My Neighbor is a Wolf

Chapter Nine

Hunter

Saturday Night

T he full moon hung high in the sky. Standing at the open window in my bedroom, I watched as ominous clouds rolled over it. My skin was crawling, an itch I couldn’t scratch away. My wolf growled in the back of my mind and demanded to hunt. If I left now, I could still fulfill the need gnawing at my stomach.

But what if I didn’t?

There was never any guarantee that the first kill would suffice. There were countless hunting trips where I remained shifted for days.

No, I refused to let Rachael think I left her for even a second. She had worked herself up to the verge of a panic attack simply from the thought that I was going to kick her out.

Why hadn’t I told her what the real issue was?

I should have been completely honest with her from the beginning, but I had been too scared. Rachael was more important to me than any witch’s curse could ever be. I couldn’t lose her.

I didn’t know how I was going to make this work but I would. Maybe I could tell my friends. Benny alone connected with more magical beings in this town in the last few months than in the years I had lived here. He was bound to know someone who could help. Or I could chat with Azalea tomorrow when she and Theo got home from their trip.

Bottom line, something could be done.

Right?

I stalked back to the bed, slipped off my t-shirt, and slid in next to Rachael. My skin felt like it was on fire but all I wanted to do was hold Rachael.

Earlier, she had found her release on my lap and proceeded to pass out only a few minutes later on my shoulder. I had simply held onto her, relishing in the way her body fit so perfectly against mine.

When the sun had fully set and the living room was blanketed in darkness, I carried Rachael to bed and tucked her in. She hadn't moved since, her chest rising and falling steadily. I brushed a loose curl out of her face. She was so peaceful when she slept, her features void of burdensome emotions that constantly plagued her.

I would do whatever it took to make sure she stayed happy and safe.

This woman was it for me.

I loved her.

The wind blew through my fur as I tracked her scent. It hung in the air around me, marking a path through the trees. The full moon above me lit my way. My paws dug into the soft ground and kicked up dirt with each stride. Leaves crackled and sticks snapped ahead of me. She wasn’t trying to hide her steps, running away on pure adrenaline.

I would catch her.

Use her.

Breed her.

Those were the only thoughts running through my mind.

She had stopped, crouched behind some brush. Space between the branches gave me just enough open space to see her. She tried to catch her breath, the hand on her chest rising and falling rapidly gave indication to such. The hunt was over too soon, but I had my prize either way.

I rounded the brush and branches scraped against my back as I stalked towards her. She scrambled backwards, her palms sliding along the dirt as she tried to stand. A low growl from deep inside me made her freeze and then I pounced.

My front legs pinned her arms against her side. “Hunter?” she gasped but her voice sounded far away.

It didn’t matter.

I shoved my nose between her legs, loving that she was already soaking wet for me. My tongue lapped out to taste her and I was transported to my own personal paradise.

Use her.

Breed her.

I moved up her body and ran my tongue along her skin as she trembled beneath me.

When my body was fully on top of hers, I caught her gaze. The moonlight allowed me to make out her gorgeous features. Sweat lined her brow from the chase. Her heart was pounding in her chest. I could see her pulse through the vein in her neck. I ran my tongue along it, tasting her arousal mixed with fear.

Fear…

“Hunter,” she moaned. “Please. Don't tease me.” Her begging went straight to my cock. There was no doubt she wanted this, me buried deep in her warm pussy.

I slid along her folds to coat myself in her arousal. She bucked her hips as my head rubbed against her clit. The tip of my cock easily found her entrance from there. I slipped inside her, eliciting another loud moan.

Breed her.

I pumped hard and fast, my knot pulsing as it urged me on. But it wasn’t enough. I craved more. The taste of copper flooded my mouth as my teeth sank into her flesh. Pain and pleasure, exactly what she needed.

“ Hunter!” she screamed, but not from pleasure. The sound reverberated through my skull. I blinked and slowly, the trees around me dissolved. It was all just a dream…

No. A nightmare.

Because Rachael was actually under me, her arms pinned against her side and my cock buried between her legs. It wasn’t paws holding her down though. My fingers dug into her skin as blood ran down her neck from several teeth marks that marred her beautiful skin.

I scrambled backwards, nearly falling off the edge of the bed and onto my ass as my legs tangled in my pants. My hands shook. My stomach was in knots and last night’s dinner threatened to make a return. Rachael’s fingers brushed across her neck, pulling away quickly when she made contact with the wound. Crimson liquid clung to her hand.

“Rachael, I–” I shifted forward, wanting to check on her, to take care of her. She flinched away from me and I stopped. When her gaze finally met mine, her eyes were wide with fear. My stomach dropped. My chest tightened. The one thing that I never wanted to happen finally did.

She was scared. Of me.

“Sweetheart, please,” I whispered while reaching out my hand, like I was trying to coax a wounded animal towards me. “I am so sorry.”

Her eyes flickered between my outstretched arm and my face. It was clear that she was fighting that internal battle. The fight or flight. Her body was visibly shaking as it tried to figure out what to do. Tears fell down her face and all I wanted to do was wipe them away.

I should have grabbed her, clung to her and made her listen. Explained it all to her.

But I broke her trust.

So when she ran, I didn’t stop her.

I listened as her bare feet slapped against my floor and the door slammed shut. The sound vibrated against the walls, shattering my heart in the process. This was all my fault and I didn’t know if I would be able to fix it.