Page 14 of Huntress and the Splintered Court
“NO!” I threw myself in front of him before he could fire, then turned with my arms raised before Gideon. He skidded to a stop halting just a whisper away from touching me. He growled in my face causing my hair to flutter back. Refusing to cower to him, I tried for a calming tone. “This is Eric.”
Gideon sneered at my fellow hunter whose hand was resting on my arm ready to shove me out of the way. The wolf snarled.
“Eric put your hands up.” It was the only way I could think of saying the words to not draw unnecessary questions. He did as I asked. The moment I was out of Eric’s grasp I was yanked into Gideon’s, who growled possessively.
I was glad my back was to Eric because I knew there was no way to explain this behavior. The wolf didn’t have Gideon’s sense of tact. All he knew was Eric was a threat who needed to be aware that I belonged to Gideon.
The other wolves, still in human form, came around the bend with weapons drawn. My eyes went wide, unsure if I could break free of the werewolf’s hold to stop them before they attacked. Gideon melded back into his human form holding me the entire transformation, which was an unusual experience. Standing there completely naked he glanced over his shoulder to the other wolves, “He’s a friendly. Escort him inside.”
I risked a glanced to Eric and caught the question in his gaze as he took in the sight of me pressed against Gideon, who even in human form refused to release me. Judging by his expression, my fellow hunter wanted to protest about leaving me in a potentially harmful situation. When he hesitated, I gave him the slightest shake of my head. Relenting, he let the wolves escort him into the manor.
The moment we were alone, Gideon moved with supernatural speed, moving us into the shadows of the house and pressed me against the wall. His face buried into my neck as he inhaled my scent. “Are you alright?” he asked raising his head.
I nodded nervously. My mood had nothing to do with Gideon and everything to do with what I was going to tell Eric. “It was his blood. I gave him a nick.” Bowing my head, I laid it against Gideon’s chest and groaned, covering my face with my hands. “How am I going to explain this? I don’t want to lie to him, but we need him to continue working with us and for thisnotto get back to my father until we decide.” Plus, I considered Eric a friend. I didn’t want to lose him.
“I don’t think he’d believe you, even if you did lie,” he said wrapping his arms around me tighter seeming oddly content. What lie could cover this? I was running around with no pants on, in a man’s shirt, not to mention the Alpha of the pack just made a clear declaration over me. “You don’t have to tell him the truth, but you shouldn’t lie,” Gideon stated like he was hearing my internal ramblings.
“I don’t understand,” I said lifting my head to stare into his green eyes. Even in the dark they still showed like two twin beacons beckoning me.
He smirked. “Plead the fifth.”
* * *
Eric pacedin the foyer when we entered. Pausing, his gaze raked over me then narrowed at Gideon who was just a stride behind me, completely nude.
“I’m going to go put on pants,” I announced awkwardly excusing myself. I raced up the flights of stairs and into our room where I jolted at the sight of Gideon dressing. “How the hell!” I gasped, placing my hand over my heart to calm it.
“Elevator,” he smirked with an obvious air. I was frazzled and he seemed to find it amusing that I wasn’t my normally composed self. There was a part of me that wanted to avoid going down to speak with Eric, but that wasn’t the person I wanted to be. I was Isabel Carson, princess of the Hunter Order. I didn’t shy away from difficult situations no matter how much that caused my anxiety to spike. I told myself that in a few hours it’d be over and one way or another I’d know where Eric and I stood.
Gideon and I dressed in silence. He seemed aware that I was wrapped up in my own head and did nothing to press the issue. Leading me to the elevator, I hesitated to cross the threshold. “He’s not there,” he explained tugging me into the car. I felt incredibly grateful that I hadn’t needed to explain my reluctance. Gideon just knew. It was a small thing, but after some of the men I dated who wouldn’t have known my mood even if I had a neon sign over my head, it was heartwarming.
The moment the doors closed and I was in the tiny space with just him, I calmed. None of the outside world had access to us at the moment. It was just the two of us. That tiny bit of him that attached to my soul swelled amplifying the intensity in which I felt him. It wasn’t erotic and passionate as it was when we were having sex, but warm and tender and… My eyes bugged.Loving.Fuck! Was I in love with Gideon or was he in love with me? I didn’t know whose feelings these were.
The panic diminished the depth of our connection. I felt the portion of Gideon dwindle back down to its original size, but the feeling of love didn’t go with it. I knew then that I was in love with Gideon. How did this happen?
Sensing my panic, Gideon squeezed my hand. “It’ll be okay.”
“How?” I asked. I didn’t know how the mating bond worked, so I prayed he hadn’t been privy to my realization.
“Because we’ll get through it together.”
The panic faded.That’show I fell for him. Gideon had chipped away at the hardened exterior I built around my heart. This was supposed to be great sex for a short time and then I would go home and never let anyone know that I, a huntress, had bedded a werewolf, but things had changed. The idea of leaving him caused physical pain. Even without that, I didn’t want to go. Since arriving, I’d changed, but so had Gideon. I saw a different side to him than the one he showed to the world or even past lovers as Carla had pointed out. He was a hard, domineering Alpha, but with me, I saw his humanity and that was what I’d fallen in love with. I knew then, beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was mine, my mate and no one was going to take him from me. Both of us were stubborn enough to not allow it.
I cupped his jaw drawing him to my lips. He was confused by the sudden need, but he didn’t protest as he kissed me back.
“What was that for?”
I felt the passion for him flash in my eyes. The quick pinch of Gideon’s brow suggested he saw it too. “Mine,” I growled.
His eyes flashed to amber before quickly returning to green. “Yours,” he grumbled back before kissing me once more.
The door opened and we stood there for a moment. Gideon didn’t press, but just stood with me until I was ready allowing me to gather my bearings. It was hard leaving the confined space where I felt safe and content with him, but Eric was waiting.
With a heavy exhale, I allowed Gideon to lead me from his office and to a door I’d not entered before. We paused not going in. My brow furrowed silently questioning him.
“I’ll let you speak to him alone.”
Gideon’s muscles were tense. He was fighting his instincts hard. Eric was an unknown to the werewolf. He’d just found us together where blood was spilled and Eric’s hands were on me. Gideon knew there was nothing sexual between Eric and I, but his wolf only saw Eric as a potential competitor for my affection.
