Adrian rushed down the stairs to the kitchen. She needed liquid and food, something to nourish her. He wished he could find her something that he’d killed himself for her to eat, but there was no time. He stopped abruptly. What if she lied? What if she’s sneaking out to the forest right now? His wolf snarled. Enough!
He’d declined every other female that had shown up on the castle steps. As the heir to the throne it was his right to have choice of the women, but he'd given them all their leave to choose whichever of his men they wanted. He refused to take a mate and become king. He wouldn’t allow himself to be broken the way his father had.
He moved again, slower this time. But when he’d caught her in his arms, the connection had sent chills up his neck and warmth through his thighs. His inner wolf was alive for the first time, and it only wanted her.
He passed through the dining hall that was sparse at the late hour. Angus, a close friend of his father’s, stared at his mug of ale, as several others joked and told stories.
“Prince Adrian.” Angus nodded.
“Evening, Angus. And you know it’s just Adrian.”
“Heard there was a new female.”
“Yes. A member of the Sisterhood. Her name is Red.”
Angus sucked in a harsh breath, and his eyes widened. He breathed in again, and resumed his passive expression.
“Something wrong?”
Angus stared at him mutely, and then went back to his mug of ale. “Nope.”
Adrian’s heart went out to Angus. To have lived so long and still he hadn’t found a mate. He only knew a fraction of how that felt. He patted Angus on the shoulder and headed onward.
Entering the kitchen, Adrian was surprised to find the wooden table full of food. Jale and his brother Juda sat hunched over it in a low conversation. Upon spotting Adrian, they went silent. He stood in the doorway, watching the pair. Jale and Juda made no bones about telling everyone who would listen to their views on his refusal to go to the Sisterhood and reclaim them. He’d have thrown them out years ago, but to do so would mean their death sentence. There was nowhere else for them.
Adrian grabbed a platter from a shelf and headed for the larder. “Jale. Juda.” He acknowledged them with a nod.
“Adrian,” they replied in turn.
Inside, Adrian found cheese, grapes, bread, mead and dried meat. He piled them high on the platter and turned to leave.
“That girl still alive?” Juda bit into a piece of chicken.
Adrian stopped moving. The hairs on his neck stood on end.
“She’ll be well on to mending in a few days.”
“Good. Means one of us might get the chance at some happiness,” Jale said.
“Not many chances come into the woods for us anymore,” Juda finished.
Adrian gritted his teeth but refused to engage them. It was always the same with those two. Every male in his pack had suffered at one time or another from loneliness. It was true that in the years since the Sisterhood had abandoned them, only a handful had returned, but Jale and Juda made it seem like they alone suffered.
Grabbing a goblet, fork, and knife, he walked out of the kitchen and almost smashed into Dax.
“You hungry again already?” Dax asked.
“It’s not for me. But be warned, Jale and Juda are in there.”
Dax’s gaze shifted to the kitchen. “They givin’ you any trouble?”
“No more than usual.”
“I can take care of that problem for you.”
Adrian laughed lightly. “Thank you, my friend, not today.”
Dax nodded. “Whenever you need it dealt with, I’m there.”
Adrian gave him a slight smile. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Dax was a good man. It was too bad he had no idea who he was.
The door opened with a creak and Redlynn tried to sit up. It was more difficult than she would’ve thought. Her sudden attempt at escape had weakened her, and possibly done more damage, and she was paying for it. She wished she had her bag and some white willow bark for the pain. Clutching the knife tightly from under her cloak she waited for whomever had entered.
The curtain pulled aside. Adrian held a large tray piled high with food. Easing the tray onto the bed, he pushed it toward her. She’d never been offered that much food at a meal in her life. Soup with some bread and the occasional fruit was all they'd been able to afford. Once in a while when the women couldn't pay her mom they would give eggs, or jam, or something else of value. Many times Redlynn had wished they'd always pay in goods instead of coin.
Adrian moved in to help her, but she stiffened.
“I can do it.”
He folded his sinewy arms across his broad chest, and a small smile played on his lips. After watching her struggle for several minutes, he threaded his arm behind her, lifting her into a sitting position without asking. She clutched the knife tightly, ready to strike if he did anything inappropriate.
His gaze traveled to her cloak and then back to her face. “I’m sure you could’ve managed, but I figured you wanted to eat before morning.”
Redlynn relaxed a bit. The nearness of him caused her to warm again.
“Thank you.”
He walked to the foot of the bed and pushed the tray of food up next to her good hand, and then spread out on the other side of the bed.
She eyed the fork. There was no way she’d be able to feed herself with her cloak buttoned. But she wasn’t about to bare herself in front of him either.
“Would you like me to feed you?” His voice was husky. She gave him a stern look, and he lifted his hands. “Right, you can do it. I forgot.” He rolled on his back and stared at the ceiling.
Red watched him, not sure if he were making fun of her or not.
“I’m Redlynn.”
“Redlynn. Good name.”
She slipped the knife into her left hand, reached out, and grabbed the bottle of mead. She tried to pour it into the goblet, but the heavy bottle wobbled in her grip. He glanced over, and just as he lifted his hand to help, she put the bottle to her lips, taking several long draws.
The liquid was warm and sweet going down. After several swallows, she put it on the platter and took a deep breath.
“I was named after my great, great, great, grandmother,” she said.
He shrugged. “I was named after no one.”
She sensed that he was trying to be funny, but it was awkward.
Picking up the bread she ripped a hunk off with her teeth, then bit off a piece of cheese and shoved it in her mouth. She moaned at the taste of the crusty loaf.
“You must like bread,” Adrian mused.
Redlynn stopped chewing. He still stared at the ceiling. “I haven’t had bread since my mother died.” Why had she told him that? She didn’t know him.
Adrian’s eyebrows knit together.
She shrugged. “I’m not very domestic.”
“You don’t trade with the baker in your village?”
“I’m not very social, either.”
He chuckled. “Could have fooled me.”
She picked up the knife and made a stab at cutting the meat. The knife stuck, and she couldn’t get it to release. Adrian reached over and placed his hand on top of hers, pulling the knife out. The warmth of his touch tingled, and she jerked away from the sensation. She didn’t like the way he made her feel.
He cut the meat for her, stuck a chunk on the end and held it out to her.
“What were you doing in the woods last night?” She reached for more bread.
“I was on patrol.”
“Do you patrol against the Weres?”
He stared at her for a moment before answering. “We patrol against the monsters of the forest.”
“Why do you live out here in Wolvenglen if it's so dangerous? Why do you and your family not live in the farmlands?”
Adrian shrugged. “I’m not a farmer.”
She stabbed at another piece of meat. “If you aren’t a farmer what are
you? You seem to be doing well here in Wolvenglen, from the finery of this room. Are you a trader?”
“Sometimes, but not often. We like to keep to ourselves up here.”
“Obviously. I hadn’t even known this was here and I thought I’d been everywhere in this forest.”
“We’re pretty secluded. Unless you know where you’re going, it can be tricky to find. When I was a boy, my father took me out on a hunting trip. I got lost on the way back. At least I thought I had. Apparently, it was a test. My father was only ever a dozen yards away, but I didn’t know that. It took me two days, but I made it back. I’d never been so happy to see this place.”
“Two days? Your father left you alone for two days in the forest?”
He shrugged. “Like I said, he didn’t leave me. He could see me the entire time. It wasn’t so bad. I’ve always been fine in the woods. I found a tree to sleep in and caught game to eat. I wasn’t even scared, frustrated more than anything. He told me that when his father tested him, it had taken him five days to find his way home.” He smiled.
“So if you aren’t a trader or a farmer what do you do all day?”
“Hunt, fish, read, whatever I feel like.”
Whatever he felt like? “But how do you keep yourself and your household?”
He snorted. “That’s a bit forward of you, isn’t it? To ask me how I make my money.”
“I’ve never been accused of being demure.” She chewed another piece of meat.
“In Wolvenglen we all work together for the betterment of everyone.”
“I don’t follow.”
“In Volkzene everyone has a profession do they not?”
She nodded.
“Here we don’t. We all help cook, or clean, or hunt. We all fish and take care of the horses. We work together.”
“How do you make money then? To pay for the things you need?”
“We have money enough to buy what we can’t make ourselves, but that’s very little. Here we don’t barter for coins.”
Money was everything in Volkzene. Those with the most got the most respect. Like Lilith. Yanti’s words about Lilith’s mirror and jewels floated back to her.
“It would be interesting to live in a place that doesn’t value money above all else. Probably because I’ve never had any.”
“You grew up poor then?”
Redlynn shrugged. “My father was a terrible farmer, and my mother was a healer. It was enough to put boots on my feet and food in my belly, but not much else.”
“But your weapons are well made.”
“They belonged to my grandmother. The sword fits me well enough, but the bow took some getting used to. And the string had to be replaced. I’ve learned to work it now though. Which weapon do you prefer when you hunt?”
Adrian pressed the pad of his thumb into his canine and thought for a moment. “I suppose sharp weapons are my specialty.”
“Swords then?”
“Of sorts. I try to keep things as natural as possible.”
“I don’t understand. You like to use some sort of wooden sword?”
He grabbed a piece of cheese and stuffed it in his mouth. “So, what do you do, Redlynn, since you’re not domestic? Are you a healer like your mother?”
“No. I can’t.” She shook her head violently.
“Why not?”
“It’s…” She’d never told anyone but her mother the reason. She looked over at him. Oh, what did it matter? She’d be gone in a day anyway. “I can’t stand the sight of blood.”
He laughed.
She frowned.
He threw up his hands. “Sorry, I’m not trying to offend. It’s just, you had a bloodied sword when we found you. If you can’t stand blood, how do you use a sword?”
“Blood doesn’t affect me in battle.”
He cocked an eyebrow.
“I know it sounds strange, but when I’m fighting all I can think of is the fight. I don’t see the blood. When I have nothing else to focus on, it overwhelms me. The scent, the color, the feel.” She shivered and took a drink of mead.
“So, no healing then?”
“I can heal. I know everything there is to know. I just… can’t. The biggest thing to be done in Volkzene is deliver babies. My mother took me once.” She looked at him hard. “Once.”
“No babies. Got it. So what do you do?”
“I am a Were hunter.”
Adrian was very still for a moment. “A wolf hunter? Why do you hunt wolves?”
“I am of the Sisterhood of Red, bound to keep my village safe.”
“So you aren’t a hunter then? You're a protector?”
“I'm a hunter now." Redlynn bristled. "Why do you call them wolves?”
Adrian pulled off a grape and popped it in his mouth, not meeting her eye. “Because that’s what they are. I didn’t think the Sisterhood still hunted the wolves.”
“They used to. Ever since Sister Irina founded Volkzene Village.”
His gaze fixed on Redlynn. There was a hint of sadness about his deep brown eyes that hit her. He stared for a long time before reaching over and taking a drink from the bottle of mead. His stare made a shiver run over her.
“But you stopped hunting, didn’t you?”
“Five years ago, after Lillith took over as Head of the Order, she forbade anyone to enter into the woods.”
“Ahhhh.” Adrian gave a wry smile. “So you’ve rebelled?”
Anger boiled in Redlynn’s gut, and she clenched her jaw tightly. “Two nights ago, three beasts came into my village, stole a young girl, and killed—" Redlynn dropped her gaze to the plate. She sucked in a deep breath, refusing to show weakness. “Someone dear to me,” she choked.
Adrian sat up, his body rigid. “A girl was taken?”
“Too many have been taken in the last months. I won’t stand for it any longer.” Her voice hardened. “I’ve come to find the Weres and kill them all.”
Adrian's eyes drifted down at the bedspread. She felt the compulsion to take his hand but didn’t.
“Have you had girls go missing, too?”
“What?” He lifted his gaze.
“The Weres. Have they taken girls from you, as well?”
“No. We’ve lost no one to the wolves.” His words came out distracted.
“Never?” Something about his manner made Redlynn uneasy. “Have you never had any problems with the wolves? I can’t believe you live in the middle of their territory, and they’ve never bothered you.”
He stood abruptly. “Finish eating and rest.”
Redlynn watched him leave. Something had upset him. He stopped and turned.
“I’ll return with Hanna in the morning.” He dipped his head and left without another word.
Redlynn spent a long time staring at the bedroom door, wondering what had rattled him. It didn’t matter, it wasn’t her concern. In the morning she’d meet the healer, and then be on her way.
Adrian took the stairs two at a time down to the lower level of the castle. Someone was stealing females from Volkzene. Someone from his pack. He wanted to line them all up and beat the hell out of every single one until they confessed. He’d find out who was doing this and why, and then he was going to rip them apart.
Upon reaching the lower level, he almost ran down the hall to the last room on the left. He tried the handle, but it was locked. He banged on the door.
“Blain. Blain!”
A muffled voice murmured inside. He pounded again, and the lock slid. Blain stood naked, yawning.
“What’s going on?”
“Someone’s been stealing girls.” Adrian pushed past his friend.
Blain rubbed his face. “Come on in,” he murmured. “What time is it?”
“Did you hear me? Sisterhood females, from Volkzene. Someone from the pack is stealing girls.”
Sleepiness retreated from Blain’s face. “What? Who told you that?”
“Redlynn.”
Blain’s brows furrowed.
; “The girl from the forest. She’s of the Sisterhood, and came into the woods as a werewolf hunter.”
“I thought the Sisterhood didn’t hunt us anymore.”
“She disobeyed.” He grabbed his hair by the roots and tugged. This is bad. So very bad. Adrian’s Alpha howled within. He wanted out. He wanted answers. He wanted blood. A ripple skittered over him, and his nails lengthened.
Blain laughed. “Well, guess she won’t be staying long.”
“This is serious,” Adrian yelled.
“I get it, Adrian. I get it.” Blain sat his lean body down on his satiny bed. “Tell me exactly what she said.”
“You think maybe…” Adrian gestured to Blain’s nakedness.
“Huh? Really, Adrian? It isn’t like you haven’t seen me naked a million times, Prude.” Blain pulled out a pair of breeches and tugged them on. “Better?”
“Much.”
“You sure are going to make a great wife someday.”
“Shut it, pup.” Adrian’s mood was heavy. “Redlynn said two nights ago wolves stole a girl and killed someone close to her.”
“Was the someone her mate?”
A mate? He’d never thought of that. Had she said it was her mate? No, she’d said it was someone close to her. Besides, I would’ve smelled it on her if a male had been with her.
“Is she sure it was wolves? Could it have been the bloodsuckers?”
“What?” he asked distracted.
“Stuck on the mate part, huh? I asked if she was sure it was wolves. It could’ve been vampires.”
“We look nothing like bloodsuckers, in case you haven’t noticed. We would’ve known if they were in the woods. Who was on patrol?”
“I was in charge of patrols that night.”
Adrian rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair. This was his fault. If he took control of his pack the way he was supposed to, this never would’ve happened. Guilt hit him for being too selfish to mate and become king. Now he’d broken his promise to his father to keep the Sisters safe. If he’d take the throne the way his father had wanted him to, he could force the wolves into submission; no one would be able to go against his wishes. He was Alpha of Wolvenglen, but in name only.
Red the Were Hunter (Fairelle Series Book 1) Page 5