Sassy Ever After: Sassy Ink 3: The Hunter's Curse (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read online

She finally looked at him, a smirk lighting her porcelain face. “Like you want to devour me.”

  “How did you know just what I was thinking?” Wes replied, unable to hide his wolfish grin.

  Cali laughed. “Because it’s what you’re always thinking.”

  “I’m not the only one with a dirty mind,” he said pulling her across the bench seat of the truck. “Don’t even try to deny it. You want to tear my clothes off just as badly.” Wes untied the halter-top of Cali’s dress letting her perfect breasts spill out. His tongue was on them in an instant.

  “Wes!” Cali gasped his name, winding her fingers through his thick black hair as he teased her pink nipples with his teeth. “Not here. Someone will see,” she said squirming away from him.

  He lifted his head momentarily, fixing her with a dark gaze that said he had no intention of stopping what he’d just started. Wes barely had control of his wolf as it was, and once he gotten a taste of his mate, there was no calling him off until he got what he wanted.

  Wes swiveled Cali’s hips and pinned her flat on her back. She let out a breath of surprise. “No one will see,” he murmured nuzzling her neck. “I’m sure we can steam up these windows pretty fast.”

  “Wes!” Cali protested. “I’m serious.”

  He practically growled as he slid a hand under her dress, not stopping until he reached her sweet, hot center. “So am I, baby.”

  “Wes . . .” Cali’s voice had weakened to more of a plea than a protest. And faster than Wes thought possible, he tore off their clothes, letting his heavy length press against Cali’s flat belly. He loved his new shifter abilities. Every sensation was heightened. Especially sex. He felt like he’d been living in a black and white movie before and now everything was Technicolor. “You’re so fucking beautiful, baby,” Wes murmured gazing down at his petite mate.

  Cali was just over five foot and Wes was a towering six foot four, but somehow they fit together like they’d been made to. Cali moaned in satisfaction as Wes slid himself deep inside her. She coated him with her wetness, making everything feel that much sweeter. Wes hooked her legs over his shoulders, thrusting deeper, until he felt Cali rushing toward the edge. He loved the way her body responded to his, quivering around his length when she flew over the edge, squeezing him until he lost himself. He pounded into her until he didn’t know where he ended and she began.

  Wes thrust faster and harder, while Cali panted his name like a prayer. Her hands splayed against the steamed up windows for support as she shook with ecstasy. Wes fisted her hair forcing her to look at him as he exploded inside her. Their eyes locked and breath synced as Wes pulled Cali’s limp body to him. “I’m so in love with you, baby,” he murmured against her kiss-stung lips.

  “I love you too,” she whispered still catching her breath.

  “You’re mine,” Wes said, kissing her possessively. “And I want the whole world to know.”

  “Soon, baby,” Cali breathed.

  “You’re not having second thoughts about spending the rest of your life with me, are you?” Wes asked mildly concerned.

  “No, of course not. I just don’t want to add to Etti’s stress right now. Let’s wait until she has the baby.”

  “You’re sure that’s all it is?”

  “Yes! I promise you, Wes. I’ve wanted this for a long time.”

  “Good. But you know, I’m happy to remind you how good I’m going to treat you any time you want,” he teased, gently rolling her nipple between his fingers before flicking it with his tongue.

  Cali practically howled with pleasure. She’d made the mistake of telling him how much she loved it and now he used her weakness against her.

  Wes repeated the movement and Cali couldn’t resist. He could already scent her arousal. “Again?” he asked.

  “Maybe I wouldn’t mind a reminder,” Cali murmured, sliding her hand down to his already rock-hard erection.

  Wes shook his head, smiling from ear-to-ear.

  “What?” Cali asked at his amusement.

  “I’m just wondering how I got so lucky?”

  It was Cali’s turn to shove Wes onto his back. “Lie back and I’ll show you.”

  Chapter 4

  Etti

  The day started off as Etti had expected, uncomfortable. She’d barely slept, kept up by worry and Izzi’s kicking. She let Grey help her out of bed and to the bathroom. But she wanted to cry when she looked at herself in the mirror. Etti had never been a girly-girl. She didn’t much care about her appearance or make up, but the woman she saw in the mirror looked like a stranger. Etti’s rich brown skin looked sallow and she had bags under her eyes that were big enough to be labeled team lift!

  Cali had assured Etti that this was all normal in the last stage of shifter pregnancy. Izzi was growing stronger and starting to pull more energy and nutrients from Etti than she could support. Cali promised to monitor them both for the next few days and if things got too rough she could induce labor. But for as much pain as Etti was in, she was terrified of labor and had convinced herself not to rush it—trusting her body and baby to tell her when it was time.

  Grey returned to their bedroom with a steaming mug of decaf coffee. It was in Etti’s favorite mug, one Wes had given her. It had, No Talkie Before Coffee, printed on it, with a middle finger salute on the bottom. The sentimental mug made Etti smile.

  “There’s my girl,” Grey said, kissing Etti lightly on the forehead. “I haven’t seen that pretty smile nearly enough lately.”

  “I know. I’m sorry, Grey. I don’t mean to be so moody.”

  “You’re not moody,” he said, slipping Etti’s robe around her shoulders.

  She shot him a look that said otherwise, but he only smiled and led her to the kitchen where breakfast was already cooking. “Sit,” he ordered before returning to the stove.

  Etti was eating almost a dozen eggs these days. It was her latest craving and she couldn’t get enough of them. She watched her handsome mate expertly working at the stove and her heart warmed. She loved Grey so much and she knew she was failing to show him.

  Sensing her sadness, he turned to look at her. One glance at her crestfallen face had him on his knees in front of her. “Babe,” Grey whispered. “Hey, none of that,” he said wiping at Etti’s tears. “I’m right here. We’re in this together and I’m not going to let anything happen to you or our daughter. I’ve got you, Etti.” He pulled her into an embrace. “No one is going to hurt my girls.”

  Greyson

  Grey hated seeing his mate like this. His wolf paced, wanting to find a way to comfort her. After a tearful morning, he’d decided that if Etti’s family couldn’t shed any solid information on how to protect his mate and daughter from the hunt, he was going to pack her up and get as far away from the hunt and Blue Creek as possible. It would mean a life of running and constantly looking over their shoulders, but it was better than this waiting and the crippling fear that came with it.

  He was starting to worry about Etti. He’d never seen her like this. Grey had only known Etti a short time when he was forced to claim her as his mate. In a way he was grateful for it. She was the love of his life and the mating bond had snapped into place quickly for them. They hadn’t wasted time getting to know each other, resulting in the little miracle that would be making her debut any day. But still, Grey new something wasn’t right with his mate and it was killing him that he could do nothing to help her.

  Etti refused to talk about what was truly bothering her. Whenever Grey brought it up she said it was just the stress of the hunt and pregnancy hormones. But the beautiful, strong woman he fell in love with was starting to look like a shell of her former self.

  Grey made a mental note to ask Cali her medical opinion on Etti’s condition. He knew Etti wouldn’t be happy that he was asking about her behind her back. But there was nothing Grey wouldn’t do for her, including protecting her from herself.

  As they drove down the long dirt road leading to the Blackwell Farm, Etti’s moo
d only worsened. Grey was surprised she’d agreed to come without any argument after how distraught she’d been at breakfast. But Etti was always a woman of her word. It was something he admired about her. That and her selflessness. It had been Etti’s caring nature that saved Grey from the hunt, only to doom herself and now their child.

  When the large white farmhouse came into view, Grey found himself praying that this visit would go better than their last. It was impossible not to think of the last time he’d been here with Etti. Her mother had shot at Etti, shot Grey, and then tried to poison Etti in her sleep. Ama Blackwell’s extreme actions prompted Grey to ally with Wes to save Etti.

  The memories of that night would always haunt Grey. Seeing Etti laying helplessly drugged had nearly killed him. He was so worried that she wouldn’t survive her mother’s poison. And when she did, he had an even harder obstacle to face—giving Etti the choice of a dangerous life with him or letting her mother’s drugs finish what they started.

  Of course Etti had chosen him, and Grey was so happy she did. But a bit of guilt would always plague him for the jeopardy her life was now in because of him. Grey knew it wasn’t his fault that they were mates. The universe had destined it to be so. And if Esme’s prophecy was to be believed, then maybe Grey and Etti had always been on a collision course—their hearts fated to call to each other against all odds.

  Grey didn’t know if he believed in such things, but he did believe in how consuming his love for his mate was. He reached over and took Etti’s hand, pulling it to his lips. “I’m right here, babe,” he whispered kissing her hand. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  Etti

  “So,” Etti muttered. “You got me here, Dad. Now tell me what I need to know to protect my baby.”

  There was no love in her words as she spoke to her father. She and Grey sat on the front porch in old rocking chairs. Her father pulled one from the other side of the porch to join them, but her mother refused. Instead she sat stoically on the opposite side of the creaking porch, refusing to acknowledge Grey and Etti.

  It was strange for Etti to be back at her old home. She’d never had a normal childhood, but she had loved her farm. Taking care of the animals and being surrounded by nature had always soothed her soul. But being back at the farm now wasn’t the same. Nothing was the same since she’d shifted. Even her childhood dogs cowered at the sight of her, sensing her wolf just below the surface.

  Etti tried not to let her emotions get the best of her while she rocked anxiously in the worn old chair. It didn’t help that her last trip to the farm had almost cost Etti her life. She shook the dark thoughts from her mind and pressed on for the sake of her daughter. She got right to the point. “Dad, do you know how to help us, or not?”

  “I do, my darling daughter. But this isn’t an easy story to tell and I was hoping your mother would join us.”

  Everyone turned their attention to Etti’s mother. But Ama didn’t move, still stubbornly staring off into the distant fields.

  “Ama, please,” Etti’s father pleaded. “We’ve made many mistakes. We finally have the opportunity to correct them. And you . . . well, you have always known Esme best.”

  Etti’s mother rose to her feet and stalked toward them. Her icy glare was piercing, but for a moment, Etti thought her mother was actually going to help. She opened her mouth, barely getting her angry words out through clenched teeth.

  “Blood calls to blood,” Ama hissed. Then she yanked open the porch door and disappeared inside.

  Etti’s father sighed in the silence that followed the slam of the door. It seemed even he wasn’t spared Ama’s wrath. He cleared his throat and spoke slowly. “Etu, first I’d like to apologize to you for keeping these things from you. And for your mother’s behavior. We were trying to protect you, the only way we knew how.”

  “Protect me?” Etti scathed. “She beat me and told me I was a disappointment every day. How is that protection?”

  Etti watched her father’s eyes cloud with shame. “I’m sorry, Etu.”

  “You’re not the one who beat me,” Etti said, her voice barely a whisper, but the anger in it was white hot. She felt Grey stiffen next to her, squeezing her hand. He hadn’t let it go since they arrived.

  “You’re right,” her father said. “But I did nothing to stop it. I am as much to blame as your mother. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I love you, my darling. And I will tell you everything I know if it will help save your child.”

  “Fine, but spare me your theatrics. I just want the facts. And if I scent even one lie, we’re gone.”

  Chapter 5

  Greyson

  Grey knew Mohe Blackwell was a proud man, but even he shrunk under Etti’s withering gaze. He nodded his head slowly and Grey’s heart began hammering in his chest. He prayed Mohe would give them something to help protect their daughter from the hunt. Because for all Grey’s assurances to Etti that they would figure everything out, he was terrified that he would fail her in the end.

  Mohe cleared his throat and began. “It all started when I was recruited to the hunt. I was arrogant and seeking power. My bloodline’s pack had been wronged many times over the centuries by humans and I foolishly jumped at the chance for revenge when it was offered. But as soon as the hunt began I knew I had made a mistake.

  “We weren’t seeking out retribution for wrong doers, but slaughtering innocents. Even women and children. Ama . . . well, she’s never been accepting of the shifter lifestyle after what had been done to her own family. Once she learned what I’d done, she left me. And it made me even more desperate to find a way out of the oath I’d sworn to the hunt.”

  “Mom left you?” Etti asked, looking bewildered.

  Mohe almost smiled. “Well, it was more like she kicked me out. But I would have left anyway to protect her. She was my mate and the hunt said she would be protected. But things were so volatile between the wolves and the humans at that time, I didn’t trust harm not to follow me back to her.

  “After one particularly bloody battle, the hunt sided with a rogue clan in Blue Creek and declared war against everyone else. I knew right away that the hunt was fighting with the wrong side. They were trying to overthrow the Wolfe and Rahound packs, siding with a rogue leader who was controlling a vicious group of criminal shifters who didn’t follow any pack laws. No one was safe, not shifters or humans.

  “I went back to the farm to beg Ama to leave Blue Creek for her own safety, but when I saw her I scented the change immediately. She was pregnant, with you my darling daughter,” Mohe said, gazing proudly at Etti. “It changed everything.”

  “How?” Etti asked, not an ounce of love in her voice.

  “Ama could always take care of herself, but a baby . . . that was another matter. I wanted to do everything in my power to protect you, so I did the one thing I swore I’d never do. I asked my sister for help.”

  Etti let out an almost inaudible gasp. “I have an aunt?”

  Grey felt his mate’s hand begin to quake in his. She was mad, her fury rippling from her like waves. He sensed her betrayal through their mating bond. And rightly so. Grey knew Etti had grown up craving a different family and was only now learning that there was another member that might have offered her refuge. His wolf pushed at his skin with rage and he wished he could wrap her in his arms and hold her broken heart together.

  “Yes,” Mohe continued. “Her name is Esme, and she’s a witch.”

  Etti

  Etti blinked, unable to believe what she was hearing. She had family, an aunt—a supernatural witch aunt to be exact. And try as she might, Etti didn’t scent even the faintest hint of untruth in her father’s words.

  “Why would you keep her from me?” Etti asked.

  “Esme and I have never seen eye-to-eye.”

  “Is she a shifter too?”

  “No,” Mohe answered. “Certainly not.”

  “What does that mean?” Grey asked.

  “Esme is my half-sister. We share
the same father, but her mother came from a long line of famous witches who helped found and rule New Orleans. They worked alongside the humans and were free to practice their magic in the French Quarter until the shifters moved into the crescent city and tried to take the witches’ territory in a very violent way. A witch queen, by the name of Marie Laveau, cursed the wolves, confining them to the bayou for the rest of their existence. As punishment for their sins, they were only allowed to hunt on the hunter’s moon.

  “Many years later, the hunt found a way to break the curse and punished the witches. But none harsher than Marie Laveau’s bloodline—blocking their magic from existing in the city they so loved. The hatred between the witches and wolves has been brewing for centuries since.”

  “What does all of this have to do with my aunt Esme?” Etti asked.

  “She has made it her life’s work to destroy the hunt and free her magic from their curse.”

  “Her magic?”

  “She is Esme Laveau, descendant of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.” Mohe paused, letting his words sink in.

  “Laveau?” Grey asked. “Wes told us her last name was Devereux.”

  “She goes by that name to keep her true identity hidden.”

  “And . . . you think she will help us?” Etti asked, her voice wavering for the first time since they’d set foot on the farm.

  “She already has,” Mohe said kindly.

  “What do you mean?” Grey asked.

  “When I found out Ama was pregnant, I went to Esme pleading with her to help save my mate and her unborn child from the hunt. Esme was furious with me for pledging my allegiance to the hunt but after I begged her forgiveness she agreed to see what she could do for Ama. So I brought my sister to Blue Springs to meet my mate. Esme locked me out of the house and examined Ama. After a short while, she surprisingly agreed to help us, casting a spell over the farm, keeping us and our lands off of the hunt’s radar.” He paused, frowning. “It wasn’t until after you were born that I realized why Esme had been so eager to help. I should have known something was wrong, especially with how quickly Esme and Ama befriended each other. Neither of them was normally chatty, but I’d always find the two of them together, whispering secretly. I should have known . . .” Mohe paused again, seeming to need a moment to recover from the memories he was dredging up.