Page 27 of Huntress and the Thorn Court
I clung to him, both of us sweating and panting. I smiled, letting my head fall back against the wall feeling complete uninhibited perfection. Then the carnal haze began to lift and it registered what I’d just done. I slept with a werewolf. We were still connected and I was already wondering if it was a mistake. The Hunter’s Order would think I debased myself. I’d grown up believing it demoralizing to be with those we hunted, and yet, I’d given myself over to him so easily and thoroughly. I couldn’t recall why it was wrong. I didn’t remember ever being given a reason except to be told that it should never happen. Did I regret what had occurred?
“Don’t worry.” Gideon broke the silence disconnecting us before lowering me until my feet touched the ground. Once he was sure I was steady, he withdrew completely from touching me. I quickly tugged my shirt back down feeling more exposed than just naked. “Sneak downstairs while the wolves are sleeping. Your guard has been dismissed for letting you slip past him. Shower and no one but us will ever know it happened.”
“Gideon,” I breathed. I hadn’t said anything, but it was as if he read my mind. He waved off my protest heading down the hall and leaving me standing there pantyless with the evidence of what we’d just done dripping down my thighs.
13
Lying in bed the next morning, my body ached in the most delicious way. Was it because it had been so long since I had sex or had Gideon just been that good at it? Like a phantom, I could still feel him inside me. Thinking of him, the way he moved, the way he stretched me had my hand drifting between my thighs, slipping over my folds.
With a huff, I yanked my hand away. I wouldn’t reduce myself to thinking of him while I sought pleasure. It would do me no good. Sex with Gideon could never happen again. Of course it should have never happened in the first place. Fighting off the desire would be worse now that I knew what I was missing.
Climbing out of bed, I opted for a shower, a cold one. It didn’t help. It just had my nipples standing so erect that they ached. I palmed them trying to ease the discomfort, but thoughts of how Gideon had touched me, kissed me, had me clenching my thighs together to help relieve the throbbing. Of course no one would ever know if I allowed the Alpha wolf to star in my personal pornographic movie, and yet I still couldn’t bring myself to do it. It would be difficult enough to be around him after what we’d shared. I couldn’t add to that awkwardness by reliving those memories.
I skipped breakfast unsure if I could keep my pheromones in check if I came face-to-face with him. One time. That was what I promised myself when I gave in to my desire. Just because my body was aching for his touch, and oh how I ached, didn’t mean I was going to listen.
Lunch, I managed a quick grab as the staff was putting everything away. Thankfully there was a slice of red velvet cake left. I needed it after the past twenty-four hours. Off to the gym for my session with the Omegas, I was still chewing the final bit of cake. Working with them, while frustrating, helped the most. I was focused on something else, letting my body do what it was familiar with. It was the first time since Gideon left me standing on the upper level of the house that I hadn’t thought of him.
By dinner, I’d successfully avoided Gideon and I began to wonder if it was because he was dodging me too, which gave me a whole new set of emotions to deal with.
“Isabel?”
I spun seeing Adam race after me. In his hand was an offering of Italian cream cake, which immediately made me suspicious. “Adam?” I drew out the word apprehensively then glanced behind him expecting to see Gideon, which made no sense. Adam’s shoulders relaxed and he exhaled upon seeing me. I was confused as to why Gideon’s Beta would seek me out, and why he brought cake as a bargaining tool.
“I was wondering if you were busy.” He thrust the cake at me.
I accepted because, well, it was cake. “Food,” I pointed down the hall. He checked his watch. It was past dinnertime, but like lunch I waited until the coast was clear.
“I’ll feed you on the way, but I need you to come with me. I have permission from Gideon. In fact, he suggested it.” He was already walking away from me, so I chased after him, but not before taking a bite of what he’d offered.
“Suggested what?” I asked with a mouth full of cake. It was delicious.
“A few of our younger wolves got into some trouble with the Order. Gideon wonders if maybe the hunters are taking things too far because we have you.”
“What does he want me to do about it? Call them and give them a stern talking to?”
“No. We’re going to ride out there.” I stopped abruptly causing Adam to pause with me. “They’re detaining them and yes, I want you to talk to them.”
“You don’t think I’ll give you the slip?”
He rolled his eyes. “You have honor, plus you came here on your own accord, Isabel. You’re barely treated like a prisoner and you know that Gideon will demand retribution if you leave.”
He was right on all accounts, except I wondered if Gideon would truly demand blood if I left without the terms of our deal being fulfilled. His ploy hadn’t exactly been honest. Was my honor truly the only thing keeping me from leaving? I didn’t have time to truly process what he said because we were on the move again.
“Do you know who the hunters are?”
Turns out they were hunters from Reed’s unit, which I wished surprised me. They’d caused trouble before, always taking things further than the Order approved. Even if I ever found myself remotely interested in Reed, gag me, I’d never marry him and give him ruling power. He’d lead us straight into war.
“Isabel?” Oliver’s hazel eyes brimmed with curiosity as I stepped out of the backseat of the Escalade. I wasn’t dressed in my black leather attire, so I was sure I looked different and the choice of wheels didn’t help. Instead, I wore black yoga pants and a hot pink tank top. My hair was pulled up in a messy bun with loose strands falling from it. I hadn’t showered since my session with the Omegas. I’d tripled checked to be sure I had no cake residue before exiting the vehicle.
“Hey Ollie.” I walked steadily towards him not glancing back to see if Adam followed. Oliver was probably the only member in Reed’s team with a semblance of a conscience. I thought adding him to the group would help balance things, but instead he began converting to fit in among his comrades. He was dressed in the usual black hunter fatigues. His sandy brown hair hung loose in his eyes making him appear younger.
“You wanna tell me what’s going on here?” I gestured to the three wolves sitting on the curb with silver cuffs on their wrists. Oliver had the nerve to look embarrassed staring straight at his feet. I faced his companion who stood there smugly; his dark eyes sparkled cruelly. “What about you? If everything is legit then I don’t see the problem in sharing with me.”
“I’ll tell you,” one of the young wolves spoke up.
The second hunter continued to glare at me. “We don’t need to explain ourselves to you.” I raised my brow pinning him with my gaze. “You’re on leave, meaning you have no authority here.”
The shadows melted away as a third hunter stepped forward slapping the second upside his bald head. “That is your future leader you’re speaking to,” Reed spat. “Show some damn respect.” The bald man dropped his gaze but didn’t look apologetic, more irked that his leader didn’t hail his jab at me. “Izzy.” Reed shifted the weapon in his hands to wrap a free arm around me. “What are you doing here? Are they releasing you? Have they treated you well? Your father will be happy to see you again.”
