Page 6

Vuk

T he soft sound of one of the female’s sharp gasps has my head snapping up from where it was resting on my paws. Her startled sound is soon followed by the sweet scent of arousal, and I take a deep, greedy breath. There is no trace of the male’s musk, so I must assume this is from the dark female.

My tail starts to wag, and I force the annoying appendage to the ground angrily.

I hate that it thinks it can do whatever it wants and that I’m trapped in this small, cumbersome body.

Whatever foul magic brought me here, it’s beyond anything I’ve ever encountered.

Lycan’s do not usually dabble in such things.

We cannot shift like some creatures and rarely attack unless provoked, so it makes no sense to me why I was targeted.

I hadn’t planned to spend the night lurking outside the human’s camp. Mostly, it’s curiosity. I want to find out more about them. What differences there are between these humans and the ones I’ve learned to hate on my home plane.

They aren’t hiding from anything, with their smoldering fire and light colored enclosure. They behave as if they are impervious to dangers they know little about and might as well light a beacon advertising to all where they are.

My ears tilt forward as soft voices drift from the tent. I pick out her voice easily. It’s deeper, huskier than the mated female’s and I find its sound appealing.

Appealing! What am I thinking? Shaking my head with a snort, I jump to my feet and retreat into the forest.

I need to find a way to escape this place. I had hoped the humans might be the key, but now I’m not so sure. I can sense no magic on them, and they have no useful survival skills I’ve witnessed. So, I will have to find the way out on my own.

Working through the dense foliage, I make my way to the tree line carved with glowing runes. After carefully inspecting each one, I realize they are all the same pattern repeated tree after tree. But what do they mean? I’m hardly fluent in rune magic, my skills are used to hunt for our village.

Staring up at the trees I wonder… if I damage one of the symbols, will that break the spell keeping be trapped? Crouching down, I sweep my tail behind me before leaping up, digging my claws into the bark, trying to get as high as I can, but they are too high.

I try again and again. Jumping, stretching, scratching, but never get close enough to reach them.

I back up for a running start, but it’s still not enough to reach.

Over and over, until I miscalculate and fall against the invisible barrier.

Electricity shocks my system and freezes my muscles as I yelp loud enough it echoes through the forest. It takes me a moment to get my breath back, and then I slink away until I come across a shallow cave that doesn’t appear to be in use.

Curling up inside, I drop my chin on top of my paws and let out an annoyed huff.

As I wait for sleep to claim me, my mind wanders back to the humans.

Or rather, just the one .

I don’t understand why I’m so drawn to the unmated female. I can’t pinpoint the appeal, but as I lie curled in the shallow shelter my mind keeps circling back to her, no matter how hard I try to think of something else. Anything else.

Her scent, I decide, isn’t as foul as the others. And the sound of her voice is rather pleasing to my sensitive ears.

My eyes drift closed and her image forms in my mind.

Recalling how she looked when she was kneeling before the shelter, not paying me any attention.

Her black hair pulled back, with a few escaped wavy strands framing her face and the rest twisted in a tight rope that falls over one of her shoulders.

What would it feel like between my fingers?

I find myself imagining combing through the coil with my claws, being careful not to knick her fragile skin as I fan the thick waves down her back. Then I’d gather it up and wrap it around my fist, pulling her head back so she’s forced to look up at me.

Her dark eyes would flare wide with surprise.

Her plump lips parting. Using my other hand, I’d drag my thumb over her smooth cheek.

Would it be as soft as it looks? Cupping her jaw with my palm, I’d slide it down to the front of her throat.

Squeezing just enough, hard enough, I can feel her throat constrict when she swallows.

Leaning over her, I’d scent her properly. Committing her sweet musk to my memory so I could always find her. I’ll start at her neck. Pressing my nose to the spot behind her small ear. Do humans have a scent gland there, like my kind do? I’ve never been close enough to one to find out.

Turning her so she’s facing me, I’d work my way down. Tasting the hollow of her throat before pressing my nose between her breasts. I’d flick my tongue against her nipples, then pull them into my mouth when they pebble into hard points.

The sounds she’d make will be deep and husky. She’d arch against me, tipping her head back, encouraging me to keep going with more of those throaty sounds. Digging her blunt fingers into the thick hair at the back of my head as I make my way down her belly toward where her scent is sweetest.

A low growl rumbles through me, I should not be thinking these thoughts. She’s human . An enemy to my kind. And yet… I keep going, imagining following her pleasing scent to its source, tasting her where I’m certain her flavor will burst across my lycan tongue.

My claw-tipped hands pull her thick thighs apart. My short nose, not a muzzle, parts her slick folds and my long tongue tastes the sweet honey she’s making for me.

When she’s squirming under me, breathlessly begging, it will be my thick cock that sinks deep inside her tight channel.

Pumping between her thighs until we’re both panting and gasping from the pleasure.

Then, as I come for her, I’ll sink my fangs deep into the side of her throat.

Marking her. Claiming what is mine. Turning her?—

With a violent shake of my head, I force myself back to the present. Lunging to my feet, I bolt out of the cave and into the forest.

I will be doing no such thing! Especially to a human ! I’m horrified at even conceiving such a taboo thought! Lycan’s and humans are not meant to mix.

Breaking into a run, I push this wolf form to its limits. Racing through the forest, dodging trees and leaping over obstacles, putting as much space between the human’s camp as I can.

The pregnant moon hangs low over the trees. It will be full soon and a heavy feeling in my gut tells me that is important. Maybe even why I was brought here.

The last thing I need is to be distracted by this human, no matter how appealing she is. I need to focus on how to get past the runes and back home. Except, these humans could still be the key to my freedom. Perhaps something will happen that will allow me to use them as a bartering tool.

My strides slow to a quick walk and my heart pounds from the burst of energy as I decide I’ll need to keep a very close eye on them.