Jaecar 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 entered. Turning to her. “Samantha…”
But whatever he’d have said trailed off at the sight of her in the light of her fireplace. The orange flames danced through her coppery hair tinged with white and gold highlights. Making her flawless white skin seem even more surreal in the dimness. She wore a long white nightdress ruffled at the collar and cuffs. A remnant of a more civilized world before the pack plagues. Her blue eyes locked on him, and she was backing up slightly.
Showing the hint of fear that made him take a step forward as a low growl rumbled his throat. His predatory nature reacting to her retreat.
Eyes rounding, she froze at seeing the reaction he was having.
Jaecar wanted her. More than he could imagine wanting any other creature. Just standing in her hut was surrounding him with her alluring hut. Tantalizing his sensed and generating an instant arousal.
Already he could smell the dusky hint of her sex which would become deliciously enhanced beginning tomorrow afternoon. A lure to draw in the males.
Though the females would become increasingly roused tomorrow it was nowhere near to the extent of the males. Merely enough to keep her damp enough to not be harmed during the matings of the night.
Thinking of it in a plural sense, reminded him that Draven had threatened to let multiple men rut her. Just knowing it made him want to mark her immediately before anyone else dared touch her.
But no one would abide by the marking without the mating.
And Jaecar was aware no one would believe he’d made Samantha unless she exhibited the rage and betrayal to prove it.
That thought made his chest tight, but he understood what the options were.
It was clear what he’d do. And he couldn’t guarantee he’d be any gentler with her under the Mating Moon than any other Asara male. Especially sense I’d been stamping down my desire for her under every Mating Moon for the last several years.
Samantha thought he was kind to help her reinforce the hut. But he did it every year so he wouldn’t tear his way in when he turned and forcefully take her while he was his animal.
It was a legitimate fear.
“You have to pick a mate tomorrow, Samantha.” He said more harshly than he’d intended. Resisting his animal instinct to throw her to the floor in her hut right now.
“I’m not doing that Jaecar. You know that. You help keep me from it.” She took another step before the fire to peer at him as if he’d lost his mind.
The way she was looking at him, made it clear that she’d no idea that standing before that fire in that thin muslin nightdress made it utterly invisible. Making the outline of her small pert breasts with jutting nipples painstakingly obvious. And the dark nest of her hair at the crux of her thighs, look soft enough to sink into right now.
“Dammit!” He turned his back to her. Shoving his hand through his hair. But that image of her body was branded in his senses. Causing the racing of his heart. The yellowing of his eyes and the slitting of his pupils as he resisted the urge to push her against the wall.
“What’s wrong with you tonight, Jaecar? Is it the Mating Moon?”
“Yes, it is.” He forced his tone softer but there was still the hint of danger in it.
She instinctively retreated to stand between the mantle and the wall in the deepest shadows of her hut.
He heard her soft footfalls taking her there. Painfully aware of her every movement. The sweeping of her nightdress along her feet stirring her scent upward to waft through the small space like steam from a decadent dessert.
Luring him closer.
“Jaecar…Do you need Aloira?”
Samantha was aware that Jaecar usually expended his energy on Aloira under the Mating Moon. As many of the males did. She and her best friend were willing breedables who hadn’t yet taken to pup.
Both women seemed to have their gazes on the Hayden brothers or Jaecar. Wanting a fierce Border Guard of their own.
Neither of the girls favored Samantha and she’d learned why over the last few years. Aloira didn’t appreciate the time Jaecar wasted on her.
She’d once caught Samantha. Putting a clawed hand to Samantha’s throat and pinning her to a tree near the river to demand. “Why does he waste so much time on you. A female unwilling to submit when he has one such as I? A breedable who knows how to…” She stepped back from Samantha and seductively stroked her throat and down to the hollow of her cleavage over a green dress. “Please a male…”
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
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
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