by Lee Savino
Hazel stood on the bank, a still, white figure. She could’ve been a specter, formed from moonlight to torment my dreams.
After flinging water off my hair, I stalked towards her, water streaming off my shoulders. My cock still jutted out from my body, hard and angry.
“You are not the only one who is cursed,” I reminded her. “There is nothing you can do to hurt me. Except withhold yourself.”
“My guardians at the abbey—”
“Were idiots. They did not understand who you are. They locked you away. But now you’re free and you’re still locked in a prison of your own making.” I reached to touch her and stopped short, a finger hovering at her lips.
“You want this,” I murmured, and watched as a tremor went through her. “So, Hazel, what’s it to be?”
Hazel
It was all I could do to keep my eyes on Knut’s face and not the hard organ ready to pierce me. I wet my lips and his gaze darkened.
“I am afraid.”
“Then come to me. I will fuck you until there is not a thought in your head. For you are mine and you have nothing to fear.”
I leaned towards him, so tempted. “I will not be controlled again, as I was in the abbey. I am not strong enough to survive that.”
“You are stronger than you know.” He sighed. “I will not let you go, Hazel, I cannot. It will mean my death. But this connection, this connection we have. It is more than feelings. We belong together, one soul in two bodies.”
I shook my head.
“That thought frightens you?” he asked gently.
“I don’t know why you care for me.”
“Truly?” he snorted. “There is not one thing about you that doesn’t make me want to possess you.”
When I didn’t answer, he shook his head. “I suppose you want to know the reasons and will make me stand here, naked, while I list them all.”
“You’re the one who took off your breeches.”
“Aye it was that or tear right through them.” He sighed again and the movement made his sizable erection bob. “Very well. It was your scent that called to me from the first.”
I waited.
“You know, most female wolves would be happy with a few dead rabbits.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I am not a female wolf.”
He cocked his head, studying me. “Take off your shift. If I am to bare all, then you must as well.”
With trembling hands, I did as he bade. As always, his tone compelled me. As soon as the shift fell to my feet we both knew my true feelings, for I was wet, wet and ready.
“Hazel,” he breathed.
“It’s late,” I interrupted. “We should return to the hut.”
“Do not run from me.” he growled.
In the moonlight, I could see every line and shadow on the planes of his face. Knut the man was almost gone and the beast had taken over.
“If you run, I will chase you. I will lay you down and take you in any way I please and will not stop until I’ve had my fill.”
Despite myself I took a step back.
“Hazel,” he warned.
I licked my lips, deciding.
Whirling, I ran.
For a moment, I thought I might reach the hut. My feet beat a frantic rhythm against the forest floor, breath raging in my throat. Just before I broke from the woods, strong arms clamped around me, lifting me even while my legs pumped the air.
“Be still,” the words tore from a barely human throat. Knut dragged me back to the riverbank to where he’d flung his clothes. His hands when he laid me down on the garments were gentle, but when I struggled he held me down.
“Be still,” he ordered and my spine unhinged at his guttural bark.
Satisfied at my stillness, he grasped my legs, pulled them open.
I quivered, chanting under my breath, “Yes, yes.”
For all his intent chase, he took his time looking over me. My sex was wet and dripping as he bent, sniffed, and licked up the length of my thigh. When he nuzzled between my legs, I buried my hands in his hair. He nipped my lower lips. Grasping my wrists, he pinned them at my sides.
“Oh yes,” I gasped again.
He set the broad head of his cock at my entrance. As wet as I was, his entry still burned.
“Do not fight me little one,” he coached. “Breathe.”
Slowly he pushed in, I stretched, gulping. He hit my barrier and I cried out in pain.
His hand closed over my breast, squeezing, sending a fresh wave of pleasure through me.
“Deep breath,” he said and snapped his hips, tearing into me.
I cried out.
He cradled my head, raining kisses on my face. “Never again. It will never hurt again.”
Already the pain was fading. I closed my eyes, savoring his satisfying weight on my small frame, his arms and legs caging me. I was safe forever, in his arms.
Look at me, his voice purred in my thoughts.
I did.
Our minds are one. Our bodies are one. You will heal quickly now.
Warmth curled through me, he moved a little and I felt him where our bodies joined, a perfect fit. My body had already adjusted to the brutal stretch.
I locked my legs around his hips.
“That’s it, little one. Take me deep.”
My hips undulated against his, gently at first, then with a more demanding speed. His thick cock speared me, pressing against every part of my womb, filling me to the brim with undeniable pleasure.
“Is this how it is?” I asked in wonder.
“This is how it is,” he said. “But only with you. And for me there is no other.”
My small arms pulled him closer. There was nothing evil here, in the circle of our bodies. It was the sweetest feeling and I’d die happily in this place.
I wouldn’t, Knut growled in my mind. I need at least a thousand years to enjoy your lovely flesh.
I scratched my nails down his back and felt his muscles ripple against me. He moved faster, thrusting into me. His heavy balls slapped my center with delicious force.
“This first time, I’ll be gentle.”
“This is gentle?” I gasped.
He turned his head and nipped my ear. “I have waited so long.”
“I know. Take your pleasure.” I slid my arm around his shoulders, hanging on as his hips pounded into me. My orgasm rose rapidly, blowing up like a gale that bows all but the largest oak before it. I howled my delight and shuddered as Knut’s cock pulsed once, twice, and released his seed deep inside me.
“Hazel,” he said my name over and over, kissing me until I laughed.
He rolled to his back, bringing me with him so I sprawled over the giant shelf of his muscled chest. His organ was still inside me. “How was your first time?”
“Good,” I told him shyly.
“Not too painful.”
“No.” The feeling of being torn had faded right away.
Knut pressed his face into the crook of my shoulder and neck. His large hand cradled my head; my fingers sifted through his hair.
“Knut?”
“Mmm?”
“Why do you say I am brave?”
He made to move and I held him tighter, keeping us cheek to cheek so I did not have to meet his eyes. He rubbed my back, soothing.
“I have fought many battles, and seen courageous acts. There is none to match when you stood at my side to fight the Grey Men, even though you trembled in fear.”
“I didn’t fight at the abbey. I didn’t save Sari, or Fleur.”
His fingers found the nape of my neck, squeezing reassuringly. “You couldn’t save them, but you will save many others.”
I rose up then, gazing down at him.
“When we are back at the mountain,” his index finger traced my lips, “I will go to the Alphas and tell them of the Corpse King’s evil plan. The women at the abbey will all be rescued, I swear it.”
I held my breath. It was too overwhelming to think of al
l my friends--Willow, Fern, Sage, Sorrel, Rosalind, Angelica--by my side again. Safe.
“Who knows? Some may be fit to be Berserker brides, like you.”
“What if they don’t want to be mated?”
“I’m sure their warriors will convince them.” He grinned. “I’m an old warrior, but I wooed you in a few days.”
His finger teased my lips. I turned my head and caught it between my teeth.
His chuckled rumbled through my body. “Such a fighter. Little rabbit.” He cupped my cheek and looked at me so long and with such love, tears filled my eyes.
“Hazel, I told you I wanted you from the first time I caught your scent. And again when I saw you. But when you stood against the Grey Men with me and did not flee, I knew I wanted you by my side forever.”
“You spanked me for that.”
“Yes,” he showed his fangs. “and will again, to drive such valor out of you. It will not do to have you fighting battles when you are carrying our sons.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling at him. “How do you know they will be sons?”
He rolled us over, our bodies still joined, his burly arms and chest caging my body. My eyes widened as his cock turned to steel.
“Because,” he flexed his hips, and filled me further. “I will not stop claiming your body until we have many sons, and daughters too.”
Knut
Hazel moaned in my ear and I came awake with a start.
We lay on a bed of soft pine needles, my body curled around hers. The goddess only knew how often I had claimed her last night, but it had been enough to make us fall asleep on the ground.
Fog drifted over us. It should be dawn but the world was grey.
“It’s all wrong,” Hazel muttered and thrashed in the throes of a bad dream.
“Little one.” I shook her awake.
“Knut? Where are we?” She was cold, her face pale as last night’s moon.
“In the forest, where I made you fully mine.”
The wind whistled through the trees, but did not dispel the fog. The thick cloudy air advanced like an army of ghosts.
Hazel shivered and I tucked the pelt around her.
“Come. We need to get you close to the fire.” I drew her up, keeping her close as I pulled on my clothes. Her shift lay a few feet away and I kept hold of her as I went to fetch it.
“Is it morning?” she asked.
“Yes. But the fog has stolen it away.”
I turned to the direction I knew the hut lay in and faced a wall of fog, too thick to see through.
“Come,” I said, forcing confidence into my tone. “This way.”
But as we walked and walked, we reached nothing.
“Cold,” Hazel muttered. A few feet later, she sighed.
“Are you all right, little one?”
“My head hurts.”
“Your head and my cock. You wore me out,” I said when she gave me a look.
The humor lasted only a few more steps. Something moved in the fog and I growled, fear like acid in my gut. I was an idiot to not see this for an attack.
“Back to the river.” I pushed her along, ahead of another thick billow of fog. The air thinned somewhat when we reached the water.
“Knut, what is it?” Hazel’s teeth chattered. I swung her up in my arms and crossed the body of water. The fog was less here, but still rising.
“The Corpse King is coming after you. He is drawn to your heat, but I will protect you, above all.”
We walked through the forest, fear eating my heart. I did not have my axe, but what weapon would stand against the weather? Better we lay down and wait it out, although then the Grey Men would find us and all would be lost.
No way out. No hope.
Deep down, my beast was raging, howling with violence as if the enemy were here and on the attack.
“The fog affects the mind,” I said suddenly.
“Yes,” Hazel said, sounding very tired.
My skin prickled as the wind picked up, pushing the fog our way.
“We must run.” I pulled her along, only to race straight into another thick bank of fog.
Hazel stumbled and I lost hold of her.
“Knut,” she cried, suddenly sounding far away.
“Hazel,” I grabbed for her. My arms closed around her, but the storm swirled around us, a voice on the wind chanting with evil purpose. The Corpse King. No wonder my beast was fighting for control.
“Come face me like a man,” I shouted. The chant turned mocking.
I reached out via the pack bonds, trying to call for help. I was a fool to isolate myself from my Berserker brothers. My distrust of them put my woman at risk.
A gust of wind struck my body. Cowering before it, I covered Hazel as best I could, but when I rose the fog was a cage, four thick walls around us. With a little murmur, Hazel slipped out of my arms.
“No,” I reached for her, coming back with only armfuls of smoke. “Hazel!”
Silence.
Hazel. I reached out via our minds and found her thoughts full of despair.
Dark. Dirty. Unworthy.
“Hazel,” I called, keeping my voice calm. “Where are you? Hear my voice and come to me.”
“I can't, Knut.” When she finally answered, her voice sounded small. “I am too weak. You should leave me.”
I pushed towards her voice and it was like wading through water.
“The Corpse King is using lies to make you despair.”
I am weak. I gave into lust. My desires are filthy, taint everything they touch.
I am in your mind, little one. You are not dirty or wrong.
Hazel fell silent under the screeching wind, the Corpse King laughing at me.
“I will not let you have her,” I bellowed. Claws sprouted from my hand.
I waded forward and almost tripped over a small form. My woman, curled into a sad little ball.
“Little one,” I had her in my arms, chafing her cold skin. “Oh, Hazel, why are you so afraid?”
“You should leave me,” she choked on a sob. “Save yourself. They will not come after you, if they have me.”
“No, never.” I lifted her and strode until we reached a tree. I set her against the trunk, surrounded by the comforting scent of pine. “You are mine, and I will never let you go. I will not surrender to an army. They can no more take you from me than they can take my soul.”
“They want my soul,” she said in a terrified whisper. “They are coming for it.”
“They cannot have it.” Fisting my hand in her hair, I kissed her and she opened herself to me with a shuddering sigh, accepting the warmth that poured through her body from mine.
You are mine. Touch me, Hazel. Feel my need.
My tongue probed her as my cock strained against my breeches. Still claiming her mouth, I freed myself. One thrust and I was inside her blessed heat. Her muscles shuddered around me, pulling me in deeper, calling me home.
Feel this, little one. This is real.
“Knut,” she breathed against my mouth.
“That’s it. Say my name. Remember I am yours.” I pledge my life to you.
Her legs closed around my hips and I hitched her up, driving deeper. Her head flew back against the tree trunk, her perfect lips parted.
“I love you,” she mouthed and drove me to my knees.
Carefully, I laid her on her back, her hair spread over the ground.
Mark her, my beast commanded and I could resist no longer.
Sweeping her hair off her shoulder, I bent her head to the side. My fangs pierced her.
Power. Heat. Lightning whipped through our bodies. She came, convulsing around my cock. I plowed deep inside her, filling her with my seed and my thoughts—all the force of my love filling her mind, driving the Corpse King out.
“Knut,” she said, in between returning my frantic kisses. “What is happening? What did you do?”
I brought her hand to the marks on her shoulder. They were alrea
dy healing.
“We are joined forever, little one.” You are in my mind, as I am in yours, and we will never be alone.
Around us, mist swirled.
She will never be yours, a dark voice whispered.
I raised my head as bleak despair poured into my mind.
Fur rippled down my arm. I cried out as my spine stretched and snapped, my body contorting with magic. Pulling away from Hazel, I stretched out my hand and watched it turn into a massive claw.
“No—” I staggered back. “Hazel…run.” I gasped as my bones broke and reknitted. The Change was upon me, and it hurt like never before.
“Knut! What is happening?”
“The beast,” I choked out. I had marked her too late.
The fog swirled around us, echoing with mocking laughter.
Your strength is useless, warrior. The Corpse King’s voice sliced through my control. How will you save her from me if you cannot even save her from yourself?
“Go,” the word turned into a howl as my jaw and throat reshaped itself. Hazel, you must leave before it’s too late.
“No, Knut, stay with me.” Hazel’s small hands grasped my body. Already my vision was turning red.
Forgive me. I have failed you. My skin became fur, and I jerked away from her.
“You cannot leave me,” she cried.
She was at my side, sobbing, pulling on my arm. I snarled, and she cringed back.
Do you see this? Do you see the monster I become? I will not let you shackle yourself to me.
“No.” Even with fear in her scent, she rose up and faced me. “You rescued me. We belong together. You set me free.”
I am a warrior only. Not fit to be a mate.
“Knut,” she reached for me again and I roared. When she cowered, I stretched myself over her. The beast scented a frail, trembling woman. It wanted to possess her.
Tears streaming down her cheeks, she tipped her head back and offered her throat. Take me then. I am yours.
Surrounded by the stinking mist, I nuzzled her and buried my face in her hair. She smelled of Hazel, of heat and love and strawberries.
Her voice touched my mind. It’s the Corpse King, trying to control you. Do not listen to him. Stay with me.