by Kym Grosso
HUNTER
Immortals of New Orleans, Book 10
Kym Grosso
Copyright © 2019 Kym Grosso
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
MT Carvin Publishing
Carlsbad, California
Editor: Julie Roberts
Cover Design: Clarise Tan, CT Cover Creations
Photographer: Wander Pedro Aguiar, WANDER AGUIAR :: PHOTOGRAPHY
Cover Model: Jonny James
Formatting: Jason Anderson, Polgarus Studio
Proofreading: Rose Holub, Read by Rose
DISCLAIMER
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, locations and events portrayed in this book are a work of fiction or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events, locales, or real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
NOTICE
This is an adult erotic paranormal romance book with love scenes and mature situations. It is only intended for adult readers over the age of 18.
Acknowledgments
~ My children, for encouraging me to write and supporting me in everything I do. I’m incredibly blessed to have you in my life. You are amazing, special people and I’m so proud of you both!
~ My readers, for waiting patiently while I wrote Hunter! I’m so thankful to have each and every one of you, supporting me and my books. I hope you love my sexy werewolf as much as I do, and I look forward to writing more adventures in the series!
~ Julie Roberts, my friend and editor, who spent hours reading, editing and proofreading Hunter. As always, there are not enough words to thank you for all you do to help me. I’m so happy you are finally living in that gorgeous log cabin and can’t wait to come visit you in Scotland someday soon! You seriously are the best ever!!!
~ Shannon Hunt, publicist and all-round assistant who gives me support! Thank you so much for everything you do to help me, your patience and friendship!
~ My dedicated beta readers Carolyn, Denise, Karen, Kim, Leah, Maria, Rose, and Vicki for beta reading. I really appreciate all the valuable feedback you provided. You guys rock!!!
~ CT Cover Creations, for designing Hunter’s sexy cover.
~ Wander Aguiar Photography for the gorgeous cover image!
~ Jonny James, cover model. I’m so happy you’re my Hunter!
~ Polgarus Studio, Jason, for formatting.
~ Rose Holub, Read by Rose, for proofreading. You are awesome!
~ My reader group, for helping spread the word about the Immortals of New Orleans series. I appreciate your support more than you could know!
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
Romance by Kym Grosso
About the Author
Chapter One
The Alpha couldn’t remember how many days he’d spent in Hell, but it was long enough to remind him to never go back. One week ago, Viktor Christianson had nearly been killed by a demon, and Hunter had deliberately opened the gate to Hades on a mission to save him. When he devised his plan, he never thought he’d find Ilsbeth, the High Priestess of New Orleans. The elusive witch, accused of murder by some, had been missing for over a month.
Hunter sucked a breath at the sight of her battered face. She blinked open her distant eyes and gazed toward Viktor’s lifeless body.
“What happened?” It was more a question of who. Hell was filled with a hierarchy of demons all capable of assault and torture.
Although badly beaten Ilsbeth shook her head; determination shone in her eyes. A warning to be quiet.
Jesus Christ, Hunter inwardly swore, carefully avoiding speaking out loud again. Demons. Sneaky little fuckers. Last thing he needed was for any of the bigwigs to get wind that an Alpha was loose in the underworld. They’d spike a spit through his ass just for foreplay and roast him. He had to keep his fucking shit together and get the hell out before they knew he was missing. He closed his eyes, sending a relaxing energy through his mind, calming his nerves. Viktor. The High Priestess. Get in. Get out.
Hunter rushed to Viktor’s side and scooped the ancient vampire into his arms. Barely alive, Viktor bore the marks of his torture. Hundreds of bloodletting lashes marred his skin. The Alpha released a hard sigh, aware he’d need to be fed.
Feeding was a tricky business. Viktor had been starved for so long, the scent of blood would drive him feral. Hunter glanced to the vampire’s bloodied wrists. Bound in silver handcuffs, he’d been immobilized while they’d tortured him. As much as the Alpha wanted to remove the painful device, he reasoned it would keep him restrained sufficiently while he fed him.
Getting the blood into him, however, was an entirely different matter. Vampires either bit for pleasure, inciting arousal, or pain. Hunter gave a smirk as a flash of being bitten by a hot redheaded vampire flashed in his mind, but the memory served to remind him that while lost in ecstasy, he couldn’t think clearly. Allowing Viktor to inflict pain wasn’t an option as it would call attention to his escape.
With only one logical choice, Hunter extended a claw, sucking a breath as he pierced his wrist. Goddammit. Blood dripped down his arm and sizzled as it hit the scorched earth. He’d have to move quickly. The hellhounds would scent the open wound. With one hand he clasped Viktor’s jaw, forcing it to open. Drink, Hunter silently urged as he held his wrist over the vampire’s mouth. A thick sanguine drop hit Victor’s tongue. Hunter’s heart beat faster, anticipating the awakening.
Come on, man. Let’s go. Let’s go. No, you cannot die on me. Quintus is going to kick my ass if you die. Droplets flowed freely into the mouth of the ancient one. Hunter took a deep breath and coughed. The smoke-laced air coated his tongue and he spat onto the ground. His focus faltered as Ilsbeth shifted and blinked her sullen eyes, a sad smile on her face. Although beaten, the ethereal beauty and strong spirit of the High Priestess lingered beneath her battered skin.
Strong fingers clamped around Hunter’s wrist, and he cursed as the slice of fangs stung his skin. “Fuck.”
Through clenched teeth, the Alpha grunted, attempting to pry Viktor’s grip loose. The vampire’s eyes flew open as he desperately suctioned blood from his arm.
“Look Vik, I need you to ease the fuck up. Take only what you need. We’ve got to get outta here.” The sound of a metal door creaking in the distance stopped him cold.
“Sixty seconds. I need you to get your shit together.” Hunter breathed deeply, fighting off the aphrodisiac effects of his bite. Jesus Christ, could this night get any worse? Like fuck. He was getting a hard-on from a vampire deep in the ass of Hell. He considered himself open to new experiences as much as the next guy, but this was so not happening.
“Ten seconds.” Hunter blinked away the sensations. He glanced to Viktor who wore a small smile. “Fucking vampire.” Hunter wrenched back his arm. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He stared down at his wrist, which had
begun to heal.
“About fucking time you saved my ass.” Viktor shoved to his feet and stretched his arms above his head. “It’s hotter than a demon’s balls at Coachella. What? Too soon?”
Hunter glared at the naked vampire, his skin perfectly healed. “You think this is funny? Jesus, you’re an asshole.”
“Yeah well, I’ve been called worse. Wait…” Viktor’s brow furrowed. “Where is she…”
“You get Ilsbeth.” Although Hunter felt sympathy for the High Priestess, he didn’t for one minute make the mistake that she was defenseless. Like a viper in the grass, Ilsbeth was more deadly than any creature on earth. Kill you now or kill you later, she’d strike without mercy.
“Ah, little witch.” Viktor’s voice softened as he knelt down next to Ilsbeth. “But where is the wolf?”
“Wolf? What wolf?” Hunter froze as a barely audible moan sounded from the far recesses of the cave. He brought his finger to his lips. “Shh.”
Silence. The Alpha concentrated, searching for the lupine presence. A shallow breath. A barely audible heartbeat. The fleeting energy rippled through him. Hunter nodded at Viktor and stepped into the darkness. Deep within the belly of the cave, he spied a small woman curled into a ball lying in the corner. What. The. Fuck? Slowly he approached, cautious not to scare her. “Ah, sweetheart. What’d they do to you?”
Sensing her fear, he reached for her slowly and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. His anger surged at the sight of her bruised cheek, but he shoved it away. He could sense her lupine nature but had no idea who she was or how she’d landed in Hell. Seconds ticked by and the urgency to leave mounted. He would seek answers later, but right now he didn’t have time.
“Easy, little wolf.” Without asking, Hunter gently scooped her limp body into his arms. “It’s time to go.”
“I’m sorry,” Viktor whispered, shaking his head. “I never meant to…”
“Can you flash?” Hunter’s fingers brushed over a scabbed bite mark and he immediately suspected what the vampire had done to her.
“I’m not sure yet. Let me get Ilsbeth.” Viktor reached for her, and she flinched. “It’s okay. I’m sorry…this wasn’t in my control.”
The witch silently nodded, but still refused to look at him as he lifted her into his arms.
“You go first,” Hunter ordered. The stench of demons permeated the air. Time’s up.
“No way. I’m not leaving you here,” Viktor protested.
“We go together then. Hold on.” With one hand, Hunter reached in his pocket, fingering the crystal. With only one chance to reopen the portal, he prayed it’d stay open long enough for him to get them all through. It sparked as he threw it onto the ground, a soft glow morphing into a swirling cloud. “It’s time. Let’s go.”
“You go first,” Viktor told him. “It might not stay open.”
“Go! Now!” Hunter yelled as he caught sight of the hooved feet approaching. The forked-tongued beast screeched in anger.
As Viktor leapt into the portal, the demon spat at Hunter. The spray of acid burned through his skin, but he held tight to the she-wolf. As the vampire disappeared, the Alpha dove through the cloud, flames chasing him.
Hunter grunted as they dropped through the portal and rolled onto the grass. He cradled the fragile female to his chest and fought the nausea that rolled through him. The escape had been a clusterfuck, but they’d managed to find their way back to their realm.
The Alpha groaned in pain, the demonic acid burning his flesh. “Fucking hell. That asshole got me.” He exhaled a deep calming breath. He’d have to shift to heal. Hunter embraced the stranger he’d brought with him. The moonlight revealed deep puncture wounds marring her body. “Jesus.”
“I’ve got to get Ilsbeth to the coven,” Viktor told him, urgency in his tone.
“No,” Hunter snapped.
“I don’t know about that, wolf. In Hell…” Viktor gently laid the witch onto the grass and knelt before her.
“I said no. I need to talk to that witch. I don’t want her going anywhere just yet. She comes with us.” Hunter shook his head, cradling the female protectively in his arms. “It’s getting cold. We need to get shelter.”
“I know she’s been on everyone’s shit list but…”
“It was my ass that just saved both of y’all. Now do this for me. Just get her inside. We’re all going. Now. I don’t want the pack getting wind of visitors just yet.”
“She’s not in good shape,” Viktor commented as he lifted Ilsbeth.
“Neither is she.” Hunter grunted and shoved to his feet, clutching the woman against his chest. He might be stupid as fuck for keeping a stranger he’d found in Hell, but he couldn’t let her go.
“I’d flash but…” Viktor shrugged.
“This way. We gotta get them upstairs. Fast. Remus is going to be here any second.” Hunter strode across the yard, his back raw from the licks of fire.
“Remus. What kind of name is that?”
“The kind that will kick your ass if you talk shit about him.” Hunter approached the back entrance and clicked open the door.
“You always leave your house completely unlocked? You’re going to end up with a bison in your living room.”
“Who says I haven’t? And for the record, animals are a lot better than humans.” Hunter’s skin tingled as the warm air brushed over him. A shower would help to ease his pain, but he needed to shift.
“You a country boy,” Viktor said in his best southern accent.
“I’m a Louisiana boy. Through and through. One who happens to be livin’ in Yellowstone. It’s a natural fit. A little colder but us wolves love the cold.”
“I’d starve to death out here. How would I ever work on my tan?” Viktor rolled his eyes and followed the Alpha up a grand staircase that led to the second floor. “Nice mansion. For a country boy, you’re livin’ the dream.”
“I’ve invested well. As have you, I’m sure.”
“I do okay.” Viktor shrugged.
“Put her in here.” Hunter nodded to a guest room on his right.
As Viktor set off with Ilsbeth, the Alpha strode toward his bedroom, and quickly settled the injured female onto the bed.
Relieved her breathing remained stable, Hunter knelt beside her and shook his head. Wearing only tattered bra and panties, the injured female’s body had been brutalized. Multiple puncture wounds mottled her skin. She’d been tortured. Who the fuck did this?
“I bit her. As did others,” Hunter heard the vampire confess.
He swiveled his head around, his blood pumping with anger.
“What are you doing in here? Where’s Ilsbeth?”
“Exactly where you told me to put her. She’s sleeping.”
“Seriously?” Annoyance laced his voice.
“She’s like fifteen feet away. I think I’d know if she woke up.”
“Wait…what did you just say?”
“I said she’s sleeping.”
“No, not that. You said you bit her.”
Hunter took a deep breath, forcing his pulse to remain even, tamping down his rage. The Alpha knew firsthand how demons forced their victims into hideous acts to survive. They’d likely starved Viktor.
“I won’t judge you.” Hunter shook off his own dark memories of Hell and what had been done to him. He turned to face Viktor, and sat on the floor, his back to the side of the bed.
“Of course you’re going to judge me. But before you say another word, you don’t know what it’s like in there.”
“Like hell I don’t.” The Alpha didn’t elaborate because there was no fucking way he was talking about what had happened with anyone, let alone the vampire.
“What do you know about Hell?” Viktor challenged, his eyes locked on Hunter’s.
“How do you think I got in and out so easily?”
“Are you for real? If you’ve been there before, why would you ever go back? What is wrong with you?”
“Why do you think I
was there? I thought to myself, hey I haven’t had a vacation in a while. Maybe I’ll go somewhere with warmer weather. What better place to go relax than Hell?”
“Tell me you didn’t go in on purpose just to get me?” Viktor pressed.
“What does it matter?” Hunter shook his head and glanced to the female.
“You and Quint really do have a hot bromance going.”
“You’re welcome, asshole.”
Viktor’s gaze drifted over the female. “The bites aren’t all mine. You know what’s down there?”
“Yeah I know.” I’ve been bitten. “What happened?”
“You know the drill. Torture. Starve. Revive. Torture some more.” He paused, his expression solemn. “All I can tell you is that I didn’t hurt her. I swore that to her and Ilsbeth…Jesus.”
“No.” Not the witch. Hunter closed his eyes and opened them. “Please just tell me you didn’t drink from her.”
Viktor went silent and averted his gaze.
Hunter leapt off the floor and lunged at Viktor, pinning him against the wall, crushing his throat with his forearm. With their gazes locked, he repeated his demand.
“Tell me you didn’t drink from her,” he gritted out. “Say it!”
“It’s not like I had a choice,” Viktor confessed, sliding down the wall as Hunter released him.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Viktor. What the ever-loving fuck were you thinking?” Hunter held up a hand, strode across the room, and stared out the window. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“I know. I thought the same at first but…”
“But what? I mean, really? You might have bonded with that bitch and you don’t even know it. I don’t care if she put on some crazy show down in NOLA after Jake found her ass in the woods. The fact is that she almost killed Dimitri.”
“I know but she…”
“She…she…she bargained with a demon. Who knows which one? Could have been the one in New York or there might be more. And now, High Priestess in there is floating around with demon juju. Fuck me.” Hunter blew out a breath and crossed the room to the female who still lay unconscious. She needed a bath but fuck if he was going to do it. When she woke up and shifted, all would be right with her world. Sort of. He knew differently but the good news was she was alive.