Hunted (The Feral Souls Trilogy #1)

by Erica Woods

Knowing he’d never look at me the same way again, that the tender, protective look that was somehow both soft and savage with possessive fury all at the same time was lost forever . . .

“I’m sorry you got hurt because of me,” I whispered. Since I’d arrived here, I’d caused so much friction. “Not your fault,” Ruarc growled. “Pup’s an idiot.”

I would never be safe as long as they were alive, and neither would anyone associated with me. And if not the Hunters, then me. The monster who’d destroyed my life so thoroughly that I still hadn’t found all the pieces. And even if I did, I was too warped now, too broken and misshapen to ever fit them back together. I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t stay. But can you give them up?

wanted so badly to throw myself at them, to do everything in my power to make this work. To make them so happy that they’d eventually consider taking me as their mate.

Lust thundered in my veins, the urge to claim her beat at my skull. She was so fucking hot, my little female. So innocent and sweet and responsive. So fucking mine . . .

I breathed deep, took in her sweet scent, the slightly spicy undertone of her arousal. She smelled like desire. Like warm, hot female. Like coming home at the end of a battle. Like Hope. My Hope. My balls ached to empty inside her. The steel my cock had become threatened to shred my pants. Wanted her. Wanted her so badly it hurt. Want to see her convulse with pleasure, to know it was me who gave it to her.

“You’re mine,” I growled, willing her to understand. “Thought of you hurting makes me want to destroy the world.” Her eyes filled with tears again, but the tremulous smile trembling on her lips made up for it. “That’s . . . that’s one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me.” I grunted. “Dumbass people.” “Who?” “Everyone you’ve been around.”

Her smile grew. “But not you,” she whispered. “Not me,” I agreed with an arrogant snort. I would take care of her. Cherish her. Love her. Kill everyone who’d ever hurt her. Just had to figure out who they were . . .

The space between us disappeared, and then he whisked my breath away with a kiss so tender I thought my heart might break.

“You can’t all gang up against me like that!” Jason turned his puppy-dog eyes my way. “Tell them, love.” Holding back a laugh, I shook my head and smiled. “You and your ego brought this on yourselves.”

“He’s touching her!” “What of it?” “She’s mine!” A strange glint entered Lucien’s eyes. “I was under the impression you two were sharing.” Ruarc stared at Lucien as though he was an idiot. “But he’s touching her!”

When Ruarc had winked at me I’d nearly fallen off my chair. When Ash winked, I’d almost bitten my tongue in two. If Lucien ever decided to jump on the wink-train, it would probably be to shock me into an early grave, for if he ever did wink . . .

It was ridiculous. How could such a tiny, strange girl shatter my fortress with a mere look? How was it possible to want to pull her impossibly close and push her far, far away at the same time?

For once, I didn’t question what she made me feel. There was no time and my Hope was in danger. The only feeling clawing at my throat was the urge to kill. To destroy. Protect.

A male lycan protecting his female was even more dangerous than a starved vampire.

I should never have let them convince me to come here. The despairing thought reminded me of my own guilt. If the Hunter had seen me, he would definitely have noticed one of the guys. I could end up being the reason they were targeted.

“Ruarc, p-please,” I croaked, voice breaking. He crossed his arms, eyes cold and dead. The way he looked at me made me want to shrivel up and die. I’d never thought he would give up on me. Never thought he would look at me with disgust. Didn’t you, though?

I rolled onto my back, trying to breathe. He left me. Betrayal warred with bitter regret. How could he leave me? I should have told him the truth. But he said he would always be with me. I hadn’t been honest. He’s gone. He’s gone. A sob tore from my throat, and I curled into a ball on the floor. What have I done? What have I done what have I done what have I done.

Needed my body to hurt. To match the cracks in my heart and the misery reflected in Hope’s wounded eyes. I’d hurt her. I’d fucking hurt her.

Slay her enemies, torture her tormentors, utterly destroy anyone who’s ever hurt her by ripping them apart, small piece by small piece.

“If she leaves because of this, I will follow her.” My temper ignited. “Leave?” I hissed. My hand shot out, grabbed Jason by the neck, and squeezed. “Explain.” Even though I was cutting off his air supply, the pup had the nerve to frown at me. “You dumped her, Ruarc. She thinks you are over.” Suddenly my world went red. My vision swam, no longer gray but bathed in the color of warm, wet blood. Done with her? She thinks we are over?

You have to tell him. Ruarc deserves to know. He deserves to have your trust.

I’d already lost him. He would stay lost unless he knew the truth. And probably once he does, too, but what choice do I have?

I understood his anger. I’d been wrong to hide from him, to withhold my trust. My only excuse was fear. Fear of seeing caring turn to contempt. Fear of seeing desire turn to disgust. Fear of seeing my reflection in his eyes and knowing he hated me as much as I hated myself.

I needed. I ached. I burned. And his taste . . . warm, spicy, male. Angry. Fiery. Possessive.

I hugged him back as hard as I could and basked in his closeness. My Ruarc. My protector. My warrior. My love.