Mating Hunt (21 page)

I can do this
, she assured herself. Arianna dove into the pool. Warm, clear water swirled around her, feeling refreshing and enticing. She began to swim in strong strokes when suddenly the compulsion to shift overrode all else.

She found herself in wolf form, paddling through the pool to the stream and climbed up the stream’s bank to the waiting, larger timber wolf.

After shaking off droplets, she joined him as he ran alongside the stream. Joyous howls split the air from her throat as she followed the wolf, his body sleekly muscled and strong, his tail held high. No longer an outsider from the pack, he was all male, all she needed.

They forded the stream to the other side, when Kyle rested near a flat rock. His keen eyes regarded her with a steady look.

A long, reddened penis, slick and glistening, emerged from his wolven sheath. He loped over to her and affectionately rubbed his nose against her throat.

Sunlight streamed down upon them through the thick oak trees as she moved her tail to the side and presented her bottom to him in preparation for mating. She was ready for this.

He loped behind her and sniffed her bottom, then gave it a slow, gentle lick.

Arianna waited.

She did not wait long.

Once more his cold, wet nose pushed at her bottom. Arousal speared her, her vagina clenching in sweet anticipation. Primitive need filled her as her wolf tensed in anticipation of his thickened penis. Arianna braced her legs and waited.

Kyle mounted her, his paws clutching her sides. His slick, wolven shaft slid into her tight vagina, creating excruciating pleasure. Growling, he very gently clamped his teeth upon her neck, holding her still as he rapidly pumped in and out of her body. Arianna lowered her head and whimpered in excitement. It was right, this mating. Closing her eyes, she savored each powerful thrust of his engorged shaft inside her channel. Then he began thrusting harder, his tight balls slapping against her.

Fear of being overpowered crowded the edges of her mind, but she left her wolf take over. Instinct urged her to remain still, letting him dominate her with this sexual act. Senses sharpened as she quickened, her nostrils flaring at the delicious scent of musk and arousal, and the rich, damp earth where they stood.

His wolven penis began to thicken with each driving motion as his front paws dug into her sides. Then suddenly, he went still as his knot swelled deep inside her. Climax seized her and she howled as Kyle filled her fully, making them one flesh, tied by his wolven cock. Kyle snarled as he orgasmed, thick pulses of semen shooting deep inside her.

Each release of hot ejaculate made her climax again, sending ripples of pleasure pulsing through her. Fur ruffled as she remained submissive as he ejaculated, his orgasm making her come harder and harder until she panted with exhaustion. Finally she slumped to the ground as his climax began to slow.

Several minutes later, Kyle pulled out. She felt his hot breath behind her, as he tenderly licked her vulva.

Then he lay beside her, his body keeping her warm as they dozed off. What seemed like hours later, she awakened to a warm tongue upon her cold nose. Kyle nudged her back to the cave.

Arianna wanted to resist. It was so peaceful here, the cool breeze refreshing, the air crisp and clear. But she knew they could not stay in this land for long. Her wolf urged her to return, for if they remained too long, they could never return.

Together they entered the stream, splashing through the shallow water until reaching the pool, and then swam into the cave. Halfway across, they shifted into Skin form and headed for the waterfall. The gentle spray rejuvenated her, made her feel alive and energetic. She grinned at Kyle as water cascaded on his head and playfully splashed him.

When they finally reached the bank, Arianna collapsed with a deep sigh. Kyle lay next to her and gathered her into his arms. “You okay, sweetheart?”

Unable to form words, she nodded. Never had she felt that wild, nor wanton, or free.

He pushed back a lock of wet blond hair. “You’re my life,” he said in a husky voice. “If I lived only for another day, I’d die happy, if I could lie like this next to you.”

And then she knew he loved her, and she loved him in return.

But what future awaited them outside this mystical cave, where real life faded into the shadows? Could they find a place in the pack that did not accept him?

Kyle found the cell phone and dialed Tristan’s number. It was time to return to reality.

A minute later, they found themselves fully clothed in the same place where they’d fallen into the magick cavern. Their backpacks rested against a rock where the Silver Wizard sat.

The wizard looked amused at Arianna’s stunned expression as she glanced at the sun. “Yes, it’s still early morning, the same time you left. Time slows in the cave.”

Kyle felt back to fighting strength and stamina. He regarded Tristan with a steady look. “Thanks.”

“Thank your protégé. She is the one who healed you.”

Kyle ran a knuckle across her soft cheek, enjoying her blush. “I already have.”

Some things still did not make sense. “You told me you needed my help. For something Elric did?”

Tristan drummed long fingers against the granite rock. “Not anymore.”

“What gives?” Usually he never challenged the Silver Wizard, but he’d also never seen him this tense.

Tristan stood and folded his arms. “It’s a matter best left to me.”

Kyle decided to risk it. “Best left to you, and not the other members of the Brehon? You don’t want to tell them because of the royal fuckup with Elric?”

As the other’s eyes glowed a dangerous ice blue, he added quietly, “I owe you, Tristan. Let me repay you. I want to help.”

Tristan scowled, but his eyes returned to normal. “Very well. Keep this information to yourselves for now. Both of you. Swear to it or I shall return you back to the cave for good.”

After they did, Tristan lowered his voice. “Pandora’s Chest is missing.”

Kyle’s heart dropped to his stomach. Arianna gave him a puzzled look.

Acid churned in his stomach as Tristan explained the legend to Arianna. The chest possessed the power to grant an OtherWorlder’s dearest wish, but at a great price. Once the chest was opened, it released tendrils of magick to lure more victims into seizing the chest for themselves, igniting hope their wildest dreams were within reach.

“Only the Brehon knew of the chest’s hiding place in Tir di non,” Tristan said. “I am its guardian, and Elric was the keeper of the keys. I only recently discovered the chest was gone and that Elric had created a duplicate. He sold the real chest in exchange for test subjects for his breeding experiments. The male and female you released, Arianna, were sold by their alpha.

Sudden realization struck Kyle. “That’s why the Ogres were stirred up on the mountain.”

“Pandora’s Chest is why the trolls banded together. They were united in the mutual desire to find the chest, for they believe it contains all the gold they crave. The chest’s magick caused them to act out of character.”

The wizard squatted down and drew symbols in the dirt. The earth shimmered and showed images like a movie reel. Elric stood over the shadowy figure of a man opening the chest inside the cavern. The man slammed the chest shut and nodded.

The Silver Wizard waved a hand. The images faded, replaced with dirt and rock once more.

“But if the chest was opened, why wasn’t our pack affected?” Arianna asked.

Tristan regarded her quietly. “You were. Your pack’s true desire is to find and claim mates. The urge has been present all along, but when the chest was opened, it amplified the pack’s need.”

“Who bought the chest? Need me to hunt him down?” Kyle asked.

Tristan’s expression turned stony. “He is dead. The chest is still on his property. The alpha male failed to realize the consequences. For all the good Pandora’s Chest releases, it releases a terrible evil as well, an evil that has struck down his pack.”

“The same pack the two Lupines were from. Will they be okay?” she asked.

“I placed them with another wolf pack. There are events transpiring I shall work to my advantage.” The Silver Wizard’s voice had an edge to it. “Return now to your pack. If Aiden questions you, tell him there has been a release of dark magick and he should remain vigilant, or suffer the consequences.”

Kyle didn’t care for the ominous, barely veiled warning.

“Let’s go home. Back to our home,” she whispered.

How he wanted to acknowledge this, that they could have a home together.

“About the bargain I made with you, Tristan,” he began.

“The bargain was for if you leave the pack. The choice is still yours.” The wizard gave him a sly smile.

“What is he talking about, Kyle?” Ari asked.

“Nothing.” Kyle wouldn’t share his devil’s bargain unless Aiden accepted him into the pack.

As they started down the mountain, Tristan called out. Kyle turned.

“You may have an unexpected visitor waiting for you.”

“Great. You sound like a Chinese fortune cookie. Details would be nice,” Arianna told him.

“But this visitor is not for you. Kyle, I will say this. Do you think I’d allow randy Satyrs to always take females against their will? Have you considered perhaps the legends are not true?”

“If my mother wasn’t forced, then why would she mate with a Satyr?”

An inscrutable look crossed the wizard’s face. “That, my friend, you must discover for yourself.”

Kyle had a bad feeling about this. The bad feeling grew stronger the closer they drew to the ranch. When they stepped off the pathway, his cabin sat squarely before him. A sense of familiarity stole over him. Someone was here. He scented it, sensed it in his bones.

They rounded the cabin and dumped their packs onto the porch. Kyle jiggled the doorknob. Still locked.

Arianna gasped. “Kyle, look. Near the picnic table.”

Near the spot where he and Ari had enjoyed eating outdoors was a cluster of pine trees. A tall cowboy stepped out from behind a tree and approached the cabin.

Kyle pushed Arianna behind him as the cowboy drew closer. A man with green eyes exactly like his own, his same height and dark brown hair.

At the porch steps, the cowboy pushed his Stetson up and nodded. “Hello, son. I’ve been waiting for your return.”

K
NIFELIKE PAIN TWISTED
through him. The man professing to be his sire looked hesitant, yet hopeful, a hope he wanted to crush beneath his boot heels.

The man paused on the porch steps. “Name’s Corrin. Been working as a ranch hand in Utah, then decided to pack up and see Montana. Heard rumors of another Satyr around these parts and knew it was you. I had to meet you.”

“I have no father,” Kyle bit out. “My father is dead to me.”

“Kyle,” Arianna began.

The cowboy nodded. “I’ve given you no reason to want to meet me. Deserted you before you were born. But I did sire you. And I’ll prove it.”

The male changed form, and Kyle’s heart banged hard. The small, bone-white horns erupting on his forehead, the dark fur pelt on his lower half, the long, thick penis, and the pointed ears.

The male shifted back, clothed in jeans, fleece shirt, boots and hat, looking like a middle-aged cow hand. He gave Arianna an apologetic glance. “Sorry, miss. Didn’t mean to alarm you, but knew I had to prove to Kyle I’m his real father.”

Father? A father was someone who stuck around, gave his son advice, defended him from Lupines itching to brand him as a deviant. Kyle felt as if someone kicked him hard in the stomach.

“The Satyr footprints I found near my cabin, that was you?”

“Yeah. I tracked you down. Tried to gather my courage to knock at your front door. But I lost my nerve.”

Kyle clasped Arianna’s hand, reassuring himself she was safe. Hell, he didn’t care about this bastard who gave him his DNA. All he cared about was her.

Corrin shuffled a worn boot heel against the porch step and did not meet her gaze. “I’m sorry for scaring you. Was just concerned about the boy, here.”

“I’m not a boy,” Kyle replied, his jaw tensing.

“No, you’re not. But you’re still my son. Need to tell you something after all these years. And I wanted to see what kind of male you turned out to be.”

The kind of male you’ll never become. The kind who protects females from savage bastards like you.
Kyle fished out his cell phone and punched Aiden’s number.

“If you’re calling your pack alpha, already talked with him. Told him who I was. He gave me permission to stay on his turf and wait until your return.”

His finger hovered above the bright green SEND button. “You’re bullshitting me.”

“Watch the language around the lady.” Corrin’s gaze narrowed. “You think a strong pack like this would tolerate my presence if I didn’t request permission first?”

“He’s right, Kyle,” Arianna said softly. “Give him a chance. Please? For my sake?”

He could not deny her anything. “Say what you came to say and then get the hell out. You’ve got five minutes.”

“Ten,” Arianna cut in.

His mouth softened. Ari always got the best of him. “Ten minutes, then I want you gone.”

Corrin touched the brim of his Stetson in a two-fingered salute that was frighteningly like his own. “Thank you, miss. You have your mother’s eyes, son. She had such beautiful, soulful eyes.”

“How dare you call me son?” Kyle hissed out a deep breath. “You have the nerve to talk about soul and claim me as your son? How would you even know what color her eyes were? Did you stare into them when you fucking raped her?”

Arianna put a reassuring hand on his arm, but he ignored it. Rage coiled low in his stomach. He fisted his hands, growling deep in his throat, ready to tear this bastard apart for the misery he’d inflicted on his mother...

A small, surprised whisper stopped him. “Kyle, look at him.”

Only Ari could tamp his fury. He looked at Corrin’s stricken expression.

“I loved her. I would never abuse her.”

“Satyrs are savages who take females they desire. I don’t call that love.”