A Hunter's Heart [The Hunters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Suzy Shearer

  With infinite patience he stroked her, lingering to rub her clit before returning to her wet channel then thrusting his fingers into her hot slit. Sensations deluged Charlotte. She wanted to kiss Matei but he held her back, preventing her from touching his body. Abruptly she felt her fangs slide out. It felt so strange that she giggled.

  Matei lifted her to put her face near his chest and encouraged her to bite down on it, she needed no second invitation. He groaned in pleasure as she began to drink. He had thought it erotic before when she had drunk from him but this time to feel her fangs imbedded in his breast made him want to plunge his cock deep in her while he drank from her.

  Instead, he allowed her to drink her fill. He reminded her to lick the wound closed, then pushed her onto her back and plunged his cock into her. Both were lost as he pumped faster and faster. She pulled his head down to her neck and he obliged by sinking his teeth in. She screamed her pleasure as his thrusts and his drinking took her over the edge and into orgasm.

  He licked her neck and then lay with his head on her breasts until he felt her start to giggle. He looked up at her. She had her hand covering her face. She took one look at his face and burst into laughter.

  Puzzled, he asked, “Cara, what is it? Why do you laugh?”

  “Help.” Tears were pouring down her cheeks as she removed her hands from her face. “How do I make them go back in?” she asked ruefully.

  Matei had to smile. Charlotte’s fangs were still visible. No wonder she was laughing.

  “Relax, Cara. Just think normal teeth and they will slide away.”

  A look of fierce concentration flashed across her face. She shook her head before taking a deep breath and trying again. This time her fangs slid away.

  Once again, she began to laugh. “Thank goodness you held me back. I wanted to take your cock in my mouth. Imagine if my fangs had come out and I had bit down!”

  Matei shuddered. “I do not think we will try that until you get good control, Iubită. I prefer to remain intact.”

  Snuggling into him, she asked him when he was going to teach how to vanish and fly. “Oh and I forgot about the speed thing before. Wow, how fast was that! One second I was beside the bed, the next in the family room. It’ll take some doing to get used to all this.”

  “One thing at a time, Cara, we have eternity ahead of us. First things first. Tonight we’ll begin your lessons. It is easy. Once you’ve done it once, you’ll understand. Are you hungry?”

  “A little, no ravenous,” she answered him with a cheeky grin.

  “Come, let’s find something to satisfy us both.”

  Charlotte went to walk out of the room but Matei called her back.

  “I prefer you naked, Cara, but I think it would be better to wear some clothes, so I can at least resist your body until you have eaten, otherwise we will never get any food.”

  “Oh no!” She looked embarrassed. “Help me,” she pleaded.

  Matei’s eyebrow rose, “Mmm, on second thoughts, I think I prefer you naked.”

  “Come on Hotshot,” she begged.

  Matei grinned at her then said, “Imagine what you want to wear in your mind. Keep the image solid and then visualise them on your body.”

  It took a few minutes before Charlotte was able to keep the image firm enough to make the clothes materialise but finally she was dressed and they walked out to the kitchen.

  Matei sat her down and decided something quick would be in order. French toast with fresh berries was easily made and he enjoyed watching her tuck into something he had made especially for her. She ate with relish, amazed at how different the food tasted.

  “This is amazing! I can’t believe how different things taste. It is like I can taste every layer of food, every ingredient separately yet together.”

  He grinned at her. “Now you understand why I enjoyed the meal you cooked that first time so much. It is an amazing experience.”

  “We’ll have to go shopping. I want to cook.”

  Laughing Matei replied, “Later, Cara, later. We have all the time in the world to do these things. For now, you and I both need to sleep in the way of our people. Tonight, when we wake, I shall teach you to fly and we will go to your home and see our family and friends.”

  Holding hands, they walked back to the bedroom to sleep. Charlotte thought she would be too excited to sleep but very quickly her new natural needs overtook her and she fell into the first proper sleep of her new life.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Matei woke first. He reached behind the bed to activate the shutters, knowing Charlotte would love to see the view from the bed. He lay waiting for the first sign of increased heart rate and breathing. That this woman had chosen to become immortal after all that had happened to her amazed him. To him she was a treasure, worth more than all the gold and jewels and money in the world.

  He watched as she took a full breath and opened her eyes. She had been lying on her side snuggled into him, and now she raised her face and kissed him before turning her head. He heard her gasp as she took in the vista in front of her.

  Lost for words, Charlotte sat up in bed, looking at the scene in front of her. The sky was black as a strong sudden storm raged. The waves were crashing on the surf, the spray reaching the deck. She could see the trees bending in the wind and heard the sound of waves and wind. It was breathtaking, her own private view of a storm performing just for her.

  Matei stood and pulled her to her feet to join him at the window. He opened the slide and took her out onto the deck. They stood as the rain—wind and surf spray whirled around them. She laughed in pure joy, exhilarated by the raw feeling of nature.

  The wind whipped Matei’s hair around his body and Charlotte took in the sight of him standing there naked, the elements surrounding him. He was like God himself. She sighed in happiness. He reached out a hand, pulled her to him and kissed her passionately as the storm raged around them. He turned her to face the storm and she could feel Matei’s hands running across her breasts. He was kissing the nape of her neck, running kisses down her back, all the while his fingers rubbed and tweaked at her nipples.

  She leant back into him and felt his turgid cock press against her skin. She wanted to take it in her mouth but was wary, knowing she did not have full control of her fangs yet, so she settled for turning in his arms and grasping it in one hand. She cupped his testicles and used the other hand to run up and down the shaft.

  Matei’s mouth was on her and he moaned into her as she stroked him. He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around him as he lowered her onto his cock. She cried in pleasure as he began to drop and then lift her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, she sank her teeth into him and drank as she felt his teeth enter her neck. The storm raged around them as they merged in mind and body. She screamed as her orgasm overtook her and felt Matei shudder as his own climax erupted. Her climax was stronger than any she had ever felt. It felt as if her entire body was tight then it released in a powerful surge that shook her to the core.

  Time had no meaning, as they stood there locked together in the storm until Matei whispered, “Come, Iubită, you will no longer feel the cold as you used to, but it is wise not to stay in this for too long. Let me wash you.”

  He carried her inside, closing the door, and took her into the bathroom. Matei turned on the water to the tub and Charlotte sank into the warmth. Matei joined her, settling at her back and pulling her onto his chest. She laid her head back and watched the storm through the window. If this is what her new life would be like, she was so very glad she had taken the final step.

  After they washed and lay together in comfortable silence, Matei helped her dress. “Tonight I will teach you to dematerialise and to transform into an owl. We will fly to your home.” He warned her, “You must stay in my mind all the time.”

  “I need to learn how to block others too, Matei. I don’t want everyone knowing what I think to you.”

  “Have you tried since you converted? Try to speak to L
ouisa, think of just her when you speak.”

  Charlotte screwed up her face in concentration and thought, “Louisa, guess what?”

  “Charlotte! Charlotte, how are you? How do you feel? When are you coming here?”

  She looked at Matei who was struggling not to laugh at her face. “Did you hear me?”

  He shook his head, not trusting himself to speak without laughing.

  “Matei is going to teach me to fly and then we’ll be coming. I am so excited.”

  Louisa laughed at Charlotte’s joy, assuring her they would very happy to see her. “Ştefania has decided to cook something special for you to celebrate too. We’ll greet you soon.”

  “Iubită, it is not necessary to screw up your beautiful face.”

  Charlotte stuck her tongue out at him and he just laughed.

  She spent the next half hour learning to dematerialise and materialise. “Always fix in your mind where you are going, make sure the image is perfectly clear before imagining yourself there. Remember the safest distance is about five kilometres, providing you know exactly where everything is. As you learn you will be able to project your thoughts to the area and check where everything is so you don’t land on someone or in something.”

  Soon she was able to go from the kitchen to the family room and then to the bedroom with no problem. Matei grinned at her as she materialised alongside him for the tenth time. “Well done, my Cara, now we will try a little flying.”

  They walked out to the family room. “This time merge with me and watch what happens in my mind.”

  It felt weird to be watching Matei from both outside and inside his mind but Charlotte could see his thoughts and images as he transformed.

  “The first time I will be in control, just let me guide you then we will see what happens after that.”

  Charlotte nodded her head and merged once more with Matei as he directed her into forming the body of an owl in her mind and then transforming herself into it. He made her do it a second time with him in control then allowed her to try with him merged but not leading.

  It took a few more tries before she could hold the image by herself and then he allowed her to fly around the room. The first flight was a little on the ragged side but overall she was pleased she could do it.

  He let her change back and forth, fly around a dozen more times until he was confident she was able to hold the image with no problems. The first time she changed back to human form, he had to remind her to dress at the same time.

  “Okay now we will fly outside. This will be harder, Cara, because there is a storm, although it isn’t as strong as earlier. Normally a bird would take shelter but we are not birds and we have added strength and weight despite the size.”

  He took her out onto the deck at the back of the house where it was sheltered from the storm, then gave her the order to transform and fly. Charlotte was exhilarated. It felt amazing, the wind buffeted her but she adjusted well and flew strong around the yard. Matei made her fly around the house a few times with him on her right wingtip until he was confident she would be fine.

  Giving her direction to follow him they took off for her house. Somehow Charlotte resisted the temptation to fly around him, instead behaving and flying alongside. She loved the feeling of freedom and wondered if this was why he and Michael loved to change into wolves whenever they could.

  He sent a message to her to land on the back veranda, not knowing where the others would be in the house and knowing Charlotte was not skilled enough to seek them out beforehand. He added that he would help her control her landing. As they landed and materialised, dressing at the same time, Matei was surprised as the other three came through the door in excitement.

  “Did you think we would miss greeting our new Hunter?” his sister teased as she stepped forward to grasp Charlotte’s arm and said, “Live şi lupta cu onoarea, Charlotte.”

  One by one, the others formally greeted her.

  Charlotte was overcome with emotion. These were now her people, her family. She felt humbled that they would treat her with such honour.

  Matei stood proudly beside her and observed. “Cara, you have braved the strigoi on four occasions and remained true to who you are. You are Hunter. Accept their honour.”

  She nodded, afraid if she spoke, her voice would crack. Harley saved her by pushing past the others to jump up at her. Trying to lick her face, he was so glad to see her back in the house again. She knelt to hug him and Matei spoke.

  “Come, Cara, inside and relax. You’ll be tired and probably a little sore later from flying.” She grinned up at him but allowed him to pull her to her feet. Louisa directed her to the table and sat alongside her asking how she had enjoyed her first flying experience. Charlotte could not find the words to express all she felt and ended by saying she would have to paint bird in flight now that she knew the joy they must feel.

  Ştefania placed plates full of food on the table and joined everyone to eat. The meal was full of laughter and happiness, and Charlotte did not think she had laughed so much in a long time.

  Matei teased her by telling everyone how she had gone to go into the bathroom but forgot about the increased speed and ended up in the family room. The others then recalled things that either they or someone they knew had done when they first converted. Charlotte could feel tears running down her cheeks as everyone dissolved into laughter.

  Just then the phone rang and Ştefania said, “It will be your family, Charlotte. They rang about two hours ago and I told them you were out but would be here around now.”

  Charlotte picked up the phone. She was a little worried how the kids would take her news but when she told Katie and heard the scream of delight, all her worries faded. She could hear Stuart in the background offering his support and knew everything was going to work out fine. Then Katie asked her when they hoped to have their wedding ceremony and Charlotte was lost for words. She had forgotten with everything that had happened.

  Matei saved her by taking the phone and telling Katie that he had had spoken with a Hunter official who had agreed to officiate and if everything could be arranged, it would be the following weekend at his home on the beach. Charlotte was taken aback. She did not realise it would be that soon and wondered how they could possible arrange a wedding in a week.

  Louisa saw her dismay and told her not to worry. Hunters had a way of getting the things they wanted done immediately if not sooner. Matei gave her back the phone and she was a little lost for words until Katie asked her what she was going to do for a dress.

  “Oh hell! How am I going to shop for a dress?”

  Louisa and Ştefania looked at each other and said together “Dress shopping! Yes, let’s go shopping.”

  “Calm down, Mum.” Katie giggled. “Don’t forget the shops are open till midnight tomorrow and Saturday. If we go in the big complex, there are plenty of places you should find something. They have six or seven bridal places there as well as the main shops.”

  “Okay, Katie. We’ll pick you up tomorrow night.” She looked at Louisa and mouthed six, and Louisa nodded. “We’ll be there around six. Talk to you then, sweetheart. Bye.”

  Ştefania and Louisa were both doing a little dance, singing that they were going shopping. Charlotte could not understand their joy, she hated to shop. She looked at the pair of them, barely able to contain their excitement. Ştefania saw her puzzlement and said, “We rarely shop for clothes. It’s just so much easier to make what we need. I think the only shopping we do is food.”

  Louisa piped up, “I need a dress and shoes and a bag…”

  “Ooh, I do too!” Ştefania giggled.

  “Wait!” Michael shouted. “You girls are supposed to be helping Charlotte, not dressing yourselves.”

  Charlotte was smiling at the pair of them. “It’s fine, Michael. I hate shopping. Never thought I would see two women get excited over buying a dress though. Tomorrow night we’ll hit the shops and hopefully I can find something to wear as well as these two.�
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  Matei pulled her down onto his lap.

  “Iubită, I know I have not formally asked you to marry me and now I have thrown this rush onto you. I love you, my Cara, we’ll be together for eternity but I like the fact we can have this ceremony to make it official to your lovely family.”

  Charlotte nuzzled his neck then said, “Truthfully Matt, I had forgotten. So much has happened in the past week. Of course I’ll marry you, Hotshot.” She kissed him and then asked, “What do we do about catering? Who will be coming?”

  “Food and things like marquees and seating are easily done. I put out a call and there will be plenty of Hunters who either have sideline occupations or know someone who does in the area. Also the Council will have plenty of contacts. So no problem there. As for guests, my family and yours. Are there people you want to come, Iubită?”

  “Apart from the kids, not really. My parents are both gone and I was an only child. I have never been much of a ‘girlfriend’ woman, most people found me a little strange because I knew things. I am happy to just have the people who are important to us come.”

  He kissed her cheek. “That’s settled then. I have sent a message to my family and they will be here in time for the wedding.”

  He looked over at Michael, who was lying on the floor playing with Harley. Lifting Charlotte off his lap, he put her on the seat alongside him and stood. He went over to Michael and pulled him to his feet. He grasped both arms and asked, “Mihăiță Petran, my brother, will you stand beside me?”

  Michael looked at his feet, grinned and said, “Of course, I thought you would never ask.”

  The pair of them thumped each other on the back, then with an unspoken comment went to the back door, called Harley and morphed into wolves. The three of them took off across the yard, chasing each other through the trees.

  Ştefania shouted, “Wait for me,” and she, too, turned into a wolf and set off in pursuit. Charlotte looked at the three of them, so similar and yet so different. It was easy to spot Ştefania, she was a slighter build than the two men were, and Matei’s black muzzle and coat was now streaked with grey.