Hunter's Attraction

30. A Strange Feeling

Roderick’s hands tightened on the wheel as he tore around a curve, gravel spitting under his tires. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had dared to look him in the eye and dismiss him. It was especially disturbing that two bold females, in his view, had no authority to behave arrogantly. And the way they had turned their backs on him, like he was nothing.

Roderick glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror, catching sight of his exquisitely chiseled jawline and dark, piercing eyes. He knew he had been blessed. His thick, tousled hair and a smile that had dropped jaws since he was a teenager had accustomed him to making people stammer and blush just by walking into a room. Human or werewolf, it didn’t matter—people responded to his presence. He’d spent years honing that effect, letting his looks and charm do the work for him.

But those two? They hadn’t given him so much as a second glance. Not one appreciative look, not one bashful smile. He scoffed at the thought. What was their problem? He couldn’t wrap his head around it. He'd always been admired, worshipped, for simply being him. And yet, those girls had the audacity to act like he was invisible.

Well, he thought with a smirk as he tightened his grip on the wheel, that was about to change. If his looks and charm didn’t work on them, maybe they’d need a reminder of just who they were dealing with.

***

Roderick stormed inside his private bungalow and slammed the door behind him, sniveling. Lily, her name echoed in his mind. The idea of teaching her a lesson sent a thrill through him. He could picture her large, brown eyes widening with fear, those soft lips trembling. The fun he could have with her…

“Roderick?” A feminine voice broke into his thoughts. He turned to see Trixie standing in the doorway, giving him a questioning look. Trixie—the bronzed goddess with spiral curls falling to her shoulders. In a family boasting names like Tenoch, Josefina, and Jean-Pierre, she got “Trixie.” It had always struck him as almost laughable. “Are you okay?” she asked, tilting her head.

“I met them—Lily and the other girl.”

“Sirena,” Trixie corrected.

“Right.” Roderick walked past her, throwing himself onto the couch. “It’s strange, though. How did Lily fend off so many of our assets?”

“Well, JP was with her,” Trixie said, moving to sit on the arm of the couch.

“Still. She must be something else—not entirely human.”

“Looking at her, you’d never think she could run or sprint, much less fire an arrow,” Trixie commented with a faint smile.

“Looks can be deceiving,” Roderick murmured, sliding a hand onto Trixie’s thigh. “How are the preparations?”

“All set for tonight,” she replied, smoothing her expression as if by habit. “Cameras are up. Wi-Fi’s strong. We’re ready.”

“Hmm…about JP?” Roderick’s gaze hardened.

“He’s off limits.” Trixie’s tone was firm.

“Excuse me?” His claws slid out, digging into her thigh. “Are you giving me orders?”

Trixie’s face didn’t flinch as her own claws pierced his shoulder, her voice steady. “Get mad all you want—JP is off limits.”

Roderick’s grip tightened, his eyes flashing with anger as she bit back a yelp. This was the part of their relationship she hated. He leaned in, voice low, exuding danger. “If I say get me JP—”

“I’m not some dog you can order around,” she interrupted, digging her claws deeper until he flinched. “I said JP is off limits. Find a new errand boy. Stay away from my nephew.”

***

Jean-Pierre picked up his phone with a sigh and selected Lily’s name from his contacts. Hey Lily, he texted, I talked to my mom about the mate mark. Can I call you? Lily responded by calling him instantly. “Hello,” JP answered.

“What did she say?” Lily asked, skipping the greeting.

“Uh...she doesn’t know how to get rid of the mark, but she’s willing to research it.”

“Research?” Lily echoed in frustration. “Does anyone know how to get rid of it?”

“Fated mates are really rare,” JP replied, “and fated mates rejecting each other is even rarer.” Lily groaned in response. “Would being mated to me be that bad? I mean, there must be a reason for choosing us, right?

“I’m not going to be the universe’s tool or an instrument of fate or whatever you want to call it.”

“Lily—”

“I have worked hard, JP, so hard, to get where I am today—to prove to everyone that I’m not boy-crazy. And now the universe has decided to choose who I’m allowed to love?”

“That’s...not technically how it works.”

“I don’t care how it works, JP. I’m not mating with you.”

“Okay. Fine.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“I got it.”

“I just want to make that clear.”

“I got it.”

“Good.”

“Okay.”

“Great.” There was a pause, then she added, “Oh, and don’t forget to bring your book to class on Thursday.” Without waiting for a reply, she hung up.

“Crap,” JP muttered, staring at his phone. He needed to visit the library.

***

Sirena sat on the porch steps, gazing up at the starry sky as Monte snuggled into her lap, his steady breathing grounding her. She traced gentle circles behind his ears, her fingers moving automatically. “Sirena?” A familiar voice brought her out of her thoughts, and she turned to see Aiden leaning against the doorway, shirtless, his silhouette softened by the glow of the moonlight. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed.

“H-Hey,” she managed, glancing back up at the stars to hide her blush. She’d seen Aiden shirtless countless times, but it somehow got to her every single time. She cleared her throat as he came to sit beside her, close enough that she could feel his warmth even in the cool night air. “Couldn’t sleep?” she asked.

“Oh, I was sleeping just fine,” he teased with a grin that gave her a little flutter in her stomach. “Got up for a second, noticed you were gone, and thought I’d come to check on you. So…what are you doing out here?”

“Looking at the stars,” she said softly, almost as if saying it aloud might shatter the quiet of the night.

Aiden’s smirk softened into a little smile. “Of course you are. I mean…what’s on your mind? You have a big day tomorrow! Lena’s so excited; I’m surprised she’s actually sleeping.”

Sirena’s gaze dropped, and her fingers stilled in Monte’s fur as her mind drifted back to the day. “I didn’t tell you everything about today,” she admitted, her voice so quiet he leaned in to hear her.

His brow furrowed with concern. “That customer really freaked you and Lily out, didn’t he?”

“Yeah. He just... had this way about him.” She hesitated, brushing her fingers through Monte’s fur for comfort. “I was down in the basement looking for an enclosure for Steve.” She caught Aiden’s little smile at the name. “And then… I heard a voice in my head telling me to go upstairs.”

“Yeah, your inner voice.”

“No, Aiden, I blacked out.” She swallowed, looking up at him with a slight tremble in her voice. “I don’t remember… I don’t even remember walking up the stairs or talking to him. I just…was there.”

Aiden’s playful demeanor fell away as he scooted closer, his hand resting on her knee in support. “You’re having blackouts again?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? I just…” She took a steadying breath. “I’m worried that I’ll start waking up in random places again—maybe after brutally murdering some racist werewolves.” She added a small, shaky laugh, but Aiden caught the fear behind it.

He squeezed her knee reassuringly. “Sirena, we’re living on the very mountain where so much of your trauma happened. The Chrysanthewaite land is a mile down the road. Are you sure being here is good for you?”

“It’s fine,” she said. “I just don’t understand. I haven’t had a blackout in two years. Why now?”

He looked down at her with a softness in his eyes that made her stomach do another little flip. “I wish I had an answer for you. I really do.” The cool night air made her shiver, and Aiden instinctively wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “Tell you what,” he murmured, his voice warm and soothing, “I’ll call my father, see if he can send some hunters to monitor the area.” Pulling away, he placed a hand on her cheek. “Just for peace of mind.”

“Thank you, Aiden,” she whispered. He smiled, and a pleasant twist formed in her stomach as his expression softened. She felt the light tension build as his hand brushed her cheek, his fingers tracing the line of her jaw, his eyes holding hers captive. Her heart raced as his gaze deepened, his eyes turning a golden hue—a vivid testament to his werewolf DNA.

Aiden’s hand drifted to her shoulder, and she shivered as he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers tenderly. She let herself relax as the world around them grew hazy. She felt completely safe.

Aiden shifted closer, his lips capturing Sirena’s in a deep kiss that ignited a spark inside her. Sirena responded instinctively, wrapping her arms around his neck. She heard Monte stand with a huff. Hearing the bedroom doorknob twist – a trick she’d taught him - Sirena presumed, Lena’s room. “I think I upset him,” Aiden chuckled, his breath warm. His gaze flickered between her eyes, searching...

Sirena knew he was waiting for her. He always did. “He’ll have to get over it,” she smiled, leaning in.

With that, Aiden captured her mouth again, deepening the kiss as he shifted, pulling her onto his lap. Sirena felt the heat radiating off him as his hands explored her waist, trailing along her sides before finding the hem of her shirt. She gasped as he slipped it over her head, his fingers dancing along her skin.

Every touch ignited her senses, and Sirena felt a rush of heat as he kissed down her neck, trailing soft kisses along her collarbone. She tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as she pressed her body against his. Aiden responded with a low groan, his hands exploring the curves of her body. “Sirena,” he murmured, lifting his head to meet her gaze, eyes dark with desire. “You’re so beautiful.”

His words made her heart swell, filling her with a mixture of warmth and exhilaration. She felt cherished and loved. She pulled him back to her, kissing him harder, her body arching against his as she felt the need between them build.

“Let’s take this inside,” Aiden suggested, his voice thick with desire, breaking their kiss for just a moment. Sirena nodded, breathless, and together they stood. Aiden took her hand, leading her inside, where the glow of the moonlight filtered through the windows, casting a soft light on their bed.

Once inside, Aiden shut the balcony door behind them, and the atmosphere shifted, charged with anticipation. Sirena felt her heart race as he pulled her close again, their lips crashing together passionately. The world outside faded away as they stumbled toward the bed, giggles escaping their lips as they did so.

Aiden sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her down onto his lap. A desperate hunger exploded between them as his hands roamed over her back, exploring every curve and contour. His warmth and smell overwhelmed her senses, and she melted against him.

“Sirena,” he murmured, trailing kisses down her neck, sending shivers racing down her spine. Sirena gripped him closer, digging her fingers into his bare skin. Aiden released an animalistic groan as he showered her with kisses stoking the fire deep within her.

Pulling away just enough, Sirena stared into his golden eyes, her fingers tangling in his hair. “It’s unfair that you look that hot,” she teased, frowning playfully.

With a deep chuckle, Aiden leaned in, capturing her lips again. Their kisses intensified as he flipped their positions, settling her back against the soft comfort of the bed. Panting, he kissed her desperately, his body burning with desire. Intertwining the fingers of one of her hands, he placed it on his chest and guided it downward. The night wrapped around them like a warm blanket. As Sirena lost herself in Aiden, her worries faded away, leaving only the heat of their connection.