An Unwilling Mate

TEASERWhen I fully woke, it was too Jaecar cinching a rope around my ankle. Startling me.I tugged at my bound wrists and felt something digging into my hips. And my hair was in my face.It took me a moment to realize I was tied face down over the back of a wooden chair. I tried to move and figured out my ankles were each bound to a chair leg. I was tipped over the back of the chair, so it dug into my stomach. Each of my wrists tied to a front leg of the chair.I tried to move but every pull tugged at something else. Yanking my arms strained my ankles and vice versa. The ropes were so tight, they bit into my skin.I was stunned, realizing the diligence and care Jaecar must’ve used, to so carefully bind me while I was in my exhausted coma.What’s he going to do now?“Good. You’re awake.” I heard Jaecar’s voice from behind me and had to lean to look around my own leg to see him walking to sit by the wall. Sliding down it to meet my gaze across the room. Crossing his boots at the ankles

Eve Before the Mating MoonJaecar was ordered to join the males next to the fire in the camp the eve before the Mating Moon. The males discussed what females they planned to hunt, knowing their lustful need to mate would rise to insane heights tomorrow.Already they were making crude remarks, their blood heating. And there’d been several short spars already. Mostly between the Hayden brothers who seemed to be forever antagonizing each other.All of them discussing how they’d mate Vanna Rae first than getting in a shoving match before they all agreed they’d share her as they did all things. From the spoils of battles to the food Hunter found for them to the woman they all wanted to mate.Jaecar shook his head at them. Somewhat disdainful of how heated their blood had already became.Even Draven was quiet. Watching beyond the camp with a predatory gaze.Jaecar twisted to see what woman his gaze followed, though he had little need to check his suspicion…Lyra Lani was creeping beyond the

A TasteSamantha had shrugged. Having no idea why he did.Tossing her black hair defiantly, Aloira slinked away.Samantha had rubbed her neck and gone to the river to wash the other girl’s sticky fingerprints off.But Jaecar had waited near a tree by camp and when Aloira passed it, he caught her by the throat and rounded to slam her against a tree.Her brown eyes were huge, and she clawed at his large brown hand. Gagging against her compressed trachea.“I thought you and I had an arrangement. But it appears you not when to leave well enough alone.”He released her abruptly and let her slide down the trunk.“I’m sorry, Jaecar.” She bowed her head and backed up from him. A submissive pose it wouldn’t occur to Samantha to assume.“Know that any touch you put on her will be thrice times as done unto you.”“I understand.” Keeping her eyes averted she rounded and scampered off to her hut. Ashamed of having been caught taunting the other female.The youngest of the pack.“Jaecar?” Samantha’s

Fear of the Mating MoonSAMANTHAIt was the morning of the Mating Moon when, Jaecar, the fiercest of the Border Guards, waited for me outside my hut as he often did.I met him there. After all these years, I was unafraid of him despite his intimidating air and athletic build.He had shining black hair and defined muscles tightly winding his body under his leather tunic and breeches. Usual dagger resting in its hip scabbard.He’d never given me cause for concern. Despite that I knew the males looked at him nervously.Why wouldn’t they?He’d outmaneuvered them often enough in the trial rings. The only real competition for our young Alpha, Draven.“Let me see.” He held out his hand impatiently.My sketchbook.It wasn’t a question.I handed it over, as I always did. Glad to share my work with him.He always wanted to see what new scribbles I’d done.“Is this Warlock Creek?” He pointed to one page.“Yes. That’s my favorite spot.”“Ah, yes.” He nodded. “In the old oak tree.”I smiled up at

Waiting Me OutHunger for the flesh he means. I’d succeeded in slowing my heart, but it was thrumming so hard I feared he’d hear it.But the tree was dense and good at masking such sounds.One of the thickest ones in these woods. I hoped it’d serve me well now.“Samantha!” He barked. “Have it your way!”From where I was ducked within the tree, I could hear his boots crunching over the twigs as he turned looking for a track or a sign of movement. His voice carrying from various directions as he turned his back then rounded again.“But don’t forget it’s me.” He persisted. “I know everything about you.”I felt a bloom of a fear as I wondered how true that was.He does know a lot about me. I’d never felt the need to keep things from him. Thinking him my only friend save Lyra Lani.“There’s nowhere you can go, nowhere you can hide that I won’t soon find you...” His words were so ominous I wondered if it was his version of a promise.He’s right. He does know too much about me.How could I b