Page 57 of Cursed Wolf

My heart hurts, but then a snap of power spears outward, coming right for Meira, the midwife, and me.

Meira screams, but none of us have time to react.

Magic strikes my chest, a sharp, burning hot spear piercing me. I groan, clasping my chest as a shadow feathers across my vision. The last thing I see is Narah’s panicked face as she reaches for me. My legs crumble out from under me, and I fall, darkness inhaling me.

17

CRIUS

“Fuck, I need to get out more,” I grunt, pushing the dead deer slumped on my shoulder higher. It smells of blood and meat, and I’m starving. Considering we rarely saw undead animals stalking the woods, it didn’t mean they didn’t exist. So, to be on the safe side, we decapitated it, which helped reduce the weight. These bastards weigh a fucking lot.

“Tell me about it.” Stone is carrying his own catch. We’re helping out the Ash Wolves and also paying for our stay. “I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to hunt for food rather than survival. And no, it’s not the same thing.”

I cut him a glare, but he’s too busy staring ahead at the compound that rises in front of us as we emerge from the woods. He’s tense, we all are, but this hunt is what I needed. I’ve been ready to climb walls from all the built-up energy, and the only way to sate that is a good hunt or fucking.

Dušan and Ragnar take the lead, getting along like a house on fire. This hunt was beneficial for our relations with the Ash Wolves. Ragnar excels at making connections. Me, I want to hunt and smash my fist through things, and when I’m not doing that, I crave to fuck. Narah and the last time I claimed her tight, pretty pussy come to mind. Arousal spun in my mind, and I knew what I’d be doing when I got back to the compound—track down my gorgeous girl and strip her, then take her until she screams and squeezes my cock.

With that thought, I pick up my steps, quickly catching up with the others. Stone is on my heels as I arrive at the main gates, where we’re greeted by several pack members waiting with a wagon. I dump my catch into it. We’ve caught seven, which will easily feed a large pack for at least a few days.

With the afternoon sun beating down on my shoulders, I grin, more inspired than ever to create a home like this for Narah. With everyone walking up the dirt path toward the town center and castle, I can’t help but move faster, eager to wash up and collect Narah into my arms. Footfalls crunch behind me, and Stone is suddenly at my side, moving just as fast.

“You’re in a rush,” he comments, the corner of his eye lifting. “Going anywhere specific?”

“Fuck off, Stone. I’m going to see Narah first.”

“Not like that, you’re not. You’re covered in blood.”

I want to punch him in the face but look down, and he’s right. Crimson is splattered all over me. A quick wash is all I need.

“You can’t talk,” I say.

Stone has dried blood plastered to the side of his face from his battle with a boar he tried to catch, but he got his butt kicked.

He runs a hand down his face, then lunges into a sprint toward the castle.

“Asshole.” I charge after him, closing the distance fast. Nudging his shoulder as he reaches the doorway, I shove him out of the way and sprint inside, laughing maniacally. I dash for Narah’s room, hoping she’s there, even in my state. Just to be the first to see her and steal a kiss. Bursting into her room, I rush into her bedroom, only to find it empty. My pulse spikes as disappointment comes over me. As I swing back around, Stone skids into the room and crashes into the door frame.

“Where is she?” he gasps as his gaze sweeps across the room.

“Maybe with her sisters?” If that’s the case, I definitely have to wash up first so I don’t scare the girls by being covered in blood. Plus, I stink.

“I just found out that they’ve gone into the woods to pick fruits with a group from the pack,” Stone explains.

I sigh.

As if on cue, Stone retreats from the room, speeding toward the bathroom, and charges inside. I do one better and rush into our shared room, snatch fresh clothes, and dart out after him into the adjoining bathroom.

Bursting inside like a lunatic, the place is busy, and everyone’s staring at me, bewildered. There are three females in the tub, completely naked, and I fight the urge to lower my gaze to see their tits. I’m a fuck who has no control, and it’s instinct to stare at females, but they don’t come close to Narah. Pushing past the large spa, I nod at the three Alphas I pass, well aware of what’s about to happen in that bath. Fucking lucky bastards.

That’s going to be me soon. I reach the door that leads me to the shower cubicles. I find Stone by following the trail of blood pooling around the drain in his shower. There are no doors, but we’re alone. Setting my clothes on a dry bench, I dive into the first cubicle and switch on the water. I groan at the combination of how incredible it feels to have running hot water and the sting on my arms and back from where I gained wounds in the hunt. I take the world’s fastest shower. Stone and I switch off our waters simultaneously, then towel off.

“You know, she’ll only be able to take one of us in her state, so be prepared to sit back and watch,” Stone promises.

Laughing, I throw myself across the tiled floor on bare feet and drag on the clothes. The pants stick to my legs, which aren’t completely dry. Hopping about on one leg, I watch Stone button his jeans, and adrenaline pumps in my chest. No way is he going to win. I yank the jeans up, grab my tee and run out with him at my side. The mad rush is met more by stares, which is only compounded when we get jammed in the doorway to leave the bathroom, locked shoulder to shoulder.

“Stone,” I growl, and those in the spa laugh. I elbow him to push myself forward and sprint. Realizing I don’t know where Narah is, I rush to her sisters’ room just in case they have returned early, only to find it empty. Stone’s there in seconds, bulldozing right into me and sending me careening sideways into the wall.

“Fuck, man,” I bellow.

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