Page 19 of Huntress and the Thorn Court
“Not in a million years,” I muttered stepping inside. The door clicked closed behind me. “Hey why don’t you have to get in one of these?” Even the last full moon I’d been alone in the cell. At the time I assumed it was because I was a prisoner, but now Eleanor was admitting it was to keep me safe.
“I’m no threat to them, nor a flight risk. I’ll be back with your sandwich.”
Flight risk?Was that the real reason I was here? Did Gideon think I would run off while the wolves were shifting? It would be an incredibly stupid thing to do. If I ran, I’d be considered prey. Maybe tomorrow I’d inform him that I wasn’t an idiot.
* * *
After eatingthe sandwich Eleanor brought me, I don’t know how because the cot was incredibly lumpy, but I drifted back off to sleep. I dreamt of a wolf with shaggy black fur watching me through the bars. His amber eyes glowed with hunger. I didn’t know if he wanted me for a meal or something more intimate. My body shivered at both prospects.
He cocked his head scenting my fear and arousal. As he did, I noticed the scar running down the side of his face.
“Gideon?” I wondered.
Growling woke me, but there was no wolf.
“Are you alright?” Eleanor asked quickly typing in the code. She rushed into the cell cupping my face between her hands. It had been some time since I experienced the motherly gesture.
I shook my head. “Just tired. Didn’t get much sleep last night. I’ll be sure to tell Gideon these mattresses are incredibly uncomfortable.”
“I’m sure the mattress was the problem.” She stood when she was convinced I was fine. “Well, you’re free. I’ll bring you breakfast. Just go up to your room and get some rest.”
I groaned as I stood, feeling my muscles argue. The cot really hadn’t helped my strained back. Climbing up the stairs and out of the basement, I noticed the place was completely dead. Moving through the house I didn’t find a soul in sight. Normally I avoided the sitting room, opting to take the longer way to the stairs by going around it, but since I didn’t think the wolves were awake after their transformation last night, I decided to risk it. I was exhausted and ready to crawl into my bed.
As I approached, I caught a noise coming from the sitting room. My muscles tensed hoping it wasn’t a werewolf, but I dismissed the idea telling myself that Eleanor wasn’t the only human that worked the house.
“Oh yes!” a woman cried out.
My brow rose as I fought off an awkward smile. I was pretty sure I knew what that sound was. Curiously, I peeked into the room. I needed to determine if I was correct before barging in. I didn’t want to interrupt anyone’s canoodling. The moment my eyes beheld the sight before me, I realized I should have taken the long way.
The vision of the woman made me feel instantly disgusted. It was Carla, the she-wolf who warned me off Gideon. And the man that stood behind her, bending her over the ottoman was none other than the Alpha himself. Carla’s blonde hair was cast over the ottoman creating a curtain covering half of her face. Gideon held her arms pinned behind her back as he pounded fiercely into her. Claws still protruded from his hand and his eyes glowed amber. His wolf was still dangerously close to the surface. Throwing his head back with a roar, he withdrew from her, spilling himself across her back.
Shifting my weight, undecided what to do, the floor squeaked drawing the Alpha’s amber eyes to me. I stared into them watching as they faded back to his natural green.
Opening the door, I sauntered in like I owned the place. “Sorry,” I stated obviously not apologetic. “Just passing through.” I couldn’t tuck tail and run. I wouldn’t give him the pleasure of knowing it bothered me seeing him with her. It had nothing to do with having kissed him forty-eight hours ago, I told myself. It was because it washer!
“We’re busy here!” Carla spat pushing herself off the ottoman glaring at me.
“Then perhaps you should take it to the bedroom. This is a common room, meaning you’re just asking to be interrupted. At least I had the decency to wait until you were finished.” I walked across the room to the adjacent door, careful to keep my steps paced. I didn’t want to rush letting them know I was in a hurry, but I didn’t want to linger.
I was struggling so hard to hold myself up tall, fighting against the pain in my back. Just a little bit further, I spoke internally. My muscles began to spasm then quickly turned into a cramp. I fell forward clutching the doorframe praying I went unnoticed.
“Isabel?” Gideon was by my side before I could take the final step over the threshold.
“I’m fine,” I hissed.
“You heard her, Gideon,” Carla barked from her place on the ottoman. “Now let’s get back to what we were doing.”
Ignoring her, he spoke only to me. “You’re a liar.” He grabbed my arm trying to support my weight even as I fought him. His focus didn’t leave me as he called out to the she-wolf. “We’re done here, Carla. You know that. Stop putting on a show for Isabel’s benefit. It’s petty.”
“I can take care of myself,” I demanded even as my teeth clenched from the pain. “Go back to fucking her.”
Rolling his eyes, he scooped me up into his arms. I cried out before quickly sealing my lips. “Fine, huh?”
“Put me down.” I couldn’t fight him through the pain, but I’d be damned if he thought for a moment I wanted his help.
“Shut up, Isabel.”
“You’re naked.”
