Page 28 of Hunted

Nodding to myself, I straighten and grab a rag to wipe the grease from my hands. There's work to be done. Chores to complete, supplies to gather.

I imagine her by my side, a perfect partner in every sense of the word. Me the hunter and her the prey, only when I catch her I don't hurt her, I fucking breed her like she's meant to be bred.

Yes, that's exactly how it will be. She just needs a little more time to come to realize it.

A soft voice pierces through the air. “Aksel?"

I turn to face her and take in her red eyes and tear-stained cheeks. "Hey," I murmur, irritated that I care that she's been crying. "Are you okay?"

She hugs her arms around herself. "Have you hunted people here before?"

The question hangs heavy in the air between us. The obvious answer is yes—many times. But something stops the admission from passing my lips.

Instead, I meet her watery gaze steadily. "Does it matter?" My voice is a low rumble. "What matters is that I'm done with that life. You've awoken something new in me, little bird."

I step toward her, satisfaction flickering as she holds her ground. "Something primal. Animalistic." Another step, and I'm looming over her petite frame. "You've released the beast inside me, which hungers for you."

Her chest rises and falls with rapid breaths as my calloused fingers trace the delicate line of her jaw. "I want to hunt you, Zara." My thumb brushes her trembling lower lip. “But with a fundamental difference."

She holds her breath, waiting for me to continue.

"I want to breed you because you’re my mate. And whenever I catch you, I'll fuck you as such, fill you with my seed." I press my lips to her neck and bite softly.

A whimper escapes her, eyes fluttering closed at my touch. Good, she's already falling under my spell again. Leaning in, I brush my lips against the sensitive skin below her ear. "Say you're mine, little bird. Say it, and I'll never let you go."

Zara shudders violently in my embrace. "I'm y-yours, Aksel. Yours."

I crush her body against mine, lips claiming her mouth in a searing kiss. She melts into me, all resistance evaporating under my onslaught of passion.

Breaking away, I grip her chin roughly to hold her unfocused gaze. "That's right, you belong to me now. Mind, body, and soul." I punctuate each word with a punishing kiss. “And I'm never letting you go."

She nods shakily, pupils blown wide with desire.

Good girl.

Scooping her up effortlessly, I carry my prize back into the cabin and to my bedroom. Zara clings to me, raining hot, open-mouthed kisses along my neck and jaw in a desperate bid for more.

I'll give her more, alright. By the time I'm through with her, she'll be utterly and permanently ruined for anyone else. Zara is mine to possess, to dominate, to breed.

Kicking open the bedroom door, I deposit her on the bed in a tangle of sheets. She gazes at me lustfully, and something primitive in me roars in approval.

"Get undressed, but leave the shoes,” I growl, shredding my clothes. "I want you naked and waiting for me, little bird."

Zara doesn't hesitate, urgently stripping off her clothes with trembling hands as I stalk toward the bed. When she's bare before me, I pounce...

15

ZARA

I've lost the plot. As Axel bites at my skin, devouring me like a hungry animal, I realize how fucked up this all is.

He's killed people. He intended to murder me before we met.

And somehow, I still desire him. How is that possible?

I hesitate, my heart racing as Aksel's intense gaze pierces through me. His large, calloused hands grip my arms, pulling me close.

"Get out of your head, little bird," he demands. "I would never hurt you. Only make you feel exquisite pleasure for the rest of your life."

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