Winter Eve

Chapter 6

The afternoon sun shone through the blinds, casting streams of light across the floor. Danica stretched her pleasantly sore muscles. The things Nevan had done to her rolled around in her mind, rousing the hunger again. Damn, that man was fast becoming her addiction. She rolled over and frowned at the empty side of the bed. Wondering where he’d gone, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and peered at the clock. Shit. It was one in the afternoon.

She’d never slept in that late. Then again, she’d had the best sex of her life. A snicker tumbled from her lips, followed by a sigh at the smell of bacon on the air. Her stomach growled, pushing her into motion. Grabbing her robe, she secured it in place and went down the hall to the kitchen.

Entering the kitchen, she had to fight a moan. Nevan stood in front of the stove in nothing but jeans. She stepped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Aren’t you cold?”

He turned in her arms. “Nope. I’ve got the fire going and muffins in the oven.”

“Mmm. They smell wonderful. Blueberry?”

He chuckled, slid his hands to her ass, and lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around him. “Shay said they were your favorite.”

She pulled back, confused. ‘When did you talk to her?”

“She stopped by this morning to check on you.”

Color rose in his cheeks, making her smile. “You can’t hide scents from shifters.”

He locked gazes with her. “No, you can’t. But I think she was a little embarrassed, too.”

“That’s my baby sis.”

“She brought by some more herbs for you.”

“Oh, good. I’m about out.”

He sat her on the counter and tended to the bacon in the skillet. “What are they for?”

“Tea. Some of them help with healing. Shay hopes that my scars will diminish over time.” A pang in her heart caused her to look away from him, but his empathy kicked in, and he knew as soon as her mood changed.

He stepped into her line of sight and brushed the robe aside to press a tender kiss on her scarred breast. “They are part of you. I think you are beautiful with them.”

“I’m not perfect like other shifters.”

“I don’t want perfect because it doesn’t exist in any species.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, she peered into his gray eyes and realized that she was falling in love with him. He accepted her for who she was and saw past the physical imperfections. He saw her.

“Nevan. I—” A knock on the door startled both of them. Nevan straightened her robe and helped her down so she could answer the door.

Dread flooded her system upon seeing Keegan and Jared on the front porch. “Keegan. Jared.” She moved to the side to let them in.

The Alpha nodded to Nevan in greeting before speaking. “Dani, in light of the accident yesterday, I have given Jared my blessings to mate with you.”

Her heart stopped, and her lungs refused to work for a moment. “No.”

“It’s done,” Jared said and moved closer to her.

She jerked away from him. “I told you no. I don’t want a loveless mating.” She flicked her gaze to Keegan. “Are you forcing me into this? Is that your Alpha command?”

Keegan flinched at her harsh tone. She didn’t care. This whole thing was wrong. She’d found her mate. She sought him out and found him standing against the counter, arms folded over his broad, bare chest. Something settled inside her, something close to fear, worried about what he was about to do or say.

Nevan pushed away from the counter and squared his shoulders. “I claim Danica as my mate.”

Her mouth fell open. What? Joy, relief, and fear churned inside her belly. “You don’t have to do this.” What was she saying? She should be happy that he’d want to claim her, but she was so fearful of the outcome of such a challenge her belly felt like a million butterflies where trapped inside.

“Yes, I do.” He stared at Keegan before continuing. “She told me I was her mate and…” He peered at her. “…I’m in love with her.”

Keegan sighed. “I see. Dani, is this true?”

Trembling, she nodded. “Yes . He’s my mate.”

Jared fumed, “It’s too late. He can’t take care of her. Look what happened yesterday. He didn’t even know she’d left the cabin. And he’s human.”

His alpha male bullshit pissed Danica off. “That’s bullshit, Jared! I’ve lived in this cabin for the last four years. By myself! And that human sees more than my scars.” She got in his personal space and poked him in the chest. A low growl came from his throat. Nevan shifted beside them. “I love him, and I’ve already chosen. It’s him. Not you.”

A smirk lifted the corner of his lips. “I challenge him to a hunt.”

“I accept,” Nevan growled.

Nevan could feel the fear rolling off Danica at his acceptance of the Hunt. He wanted to go to her, to comfort her and let her know that it would be okay. But that would only show weakness on his part in front of the males in front of him.

“Do you understand what you are getting into?”

Nevan met the Alpha’s stare. “Yes.”

The Hunt is a challenge of strength and wills. Nevan and Jared would hunt a single prey. His oldest brother, Cale, had told him once that most the time it was deer, because they are fast.

Jared gave a short nod. “Good. We begin at twilight.” He turned and left.

Keegan moved toward the door then turned back. “You need more time?”

“No. I’ll be ready.”

Without another word, the Alpha walked out the door.

When Nevan turned toward Danica, he dropped his shoulders and held out his hand. She didn’t take it. Instead, she glared at him with her lips pursed. “What are you doing? Jared is a very skilled hunter.”

“And you don’t think I am?”

She opened her mouth and closed it then whispered, “I don’t know.”

He took her hands and drew them in to rest over his heart. “Do you really believe my brothers went easy on me because I’m human?”

Her green gaze lightened. “No. They would have pushed you to your limits.”

“And they got scolded by Momma every time.”

She laughed. “I’ll bet. Blaine and Alec still get in trouble for the shit they put Shay through. They call it training. Keegan wants to keep her under glass.” She sighed and pressed her cheek to his chest.

“I wish you would have let me challenge him.”

He lifted her chin with a finger to peer into her eyes. “I meant everything I said. I want to keep you, and if I have to win a Hunt to do it, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

She studied him closer, and he could almost hear the thoughts tumbling around in her head. Her eyes narrowed, and she smirked. “You’ve been on a Hunt before.”

It wasn’t a question, but a knowing on her part. Whether she sensed it or had just figured it out, she knew.

“My brothers and I went on Hunts. Cale said it was a way to hone into my empathic abilities. I can connect with nature as well as people’s emotions.” Before she could ask any more questions, he captured her lips in a hard, passionate kiss. She snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.