Page 30 of Hunted

His fingers dig into my hips with bruising pressure, but I crave it, needing this primitive connection with him. I wrap my legs around his waist, urging him on, my nails digging into his skin.

"You're mine," he groans, his voice rough with desire. "Mine to mark. Mine to breed."

His words send a shockwave through me, and I realize I want this—all of this. I want him to brand me as his, to leave his mark on my body and soul. As insane as it sounds I want to have his children, to create life with this wild, intense man.

A cry tears from my lips while the pleasure builds, my body tightening around him. Aksel swears, his control snapping as his thrusts become erratic, his body bowing as he pushes me deeper into the earth.

"Little bird, I'm—" he grunts, his eyes clenched shut.

He doesn't need to finish the sentence. I know he's falling, and I'm right there with him, hurtling toward the edge.

Our cries echo through the forest, a chorus of primal satisfaction as we find our release together. Aksel collapses onto me, his breath hot against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

I hold him tightly, my arms and legs still wrapped around him, never wanting to let go. He lifts the mask and tears it off his face, pressing kisses along my shoulder while his cock remains solid and twitching deep inside me.

"You're mine now," he whispers, his voice husky and filled with possession. "My little bird, my mate."

I turn my head, and we kiss slowly, passionately.

Breathing heavily, Aksel shifts his weight, rolling to lie beside me on the forest floor. He pulls me close, his arm wrapping protectively around me, and together, we stare up at the canopy, where the branches sway gently in the breeze.

"Zara," Aksel murmurs, his voice soft and full of wonder, "I?—"

But whatever he's about to say is cut off by a rustling sound nearby. We freeze, our gazes snapping toward the source of the noise. My heart pounds in my chest as I spot movement in the underbrush.

There's another predator in these woods, and it's closing in.

Could it be the wolf?

The rustling in the underbrush grows louder. Aksel tenses beside me, his arm tightening around my waist protectively.

"Stay still," he orders.

I hold my breath, straining to make out the source of the noise. Is it an animal? Or something far more sinister? After what Aksel revealed about his twisted intentions, I can't be sure of anything anymore.

Leaves crunch underfoot, the sound drawing nearer. Aksel shifts beside me, his muscles coiled and ready to strike like a predator sensing its prey. I can feel the adrenaline thrumming through his veins, mirroring my rising panic.

A figure emerges from the bushes. I nearly choke on my relieved exhale when I recognize Tor, the rugged outdoorsman who sat beside me on the flight from the States. His brow furrows as he takes in our entwined, naked forms on the forest floor.

"Well, well," Tor drawls, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Seems you two have been getting better acquainted."

Heat floods my cheeks as I scramble to cover myself, clutching fistfuls of leaves and dirt to my chest. Aksel doesn't move, his gaze locked on Tor with violent fury.

"We didn't expect company," Aksel says coolly, not a hint of embarrassment in his tone. His hand trails lazily along the curve of my hip, and I swallow hard, suddenly very aware of my nakedness.

Tor's eyes track the movement, his smirk widening. "So I see. Though I must admit, this isn't quite the scientific research I had in mind when you mentioned it, Zara."

My cheeks burn hotter at his implication. I open my mouth to respond, to defend myself, but Aksel beats me to it.

“How the fuck do you know her name?” Aksel demands.

I clear my throat. “He was sat next to me on the plane. How do you know him?” I ask, glancing between the two men.

“Tor is my cousin,” Aksel rumbles. "What do you want, Tor?"

I stare at Tor in disbelief, my cheeks burning with embarrassment at being caught in such a compromising position. What are the odds of me sitting beside Aksel’s cousin on the way here? And Aksel never mentioned he had family living nearby.

Tor smirks. “Didn't Aksel tell you? I live a few miles from here at my own cabin.” He raises a brow. “Maybe you should visit sometime if this is the kind of treatment you give your hosts.”

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