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  Lance frowned. She was referring to the witch hunts, when the old and long-dead scholars who’d been ruling the Order decided to sacrifice the Huntresses, ignorant to their role in killing the beasts. It was a brutal mistake that resulted in Huntress families scattering, making it almost impossible for the Hunters to find their mates.

  “You have powers though,” Lance said, his brain hiccupping over the woman’s words as he thought back to Ariana’s tremendous abilities in weaving flesh and healing Candy. He hadn’t realized at the time what that meant. “How would you have powers if you’re…?”

  Greer grinned as she swept her long blonde hair to the side, exposing the column of her throat. There, at the point where shoulder curved into neck, was an angry, bubbled scar of a wolf bite.

  Both Kelly and he gasped.

  Blasphemy.

  Lance snapped his gaze to Ariana who stood silent and defiant staring back at him, only a minute flash of something that looked like hesitation, regret. He grabbed her arm without thinking, yanked her toward him and tugged her hair away from her throat. There, right where her leader had hers, was a wolf bite.

  “You’ve been violated,” he hissed.

  Ariana tore herself free, her face a mask of anger, shutting him out, strength radiating toward him. “No, I made a choice, and if you touch me again, I’m going to rip your motherfucking hand off.”

  “Tsk, Ariana, that’s no way to speak to your mate,” Greer said, her wicked smile returning once again. “She’s a little sensitive about that, Lance. Be warned.”

  Kelly snapped her eyes from Ariana to Lance, eyebrows momentarily high before crashing into a deep frown. “Your mate?”

  Lance opened his mouth to speak, feeling…what was he feeling? Like he’d been suddenly kicked in the gut. Kelly was surprised, yes, but her eyes said something else as well. He didn’t know what to say to her. Ariana was his mate, the one who would now come before Kelly, always and forever.

  “Kelly, I—”

  “Greer!” A shout came from behind, the crowd of women warriors parting to let two more come forward, dragging a third between them. “The corrupted one is regaining consciousness.”

  “Talia!” Kelly said with a gasp. “She’s the one responsible for this battle.”

  “Is she one of yours?” Greer asked, an eyebrow cocked as she gripped Talia by the hair and tilted her face upward. Talia’s eyelids flickered open for a brief moment.

  “She was, until she lost her mate and went crazy,” Kelly said. She motioned around the lawn. “Brought this pack of beasts under her command.” Kelly shifted closer to Greer. “Be cautious, she has both the bond of a Hunter and the bite of a beast. It has proven to be a powerful combination. She can manipulate and control even a Huntress.”

  Greer’s smile grew. “No need to fear, Kelly, she’s just a wee babe in this world.” She angled Talia’s face upward, motioning with a nod for her women to hoist her higher. “And she’s no match for me.”

  Lance watched with growing awe as Greer leaned down and kissed Talia’s lips, nothing tender or erotic per se—her mouth on Talia’s almost like she was feeding, consuming. It only lasted for a few moments but when she pulled away Talia’s face was paler than it’d been, her body slumping harder between the two women holding her up.

  Greer’s green eyes sparkled, her lips puffed, her cheeks blooming with a pink blush. “Her powers have been shackled.” She touched her own lips briefly with her fingertips. “You were quite right, Kelly, she is a powerful one.”

  Lance cringed, trepidation growing. “What is your power exactly, Greer? How have you shackled her?”

  “A warrior never shares her secrets.” Greer’s smile faded. “You need not worry about your Talia using her powers for the time being.”

  Lance glanced toward Ariana, noting a look of discomfort flashing across her face, as if she knew what that felt like and didn’t relish the experience.

  “Like I mentioned earlier, we have a compound in Canada. As I’m sure you have no interest, perhaps no ability to help Talia, we’d like to offer our services for rehabilitation.”

  “Of Talia? Is that even possible?” Kelly was in awe once again and Lance wanted to shift to her side, give her a nudge, but found that he was torn, his possessive need to stay close to Ariana—despite the fact that she obviously didn’t really want him to—forced him to stay put.

  “Of course,” Greer said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Once we have repaired the damage to Talia’s psyche, she will be assimilated into the tribe and become a functioning, productive Huntresses once again. Benefits all, wouldn’t you say?”

  Kelly frowned. “I suppose, yes, that sounds like the best plan.”

  And one that Lance begrudgingly supported. If it was entirely up to him, Talia would be dead. Huntress or not, she’d brought the enemy into their territory and had almost gotten Kelly and Candy killed. But as angry as Lance was, he couldn’t stand the thought of a Huntress dying, just on principal. After the legacy of Huntress killings that lay at the feet of all Hunters, he could hardly bear the thought when another option was available. If Greer and her Huntresses wanted to take the woman, so be it and good riddance.

  With a wave of Greer’s hand, the women holding Talia up shifted back through the crowd of warriors, disappearing.

  “Now, Kelly, I’ve taken care of your little problem, I’ve a favor to ask in return,” Greer said.

  “And what is it exactly that you want?” Kelly glanced toward Lance, her expression clearly showing mistrust. Finally.

  “Lodging for the night, food, showers. Simple accommodations, really. We are family after all.” Greer winked. “It seems as though one of my warriors has found her mate. Perhaps they could spend some time getting to know one another.”

  Ariana flinched, opened her mouth as if to protest, words seeming to die on her tongue with a hard look from her leader. Greer held her stare for a heartbeat longer, some silent message passing between them.

  “Lodging, food, whatever you need is at your disposal,” Kelly said as she surveyed the expanse of property. “I must tend to the clean-up here.”

  “Please allow my warriors to take care of that.” Greer raised a hand and motioned behind her. “Paige, dispose of the beasts in your usual manner.”

  A short dark haired warrior stepped forward, her fingers raised. “It’ll be faster if we get them into a pile.”

  “What is it exactly that you’re planning on doing?” Lance asked, bewildered by how easily this woman was taking the reins of operations.

  “Do what you must,” Greer said to the one named Paige before turning to address Lance directly. “Paige has the gift of hell fire.” She snickered softly. “Well, that’s what we call it anyway. She can ash the beasts with little evidence of fire itself. No smoke, not much debris will remain. Wicked powerful.”

  “I don’t think…”

  Kelly raised a hand to her temple and rubbed there. “Lance, please.” She looked so fatigued, her eyes weary as she flicked her gaze to him.

  He’d forgotten what this battle would have done to her overall strength. Ever since she’d lost contact with Andrew, her powers had been ebbing. Just as Talia had boasted. Without Andrew, her Hunter, Kelly was weakening.

  “I think it’s for the best.” Kelly motioned to the house. “Your women can use the suites on the second floor east wing to clean up and rest. I’ll direct the Hunters to prepare a meal.”

  Greer smiled and wove her arm through Kelly’s, bracing her weight when Kelly slumped a little. Lance bristled. Greer waved him off with a smirk. “We’ve much to discuss, stories to swap, I’d imagine, sister. Let me help you to the house so we can get to know one another.”

  Lance made to follow them, his gut screaming for action, to tear Greer’s arm away from Kelly’s, to stop any conversation from happening.

  “Lance
?” His name on Ariana’s lips was sweeter than he expected, especially when those lips were suddenly pressed against his ear. Her body was angled so she was resting against his side, on tip toes to reach, her hands suddenly wrapped around his shoulders, clasped at the side of his neck. “My mate? Let’s get to know each other, shall we?”

  Her fingers nudged his chin toward her, lips on lips a second after that. A pulse of desire jolted him, from his mouth to his groin, and everything in between. His only thought was not a thought.

  Mine.

  Chapter Three

  Following Orders

  It wasn’t like it was going to be hard to do this. The man was a fucking god in appearance. Longish, dirty-blond hair to his shoulders, muscles that would make you weep at the sheer perfection, conjuring images of fighting prowess, as well as being totally lickable. His Hunter mark, a tattoo bearing a roaring wolf, was wrapped around one ample biceps and it flared to life, burning my fingers where I touched him. His face was beautiful as well, brown soulful eyes and dark lashes, a nose that was straight, unmarred from any fighting wounds, a faint darkening of stubble along his chin and jaw, and lips…mmm…lips that were firm yet yielding.

  Even so, for all his perfection, I was bristling from Greer’s telepathic command.

  “Distract him, Ariana, keep him away. Do what you need to. Fuck his brains out if you must, but keep him away.”

  Normally Greer’s instructions came with room for negotiation. This time there had been none. She’d used Talia’s powers of manipulation, forcefully suggesting that I comply. And so I would, as unwilling as I was, obey my leader.

  “Your lips…” he mumbled as he pulled me tighter against his body, hands gripping my ass, forcing my legs up to wrap around his waist, to grind my pussy into his stomach. God, it felt good. Too damn good. “Taste like honey.”

  “It’s my lipstick,” I said as I pulled back from him. “Nothing more than that.”

  He frowned, gaze locked with mine, confusion battling in those lusty eyes of his. “Your body says different.”

  “No, it…” The argument died on my tongue as Greer’s command rattled in my brain, constricting my skull, obedience demanded. Damn her, to use Talia’s powers against her own warrior. It was an abuse to be sure, one that I’d be addressing with her as soon as I had the chance. But for now, I had a piercing pain in my skull pushing me to do as she commanded. “I mean, what I’d like is a shower, preferably with you…so we can explore what our bodies want.”

  Lance gave a hard nod as he released his hold on me, lowering me to the ground. He grabbed my hand, like he was scared I would bolt—which I kinda wanted to do—and took a brisk pace to the mansion, following where some of my sister warriors had presumably gone as well.

  Greer had achieved some measure of success already. A testament to her skill as a leader with or without siphoning the powers of manipulation that Talia had so advantageously offered up. Step one of our mandate had been achieved with no resistance: we’d infiltrated the Order’s walls and were partaking in hospitalities, no less. Greer hadn’t been lying when she’d said we were scouting the area, but it was no fluke that we’d stumbled upon the battle that Talia had created.

  “We’ll take possession of one of the guest suites until a suitable one can be prepared to your liking.” Lance was hauling ass up a flight of carpeted stairs, obviously a side case as it was partially hidden down a hall, and almost dragging me behind him in his haste. “As my bonded mate—”

  “Whoa there, Hunter.” Bonded…fuck. “I said explore bodies, in the shower, I didn’t say anything about bonding.”

  He stopped mid-step and I crashed right into his back, whacking my nose off his spine.

  “Ouch! Fuck, man!” I yelped as I covered my throbbing nose with my hand.

  He turned on me, towering above as he was one step higher, anger simmering in his eyes. “What is your deal, Huntress? Why are you so against our bonding?” He shifted to look over my head, down the stairs, before snapping his gaze back to mine. “What am I not seeing here?” He gave his head a hard shake. “You’ve been marked by a beast, it’s tainted you. There’s no way the pull I’m feeling would be rejected by my rightful mate. There’s something not right happening here. Something nefarious. That leader of yours…” He bared his teeth.

  Panic kicked at my gut. He was going to leave. I was losing him. Greer needed time with Kelly. Time away from any other influence.

  “You won’t bond with your Hunter, there’s something wrong in that and I intend to find out.” He made to side step me, all but shoving me into the wall.

  “Lance,” I whispered his name, halting him with a hand on the side of his face. “I’m scared.” The words tumbled out. Honest words that made my skin feel hot. “I never expected to feel this way toward a man, any man. The idea of my Hunter…” I groped for more words, my throat tight. This was for Greer. Keep Lance away. Keep him busy. “I’m scared of losing control.”

  He’d turned to face me as I spoke, searching for truth. “You feel what I feel then? Even with that wolf’s mark on your flesh?”

  I gave a tight nod, my stomach twisting for many different reasons. “I feel like I need to be consumed by you, that I need to consume you in turn.” Not a lie.

  He pulled me into his body, giving me no time, no warning as he devoured my lips, his tongue probing mine, our mouths open and locked and doing exactly what I’d just said. Consuming.

  We made it into the shower somehow. Granite floors, marble walls, whatever, it was huge and there was warm water everywhere, hitting me from all sides. My clothes had been torn from my body, the same as his. I was aching and wet for his cock, his lips, his hands on me. I tried so hard to keep it from taking control, flashing stern warnings to myself.

  He’s just a man, nothing more. Use him. Serve your queen. Obey your leader. Move on.

  I fought to ignore the rightness of this, the desire to cling to him for eternity, to accept his bonding mark. To betray my Amazon sisters and leave the tribe. Those thoughts were sobering but also fleeting when his lips suckled my nipples, hands parting my ass to rub a finger over my puckered hole, thumb slipping into my pussy, filing me as I wanted his cock to.

  “I want to lick your pole.” I smirked at his look of shock, his slow smile as my crude words sank in, lust crashing back over him when I licked my lips then dropped to my knees.

  His cock was truly magnificent. And mine. I gulped, shook my head, let the water cascade over my face. Not mine. Stop that. When I opened my eyes and looked up, he was staring at me, rapt attention on my lips in particular. I was afraid of losing control and yet here I was, in full control, my fingers wrapped around his huge dick. Well, as much as I could since his girth was pretty fucking spectacular.

  “Good for a ride.” That’s what Greer had said. “Enjoy this, Ariana.”

  I chided. You don’t know when you’ll get it again. I flicked my tongue against his crown, resting it for a moment along the slit before slowly sucking his head into my mouth. His eyes rolled back as he dropped a hand to the top of my head, knees buckling slightly. My Hunter may have some power over me, but not at this moment. Not when his cock was sliding against my cheek, my tongue swirling over his ridge, flicking here then there before slipping out of my mouth with an audible pop. He moaned and I kissed my way down his length, stopping to lave his balls before cupping each in turn with my lips, warming them in my mouth, gently massaging with my tongue.

  I could have made him come, could have ended it with his release, washed up and walked away. I’d given Greer plenty of time to plant the seeds for the next phase of our mission. But my body had other demands, ones that involved his cock in my pussy, pumping me for a release of my own.

  I let his dick slip into my mouth one more time, sucking down his pre-come offering before letting his length slide back out. I pushed back so that I lay splayed for him to see, e
lbows holding me up, water sluicing over me, eyes locked on his. “Your turn.” I smiled, then felt a chill as his look turned to feral want, like he was gazing at the finest steak he’d ever seen.

  No man had ever looked at me that way. Had wanted me so much. Dangerous. I shuddered. I wanted to cover my heart up, to protect it from that look because just as surely as he wanted my body, he wanted my heart and soul as well. That was the Hunter way.

  He bent and swooped me up before depositing me gently on a bench that jutted from the wall. And then he was between my thighs, eating my pussy like he was ravished with hunger. He growled as he sucked and licked, a low rumble that made me shudder with desire. It was a possessive sound, one that I suddenly craved to hear again. He nipped my clit gently, pulling a moan from me as he soothed the pain with his lips, his tongue on me, suddenly in me, fucking me, lapping up my cream. I opened my eyes to stare down at him, my hands bracing on the bench, holding my body up, watching this man eat me alive. His gaze snapped to mine as he slipped two fingers inside and rubbed me just the right way, fingers curled, putting pressure on that special little…ahhhhhh…yes… I let myself slide against the wall, my hands on my breasts, pinching, flicking, rolling my nipples to bring my orgasm to crest and just as I was there—just as I was about to crash—he stopped.

  I cried out, stared down at him and his wicked, cocky smile.

  “Not yet, sweetie.” He lifted me by the waist, those rippling muscles no match for my weight. I wrapped my legs around his hips as he moved us to the other side of the shower where he could push my back against the wall.

  His cock filled me in one long stroke and I moaned a sigh as I melted into him, arms around his shoulders, fingers tangled in his hair, lips on his neck, tits pressed against his chest. We were one at that moment, an endless combination of flesh. With his hands on my ass, he pumped me hard and fierce, my back firm against the wall, sliding up and down with each stroke. His cock rode my clit, teased my g-spot, made my pussy beg for more. Rapture. That’s what I felt as my body coiled around a new, better orgasm, dosing me with euphoria as I climbed higher and higher.