The Hunt

I looked around at the cakes, noting the variety had returned.

Not trusting the forest, I sat with my back against the trees and watched for a while. The cakes swayed gently, teasing me with their scents. Eventually, I gave in and inhaled more. But I was careful not to lick the icing. The trees seemed to like that just a little too much.

I was lazily lounging on the ground, letting the cake flavors drift into my mouth when the ground rumbled again. Above me, the branches shook.

“I’ll save you, my goddess!”

I sat up and looked around for skunks.

“I vow to protect the glory of your honeyed petals, glistening with their delicious sweet nectar.”

I covered my ears. “No, no, no. Wake up, Eliana. Wake up.”

The trees continued to shake until they disappeared. A rush of frigid air enveloped me.

“You!” Piepen wailed.

An abhorrently familiar skunk scent mingled with the ebbing sweet scents of cakes as I opened my eyes.

“Piepen,” Fenris said calmly.

I turned my head to look at the pair. Piepen hovered at head height, glaring accusingly at Fenris, who stood just inside the open cabin door. The bare expanse of Fenris’s back and the way the shorts he wore rode low on his hips had me staring longingly.

“Woman, eyes up here,” Piepen squeaked, zipping through the opening.

Fenris grabbed for him, but the brownie was too fast and zipped right toward my head.

I lifted my hand.

“Stop.”

Piepen came to an abrupt halt inches from my face, his arms spread wide and the front of his pants tented. Based on the pose and the frantic look in his eyes, I’d just prevented nasal penetration.

“Why are you here, Piepen?”

His arms dropped to his sides, and he gave me a woeful look.

“Dewy had the baby. I told her I wouldn’t sell my wings, and she said without the money, the baby will go hungry. Then, I thought of your gloriously mounded breasts.”

His hand drifted toward his crotch, but he changed direction and ran it through his hair before I could scold him.

“Will you breastfeed the baby?” he asked earnestly. “I know we have to worry about the child you carry, but your bountiful breasts could feed all three of us.”

“Three?”

“Our babe, my son, and myself. Just to assure quality,” he said quickly.

Behind him, Fenris was making choked noises behind his hand.

Piepen noted the direction of my gaze and zipped to the right, interrupting my line of sight.

“Why are you here with the wolf?”

“I thought I’d be able to sleep peacefully here. How did you find me?”

“You wear my mark. There’s nowhere you can go that I won’t find you.”

“That makes you a stalker, Piepen,” Fenris said, finally speaking up. “No one wants a stalker.”

“Says the guy who’s always around my woman,” Piepen squeaked, glaring at Fenris. “Why are you here?”

“It’s his cabin, Piepen. But that is a good question.” I looked at Fenris. “I thought you were sleeping.”

“Jenna mentioned you’d texted to check in on me. I thought I’d return the favor and check in on you. I was worried you’d let the fire go out and wake up freezing again.”

“The fire’s fine. You can leave now,” Piepen said, pointing toward the door.

“Without congratulating you on becoming a father?” Fenris asked. “That would be rude. Have a seat, my friend. Tell me about this miraculous bundle of joy that was conceived and born in record time.”

Piepen’s face flushed.

“What are you trying to say?”

I plucked Piepen from the air and sat him on my knee.

“How long do brownie pregnancies usually last?”

“I don’t know.”

“I think that’s something you should ask your new guardians, don’t you? I want you to have a happy life with your own kind, Piepen. But based on what you’ve been telling me, you’re not happy. And I think Dewy might be trying to take advantage of your kind nature. I can’t think of any other reason she’d be pushing so hard for you to sell your wings.”

“She’s worried about the baby.”

“What about her boobs, Piepen? Why can’t she feed the baby?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

“I know of some breast pumps you can give her,” Fenris said.

I shot him a dirty look before focusing on Piepen.

“I think you need to visit your guardians and start asking some questions.”

The brownie nodded and lifted off into the air.

“You’re as wise as you are beautiful. Our children will be famous.”

“I’m not pregnant.”

He patted my knee.

“Don’t worry. Once I get this straightened out, we’ll fix that.”

My mouth dropped open.

“Temptress,” Piepen said. “I’ll let you lick me next time.”

I snapped my mouth closed and snarled at him.

“Get out, Piepen.”

Fenris opened the door, and the brownie zipped off into dawn’s early light.

“Why me?” I moaned, flopping back onto the bed.

“Because your breasts are gloriously mounded and bountiful?”

“Ha-ha. Not funny.”

He shrugged, completely unrepentant.

“You had your opportunity to end it.”

“How? When?”

“When he accused me of being around you all the time. You could have just claimed me as your own.”

I lifted my head to give Fenris a dry look.

“That would have incited a brownie meltdown I’m not equipped to deal with at this hour.”

Something in his expression shifted, and I wanted to smack myself for not immediately understanding what was happening. Fenris was here when he was supposed to be home, sleeping. That meant he’d needed to escape again. He’d needed his friend, and here I was, worried about me and my problems.

Sitting up, I patted the mattress beside me.

He didn’t hesitate to join me on the bed. Instead of sitting, though, he scooped me up and slid under the covers so we were spooning.

“Not quite what I meant,” I said, turning to face him and create some space between us.

He grinned knowingly at me, but that humor faded as I started talking.

“Jenna told me about what you said to your dad. I’m sorry your pack is pressuring you so much. Is that why you’re here? Because Jenna was at your house?”

He closed his eyes. It didn’t hide his frustration from me. I could sense it as easily as I could sense his ever-present lust.

“I’m holding on to my patience by a thread. I’m trying, Eliana. But I’m failing. Claim me.”

I ran my finger down the bridge of his nose then brushed back some hair from his forehead as I stole his frustration.

“We already tried telling everyone we were together. It didn’t work.”

He caught my hand.

“We didn’t tell anyone anything. We let them believe what they wanted, which worked until you admitted you weren’t feeding on me.”

“Okay. Fine. Let’s talk through your scenario. We tell your father and my mother that we’re together and then what? Wolves mate, Fenris. Without that step, they won’t leave you alone. And while I’m willing to help you, I’m not willing to go that far.”

His playfully wicked grin returned.

“Baby steps. I think Dad will lay off if I just show interest in someone.”

I couldn’t refute Fenris’s logic. After all, Raiden had invited Jenna overnight just for that reason.

“I want to help you, Fenris, but I refuse to lie.”

“Perfect. Then let’s make this real.”

“Huh?”

“Eliana, be my girlfriend. How do humans make it official? A nice run through the woods?”

“No, they just ask.”

“Okay. Eliana, I’m asking you to be my girlfriend.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to say no, but I stopped myself and considered him and what he was asking. His exhaustion and desperation coated him so thickly that they almost overpowered his typical, sweet-smelling lust. He really wanted me to say yes. Why couldn’t I? He wasn’t asking me to feed from him. He was only asking me to act like his girlfriend so his dad would leave him alone.

“Fine. But I have to tell Megan the truth. I talked to her yesterday. I told her about everything. Ashlyn. The mermaids. My mom. Adira. I promised not to keep any more secrets.”

He was already shaking his head.

“No, this time it’s not going to be a lie. You’ll be my real girlfriend. The reasons behind our relationship are our own business.”

“How real?” I asked warily.

“As real as it’s already been. We spend time together. We talk to each other. We hug each other.”

“So everything we’ve been doing? Nothing will change?”

The corner of his mouth quirked up.

“If you want to follow through on any of your urges to lick me, I wouldn’t be opposed.”

I rolled my eyes at him and, in that moment, realized I wasn’t as hungry as I’d been when I’d gone to bed. It was always like this after those cake dreams. Was I regaining control? Could I help him like he was asking?

If I were honest with myself, I loved spending time with Fenris. Heck, last night proved how much I craved his attention. I’d interrupted his pack run for a hug. But was putting a label on our time together safe? Would it subtly change something for me? And what about Ashlyn? I couldn’t let either of our problems with the stifling adult authorities who controlled our lives interrupt my efforts to find her. Yet, I wasn’t actively doing anything to aid in the search. It was all the druids and Megan now. Maybe if I said yes to Fenris, Adira would shift her focus to hiring a druid to find Ashlyn.

“I can see I lost you, which is a bit of a blow to the ego since I was asking you to be my girlfriend. What were you just thinking? Don’t forget our unconditional honesty deal.”

“I purposely did not agree to that deal, and even if I had, you didn’t go to bed like you were supposed to. But, in a gesture of goodwill, I’ll tell you. I think those cake dreams help me somehow. Yesterday, I felt like I was going to die I was so hungry. But just now, you flirted with me, and my vision didn’t even change.”

His grin widened.

“We should test this.”

Before I realized what he meant, I was on my back and his teeth were grazing the skin over my collarbone. A shiver of need raced through me. My vision shifted, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. But, I fisted my hand in the sheets as I fought for control of the hunger that had surged up from nowhere.

“Come on, nibbles,” Fenris said. “Give me a try. Just a little bit of teeth like this.” He nipped my skin again, and another shiver rocked through me.

In the next second, he was pinned under me. I had the flat of my hand planted in the center of his chest as I straddled him.

He grinned up at me.

“Time for a ride?” he asked playfully.

“Fenris, we need boundaries if we’re going to try this.”

He chuckled, the low sound making my middle clench.

“Boundaries are for pesky brownies, not boyfriends.”

“Boundaries are for everyone. Respect mine, and I’ll help you by agreeing to be your girlfriend for however long you need me. Mistreat me or push me too far, and I’ll walk away from you.”

“Not run?”

“You’d like that too much.”

His hands settled on my hips.

“I would.”

Sighing, I reined in the hunger.

“You have no fear and no common sense. It’s a dangerous combination. I can see why your dad’s desperate for you to find your mate. But he’s delusional if he thinks a female is going to temper either of those traits.”

I pried Fenris’s hands from my hips and scrambled off him and the bed.

“Boundaries, Fenris.”

He unrepentantly grinned up at me.

“We have a big day ahead of us,” I said. “Stay focused. Before we spread the word about our new relationship status, I want to let the druids know that Megan is now aware of Ashlyn’s disappearance. And that’s definitely a conversation that needs to happen in person. I’d say we could find them after we tell Adira and your dad that we’re together,” a blush flooded my cheeks, “but I’m worried convincing those two might take a while. Ashlyn needs to come first.”

“I agree with you,” Fenris said easily.

“Good. After I find the druids, who do you want to tell first? Your dad or Adira?”

“We’re not going to tell anyone.” He bounded out of bed and rubbed his hands together. “We’re going to show them.”

“What does that mean?”

“Tell you and spoil all my fun? I don’t think so. Get dressed and meet me outside.”

He walked out the door in nothing but his shorts. I hurriedly bundled up, my mind racing with how, exactly, Fenris planned to show his dad and Adira we were together. At least, he didn’t suggest we show my mom. There was no way I’d go to the lengths needed to convince her.

When I emerged from the cabin, I found Fenris already waiting in his fur. I only managed one step before he blocked me. I set my hand on his back to prevent myself from toppling over him.

“I draw the line at invading my personal space to trip me. It’s not nice.”

He bumped into me then looked toward the car. It was just after dawn, cold outside, and he was in his fur, indicating we should go to the car. I could draw only one conclusion.

“You want to carry me again, don’t you?” I asked with a note of conflict.

He nodded and bumped me again.

“This didn’t end well last time. Remember what I said about boundaries? Even if I forget myself, I’m trusting you to respect them regardless.”

He nodded, and I smoothed my hand over his fur before swinging a leg over his back. I barely had time to hold on before he ran. The wind battered me, and the cold stung my cheeks, keeping me mostly distracted from the way he moved between my legs.

Before I knew it, we were at the car. Weak-kneed and pulse racing, I slid off his back, and he licked my hand.

“I’m fine. I just need a minute.”

His form shimmered, the only warning I had to close my eyes.

“You were amazing,” he said, hugging me close. “See? You were made to be my girlfriend.”

I snorted and opened my eyes to look up at him.

“Because I didn’t tumble you to the ground like the first time?”

“Because you were daring enough to try it again.”

“You weren’t really giving me a choice. I’d also like to note that I’m not comfortable with naked hugs. In the future, if you want to claim your hugs, you need clothes.”

He grinned at me.

“Dating you is going to be fun.”

“Can I change my answer?”

“Nope. No take backs. Are you going to keep your eyes open and watch me shift this time?”

“Nope.”

“Then, you’d better close them.”

I did, but before he released me, he nipped my jawline.

“See you at school, nibbles.”

After a moment of silence, I risked peeking and saw I was alone. The cold didn’t even touch my flaming face as I got into the car.

The whole way into town, I wondered what Fenris was planning. It made me nervous that I had no idea. My palms were sweaty when I entered the Quills’ kitchen and startled Mrs. Quill.

“Good morning, Eliana. Are you hungry?” The way she looked at me made me feel guilty for not calling her last night.

“No. I’m fine. I just came home to shower and change before heading to the Academy.”

“I’ll fix you a lunch.”

“It’s not necessary. If I get hungry, whatever you make won’t help. On second thought, maybe you should make two lunches. I’m going to be with Fenris. He likes chocolate as much as I do, so can you add some candy bars too?”

At her joy-filled smile, I hurried from the room. Upstairs, I stripped and sent Fenris a quick message while the shower was warming.

Me: What am I supposed to wear?

Fenris: Anything you want. Be yourself or this won’t work.

That was the least helpful thing to say ever. While I washed, I mentally went through my clothing options.

By the time I returned to the kitchen, my stomach was in knots and there was a large paper bag waiting on the counter. I grabbed it and ran out the door.

Rather than heading straight to class, I went to Megan’s and fixed a fresh bowl of food for Elbner. Since I’d just fed him last night, he didn’t make an appearance, which was just fine for me.

In my car, I dialed Megan. She picked up on the first ring.

“Morning, sunshine,” she said. “It’s a little early for a daily update.”

“Not in my world. I had yet another surprise wake-up visit from Piepen. Apparently, that glowing mark I told you about is a homing beacon, and he used it to find me at Fenris’s cabin. I can’t escape the little hornball. He asked me to be his wet nurse, Megan.”

“Wait, the brownie or Fenris?”

“Not funny. The brownie. He thinks the baby his girlfriend just had is his, and she wants him to sell his wings for cash to feed the baby. His solution to that was me because he still thinks he got me pregnant when he marked me.”

“I’m trying so hard not to laugh.”

“I appreciate the restraint. But that’s not even the highlight of my morning. Fenris asked me to be his girlfriend.”

Megan yelled and whooped so loud I dropped the phone. While I was scrambling to pick it up, I thought I heard, “It’s about damn time.”

“What did you say?”

“What did I say?” she parroted.

“Megan, I’m being serious.” I quickly explained about Fenris acting out of sorts the day before, his confrontation with his dad, Jenna’s comment about scent conditioning Fenris, and finally Fenris’s solution to all of his problems. “I want to help him, but I’m not sure what he’s thinking. He said it was going to be real, but then said our relationship wouldn’t change. We’d be doing all the same things we’ve been doing, spending time together and talking and stuff, and he’s going to continue to respect my boundaries. Then, he grinned and said dating me was going to be fun. I think he’s going to test every boundary I have.”

“I think you’re right. But I also think you’re worrying about nothing.”

“Am I? He bit my collarbone this morning. It was on purpose to see how far he could push my hunger.”

“And how far did he push it?”

“Far enough.”

“If he’s not walking with a hitch and a limp third leg, I doubt that.”

“Megan. Please. I need advice from you, not my mom.”

She laughed.

“My advice is this. Be yourself. Tell him what you like and what you don’t like. And if he crosses a line, suck all the emotions from him like you did to me. I’ve worn you like a backpack more times than I can count, and you’re very effective at behavior modification.”

“You forget that his most potent emotion is lust. I can’t take that.”

“Why not?”

“I refuse to make a love slave out of him or anyone.”

“You didn’t make a love slave out of Mrs. Quill, did you?”

“She’s happily married. It’s different with some couples.”

“Maybe it’ll be different with Fenris.”

“You’re starting to sound like him, and it’s not helping. I want advice on how to keep things from getting to the point that I want to feed from him.”

“Stay well-fed?”

I huffed a sigh and decided to change the subject.

“Find anything out about the banshees yet?”

“Are you missing me?” she asked playfully.

“So much. I’m still worried about you coming back, though. And it’s not selfless worry. What if you take one look at me and want to send me to hell?”

Megan was quiet for a moment.

“You’re one of the nicest people I know. I find it hard to believe that one mistake would tip the scales out of your favor. But I know what you’re saying. I’ll talk to my mom and see if there’s a way we can know before I see you. Meanwhile, do stuff to help people…like giving Fenris a good belly rub.”

“Have you had more than one conversation with my mom? You sound a lot like a succubus today.”

Megan laughed and made me promise to keep her updated on operation Eliris. That didn’t help settle my nerves regarding Fenris’s plans for the day.

On the drive to school, all I could think about was how everyone would react to the news that Fenris and I were a couple now. I thought of Jenna and cringed. She and the other girls weren’t going to take this dating thing well. Hopefully, Fenris would let them down easy.

Emory was hopping out of the bed of an oversized pickup truck when I parked. He did a double-take when I got out of the car.

The body-hugging jeans, sneakers, and semi-transparent top weren’t the warmest clothes I owned, but they were cute and said that I was trying to look good, which was what a girl in a new relationship would do. I’d even carefully applied a bit of makeup to enhance my eyes. I’d been nervous about the balance between looking nice and calling too much attention to myself.

He walked my way, making me think I’d missed the mark for balance.

“Morning, little bit. You look pretty today.”

“Thank you, Emory.”

The earnest glint in his gaze let me know I’d gone too far in thanking him. Before I could think of a way to stave off an unwanted admirer, a cherry red convertible pulled into the lot, distracting us both with the music blaring from its speakers.

Jenna parked then waved while Willow and Laurel both called out a cheery, “Good morning,” from their sentinel positions in the backseat. Fenris, sandwiched between the pair, grinned at me.

Just before the roof started to go up, he hopped out and strode toward us.

“There’s my girl,” he said, walking right up to me to playfully lick the tip of my nose. My eyes flickered. He grinned.

“Miss me?”

I could sense the confusion and hurt emanating from the girls coming up from behind him.

“Be nice, Fenris.”

“I am.” He moved to stand beside me and glanced at Emory. “Ready for another Game Night at the Roost?”

“My ears are still ringing from the last one. Might not be a good idea.”

Fenris waved away the giant’s concern.

“If the Council is willing to ignore the banshees’ warning, then so am I. Why not have fun while we can?”

Emory nodded slowly.

“You have a point.”

No, Fenris usually had a purpose behind everything he did, and I worried what one lay behind his desire for a repeat Game Night.

“Mom’s thinking about doing a special opening night at Club Blayz for Uttira’s youth,” I said, shivering lightly. “Maybe that would be better than a Game Night?”

“Much better,” Fenris said with a widening smile.

“I heard about the club your mom’s building,” Jenna said. “Adults only and really fancy, right?”

I could still feel the confusion and hurt coming from her, but she wasn’t looking at me with anger.

“As fancy as she can make an old sawmill. It looks nice. A lot nicer than the Roost.”

“And she’s letting us see it first?” Willow asked. “Why?”

Jenna elbowed Willow, and the girl immediately flushed.

“Uh, I mean, when?”

“I’m not sure. It looked close to being finished the last time I saw it, so probably soon.”

“We can’t wait,” Jenna said with a kind smile.

Uncomfortable with all the attention and growing colder by the second, I glanced at the door.

“I really need to get inside. I wanted to catch up with some stuff before class starts.”

“I’ll come with you,” Fenris said. “I’ll see you girls later.”

They didn’t try to follow us as we headed for the doors. I wanted to ask Fenris so many questions, like if he’d said anything to them beforehand, but knew it wasn’t the time or place.

Once we were inside, he surprised me by threading his fingers through mine. When I glanced at him questioningly, he winked, which did nothing to clarify what he was up to. Holding hands was definitely outside of the scope of our existing relationship. However, it was something couples did, and I’d agreed to be his girlfriend in truth as long as he respected my boundaries.

His thumb stroked over mine.

The sensation wrapped around me, and I reveled in the simple touch. This was the first time in my life I’d allowed someone to hold my hand as a casual sign of affection. I liked it far too much. That thing inside me emanated a satisfaction that worried me. It was fine for Fenris to stake his claim in order to win a reprieve from Adira and his father. It wasn’t okay for me to do the same. Fenris wasn’t meant for me, no matter how tempting I found him.

“Remember that no touching boundary?” I asked quietly.

“You mean the one we got rid of with the unconditional honesty deal?”

“A deal I didn’t agree to.”

He arched a brow at me, and I huffed, knowing what he wanted. The truthful reason for my question.

“You’re making me uncomfortable, Fenris.”

“That’s nothing new.”

I almost snorted because he was right.

“I’m worried you’re going to push too far if I continue to let you get away with the little things.”

He tugged me to a stop and turned so we faced each other.

“You have one ‘Fenris, stop pushing me’ a day. Do you want to use today’s for this?” He lifted our joined hands between us and used his free hand to trace over the backs of my fingers.

My stomach clenched, and my vision flickered.

“I don’t think you want to,” he continued. “I think you like this. You said you trusted me. Trust me not to push too far, too fast. You can handle this.”

“Your confidence is my worst enemy,” I grumbled.

He grinned and lowered our hands, his hold secure.

“I can smell your nervousness. When are you going to realize that’s not something you need to feel around me?”

This time I did snort.

“There’s my girl. Now, let’s go find your druids.”

The muffled sound of raised voices echoed in the hall before we reached the pool.

“Oh, this is going to be fun,” Fenris said a moment before I spotted Eras and his mermaids facing off with the druids just inside the pool area.

The group stopped yelling at the sound of the door opening. Eras’s angry face turned a deeper shade of red at the sight of us.

“I knew it!” he yelled. “This ends now.”

He lunged toward us, and several things seemed to happen at once. Fenris’s hand started to shake in mine. The mermaids hissed and went for the druids. And a cloud of dust exploded from Anne’s hand toward the mermaids.

Eras’s black eyes locked on mine, and Fenris’s form began to shimmer.

The thing inside of me surged forward with too much force to deny.

“Fenris, no.”

He twitched beside me at the sultry sound of my voice, and the shimmer surrounding him disappeared.

Eras continued forward, unaware of his mermaids falling limply to the tiles behind him.

“Eras, your obsession with what I do with the druids needs to stop. This level of petty retribution is beneath you.”

His steps slowed.

“So you admit you stole my meal.”

I sighed, released Fenris’s hand, and moved toward Eras. The incubus’s eyes flickered at my approach, and I could sense his fear.

“Darling, don’t fear me. Celebrate me.” My lips curved upward. “On your knees.”

Eras immediately knelt.

“You wanted me to feed in front of you so you could know. Prepare yourself, Eras, to feel what it’s like to be my meal.”