Page 11

Kris

What the fuck is my brother thinking?

Breaking tradition and killing before Christmas Eve? It's unthinkable. Centuries of carefully maintained ritual, and he's ready to throw it all away because of his petty jealousy.

I don't give a fuck how pissed he is that I got to Ivy before he did. She's mine, and it's going to stay that way. The memory of her soft skin, her bright green eyes, the sounds she makes when she comes, they all play in my mind like a slideshow. No, he will never lay a finger on her, and I'll do whatever it takes to make damn sure of it. I won't let him take her from me.

With every new generation born of our family, it brings a new Huntsman to carry on the family secret. The weight of our legacy is almost unbearable at times. And yet, I'm not the one who carries the burden.

The only reason he's the Huntsman is because he was born two minutes before I was. Two minutes that have defined our entire lives. The job is always passed down to the eldest male born in the next generation. Two fucking minutes, and I'm left in the shadows cleaning up his messes, while he wears the mask.

My twin brother Nick stands before me, his shoulder tense and fists clenched at his sides. For a moment, I think this fucker might actually take a swing at me. But he just shakes his head, continuing to pace the floor.

"You know she should've been mine, Kris. I'm the Huntsman. It's my right." I can almost feel the pent-up rage in every word he speaks. "You got to her first, but I'm not going to sit back and watch you take what's rightfully mine."

I step closer, matching his intensity. "You know how it works, Nick. The eldest takes the mask, and the younger supports him. Our roles are clear, and they're not changing. As for Ivy, she's not something to be claimed or traded. She's a person, and she chooses."

"Chooses? Please, don't make me fucking laugh. We both know how you let her choose. It's about power and control with you, and she's under your spell now. But I'm telling you, I won't let it stand. I should be continuing the family lineage, not you. That right is mine."

I grab him by the collar, pulling him close, my words a low growl. "You touch her, and I'll fucking end you. There will be a next generation, but you won't be the one to create it. Our duty is to the family, to keep the Huntsman name alive. It's always been that way, and one impulsive act won't change our legacy. There just has to be another generation to take over. It doesn't matter who creates it, only that there is one. And that will be happening soon."

I release him with a shove, my anger simmering. "Get the hell out of my sight, Nick. Don't make me repeat myself. She's off-limits to you. If I find out you've gone near her, or you've been watching us again, there will be hell to pay."

As he stalks off, I know this isn't over. Nick's not one to back down, and his obsession with Ivy is a dangerous combination. But she chose me, not him. I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe, even if it means protecting her from my own brother.

I hear the basement door close that leads outside, signaling my brother's departure. I sit down in an old wooden chair, my gaze fixed on the mask. Its dark leather surface reflects the flickering light of the basement, almost like it's staring back at me.

I hear the basement steps creak behind me, and my head snaps up. Ivy stands at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes wide, taking in the basement scene. The mask. The whips. The tools of my family' s dark trade.

Fuck. I forgot to lock the door. In my rage and haste, I'd left it ajar, and now she's seen it all. There's no hiding the truth anymore.

"Ivy, I can explain."

But before I can begin to explain, she bolts up the stairs.

She's running from me now? She can't be fucking serious.

I chase after her, my boots pounding on the wooden stairs. She's faster than I expected, and it only makes the chase more exciting for me. She might actually challenge me. She's scared, and that adrenaline is fueling her. I slip on the top step, and she gains more ground.

Ivy probably thinks she can get away, but there's no escape for her. Not now, not ever. This is forever.

"Cherry, stop!" I yell. "I know you're scared, but you don't understand. Just calm down and let me explain. You can run all you want, but I'm going to find you. I'll always find you."

She disappears around a corner, and I know she's trying to find a place to hide. I slow down, a smirk forming on my face. This game we're playing? It's my favorite.

"You've got thirty seconds to come out from wherever you're hiding. After that, if you make me look for you, you will be punished. You have no idea what game you're playing little girl and the monster you're playing with, and it turns me the fuck on."

I lean against a wall, arms folded, waiting. I know how this game goes. Thirty seconds is more than enough time for me to find her if I want to. But I'm curious to see if she'll take the bait. Will she stay hidden, or will she come to me? Either way, I'm going to enjoy every second of this.

My heart's racing, and my blood's pumping with adrenaline. Nothing gets me harder than the hunt.

I glance at my watch. Twenty seconds left. I hear the soft whimpering of her breath. She's close. Trying to remain silent, but her fear betrays her. I close my eyes, relishing the moment.

"Fifteen seconds." I push off the wall, starting to move in the direction I heard her whimper come from.

"Ten seconds, Cherry. Tick tock."

I hear that damn adorable whimper again. This time, I can tell where the noise is coming from. I can't help but smile as I slowly make my way toward the pantry door. My fingers play along with the wooden surface, a soft tap echoing through the silent house. I give her one last chance to come out on her own.

"Time's up." I pause, letting the anticipation build. But just as I' m about to open the door, the knob turns, and there she is. Ivy slowly reveals herself, her beautiful red hair falling over her shoulder, those bright green eyes looking up at me.

"Come on out, Cherry. We need to talk." Her hand trembles as she takes a hesitant step out of the pantry. I take her hand in mine, ignoring her flinch. I can tell she doesn't want me to touch her, but that's just too fucking bad. I'm not giving her a choice. This is for her own good. I lead her to the couch, my hand firm on her lower back.

I sit down first, and she moves to sit at the other end, trying to put distance between us. I'm not having any of that. I pull her down onto my lap, one arm secure around her waist. I pull her back, close to me, feeling her soft body press against mine.

"Now, look at me, Ivy," I say, using her real name to ground her in the reality of who I am. It's important she doesn't forget that this isn't some game. "I know you're scared, and I know you have questions. But we're in this together now, and you need to trust me." My voice drops lower, taking on the tone that I know gets under her skin. "You can try to run and hide, but I'll always find you."

As I speak, my free hand begins to trace patterns on her bare arm. "You feel this too, don't you? This connection between us? It's too strong to deny or run from. It's destiny, Ivy. You and me, together."

My thumb brushes her full lower lip, and I lean in closer, my breath mingling with hers. "I know I scare you. But you also want me. Admit it."

In this moment, I crave her honesty more than her submission. I need to hear the words from her lips—confirmation that this isn't just about power and control, but about desire and passion that consumes us both.

Her eyes widen at my touch, and she licks her lips nervously. "I... I do want you, Kris. God, I want you so much it scares me. But I can't just ignore what I saw." She swallows hard, her eyes darting away from mine. "Those photos... the things you did... I can't be with someone capable of that."

My arm tightens around her, a silent signal that she's not going anywhere. "It wasn't me, Ivy. It's my brother, Nick. The Huntsman." I take a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm. "I know I should've told you sooner, but I didn't want to scare you away. My family has a dark secret, and I wanted to protect you from it."

She stiffens in my arms, and I continue, determined to make her understand. "The Huntsman has always been a part of our family's history. It's a role that's passed down from generation to generation. Nick's the current Huntsman, and he's the one who did what you saw in those photos. But I'm not like him, Ivy. I would never hurt you."

"Your... brother?" She repeats, her voice shaking. " I don't understand. Why are you hiding this from me? And if he's the Huntsman, what does that make you?"

I pull her closer, "I'm the one who keeps the Huntsman in check. I'm the shadow behind the mask, making sure he never goes too far. And I would never let him near you, Ivy. You're mine, and I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."

She turns her head, her eyes searching mine. "Why should I trust you? You lied to me about this, what else are you hiding?"

I brush a stray lock of hair from her face, my gaze intense. "Listen, I have a dark side. I can't deny that. I love the thrill of the hunt, the chase, I love the thrill of capturing my prey and making them mine. I love the scent of fear mixed with desire. But I would never truly hurt you, Ivy. That's where my brother and I are different."

As I speak, her body relaxes against mine, her breathing slows down. "No more secrets."

Leaning in, my lips hover just above hers. "I promise. From now on, you'll know every dark secret that's hidden in my mind."

She puts her hand on my chest stopping me from closing the distance between us. "If you want me to stay then I need you to show me."

"Show you?"

"Show me your dark side, I need to know I can handle the darkest parts of you. Show me what you like."

A smile slowly spreads across my lips. She has no idea she's serving my favorite meal to me on a silver platter. I'm going to savor every damn bite.

I lean in close to her ear, "Run."

Confusion flickers across her face, but then realization dawns, and she jumps into action. Grabbing her coat, she bolts out the front door, her boots crunching in the snow.

"That's it, run, little girl," I whisper, my eyes fixed on the door she just fled through. I take my time, strolling to my bedroom. There's no rush. Ivy has nowhere to go on this mountain that I won't find her.

From my dresser drawer, I select a favored whip, the leather soft and supple in my hand. I finger the braided strands, anticipating the bright pink marks it will soon leave on Ivy's delicate skin.

Stepping outside, I pause on the porch, taking in the beauty of the snow-covered landscape. My eyes follow Ivy's tracks, leading straight into the woods.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are."