Huntress and the Thorn Court: An Urban Fantasy Shifter Romance (The World of the Hunter Order Book 1)

by D. C. Gambel

  “Well as we haven’t been doing a whole lot of fucking I don’t see how it matters.”

  “Oh so that’s what this is. You’re pissed at me because I haven’t been spreading my legs for you?”

  He muttered curses under his breath, huffing in irritation. “You’re holding something against me that I didn’t even say.”

  “Maybe this was a bad idea. Us sleeping together,” I clarified.

  “Is it? Or is it only a bad idea until the full moon and you realize I’ll be fucking someone else?”

  “Fuck you, Gideon,” I spat as he threw my insecurities back at me.

  The way his eyes narrowed had my heart race an instant before he lunged at me. In my limited space I threw a punch to his stomach as he secured my other arm. I swiped at his legs, but he was prepared and countered. Every move I made he matched with one of his own until he had me pinned between him and the wall. Both my arms were tucked behind my back. He held me in a way that had my spine arched forcing me to look up at him.

  “You don’t get to toss those words at me unless you mean them. Do you want me to fuck you, Isabel?”

  “No,” I hissed, but I could feel my body respond to his.

  “Liar.”

  His mouth slammed against mine and I melded to him. When his tongue slipped past my lips, I moved mine along with his longingly. It was an entire experience the way Gideon kissed. Almost like we were fucking without actually having sex. A moan of concealed pleasure slid from my throat as I returned his kiss hungrily, which turned into a groan when he pulled back.

  “Do you want me to fuck you?”

  “No?” I said unsure.

  “Stubborn,” he whispered before leaning down. I arched into him, but he stopped with just a whisper of space between us. Tilting my chin, I attempted to close the distance, but he was just out of reach. It was then I noticed the smug, cocky smirk on his face.

  I twisted out of his arms and shoved him away. The bastard just chuckled. He backed away until he was leaning against his desk, resting his palms against the flat top. Nonchalantly, he lounged, crossing his stretched legs in front of him as he considered my expression.

  “How angry are you with me, Isabel? Enough that I should tell Carla she can have her spot back?”

  Just thinking about him with Carla was like a knife to the gut. My hand fell to my stomach feeling the phantom pain like it was real. I didn’t want to talk about that. The idea hurt me. I wanted to stay angry. It fueled me.

  Flicking a glance at Gideon, I noticed him watching me intently. “I’m giving the order to have my father informed.”

  “No,” he stated coolly.

  “You’re not the boss of me.”

  “Do you know how petulant you sound? I gave you the computer because I thought I could trust you. If you go against my wishes and inform the head of the Hunter Order, then you will have proven I can’t. So it comes down to trust. Can I trust you, Isabel?”

  My body tensed because he’d just manipulated me into a corner. If I did what I wanted, what I thought was right, then I was untrustworthy.

  “I hate you,” I said with absolutely no conviction.

  He just smiled. “Come here.”

  I stared at his outstretched hand. I wanted to take it. To go into his arms, but what he said the morning after the full moon still gnawed at me.

  “You have to forgive me eventually.”

  I peered up at him from under my lashes. “You’ve never asked.”

  His brow knitted, floored by my statement. Shoving off his desk where he’d been leaning, he strode over closing the distance between us once more. His hand snaked around my waist yanking me to him. I arched away feigning revulsion when I truly enjoyed the feel of his body against mine.

  “I am sorry, Isabel.”

  My mouth fell agape. I was stunned mute as the king among Alphas apologized to me. I doubted there were many who had heard this prideful man utter those words.

  “I did not mean it the way it came out. I was just surprised that a mouthy, arrogant, beautiful huntress was what finally caught my wolf’s eye.”

  “You were doing really good up until mouthy.”

  “Did I redeem myself with the beautiful part.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Am I forgiven?” He leaned in until his mouth hovered just above mine.

  “Do you mean it?”

  He pulled back so he could stare into my brown eyes. “I never apologize unless I mean it. Do you accept it? I don’t think I can handle this distance between us anymore.”

  The words he’d just uttered were simple, but coming from him made them hold a heavy weight. I nodded.

  “Then show me.” His voice rumbled with the command, but the devilish glint in his eye told me it was just playful teasing.

  Smiling wickedly at him, I kissed him as my hands busied themselves with his belt. We shuffled back toward his desk until Gideon bumped into it. He tried tugging at my clothes, but I stepped back. Once the belt was no longer in the way, I made quick work of his button and zipper. Staring at him seductively from under my lashes, I dropped to my knees just as a pounding resounded at the door.

  “Go away!” Gideon yelled as my hands faltered.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” someone timidly called at the door. “But an entourage just arrived from the Hunter’s Order and they wish to speak to you immediately.”

  “Tell them I’m in the middle of something.”

  I tried not to chuckle at his words. Then feeling brazen, I slipped my hands into his pants and eased his erection out from its confines. It stood proud begging for my attention. Gideon watched me shocked, but made no move to stop me, as I slid my tongue up from the base of him to the tip where I swirled around it like a lollipop. I groaned savoring the flavor of him.

  “I’m sorry, sir but they’re pretty insistent.”

  Gideon growled but didn’t stop my movement. “Fine tell them to give me five—” He groaned as I took him fully into my mouth.

  “Sir?”

  Growling from the distraction of what I was doing, he bellowed, “Tell them I’ll be with them as soon as I can.”

  Pulling back, I stared as a pearl appeared on his tip. Moaning I licked it off, causing him to groan. With other men this had always felt like a task, but with Gideon, I enjoyed it. Knowing that I could hold control over this powerful man was a heady concoction.

  “What else is there?” Gideon yelled at the door. I hadn’t realized someone was still there

  “Sir, it’s just that…”

  “Out with it.” His muscles were tightening. He was closing in on his finish as my mouth stroked him.

  “They’d like Princess Isabel to attend the meeting as well and…” I faltered in my rhythm. My eyes went wide as I flicked a nervous glance up at Gideon. What a sight I must have been on my knees with Gideon’s manhood still in my mouth. I’d not been referred to as princess except in mockery.

  “You haven’t found her to deliver the message?”

  “No, sir. We’ve looked, but…”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll find her before I head in. Escort them to the throne room.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  My eyes went wide. There was only the door, that I wasn’t even sure was locked, between the throne room and us.

  “You wanted to play, Princess. Have you changed your mind?” He challenged. Not a chance. I bobbed my head watching Gideon from under my lashes. His neck was bowed back absorbing the sensation. His hands gripped the desk behind him and I swear I heard the wood groan. “I’m close,” he warned. The fact that he did just made me more determined not to stop.

  With a groan he spilled into my mouth. I drank him down, milking him of every drop. When his body stopped pulsating, I did one final sweep of my mouth to ensure he was clean before coming to my feet.

  Gideon grabbed me at my waist, tugging me to him. He kissed me passionately uncaring about what I’d just done as his tongue dance impatiently with mine.

  �
�I don’t have time to give you a proper thank you,” he breathed against my lips. “We’ll finish this later.” It wasn’t a question but a statement of fact. I nodded kissing him once more. “Go up the elevator so we’re not seen coming out together. You can use the bathroom to compose yourself before coming down.” He swiped his thumb over my swollen lips removing a drop of what I missed. Biting my lip, I did as he asked.

  I didn’t know whom the entourage included, and it didn’t matter, there would be no way for me to explain my familiarity with Gideon’s personal space that would satisfy if I was seen coming out of his office. He stood there watching me with a hooded gaze until the elevator doors closed behind me.

  17

  I didn’t knock when I entered the throne room. I put on airs of the revered huntress I was. It was a mask I’d been wearing less and less as of late. I hid my reaction when I saw who from the Order were present. It was Reed and his group of miscreants. The same two that had been present during my encounter with Reed over the mistreatment of the teenage werewolves were here, but it appeared he added two more for show, which was odd as Reed’s team was only meant to be a group of three. I made a mental note to ask Eric about it tomorrow.

  “Isabel,” Reed beamed. Arms thrown wide, he approached me, wrapping me in a more than friendly embrace. “You smell good,” he whispered just for me, but we were in a room of supernaturals. A whisper didn’t mean anything. My eyes caught Gideon’s as he gritted his teeth. “They’ve been taking care of you, I see.”

  “They have.” I stepped back putting space between us. I didn’t enjoy Reed near me on a good day. Add in the alpha wolf whom I was sleeping with watching us and it made for a volatile situation. “Why are you here? I was told I was requested.”

  “Requested?” he turned back glaring at Gideon. “Did he not just demand you come?”

  “She is not my subject,” Gideon spat. His hostility was more than what the situation warranted. I got the vague sense I was missing something. “And if you know her, then you are aware that persuading her is much easier if she’s given the option to refuse.”

  “Well,” Reed turned back to me ignoring Gideon’s comment. His snub at the Alpha didn’t go unnoticed. I kept my expression blank, but internally I wondered if Reed had a death wish. He was already plotting with Drake, which was stupid in and of itself. Now he was antagonizing Gideon in his own house. “I was just explaining to the Alpha that I’ve come to bring you home.”

  My stomach bottomed out. The statement caught me by surprise and I was unable to mask my distress. “What?”

  “Why don’t you look thrilled? You’re coming home,” he grinned hugely.

  I glanced up at Gideon again wondering why he wasn’t contradicting Reed. I couldn’t be going home yet. “I don’t understand. I still have months left in my sentence.”

  “Isabel.” The way Reed drew out my name was like he was trying to speak slow as if I was too naive to hear him otherwise. “It’s all about leverage.”

  Two guards I hadn’t seen before, dragged a man who was bound in silver. He’d been beaten to a point that I barely recognized him. “Adam?”

  Gideon didn’t seem surprised by the state of his Beta. I realized a moment later it was because he already knew. This was what I had missed.

  “What the hell have you done?” I bellowed at Reed letting my mask slip away. Was he trying to start a war?

  “I just bartered your release,” he sneered at my ungratefulness.

  “And threatening a war by kidnapping the pack’s second? Are you an idiot?”

  Reed’s face turned red as the blood rushed to his cheeks. “It’s done. Gather your things so we can leave.”

  My body vibrated with unchecked rage. How could he be so stupid?

  “Gideon?” I looked up at him pleadingly. He told me six months at the minimum. It hadn’t been that yet. I’d just gotten over my own self-repression, but it was more than that. I liked Gideon probably more than I should. I couldn’t leave and never feel his body against mine, to never have him kiss me again. I needed more time with him although I wasn’t sure what would ever be enough.

  “I release you, Isabel, Princess of the Hunter’s Order and consider the retribution paid.”

  My lips parted. His words were almost a physical blow. He’d been the last thread of hope now there was nothing. “No,” I stated firmly causing Gideon to blink at me. “I am honor bound to fulfill my obligation. I will not let us go to war with each other over a lapse in judgment from my Order.” I turned to face Reed. “This is not how we do things.”

  “What are you doing? You’re free! Let’s go.”

  “I had already bartered for a lesser sentence, Reed that wouldn’t lead to war.”

  “If you stay, I can’t protect you.”

  “How dare you think I’m incapable of protecting myself?” I spun to face Gideon. “I apologize, Alpha, for this recklessness. Please accept my apology and if it’s acceptable I’d like to fulfill the terms of our deal as long as no repercussions fall on my fellow hunters for a few members’ bad judgment.”

  “Isabel!” Reed hissed gripping my arm to stop me, but I yanked it from him worried that if he continued touching me, I might just punch him.

  “Will my Beta be returned to me?” Gideon asked like the situation was trivial.

  “Release him,” I spat to Reed.

  “Do you know what I had to go through to pull this off?” Reed questioned.

  “Who asked it of you? Release him,” I demanded, but he hesitated. “I am still higher ranking than you, Reed. I gave you an order.”

  Gritting his teeth, he gave the sign to the men holding Adam. With the silver removed, Adam fell to the floor. His wrists were open wounds from where the silver cuffs had imbedded.

  “I’d like to see them out,” I said to Gideon. I was putting on a show for the hunters. Normally I wouldn’t have been quite so complying. Gideon nodded his head granting me permission.

  At the front door, Reed gripped my arm once more as his crew exited the building. “The car is just over there. We can still go.”

  “What the hell is wrong with you? I came here so we didn’t end up at war with the wolves. If they wanted blood over an accident what did you think would happen over an outright attack on their second in command? You obviously weren’t following orders because any of the higher-ups would know what a terrible idea this was. You better hope he doesn’t extend my sentence back out to the full length after this. I’ve been having to train his Omegas to get it knocked down,” I lied.

  Reed shook his head. “Shouldn’t the lengths I’d go to, to protect you, show how much I care?”

  “And that’s the problem, Reed. I’m not yours to protect and I could never be as long as you thought I needed protection.”

  His eyes emptied narrowing at me. “With what’s to come you’ll wish you’d accepted my protection.” He turned and headed to the car.

  My blood went cold. “What does that mean?” He glanced over his shoulder but didn’t reply. “Reed, what do you mean?” I yelled.

  Ignoring me, he climbed in the car with all his team and drove away.

  My mattress shifted just before a warm hand slipped under my shirt, gliding across my stomach. Smiling sleepily, I was rolled onto my back. Even in the dark, I could see Gideon’s green eyes gazing down at me. There was something different about his expression, something I didn’t recognize. I opened my mouth to ask but he silenced me with a kiss. I pressed myself closer to him enjoying the feel of his lips on mine before groaning as I realized he was naked.

  He eased my shirt gently over my head. Our lips parted long enough for the material to pass between us. There was something caring in the gesture. He wasn’t in a hurry to get me naked, but took his time enjoying the process in a way I hadn’t experienced from him. His hands skimmed over my body gently covering as much area as he could. When they brushed over my panties, stroking at the junction between my thighs, I moaned against his lips spreading m
y thighs hungrily for him.

  He slipped my panties down my legs, tossing them aimlessly in the room before settling his head between my thighs. Bowing off the bed, I moaned as his tongue invaded my folds, tasting me.

  Gideon took his time enjoying his task. His hands reached up cupping my breasts, his fingers toyed with my nipples. He didn’t stop until I cried out his name.

  Kissing up my body, Gideon’s lips traced along my skin writing a story that my body read as pleasure. He worked me into a pleasure-fueled frenzy. When I was heady with need, he pushed into me, connecting us and I almost came undone. My toes curled and my back arched feeling him drive into me. Each move was slow and determined, causing the most pleasure.

  The way he kissed me lovingly as his hips thrust forward, how he continued to stroke my skin with his fingers to heighten my pleasure, even his slow but precise moves told me this wasn’t fucking. We were making love and if I hadn’t already been breathing heavy from the pleasure, I might have from that realization.

  Gideon kissed his way down my neck coming to the spot where he’d bitten me. He lapped hungrily at it before placing his teeth over the area and pressed lightly against it, almost like he was marking me again. The hint of pain caused me to explode.

  “Gideon,” I moaned feeling my body shatter leaving nothing but my soul raw for him to claim. With a groan, he spilled into me, filling me with his white hot release. I left my body for only seconds, but it felt longer. When I settled back into my skin, a piece of me was missing replaced with something else, something I wanted more than the missing bit of me. Gideon.

  He kissed me longingly. His tongue danced with mine in an erotic tango. It was slow, not to build into something but to bask in the pleasure we’d just experienced.

  I gazed up into his green eyes before taking in his expression. The scar on his face was wrinkled as he stared at me with such awe that I wondered if he felt me too.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I brought him back to my lips and kissed him hungrily until we were making love again.

  The night still covered the sky when I woke. I smiled, pleased Gideon was beside me.