Page 49 of Hunter

“Fuckin’ fae.” Hunter kicked at the dirt, spraying it over the fire.

Rafe dug his fingers into the earth, dousing the flames.

“Kellen is quite a piece of work. I’m not sure how Quintus manages to deal with his sort. But then again, I have my own informants,” Viktor mused.

“If you don’t mind me askin’, Alpha, what’s going on with the girl you brought back from Hell?” Rafe wiped his hand across his forehead and spat onto the ground.

“Nothing. He’s lying about her.” The Alpha inwardly questioned Kellen’s claims about Willa. She was extraordinary, almost otherworldly. He’d seen her gorgeous wolf, and while he suspected a hybrid of some sort, she was not evil. “It’s just that Hell…it affects people. Any species can be contaminated by it. Humans. Vampires. Witches. Wolves even. They choose evil. But the fae are more susceptible. If you walk through Hell one too many times…”

“Haven’t met many fae to be honest.” Rafe made quick work of mounting his horse.

“Best you don’t. Ya don’t want to be caught up in a bad deal. It’s what they do. Kellen’s a motherfucker. But he’s pretty visible. That’s why Quint uses him.”

“Yes, but Quint still should have killed his ass.” Viktor sighed and gestured toward his feet. “Now would you look at that. How am I ever going to get this mud off my shoes? Did I mention they were brand new?”

“Gotta roll, Rafe. Have a good ride,” Hunter told his wolf, ignoring the vampire’s complaint.

“That I’ll do, Alpha.”

Hunter stilled as he turned to Viktor, shock rolling through him. Willa. As if someone had stolen his lifeblood, his hands turned icy. He closed his eyes, focusing, searching for her.

“What’s wrong now? Don’t you see how dirty my…”

“Willa’s gone.” His eyes locked on Viktor’s.

“What do you mean she’s gone? She’s back at your house. With Julian.”

“No. I can’t feel her. I’ve gotta get back now. If she ran off with that loser brother of hers, I’m gonna spank her ass.”

“Now that is something I would like to see.”

“Now vampire,” the Alpha ordered, setting his palm on Viktor’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Eight

Willa’s mind swarmed in confusion, her conflicting emotions warring. She’d always remained in control of her beast…until now. Overwhelmed, she stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring into her bloodshot eyes, her face puffy from her tears. After she’d dressed, she let her mind wander, reaching for Hunter, but he was gone. The Alpha had left without so much as a goodbye. It was what she’d wanted, yet now that he’d gone, she thought of nothing but him, making love, lying safely in his arms.

Believing she’d never mate, Willa never considered the consequences if she found one. The attraction to the Alpha was palpable, like an addiction she couldn’t deny. Craving her next fix, she prayed to the Goddess to make it go away.

Children. Before she could stop the thought, the word streamed through her mind. No, no, no. Stop it, Willa. You cannot think of this. Just get going with your business. Worry about the Alpha later.

Willa startled at the sound of the bedroom door swinging open, heavy footsteps treading across the floor. Not Hunter. Not the vampire. Not Julian. Dark energy sent her wolf on alert. Willa picked up a hand mirror lying on the counter and smashed it. With a towel she picked up a shard, readying it as a weapon. Willa quickly stepped into the bedroom from the bathroom, holding it tight. Poised to stab the intruder, she caught sight of Remus.

“What are you doing in my room?” Although she relaxed her arm to her side, she kept a firm hold on the glass.

“Just thought I’d check on you. Alpha’s gone to check something,” he said, his eyes painting over her.

“What do you want?” Willa took a step back, increasing the distance between them.

“What do I want?” Remus cocked his head and sat on the bed. “I want to know what you are. I want to know what Hunter brought back from Hell.” He sniffed the air then shot her a cold smile. “I can smell it on you. Like a filthy demon whore. Yet he claims you’re a wolf.”

“I am a wolf.” Willa’s grip tightened around the towel.

“You know what I think? I think you and your so-called brother in there aren’t really wolves. You may look like a wolf, run like a wolf, but you’re dirty. I think,” he smoothed his palm over a wrinkle in the comforter, “you’re not who you say you are.”

“It’s none of your business who I am or who I’m not. The Alpha is the only one who needs to know. That’s the advantage of not being pack.”

“I’m the beta. He’s not here. I’m makin’ it my business.”