Hunted: A Haven Realm Novel

by Young, Mila

  “You owe me an explanation.” She pumped water into a bucket. “Why you’re with three naked hunks. Why you’re covered in bruises and cuts. And where did you vanish to this week?”

  She brought over the pail and plonked it on the ground. With her palm hovering over the surface, she murmured a few words I couldn’t decipher.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Just helping you heal quicker.” She dashed into the back door and appeared seconds later with two sponges. She pushed one into my hand.

  “Now wash and explain.”

  I dunked my sponge into the water and spread the liquid down my arms as a faint tingle buzzed up my flesh. Bee scrubbed my back. I flinched from the iciness, but the sun overhead kept me warm. Thankfully, she lived out in the woods alone and no one came without tripping her detector spells. I trusted Bee with my life, so I told her a super abbreviated version, leaving out the juicy details about my sexual encounters. That would come later when I had time. I did mention the whole mate thing. But I left out the part about my complication with Dagen, as I still hadn’t worked out what was going on with us.

  “Crap balls, Scarlet. Wolf shifters? Are you sure we’re safe?” She wrung out her sponge before targeting the back of my arms. “I mean, if they kept you protected, then they must truly care for you. But all three of them? Is that what they do in their packs? Several guys with one girl? Hell, they’re sexy too, and I’d take one off your arms if they ever get to be too much. Ha… If it were me, I’d have them all take me at the same time.”

  “Bee!” I twisted to face her. “I could never. Wouldn’t it be awkward?”

  “Ha. You have three cocks around you and you’re still shy? Listen, one for your mouth, the other in your pussy, and then your ass. Simple.”

  My cheeks burned. “Heavens, have you been with three men at once?” Personally, the closest I’d gotten to that was being watched by Oryn while Nero and I had gone at it, and then I’d taken a turn with Oryn as Nero had looked on.

  “I wish.” She laughed when the three guys rounded the corner of the house, their arms piled high with towels. Called it.

  “Good, you’re back,” Bee said.

  Nero moved closer. “Can you wash her breasts?”

  “Hey.” I tossed my sponge at him, but he ducked and it missed him.

  Bee smirked and picked up the bucket of water. “Okay, hornbags. She’s clean of wolfsbane. Do your thing and wipe her down.”

  Oryn and Nero approached, and I giggled. They each took an arm and wiped me dry, Nero sailed to my back, taking his sweet time on my ass, while Oryn caressed my breasts through the towel, his thumbs flicking over my nipples.

  I tingled all over but didn’t need to turn into a sex-slave around Bee. So I snatched the towel off him and finished myself.

  Dagen chatted with Bee a few steps away, but I couldn’t hear them. She laughed, and I loved her dearly, but still, a tinge of jealousy tugged in my chest. I climbed out of the tub with help from Nero and Oryn, then wrapped myself up.

  At once, Bee stiffened and marched closer. “Quick, Dad’s home. Everyone get into the house and in my bedroom. Now!”

  We all followed Bee into the house, and Nero was in my ear. “Is this code for what I think it is?”

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “No. Her father is here, and if he sees any of you, he’ll raise the alarms.”

  Chapter 18

  Bee closed the guys and me in her bedroom as she went to greet her dad and keep him occupied. Dagen stood at the window, staring down into the yard through the curtains, while Nero lounged on the double bed, creasing flowered sheets. The walls were littered with glittery dried flowers, and Oryn flipped open the wardrobe, revealing every color under the rainbow. Damn, I so needed to update my clothes soon.

  Still in my towel, I figured Bee wouldn’t mind me borrowing an outfit.

  Oryn pulled out a long, red dress with no sleeves and a low V-neck. “This would be perfect on you.”

  I shook my head. “I’m not really a skirt kind of girl.”

  Nero scrambled off the bed, sitting on the edge. “They suit you. Plus, remember you promised me a show in a skirt.”

  Oryn pressed the garment into my arms and considering every other outfit in Bee’s collection was a dress, I figured this was a losing battle. I removed my towel, and even Dagen reclined against the windowsill, his arms folded across his chest as his gaze dipped down my body.

  Enjoying the show?

  He smirked and turned around to look outside.

  I pulled the gown over my head and tugged it down over my body. It was a smidgen loose, but then again, Bee was a lot bustier than me. Still, the V-neck sat low enough to show off cleavage.

  “Now that’s sexy,” Nero said, pawing at my dress, flattening it down my legs, and squeezing my ass. “And all ours.”

  Oryn prodded in the drawers of the chest cabinet and brought out a pair of pink panties.

  “Put those away.” I rushed closer and shoved them back inside.

  “Yeah, why would you want her to wear any undies?” Nero protested.

  I offered Nero a glare and my body heated up from how every conversation with them always returned to sex. Not that I was complaining, but right now wasn’t the time or place to offer myself to them. As much as my libido clenched my core.

  “Oh, now we’re talking.” Nero passed Oryn and plucked out a dildo, thick and made of something rubbery. “I’m loving the way your friend thinks.”

  The door opened, and my heart sank. I rammed the pleasure stick back into the drawer and knocked it shut with a hip as Bee strolled inside, carrying an armful of clothes.

  She closed us in and froze as she stared at one of us and then another. “What? You all look suspicious as shit, you know.”

  “Well, we—”

  I nudged Nero to shut up and said, “I… I went through your wardrobe and borrowed a dress. Hope you don’t mind?”

  “Of course, babe. You can borrow anything.” She dropped the bundle of outfits on the bed. “Dad’s already gone back to the markets as he just forgot somewhere, so I brought you these.”

  “Anything?” Nero crashed onto the mattress, cocking an eye my way.

  Ignoring him, along with the dozen images of what he could do with such a dildo, I approached Bee. “What are these?”

  “As much as I love staring at the guys’ junk, they need to put on something to fit in at Terra. Help yourself. They’re Dad’s, but he won’t notice, as he hasn’t worn these in years.”

  The guys sorted through the outfits, and I followed Bee to the window. “Scarlet,” she began. “While you were gone, the priestess messed up your store. She’s after you.”

  I stood there, frozen, unable to move. “Is Santos okay?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I got him to live with us here so he feels safe. He’s at the markets now, selling tea to make coins to help repair the store.”

  My heart bled. “He’s an incredible kid. In case I don’t see him today, tell him I’m fine.” How bad had my shop been destroyed? And if the priestess was searching for me, what future did I have in Terra? What about everything Grandma had worked so hard to build?

  “What are you going to do?” Bee squeezed my arm.

  I couldn’t respond to the reality of how shitty my situation had become. She took me into her arms and hugged me. “You can stay here as long as you need. A guard come searching for you a few days ago, and after he inspected the house, he apologized for the intrusion and left. So I doubt they would come back.”

  “Thanks.” But my life had become so much more complicated after meeting three amazing men. Except they didn’t belong in my world, and maybe I didn’t, either. But the Den wasn’t safe.

  When Nero chuckled, we turned to find the guys dressed and shoving each other about playfully. No surprise Nero would wear the shiny vest with no shirt underneath and knee-length shorts. It suited him and his muscular arms.

  Oryn buttoned up a black sh
irt and wore matching pants. But both pulled taut across his body and looked ready to bust open if he flexed. With his long, raven hair, he was the epitome of a shadow assassin, or what I’d imagine they looked like, hunting in the Darkwoods realm.

  Dagen only had on pants the color of dried grass that reached halfway up his shins. They hung low off his V-shaped waist, drawing attention to his abs, and the delicious package cradled lower.

  When I looked up, he arched an eyebrow at me. “What am I supposed to wear on top?”

  “Told you,” Nero said. “Put on the cape.”

  Dagen’s death stare made me smirk. “I’m not going around looking like a bat.”

  “That’s from a costume party,” Bee said. “No idea how it got into the pile. Why not try the short tunic? It’s loose and you look like a big boy.”

  He plucked out the sand-colored tunic and pulled it over his head. It matched his light hair.

  “So what now?” Bee said. “Dad’s only home for lunch, then he’s out again, but what are you four going to do? I’ll go with you if you need help.” She collected the rest of the clothes and tossed me my backpack, which I’d left downstairs.

  “We need to visit my shop, as I need to test for the poison in the river and help the wolves. Plus, I have to see what state my store and home are in.” I pictured the place demolished and only rubble left. I hugged myself from the chill crawling along my arms.

  “Once your dad leaves, we’ll head off,” I said. “Thanks for everything, but I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Oryn said. “We will keep Sharlot safe.”

  “Is that right, Sharlot?” Bee smirked my way, but when she pulled me aside, her tone turned serious. “I know this is the wrong place, and I hate asking”—she twisted her fingers over one another—“but yesterday, Dad sold our last few chickens at the market. And—”

  “Oh, crap. I owe you the wolfsbane for that job.” I dug into the bag, convinced I had two roots left. I gingerly lifted them by a thin thread. Once I got home, I’d be disinfecting everything in my bag. “Got them right here. Sorry I was late.”

  Bee collected a jewelry box from the chest of drawers, tipped the contents out, and presented the open container. I placed the plants inside.

  “Damn, girl, you have the best excuse in the world,” she said. “But I should be okay, I think. I’m only a few days late to go into the mountains to complete the job, and fingers crossed my new clients won’t be pissed. I’ll head there as soon as Dad heads back to the markets.” She looked at me as she shut the box. “Unless you need me here?”

  “No, we’re all good. Do what you need to do. When you return, we can do a massive catch up.” I hoped I would still be here.

  * * *

  Leaves rustled around us, and the afternoon sun already dipped, but the four of had marched through the woods, staying clear of the town and homes. The forest swayed around us. We followed the next bend. Then I halted and gasped as I laid eyes on my shop. My life. Everything Grandma had left me.

  The small building with stone walls had the windows busted out, the wooden window panels torn off their hinges, along with the front door. The sign dangled over the doorway, ready to fall. My heart bled, and tears prickled my eyes.

  Dagen was right beside me, taking my hand in his, while Nero and Oryn took the lead. But everything inside me trembled. I’d worked so goddamn hard to have it ripped away. I scanned the area. No sign of guards around. Were they watching? Surely if they were, they would have arrested us by now.

  Dagen sniffed the air. “No one’s here but us.”

  I ran forward, tears flooding my cheeks. Inside, I stepped on splinters, broken jars, herbs scattered everywhere. The counter sat on its side, as did the display cabinets in the front windows. Every item on the shelves on the back wall lay smashed, except a single teapot remained untouched.

  Someone had even thrown my cash register into the wall, resulting in a massive hole. “Bastards,” I choked, shaking, unable to deal with the loss. I fell to my knees, and the emotions strangled me. The life I’d put together had been torn away. All my hard work, the healing potions I’d created for sick people, destroyed.

  Nero was next to me, his arms around my shoulders, his head against mine. “Little lamb, I’m so sorry.” He took me into his arms and held me tight.

  I sobbed against his chest, tired of always following the rules, doing the right thing, and yet I’d witnessed the priestess breaking the law, and I’d paid for it.

  “This isn’t fair,” I whispered. “I wanted to assist people, follow in my grandma’s footsteps. I didn’t hurt anyone.”

  He rubbed my back and kissed my head. “No one will ever touch you again.”

  “We’ll help you rebuild your store,” Oryn added.

  I pulled free and wiped my eyes. “Then what? The priestess will come and destroy it again when she comes to imprison me for life or execute me.”

  The three of them surrounded me in a group hug, and my tears kept flowing.

  “Sharlot, we’ll fight the entire army to protect you.” Oryn brushed a tear away with his thumb. “We will aid you with anything.”

  My throat thickened. “But I was supposed to help you and the wolves.” I broke out of their arms and scanned the mess around us, then stared at the doorway to the storage room, where I kept backup herbs. “Maybe I still can.” I traipsed to the back room and found most of it still in one piece.

  I grabbed an empty bowl I’d found on the floor and dumped my bag down, then took out the bottle of river water. My hands trembled as I picked up a jar of poison ivy off the shelf. Time to test the herbs to see if anything reacted to the poison.

  “Are you sure we’re safe here?” Oryn asked from the doorway as he glanced over his shoulder toward the trashed storefront.

  My head spun. Was he right? What if the guards showed up any moment? “Okay, everyone grab as many of these herb jars as you can. We’re leaving the store.”

  Once outside with arms full of jars, I rounded the building and marched deeper into the woods. I stared left and right, studying for any movements. But it was clear.

  “Where are we going?” Nero asked.

  “To my place. It’s a bit of a hike into the woods.” I’d always thought Grandma had been paranoid, having her house so far from the store and hidden over a hill, but now I couldn’t be more grateful. I honestly suspected for years she’d put a camouflaged spell on the property because to date, not one person had ever stumbled across the house.

  No one said a word, but we walked fast. I always traveled a different path between the store and my home. Grandma had taught me to not create a track between the two places should I ever need a hiding spot from the shop.

  We climbed a slope and over the crest I found my home. I smiled and hurried forward to the two-story wooden cabin with a small porch out front. Everything looked intact, even the bird feeder in the field. I adored waking up to their songs.

  At the door, I reached for the top of doorframe and grabbed my spare key from the ledge.

  “I’ll go in first,” Oryn insisted, and I wasn’t arguing in case there was a surprise attack.

  I waited, and Nero held my hand.

  Halfway through the living room, Oryn turned with a grim look on his face, his nose wrinkled. “What is that funky smell?”

  “What?” I hurried inside and the pungent smell hit me. Right. I had been making cottage cheese and had left it out too long.

  “It’s just cheese. Open the windows.” My tiny kitchen had a long counter against one wall, a fire stove at the end and shelves filled with provisions. Near the window was the culprit, hanging from a horizontal stick balancing over a bucket. I grabbed the gooey mess in the cheesecloth and ran outside with it, holding my breath. Yep, it was bad. I threw it deeper into the woods behind my home, figuring I’d clean it later with the rest of the mess in my store. Now, I had to find a solution for the poisoned water, and how in the world I’d remain i
n Terra while the priestess hunted me.

  Chapter 19

  Back inside my cabin, I locked the door behind me and turned to find three men studying the place. A strange sensation swirled in my stomach at the familiarity of being home, yet sharing it with shifters.

  Nero ran a hand across the wooden walls while glancing up at the beams overhead. He strolled to the stone fireplace in the living room. Pinecones littered the mantelpiece. I’d had this thing about collecting them when I was young and couldn’t bring myself to throw them away, as they reminded me of my parents.

  “So, this is my little abode,” I said. “It’s nothing special, but perfect for me.” Downstairs had the kitchen, bathroom, and a resting room, while on the second floor were the bedrooms.

  “I love it,” Nero said, picking up wood from the pile next to the fireplace. “Now to get this place warmed up.”

  Oryn glanced upstairs, gripping the timber banister, as if ready to launch himself upward. “Only two rooms up there?”

  I looked up at the spare room that used to belong to my grandma, and how I used to tippy-toe past her room when I’d woken up in the middle of the night. But she’d always heard me and would join me in the kitchen. Those nights we’d end up cooking a feast with leftovers and tell silly jokes. The best memories ever.

  “Do I need more rooms?” I returned to the kitchen and lit the stove, ready to make a huge pot of tea.

  “If it bothers you, Oryn,” Nero called out, chuckling, “take the spare room. I’ll be bunking with my little lamb.”

  Oryn shook his head and scaled the steps.

  Dagen inspected the paintings of the forest on the walls.

  “Those are mine,” I said. “I’ve been practicing in my spare time.”

  “Love this image. Reminds me of you.” He pointed to one with my grandma walking into the forest wearing her red cape. Within the shadows, I’d drawn three wolves watching her.

  “I adore that piece.”

  Dagen offered me a knowing smile. “You have talent.”

  With everyone settled on the couch, the rest of the afternoon flew by. A fire roared, and I had made garlic toast and roasted vegetables, followed by honeyed oats. No complaints from the guys, either. We all sat there, spoons clinking bowls and lips smacking.