Page 15 of Alien Huntsman (Alien Wolf Tales #2)

CHAPTER 15

T wo days later Tessa hummed softly to herself as she moved through the dappled shadows of the forest, her basket already half-filled with plump berries. The morning sun filtered through the canopy above, creating shifting patterns of light across the forest floor. She paused to pluck another handful of berries, her fingers already stained purple with juice.

Last night’s memories warmed her from the inside out. Korrin’s hands and mouth had been everywhere, driving her to heights of pleasure she hadn’t known existed. Each night he’d prepared her a little more, so focused on her enjoyment that when she’d tried to touch him in return, he’d gently caught her wrists and pinned them above her head.

“Not yet,” he’d whispered against her skin, his amber eyes glowing gold in the darkness.

She understood his hesitation. For all his physical strength, there was something fragile in the way he held himself back. Each time he let her see more of him—his past, his desires, his fears—it cost him something. Vulnerability didn’t come easily to a man who’d spent his life keeping others at a distance.

She smiled to herself, reaching for another cluster of berries. She could be patient—at least a little longer. After all, what they shared now was already more than she’d ever dreamed of finding. The way he looked at her sometimes, like she was something precious and rare, made her heart flutter wildly in her chest. But she was greedy enough to want it all, to be joined to him in every way.

A nearby bush rustled, startling her from her thoughts, and Storm bounded out. He must have escaped the outdoor pen that Korrin had built and followed her. She laughed as he circled her feet, yipping excitedly.

“You’re supposed to be with your brothers,” she scolded gently, crouching down to scratch behind his ears. He leaned into her touch, eyes closing in contentment.

This is happiness , she realized. Not the grand, dramatic kind from storybooks, but something quieter and more profound. The simple joy of gathering food that would nourish them both, of caring for creatures that depended on her, of knowing that someone waited for her return.

A branch snapped behind her and she let out a startled cry.

She jerked around, nearly dropping her basket. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she scanned the trees, expecting to see the feral Vultor or perhaps some other forest predator.

Instead, she found herself staring at a small elderly woman with silver hair and sharp brown eyes. Agatha Ashworth stood with her hands resting on a gnarled walking stick, dressed in practical clothes that had seen better days. Scarlett’s grandmother looked completely at ease in the wilderness, and strangest of all, she didn’t appear surprised in the slightest to find Tessa here.

“There you are,” Agatha said cheerfully. “I was beginning to think I’d have to come look for you myself.”

Her mouth dropped open. She blinked several times, wondering if the woman was a hallucination brought on by too much sun. But no—the elderly woman was undeniably real, from her weathered boots to the knowing glint in her eyes.

“Grandmother Agatha? How—what are you doing here?” She clutched her basket tighter, suddenly aware of how far she’d wandered from the cabin. “Did Scarlett send you?”

Sensing her nerves, Storm growled softly, positioning himself between her and the newcomer. Agatha glanced down at the pup with a raised eyebrow.

“Well now, that’s an interesting companion you’ve found.” She crouched down, extending her hand to the pup with no sign of fear. “Adyani, if I’m not mistaken. Rare to see one so young away from its pack.”

She stared in astonishment as the pup sniffed Agatha’s fingers cautiously before allowing the old woman to scratch under its chin.

“How did you find me?” she whispered, her mind racing. “Everyone thinks I’m dead or missing, don’t they?”

Agatha straightened, her knees cracking with the effort. Her eyes, sharp and knowing, met Tessa’s.

“Not everyone, dear. Some of us knew exactly where to look.”

The elderly woman seemed so at ease, as though finding Tessa in the middle of the forest was entirely expected. But why was she here?

“Were you looking for me?” she asked, clutching her basket of berries tighter. “How did you know I was here?”

Agatha chuckled, the sound warm and rich against the backdrop of rustling leaves. “Looking for you? Heavens, no. I’m on my way to visit Scarlett and Finnar. I always take the mountain path—easier on these old bones than the road.”

“Visit Scarlett?” She blinked in confusion. “But that would mean…”

“That you’re quite close to the Vultor enclave?” Agatha’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Indeed you are, dear. It’s just beyond that ridge to the north.” She pointed with her walking stick. “And the village is barely an hour’s walk in the opposite direction, though the path is a bit steep.”

Her jaw dropped again. All this time, she’d believed Korrin had taken her deep into the wilderness, far from civilization. The realization that she’d been so close to both the village and the Vultor settlement was both shocking and oddly amusing.

“You mean I could have—” She stopped herself, remembering her failed escape attempt. If she’d only gone in the right direction that day…

“Your Vultor chose this spot quite deliberately, I imagine,” Agatha said, her gaze knowing. “Close enough to keep an eye on things, far enough to feel safe.”

She felt heat rise to her cheeks. “He’s not exactly my—” She paused, unsure how to define what Korrin was to her now. “How do you know about him?”

“These mountains hold few secrets from those who know how to listen.” Agatha bent down to scratch the pup’s ears again. “I’ve walked these paths longer than most remember.”

She shifted her weight nervously, unsure what to make of Agatha’s unexpected appearance. The old woman’s knowing eyes seemed to see right through her, as though all her secrets were laid bare.

“There’s been quite an uproar in the village since you vanished,” Agatha added, leaning on her walking stick. “Caused quite a stir, you did.”

“They noticed I was gone?” she asked, surprised. She’d always felt so invisible in the village, just the baker’s daughter who kept to herself.

“Noticed? My dear, it’s been the talk of the town.” Agatha’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Your stepmother tried telling everyone you’d run off—claimed you left a note saying you couldn’t bear village life anymore and needed adventure.”

“That’s ridiculous. I would never abandon?—”

“Of course it’s ridiculous,” Agatha interrupted with a dismissive wave. “Most folks didn’t believe a word of it. Especially not when Edgar started making a fuss about searching for you.”

The mention of Edgar made her skin crawl. She wrapped her arms around herself, grateful for the distance between them now.

“The bakery has suffered terribly,” Agatha continued. “Lenora hired some fellow from the next town over, but his bread is like eating rocks, and his pastries…” She made a face. “Well, let’s just say people are remembering your light touch with great fondness.”

A pang of regret shot through her chest. The bakery had been her father’s pride, his legacy. Though Lenora had made working there miserable, Tessa had always taken pride in maintaining its reputation. Now it was falling apart without her.

“My father worked so hard to build that business,” she said quietly. “People relied on us.”

“They did,” Agatha agreed. “Mrs. Jacobson complained just yesterday that she can’t serve proper tea anymore without your currant scones. And old Mr. Thatcher says his mornings aren’t the same without your cinnamon bread.”

A conflicting mix of emotions swept over her—satisfaction that she was missed, guilt that the village was suffering, and a strange sense of loss for the life she’d left behind, however imperfect it had been.

Agatha’s gaze sharpened, her eyes suddenly piercing as she studied Tessa’s face. “So, do you plan to come back to the village, then? People are worried, you know.”

The question caught her off guard. She’d been so focused on their day to day life that she hadn’t really considered her future. Did she want to return to the village? To Lenora’s coldness, Edgar’s unwanted attention, the constant feeling of being trapped?

She thought about the cabin, about waking up in Korrin’s arms, about the freedom she’d found in this simple life. The pups, growing stronger every day. The way he looked at her when he thought she wouldn’t notice.

“No,” Tessa said, surprising herself with the certainty in her voice. “I don’t think I do.”

Agatha raised an eyebrow but didn’t seem particularly shocked.

“I’ve been happier this past week than I’ve been since my father died,” Tessa continued, the truth of it washing over her. “Here, I can breathe. I’m not constantly walking on eggshells or trying to please someone who will never be pleased. I’m not…” She hesitated. “I’m not afraid anymore.”

The realization settled in her chest like a warm stone. She hadn’t even recognized how much fear she’d been carrying until it was gone.

“I see,” Agatha said, nodding slowly. “And what of this Vultor male you’re staying with?”

Heat rushed to her cheeks again. “Korrin is… he’s not what I expected. He’s protective and kind in his own way.”

“Hmm.” Agatha’s expression gave nothing away.

“Could you let people know I’m all right?” she asked. “I don’t want anyone to worry. Just tell them I’m safe and happy. They don’t need to know where I am or who I’m with.”

She was about to ask Agatha how she knew Korrin when a thunderous crash erupted from the bushes behind them. She whirled around to see him burst through the undergrowth, his eyes wild and glowing gold. His chest heaved as he took in the scene, claws extended at his sides.

“You can’t have her,” he snarled at Agatha, positioning himself between them with a feral growl rumbling from his chest. “She stays with me.”

Her heart hammered against her ribs. She’d never seen him this frantic before, not even during the fight with the stranger. He looked ready to tear through anything that threatened to separate them.

To her astonishment, Agatha merely clicked her tongue and shook a bony finger at him. “Control yourself, young man. You’re making a spectacle of yourself.” Her voice carried the same tone she might use to scold a child for tracking mud across a clean floor.

Korrin faltered, clearly thrown by the elderly woman’s complete lack of fear.

“Besides,” Agatha continued, brushing a leaf from her sleeve, “Tessa has already told me she wants to stay with you. Quite adamant about it, actually.”

His head snapped toward her, the desperate hope in his eyes making her breath catch. “Is that true?” His voice was rough, vulnerable in a way she’d never heard before.

“Yes,” she said firmly. “I want to stay with you.”

Something primal and possessive flashed in his eyes. Before she could blink, he closed the distance between them, sweeping her up into his powerful arms. She gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck as he clutched her against his chest.

“Mine,” he growled against her hair. Storm dropped into her arms a moment later, and then they were moving, Korrin racing through the forest with the two of them secured tightly in his embrace.

Agatha’s laughter trailed after them, carried on the breeze. “Young love,” Tessa heard her call out. “So dramatic!”

She smiled and buried her face against Korrin’s neck as the trees blurred around them, her basket of berries forgotten.

He didn’t slow down until they reached the cabin. Without releasing her, he shouldered the door open and kicked it shut behind him. Then he finally set her down, his eyes burning as he scanned her body.

“Are you hurt?”

“No,” she managed, breathless from their mad dash. “I’m fine.”

“And the pups?” His eyes were still bright, his muscles tense.

“Storm’s the only one who followed me into the woods,” she admitted. “But he’s fine, too.”

He let out a long exhale, his shoulders finally relaxing.

“I heard you scream,” he muttered.

“Agatha startled me, that’s all.”

“Did you mean it?” he demanded.