Jaecar was ordered to join the males next to the fire in the camp the eve before the Mating Moon. The males discussed what females they planned to hunt, knowing their lustful need to mate would rise to insane heights tomorrow.
Already they were making crude remarks, their blood heating. And there’d been several short spars already. Mostly between the Hayden brothers who seemed to be forever antagonizing each other.
All of them discussing how they’d mate Vanna Rae first than getting in a shoving match before they all agreed they’d share her as they did all things. From the spoils of battles to the food Hunter found for them to the woman they all wanted to mate.
Jaecar shook his head at them. Somewhat disdainful of how heated their blood had already became.
Even Draven was quiet. Watching beyond the camp with a predatory gaze.
Jaecar twisted to see what woman his gaze followed, though he had little need to check his suspicion…
Lyra Lani was creeping beyond the shadows with Marta, one of the wizened female elders, heading for her hut. But not without the Alpha rising to follow her step.
Jaecar realized he wasn’t the only one hoping to seduce a woman before he’d become too feral to act as a civilized being. He’d been racking his brain for hours. Wondering how he could charm her. Persuade her to submit to him before the moon.
His close friend Magus took a seat next to him.
Magus was a rare addition to their pack. A creature half mage-half wolf he was immensely rare. There was purportedly only one other such creature in existence. And he was allegedly the Commander of King Detry’s Mages Guild.
“What are you so pensive about?” Magus queried.
“Same thing you are, I’ve no doubt.”
“I’m far less pensive than I should be.” Magus was trying to hide a self-satisfied smirk and failing.
“Found a way to tempt Zyra, have you?” Jaecar asked in wonder. Knowing how many men had wanted the seductress though all had failed to pique her interest. “I thought all the males had given up on her.”
“That’s fair!” Magus sat up and his eyes widened Jaecar. “You know how she can camouflage in the trees, evading all us hunters. And about her touch.” Magus lifted a finger in example and made a zapping sound as he pointed it. “A man could well lose his part to her gentle touch!”
“Then what have you planned?” Jaecar’s black brows lifted in interest.
“I intend to play as unfairly as she.”
“How’s that?”
“A spell an old friend gave me.”
“The mage Commander when he trained you.”
“Nay.” Magus shook his head. “We rarely saw him. The one that truly trains is his Second in Command, Hawk. He was my mentor.”
“And what spell did he give you?”
Magus beamed. “One to melt a woman who’s toyed with you too long. One he wrote for a particular little mage that had been teasing him below the breeches.”
“Oh?” Jaecar was more than impressed. Shape shifter that he was, he had extraordinarily little understanding of mage magic.
As if on cue, Zyra Momay sauntered over to the camp. Knowing full well the effect she had on all the males in her tiny robes. Especially the eve before the Mating Moon. All eyes were on her, in her small leather straps coursing over her shoulders and cinched at her waist to cover the back and front of her but leaving a tantalizing view of the bare expanse of her legs.
She was as confidant as any man in this camp. Absent the fears the other females had of being killed during mating.
Because Zyra was a mage in her own wright. Having enough abilities to evade the males. She had the full ability to choose one of her own but instead she amused herself with mercilessly teasing the only creature she saw as rivalling her magic.
Magus.
She sat down on the other side of him and Jaecar didn’t miss that she’d soon but Magus hand under the leather flaps at the front of her. Pushing him in and grinding her hips forward.
Jaecar shook his head. Disgusted at her teasing. If there was one woman in camp that didn’t deserve the respect of the males, she was certainly it. Jaecar almost pitied Magus. Hoping that the spell Hawk had given him would work on the little succubus.
Without conscious thought, Jaecar found himself heading for the most reinforced hut in the camp. One with extra boards staggered in each direction over the windows, doors and even the support walls until the hut appeared more of a fortress.
It was ironic that it was Jaecar himself that’d made it nearly impenetrable. But a glance at the roof revealed the tiny bit of overhang he knew to be the hatch that he had planted up there.
A way in that Samantha couldn’t barricade.
Jaecar had gotten the idea from a construction that Draven had requested his help with on a cabin further out in the woods.
One Draven had designed to torture a potential mate.
Jaecar remembered the chains that had been hooked to a pully attached to a beam. He grimaced, pitying whatever woman Draven intended them for.
He could be a damn ruthless bastard when he wished.
Without even intending to Jaecar found himself peering back at Lyra Lani’s hut. Having a suspicion who the alpha had designed the cabin for. Unsurprised when he spotted Draven on the step there. Cast in candlelight as he was leaning in the doorway.
Trying to persuade Lyra Lani of the very same thing Jaecar was hoping to persuade Samantha of tonight.
Not a good night for it though. Jaecar wished he had more time. Already his blood was boiling at the idea of mating Samantha. He’d hungered for her for years. Knowing her smell, sensing their connection but knowing she’d be terrified of the taking, he’d thought to spend the years teaching her to be comfortable and then persuading her to trust him for a mating.
Now he feared he’d end up hurting her because he’d run out of time. He couldn’t let Draven have her.
Nearly UndoneJaecar paused outside the massive door that looked like something blocking the way to a dungeon. He lifted his fist and hesitated. Wondering what he could possibly say to her.The door cracked and there was a series of chains that Samantha peered through. Her look going from accusing to surprised.“Jaecar?”He blinked at her.“Just a minute.” She closed the door, and he heard all the chains unbolting. Dread swirling through him. Knowing that if he mated her tomorrow, it would be far too easily done because of her trust in him.Trust he’d have to shatter to possess her. He swallowed a bit of bile at the thought.She opened the door. “Jaecar? You’ve never come to my hut except to reinforce it. Is that why you’re here…”Clearly, she sensed he’d not have come so late at night, the eve before the Mating Moon for such a thing.“Jaecar?” She gave him a quizzical look at his prolonged silence. Finally, she opened the door widely. “Come in.”He ducked his head and obediently ente
A TasteSamantha had shrugged. Having no idea why he did.Tossing her black hair defiantly, Aloira slinked away.Samantha had rubbed her neck and gone to the river to wash the other girl’s sticky fingerprints off.But Jaecar had waited near a tree by camp and when Aloira passed it, he caught her by the throat and rounded to slam her against a tree.Her brown eyes were huge, and she clawed at his large brown hand. Gagging against her compressed trachea.“I thought you and I had an arrangement. But it appears you not when to leave well enough alone.”He released her abruptly and let her slide down the trunk.“I’m sorry, Jaecar.” She bowed her head and backed up from him. A submissive pose it wouldn’t occur to Samantha to assume.“Know that any touch you put on her will be thrice times as done unto you.”“I understand.” Keeping her eyes averted she rounded and scampered off to her hut. Ashamed of having been caught taunting the other female.The youngest of the pack.“Jaecar?” Samantha’s
A Dream & A Cruel RealitySAMANTHAJaecar was on top of me. Kissing me as he’d done hours ago. His gold body glistening in the firelight. His long adept fingers expertly winding through the laces of my dress. Freeing my body to his penetrating view.He took in the sight emotionlessly. His expression as unreadable as always. He said nothing. Merely taking in the sight of me in his usual quiet way.What was he thinking?Lifting my skirts in his rush to get to my center.His fingers bit into my thighs as he forced them apart. Dropping his hips between so I could feel the rigid hardness that I’d sensed earlier when he’d kissed me. Though I couldn’t see it, I’d had a mental vision of what it might look like.Something to be feared.Something that meant he could claim me. Penetrate me and eventually he could choose to mark me. Whether I wanted him or not.I saw him swaying over me as I’d glimpsed one of the males doing on Aloira once in the woods.It was a strange sensation. Like rubbing be
Fear of the Mating MoonSAMANTHAIt was the morning of the Mating Moon when, Jaecar, the fiercest of the Border Guards, waited for me outside my hut as he often did.I met him there. After all these years, I was unafraid of him despite his intimidating air and athletic build.He had shining black hair and defined muscles tightly winding his body under his leather tunic and breeches. Usual dagger resting in its hip scabbard.He’d never given me cause for concern. Despite that I knew the males looked at him nervously.Why wouldn’t they?He’d outmaneuvered them often enough in the trial rings. The only real competition for our young Alpha, Draven.“Let me see.” He held out his hand impatiently.My sketchbook.It wasn’t a question.I handed it over, as I always did. Glad to share my work with him.He always wanted to see what new scribbles I’d done.“Is this Warlock Creek?” He pointed to one page.“Yes. That’s my favorite spot.”“Ah, yes.” He nodded. “In the old oak tree.”I smiled up at
Hole in a TreeHe trailed a finger down my cheek with his free hand. “But out of courtesy to you, I’m telling you what’ll happen in a few short hours so you can prepare yourself.”“I’ll never be prepared, Jaecar.” I said defiantly. “And I’ll never forgive you if you do this.”I felt the spark in my blue eyes that indicated I intended every hateful word.“That much,” He sighed. “I already figured.”I was shocked when Jaecar sat up and unwound a long length of rope from around his waist.He’s really going to do this?I fought in truth then rolling onto my belly to try and crawl away. “You’re not tying me up!”He caught one of my legs and spun it across him, so I was flipped back onto my back. Grasping my sketchbook as my hand rolled over it. For some reason, it still felt important to me.He lurched forward to hop astride my hips, rope in hand. Prepared to bind me.I took his movement as an opportunity, and as he leapt up, I skid down between his legs before he could drop his weight.Us
Waiting Me OutHunger for the flesh he means. I’d succeeded in slowing my heart, but it was thrumming so hard I feared he’d hear it.But the tree was dense and good at masking such sounds.One of the thickest ones in these woods. I hoped it’d serve me well now.“Samantha!” He barked. “Have it your way!”From where I was ducked within the tree, I could hear his boots crunching over the twigs as he turned looking for a track or a sign of movement. His voice carrying from various directions as he turned his back then rounded again.“But don’t forget it’s me.” He persisted. “I know everything about you.”I felt a bloom of a fear as I wondered how true that was.He does know a lot about me. I’d never felt the need to keep things from him. Thinking him my only friend save Lyra Lani.“There’s nowhere you can go, nowhere you can hide that I won’t soon find you...” His words were so ominous I wondered if it was his version of a promise.He’s right. He does know too much about me.How could I b
His EnsnarementI headed straight for a stand of shrubs where I had a small snap box tucked under, filled with dried meat for snacking, as I checked my traps. I snatched a handful and heard the skid of something heavy. Feeling something snatch my ankle.Oh, no! At first, I thought it was Jaecar gripping me. I turned looking down but saw no one on the ground.I looked down as I was dragged a distance. Starting to be leveraged up was only stopped by Jaecar’s fist catching the rope and holding it up near his shoulder to keep it from falling further. It clearly weighed more than me and him holding it up was all that was keeping me from going further up into the trees.Principles of leverage. Even I understood that.Keeping the large trunk behind him from toppling down and leaving me swinging.Easy prey for the pack later. I envisioned myself dangling there. One leg hooked and completely vulnerable as they sniffed me out.Attempting to change into the wolf, would do nothing to get me free.
Everywhere I'd Hide!I stuck his blade in the waist of my dress and fled back toward camp.“Really, Sam?” He called after me. “Do you honestly think you’re going to get away from me?”Really, Jaecar. You bastard.He tossed his arms. “I’m a Border Guard! I hunt down intruders all night. Most nights.”“I’m not an intruder!” I tossed over my shoulder. Not slowing my pace.My animosity growing with each step. The mere fact that I was fleeing someone I had considered myself so close to was not lost on me.He wasn’t moving.Probably thinking he’ll catch up to me easily enough.He’s underestimated me. I thought. Confidence beginning to surge.You’re just like them afterall, Jaecar!Perhaps someone would’ve thought it was silly that I would flee the one man I trusted from our camp when he offered to be my mate.But that person clearly didn’t understand the nature of the Asara males.Being collected by the former alpha meant they were the most aggressive, most ferocious of any wolves out there
Wait QuietlyJaecar’s light green eyes appeared in my line of vision.I cast him a last pleading look. Willing him to suddenly have a change of heart and let me go.“Wait for me.” He said. Urging, “Quietly.”My lips twitched in contempt as I glared at him. The Hell I will!“Remember, if you scream, if you struggle, the pack will hear you.”And they’ll all want to mate. I knew it without him having to say it. I deflated a little at the thought. And my struggling could make me sweat which would only carry my hormone better in the wind.Filling this whole tree with my smell. I grimaced.“I have to go to the Pack Meeting and then I’ll be back for you.”I’ll figure out a way to escape him by then. I reassured myself. Studying me a minute and seeing that I understood he gave a satisfied nod and turned stiffly.Thankful for the reprieve, I blew a long breath and my body relaxed. He’s gone.For a while. A niggling little voice corrected.What a fantastic day this is turning out to be!I knew
Ravenous MalesHe pinned one of my forearms under each of his knees. His weight making his bone press into the soft tissues of my arm.Ouch!“You’re not tying me up, Jaecar!” I screamed louder this time. A panicked note touching my voice as I tried to buck my hips enough to free myself.“The Hell I’m not.” He muttered. Balancing as he straddled my waist. Untwisting the rope, he pulled his dagger from the tie at my waist. Cutting the rope into four chunks, he laid them out next to us, ominously. Before staring at me as he purposefully shoving it back in his hip scabbard.Angry I’d stolen it to begin with. I didn’t feel bad since I’d stolen it in order to save myself. No remorse to be had there!“Jaecar!” I pleaded. “This is me we’re talking about. You and I have been friends forever!”Have you lost your mind?“Yes. And now we’re going to be more. Much more.” He asserted.“You don’t want to mate with me!” I cried. “This is insanity.”Why is he pushing this now?What’s happened?He pause
Everywhere I'd Hide!I stuck his blade in the waist of my dress and fled back toward camp.“Really, Sam?” He called after me. “Do you honestly think you’re going to get away from me?”Really, Jaecar. You bastard.He tossed his arms. “I’m a Border Guard! I hunt down intruders all night. Most nights.”“I’m not an intruder!” I tossed over my shoulder. Not slowing my pace.My animosity growing with each step. The mere fact that I was fleeing someone I had considered myself so close to was not lost on me.He wasn’t moving.Probably thinking he’ll catch up to me easily enough.He’s underestimated me. I thought. Confidence beginning to surge.You’re just like them afterall, Jaecar!Perhaps someone would’ve thought it was silly that I would flee the one man I trusted from our camp when he offered to be my mate.But that person clearly didn’t understand the nature of the Asara males.Being collected by the former alpha meant they were the most aggressive, most ferocious of any wolves out there
His EnsnarementI headed straight for a stand of shrubs where I had a small snap box tucked under, filled with dried meat for snacking, as I checked my traps. I snatched a handful and heard the skid of something heavy. Feeling something snatch my ankle.Oh, no! At first, I thought it was Jaecar gripping me. I turned looking down but saw no one on the ground.I looked down as I was dragged a distance. Starting to be leveraged up was only stopped by Jaecar’s fist catching the rope and holding it up near his shoulder to keep it from falling further. It clearly weighed more than me and him holding it up was all that was keeping me from going further up into the trees.Principles of leverage. Even I understood that.Keeping the large trunk behind him from toppling down and leaving me swinging.Easy prey for the pack later. I envisioned myself dangling there. One leg hooked and completely vulnerable as they sniffed me out.Attempting to change into the wolf, would do nothing to get me free.
Waiting Me OutHunger for the flesh he means. I’d succeeded in slowing my heart, but it was thrumming so hard I feared he’d hear it.But the tree was dense and good at masking such sounds.One of the thickest ones in these woods. I hoped it’d serve me well now.“Samantha!” He barked. “Have it your way!”From where I was ducked within the tree, I could hear his boots crunching over the twigs as he turned looking for a track or a sign of movement. His voice carrying from various directions as he turned his back then rounded again.“But don’t forget it’s me.” He persisted. “I know everything about you.”I felt a bloom of a fear as I wondered how true that was.He does know a lot about me. I’d never felt the need to keep things from him. Thinking him my only friend save Lyra Lani.“There’s nowhere you can go, nowhere you can hide that I won’t soon find you...” His words were so ominous I wondered if it was his version of a promise.He’s right. He does know too much about me.How could I b
Hole in a TreeHe trailed a finger down my cheek with his free hand. “But out of courtesy to you, I’m telling you what’ll happen in a few short hours so you can prepare yourself.”“I’ll never be prepared, Jaecar.” I said defiantly. “And I’ll never forgive you if you do this.”I felt the spark in my blue eyes that indicated I intended every hateful word.“That much,” He sighed. “I already figured.”I was shocked when Jaecar sat up and unwound a long length of rope from around his waist.He’s really going to do this?I fought in truth then rolling onto my belly to try and crawl away. “You’re not tying me up!”He caught one of my legs and spun it across him, so I was flipped back onto my back. Grasping my sketchbook as my hand rolled over it. For some reason, it still felt important to me.He lurched forward to hop astride my hips, rope in hand. Prepared to bind me.I took his movement as an opportunity, and as he leapt up, I skid down between his legs before he could drop his weight.Us
Fear of the Mating MoonSAMANTHAIt was the morning of the Mating Moon when, Jaecar, the fiercest of the Border Guards, waited for me outside my hut as he often did.I met him there. After all these years, I was unafraid of him despite his intimidating air and athletic build.He had shining black hair and defined muscles tightly winding his body under his leather tunic and breeches. Usual dagger resting in its hip scabbard.He’d never given me cause for concern. Despite that I knew the males looked at him nervously.Why wouldn’t they?He’d outmaneuvered them often enough in the trial rings. The only real competition for our young Alpha, Draven.“Let me see.” He held out his hand impatiently.My sketchbook.It wasn’t a question.I handed it over, as I always did. Glad to share my work with him.He always wanted to see what new scribbles I’d done.“Is this Warlock Creek?” He pointed to one page.“Yes. That’s my favorite spot.”“Ah, yes.” He nodded. “In the old oak tree.”I smiled up at
A Dream & A Cruel RealitySAMANTHAJaecar was on top of me. Kissing me as he’d done hours ago. His gold body glistening in the firelight. His long adept fingers expertly winding through the laces of my dress. Freeing my body to his penetrating view.He took in the sight emotionlessly. His expression as unreadable as always. He said nothing. Merely taking in the sight of me in his usual quiet way.What was he thinking?Lifting my skirts in his rush to get to my center.His fingers bit into my thighs as he forced them apart. Dropping his hips between so I could feel the rigid hardness that I’d sensed earlier when he’d kissed me. Though I couldn’t see it, I’d had a mental vision of what it might look like.Something to be feared.Something that meant he could claim me. Penetrate me and eventually he could choose to mark me. Whether I wanted him or not.I saw him swaying over me as I’d glimpsed one of the males doing on Aloira once in the woods.It was a strange sensation. Like rubbing be
A TasteSamantha had shrugged. Having no idea why he did.Tossing her black hair defiantly, Aloira slinked away.Samantha had rubbed her neck and gone to the river to wash the other girl’s sticky fingerprints off.But Jaecar had waited near a tree by camp and when Aloira passed it, he caught her by the throat and rounded to slam her against a tree.Her brown eyes were huge, and she clawed at his large brown hand. Gagging against her compressed trachea.“I thought you and I had an arrangement. But it appears you not when to leave well enough alone.”He released her abruptly and let her slide down the trunk.“I’m sorry, Jaecar.” She bowed her head and backed up from him. A submissive pose it wouldn’t occur to Samantha to assume.“Know that any touch you put on her will be thrice times as done unto you.”“I understand.” Keeping her eyes averted she rounded and scampered off to her hut. Ashamed of having been caught taunting the other female.The youngest of the pack.“Jaecar?” Samantha’s