The Hunt

I woke with a shiver and groaned when I tried to move and everything felt stiff. Reaching out for my phone in the darkness, I checked the time. Hours had passed since arriving, which explained why the cabin was dark and cold. I was fortunate I’d woken when I had or I’d be a popsicle.

Recalling the time, I amended that thought. Sleeping through Adira’s dinner plans would have been worth a little frostbite. Yet, now that I was awake, I knew I couldn’t skip it. Rubbing my hands together, I burrowed deeper into the blanket I’d worn here and stood. At least, I wouldn’t need to put out the fire.

My breath fogged in front of me as I locked up the cabin and started for the car. With half my mind on what I was going to do about dinner, I didn’t immediately notice how quiet the trees were. The second I did, though, the back of my neck tingled with the feeling that I was being watched.

Pausing, I turned a slow circle to study my surroundings. I saw nothing, but my instincts were telling me there was something out there. It would have been easier to know for sure if I had Fenris’s senses of smell and hearing. Then again, did I really want to know something was watching me? Wasn’t it easier to pretend everything was fine?

I realized what I was telling myself and how badly I wanted to live in the shadows of delusion.

Disquieted by the knowledge, I continued toward the car. Occasionally, I heard a soft sound behind me. I didn’t turn to look or run away in fear. Instead, I embraced my inner predator.

By the time I reached the car, my eyes were completely black. Only then did I turn to face the woods. Something dark flashed between the trees. It was so brief it could have been a branch moving.

Or maybe a dryad, my mind whispered.

Disheartened by the thought that I might have corrupted one of the woodland beings, I got into the car. The paper bag in the back seat caught my eye, and I guiltily realized Fenris hadn’t eaten lunch because of me. While the car idled, I pulled out my phone.

I hesitated to send an apology, though. Those never seemed to be the words he wanted from me. He only ever wanted me to be true to myself, which I had been today. Mostly. So, I continued to stay true to myself in my message.

Me: Thanks for the safe haven. The fire’s out, and everything’s locked up, but you might want to check later. It felt like I was being followed from the cabin.

Fenris: I’m sure it’s nothing. Remember you’re a predator. As long as you don’t run, you won’t be prey.

I rolled my eyes at his message. Wasn’t I always running away from something? Except today. No, not just today. I’d been getting a lot better about not running, and he knew it.

Glancing at my eyes in the mirror, I wondered how Fenris would react if he knew how far I’d let my predator out. A little smile lifted my lips, and rather than trying to guess, I decided to take a quick selfie and find out. The sight of my black eyes staring back at me stole some of my daring, but I bolstered enough to make a kissy-pout that would have made Mom proud.

I sent the photo along with my message before I could second guess myself.

Me: My predator was out in full force. Today wasn’t my day to be prey.

The car warmed as I waited for a reply. And waited. Usually, his responses were immediate. I started to fidget and looked at the picture of myself again. He’d seen my eyes all black before and hadn’t seemed bothered. What if I’d been wrong? What if this version of me disturbed him? What if—

I suddenly remembered what tonight was for Fenris and groaned. He was probably doing his best to ignore everything girl-related, and there I was, bothering him with my need for affirmation. Shaking my head, I put away my phone and started home.

Fenris had the right idea. I needed to focus on the night ahead, too. Dinner was bound to be uncomfortable with whatever Adira had planned. How was I going to turn it around and attend on my terms?

The black faded from my eyes as I considered several options. Adira had been the most surprised and the least pushy when I’d responded to her in an antagonistic way. Now that I’d acknowledged I wasn’t human and shouldn’t be held by the human norms and niceties, it shouldn’t be a problem to act brash at dinner.

I no sooner had that thought than I inwardly cringed and wondered what my father would think. Although he did say I needn’t be respectful of Adira, I doubted he’d be okay with the complete rudeness I’d been displaying lately.

A frustrated sound escaped me. What was right?

I didn’t know. But did anyone? Everyone I spoke to had differing opinions. And that’s all they were. Opinions. The only one who’d had any measure of real advice was Fenris. And, he told me to listen to myself. To be myself. That’s all I could do.

Rather than drive straight to the Quills’, I made a detour for Megan’s to feed Elbner. When I apologized for missing Monday’s feeding, his unusual quietness was barely a blip on my radar with my thoughts on the upcoming dinner.

The Quills’ empty driveway relieved me when I arrived. After parking in the garage, I sat for a moment to send a better, more selfless message to Fenris.

Me: Good luck tonight. I’ll be thinking of you. And remember you’re not prey, either.

Fenris: I’ll be thinking of you, too.

The immediate response to this message and not the previous one created an avalanche of doubt, which I quickly shook off. He had a lot on his plate, and I was being needy again. That thought sparked the memory of Fenris’s remark about us reversing roles, and an idea began to form.

With a slowly growing smile and a nervous twist in my stomach, I grabbed my phone.

Me: I’m going to take a raincheck on dinner with you. I think I’m going to purposely cause some trouble that might result in a call from Adira or another surprise portaling to your club.

Mom: I’m so proud of you and can’t wait for the fallout. Make her cry!

Knowing I had Mom’s support bolstered me enough to leave the car. I checked the time and saw I had an hour before dinner. Perfect.

Mrs. Quill smiled at me when I entered the kitchen.

“Did you have fun today?”

“For the most part. Thank you for the sandwiches.” I lifted the bag. “Unfortunately, Fenris got distracted and didn’t eat them.”

Delight lit her expression. “That’s all right. Maybe he’ll come over tomorrow and want a snack.”

“Maybe. I can never tell with him. Do you need any help with dinner?”

“No. Everything is set. Are you,” her joy dimmed, and worry crept in, “excited about tonight?”

I shrugged. “It’s hard to say. I better go change.”

Fenris’s knack to mislead without lying was addictively easy to mimic. I wasn’t sure if I should be impressed with my skill or concerned, though. I decided to be neither. Like my many other talents, it was what it was. I could choose to use it or not.

By the time a portal appeared in the foyer, I had everything ready.

From where I waited on the steps, I smiled politely at Adira and the two boys close to my age who trailed behind her. Well, they didn’t precisely trail. They stumbled and tripped when they saw me. Their dark hair and blue eyes matched, but one looked a bit older than the other.

Their reactions helped calm some of my nerves over how ridiculous I looked. I hadn’t held back when dressing for dinner. Makeup. Hair. Heels that would kill a lesser being. I wore it all, and I let myself love it. That was all that influenced them. I wasn’t even trying yet, and the boys were already showing signs of being enthralled.

“Ice giants?” I asked, the question rude in its openness but not in its tone.

“As is your preference, Eliana,” Adira said, her gaze sweeping over me. “You look lovely.”

“Of course I do.” I ran a hand down my side, allowing myself to enjoy the smooth texture of the thin material against my skin. When I looked up, I knew my eyes were black. Slowly, I walked toward the trio. I could feel the provocation of each swaying move in my bold, red dress and sensed their responses to the way the side-slit exposed my leg.

One of the boys reached for himself, gaining my full attention.

“Your over-enthusiastic self-gratification reminds me of someone I find rather offensive. Touch yourself again, without my permission, and you will remove yourself from my presence.”

“Adira said you’d be meek. I’m glad you’re not,” he said, grinning.

I looked at her. “He won’t do. Keep him or take him away; I won’t feed from him.”

Without waiting for a reply, I gestured at the older one.

“Escort me to dinner.”

The smile that tugged his lips was sensual, and I felt a measure of my bravado slip as he stalked toward me.

Crap on a cracker, I should have kept the younger one.

Knowing Adira’s scrutiny wouldn’t miss a single crack in my façade, I steeled my resolve and rested my hand on his forearm. Then, I breathed in deeply.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Caldre. Forgive my brother, Aurvandil. He has more charm when he puts his mind to it.”

I smiled sweetly.

“You most definitely did not leave your charm at home. Dinner will be divine tonight.”

As he led us to the dining room, Caldre chuckled. My stomach clenched at the sound, and I had to rein my hunger in. Tonight wasn’t about feeding. It was about my power of seduction.

Ashlyn’s words about my missing spark had been in the back of my mind since she said them. At the time, I’d been glad to hear I was nothing like the other succubi. However, Fenris’s pestering about learning what I could do had gotten in my head, along with his love for causing trouble and doing things on his own terms.

Tonight would be about finding out how seductive I was without that spark. While I hoped to incite more than mild attraction, I was worried about how I would react to anything stronger since, despite my nap today, I was hungry.

Mrs. Quill was already in the dining room when we entered. Once again, there were three chairs on the near side of the table.

“Aurvandil, be a darling and move your chair to the other side of the table so I can look at you.”

He immediately did as I asked while Caldre helped me into my seat.

“You’re different tonight, Eliana,” Adira said, moving around the table to take her place beside Aurvandil. Suspicion lit her gaze.

“Of course I am.” My smile remained perfectly in place, and I turned my attention to Aurvandil.

“Are you missing manners as well as charm? Pull out Adira’s chair for her, darling. Show her the man you could be if given a chance.”

The boy immediately stood and held Adira’s chair for her. When she sat, his arm brushed her chest. It was so subtle I doubted anyone else noticed. But I did. And that dark thing in me noticed far more. The way Adira’s pupil’s dilated ever so slightly and the tiny hitch in her breathing. The much larger twitch in Aurvandil’s pants. The subtle hint of blueberry that bloomed in the air.

“That is perfect, Aurvandil. Well done,” I purred. “Remain attentive to Adira’s needs tonight, and I may change my mind about you.”

“Eliana, perhaps you would prefer to take Caldre for a walk,” Adira said, taking the napkin from her setting.

“Perhaps I’d rather hear why you haven’t yet selected a druid to perform a location spell on Ashlyn. Is it a complex spell?”

“Vetting a druid enforcer takes time. The position carries a lot of responsibility for a race that isn’t inclined toward loyalty. You wouldn’t want us to trust Ashyln’s safety to just anyone. Leave the problem of her disappearance to the Council, and concern yourself with the task at hand. It’s time to feed, Eliana. Take Caldre for a walk.”

While she spoke, Aurvandil watched her mouth. I could sense every dirty thought he was having, and my hunger gloried in the ease in which the boy had been manipulated. But, the way I felt toward Adira was something else entirely. I would relish the challenge of breaking her.

My razor vision swept to Mr. Quill as he entered the room.

“Impeccable timing,” I said. “Based on what I’m smelling, this isn’t a dinner you’ll want to miss.”

His steps slowed as he glanced at Mrs. Quill, who stood by her chair. The subtle scent of oregano and sage mingled with the sweeter notes of the blueberries.

“Manners, Mr. Quill,” I admonished. “Do help your lovely wife. I’m sure you’ll be rewarded for the consideration later when you fly together.”

He immediately veered to her.

Caldre’s hand settled on my leg, stroking my bare skin. The touch ignited my hunger, and I turned my head to look at him. His lips parted, and he leaned closer to me.

“You’re exquisite, Eliana, and I’m boiling with need. If you’d rather skip the pretense of dinner, I’m more than ready to be your meal.”

My smile turned from sweet to sultry.

“Caldre, I didn’t give you permission to touch me. Remove your hand and your chair. You can kneel throughout dinner.”

While he hurried to ditch his chair, my gaze swept the table. Mrs. Quill was seated and slightly flushed. Mr. Quill had found his place as well and was shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Aurvandil’s hands were on the table, and his desire-glazed expression pleaded with me.

“I didn’t know how much I could ache for a touch. Please,” he begged.

“Such sweet words. I will allow you to touch yourself, but you may only give yourself the same pleasure you give Adira.”

His pupils dilated, and the rich scent of his lust coated the air at the same time Adira’s breath hitched again.

“Eliana, what are you doing?” she asked. I could hear the strain in her words. Strain she was so desperately trying to hide from me.

“I’m playing with my food. The boy is curious about what pleasures an older woman can offer him. I can smell his desire for you, and yours—” I inhaled deeply, “—isn’t nearly as potent as it could be. Don’t worry. We’ll fix that.”

Aurvandil’s hand left the table. Adira jumped and reached her own hand under the table. I knew she was blocking the boy’s touch and preventing her desire from growing. The dark thing inside of me writhed angrily at her attempt to deny it what it wanted.

“I brought them here for you to feed, Eliana. Take them to your room and finish what you’ve started.”

My smile turned lascivious.

“I’ll finish what I started when I please. And, at the moment, it pleases me to continue as I am. I can feel your resistance. Let go.”

Aurvandil’s whispered appeals for her to release his hand and allow him to pleasure them both brought a flush to Adira’s cheeks. I could feel her resolve weakening and leaned back in my chair.

Caldre made a sound of need beside me. Taking pity on him, I ran my fingers through his hair. He groaned, his eyes rolling back in his head.

“Just a bit more patience, my darling.”

I looked at the table’s two other occupants. Mr. Quill was staring at Mrs. Quill with enough heat to light a fire, which, based on the way Mrs. Quill was fanning herself, he was doing.

She met my gaze.

“Eliana,” Mrs. Quill said. “This isn’t you.”

“No, but you didn’t want me to be me, did you? This is what you all wanted. For me to be like my mother. Public feedings, remember? Mother did so favor her orgies.”

“Perhaps you’d like to join her at her club, then?” Adira asked. While she appeared to be ignoring Aurvandil’s pleas, I was very aware of the struggle going on under the table. Aurvandil was gaining ground.

“Is that what you want for me, Adira? To feed on my mother’s scraps instead of learning how to fend for myself?”

“Enough, Eliana. You’ve proven your point.”

“I don’t think so. But I’ll give you a chance, as the person in charge, to tell me what you think I’m trying to prove here. Enlighten me, and I’ll release you, Adira. Disappoint me, and we’ll all discover just how like my mother I can be.”

“You want us to understand what it’s like to be pressured into doing something we don’t want to do,” she said, surprising and disappointing me with the correct answer.

“And how does it feel, Adira?”

Her hard gaze locked with mine.

“Continue to press this, and you will not enjoy the consequences.”

I tilted my head back and laughed as the dark thing inside of me stretched, luxuriating in its freedom. It was far from ready to lay dormant again.

My fingers tightened in Caldre’s hair as I stood. He whimpered, but not in pain. He leaned into me, clasping his arms around my legs.

“I haven’t even begun to press and am very much enjoying the consequences of your meddling. Remember, you brought this on yourself, Adira.”

The thing inside of me undulated, a provocative call for those around me to release their inhibitions and embrace their secret desires. The scents of everyone at the table spiked, and I could tell the moment Aurvandil won in his under-table struggle with Adira because she disappeared. The lust left in her wake was a heady mix of frustration and desire.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The sweet, tangy taste of blueberries coated my tongue along with the savory notes of oregano and sage. It shouldn’t have been a good flavor combination, but it was. It slid down my throat and settled into my stomach, not nearly enough to satisfy that thing inside of me.

Caldre groaned beside me.

“I need more, Eliana. Do what she said, and finish what you started.”

His words rang like an alarm in my head, waking me to the reality of what I was doing. I didn’t know how to turn it off, though. Not when I was this hungry. So, just like when I fed from Mrs. Quill, I allowed myself three pulls. It was just barely enough for me to stop.

When I opened my eyes, Mr. Quill had Mrs. Quill in his arms as he kissed her passionately. Caldre was rubbing himself against my leg, and I didn’t even need to glance at Aurvandil to know what his hand was doing under the table.

Untangling myself from Caldre, I left the room and cut through the kitchen to the garage. Before I started my car, I switched from the killer heels to the comfortable fur-lined boots I had waiting in the passenger seat.

Tears ran down my face as I backed out of the driveway and started for the cabin.

My phone remained quiet the whole way, which I took as a good sign. Adira hadn’t gone running to my mom. I hadn’t imagined she would. I’d done everything she and Mrs. Quill wanted me to do. Well, everything they’d wanted me to do to some unsuspecting person, not to them.

I sniffled and wiped at my nose with the back of my hand. It felt like I’d just said goodbye to a piece of myself that I’d actually liked. While feeding from them hadn’t been hard to do, it hadn’t felt right, either. Probably because I hadn’t done it to feed but to punish.

The worst part was that I doubted my effort to prove my point would do any good. Adira would continue pushing. But at least she’d have a harder time finding me now, thanks to the druids.

Without intending to, I stopped at the turn for Blueleaf, dried my tears, and reached for my phone.

Me: I can’t remember…did I pay up on my hugs for today?

Fenris: One in the pool, but the one at the car was on the house. You still owe me one, why?

Me: I’m guessing you probably need a hug right now, and I’m on a roll with causing trouble tonight, so I’m thinking of crashing your mating party. Say the word.

Fenris: WORD! WORD!!

Laughing, I tossed my phone into my bag and turned onto the road. It didn’t take me long to realize I’d be walking a long distance when I saw a line of cars parked along the shoulder. It didn’t worry me, though. While I was still wearing the dress, I’d anticipated the long walk to the cabin and had packed a bag to make the trip more tolerable.

After wiping away the makeup smears from crying, I shimmied into leggings. The length of my shining red skirt mostly hid them, but I knew that by the time I layered one of Oanen’s flannels and jackets over the top, it wouldn’t much matter. I wasn’t trying to look pretty; I only wanted to be warm.

Locking the car and pocketing the keys with my phone, I started down the road. The wind caught my hair and played with the strands that had escaped the French twist I’d pinned to the back of my head.

I shivered lightly, but thanks to the group feeding, I wasn’t exactly cold. Unwilling to dwell on the less than pleasant aspects of my day, I focused on what had been good. Or I tried to. Between Piepen’s early morning visit, the pain of the spell removal, the slip at the springs, kicking Fenris out of his cabin, and then the wreck of a dinner, I wasn’t sure what exactly I had to be thankful for, other than surviving it all.

Yet, I still managed to tip my head to the stars and soak up the peace I found in that moment. I’d survived. I’d done the succubus thing and lived. And best of all, no one was trailing after me, begging for more affection.

Maybe today wasn’t a complete failure.

My phone buzzed, and I smiled at Fenris’s impatience.

That smile fled when I read the message, though.

Adira: Removing the spell was unwise as was tonight’s dinner. I expect you to comport yourself appropriately at tomorrow’s dinner.

I created a group message.

Me: Mom, Adira is requiring my presence tomorrow at dinner. Would you mind if I repaid tonight’s raincheck by asking you to join us at the Quills’? With all the demands Adira is putting on my time in an effort to force-feed me, I’m not sure how else I’ll be able to reschedule. Oh, and you might want to leave Dad at home. Dinner might end in an orgy, again, with both of us there.

Adira: Since you already have plans with your mother, I can arrange for another night.

Mom: Nonsense, Adira. Eliana and I will be delighted to dine with you. I look forward to tomorrow night.

Mom immediately sent me a separate message.

Mom: Call me.

Since I hadn’t yet reached the parking lot, I did as she asked and grinned when she answered with a joy-filled laugh.

“Baby, you are as intelligent as you are beautiful.” Her words cut out twice with silence. “She’s already trying to call me.”

“Don’t answer. Let her sweat.”

She chuckled.

“Oh, I plan to. Now tell me, how did dinner go? Did you create the trouble you’d hoped?”

“She brought two frost giants to dinner again. Brothers, but not twins. The younger one started touching himself when he saw me. The older one was more composed until I ordered him to kneel. He was rubbing himself against me just before Mr. and Mrs. Quill started making out and Adira disappeared.”

Mom was quiet for a long moment.

“Baby, I’m so sorry. I know that wasn’t what you wanted.”

“But it’s what I needed to do to prove my point. No one likes to be made to do things they don’t want to do.” I sighed. “Since Adira’s already asking for another dinner, everything I did was for nothing.”

A tear slipped down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away as I reached the parking lot. A sniffle echoed over the phone.

“I know you don’t want me to kill her, but if she keeps hurting you, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

I smiled slightly.

“Thank you for understanding, Mom. Knowing that you support me makes it easier to deal with her. I better go. Give Dad a hug for me.”

“I will. We love you, baby.”

I walked in the relative silence for a moment then sent Fenris a text.

Me: I’m walking in the woods. Am I heading to Blueleaf or one of the other pack villages?

Fenris: Do me a favor and ditch the jacket.

I snorted and looked around the trees.

“I’ll freeze without the jacket. If you want your hug, claim it now before I’m a popsicle.” I held my arms out wide and wiggled my fingers.

He came out of nowhere, crashing into me like a wave against the shore and carrying me a distance with the momentum even as I squealed and held on tight. His deep inhale and tight hold were comforting more than inciting.

“Why do you smell like tears?” he murmured next to my ear.

I shivered lightly but didn’t let go.

“Because I was crying.”

“Are you going to tell me why?” His hand drifted down the back of my jacket, a comforting stroke that had me leaning my head against his chest.

“Probably, but not tonight. I want to hear how things are going here.”

“I’m in the woods, holding you. How do you think things are going?”

“That bad?” I pulled back to look up at him. Moonlight glinted through the barren trees and reflected off his eyes. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Any chance you’d be willing to make out with me in front of the whole pack?”

He looked so miserable that I wished I could say yes.

“We both know that’s not going to help you get out of tonight’s run. When does it start?”

A sudden grin lit his face.

“It already did.”

My gaze dipped to the shirt he was wearing.

“I thought pack runs happened in the fur.”

“They do.”

I opened my mouth to ask another question, but a shout cut me off.

“Found him!”

True frustration crept into Fenris’s gaze. He darted in to lick the tip of my nose then bolted from my arms a second before a wolf dove in front of me. It landed in the snow with a thump and looked up at me, a snarl pulling back its lips.

That dark thing inside of me bristled at the display of impudence, and my vision sharpened. Another wolf darted in, shifting into a lithe form at the same time as the girl on the ground.

So much delightful nudity.

Jenna’s eyes widened at the sight of mine, and she quickly spun around to face the other girl, who surged to her feet.

“You have no business on pack territory, succubus.”

Jenna stepped forward, her hands raised.

“She’s with me, Beth. She’s a friend.”

My fingers, inches from stroking Jenna’s hair, curled into a fist, which I dropped to my side.

“Your friend was just hugging Fenris. No wonder he’s still unclaimed. Aubrey was the only one with claws in your pack. That changes tonight. Get ready to show me your belly, Jenna. Fenris will be mine by dawn.”

The she-wolf shifted to her fur and took off in the direction Fenris had fled.

Jenna turned toward me and gave me an apologetic shrug.

“Beth’s not as bad as she seems.”

“I’m going to have to disagree.”

Jenna grinned.

“There’s a bonfire tonight for those of us who decide to call it quits early. Want to join us?”

“Thank you, but I don’t think that would be smart.”

“They won’t all be like Beth.”

“I’m not concerned with their manners but the blatant nudity. It’s been a long day, and I think I’ll be better off on my own. But thank you for the offer.”

“Are you sure? I can smell you were crying.”

I gave a weak smile.

“So could Fenris.” I gave a small wave goodbye, and her form shimmered back into a wolf.

With relief, I hurried back the way I’d come and let the wind cool my warm cheeks. Talking to Jenna hadn’t been easy. Not only had she unapologetically remained exposed to me and the elements, she’d also reeked of her lust for Fenris. I’d barely kept myself from doing something I would have regretted more than what I’d done at dinner.

On the drive to the cabin, I acknowledged the truth behind that unplanned detour. It hadn’t been to offer my support to Fenris. It had been because I was still so lost. Doing everything Adira and the Council had wanted me to do and letting that thing inside of me loose, should have freed me. Instead, I now better understood how trapped I was. And it wasn’t Uttira’s boundaries binding me. It was my very nature. There was no running from what I needed to do. But how did I come to terms with that?

My nose tingled with new tears. Rather than giving in to another round of self-pity, I parked my car in the clearing and started for the cabin. I’d packed heavy, already having determined that I wouldn’t be going to the Academy the next day. As Fenris had pointed out, I wasn’t learning anything there anyway.

I was almost to the cabin when I felt a tingle of awareness. My first thought was to head back to the car so I wouldn’t give away the location of Fenris’s peaceful haven. My second was to keep going. No one would know the cabin was his. Sure, wolves had a sharp sense of smell, but I’d been in the cabin last. It would be my scent there.

Hopefully.

A branch cracked behind me. I didn’t turn to look or run away in fear. But my eyes did go dark, and my pulse tripped a little.

If it was Beth, I wasn’t sure I had it in me to restrain myself if she decided to attack.

I reached the cabin before I gave in and looked out at the trees. The warning feeling hadn’t diminished, but nothing showed itself. I knew it would when it was ready.

That’s how predators worked.

Bait the trap. Stalk. Then pounce.

Too bad for whatever was out there that I wasn’t in the mood for pouncing.