Hunter's Moon Box Set

By Rachel E. Rice

Hunter’s Moon Box Set

Hunter, the werewolf yearling, of the human Adrienne and Wilder the Alpha werewolf. Hunter is eighteen and discovers love for the first time. His desire for Katie a human will alter his perception of life. The ordeal he will encounter after meeting Katie will thrust him into a series of hardships, where he will be kidnapped by the werewolf  Bane, who is infatuated with Hunter's mother, and Bane wants revenge against Hunter's father Wilder.

The unfortunate set of problems facing Hunter will thrust him into a terrifying and an adventurous life he may not be prepared for.

Moon Tide

When the young Alpha werewolf Hunter, returns to his home from his harrowing escape in Alaska, he discovers that the human he loves has taken up with his twin brother. He sees this as a betrayal by his brother Devin and Katie.

Unhappy at being alone, Hunter decides it’s better to share Katie with his werewolf brother than to desire her and never have her. If Hunter makes that faithful decision he will have put aside his principles and all that he believes in for one night with Katie.

Moon Rapture

Haley is the teenage human who loves and desires Hunter above all else. But Hunter can’t seem to see her because he wants Katie. If Haley doesn’t find a way to Hunter’s heart, and Hunter wakes up too late to discover that Haley is the only one for him, he could lose Haley to a lion shifter who is on her trail, and he won’t stop until he brings Haley into his Pride.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rachel E Rice
• Release date: Aug 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536506730

Rachel E. Rice

My name is Rachel E. Rice. I have been writing since I was a teen. I enjoy reading and writing romance fiction.You can contact me at: [e-mail]; I have written several novels and short stories. My short reads are: The Captain and the Virgin; The Captain's Lady and the Pirate; The Captain's Revenge: a Triangle of Love and Sex; and two novellas: Book 1 Seduced by an Earl and Book 2: The Naked Countess. A historical novella set in 1960: Tamika Jade: The case of the Girl with the Rose Tattoo.My contemporary novels are: The Obsession series, which begins with Book 1: Warm Bodies, Cold Hearts; Book 2 in the series is Naked Obsession. Book 3 : Burning Obsession.These following books are erotic romances. Book 1: The Incredible Mr. Black. Book 2: Temptation in Black, and Book 3: Submission To Black. All books are available and books 4 Black Tie Affair and 5 Mourning Becomes Black was published in 2016. Coming soon Book 6, Fade To Black will be available in Jan. 2017.Because I enjoy writing in different genres, my New Adult novel: Finding Summer, is available for purchase as well as another stand-alone edition: One Desire.My Werewolf Series Book 1: Insatiable: The Lone Werewolf finds a Mate, and Book 2: Insatiable: A Werewolf's Hunger is available where all e-books are sold. Book 3 of the Insatiable Series is available as well as seven more books in this series.When I'm not writing, I am watching movies and riding throughout the U.S meeting people.I have a degree in education and I reside in Texas.

Book preview

Hunter’s Moon Box Set

Hunter’s Moon

Moon Tide

Moon Rapture

By Rachel E Rice

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Author’s note:

This is the box set for books 5-7

Books 1-4 of the Insatiable Series can be read in order. Don’t miss the Hunter Series a continuation of the Insatiable Series. Hunter’s Moon, Moon Tide, and Moon Rapture are books 5-7. Coming soon book 8 Tracker.

Reading Order

Insatiable: The Lone Werewolf Finds His Mate

Insatiable: A Werewolf’s Hunger

Insatiable: A Werewolf’s Wedding

Insatiable: The Werewolves’ Challenge

Insatiable: Hunter’s Moon

Insatiable: Moon Tide

Insatiable: Moon Rapture

Coming Soon Book 8 Tracker

Copyright

Copyright © 2016 by Rachel E Rice

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. No reproduction of this book part or whole is permitted. This book should not be scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without the author’s permission.

Hunter’s Moon

Book 5 Insatiable Series

By Rachel E Rice

Copyright 2016 by Rachel E Rice

Chapter 1

A disturbing sensation crept over Adrienne. Snuggling close to Wilder, her head lay on his amazing wide warm chest. Holding on to his large muscular arms pulling them close, she lay in the shelter of his love. Feeling secure, Adrienne let out a satisfied breathe.

Her restless body moved around tugging his arms for reassurance. Wilder responded to her by holding her tight. His passionate body merged into hers carrying warmth and security to her body. The nightmare is over, she thought. But what could be wrong? She was wrapped securely in Wilder’s arms, but her mind was a hostage of Bane even as she slept under Wilder’s protection.

Her subconscious signaled to her that something was dreadfully wrong. She thought she heard her children calling out her name in her sleep. It sounds like Hunter, her mind said. A mother knows her children’s voices and cries. It was Hunter not Devin. She moved closer to Wilder trying to get the reassurance of his body that she was safe and her children were safe, and it was only a dream occupying her unconscious mind.

Adrienne’s agitated movements on Wilder’s body didn’t wake him and Adrienne couldn’t wake herself from her nightmarish dream. 

The moon light flowed through the curtains as Wilder held Adrienne tight in his arms falling into a deep sleep. It had been a week since he slept. Over a week since he slept soundly. He had been tortured by the thought of what Bane had done to Adrienne. It had taken Wilder too long to reach her.

Feeling the warmth of her body caused Wilder to relax. She was near and he’s aware that she’s safe in his arms. There’s no reason for him to fear anything. He had finally rescued Adrienne from Bane, and she and Wilder were far away hidden into the interior of the dense forest of Nevada.

With Wilder’s head lowered to her hair, he sniffed nothing but Adrienne’s scent drowning out the odor of wild animals, and the tall pine trees twisting in the wind.

He smelled the fragrance of her skin. The aroma of fresh flowers found in the meadow of his ranch, but now found in the soap she used to clean her body, before and after they made love.

Her scent reminded him of when he was a child and his mother would bring fresh roses cut from her gardens into their home. He remembered when he first learned that the beautiful roses had thorns. A lesson taught to him by the beautiful roses and by his beautiful mate. 

Wilder didn’t see, hear, or smell anything unfamiliar when the moon light cast a shadow on Bane skulking into the house, and standing over him at the foot of his bed.

Bane watched at Adrienne as she embraced Wilder. Bane watched at her lying naked on Wilder’s chest; their bodies as one. Adrienne thrashed about, pulling and tugging at Wilder, not knowing why she felt so uncomfortable. But Wilder just held her close and never opened his eyes. Exhaustion from the hunt for her and Bane, and worrying about Lycell and Drayton had consumed all his energy, and when he needed it the most, he couldn’t gather it to save his life. Bane stood silent and motionless trying to decide what to do next.

Before he met Adrienne he would have killed Wilder as he slept, made Adrienne pregnant with his pups, used her up, and give her to the betas to do as they pleased, but he had changed. It was Adrienne who had changed him. He knew if he would slay Wilder in front of her, he could never have her the way he wanted.

So Bane stood at the foot of their bed, holding his breath, watching at them with the pain of a jealous lover.

He wanted to rip Adrienne from Wilder’s arms, but he would have to kill him first. That would have been the easiest thing to do. Yet he stood over them thinking about the consequences of his actions. He could have killed them both if it wasn’t for his desire to have Adrienne. He decided that he would wait.

Furthermore, killing Wilder as he slept wasn’t good sport. It was like hunting a sick animal. There was no pleasure in combat with a tired exhausted Wilder. Bane had his own timeline and plans for him, where Adrienne would witness Wilder’s slaughter and see that he is the strongest and the more acceptable werewolf for a mate.

He thought like a werewolf and not a man.

Bane had to admit to himself that he had fallen in love with Adrienne. He had never been in love especially with a human. He looked on them as a necessary distraction when he became tired of werefemales. Then he would travel to a nearby town and pick out a willing human female who enjoyed being fucked when he was in werewolf form. She would know the score and she was willing to take his large cock as he took her the way he wanted—down on all fours. But now he wanted something more from this human female lying on the bed. He wanted a family like the Samsas, and he wanted it with Adrienne.

To slaughter Wilder with her looking on, he could never have Adrienne the way he desired—having his pups and loving him. This is a dream for a man was his first thought. Now he wanted to embrace that part of himself. But Bane is a werewolf, a shifter, and no matter how much he wanted to be a man, his wild nature would call to him.

He didn’t realize this when he thought like a man. 

Bane blinked his eyes and snorted, then turned slowly, patiently, and crept out of the door he came in. When he had gone, cold air whooshed over Adrienne and she heard the cry of her young pups. The pups she had given birth to by Lycell. They had a distinct sound to their voices. It wasn’t the voice of Hunter or Devin this time, these were young voices crying for their mother.

Adrienne sat straight up gazing around regarding everything in the sparse room. Her eyes blinking wildly waiting for them to focus. She felt a presence and then she felt the absence of something or someone. Glancing over at Wilder who was still asleep, she became concerned. She had never known him to sleep so hard. It wasn’t in his nature to sleep like that. At first she thought that he might be dead. Panic showed in her eyes. She looked at her hands they were shaking. She manage to touch him lightly checking him for signs of life. There wasn’t any blood. He wasn’t wounded. He’s warm, she thought. But he didn’t move.

She watched at him waiting for movement. A few seconds passed and still nothing. Normally if she was having a bad dream and had been agitated, he would wake, but this time he didn’t. She poked at his arm with her finger and nothing happened.

Hysterically Adrienne pushed him and jerked his arm, and still he didn’t move. She panicked, pushing him with both hands, she let out the loudest yell she could gather deep in her chest. Wilder! Wilder! Wake up, Wilder, she said pushing and prodding him until he turned to face her. His blue eyes opened wide, fixed on her, as if he was seeing her for the first time. Wilder had to get control of his body. It was unusual for him to wake in such a panic and not be ready to fight and defend especially with a known enemy prowling somewhere.

Wilder recognized his limitation especially now. He had allowed himself to become fatigued and dog tired, where he was unable to defend Adrienne and himself if he had to. 

What is it, Adrienne? he said sitting up calm not displaying his anxiety and disappointment with himself for falling into a hibernating sleep. He reached for her and brought her down to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. What’s the matter now? Are you sick or hungry? His voice shows concern and patience.

I’m neither. Don’t you smell something? It’s a musk odor, not like yours, it is as if someone has been in this room. She moves away from him meeting his eyes. Wilder’s eyes quickly scans the room. He lifts his nose taking in the odor of the room, as if he is following an animal’s scent. He sprang to his feet away from the cloak of Adrienne’s scent. How could that smell escape him? He tilted his head and jumped to the floor, away from the bed, his eyes darting around the room searching for threats.

We have to go now, Adrienne. You’re in danger, Wilder said, his voice composed, but filled with urgency.

Why, what’s wrong?

That scent you smelled is Bane. Wilder reached for his clothes and pulled up his jeans.

I have to take a bath first. That couldn’t be Bane. He must be hundreds of miles away. She glanced at Wilder for affirmation.

If Bane is traveling as a werewolf, and I suspect he is, then he was here.

This doesn’t make sense. If he was here, why?

Why didn’t he kill me? Wilder questioned. The answer came back. Because it wasn’t good sport. With werewolves it’s the hunt that matters. He hunted us and found us. Very few werewolves would have been able to do that.

But he could have killed both of us if he had wanted, Adrienne said looking around.

He didn’t want to kill both of us. Only me. He wouldn’t do it because you would see him for what he is. And if you saw him kill me in my sleep, he knew that he would never have you completely. He would have to defeat me first in front of you to prove himself to be the better werewolf.

It’s not just you he would have to defeat. And I would never go with him willingly. Adrienne said holding on to Wilder.

Maybe he doesn’t know that, Wilder said his eyes locking with hers.

He spared me because I said I was pregnant. Wilder tilted his head. Could it be that the werewolf he knew had changed? Adrienne had changed him and Lycell, and it wasn’t inconceivable to think that she wouldn’t be able to do the same with Bane.

This werewolf is not the one I know. I think it had to do with not knowing about Lycell and Drayton. If he thought that they might be dead, he would have killed me on the spot, and taken you with him. But he didn’t know how far away they were. He must have thought that they would have come after you if he attempted anything this soon. Get ready Adrienne we have to leave here, now.

I have to leave my home away from home on the account of Bane. I was just getting used to the solitude. Can we come back?

No, and a shower is out of the question. I want to keep my scent on you. Adrienne reached for her bra on the chair.

Wilder buttoned his flannel shirt. Hurry! You don’t know him, and I wish you would listen to me. Adrienne climbed out of the bed and walked over to Wilder. She looked up at him into his deep dark blue eyes and held his face in her small hands.

I’m listening to you. Her hands caressed his shoulders and slid down to his wrists, then to his wide muscular chest. I’m in the mood for more of the same from last night.

We can’t. We have to go. If he gets to the ranch before we do, then he will discover that Lycell and Drayton had been hurt. He could do something to cause harm to Lycell’s pups. They don’t know he’s stalking. It is presumed that I killed Bane, and I would have, if it wasn’t for you, Wilder’s voice is accusatory.

Adrienne pulls away. Now you want to blame me. I thought we had settled that last night. Are you ever going to let me live this down? She turns away from Wilder. He wants to tell her he’s sorry, but now isn’t the time. For some reason he’s still angry, but he knows it’s not Adrienne’s fault, and it’s hard for him to constantly say he’s sorry even when he’s wrong.

Grabbing his keys and cell phone he walks away. He stops at the door and says, I’ll get you something to eat. Now get dressed you can eat in the car.

There’s one thing that irks me about you, Wilder, Adrienne screams. You’re too domineering and you never can admit when you’re wrong.

And you’re too stubborn and want your way.

I’ve changed. I hope you have too, she says softly walking behind him and standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

I’m trying, Adrienne, but you’re making it difficult for me. He turns watching at her with narrow eyes. Adrienne is pissed with Wilder again.

Then try a little harder because you’re not the only werewolf in town. Wilder turns facing her with a hard look. His eyes are tight and his mouth is in a hard line. He moves near her as if he’s stalking his prey. When he locks eyes with Adrienne, he grabs her in his arms. She felt the rise of his large cock penetrate her body, and the flicker in his piercing blue eyes penetrate her soul.

That maybe so, but I’m the only one that has you now. If I wanted, I could take you and make you do what I want and you wouldn’t say a word. You would never be the same.

You wouldn’t dare, she said stepping back. If I wanted, I could have... She stopped. Her next words would have sent Wilder over the edge and she didn’t want to risk bringing a gulf between them. And you wouldn’t be the same, she said countering him and not letting him have the last word, which is what she does, and that made Wilder attracted to her.

Her strength was also her weakness. That of talking too much and being so stubborn.

Wilder stepped closer to Adrienne with a serious look. Say that one more time and you will see the werewolf come out like you have never seen before.

Since I’m not interested in seeing that other side of you, I won’t say that again. He took her hand and then picked up two containers of cooked and fresh meat and led her out the door.

Put on your coat. She hurried and did as he had asked, and he led her to the garage.

What about the truck? Adrienne questioned. 

It’s not mine, it belongs to Bane. And it’s almost played out. He will probably take it once we’ve gone. We’re driving your jeep. Wilder pulls the keys out of his pants pocket. I bought it for you.

I have a jeep?

I alone bought it for you. I had it modified for your protection with bullet proof glass.  I knew you wouldn’t want us to accompany you everywhere you went, so I bought this for your birthday. It was supposed to be a secret. Just like this cabin was to be a secret. Now I have to sell it. I can’t risk Bane finding us again.

Wilder opened the door to the jeep, and helped her in. He walked around and climbed in, hit the keyless ignition, raised the garage door, and backed out. They were going home and Adrienne was glad. She had to make sure her children were safe. Deep down, she thought Bane wouldn’t hurt her pups. 

She had enough of an adventure to last a life time. She wished she would never see Bane again, but she harbored mixed feelings of one day meeting him under different circumstances. If only to ask him to forget her and leave her family alone. Maybe she could reason with him so they both could have peace, and she could be with her children and husbands and he could live out his life under his own terms in Alaska.

Surely he didn’t want a woman like her, her mind thought. He is wasting his life concentrating on a human who had too many children, and too many werewolves who loved her, and was willing to destroy him. She would plead with him for his sake to leave her alone.

Adrienne is under the assumption she could reason with Bane. If he loved her like she suspected he did, then he would find it in his heart to find love somewhere else. She would remember him, and think about him, but she couldn’t be with him. It was over and she was going home to her family and they should forget each other, and for him to stop wanting something that could never be.

Bane wasn’t thinking with his human brain. He was thinking with his werewolf brain. His desire for Adrienne had been raised to a level where he couldn’t turn away from her, and what she represented to him, even if he wanted to. He had to go after her and have her in his life. But first he had to get rid of all obstacles that lay in his way. They were her werewolf mates and her yearlings. He had changed. But there were some things that remained unchanged.

Bane is plagued with blind rage, blind passion, and that made him dangerous to anyone he came into contact with. 

Chapter 2

Reading all the books in the library proved boring because Hunter read them quickly. He is impatient with his studies as he glances around, scanning the shelves, for books he hadn’t read. Adrienne took over the task of homeschooling Hunter and Devin along with bringing in a tutor, which Wilder had chosen. The tutor a family friend had been with the Samsas since Wilder was a cub. Hunter thought the tutor was out of touch. Hunter’s interests lie in books about war not Dickens and Kafka.

The old tutor had provided a required reading list of philosophers, which Hunter ignored.  He examined the list and then flung it down in front of him, walked to the book shelf and pulled a book. War and Peace, he mumbled. This looks interesting. I can read this massive book in one night, he thought.

Looking around for Devin only to discover that he had gone to his room. Devin carried a stack of books to the second floor pretending he would complete the assignment. There was no pretense with Hunter. Hunter annoyed with the limited selection of books, mumbled, This can wait. He could complete his assignments later. He had a problem with concentrating on things that didn’t interest him.

His problem was he had read everything in the library twice, and that left him hungry for more books and unsatisfied with the ones before him.

Gazing out the window, the outdoors called to him. That is where he found his fulfillment and pleasure. He wanted to be hunting, chasing dogs, fooling around with Devin, and riding horses, not shut up inside living someone else’s life. 

You’re just like your uncle Lycell, impatient and headstrong. But you need a well-rounded education before you go out on your own, which I hope is not too soon, Adrienne had said to Hunter.

Mother, why do I need to read these books? I’ve read them over and over and you keep bringing more and I digest them as quick as you replenish them. I know everything a man needs to know in a civilized society. I need to know something about being a werewolf. When will I get the chance to go out on my own, and have my own pack, and my own family? Hunter had asked. Adrienne was shocked and dismayed that he’s thinking about leaving and creating a family. She realized then that he was growing up.

It’s a different world and werewolves will have to come from out of the shadows. You need to be educated first. Your father and I have plans for you and Devin.

That’s why I want to see the world before you and father plan my life. I want to help with some of the responsibilities so father can stay here with you. I know you miss him when he’s away.

I have plenty to keep me busy, Adrienne had said to Hunter.

Hunter paced the floor in the library worrying about the future and the future of the Samsa pack. In that way he’s like his father. He’s thinking of the conversations with his mother and how he wanted to meet others like himself because as his mother had said, It’s a different world out there, and he wanted to see it, feel it, and experience it.

He’s growing every day and he’s almost the image of Wilder—tall, wide shoulders, ocean blue eyes, dark curly hair, and a face just as handsome as Wilder, but he has an impulsive nature, and he’s as reckless as his uncle, Lycell.

Picking up the book once more trying to concentrate, that proved impossible for Hunter. He dropped it on the table. It became exceedingly impossible to focus knowing that his father and mother could be in danger and perhaps needing his help.

Picturing something grim happening to his mother and father, caused Hunter unimaginable angst and feelings of helplessness. Wilder forbid him to follow after him. Hunter’s restless mind took flight thinking of what they were experiences and he couldn’t focus. He stirred in the leather wingback chair, standing and pacing again. His mind and senses converging on everything in the room.

Hunter is quickly evolving into a matured werewolf. He didn’t understand it. He needed his father to explain what was happening to him. He had no doubt that the same was happening to Devin. But Devin wasn’t as observant and as sensitive as Hunter.

Staring out the window, he saw beyond the ranch. He spotted a snow rabbit. His ears focused and he heard sounds of wolves howling, dogs barking, birds flying. He heard Robert’s footsteps returning from the hospital where Lycell and Drayton lay medicated until they are well enough to be brought inside the ranch.

Turning rapidly with a jerk of his young fit body, Hunter responds to hearing Robert approaching. His eyes keen. His footsteps light and fast. He caught sight of Robert and he stood in front of him before Robert realized he was there, How are they?

Robert turns and glances up in surprise. They’re doing great. Lycell will be up and himself in about a week. Drayton, in a few days. I knew that werewolves healed fast but this is something unusual.

There is one thing that can kill us and that’s to sever our jugular, in which case we will bleed out. That’s why we protect our neck at all times, and the only animal that can get to that vulnerable area is another werewolf, or men with guns. He wasn’t saying that to insult Robert. He knew guns had their place in the world.

Robert stood distracted. He had lost everything and here he is listening to Hunter explaining the long-lasting lives of werewolves. He wanted to scream for him to shut the fuck up, but he didn’t. That wasn’t a natural part of Robert’s vocabulary. He was a doctor and his mission is to save lives even if the lives are werewolves.

What is it, Robert? Hunter said seeing that Robert was preoccupied with something.

You have most of your family intact and I have lost everything I want in life. I will never see Mena and my babies again.

Robert walked into the library and slumped down in a brown leather chair. Hunter followed. He had worked tirelessly night and day, with hardly any sleep, to save Lycell and Drayton. He was just plain tired.

Hunter stared at him thinking and empathizing with him. I’ll go and get her and bring her back to you. My uncles and father made you a promise, I will fulfill that promise.

You can’t do that. You father forbid you to go because he doesn’t think you’re ready for that world. You have to listen to him.

My father is just trying to protect me. He can’t protect me from life. I have to live. He forgot how he was at my age. I guess having his own children does that to you. Look how you are behaving. I don’t want to have any children. I want to see the world before I turn into an over protective idiot, Hunter said trying to make Robert smile for a few minutes. He gave Robert a confident slap on the shoulder.

I got this, Hunter said.

For some reason Robert thought that Hunter was the only one who could bring his Mena back to him. He glanced up with a halfhearted smile. If someday you do this, I will be eternally grateful. I appreciate the gesture but... Robert looked around because he saw a shadow standing in the doorway to the library.

I’m sorry, Robert. I didn’t mean to interrupt you.

He stood, No. No, you aren’t interrupting us. Hunter turned with his mouth ajar. The young girl standing in the library is about eighteen. She has long auburn hair and green eyes which mesmerized him at first glance. She stood five feet five to his six two statue. Hunter has been growing at an alarming rate, and according to his werewolf’s years in his father’s book, he is nineteen. He remembered it was just the other day he was nothing but a pup.

Since his parents had been away, he and Devin had grown and turned into teenagers in a matter of weeks.

Hunter, this is Heather, my litter sister.

Heather, yes, like a flower. Remind me to show you some flowers on our ranch, Hunter shot her a sensuous smile. Heather smiled widely at Hunter. She gave him a smile that sent his pulse racing. Hunter gazed intently at Heather. Robert looked at both of them not too amused. 

I prefer to be called Katie. It’s my real name, and my mother’s name. My mother called me Heather because she didn’t like Katie as a name. She thought it was old fashion.

Our father named her Katie, Robert added.

Then Katie it is. Would you like to see the flowers now, Hunter said as he placed his hand on Katie’s shoulder. He had never felt the attraction for a girl before. It was a strange and wonderful feeling. His heart raced and his breathing became erratic. He had the same adrenalin  rush when he stalked a deer. But this couldn’t be the same thing, he thought. There’s something different about this overwhelming erotic feeling coursing through his body and stimulating his manhood.

He had the same adrenalin rush when he stalked a deer. He didn’t want to chase her down. He wanted to make love to her. She wasn’t prey or food. She is a beautiful warm female and he wanted to touch her, hold her in his arms, run his fingers through her long silky hair, and kiss her. 

Robert’s glance wavered between Hunter and Katie. She has to go back to Samsaville, Robert says. He takes her shoulders and turns Katie around taking her to the door. Katie is going to school to become a doctor. She’s helping me out until then. Robert saw the attraction and he wanted to put an end to it. He knew about young werewolves, and how virile they are when they are developing, and how insatiable their appetites are for sex.

Why don’t you stay here on the ranch tonight? We have more than enough room, Hunter said.

She can’t, Robert said abruptly. Turning to Katie, Robert said, Wait outside for me. Katie turned and did as she was told.

He spun around to Hunter, For god sake, Hunter, she doesn’t know anything about werewolves. She thinks it’s something she sees in the movies. She’s impressionable. I don’t want her to find out by accident. I want to sit down with her and tell her about Mena and my children. Since our parents died, I have been left with the duty of being her father. He met Hunter’s eyes. It’s a serious job being a father.

There’s nothing wrong with her knowing about us. We are just as decent as humans. After all we are half human.

I’m not saying that Hunter. You have me wrong. I just want to give her a chance before she has to learn about how werewolves live.

What is wrong with our lifestyle?

Your mother is married to three werewolves, and she has off springs for them. Who knows what Bane has done to her? Before Hunter could stop himself, he had collared Robert. Looking into Robert’s eyes he saw shock, and he realized what his father had been telling him all along. When it came to his mother and someone he loved, his emotions would take over his reasoning because of youth and inexperience, and he would make wrong decisions.

Hunter dropped Robert’s shoulders. I apologize, Robert. I know you’re right. I did mean what I said about bringing Mena back to you. Hunter walked quickly out of the library to see Katie sitting waiting for Robert. He stood over her holding out his hand. Do you know how to ride?

Yes. She glanced up at Hunter with her wide green eyes and he stared at her. A bright flare of desire took hold of him. That did it. She is the one; his young inexperienced mind thought.

Come with me, he said.

Do you think I should?

Your brother won’t mind. Hunter was head strong. He wanted what he wanted and Robert wouldn’t dictate to him. Robert was just human after all and he was stronger, younger, and a werewolf who wanted a human female. Hunter and Katie headed for the kitchen as the cooks and helpers looked on. Robert caught them as they were going through the door to the outside.

Where are you going, Katie, Robert questioned.

Hunter is taking me for a ride.

You aren’t allowed to ride in a car.

It’s not a car. It’s a horse and don’t act like a mother hen. I’ll be ok. Won’t I Hunter?

I’ll take good care of her, Robert. Don’t worry.

But worry Robert did. He knew more about werewolves than Hunter knew about himself. He knew that once they mated then it would be for life. He wanted to stop them but he couldn’t. He hoped that Hunter would be a gentleman and not mate with his little sister. She’s so young and she’s falling in love with the first boy she’s allowed to be close to. He saw it in her eyes. He saw that Katie was infatuated with Hunter. He only hoped that Hunter felt the same way.

As Robert debated with Katie, Hunter called to the stables and said to get two of the best horses ready.

Chapter 3

The groom stood patiently near the two horses. He handed Hunter the reigns when Hunter and Katie reached the stables, then he went back to his chores of pitching hay to the six other horses. These were Lycell’s prized steeds. He gave Hunter and Devin their offspring. Katie held the face of the brown and white faced mare. Then she stood looking into its eyes. She turned to Hunter’s beautiful black stallion. Brushing her hand along its body the horse calmed.

He likes you. I’ve never seen him react to a human like that. Hunter gave away himself when he mentioned human. She had eyes only for Hunter and the beautiful horses.

Aren’t you a human? That’s a strange way to refer to people. Hunter just smiled and 

helped Katie across the saddle, and took the reins of his horse and Katie’s, leading them out of the stall, and into the opening.

I can see you like horses, and especially this one, Hunter said.

Yes I do. Katie leaned forward and kissed the horse on its mane.

Do you want her? I’ll make you a gift of her.

I can’t accept a horse. She’s beautiful and looks expensive, and I have no place to put her and if I did, I can’t afford to feed her.

You can keep the mare here until you have a place. She has a colt.

That doesn’t make sense. I may never be able to afford her, and I don’t want to take her from her colt. I’m going off to college for maybe six years if I’m lucky, or eight if I’m not. Hunter jumped on his black mount, then turned and faced Katie with a closed smile.

How did you do that? You are so quick. I barely saw you.

It’s all my pent up energy. And have you noticed my muscles, he said bragging like a teenage boy trying to impress a girl.

He looked at Katie smiling and showing his white teeth and leaned his long body into her and kissed her. She surprisingly kissed him back. Her heated kiss reached deep down in him, and he felt himself hard for the second time at being in Katie’s presence.

Hunter couldn’t fathom what was happening to him, but it felt good. Too good. He placed his long tongue in her mouth and she began sucking it. It was his first kiss. A French kiss he and Devin had discussed at night when they couldn’t sleep.

His first touch of a female’s warm soft lips. It was his first feeling of arousal just from a kiss.

Katie pulled away from him. This is your first kiss. How did she know? He wanted this kiss to be matured, but he messed that up. Devin had said that it wasn’t cool to let a girl that he liked know that he was an amateur. That’s why it was important to practice first. Especially with girls he didn’t find attractive. But Hunter thought that was awful. Kiss a girl just to kiss her.

No. I’ve kissed many girls before you, Hunter said trying not to disclose how inexperienced he really is. He had spent his few teenage years with his father hunting and learning to swim, learning about nature, but never learning the things that mattered, he thought.

This is something he needed to learn because it is pleasurable as much as hunting and much more now that he had a chance to experience it. They don’t teach kissing in the books he was required to read by the old tutor. That old man can’t remember when he had his first or last kiss, Devin had said to Hunter. That’s why Hunter needed to get out into the world and learn about being a werewolf, and about being a human.

Hunter would learn none of that in books. There were no books on sexuality in the library.

He could see himself relaxing around the house with Katie enjoying her kisses. Going to the movies instead of hunting. Maybe he should consider going to college with her. Hunter’s life had changed with that one kiss. And Katie’s life had changed the day they set eyes on each other. 

When Devin had asked Hunter to accompany him into town for a date with the local girls, he didn’t have time to go into town and prowl for girls he was busy learning about nature with Wilder.

There was a lesson about nature his father and mother had neglected to tell him about. 

Devin on the other hand had gone on dates with females, and brought back stories about how he had made love to two girls at one time, and watched as the two girls kissed each other’s bodies.

Hunter thought Devin had made that up. He couldn’t imagine why it was interesting to see two girls kiss each other. Hunter didn’t understand the power of a kiss by a girl he was attracted to until now. That profound need he felt made him understand that Devin had reported to him the truth—that there was more to life than hunting and fishing, exploring the forest, and living like his ancestors. There was another life out there just waiting for him, and it was as satisfying and pleasurable as any he had ever known.

The two newly bound lovers rode in silence as Hunter revisited the feeling he received from his life changing kiss from Katie.

When they stopped in a meadow near a lake overlooking pine trees, catching a glimpse of the snowcapped mountains, Katie said, I kissed a boy once, but I never felt like this. Did you feel warm inside, your heart pounding, and an urge to be in an intimate way when you kissed your first girl?

Not exactly, but I feel that way about you, Hunter said smiling. Knowing full well that her kiss was the first and best feeling he ever had.

I want to be alone with you. I want to hold you in my arms and kiss you, but not from a horse, Hunter said his blue eyes hypnotizing her. Follow me, Hunter said. He took her horse by the reigns. Without a thought, Hunter’s horse galloped for the shed Devin used when girls visited him and when he didn’t want Adrienne to see him.

Hunter drove his steed fast and dismounted. He waited and helped Katie off her mare, then hitting both horses on their rear, and sending them trotting back to the stables. He rushed ahead of Katie into the small cabin.

He left her far behind because he needed to start a fire to get it warm inside. This is his first date. He sought to make it comfortable before she walked inside. Scurrying around the room, he placed some of the books back on a shelf, and found a hidden vase with artificial flowers and stuck that on top. He wanted to make her day unforgettable. 

Surprisingly the bedding had been changed and new pillows were arranged on the day bed. There were new rugs on the floor. New paint on the walls. All the shelves contained books and gardening tools didn’t have a speck of dust. He noticed pictures on the wall. Pictures of flowers. Wild flowers. He had never been in the shed but he liked what he saw.

The room held a cozy warm feel to it, he thought as he placed some newspapers in the fireplace to get the fire started. Then he added some twigs, and finally he stacked wood on top, and lit the newspapers and dry moss with matches he found on a table.

He felt proud that he could build a fire so quickly. But a werewolf had to learn that he may not have a fireplace and matches to keep him warm, his father Wilder had cautioned him.

When the fire roared Katie stood in the doorway looking at him with a large smile.

You are certainly an enthusiastic man. Hunter liked that Katie saw him as a man. All his parents saw was an impetuous pup who needed more time to grow up and learn about life, but he was beginning to learn, and he was enjoying his lessons.

Not all Hunter’s lessons about life would be enjoyable and pleasurable as this one.

As Hunter stooped by the fire to place a larger log on top, Katie closed the door and stood near the day bed. She sat there placing her hand patting in a spot that she wanted Hunter to occupy. That spot was near her. He sprang up and sat close. Their eyes locked. 

They glanced at each other. Hunter leaned in for another earthshattering kiss and he wasn’t disappointed. When their lips came together a sensuous light passed between them. His breathing stopped, his heart raced, his body ached for her touch. It was an intense feeling where he unlocked his heart and soul and gave it to her.

His lips brushed hers trailing a sensuous path as she opened her mouth giving out a moan. His manhood rose in response to her erotic cry into his mouth. Katie’s lips never left his mouth as she began to undress him starting with his tee shirt. Although she thought it strange that he should wear something light in the spring thaw, she didn’t question it because of her youthful desire for his body.

Reaching and helping him pull it over his head was the first time they parted their lips, and then his mouth touched hers again. Caressing her lips before he thrust his long tongue down her throat. Katie gasped for breath breathing into Hunter’s mouth. She was lost when his body embraced her.

His body exceptionally warm much more than any boy she had ever met or came into contact with. His body developed and hard craving her hands over it. She had never seen a body of such maturity on a man that young. She caressed his wide shoulders as she gave in, and Hunter took control of her mouth. Now Hunter had learned how to kiss a female, and he will not soon forget. Just one more lesson he would learn, and this one, wasn’t painful. In fact it was the best lesson of his life. His body flooded with desire. His passion for Katie inched through deep down to harden him.

He proceeded to unbutton her blouse with his long fingers, and when it was open and she had discarded it on top of his shirt, he sat back and watched at her. They both lost all reason and they became enthralled with each other.

Haven’t you seen breasts before? she said looking up at his face. His eyes fixed on her hard breasts and nipples as a flare of desire sprang into his eyes. 

No he hadn’t. Not human breasts. She didn’t wait for a reply, she placed his warm hands on her breasts and from the chill in the air, he watched as her nipples sprang forth into hard pebbles. Slowly he raised his fingers and touched them as if they were fragile and could be broken.

She looked up at him and they locked eyes once more. Each saw the other ones passion burst forth hungrily. Each felt the other ones needs, wants, and desires. His natural instinct was to kiss her breasts. He lowered his head and when his warm lips touched her flesh, she raked her fingers through his fine curly long hair. The feeling of sucking her nipples resonated throughout his body and he knew that Katie enjoyed it as much as he enjoyed doing it.

She placed her hand on his penis and stroked it through his jeans. Then she unbutton his jeans. One button at a time as Hunter continued to suck her nipples. She reached and took his cock into her hands and she gasped at the feel of it.

You’re so big. I’ve never known a man could have such a large penis. Hunter never knew that there was anything smaller. His wasn’t that big, he thought. His father and uncles were as large or larger. Even his brother Devin was about his size. So he thought nothing of her adoration for his penis.

Katie began stroking it in her hand, up and down, as he kissed her and then warm fluid escaped. He knew then it was time to take off his pants. He didn’t know what was happening to him, but Devin has said this would happen with a woman, but he dismissed Devin’s conversation.

Hunter stood and dropped his pants to the floor. Standing naked he felt free. He wasn’t ashamed. He didn’t know that he should be ashamed. He was acting natural. As natural and free as the animals he had seen in the forest. Natural like the werewolf he is. 

He was born to roam the forests and he was born to make love to Katie. She enjoyed his body and he was turned on and aroused by her. Now he understood what his father had said.

One day you will find your true mate and there will never be another one for you. When I met your mother she was the one. The one I would die for. The one I would kill for, and the one to have my off springs by, his father had said in passing when he tried to make Devin and Hunter understand that they had time to find the one, but they had to learn how to survive first as werewolves.

"It was easier being a man, but being a