“Unhand it, you thieving whoreson,” Vor bellowed, once more causing Snow to flinch.
Vor hadn’t bothered to turn around, yet he’d seemed to sense what Greer was doing. Greer smiled wickedly and lowered the silver handle back down to the ground. He disappeared seconds later, whistling joyfully as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
Once the sound of his whistling faded, Vor eyed Snow in the dying light. “The night grows colder. There will be a fire to warm yourself by in our hearth. The food might not be the best you’ve eaten, but it will be nourishing.” He smiled. “I daresay our apple ale might be the best you’ve ever imbibed.”
Snow’s belly rumbled, although the thought of food came second to the delight of warmth. The cold had already crept into Snow’s bones and threatened to become painful. He contemplated his options, which seemed to be to either go with Vor—or freeze. Both might end with his death before sunrise.
Which ending would be less painful? There was no way to know for sure.
“Are you of noble birth?” Snow asked, his voice low, forced from his chilled lips.
A soft smile spread across Vor’s lips. “He speaks.”
“Answer my question,” Snow demanded.
The smile faded, a frown taking root. “Nay. I am no nobleman, but you can trust that I will protect you this night.”
Snow had trusted the huntsman and look where that had led him. “Y-you… you told him to gather the others,” Snow forced from his chilled, numb lips. “How many are you?”
“Seven,” Vor replied. He searched Snow’s face and must’ve noticed the increased worry. “On my honor, I vow to you—youwillbe safe.”
Dear gods.Seven. “Are… theyallalphas?”
“Yes.”
“As big as you?”Snow asked, wringing his hands.
“Nay,”Vor whispered, a hint of a smile seemingly curling his lips. “None surpass my size.”
With that smile, Snow noted how handsome the brute was, his bearing almost beguiling. The devil himself could beguile,though, and couldn’t be trusted. To allow himself to be taken in by a handsome face and a promise of warmth could be his downfall. Smaller or not, seven alphas were more than he could fend off alone.
Snow deluded himself. He’d scarcely be able to fend off one, and he’d likely fail at that task.
“Although, twoarenear my size,” Vor added. “Greer, the one you’ve met and another.”
His addendum afforded Snow no greater ease.
“Size or not, we haveno reasonto harm you,” Vor said. “We’ve lacked company for some time. You’d honor us with your presence.”
There was an honest ring to his words, yet Snow hesitated still.
Vor sighed. “Would you rather freeze to death all alone with an empty belly or at least be warmed and… sated?”
Snow’s gaze whipped to his.
Sated?
There had been a tone that word had been spoken with, one that sent a tendril of need curling within Snow’s belly. Another bead of slick dribbled down his leg, and it was clear from the deep inhale and faint growl Vor soon made that he’d scented it.
What is it Vor wished to sate within him?
Snow’s fingers curled into fists at his sides, his curiosity threatening to put him in closer towards danger. Those smiling, seductive lips drew Snow’s gaze once more. The giant of a man didn’t look as if he couldeverbe sated. A shiver washed throughSnow at the thought of Vor demanding satisfaction. Over and over… all night long.
“You’re freezing. The cold will only grow worse as night falls,” Vor said. He held out a meaty hand. “Abduction is not my habit, but I might consider it knowing what might transpire if I were to abandon you.”
Before Snow could reply, an eerie, animal-like cry echoed behind him. Whatever it was, it sounded from Hell itself. The fiend shrieked through the wood, the noise amplifying as it moved. As it seemed to near, Snow leapt forward, his heart pounding. He tripped over the gnarled, tangled roots of the copse surrounding them. The ground came swiftly.
Vor caught him before he struck it. The alpha cradled him close, his heart beating madly against Snow’s ear, almost as fast as his own. Snow lifted his gaze and met Vor’s intent one.
