Alphas on the Prowl (45 page)

Epilogue

The air smelled fresher and the forest greener this morning. Awe raced in feral form along the trail towards Ohneka lands, familiar with all the twists and turns.

Crickets sang with the summer heat. Good thing the river was still cool. He splashed through the shallows, crossing where he’d first seen Isnay. Three days ago, she’d promised a surprise on this meeting. Those were the longest days he’d ever lived through.

The hunters of his pack tired of his moaning for time to fly. They didn’t understand why he and Isnay hadn’t become mates yet. The decision weighed heavy on them since one would have to give up their pack.

What was the hurry? He enjoyed courting Isnay and making her blush. He wanted to fill the summer with fun. Maybe he could sneak her into the Apisi’s hidden bathing spring next visit. One of his pack mates might be willing to distract her chaperone.

As he followed the trail to the Ohneka den, he spotted Isnay’s sister leaning against a tree.

She chomped on an apple and waved. “About time.”

“I’m late?” He glanced at the early morning sun. They’d agreed to meet at midday.

With her thumb, she pointed behind her. “Isnay is that way. Don’t take forever. I have other duties to attend.” She focused on her apple. “If you hurt her, I’ll add your corpse to those vampires crucified around the forest.”

He gave her a slow blink. She wouldn’t meet his stare and her body language said she accepted him as the more dominant hunter, but she threatened to kill him. Was this some strange dominance game?

Females…

“If I planned any harm for your sister, I would have let her drown.”

Sowas head jerked and she gave him a stunning grin. “Good answer.” She slapped his shoulder. “Keep protecting her that way and we’ll be best friends in no time.”

He snorted. He should introduce her to Vendu. They shared a similar humor.

Following the directions he’d been given, Awe strolled over the moss-covered ground. Beams of sunlight dotted the area. He closed his eyes to commit the scents and sounds to memory. Rare moments of peace graced a shifter’s life. He didn’t live in a dream. Death and illness would touch his life again, but at present, he had his heart’s desire.

He opened his eyes and tracked Isnay’s scent farther from her chaperone. Hesitating, he glanced over his shoulder. He couldn’t see Sowas. Maybe he’d gone the wrong way? But Isnay’s scent grew stronger. He continued along the path until he crossed into a small patch of sunlight and lost his breath.

One of the large trees had fallen, leaving an opening in the canopy. His mate stood in the center, hair loose and falling over her shoulders. She wore only a blanket.

At his arrival, she smiled. “You’re early.”

“I’m always early, but you seem to beat me every time. I’m beginning to think you have a spy.” His voice had grown rough. He breathed her in. This essence of Isnay, the serenity she brought to his battered soul, was one of her greatest gifts. No other let him just
be
like she did. There was no pull of challenge or edge of dominance as he’d just experienced from her sister. Isnay held no expectation from him except to love her. That was no chore.

She met him in the glade, toe to claw, and dropped the blanket. Smooth skin, like the finest dragon silk, coated her lithe body.

He threaded her loose hair through his clawed fingers.

She rolled her head back, exposing delicate collarbones and pert breasts. “Do you plan on staying in feral form all afternoon?”

Staring at his clawed hands, he chuckled. He’d forgotten to shift to civil form. “I can’t promise to behave if we’re both naked.”

“That’s the point.” She trailed her fingertips over the fur on his chest.

He changed shape while she still touched him.

She didn’t startle and watched as he went from beast to man. “Your shift is seamless.” Her hand wandered along his shoulder and up his neck until she cupped his jaw. Her eyes darkened with desire turning the blue almost a black. “Will you lay with me?”

He turned his face into her palm and planted a kiss. “Did you really feel you need to ask?” He scooped her into his arms and knelt on the blanket she had discarded. The blanket was cool on his legs and Isnay was hot against his chest.

She shook with quiet laughter. “Seducing you has been quite a trial. I had to dive into a raging river to finally get your attention.” Her amusement faded and in the glade’s sunlight her skin glistened.

Desire ignited within Awe’s veins, simmering his blood and leaving him lightheaded.

“My strong hunter,” she said. “You are…” She frowned searching for words.

“A fool?” He laid her on the blanket, his gaze tracking possessively over her body.

“No, more like a fox.”

“Ah, a clever thief.”

Isnay gave him a mock scowl. “Thief of hearts.” She thumped his shoulder.

Awe rolled, taking Isnay with him until she sat straddled his hips. Her thighs opened and he sank against her.

They both gasped and went still. There could be no mistaking his body’s reaction to her. Hands pressed against his shoulders and eyes wide, she breathed thin and quick, a reflection of his own labored breathing.

He caught a strand of her hair floating on a breeze, curling it around his finger he reeled her closer. Dark moon, his muscles ached from the effort to stay calm and not thrust hard. “I want you, Isnay. Not just for the afternoon, but always. I know my pack’s reputation but you need to understand that under Sorin things have really changed.” He took a deep breath. “Would you wear my mark?”

She’d gone statue still above him and he prayed she didn’t refuse him. Her blue-eyed stare sharpened as she peered at his face. “I never thought ill of you.” She brought her wrist to the gland behind his ears. “I would be proud to be yours.”

He rubbed the scent oils on her skin. If he had his way, she would wear marks all over her body, broadcasting his claim loud and clear. He once feared the hunters of her pack would treat her poorly if she wore his mark, but her father would never allow anyone to harm his only child. His overprotectiveness worked well for Awe and their shared love for Isnay was budding a good friendship between them.

Her lids lowered, sinking to half-mast, and her lips parted. She opened above him, relaxing her hips and her body against him. “My handsome hunter.” She tugged at his loose, long hair. “Now I must make sure everyone will know you are mine.”

She tilted her head until her lips brushed over his mouth.

He growled low in his throat.

Isnay buried her hands in his hair, pressing him closer and slid her delicate tongue across the sensitive skin of his bottom lip.

A shiver ran along his spine and Awe returned the caress until they playfully exchanged swipes.

Her hips bumped against his in a clumsy rhythm while he learned her body with his hands.

The air was too thin in his lungs. “Sit up,” he commanded.

Despite her protest, Isnay pulled away. She rested her hands on his thighs behind her.

Splaying his palm over her soft stomach, he stroked up to her breast bone.

Back arching like a drawn bow, she surrendered to his touch.

Lightning bolts of sensation shot through his legs as her nails left furrows in his skin. Her rocking hips grew more demanding, rubbing his full length with her wetness.

His lips teased a trail of kisses from the hollow of her throat, to the line of her collarbone, and down the lush valley of her breasts. Hands cupping her smooth ass, he lifted her so his tip was poised at her entrance and her breasts at his mercy. The tip of his tongue glided over her hard nipple.

A soft gasped left her parted lips. No matter how hard she tried to sink him inside her, he held her firm, rubbing his tip with torturous leisure over her bud.

Isnay moaned and clawed at his shoulders as Awe alternated between worrying her nipples with his tongue and blowing gently over the peaked tips.

His hips ignored the commands of his mind to remain still. He thrust his sensitive tip just inside her, enamored with the sleek feel of her core.

She threw her head back. “Oh, you feel good.” She bucked loose from his grip and sank him deeper. “We should have done this sooner.”

He couldn’t have agreed more and he had to tamp down the urge to explore every part of her in a single day. He had a lifetime to draw out the anticipation of exploring her body. “Patience.” His body shook from the strain of holding back.

She tilted her hips and his cock slid even deeper. Her nails dug into his biceps. “No, now.”

Drowning in pleasure, feeling her inner muscles grip him, drawing him ever inside her core, Awe fought for air. “Oh, goddess.” He wasn’t sure if he prayed to their deity or the female who owned him.

“It feels too good to stop.” A moan threaded her voice. “Awe.” She rode him, using her legs to control her descent. Every near withdrawal had him gripping her hips, every hard pump made him gasp.

Isnay eyes grew wide and she emitted a strangled sound. Her thighs clamped around his waist and her rhythm grew frantic.

Whispered affections, drugged kisses, and the steady thrust of hips. Awe was on the edge of release, struggling with control.

She suddenly stiffened, her arms tensed, her moans now harsh gasps, and her eyes pressed closed. “Awe. Awe.” She cried out his name. Her body was flush and hot, arching until he held her to him and he thrust inside her.

Her inner muscles gripped his cock like a fist, milking his release. Awe buried his face in her neck and surrendered. His groans were lost with her cries as he came hard. His climax rolled through him, leaving him both blissful and exhausted. He flopped onto his back, gathering Isnay on his chest.

She regarded him with stunned amazement.

“Breathe, Isnay.”

She blew a strand of hair away from her face and gave him a smug smile. “We should do this again.”

He couldn’t agree more.

Enjoyed the world of Eorthe? Then read where it all began in
Scent of Salvation
and continue with
Scent of Valor
.

Bonus Short Story

Orange and pink light haloed the mountain peaks as the sun rose in the sky. Awe followed the river winding through the lush green Apisi valley, toward the bend where it created the border between his pack’s and Ohneka land. Claws digging into the dirt, he ran with a loping wolf’s gait that ate distance but not energy.

In feral form, he ran faster than if he stayed in his civil man shape. Unlike his wolf cousin, Awe still walked on two legs. Shifters appeared like a blend of animal and man in feral form. The only thing that didn’t change was his eyes. They stayed amber like his animal cousin in either form.

Awe carried a backpack with clothes and sweet honey cake taken from the kitchen. He hoped Isnay had a sweet tooth since he wished to lure her close enough for a possible kiss. If he hurried, he would be in position before the omegas from the other pack arrived to do their laundry. Every six days. This was their schedule and it had taken over his life. He’d even taken two of Vendu’s guard duty spots so the other wolf shifter would work for him today.

All for a pretty face who flirted with him over the river currents. His alpha, Sorin, refused to negotiate for a cross-pack mating when there were eligible females to mate within the Apisi, but Sorin wouldn’t stop Awe from seeing Isnay on his own time.

Whatever the consequences, he just needed to stay on the Apisi side of the river. The Ohneka hunters couldn’t challenge him for watching.

He trotted along a narrow path, leading away from the edge of the river’s bank into the dense vegetation of the forest. The pack slipped easily off his back and onto the ground. Shifting shape to civil form was painless. He used his trigger memory and watched as his silver fur retreated into his skin. Joints popped and muscles realigned until his civil shape was completely restored. It was dangerous to travel in the forest as a man. He wasn’t as fast or as strong, but he wanted Isnay to see this form. All the other times she’d flirted, he’d stayed in feral since he’d been so close to the border.

Smoothing his long black hair from his face, he braided it with experienced ease and tied it with a thong. He pulled his worn leather kilt from the bag and adjusted it around his waist. The late spring air was warm enough for no shirt.

The river widened here and the currents slowed to a crawl. Smooth stones lined each side and made it a good place for washing in general. Traditionally, the packs didn’t use the site at the same time. Too many fights.

The young branches of the birch trees that lined the other bank bent to the side as Isnay stepped out of the forest in civil form. Her chestnut hair was parted in the middle with two braids that fell to her waist. For an omega, she was very shy. It had taken him many moons to finally get her to acknowledge his existence. She raised her face to the wind with a smile and set her basket of laundry by the river.

His heart raced. She could smell he was close. He stepped out from his hiding spot with the backpack. “You’re early.” He searched the area around her with both eyes and nose. The other omegas and their hunter guards were near but still out of sight.

She narrowed her eyes and slowed her steps. “Awe?”   With shaky hands, she smoothed away the wrinkles from her dress.

“It’s me.” He preened as her gaze wandered from his head to his toes then back again. At least she didn’t scream in horror. One never knew what a shifter’s civil form would look like when you met them as feral. Even from this distance he could see the blush blooming on her cheeks.

“You’re earlier.” She lowered her gaze. Isnay didn’t act as promiscuous as the Apisi omegas. Her bashfulness only made Awe want to mark her as his even more. Omegas were the packs’ easy lovers, artists, and caregivers. They eased tension, especially in the more high strung hunters. A pack would fall to in fighting without omegas around to distract from dominance games and pack politics. She glanced over her shoulder. “The others will be here soon.”

He opened his bag. “I have a present for you.” Pulling out the wrapped honey cake, he stepped into the river and crossed until the water reached his mid-thigh. He couldn’t go further or he’d be trespassing on Ohneka land, and their hunters were close. Getting his ass beaten wasn’t part of his plan.

His alphas had new pups to care for and their tempers were on short leashes. They would use his pelt as a pack room rug if he was caught by the Ohneka. Bad enough Peder, one their omegas, was taken hostage by the Payami last summer. The Apisi couldn’t afford to pay a ransom for members who were stupid enough to get caught by another pack. Awe had to play by the rules. For now.

Isnay took a step forward then glanced over her shoulder again. A visible shiver ran through her body.

He’d never been able to tempt her into the water. If an omega crossed territories it wasn’t considered much of an offense. Pack wars weren’t fought over their gentler brethren. The rules would be different for Awe. As a pack hunter, he was considered a weapon. He understood Isnay’s hesitation. There were stories of omegas being stolen throughout history. Look at what happened to Peder. How could he convince her of his honest intentions?

She sniffed. “Do I smell honey?”

He nodded and unwrapped the cake.

She removed her moccasins and gathered her skirts above her knees before stepping into the slow-moving river. This time of the year honey was a scarce commodity. The Apisi had saved some to celebrate the birth of Sorin’s and Susan’s pups.

He couldn’t keep from grinning. “It is. The bakers were up late last night making honey cake.”

She didn’t meet his gaze like a hunter might. There was no domination in the way she held her shoulders. Her presence eased him, let him relax like he couldn’t among the pack. Not many hunters would have had the courage to step into the river with a stranger from another pack though. Maybe her trust in him should be considered foolish, but who was the fool standing on the border of pack land holding honey cake? lol

“You stole from your pack?” The glance she tossed him held a sharper edge of intelligence than most hunters’ teeth.

He blinked. Dog shit, he was messing this up. What sort of shifter stole from his pack? His role was to provide, and he was proving otherwise. “Um…I won’t have any when it’s served.” He took a step closer, offering her the sweet again. “This is my piece.”

Lifting her chin, she finally met his stare with the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. Clearer than the sky above them and brighter than the sun. She took a piece and savored the bite, pressing her lips together and closing her eyes. “I haven’t had a sweet all winter.” She plucked another large piece, but didn’t eat it. Instead, she held it to his lips.

His heart swelled as he took the bite, purposely licking the sticky honey from her fingers.

She sighed.

“Isnay!” A male voice shouted from the forest.

Both of them startled, and Awe almost dropped the cake. In his obsession with Isnay, he’d forgotten the approaching Ohneka hunters. He grabbed her wrist as she darted back to shore.

Her eyes went wide with fear.

He placed the cake in her hand and released her so she could retreat to her side of the river safely.

Two hunters stormed out of the forest in feral form and raced into the river. A crowd of omegas, both female and male, followed. Isnay stood apart from them, cake forgotten in her hand and concern painted on her face.

Before the hunters reached him, Awe leaped back to his side of the river. They most likely wished to only chase him away from the border since they couldn’t know if he was alone or not.

Awe returned to the thick brush where he’d first hid and sat to wait.

The Ohneka hunters settled on the other bank, guarding the omegas as they did their chores. To his relief, no one chastised Isnay. They’d probably leave that for their alpha when the hunters reported the incident.

She sat by her basket, eating her cake and didn’t appear worried. She shared a few bites with friends. When she finally looked in the direction of his hiding place, he rose to his feet. Smiling, she blew him a kiss.

Fading back into the wilderness before he caused her anymore trouble, he sat out of view and watched Isnay. His alpha might not want to negotiate a mating with the Ohneka, but Awe wouldn’t give up on Isnay yet.