Hate Awakened: Book 3: The Feral

by Hartnady, Charlene

  He chuckled. “I want you to wear the thing and to drink the water. Then you need to eat something and we’re sleeping.”

  “You’re the injured one.”

  “You’re the fragile human.” He raised his brows.

  “I’ll tell you what’s going to happen.” Her voice had a no-nonsense edge. Her eyes were blazing in the early morning light. Her hair was a fucking mess. She was beautiful.

  “I’m listening.” He couldn’t help but smile.

  “You are going to drink that water.” She pointed to the bottle in his hand. “We are going to eat something. We’ll share, and then I’m keeping you warm this time. We’ll do the whole body heat thing and I refuse to take no for an answer.”

  Magnar wasn’t cold. It was cold out, but he was fine. He was a shifter for fuck’s sakes. He found himself nodding anyway, it was easier than arguing. He suspected that arguing wouldn’t help. “Sounds like a plan,” he murmured, liking the body heat idea a little too much. “You do know you’ll have to take your clothes off if we really want this to work?”

  She choked on a laugh. “Don’t push your luck.”

  Magnar grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “Good!” She finally looked like she had relaxed, sitting down next to him. “Let’s see what we have in here.”

  There was nothing special inside the bag and yet Magnar knew he was going to enjoy the meal…maybe a bit too much considering their circumstances.

  Chapter 23

  Fuck!

  Holy shit! What if she woke up? Last time she’d threatened to hurt him if his dick so much as twitched. This was ridiculous. Magnar couldn’t help it though.

  Claire was draped over him. Her soft breasts pressed up against him. Her mouth was open a little. She was snoring. Her hair was mussed. Worse than before.

  He smiled.

  Claire shifted and he fought back a groan. She shifted again, her body rubbing up against him. His cock was hard and positioned firmly between them. The fucker was enjoying all the attention. He needed to think of something other than the lovely female in his arms. His situation, maybe? Ekon and the fact that the male had betrayed him. How long had he been keeping things from Magnar? Where had this distrust come from? Human weapons. What the hell was up with that? Why?

  Magnar realized that something was off. Something… He held back a chuckle. “I told you that you snore when you’re asleep,” he teased, his voice slightly croaky from disuse. “You’re not snoring anymore which means you’re awake,” he whispered, just in case she was still sleeping, which was highly unlikely.

  “I do not snore.”

  “You do too. Softly…don’t worry your pretty little ass, it’s cute rather than off-putting.”

  “Thank goodness for that.” Her voice was weird. Probably because his cock was still hard. It would be pressing against her. There was no way she was missing it. It was long, thick and possibly throbbing. It would be pressed against her stomach.

  “I was worried there for a while.” She sounded like she was trying to be sarcastic, but her tone was all wrong. Her heart was fluttering like crazy in her chest.

  Oh, yes! She could definitely feel his erection.

  “Let me guess…” Her voice was soft and timid, more normal sounding. “It’s a natural body function. Nothing to be concerned about.”

  Magnar smiled. She seemed to have that effect on him. “Nope.” He shook his head. “That’s all you, Claire. All you, sweets.” He clenched his jaw.

  She sucked in a breath. Her heart went nuts against him. Magnar should take it back. Say something else. Make light of it somehow. Now was his chance. Right this second. Any time now.

  His words hung in the air between them for a good few seconds. Claire pulled back, looking into his eyes. He knew exactly what she was seeing right then. Pure need. Pure and raw. He wanted her. His hand tightened around her. His dick throbbed. It fucking throbbed with need for this female.

  There was no bullshit running around in circles. No fucking around. Claire reached up and kissed him. She plastered her lips over his and found his tongue with her own. The kiss was hot and heavy from the word go.

  He groaned, like his life was ending. Maybe it was. Life as he knew it. Magnar kissed her back, taking control. He threaded his fingers in her hair. He lifted her, pulling her more firmly against him.

  She made desperate whimpering noises, tugging the sweatshirt off her shoulders. She gripped his jaw and kissed him like he was her air. Like he was the sun and she the earth. Claire pulled back, her eyes glazed with need.

  Magnar needed to stop this. He had to. Claire didn’t really want this. Not really! He was all wrong for her. She pulled his shirt over her head. Instead of stopping, he leaned down and sucked on one of her nipples, cupping her breasts in his hands. Full and soft. So fucking beautiful. She groaned. Longing coursed through him. There was no stopping. Unless she asked him to, he was going to take what she was offering. She was right, he was an asshole. What was the other name she had called him? A dickhead. He was a bastard too.

  Desperation ate at him as she arched against his mouth, her whimpers and moans too much for him to handle. He pressed his hand against her pussy, stroking her through the oversized sweatpants.

  Claire cried out, her eyes wide and pleading. Her moans were frantic. She rocked against him.

  Magnar had to have her right then. He tried to pull down the pants, remembering the belt. Fuck that! He tore at the garment, the fabric coming apart like paper in his hands. The sound of ripping fabric loud in his ears.

  He lifted her, wrapping her thighs around him. Her face was pinched with need. Her eyes glazed. Her breathing ragged.

  Her hand closed over his dick and he hissed. Magnar kissed her hard as he thrust into her welcoming heat. Claire’s eyes opened wide and she moaned into his mouth. “Shhh,” he whispered against her lips as he began to thrust.

  Holy fuck! This female. Her snatch was just as wet and tight as he had imagined. Maybe more so. Her nails dug into his shoulders. Her cries swallowed by his kisses. Her breasts rubbed against his chest. Her nipples hard. Her tits so fucking soft…bouncing.

  He groaned into her mouth. “Claire…” He grunted and groaned, trying hard to keep quiet and failing. Magnar gripped her hips and flipped her onto her back. He lifted her legs, grinding into her pussy, finding her spot within a few thrusts.

  Her eyes shot open, as did her mouth. There. Right fucking there. Her snatch tightened around him with the start of her orgasm. He kept his mouth firmly over hers, working her pussy. Pressing her buttons with every thrust.

  Her pussy fluttered and she groaned.

  “Shhhhh.” He pulled back a little. “Quiet!” he groaned the word, so close to creaming it was a joke. Magnar could see that she was about to lose it. Her head tilted back as her pussy began to spasm. She pulled in a hard breath. Claire was going to scream.

  Good.

  Fucking perfect!

  Meant he was doing a good job. It was also really fucking bad. Way to give up their hiding place. There would be males looking for them from both factions. Magnar clamped his hand over her mouth as she let rip. It was still noisy but not nearly as bad as it would have been. He pounded into her. Closing his eyes to keep from coming himself. He had to hold back. Her snatch closed so tightly around him. Making him grunt loudly. Velvety, tight and warm. So warm. So damned wet. He wanted nothing more than to lose himself in her.

  He heard the air rushing in and out of her nose. Loud and ragged and fast. Her eyes were wide, they slowly fluttered closed, he slowed a little.

  Magnar couldn’t take it anymore. He took his hand off her mouth and pulled out.

  * * *

  Claire lay there on the ground. Her legs were as wide as they would go. Magnar’s sweatpants in tatters. She watched him pull back a little more, onto his knees. Still between her legs. His face was pinched. His eyes blazing. His jaw tight. He fisted his cock. It glistened with her juices. In fact, she was pret
ty sure she heard a squelching sound as his hand moved up and down. He groaned deep, his eyes rolling back. That hand moved quickly. Up and down his shaft, from head to base. His jaw tightened even more and his eyes opened, gorgeous and golden. Taking her in. Greedy and lust-filled. He groaned again, placing a hand over his tip. Then he was hunching over, his movements jerky. His jaw slightly slack as he came. His eyes hazed over with pleasure. “Holy crap!” he grunted. “Holy shit!” He kept pumping. “Fuck me…” he groaned. Magnar finally stopped, his breathing was loud, it filled the area beneath the canopy. There was sweat on his brow. He went down on his haunches, eyes on the ground.

  That’s when it hit. The realization of what they had done. What she had done. What the hell was wrong with her? She shouldn’t have done that. Leukos was out there looking for her and here she was screwing another guy. Her kidnapper.

  “Don’t do that.” Magnar’s voice was rough like sandpaper. “Don’t feel guilty. You have nothing to feel bad about.”

  She bit down on her lower lip, looking for her shirt.

  “Don’t!” he continued. “That was perfectly normal. It was! You have nothing to feel guilty about. I might get my dick cut off,” he laughed, “but you have nothing to fear or to beat yourself up about.”

  “How can you say that?” She pulled the shirt over her head. “I…we… I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “We shouldn’t have…okay, maybe not, but what’s done is done. We’re attracted to one another. We’ve been through a whole lot. It’s natural for things like this to happen.”

  “Sex doesn’t just happen.” She looked down at the ruined sweatpants and began unbuckling the belt. “Even though Leukos and I aren’t technically together, I feel like I cheated.”

  “You didn’t! Not according to tradition.”

  “I’m not a Feral.” She pulled the pants off. They were no use anymore.

  “You hardly know Leukos,” he snapped back.

  “We hit it off. We had a great time together. Our relationship might have gone somewhere.” Her eyes were wide and filling with tears. “I’m a terrible person.”

  “You’re not.” He wiped his hand on the discarded clothing. “Claire, you’re not bad. You’re normal.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Females have a hard time resisting me,” he tossed out, the edge of his mouth lifting. “You’re no exception.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “You’re smiling, so maybe it is.”

  She looked up at him. “What now? I can’t go back to Leukos.” She looked stricken.

  “If you think what happened just now is such a terrible thing don’t say anything to him.” Magnar shook his head.

  “You mean I should lie? Pretend this never happened?” She couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be right.

  Magnar nodded. “What he doesn’t know won’t kill him, although I think he would be okay with it.” He made a face. “Maybe not okay but accepting of it. You’d be surprised.” He was serious. Claire couldn’t believe it.

  Claire needed to be completely honest here. That was the only way forward. “I highly doubt he would be fine with it. Besides, I wouldn’t want to start a relationship based on deceit. Then there’s the pesky problem of my feelings for you.” Good, it was out.

  His expression didn’t change. “I’m not the settling down type. You should forget about me.”

  “You do realize that I’ve spent more time with you than with Leukos?”

  “It doesn’t matter. We can’t be together. I don’t belong anywhere anymore. I can’t offer you anything. We’d need to live in your apartment, and you’d need to support me. How much does a Customer Complaints Consultant earn?”

  She frowned. “How do you know what it is I do for a living?”

  Something that looked very much like panic flashed in his eyes. “You must have mentioned it.” He shrugged.

  “I don’t think so.” She hadn’t mentioned it. Claire was sure. Not to Magnar.

  “You told Ekon and maybe he mentioned it.” Not to Ekon either!

  “No way. I would have remembered that for sure. I never told you. I definitely didn’t tell him. How is it that you know that about me, Magnar?” Her heart raced. His eyes were filled with something that looked very much like guilt. What was going on here?

  Claire was just about to question him further when someone yelled, “Don’t move!”

  Magnar turned, eyes blazing. Body preparing to fight. She noticed how he put himself between her and whoever had spoken. Pity there was more than one guy.

  “Don’t even think about it.” A group of men slowly surrounded them. All huge. All naked. Three of them held spears. She recognized Worth, who locked eyes with her. “I’m glad we found you. Leukos has been beside himself with worry.”

  Magnar turned back to her. He kept the sweatpants balled in his hands. He gave her the smallest shake of his head. Don’t say anything. That’s what he was trying to tell her. Maybe he was trying to tell her to cooperate. She couldn’t be sure.

  Chapter 24

  Half a minute later, a Feral swooped down from above, landing hard, his talons ploughing up the earth. He shifted as he ran. It was fluid, graceful and yet powerful. Just like the first time, seeing him was like a punch to the gut. Leukos wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. “I’m glad you’re safe.” He pulled back, cupping her face in his big hands. “I should never have left you like that. I failed you.”

  “No, y-you didn’t,” she stammered. It was more like the other way around.

  Before she could say anything more, he kissed her. Wrapping her up in an embrace that felt good and safe. His mouth felt good. He felt amazing. Familiar, even though their relationship was new.

  It shouldn’t feel this way anymore. Not after Magnar. She’d just had another man kiss her mouth. Inside her for god’s sakes. She shouldn’t still feel this way about Leukos, and yet she did.

  He pulled back, his eyes on hers, his smile wide. Then he was frowning. “Are you hurt? Are you okay?” He cupped her jaw, his eyes flitting about her face. “I’m so sorry this happened.”

  “I’m okay.” She nodded.

  His brow furrowed. “You’re in a shirt. Why don’t you have more clothing on? Did that bastard hurt you?” His voice turned cold and hard.

  “I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me.”

  “Where are your pants?” His voice was gruff. His gaze flitting down her body. His body bristled.

  “It’s a long story. I’m fine though.”

  “You sure?” His voice was still rough and smoky. Not as bad as before.

  “I would tell you otherwise.” She watched him visibly relax.

  “Where is he?” she asked. “Where is Magnar?”

  “You know his name? Of course you do. You were with him. Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you. I need to know,” his eyes stayed on hers, “who took you from us? What happened?”

  “I’m tired, Leukos. I’m cold. I need to shower. I need—”

  His gaze softened. “Of course. What was I thinking? You’ve been through so much. I’m glad you’re home. I hope you haven’t been scared away. I’m almost expecting you to tell me you want to go back to human territory, back to your home. Please don’t—”

  “That’s not what I want,” she reassured him gently.

  “Thank the gods.” He brushed a quick kiss on her lips.

  Claire should want to leave. She should insist on it, but she really didn’t desire it at all in the end. It wasn’t just for her safety either. She didn’t want to leave Leukos. She’d only just been reunited with him. She didn’t want to leave Magnar either.

  Magnar.

  Leukos.

  Confusion washed over her. How had it happened? Sex with two guys in a matter of days. Not only that, she had feelings for both of them.

  “You look upset.” Leukos took her hand. “I want you to know that you’re safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you. Let’s get you back to my nest. I
’m not letting you out of my sight.”

  “We need to talk.”

  “We will get to that. But right now, you need to get warm.” He looked down at her bare legs. Thankfully the shirt came down to her knees, so it had done a good job of covering her. “I’m sure you’re hungry and scared.” He took her hand. “I’m going to fix it.” His jaw tightened and his eyes blazed. “We’ll talk soon and then I’m going to fix all of it. This should never have happened. It will be dealt with,” he added unnecessarily.

  “Okay.” She nodded.

  “I’m going to shift and take you back to my nest.”

  She nodded once more. What the hell was she going to say? How was he going to take it? The worst part of it all was if Claire could turn the clock back, she would probably do it again. She would have sex with Magnar all over again. She was sick. There was nothing else to it.

  Sick.

  Sick.

  Sick.

  * * *

  Leukos could hardly believe that Claire was back. For a while he had convinced himself that he was never going to see her again. Ekon was a loose cannon. It was hard to let her out of his sight now that he’d found her. He’d been loath to even let her shower on her own. He’d been tempted to disrobe and join her. Thing was, she seemed out of sorts. It was like there was something going on inside her head. There was this buzzing energy, like she was worried or nervous about something. It felt like something had changed. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what that was.

  Then Leukos reminded himself that she’d just been through a major ordeal. Abducted, not once but twice. The second time by his twin. It didn’t explain why they had found Claire and Magnar on the border to Leukos’ territory. Why had they been there? What had happened in the time that Claire had been missing? Magnar wasn’t talking. Bastard! Why did it have to be him, of all the Fallen, who was with Claire when they found her? Why him? Had Magnar taken her as well? It made no sense. He clenched his hands tightly into fists and was irritated to find that he hoped Magnar hadn’t been responsible. He had always had a soft spot for the male. They had been best friends once. He didn’t want to have to make an example out of him. Not Magnar. He would do it though. If he was responsible, the male would have to accept the consequences of his actions.