Page 147 of Hunt Me

This time, she drove him flat onto his back and pinned him there, one knee against his chest while her forearm pressed across his throat. Both were breathing harder now as the cold morning air whipped around them.

David peered at her with black eyes bright with adrenaline. He smirked annoyingly. “Your husband is not pleased with our current position.”

Matilda froze just long enough to realize he was right. She didn’t have to look up; she could feel her husband’s displeasure settling in her bones. His grin spread with unmistakable satisfaction, and he laughed when she shoved herself off him and took several steps back.

Ezra sighed from the edge of the arena. He leaned against one of the outer wooden posts with his arms folded across his chest.

“We’re finished for the day,” he called out to the bloodthirsty creatures.

David spat blood into the dirt before climbing back to his feet. “Again.”

“I said that will be all for the day,” Ezra replied firmly.

David started to advance on Matilda again—his prey drive more intense than when he was simply a werewolf. He stopped before her, dust kicking up around their feet.

Matilda followed David’s eyes that settled on her neck.

“You greedy hybrid,” she teased. “I fed you two hours ago.” David’s gaze didn’t move from the pulse in her throat. “I should make you beg for it.” Matilda froze when David dropped to his knees before her and tilted his head back expectantly.

“This feels inappropriate,” Ezra remarked. Despite his unease, he was unable to tear his eyes away.

Matilda sliced her wrist with a subtle wince. “What’s inappropriate is stealing a mother’s placenta and creating a hybrid warrior without her consent.”

“I agree. Dr. Blackwood’s methods were… heavy-handed.”

Matilda snorted as David lapped up her blood. “Heavy-handed, you say?”

“Heavy-handed. Yet effective. David appears to be in excellent shape—better than when he was Beta David, if I may say so myself. He’s stronger, faster, and more primal. And because your placenta was used, his abilities are superior to traditional werevamps because he was sired from an ancient bloodline. Also, he is sired to Luka, you, and Little Denalia.”

“Tragic,” Matilda replied with a wispy smile, pulling her wrist away. David muffled a moan and repeatedly licked his lips for every trace of blood. “To your feet, hybrid.” David obeyed without argument. “How do you feel?”

“Like I can challenge Prince Lykaon’s ranks and claim his title.”

Matilda nodded.

“Your optimism is noted.” She looked past him to Ezra. “What do you think, Ezra? Should we send the official challenge?”

“Let’s discuss with King Alesi.”

“Let us,” she agreed, stepping back and turning toward the castle.

She entered the castle, heeled boots thudding against thick rugs. She nodded at servants who stopped to curtsy with respect, and aggressively eyed one guard who snitched on her when she left their quarters in the middle of the night to hunt. He pretended not to notice.

Matilda stopped in the doorway of Luka’s private study where she found him at his desk, holding Denalia like she was a cloud he was fearful of disturbing. He smoothed a hand down the front of her dress and tucked a curl away from her forehead, ensuring everything was in place. He called her his ‘Little Doll’ when he thought no one was watching. But it was the smile of contentment that made Matilda’s breath catch in her throat.

“She should be resting, love.”

“And you shouldn’t be giving vermin your blood, yet here we are.”

“We can’t afford for him to wither away, now can we?”

“I don’t have to like it,” he argued gently.

“Take your grievances to Dr. Blackwood.”

“Oh, I have,” he said confidently. “You have something you wish to discuss?”

“Lord Gustafson—”