Page 4 of Seduced By Moonlight

Three of the witches were dead, but one had escaped.

Only the hunter remained. Sighing, he returned to the circle and the trapped woman. Unfortunately, she lay in the dirt, unconscious. But at least she was breathing. Maybe she’d have the answers to his questions.

Ward kneeled beside the woman, retracted his claws, and brushed away the debris. He untied her hands. Clear bruises encircled her wrists. Someone had restrained her before bringing her here.

It’d be a simple task to snap her neck too, and maybe, for everyone’s sake, that’d be the best thing to do. But he hesitated because he knew perfectly well that Lennox and Nox had kidnapped many humans and forcibly mutated their DNA.

It was possible this woman was a victim. But she was also something the paranormal world hadn’t seen in a very long time. Who knew what she was capable of?

But he didn’t kill unless he had to. Instead, he gently lifted the woman in his arms and carried her back to the castle, moving with a speed only supernatural beings could achieve. As he returned to the castle, he pondered this unexpected turn of events.

Hopefully, he wasn’t making a mistake by bringing her into his home. This woman posed a multitude of threats yet unknown, and Ward’s mind raced with possibilities and scenarios of what she could be capable of as he carried her through the shadowy forest.

But she had done nothing that warranted a jail cell.

He arrived back at his home, and as he stepped inside, the ancient smell of stone mingled with the faint scent of fireplace smoke. A sharp hint of pine from the wooden beams and furnishings added a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Beneath it all, there was a faint whiff of lavender and sage, the remnants of the cleansing herbs his staff used. Despite the calming aromas, his thoughts remained firmly on his mysterious burden.

The halls were silent as Ward, still in his true form, carried the unknown hunter to the infirmary. Unusual occurrences did not surprise the staff, but even they might pause at this sight.

With a gentle nudge, the doors creaked open. As he stepped inside, the sound of his own footsteps on the stone floor reverberated and bounced off the high ceiling.

After laying the woman on a gurney, he summoned his trusted healer with a quick message sent by text. Within moments, Celine entered, bringing with her a refreshing burst of peppermint and eucalyptus.

The lingering aroma of incense used in her healing treatments also lingered in the room. She was a doctor, but she was also a magic user, her bloodline infused with the ancient powers that coursed through her veins.

With this gift, not only could she diagnose ailments, she could also heal all but the most grievous of wounds with a touch. She was a rare breed—a blend of science and mysticism—and a loyal member of his clan.

“What have you brought me this time, Ward?” Celine asked as she glanced at the sleeping woman.

“A hunter, or so I believe,” Ward replied, his gaze fixed on the unconscious woman.

“By the goddess, really? A hunter? Here? Ward!”

“I think she was one of the ones forced.” Ward quickly explained how he came to find her.

“Well, hell. That’s not good, not at all,” Celine said, glancing at the bruises.

“No, it really isn’t. Plus, this hunter has traits I’ve never seen combined before. None of us have.”

“I know. I can smell what she is.”

“Gods.” Ward rubbed his forehead, his tail whipping behind him. “Would you look at her?”

Celine blew out a breath. “If that’s what you wish.”

“If you don’t mind. I’ll be here to make sure you’re safe.”

Celine approached the gurney where the woman lay. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a glowing orb of light to hover above the patient, illuminating her features.

Ward gazed at the hunter’s face, which was pale and drawn, with sharp features and dark hair that cascaded over the gurney. Her body was lean and appeared to be muscular, giving off an air of strength and agility, despite her current state.

“She’s definitely not human,” Celine declared as she checked vital signs and scanned for internal injuries. “I’m picking up a magical presence, so maybe a witch. You’re right about the mixed traits—there’s strong magical resonance from multiple races. It’s unprecedented.”

Ward paced, his mind jumping from one thought to the next. “As I said, those witches were trying to sacrifice her in a ritual. I stopped them, but not before they mentioned something about her having an ancient power and wanting it for themselves.”

“Ancient power, huh?” Celine echoed. “Why am I not surprised? Anyway, that suggests she’s not just a mutated experiment, but potentially something much more.”

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