Page 70 of Hunt Me

“Not yet, if I can help it. There are still things I wish to accomplish,” Matilda remarked, accepting a goat skin satchel filled with crisp water from the surging spring behind the cottage. Her eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head when the liquid touched her tongue. It was cold, as if it came from a melted iceberg, and immediately lowered her body temperature to normal. She wiped the back of her hand against her lips and handed the pouch to Luka. He took his own swig before speaking.

“What are these things you wish to accomplish?”

“I must spar with Ezra.”

“Leave Ezra be.”

“Afraid I’ll put him on his ass?” she taunted, wagging her brows.

Luka snorted. “The opposite. Do not take Ezra lightly. He is highly skilled in combat and has centuries of experience over you.”

“Weapon of choice?”

“Spear and war hammer.”

Matilda shivered at the thought.

“And you?” Matilda giggled when he snapped his teeth at her. He chuckled when she shoved him away and reached into their basket, teeming with produce to accompany the game Matilda procured. He tossed an apple into her lap, prompting her to unsheath a dagger from her boot. He watched her make short work of the apple—splitting it into wedges. She moved swiftly, and secretly, he prayed she’d nick herself. He’d be right there to soothe her wound with his tongue. His fangs elongated as he thought about his plans for the evening. “You are quite lecherous, indeed,” Matilda said, snapping him out of a forbidden fantasy he sought to make a reality.

“I beg your pardon?”

“If you’re wondering why everyone scattered, it’s because you started growling, snarling, and baring your fangs like some wild beast. The gods only know what you were thinking.”

“I was thinking nothing of the sort,” he lied.

“I choose not to believe you,” she said, handing him an apple slice she cut into a bunny.

“This is childish, yet delightful.”

“Why hasn’t Prince Lykaon come for Beta David yet?”

“We are on retreat. You shouldn’t concern yourself with such things.”

“I will oblige; however, I’ll ask again as soon as we set foot in Night Falls.”

“I expect nothing less,” he said, reaching for another apple slice. “Tell me more about your family.”

Matilda regarded him with a questioning look. “What is there to know? Sever vampire’s head and exchange it for money.”

“There is much more to life than killing vampires. I’ve told you about Anastasia. Now, you must share with me.”

“As you wish. While you may believe that there is more to life than killing vampires, my parents and their parents before them and their parents before them felt otherwise. Hunting was in our blood and gave us purpose and a sense of community. Hunting was a craft, and it was how we provided for our families. Hunting was how we survived. You want to eat? Hunt. You want to live to see another day? Hunt. For too long, vampires were the predators, and we still are the prey. Even I, Matilda Helsing, betrothed to King Luka Alesi, am prey. My safety is not guaranteed by a crown.”

Luka diverted his eyes away from her. She spoke the truth. He nearly failed to protect her at the recent town announcement. She could’ve died if it weren’t for Ezra.

“And yet you’re still willing to be crowned Queen of Night Falls. Why is that?”

“I am forced to be with you, and now that I’m with child, I doubt I’ll ever escape your evil, contemptible clutches,” she complained with an exaggerated groan. She covered her eyes with the back of her arm and fell into the grass.

Luka smirked. “It is in my evil, contemptible clutches where you wish to be.”

“Mmm. There are worse places I could be,” she whispered.

“Your parents are deceased?”

“They are. They left on a hunt and never returned.”

“I’m sorry.”