Alpha Pack 4 - Hunters Heart (30 page)

Daria’s brows furrowed, her eyes soft with worry.

“Bend your knee. I want to see underneath.” He did,

hissing between his teeth. “Easy. Oh, boy. You have a

matching set on the back of your thigh.”

“Terrific,” he muttered, lying on his back again. “A

human pincushion.”

“Hey, you’re darned lucky he didn’t crush the bone, or

worse, hit an artery. As it is, keeping your leg from getting

infected before we can reach your team will take a

miracle.”

Ryon shrugged. “We’re only losing a couple of days

total by doubling back to get the evidence on August. I’ll

keep.” In truth, the acidic poison from the creature’s bite

was a slow burn in his tissue, seeping toward the bone,

making him sweat.

She gaped at him. “Didn’t you hear what I said? You’re

done. I’m taking you to meet the guys, and you’re going to

let them get you to a hospital.”

“I’m the one who knows where August’s computer

room is located. Without me, you’re done, too.”

Daria frowned. “What do you mean? What computer

room? Is there another— Oh, no. I’m not going to like this,

am I?”

“I got a message from Nick a few minutes ago that he

received some intel on August’s estate. The office and the

computer you were trying to hack is supposedly a decoy.

August keeps the real computer setup in a secret room

underneath the house. It’s made of solid concrete walls,

and the entry door has a keypad. You have to know the

code to gain access.”

“Please tell me Nick was able to get the code.”

“He passed along what he
thinks
might be the code,” he

muttered. “Let’s hope it works.”

“Plan B if it doesn’t?” She knew the answer before he

said it.

“There is no Plan B. If it fails, we’re going to die

together.”

“I won’t accept that. I’ll take one of the Pack with me to

finish the job.”

Another man
. One of his friends, taking care of his mate

while she went into danger. Stupid as it was, a hot spurt of

jealousy stabbed his gut. “No.”

“Be reasonable. That wound is going to get infected,

and with you sick out here, the op is endangered. I’m the

one who knows my uncle’s estate best, secret room or

not.”

The leg could damned well fall off before he’d allow

her to come back into this hellhole without him. The very

thought of having to wait days for word of her safety was

enough to make him sick. And if August caught her, she’d

die horribly. Disappear without a trace.

“We finish this
together
or not at all,” he emphasized.

His tone left no room for further argument. “End of

discussion. Now, patch me up and stop harping at me.”

“Harping?” Daria fisted her hands on her hips and

glared at him. “Stubborn, hardheaded idiot!”

She looked like an angry goddess with her shiny raven

hair falling around her shoulders. He couldn’t help but

manage a tired smile.

“And you are my angel. I’d wrestle all the beasties in

the universe for you.”

“Oh, Ryon,” she said on a sigh. The irritation on her

lovely face vanished. “You’re impossible.”

“Kiss me,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“I think I can handle that.”

Cupping his cheek, she bent and covered his lips in a

slow, tender kiss. So good, so right. A warm, fuzzy haze

descended over him and he became weightless. Daria’s

touch had a way of banishing the ache in his body, his

heart.

As he watched her clean and dress his wounds, he

prayed that they would survive this and go home.

Where they both belonged.

• • •

Afternoon light penetrated Daria’s eyelids and she stifled

a groan as she awoke from the brief, unplanned nap. Much

more pleasant was the weight of warm, solid male draped

across her. Too warm. Obviously, he’d needed the rest.

“What am I going to do with you?” she whispered,

combing his hair out of his face; then she touched his

forehead and uttered a curse. He had a fever. Carefully,

she wiggled out of his hold.

Ryon’s lashes fluttered open. For a couple of seconds

he seemed confused. Then it passed and he pushed up to a

sitting position and gave her a boyish grin.

“Hey, beautiful. I woke up to find my arms empty. Now,

why is that?”

“I had to breathe, for one. You were squashing me.”

In an instant, his expression turned sorrowful. “Sorry.

Come here and allow me to check your sweet person for

bruises.” The predatory gleam in his eyes made her pulse

race.

“Oh, you are
so
bad.”

“I’m trying. A little cooperation, please?”

“Take it easy, hotshot. You’re already getting a fever.”

“Yes,” he growled meaningfully. “I am.”

Ryon patted the blanket beside him and her gaze dipped

south. He was gloriously naked, and not a man to let an

injury get in the way of his desires. “I can see that.”

“See what you do to me?” He cupped the back of her

head and drew her to him.

Her mate captured her mouth, tongue sweeping inside,

devouring. Hot and demanding, it speared her, darting in

and out. Tasting, igniting the flames. He wasn’t asking.

This was 100 percent pure male, taking what belonged to

him, and it sent a thrill of joy straight into her soul.

He took her hand, guided it to him. “Only yours, angel.”

The smooth texture of him was wondrous. Satin and

steel. She was glad she’d undressed before joining him for

their nap as he bent and captured one delicate nipple in his

teeth. He grazed it, sending little circles of delight through

her belly.

His fingers crept along the inside of her thigh until they

found her center. They flicked the little nub until she

moaned, spreading her legs wider. He dipped two fingers

inside, stroking, driving her mad.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “So hot and wet.”

“Ryon, please.”

He gave a wicked laugh, rubbing the sensitive mound

with deliberate slowness. Any second, she would fly

apart.

“Please what?”

“I need you inside me,” she panted.

Ryon hauled her into his lap facing him, her legs

straddling his thighs. He hissed in pain as she bumped his

bandages. Before she could scoot off him, big hands

encircled her waist. He lifted her slightly, then seated her

atop him, burying his shaft deep.

Linking her arms around his neck, she looked into his

face, and began to pump her hips. Lips turned up, he gazed

back, the raw sexual heat in his eyes threatening to burst

her into flames.

“That’s it, ride me. I’m yours,” he murmured.

Daria thrilled at his words, as the two of them joined

together. The slick hardness of him, filling her completely.

Sliding up and down, she moved slowly at first, needing to

become familiar with every inch of him. Every decadent

sensation. She leaned into him, stroking her bud along his

shaft, flirting with making them both lose control.

“Daria, baby, you’re killing me.”

Ryon’s breathless plea pushed her over the edge. He’d

closed his eyes and tilted back his head, cupping her

bottom. This big, strong man had given himself over to her

seduction. A powerful, feral beast, tamed in her arms.

She’d never seen anything so totally erotic.

Her control shattered and she rode Ryon hard. She

clasped him tight, hands splayed on his back, enjoying the

play of his muscles as he met her thrusts. Molten waves

crashed over them, carrying them on a red tide. He went

rigid, his cry of fierce, savage pleasure mingling with

hers, merging their souls. Spasms rocked them as his

release poured into her.

They held each other for a while, unmoving. A tendril

of fear snaked its way into her heart that this happiness

was fleeting. That she would lose him before this was

over.

“We should get ready to go. The day is almost gone,”

Ryon pointed out.

“Wish we didn’t have to.”

“There’s nothing I’d like more than to blow off this

whole thing.” He sighed. “Sometimes it sucks being the

good guy.”

“I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

He winked. “Really? Because I’m saving my bad boy

side just for you.”

“Sounds good to me.”

They began to gather their things and finally headed out

for her uncle’s estate. If they managed to escape him a

second time, it would be a miracle.

• • •

The scent of his mate on his own skin was driving him out

of his frigging mind. He wanted to throw her to the ground

and make love to her again. And again.

The woman had turned his heart inside out. Like a little

boy playing with matches, he hadn’t been able to resist her

spark. The flames would burn out of control, consume

them. And it would be worth the burn.

He wasn’t sure whether he’d tasted heaven or had been

cast into hell. Probably both. Pausing, he wiped the sweat

from his brow. Her nearness wasn’t the only reason he

was about to spontaneously combust.

“Are you okay?” Daria asked, touching his shoulder.

He turned and gave her his best reassuring smile. “No

worries.”

She wasn’t buying. Feeling his forehead for the

hundredth time, she scowled. “I think your fever is getting

worse, and you’re limping.”

“I was nearly the main course for lunch. Of course I’m

limping.”

“Men can be such idiots. Here, let me take your

temperature again.”

She slung her pack off, but he laid a hand on her arm. “I

a m
not
putting another one of those paper thermometers

under my tongue. Put it away, will you? You’re starting to

freak me out.”

“You’ve had worse things in your mouth, my wolf. And

last time I checked it was one hundred point three.”

“From being near
you
, angel.”

She scowled. “Insufferable man.”

He sighed in exasperation, but he had to admit it was

nice being fussed over by his beautiful woman. “You’ve

cleaned and changed the dressings. There’s nothing else to

do, so stop worrying.”

“The wounds are red and angry, Ryon. We need to get

you out of here.”

“And we will, as soon as the job is done.”

Daria uttered a ripe curse, and he laughed. “Come on,

my stubborn mate. Let’s go.”

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, except for

Daria’s occasional poking and prodding. They talked

about trivial subjects, mostly growing up, families, and

school. He learned that Daria had been valedictorian of

her senior class, while he’d been the guy voted most likely

to wind up in the Marines, like his father, though he’d

taken a different path with the Navy. He’d had a bit of

wandering spirit, even in his youth.

Close to dusk, they made camp as close to August’s

estate as he dared. He found a secluded spot in the foliage

for them to await their next move.

Daria checked his wounds and temperature again,

clearly unhappy. “Nearly one hundred and two. Your wolf

isn’t fighting this off.”

“We’ll be inside August’s complex tonight, right after

dark, get what we came for, transfer those files to the

compound, and then we’re out. By this time tomorrow,

we’ll be on our way home. I’m good.”

“Getting away will be twice as dangerous as before,

and you’re getting sick. Why don’t you wait outside and

save your strength while I go in and—”

His patience snapped. “Not a fucking chance. Don’t

push this.”

“Fine, be an ass.” Daria fell quiet.

Ryon studied Daria from under his lashes. She sat on

the ground with her knees drawn up to her chin, arms

around her legs. He thought she planned to ignore him until

it was time for the job, but he was wrong.

“I love you,” she said quietly.

“I love you, too, baby.” He met her gaze, throat tight.

“Listen. If I don’t make it, get the hell out and get to the

team. Don’t look back.”

“Forget that. I won’t leave you.” She paused. “What if

neither of us makes it?”

“Then try to hold my hand so we’re not alone.” He

reached out to her and she clasped her fingers in his, their

previous argument forgotten in light of the danger to come.

“I promise.”

By nightfall, she hadn’t let go of him. Saying a quick

prayer, he nodded at her. Cautiously, they made their way

to the very edge of the property.

The estate stood eerily silent. A few lights were on

inside the grounds, the glow reminding Ryon of multiple

eyes on a huge poisonous spider, crouched and waiting in

the darkness.

Time to slay the beast.

Thirteen

Only a couple of armed guards were visible, hovering

near the corners of the main house. Looks, however, were

deceptive.

“Where is everyone?” Daria whispered, palming the

SIG he’d given to her. “He always had several more

guards posted whenever I visited.”

“Many of them are still out looking for us. The rest are

around. If they spot us, it’ll be like kicking a fire ant