smitten? Who the fuck even uses that word?” Hunter snapped.
“You are. Fancy that.”
“Ilsbeth left the coven before,” Hunter commented, changing the subject back to the witch. “What makes you think she won’t get on her broom and fly the coop again?”
“Ilsbeth won’t be going anywhere. And more importantly, nothing will be getting in to take her. Samantha will take care of it. Don’t worry yourself with the witch. Pay attention to the wolf you brought back. Willa, she’s a lovely little…”
“What do you know of Willa?” Hunter’s heart pounded as he said her name. “You fed from her. So fucking what? You have no claim to her.”
“No, but apparently the thought of it really twists you up. Delightful as that is, I can’t claim to know anything about her except she was used as a blood slave in Hell. I’m afraid that’s it.”
“She said someone is after her and I believe her. Going into Hell on purpose would be…”
“Stupid. Idiotic.”
“Saving your ass? Yes, it was. I’m definitely questioning that course of action.”
“Ah, but you care. Should we hug it out?”
“No, I’m good. I care about her. You? Not so much.”
“You risked your life for me.” Viktor put his arm around Hunter, who immediately shoved it away.
“I did that for Quintus. And you? Jesus, what is your issue?”
“Fine, but you’d better pay attention to the steaks because you’re about to overcook them. They taste better mooing. Nice and bloody.”
“Tell me more about Ilsbeth.” Hunter caught sight of Willa crossing the room toward the kitchen.
“I didn’t want to keep her here, around you and the girl. As much as she helped me down there,” Viktor gestured to the ground, “I can’t risk it. As soon as you wrap up things with the she-wolf, we can go back to New Orleans and deal with her.”
“New Orleans?”
“You gotta admit, we could have a good time.”
“Plenty of good times here in Jackson Hole. I need to stay with my pack.”
“Don’t be salty about me letting Ilsbeth go. You’ve got your hands full here. She’s a complication you don’t need.”
“That fucking bitch. Let me tell you. Going into Hell? I sure as shit never expected to find her. I was only goin’ in for you. But when I saw her. Fuck.” Hunter shook his head and locked his gaze on Viktor. “You know Ilsbeth. I knew her back when. Long before she was the High Priestess . People who know her say she is a double-edged sword. She was never all bad. Maybe yes. Maybe no. I say it depends which side of the sword you’re looking at and if she’s shoving it through ya. But man, I could have killed her myself for what she did to Dimitri. And hey, I still get it. People didn’t want her to be guilty. A million stories about the others she’s helped over the years. Just because she fell for D. I don’t know. She’s a cold bitch in my book. Ah, fuck. I don’t know. Down there in Hell, knowing you, knowing Ilsbeth, suspecting she’d helped you? I didn’t think twice. Saved her ass too. But still, I’ve gotta know what she did with Dimitri. I want to ask her myself. And more importantly, I wanna know how and why she was in Hell.”
“She helped to save your girl in there. That part is true,” Viktor said.
“So you say, but I have some questions for her.” Hunter forked the steak onto a plate and glanced to Willa who stood in the kitchen, her eyes on his. “There’s something about her, yeah?”
“Ilsbeth? Well, she’s certainly a force to be reckoned…”
“Not the witch. I’m talking about Willa. She’s a doctor.”
“Doctor, huh?” Viktor dragged out his comment with a cheeky smile. “I bet she has a good bedside manner.”
“You’re an asshole,” Hunter snapped. He reached for the grill and switched off the gas. He stopped and glared at the vampire. “Look, Vik. Can you go easy? Willa isn’t shifting. Like you said, she’s traumatized. I want to give her some time to….” The Alpha glanced to her once again. His rogue she-wolf had begun peeling a banana and he silently counted the seconds as she slid the firm fruit between her lips. Jesus, what is she doing to me? “It’s just she’s not really ready to…”
“She looks plenty ready to me.” Viktor laughed as Willa bit down hard onto the banana.
“She, uh, she…” Hunter caught sight of Willa smiling at him, her tongue brushing over her bottom lip. Holy shit. His hand shook as he lifted the plate.
“Oh yeah. She’s ready all right.”
“Shut the fuck up, vampire,” Hunter responded, keeping his eyes on Willa.
“Stop being all sappy. You’re going to make me sick. Move along. I’ll come watch you eat meat. Doesn’t seem right, cooking it so thoroughly. With you being wolves and all, I’d expect you to eat it raw.”
“Quintus cooks. He eats. You know you might like it. Get with the whole ‘I live among humans’ program. I know it might be torturous for you, but you might want to at least try it.”
“Quintus has gone soft. Not me. I’m a purist. It’s been way too long for me to ever consider food. Sex and power. Now those are two things I can’t give up.” He laughed.
“It’s not a pick one or the other scenario. The human experience is expansive. For us, even more so. I’m talking life. Be well-rounded, man.” Hunter held the plate up to his face and sniffed. “Ah yeah. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. Nothing like it. Go on. Smell it.”
Hunter shoved the food toward Viktor. “Tell me you don’t miss it. Don’t lie.”
“Fine. Fine.” The blond vampire leaned over and sniffed briefly, then rolled his eyes. “Sorry, does nothing for me. Absolutely nothing.”
“Don’t just pretend to smell it. Go on,” Hunter insisted.
Viktor raised an eyebrow and shook his head as he reluctantly acquiesced to his demand, inhaling its scent with a slight smile.
“That’s right, Hollywood. It’s good. So good.” Hunter grinned in victory, aware he’d discovered the vampire’s secret desire.
“It’s just a momentary weakness. I’ll be fine. Are there any donors out here in the middle of nowhere?” He sighed.
“Not many. I could call on a she-wolf I know. She’s into being bitten. We’ve got a small blood club if you want to dine out. Probably your best bet.”
“A wolf would do. I’m not picky.” Viktor’s gaze drifted to Willa. “She really doesn’t remember me. Maybe she’d be interested.”
Hunter stopped cold, his anger spiking at the vampire’s implied threat. “If you ever touch her again, you’re dead. You aren’t drinking from her. Never. Ever. Again.”
“Joking. Jesus, wolf. As if.”
“We’re clear?” Hunter growled. Willa’s trauma had destroyed her wolf, and like fuck he’d let the blood sucker bite her again.
“Of course. It’s not like I was really going to…”
“It’s time to eat.” Hunter ignored Viktor as he slid open the door, brushed past him and strode into the kitchen.
“That it is…I’ll be back.”
“Thank you. This was amazing.” Willa brought the wine glass to her lips.
“I’ve thought about starting my own cooking show. I’m pretty sure it’ll be a hit,” Hunter joked, attempting to lighten the mood. She’d been quiet during dinner.
“If you make steaks this delicious, I’m sure everyone would tune in to see you.” Willa glanced at her near empty plate, her smile slowly fading.
“Look Willa. I’m sorry…you see, the conversation I had with Viktor, he’s the friend I went in to save.”
“A vampire?” she asked, her tone soft.
“Yeah.”
“And why does an Alpha save a vampire?”
“He’s a friend.” Hunter shrugged. “Maybe more like a friend of a friend. He was caught up in something. Kidnapped really. Well, technically, he went after the demon. She was more of a zombie really.”
Willa stared at him wide-eyed with a closed smile.
“It’s, uh, it’s complicated.”
“I bet.” Willa took another sip of her wine and set it on the table.
“He’s special.” Hunter inwardly cringed realizing he’d used the same word to describe Willa.
“Yeah, he seems very…unique.”
Hunter laughed. “You could say that.”
“You make it a habit to go into Hell for vampires? You must be a pretty good friend.”
“Quintus. He’s from New York. We got in some heated situations together.” Hunter’s mind flashed to the ménage he’d shared with him and Gabriella, his mate, and decided to skip that discussion. “Let’s just say we became close. And Viktor, well, he can kind of be a bit of an asshole but he’s not all bad.”
“And the disappearing thing he does?”
“It’s an ancient thing. Like us wolves. The legends say…” As a child, he’d been told about an original family of wolves who sparked the legacy of their race.
“Don’t believe in fairy tales,” she warned.
“Real life isn’t too far off from fairy tales. Quint. Vik. They’re thousands of years old. So when I say ‘ancient’, they are the beginning of their species. I’m not saying they’re the only ones. But those two…they’re the real deal. Blood brothers. Same sire. They’re close. Quintus just found his mate. There’s no way I could let him go to Hell. He’d just found her, and she needed him. Open that portal and you never know when you’ll get back. When Viktor was kidnapped, I had no other choice.”
“We all have a choice. You made the choice to sacrifice your life. For your friends. For me. I’ll always be grateful.”
“I would never have left you.” Unfamiliar emotions stirred in his chest as a shy smile crossed her face and she tilted her head, flashing her demure eyes at him. Hunter sucked a breath and rose, gathering the dishes. “Sometimes life is about doing the right thing. The universe placed you in my path. It’s no accident.”
“Let me help you clean up,” she insisted.
“No way. You’re a guest. Besides Paul will be by tomorrow, and he’ll take care of all this. He usually watches my place when I’m gone. Since I’ve been away, he’s been off seeing his cousins in New Orleans, but he’ll be back tomorrow.”
“A butler?” she laughed. “Fancy.”
“Who? Paul? Sort of, but I like to think of him as more of an assistant. A jack of all trades. Keeps things in order.”
“I can help you though.” Willa reached for the silverware but stilled as Hunter placed his hand upon hers.
As Hunter’s palm rested over her delicate fingers, his body stirred in awareness. He attempted to ignore it and focused on his words. “I mean it now. Not only are you a guest but you’ve had a rough go. I’m not going to let anything else happen to you. This will just take a minute and then I want to talk to you about this leaving business again. Go on now. Have a seat on the sofa and I’ll be right there.”
Hunter’s chest tightened as she smiled at him, and he quickly removed his hand as if he’d touched fire. Jesus, there was something about her energy that drew him, confused him…aroused him.
Shoving the feelings away, he returned the smile and set off to pile the dishes in the sink. He began rethinking his grand plan to have her stay in his house. It’d been weeks since he’d been with a woman, and that alone should explain his attraction. But there was something about her that stirred his wolf. He didn’t want to have sex with just any woman. The Alpha craved Willa, the hunger burning deep inside his gut.
He reminded himself that she planned to leave. His wolf urged him to chase her, but much as he was tempted, his responsibility was to his pack, not a rogue wolf he’d picked up in Hell. He should show her the guest room and go for a run with his beta.
The sound of tinkling piano keys caught his attention. He smiled as the familiar classical music began to fill the room. The beautiful she-wolf was full of surprises.
He studied her as he made his way over to the piano, watching her delicate fingers effortlessly drifting over the ivory. Her expression was relaxed, lost in the music. As he sat down next to her, she smiled at him. When the music ended, her hands rested on the keyboard.
“It’s beautiful. Please. Don’t stop.”
She nodded and took a breath, her fingers depressing the keys. Hunter brushed his hands beside hers and began to play in unison. He’d learned the romantic duet nearly a hundred years ago. Willa’s pace slowed as he joined her and she smiled, her eyes on his. Several minutes of pure bliss passed as their fingers moved in tandem. The rhythm danced, escalating into a crescendo, ending with a whisper of a note.
Deafening silence filled the air. Hunter’s blood raced. As her pinky brushed his, his cock stirred.
“You play,” she whispered.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Sorry?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve played…the piano.” Cared about a woman. Hunter closed his eyes. The closeness of being next to her tempted him. Fuck. No. Don’t do this, Hunter. He knew it was wrong. He’d just met her. She was leaving. Getting involved with a rogue wolf was trouble. There was always a reason they left a pack, and whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Tell her goodnight. Don’t be stupid.
As her eyes met his, his arousal spiked, and his judgment wavered. Just a little taste.
“Alpha.” Willa lost her words as her gaze fell to his lips.
“Willa…” Hunter knew everything about kissing the beautiful she-wolf was wrong. But as his lips brushed hers, he was convinced nothing could be more right. His hands gently cupped her face, his mouth dancing with hers, his tongue probing. The sweet taste of her essence drove him wild. As he deepened the kiss, Willa moaned, her hands wrapping around him. Blood rushed to his cock and his hands reached for her waist.
His wolf sought hers. His beast told him this stranger, this gorgeous woman was pack. He shoved the piano stool back, devouring her mouth. The temptation to make love to her surged, and he lifted her by her waist onto his lap. She wrapped her hands around his neck, their lips crushed upon each other’s.
As she writhed on his rock-hard erection, his cock throbbed in arousal. His hand drifted under the fabric of her shirt, finding her breast. Hunter grazed his thumb over her taut nipple. She arched her back, her chest thrusting toward his, and moaned.
What am I doing? Hunter knew he should stop, but his beast went feral as her lips moved to his neck, and she nipped at his skin. His palms slid down from her breast over her belly, teasing the waistband of her pants. Her hands gripped his shoulders as he slipped his fingers beneath the soft fabric and delved them into her slick folds.
“Alpha,” she cried.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his lips on her neck.
“Ah…I…” Her forehead fell to his chest as he plunged a thick finger inside her tight core.
Hunter smiled at how wet she was for him, yet he exercised restraint.
“Please,” she begged, her hips thrusting into his hand.
The Alpha grunted as she shifted, her bottom grazing his stiff cock. Willa lifted her head, softly panting, her eyes on his. A silent connection sizzled between them, her electric energy surrounding him.
Hunter added another finger, sliding it deep inside her heat. His thumb teased over her swollen nub causing her to suck an audible breath.
“I…I…” Willa lost her words as she gripped his shoulders.
His mouth crushed onto hers as she splintered apart. He devoured her with his kiss, tasting the delicious she-wolf. She shook in his arms, moaning as he slowly removed his hand and held her gently.
Fucking hell, this woman was wild, feral as she bit at his skin. It’d be so easy to make love to her, to take her upstairs and fuck the hell out of her. But as familiar as her energy was to him, she emanated her own unique vibrations. She claimed to be wolf, yet she couldn’t shift. None of it should matter. She’d be gone from his life as quickly as he’d discovered her.
Hunter groaned into their kiss, his cock throbbing as she undulated on his lap. Don’t do it, his conscience urged him. Fuck. As he tore his lips from hers, she reached for his dick and he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. They exchanged a heated gaze, Hunter’s forehead resting upon hers.
“Sweetheart, you tempt me but…” His words were interrupted by a familiar voice.
“You’re seriously going to stop? Late to the party as always,” Viktor commented.
Hunter took a deep breath, protectively wrapping his arms around Willa, sensing her tense beneath his embrace.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Hunter shot at Viktor.
“Ah well, you know I have the ability to move quickly. The perks of being a vampire. Just coming to warn you there’s been a bit of a tiff here in quiet Jackson Hole.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your little resident blood club. Blue Moon. The name seems a trifle cliché, but I was able to find a donor there.”
“What’s going on?” Willa asked, her arms tight around the Alpha.
“I heard a rumor from a lovely little ginger. A human. She told me about a gang of thugs who roughed up her brother earlier today.”
“I’m having trouble getting past the fact your donor is sharing information with you.” Hunter desperately tried to ignore his painful erection.
“Unlike animals, I’m quite civilized,” Viktor replied in a smug tone of voice.
“It could have been anyone.”
“She said her brother was ambushed on his ranch. Gave him a beat down. Said they shifted into wolves.”
Hunter released an audible sigh. Every now and then rogue wolves joined a pseudo pack of wolves, actively working together.
“They’ve come for me,” Willa whispered.
“It’s possible they’re just another pack of rogues. They move through every now and then. We round em’ up and scare them off. I can’t have them fucking with the humans and drawing attention to the pack.”
“I could smell the fear tonight in your little town. Your humans are buzzing about scared.”
“Viktor, I don’t have time for hyperbole.”
“I can also taste it. Her blood had a smidgen of fear in it. Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. Gives it a little kick. Did I mention the brother got sent to the hospital?”
“Fuck all.”
“Seems you may have an infestation. I’d be happy to help.” His eyes fell to Willa and back to the Alpha. “Looks like you have your hands full.”
“I do, which is why you need to stop that flashing shit and knock like a…”
“Human?” he smirked.
“Normal person,” Hunter replied.
“I’ve got to go,” Willa said, tugging away from Hunter.
“Willa.” He knew he should ask her to stay but responsibility to his pack came first. As she slipped out of his arms, a sense of loss twisted through him. What was it about this female that stirred his emotions? His gaze lingered on her as she stood and fiercely stared down the vampire.
“Don’t leave on my account,” Viktor said blithely.
“Vampires don’t scare me.” She turned her focus back to Hunter. “The wolves that put me in Hell. It could be them.”
“It could be any rogues. The fact is that we get them sometimes. They come through the mountains into the valley. The troublemakers have a false sense that they will be more protected, but then they get here and have to deal with my pack. And the ones not looking to cause shit, just stay a short time and move on.”
“But they could be the same ones,” she insisted.
“Or not. But one thing is clear, we’ve got a bad bunch who just roughed up a human. They could be a danger to other humans or even my pack. We’ve gotta round em’ up and ship em’ out.”
“Or kill them. Yes, see how I fixed that?” Viktor walked around the piano and stood by the fire.
“If I leave Jackson Hole, they’ll leave you all alone. I’ve got to get to New Orleans and then back to Guatemala.”
“Hold on there, Willa. You aren’t going anywhere without me. I know I agreed to let you go but I’ve decided it’s not safe. Just give me time to take care of these assholes and we’ll sort the rest.”
“I don’t have time. Your wolves are at risk and my…” Willa stopped short of finishing her sentence and raked her fingers through her hair with a sigh.
“Your what?” Hunter’s curiosity was piqued.
“Nothing. It’s just…well, my research. I need to get to New Orleans and pick up a few things and then I have to get a flight out.”
“You’re not leaving, sweetheart. Not tonight. You’ll be safe here…”
“You can’t keep me here like one of your wolves. I don’t belong to you,” she countered, defiance flickering in her eyes.
Hunter ignored Viktor’s laugh of amusement. While he admired her fiery spirit, his little rogue wolf tested his patience. “Ah, you see that’s where you’re wrong. Every wolf that roams my land submits to me, as shall you.”
“That’s so not happening. I need to borrow your phone. I’m getting a flight out of here tonight.”
“Sorry sweetheart, there’s no flights going out of Jackson Hole this late. Please. Be my guest. Take a bubble bath or something. We’ll be back in a few hours.” Hunter stood and walked over to the counter and snatched his cell phone, tapping out a text message to his beta.
“You can’t keep me here just because you decide that. As long as I’m here every one of your wolves is in danger. I’m leaving. They’ll have trouble following me to New Orleans.”
“The girl. Did you leave her at the bar?” Hunter ignored Willa’s declaration. With rogue wolves in the area, it wasn’t safe. There was no way he’d let her leave.
“Yes. A bite and a bang and she was on her way. Appears she was planning to dance the night away.” Viktor caught Willa’s look of annoyance. “I don’t want to interfere with your little tiff, but I brought you clothing.”
“What?” Willa asked, her mouth open in surprise.
“You brought her clothes?” Gratitude tempered Hunter’s desire to strangle the vampire.
“I thought I could be of service. Made a quick stop at a boutique before it closed.”
Fucking vampire. The Alpha angrily typed out the rest of his text to Remus, asking him to start a search of the territory. He would set out with Viktor to question the girl and her brother.
“Thank you.” Willa smiled at Viktor, her voice soft. “I’m sorry I don’t remember…”
“No worries at all, pet. If there is one thing I can do easily enough it’s flash in and out for an errand. If you ever decide to dump this wolf, I’d be happy to show you the rest of my tricks. Vampires do it with a bite.” Viktor winked, flashing a flirtatious smile.
Hunter’s jaw ticked as he stuffed the phone into his pocket. He’d called upon a few wolves to monitor the perimeter of his home and keep tabs on Willa. Her icy stare told him she had no plan of submitting any time soon.
“Perhaps you could do me one more tiny favor. Any chance you could get me to New Orleans?”
“Ah…well, of course but you see…” Viktor smiled broadly at Hunter. “I’m afraid I can’t leave the Alpha by himself this evening. He tends to get into trouble. I’d like to think of myself as a…guardian angel.”
Hunter forced himself to remain calm. The fucking vampire was deliberately irritating him. “You.” He pointed at Viktor. “Number one. You’re hardly angelic. And number two. You’re kind of a dick.” Hunter turned his attention to Willa, stalking toward her. “And you.” As he came within two feet of her, his beast howled with arousal. “We have unfinished business. I’m not…” ready to let you go, “letting you go to New Orleans by yourself when I just rescued your sexy little ass out of Hell. You’re right about one thing. Someone is after you, and they could be here or maybe they’re just waiting for you to go home. No. No, I’m not letting you leave by yourself.”
“But…” she protested, her expression softening. “Hunter…”
The sound of his name on her lips caused him to pause. Jesus, what the hell is happening to me? The Alpha questioned his sanity, bringing the stray wolf into his home. And now instead of treating her as he would any other wolf, his judgement was clouding. This temptation, this gorgeous woman, distracted him from all else. He struggled with his emotions and attempted to shove them to the far reaches of his psyche.
“I’ll help you get home once this is over. New Orleans. Guatemala. Wherever you want.”
“I…I could help you.”
“What?”
“Let me come with you. If you find the wolves, I can identify them.”
“This could be dangerous. You can’t even shift,” Hunter said.
“I’ll be fine. I know I’m having trouble but…well, Viktor there.” She gestured to the vampire. Her voice wavered as she spoke. “He can flash me out if there’s trouble and I can’t shift. You can do it, right?”
Viktor laughed. “Why of course, love, but I’m afraid I’ll defer to the Alpha.”
Hunter raised an eyebrow at him, pleased that for once he’d respected his place. The Alpha quickly focused his attention back onto Willa.
“You can come with me tonight if you don’t feel safe here. Vik can flash you back at any sign of trouble.” As the words left his mouth, he wondered just what the hell was happening to him. “But I’m not letting you out of my sight until I know these assholes are caught. Going in and out of hell isn’t an easy thing. So, let’s get one thing straight. As long as you’re here, you belong to me and I’m not going to let anything happen to you or any of my other wolves.”
“I…”
“No arguing, doc. If you try to leave, I’m going to have your ass…” Hunter sighed, inwardly cursing his choice of words. Fuck, all he wanted was her ass and he suspected no matter what happened, his wolf would have her. He shook off the thoughts and continued. “I’m goin’ to be straight with you. I don’t know what you’re hiding but I got a feeling whatever it is, you’re not going to be able to get through it on your own. I know you want to protect other people, but this is my pack. My decision. My responsibility.”
Hunter plowed his fingers through his hair. “At some point, you’re going to have to tell me what secrets you’re keepin’. Because I know you’ve got some. And before you tell me you want to go back on your own, consider this. Whether these rogues are the ones who took you or not, someone is probably looking to find you and put you back in Hell. I can tell you for damn sure that it’s not easy getting in or out of Hell. Whoever put you there is on speed dial with some demon who’s probably itchin’ to get you back. I got lucky finding you. Chances are that if you go back, they’ll hide you so far down you’ll never get out. I get you’ve been living rogue. I do, sweetheart. But now is not the time to go runnin’ off on your own.”
“While I’d love to take your side pet, the Alpha is quite correct,” Viktor added. “You will not survive a second trip to Hell. Even if they bring you back each time they torture you, your soul will die. You won’t make it.”
Hunter detected the flash of pain in the vampire’s eyes, reminding him of the torture he’d endured. The Alpha knew the pain all too well. He reached for Willa’s hand and pressed her palm to his chest.
“I don’t know what they did to you down there, but neither do you. You don’t remember today. But one day, one hour, one minute…you’re going to snap out of whatever’s protecting your mind from remembering and it’s not going to be good. Trust me on this. Let me help you.”
Hunter watched intently as her gaze fell, resigned to her situation. Her silence spoke although her lips never moved. While he’d like to think she’d agreed, he knew she hadn’t given up easily. It wasn’t a sign of submission, but one of temporary acceptance. A brief retreat from her fight; she’d rally. But for now, it’d have to be enough.
Hunter gently curled a finger under her chin. Her lids slowly opened, her gaze meeting his. “I know you’ve been on your own for a long time. And whatever you haven’t told me, that’s okay for now. But I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
Hunter startled as she quickly wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. Her chest rose against his and he sensed it was taking everything she had to keep it together. Family. Love. And he’d do whatever it took to give it to her.