Page 34 of A Kiss From a Wolfman
A sharp howl echoes through the den. The sound of unease causes my ears to perk up and my lips to curl into a snarl. My head whips towards the opening of our dwelling. With my heightened hearing, I can make out the sounds of claws clicking along the stone floor and heading toward the den’s entrance.
“What’s going on?” Stella asks
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t sound good,” I say, kissing her lips. “Stay here.”
Sliding on an old pair of shorts, I prowl down the corridor and charge towards the front of the den. A few members of the pack fall into step beside me, nodding in respect as we hustle towards the front of the cavern.
“Who raised the alarm?” A young wolfman named Puk asks me.
“I have no idea.”
We hustle as a unit until we meet up with the other pack members. I nod to the others gathered around me. Brydon meets my eye with concern, lifting his snout towards the clearing awash in the morning sun. A quick head count tells me the whole pack is present except for one: Lukar.
Remaining in darkness, I peer into the clearing. The brown wolfman is easy enough to locate. A brigade of twelve heavily armed human hunters stand in a line a few feet from our den. A bruised and battered Lukar lays bound at their feet. After a few moments, the lead hunter steps forward and unholsters his gun.
He isn’t a particularly tall man, but the arsenal of his weaponry makes him a threat. Silver bullets drape along his chest, as well as a smattering of silver knives glinting at his hips. The others of his hunting party are dressed similarly. His dark hair is greased back from his face, exposing beady eyes and pockmarked cheeks. Thin lips peel back to reveal chipped yellow teeth.
“We know you're in there!” he calls. “Hand over the girl, and we’ll let him go.”
His worn boot connects soundly with Lukar’s ribs—the wolf grunts and curls in on himself.
“Found your friend here all alone inThe Woods. Had to use a little force, but he told us where you were in time.” The hunter chuckles. “Also told us of the girl you’ve taken. She matches the description of the one we’ve been hired to bring back. Her boss told us she’d never willingly go with you lot, and after we found those bodies at her place, well…”
He trails off. None of my pack makes a move. From the steam coming from Lukar’s wounds, I can tell they used silver on him. Under that type of pain, I can’t fault him for confessing even as red settles over my vision. If these hunters want Stella, they’ll have to get through me. I will never hand her over—I’d rather die.
“Just give her to us, and we’ll go.” The man kicks Lukar again, and my teeth grind together. “Or we’ll kill him and put a bullet in each one of you.”
The others bear their teeth at the threat, and I follow them. Inhaling deeply, I let Stella’s sweet scent calm me. Lowering onto my haunches, I’m ready to strike. The others follow my lead, ready to pounce once I give the command. Stella is pack, and no one will take her from us.
“Alright, have it your way,” the hunter sighs. “I’ll count to ten. Produce the girl, or I’ll shoot him.”
He trains his long gun on Lukar’s head. The male gives a whine, pulling at the silver-laced ropes tethering him. These are experienced hunters who won’t go down without a fight.
“One,” the hunter calls. “Two. Three. F?—”
“Wait!” A familiar voice echoes in the cavern behind us.
There is a flash of gold before I register Stella’s petite frame running headlong through the den’s opening. She breaksthrough our lines before anyone can grab her and stands exposed in the clearing. I don’t think about my safety and rush towards her side. She whirls towards me, shaking her head and urging me to stay back.
I do as she says, even if I am in agony. Every protective instinct I have is screaming at me to grab her and haul her back into the safety of the den. Brave and beautiful, Stella shows no fear as she turns towards the under. Her gown is unlaced as if she merely threw it on and left. It hangs from her shoulders and drags on the ground.
My mark is on full display in the morning sun. It doesn’t escape the hunter’s notice. Their lustful gazes on her soon give way to disgust. The lead hunter points his gun at her, and she holds up her delicate hands.
“You need to leave this place. Tell Old Bill I was not kidnapped but came here of my own volition.”
The leader sketches a brow before laughing in disgust.
“You can’t expect us to believe that girl. Look at that mark—surely you didn’t ask for that. Bad enough, one of these beasts has already rutted upon you.” He spits on the ground. “You wish to remain with these animals?”
“Yes,” she says clearly. “I love their alpha, and he loves me. This is where I’m meant to be.”
My heart expands in my chest. To hear my mate claim me openly and boldly sets my blood on fire. If not for the present danger, I’d already be between her thighs, giving us both pleasure.
Her confession is met with a disgusted snarl by the lead hunter.
“Stupid girl. It is a pity that a pretty thing like you has been tainted.” His finger tightens on the trigger. “And we don’t need your belly growing with one of their pups and further polluting our land with their kind.”
Stella inhales sharply, and I react in time, launching myself at the hunter. The sound of the gun firing barely registers as my jaw locks around his neck. Metallic blood coats my tongue as my fangs tear through flesh and muscles. With a mighty tug, I hear the cracking of bones and wrench the hunter's hand from his shoulders.
