Hunter of the Heart: Moon, Magic, Madness, Book 1

by Vanessa Jaye

Away from the growing temptation.

  But as he moved from one temptation he was drawn to another more potent one. A scent drifted to him, familiar and delicate. Irresistible.

  A solitary figure leaned against the rail, her profile etched in moonlight while strands of her pale hair lifted behind her as if nighttime faeries were playing with them. Nate’s fingers curled, wanting to touch and to hold. Wanting to keep.

  She stiffened and he knew she sensed him, then she turned and their eyes met. Now all he knew was the need to be closer—the relentless drive to taste, to keep, to mate.

  He didn’t understand the compulsion, why it appeared now. Five long years and he thought the craving had died with Beth’s last breath. Guilt pierced him, so fast and deep he couldn’t steel himself against it, but the ripples it left were faint against the drag on his senses caused by this woman.

  Nate moved to stand in front of her, just out of reach. Tessa wore a thin knit top that clung softly to her slight curves. The same breeze that played through her hair pressed the fabric against her body, faithfully outlining the two erect buds that tipped the crest of each breast. Her nipples were prominent and lush, made to be suckled and caressed. As the thought came to him, her tips grew harder. She crossed her arms in front of her and raised her chin.

  “I’m surprised how chilly it gets at night,” she said. A fine tremor ran through her husky voice and echoed in her frame.

  Lady, you ain’t cold. You’re hot.

  Burning with the same fire that flickered inside him. The difference was, while he found it a nuisance, she feared it. She fears me. But she was still here.

  Of course! He got a moment of clarity, of what had happened this morning between them. He’d never discovered a newbie before. All his previous interactions were with someone already established within the tribes or vetted by another shifter.

  But there was a first time for everything and here was Tessa, his own little telepathic discovery. She was obviously a companion to his kind—norms able to serve shifters—she just didn’t know it yet.

  If he walked away right now she might never know.

  If.

  “You shouldn’t be out here.”

  Her gaze settled on his mouth as he spoke and Nate allowed a slight smile as he responded to her thoughts. “Yes, my lips moved this time.”

  “And the last time?” she whispered.

  Tessa continued to stare at his mouth, and while the fear still trembled over her limbs, a flame of curiosity had been lit.

  Nate read her thoughts, saw the dilation of her pupils as she licked her lips and felt his body tighten. He reminded himself this didn’t have to go any further.

  But how much knowledge could she handle?

  How much did she want?

  “And the last time you heard me.”

  Tessa searched his face and Nate saw himself as she saw him—shadows painting sharp angles on his face and moonlight flashing silver in his gaze.

  He read her thoughts, again, before she spoke.

  “Wolf.”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Five

  Two words. One a question, couched as a statement, the other an answer that held a challenge.

  Wolf. Yes.

  Two simple words and her reality became darker, more fearful, and yet somehow…familiar. She stood rooted to the spot by that crazy admission as well as Nate’s hypnotic regard. Tessa wasn’t one to have nightmares, but what else could explain…him?

  “A monster? Is that how you see me?” A muscle jumped in his jaw.

  Tessa cleared her throat as she took in the strong slashing brows above eyes gone icy. She settled on the fullness of his mouth again and the wicked promise held by those shapely lips.

  No, she couldn’t in all honesty call this beautiful man a monster. Never mind his rescue of her this morning.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that—” She broke off, struck again by a sense of the surreal.

  Was she seriously talking to this guy about him being a werewolf? If that didn’t buy her Class A shares in Crazy Corp, what did?

  His mouth crooked to the side. “Yeah, it is a lot to take in.”

  Tessa nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  “But you’re wrong about one thing.”

  “Oh yeah? What?”

  “You’re the one who’s beautiful. I’ve never seen hair this color before. It’s like moonlight.” He reached out to touch, but she hunched away, smoothing a hand over wayward tresses.

  “Is that what you say to all the girls before you b-bite their necks?”

  “Vampires bite necks.” His smile was slow and devastating. “Wolves are more direct. We go straight for the heart.”

  “O-oh!” Tessa stepped back and the rail pressed into her spine. Images of his head bent to her chest, animal teeth bared to rip and tear, morphed into his mouth feeding not on her flesh but sucking at her breasts.

  Where did that come from?

  The valved appetizer that pumped behind her ribs increased its tempo. It must be him. He was planting these images in her mind so she wouldn’t fight him when he finally jumped her and devoured—

  Nate laughed and it came out hoarse and sudden.

  “I’m sorry, the going-for-the-heart thing was a bit of werewolf humor on my part, but appetizer? Jump on you and devour you?” He laughed again, his teeth flashing white in his tanned face.

  Tessa hugged herself tightly. His Criss Angel Mindfreak act was seriously weirding her out. “Well hardy-har-har. I’m so glad you’re getting your jollies from this.”

  Nate tugged her arm from around her waist and then slid his hand down to trap hers. “You have to admit that was pretty funny.” He raised her palm to his face and rubbed his cheek against it.

  Tessa didn’t think she had to admit anything, not when the scrubby feel from his stubble was sending tingles down her arm that spiraled into her belly and muddled her thoughts. She made a little sound deep in the back of her throat.

  Nate’s lids lowered, his expression melting into a mask of sensuality—she felt the fluid shift of his muscles and bones beneath her fingertips in bemused fascination.

  He turned his head, but the slivered gleam of his eyes still held her captive from beneath his lashes. Then he inhaled deeply against her palm. The hairs on her nape stood to attention when he exhaled in a cross between a groan and a growl before he pressed a quick kiss to the base of her thumb.

  The light scrape of his teeth made her gasp. His lips were firm, dry and warm. And with that one touch Tessa became weak, wet and on fire. Oh, God, what was happening to her?

  “The same thing that’s happening to me,” Nate whispered. His other hand came up to cradle her neck. “And those thoughts of my mouth on your body, making love to you? They were yours Tessa. I didn’t plant them there.” His head lowered, his mouth just a wish away. “But I can make those thoughts a reality.”

  His lips met hers, tentatively at first as he learned the territory of her flesh, the plump hills of her lips, the moist deep valley between them, then he staked his claim with ever bolder strokes of his tongue.

  Nate demanded a response that Tessa couldn’t deny him, or herself. His kiss drew from her soul and seeped through her veins. Infusing her was a need so strong it caused her knees to buckle. She grabbed on to him for support and he pulled her closer, wrapping her in his arms, shrouding them both in an electric field of desire.

  When he finally raised his head, the wild look in Nate’s eyes brought her fears back to life, but in a different way. She suspected the emotion in his gaze only reflected what was in her own eyes. Tessa pushed against him. She felt trapped, her breath becoming shorter and more frenzied.

  Something terrible had just happened between her and Nate. More than a kiss. As if an unseen hand had twisted the kaleidoscope of her life and now nothing was as it was before. All the pieces were the same, just set in a new pattern that had been there all along.

  Nate mo
ved back, his gaze roving over her face and body, only to return with piercing scrutiny to her eyes. His chest moved with each labored breath.

  “How?” he demanded harshly.

  Tessa was bewildered at his question. How what? How did this crazy attraction spring up between them? How could one kiss shake the foundations of her world? What was he asking?

  All the fierceness drained from his expression, replaced by a great sadness. His eyes glowed with such tenderness that she swayed towards him, wanting to bask in that warmth. As he reached out to touch her face, he said in a broken voice,

  “Beth.”

  Tessa flinched. “Who’s Beth?” If words had texture and taste, these ones were sour and brittle in her mouth.

  Anguish flashed over Nate’s features. Whoever this Beth was to Nate, he cared for her deeply. Tessa felt an unexpected pinch of emotion in her throat.

  Finally he said, “Beth is…you.”

  “What?” Time rushed forward, sweeping her towards the edge of what felt like memory. A knowledge forgotten. “No!” She pushed past Nate, then spun around and slowly walked backwards. Her heart was thumping because this whole situation was crazy, and this man was deranged and dangerous, and oh my God, she’d just kissed him, and she could still feel his touch congealing in the very marrow of her bones. She had to get out of here. Now!

  She was Tessa Samantha Archer, and had been so for all twenty-eight years of her life on this earth. This man with his crazy-thought-implanting-powers was trying to mess with her head for some sicko reason.

  “I told you already, they’re your thoughts. I only have the ability to read them.”

  “No, I-I don’t believe you. You’re doing this to me.”

  Nate moved his head slowly from side to side, but the look in his eyes shook her to the bone. It was predatory. Possessive. Unrelenting.

  “Stay away from me! Do you hear me?” Tessa stabbed her finger at him in warning. She turned and walked away quickly, her shoulders hunched in trepidation. If he tried to grab her, she would scream—she would.

  Of course, he didn’t need to come after her, his thoughts found her instead. I will stay away, till you call me. And you will, Tessa.

  “No, I won’t. So piss off!” she yelled. A couple nearby gave her a startled look, and she dropped her gaze, quickening her steps as Nate’s low chuckles echoed in her head.

  Beth.

  Underneath the newness of Tessa’s taste and smell, was something older, something that slotted back into the place that had been empty since his mate died.

  Somehow, inside of the woman Tessa, his beloved’s spirit dwelled. Nate felt a surge of emotion. It was incredible. But how? Obviously Tessa couldn’t give him the answers he needed, yet unable to help himself, he started after her.

  Maybe there was a clue, something that had happen to her recently or in the past. Where did she come from? The tidal wave of questions threatened to drown him in frustration and he growled, drawing the attention of the humans nearby. But they weren’t looking at him, they were looking for a dog—the most reasonable explanation. Nate almost laughed. Reasonable explanations were a rare occurrence in his world.

  The night breeze ruffled through his hair and under the edges of his shirt, sliding over his skin with feathery strokes. Nate breathed in deeply, feeling more alive than he had in years.

  He spied Tessa entering the foyer and moved faster to catch up as a note of discord plucked at him. He didn’t believe in fate, but to meet this woman here, a woman who somehow seemed to hold a connection to his life-mate just when the creature…the creature!

  Nate’s blood ran to ice. He picked up his pace. There would be no answers to get if Tessa’s throat was torn out. The image of Beth’s broken and blood-soaked body splashed across his mind. No, not again.

  I can’t lose her again.

  Tessa noted the small knots of people waiting for the elevators and made a detour for the stairs. She needed to be alone. She took the first flight on shaky legs, then turned at the landing to take the next flight down, and that’s when she glimpsed Nate just coming in from the deck. He was following her.

  “Tessa, wait!”

  Heads turned at his entreaty and she bolted, intent on putting a shit-load of distance between herself and him. As she flew down the red-carpeted stairs she felt the brass handrail heat up under the slide of her palm.

  “You’re being childish.”

  She registered his irritation and it increased her fear. Instead of taking the next flight of stairs down, she pushed through a door marked Restricted.

  The stairwell wasn’t as brightly lit as the public parts of the ship and everything, walls and stairs, were painted gunmetal gray. It took a moment for her to connect the slight vibrations beneath her feet with the hollow thrumming that came from somewhere at the bottom of the stairs.

  A door opened, followed by the sounds of feet climbing towards her. Tessa held her breath, not sure if she should continue down or go back up. A minute later another door opened and closed, and she let her breath out. There was still the problem of running into staff, but for now there was nothing but the sound of her heart racing in her ears and monstrous purring of the ship’s engine. Not exactly welcoming, but at least there was no Nate.

  “You’ll have to do better than hiding in stairwells, Tessa.”

  She gasped, his voice was clear as a whisper in her ear and his anger brushed up against her skin, raising goose bumps like a hot rash.

  The sound of the door opening above her was enough—Tessa raced down the stairs in a panic. Oh God, she could almost feel his sharp teeth at her neck. There were no erotic images this time, just the cold knowledge of death. She’d actually been lonely and feeling a bit sorry for herself? She’d give anything right now to be safe and bored, watching some stupid sitcom in her living room with a pint of Cherry Garcia ice cream for company.

  “Tessa, no! Come back to me, now!”

  She looked up and saw two points of lights shining down at her from Nate’s face. He looked murderous. Terror clawed into her gut. “Leave me alone!”

  Tessa paused long enough to see, really see, the beginnings of the change in him, the lower half of his face became elongated, the tanned skin disappearing behind a spread of black hair. She screamed, and stumbled down the stairs blindly. Her sides stitched with pain, each gasp of breath not nearly enough. Had she actually kissed him? It?

  Her prayers for deliverance muffled his voice that continued to stab into her brain, demanding that she return to him.

  He was insane.

  No, she was.

  But it wasn’t her imagination. It was true. He was a monster and he was going to kill her.

  She came to the bottom of the stairs. Should she turn left or—

  Feet raced down towards her, echoing in the narrow space till they sounded like an army. But they weren’t human feet. The rhythm was all wrong, overshot with a constant scrabble of nails hitting metal.

  Hide. Anywhere. She ran, frantically trying doors left and right. One of them opened.

  It was the wrong one.

  Chapter Six

  Tessa tripped up short at the hellish scene, her blood plummeting to arctic degrees. She started screaming, couldn’t stop till the creature moved with lightening speed and caught her in a chokehold that squeezed the pulpy terror from her throat. Fetid breath bathed her face, then something wet and rough slid across her jaw, swiping the corner of her mouth.

  “Mmm…” Its appreciative rumble sent pinchers of horror scuttling down her spine.

  Please, please, please… The words, clear in her mind, escaped the garroting hold on her neck in a high-pitched whimper.

  Tessa clawed frantically at the coarse-haired hand that hauled her up to her toes, inextricably cutting off her oxygen. She wanted to live, damn it.

  She threw a punch and her feet skated out from under her, forcing her to grab the thing’s wrist in panic. Desperation growing, she beat at it one-handedly, kicking out wildly. Stop
it! Let go! Let me go!

  Her blows grew weaker and more erratic. I want to live…want to…I…

  Stars danced before her eyes, then the lights went out one by one, devoured by the dark fog that swarmed her consciousness.

  Nate…you promised…not…hurt me.

  White-hot anger flashed inside her head. Even in her weakened state she knew the emotion wasn’t her own. It traveled through her entire being like an electric shock and Tessa felt herself flung aside. She landed hard, the wind knocked out of her, then she was gasping for precious breath, heaving in lungfuls of air till it felt like her ribs would crack with the effort.

  Inhuman roars of pain and rage filled the space and through a curtain of disheveled hair she stared wide-eyed at the writhing mass of fur, claws and snapping jaws in the center of the room. Suddenly the mass parted into two distinct entities as the smaller one was thrown into a wall, hitting it with a sharp yelp.

  The bigger creature spun around and its gaze lazered in on Tessa, shocking her into movement. In her scramble to escape she sunk her hand wrist-deep in the slippery hot goo of what was once a man’s stomach, and she recoiled with a cry, smearing her palm across the cold tile floor as she skittered away. She pressed under a bench, rubbing her hand frantically on trembling thighs, sure she’d never feel clean again.

  The small wolf leapt at the monster again and they crashed through a door. Moments later brooms and mops flipped through the opening and clattered to the floor. The walls shook while the horrible sounds of tearing flesh and vicious snarls continued. A sharp crack ended in a loud whoosh of liquid, and Tessa clamped her hands over her ears at the piercing howls that followed.

  Suddenly the smaller animal shot from of the closet, legs scrambling in the air. Next, the big thing wheeled out of the cubby in a frenzy of flailing arms. The acrid scent of bleach clung to it, the fumes so strong Tessa’s eyes watered and her nostrils stung. In its crazed dance to escape, the monster crashed into several lockers and then it was gone, its bellows absorbed in the mechanical cacophony of the ship’s engines.

  The little one started to get up, yelped and collapsed. As it licked at its blood-matted fur Tessa stayed absolutely still, eyes glued to the injured animal.