Page 5 of Hunter

“Hmm…” She curled onto her side and winced. The blue bruising on her eye had morphed, improving but not yet gone.

“You’re gonna be all right. You’re safe now,” he reassured her.

The beautiful stranger blinked open her deep brown eyes and gazed into Hunter’s. “Don’t let them take me.”

Chapter Two

Willa’s pulse raced as she opened her eyes and sensed the Alpha. His powerful energy twisted through her, stirring her to consciousness. Although grateful to be alive, she trusted no one.

For most of her life, she’d lived in secrecy. Her parents had been viciously murdered long ago. An ancient wolf, she lived rogue, living in isolation without a pack. As a physician, she worked with the disenfranchised, flying under the radar, until one day she was kidnapped and sold into Hell. Demons paid well for the pleasure of torturing her.

Her wolf had gone silent, beaten into near submission. Demon magick had been known to kill wolves, but her royal lineage gave her beast great powers. Although her wolf lingered in the shadows, she immediately sensed she couldn’t shift.

Exhausted and traumatized, she was tempted to close her eyes and fall asleep. But fear set in, knowing both the demons and wolves would come for her again when they found out about her absence. She trembled, praying the wolf before her had benevolent intentions.

“You’re safe now. No one is going to get you here,” he promised, his voice low and smooth.

“I…I’m not safe. They’ll come for me.”

“Listen, sweetheart. You’re a helluva lot safer than you have been. Whoever’s coming for you has to get through me first.”

“Where am I?” Willa’s voice softened. Her focus was drawn to the cathedral ceiling, smooth cedar planks forming a steep apex. The warm masculine energy of the home calmed her nerves. As she settled her gaze onto the stranger who’d saved her, Alpha resonated in her mind.

“You’re in Jackson Hole. Wyoming. You can stay here as long as you need to. I promise you my protection.” Hunter sighed, aware of the reality of the situation. He’d just punched a hole into Hell. Stealing one vampire might go unnoticed, but he’d also poached a witch and a wolf.

“Who are you?” she whispered. “What kind of a man goes to Hell on purpose?”

“Long story…” Hunter glanced to her bite marks. “I needed to get someone out.’

Willa quickly tucked her arm under the blanket. Once she’d been untouched, no longer.

“My friend, he, uh…there was this zombie thing. She took him.” He sighed. “Yeah, well…doesn’t matter.”

“And?”

“I got him too. I’ve gotta ask you…and I know it’s hard, but how long? How long were you in there?”

“I’m not sure.” Willa closed her eyes, her mind swirling with the torturous memories. “It seemed like years, but I don’t know. I think more like weeks. I don’t think I would have survived. I was put there. Sold.”

“Jesus. Who? Who sold you?” Hunter asked.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to involve you. They could come after you or your pack.”

“I’m already involved. I just saved you. I’m not going to let some assholes take you back.”

Willa averted her gaze. Her savior stood nearly six foot four, towering over her. His nudity didn’t offend her, but without her wolf, a relationship with this Alpha served no purpose. As if he’d noticed her unease, he reached for a throw blanket and wrapped it loosely around his hips.

“I…the thing is, I’m not well,” she confessed. “My wolf…I need a few minutes. I need to go but I…”

A surge of emotion tightened in her chest. She’d lost everything and had still somehow survived. But her great beast had disappeared, and she feared they’d come again. Demons. The wolves . Her tough exterior faltered as tears filled her eyes.

“Hey. It’s gonna be okay.” Hunter’s expression softened. “I mean it. I brought you to my home. There’s no one here who can hurt you. When you’re feeling better, I’ll help you get back home.”

“I’m Willa. Willa Jacobs,” she reluctantly offered.

“Hunter. Hunter Livingston. I’m Alpha of Teton Wolves. This here…I, um, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression.” Hunter glanced down and adjusted the throw. He scrubbed his hand over his cheek. “I’ve been away for a while, so I’ve got to take care of a few things…”

“Alpha.” Willa heard the muffled voice of a female call for him, and her stomach dropped. Her panicked eyes went to his. If he were a mated Alpha, his partner would attack her. She shoved up onto the bed. “I’ll get out now. I’m sorry.”