Page 30 of Hunt Me

Matilda snapped out of her painful memory and looked up to find Beta David fretfully searching her face.

“All is well. Why do you ask?”

“Your nails are buried into my arm like a frightened kitten.”

“Oh! I apologize,” she said, snatching her hand away.

“No need,” he expressed, pausing his stride. “You’ve had a hard life.”

“What do you know about my life?”

“I know that look on your face. Life doesn’t always have to be a struggle, Matilda,” he said, gently stroking the healing scratches on her cheeks.

Tears pricked behind her eyelids, but she refused to let a single one drop.

“Your comment was very disingenuous. For some, life is a struggle from their first to their last dying breath. You live behind palace walls and speak of struggles. It’s laughable.” And before she knew it, Matilda was wrapped in David’s strong arms. “W-what are you doing?”

“Hugging you. You are aware what a hug is, right?”

“I do, but I was under the impression werewolves didn’t engage in such affection.”

“Ah. How ignorant of you. We hug, kiss, make love—all of that and more; we just have a reputation to uphold. Normally, I wouldn’t do this, but I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of each other in the future.”

Matilda smirked into his chest, catching on to David’s nefariousness. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with trying to scent me and enrage a certain challenger, would it?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied with a devious grin. “Let’s not keep Prince Lykaon waiting.”

***

“King Alesi, please sit up. Your posture is terrible. You’ll give the impression you’re bored and wish not to be present,” Ezra chastised.

“I should give you a raise. I had no idea you could read minds as well,” Luka replied dryly.

Luka wasn’t bored as his worrisome advisor had suggested. He was wallowing in shame. For one, the necklace Anastasia had given him had gone missing. He was ready to tear the castle apart; however, Ezra advised it would be more kingly to approach Prince Lykaon about the issue. There was always the chance he dropped or misplaced it, but he wouldn’t carelessly lose anything so precious. Second, he had pleasured himself to the scent of the huntress’s blood. Like a heathen, he seized his pillow and inhaled the large blood stain. His body combusted with animalistic hunger and desire. His dick hardened in his trousers, threatening to burst forth. He needed relief, and his options weren’t plentiful. He could visit the brothel, but he’d never be that despairing. He could seek the bleeding woman out and have her satisfy his sexual need. It would only take a single bite to make her beg for him. However, he wouldn’t give her the delight. He only had one reasonable solution—to take care of himself. He gritted his teeth and cursed as he spilled his seed, and despite finishing, his dick refused to deflate.

The dining room doors parted, and Prince Lykaon breezed in with his top pack officials and their mates sans David.

Where is my huntress?

Luka shook his head and stood on his feet as a sign of respect to greet Prince Lykaon. She was not his huntress, just a tasty thorn in his side.

“King Alesi! How wonderful of you to grace us with your presence during this time of peaceful negotiations,” Prince Lykaon welcomed, extending his hand for a shake.

“Thank you for accommodating me on such short notice. The banquet was unnecessary, but I appreciate it all the same.”

“Nonsense. I apologize for not seeing you upon arrival. I was tied up, but I will be available to you during the remainder of your stay,” he promised.

“No need for an apology. Some things can’t be helped.”

“Have you sampled the blood? It’s virgin. I hear that’s the best.”

“Not yet. I thought it would be rude to sample before the host arrived.”

“Not at all. Please be seated. I hear we have a lot to discuss.”

Luka promptly took his seat, nodding at some of the officials and purposely ignoring the sneer from the wolf who lunged at him earlier. At Prince Lykaon’s behest, the servants who stood against the wall like soldiers stepped forward and began serving the food. Luka held back a grimace when his plate was loaded with meat—venison, boar, moose, turkey, and more. It was a meat feast, and he wondered if the werewolves had ever heard of fruits and vegetables.

“Regarding our land—”