The Viking's Mate Hunt

By Maria Elise

"Little bunny, little bunny. Wolf is HUNGRY!" The voice taunted me, followed by an evil cackle.
"Run, rabbit. RUN!" A monstrous bellow boomed through the night sky and crashed into my soul like a sledgehammer. I could feel a chill sweeping across my body and my heart pounding in my chest. The echoes of howls and laughter followed me from behind as I ran for my life.
***
Elisabeth's life had been harder than most since she was a child - a distant and often cruel mother and her never-ending cycle of addiction that had taken over her life. But on this fateful night, something far more sinister was lurking in the darkness, ready to take her away from it all.
Massive figures appeared out of nowhere, growling and taunting her. She tried to scream, but nothing would come out; before she knew it, she was waking up in a world where Viking werewolves ruled with mysterious faeries at their side.
Every five years, they traveled to the human realm, collecting ten girls for their mate run - and tonight, Elisabeth was one of them. With only a white dress and her bare feet, Elisabeth stood beside the other nine girls as the beasts prowled around them menacingly. A silver dagger pierced each of their wrists, signaling the start of the hunt!
"We honor the moon goddess; let your blood lead your mate to you!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: supernovel
• Release date: May 23, 2023

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Aah, yes!! Harder! Harder Gabe, I'm almost there! Oh yes!

I moaned loudly, arched my spine, and threw my head back.

Was it true? Far from it, I already had to spit in my hand and rub it between my legs two times so that he would think I was still soaking wet for him.

I'm coming, Gabe! Harder!

I breathed out my moans and slightly turned them up a notch, not screaming, but almost. A slight trembling in my thighs, dragging my nails up his back and squeezing his dick a couple of times while he was pounding me like a dog in heat would get him there faster.

I should get a fucking Oscar!

His grunting became more carnal, like a dying squirrel, and his hips stiffened.

I tightened the muscles in my pussy yet again while lifting my ass off the bed and releasing my scream. I rolled my eyes back before I closed them.

An Oscar for fucking! That would have been something to show off! I had to hold back the laughter.

Fuck, baby! You're so tight!!

He slumped down on top of me, nearly knocking the air out of my lounges. Warm and sweaty, yuk! He was turning limp inside me and started covering my neck with sloppy wet kisses. A shiver went through my body, and I grabbed his shoulders and pushed him a little back. I just needed the car key so I could go to work!

I made it just in time! I worked at an old, run-down gas station outside of town. Late shifts and night shifts it was a crappy and tedious job, but at least I got paid, and the old couple running it was super sweet. The shift dragged out; a couple of bikers stopped by, and a young couple that was lost. That's it!

A quarter past midnight, I was finally on my way home. I was staring straight ahead on the dark road—no road lights, no passing traffic, and not even a single house. Driving home in the darkness always made me this way, spaced out. I never had any idea of what awaited me at home. Home. I scoffed. It was an old dump, but the only place my mom could afford to rent, and this time, we managed to keep it for over six months. Would all my things be scattered outside the house when I came home? It would not be the first time a landlord had thrown us out because Mom missed one too many payments.

Would we still have electricity? Was it on fire? Was it filled with drunk, high, and nasty people? Was this the time I came home and found her dead?

I jumped in my seat, and the car made a sharp turn; sweat formed on my temples as I struggled to regain control. The car parked on the side of the road, and my heart was pounding. My grip on the steering wheel was so tight it hurt, but I didn't notice before I had time to calm down enough. My knuckles were white when I finally let it go.

What the fuck was that!?

I shouted out to myself, did I run over an animal? Did I space out so much that I imagined things? I swallowed hard. Should I go out and check? And then what? Bring an injured stary home? I couldn't afford to take it to a vet!

God, I need to calm down! I don't even know if I hit anything; maybe I missed it. Or it was just a freaking shadow. Rummaging through my purse, I found my phone, 10% great. Just turning the flashlight on made it drop 8%

The crisp night air brushed against my face as I set one foot out the door, and my whole body froze! My head snapped to the side, and my heart was pounding again, trying to break through my chest. Nothing, there was nothing there! A branch broke, and I jumped back in, slammed the door shut, and locked the door behind me.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! It's just an owl! I murmured as I fidgeted with the key. My hands were shaking, and I missed it! The keys fell to the floor, and I dived down after them. My imagination was running wild; suddenly, the gavel crunched, behind the car, at the passenger side, under the car, and I fucken jammed the key in the ignition and pressed the pedal as hard as I could.

Gravel and dirty skyrocketed behind the vehicle before it jumped ahead, and I held max speed all the way home. Not once did I look in the mirror, and not once did I slow down. I'm going home now!

Driving up to the dark house I call home, I finally felt like I could breathe again. The place looked quiet, with no cars in the driveway, my things didn't seem to be thrown out on the sidewalk, no loud music, and no one was stumbling around puking outside.

This can be a good night or the end of everything as I know it.

The only sound is the squeaking of the door as it opens; it's so quiet. Way too quiet. She's usually home by now. She can't drive, and the last bus passed half an hour ago. The air is cold, but still, it smells old and dense.

Fuck, the power is out again. I flicked the switch a couple of times before I gave up. I was so sure I had paid the last bill! I sighed and looked down at my phone—5%. Great, I need to find somewhere to charge it before I can sleep.

I decide to walk through the house to look for Mom before I head back out; maybe Gabe is still awake. I can fake another orgasm if that means I can sleep in a warm bed and get my phone charged at the same time. With the cold light from the moon shining through the windows, I make my way from room to room. Nothing. Nobody.

Not before I reach the bathroom. I saw her the moment the door slid open, her dark and fragile silhouette against the cold and white floor. I held my breath, not daring to go in. I wait, but it's impossible to see if she's breathing or not.

Mom?

My voice barely carries, and as a pathetic whisper, I breathed it out between my lips.

Nothing, kneeling, I touch her hand. It's ice-cold, but it always is. Suddenly she groans and yanks her arm back. I breathed out in relief, but anger, disappointment, and hatred washed over me as fast as the ease left my lounges. Like always, I hold it in. Bite my lip and start to scoop her up in my arms. 

Sitting down on the bed beside her, I can see her face in the cold moonlight; the woman I call mom is no longer my mom. There is nothing left of her; not only is she just skin and bones, bruises, and open wounds on her arms, ankles, and between her toes.

Her memories had faded, and her personality drowned in liquor years ago. The only thing she knew and cared about was her next hit, money, and mumbling shit about my father. A man I never knew or met.

The only thing I knew of him was what she rambled about when she was about to pass out,

He is a monster! I saved you. He is a monster! We don't belong in this world! A monster! A nightmare! I saved you!

CHAPTER 2

Sometimes I doubted it; could things be worse than this? But the only thing I could feel hit home, we don't belong in this world. Even if it was a total ramble, I never felt like I belonged here. There was never any room for me or my mom, for that matter. We were scum, a disgrace. It didn't matter that I was a straight-A student and had as good as full attendance at school. I would always be scum, something that belonged in the gutter.

Mom's skin felt damped and cold against my fingers as I tucked her dry, splintered hair behind her ear.

In the next life, Mom. In the next life.

These are the only words that stuck with me from I was a child, from when she still had clear days. When we had to go to bed hungry again, the power was out, or my shoes were destroyed, and she could not get me new ones. She always cradled me in her arm, brushing away my tears.

In the next life, baby girl, in the next life.

My tummy rumbled, and I cried in hunger, and for many years those words didn't make sense to me at all. But as time passed, as I saw her slowly disappear in front of my eyes, I understood in the next life.

I closed her door, and with both hands along the wall, I found my way to the stairs in complete darkness. I fumbled in the dark step by step until my foot finally found the cold wooden floor. A door behind me was slammed shut, and I jumped around. But all that met me was utter silence and more darkness.

Mom?

Hello?

No answer. Did she bring someone with her? It would not be the first time; I cursed under my breath and turned around. The stairs behind me squeaked, and I stopped in my tracks. Listened. There it was again; someone heavy slowly walked down the old stairs.

Hello? Get the fuck out; the party is over!

I shouted; my hand slid down my pocket, and I grabbed pepper spray. Still no answer, but the squeaking sound filled the air again. Like the old wood complained beneath the weight of someone big.

Get the hell out! Now!

Run, rabbit. Run!

The voice came out of nowhere, deep and carnal. The hair on my arm stood straight up, and a chill crept down my spine.

Rumbling hoars and laughter filled the darkness. I heard someone shouting after me as I spun around and ran straight out the door. My heart pounding in my chest, I stumbled towards my car. Don't look back, don't look back! 

Frantically I yanked the car door, fuck! But I didn't lock it! Fuck, fuck! My hands started to tremble as I searched my pockets, but nothing! Where is the key? 

The front door opened behind me, and I kicked the car angrily and ran straight for the road.

Little bunny, little bunny. Wolf is hungry!

What kind of sick bastards is this!? I still hear that creepy laughter behind me as I run for the road; I'm not staying to find out! The thud of my heartbeats pulsates through my ears, and my breaths are fast and shallow. Just as the road is in sight, someone grabs my shoulder harshly. Adrenaline pumping through my system, I spin around as fast as possible and plant my fist right in some dude's throat. God damned, he is tall! 

He lets me go, and the little sadist inside me smiles as I hear him cough and gasp for air behind me. I was aiming for the nose but breaking his throat will do the trick! My victory is short-lived, the air is knocked out of my lungs, and I'm thrown several meters down the road. The pavement scraped up my skin; the sounds around got overthrown by the loud sound of my heart. As my vision blurs, I swear I see a wolf towering over me. Great, just great! 

My eyes roll back, and darkness devourers me completely. The wolfs can have me; I don't care anymore. 

In the next life, Mom, in the next life.

I was floating on a comfortable cloud, birds squeaking around me, and the air was so fresh and light. I took another deep breath, smiled, and opened my eyes.

It wasn't a comfortable cloud; I was ruled back and forth on some kind of small wooden floor, maybe a wooden hanger? It was hard, and it smelled like shit here! Looking around, I realized I wasn't alone, but at the same time, I felt incredibly lonely. At least eight girls were sitting around me, and one was sobbing. The other ones stared emptily down at the wooden floor. Hands and feet bound with a thick rope.

There were no birds, and it was a horse carriage. The squeaking was from the old wood and wheels. My side ached, and the skin on my knee stuck to my pants. Great, they were even torn! They were nearly new! Lifting my knees up, I managed to roll up into a sitting position.

Green grass, trees, and open sky. Where the heck did they take me? At home, it was falling! Dark, wet, and cold! Not to mention I haven't seen so much greenery or woods since I was a kid.

I shook my head a little, not going down that memory lane! It was a couple of tough years, but at least I learned a lot. I wobbled back and forth as the wheels crunched over uneven grovel. There wasn't even a real road here! How long was I out for?

'Where are we?'

I didn't ask anyone in particular, but nobody answered. None of the girls even lifted their heads to look at me. Furrowing, I looked them over. Some were dirty, and all had fresh or old marks of tears down their cheeks. The crying girl had small leaves and sticks in her hair and something that looked like blood on her chin and sweater. Human trafficking? Kidnaping? 

'Are you all deaf? Where are we!?'

I raised my voice, and all of them hunched down like they could make themselves look smaller than they already were.

'hush! Shut up! You'll get us in trouble! We don't know! Okay? Nobody knows. So shut up!'

One of the blond girls spat at me. With intense blue eyes, she looked down at me, sizing me up and down before she huffed. I had no problem seeing she was an upper-class girl. Long cherry red nails, one even with a shimmering diamond on. Golden bracelet, expensive dress, and heels I could only dream of. But nothing of this could help her now. The swollen red lines around her eyes and the smothered makeup under her eyes and down her cheeks were evident. She had cried like everyone else; I didn't like this one bit!

I yanked and twisted my hands; the thick rope around my wrists burned against my skin, but it moved! Rolling my shoulders while shuffling my hands up and down, the rope wasn't that tight! I'm not staying around to find out what kind of crap this is! Looking over my shoulder, I saw the back of two men, and my eyes widened. They were massive!

CHAPTER 3

Muscles bulged all over their bare backs, tattoos twisted and snaked around over their shoulders, necks, and probably further down their chest.

One had a high and messy braid, going from his forehead and all the way over down his neck. The sides were skinned. Tattoos that looked like snakes decorated one of the sides of his head. The other one had a little lighter hair, darker brown. The sides of his head were also shaved down to the skin, but his hair was twisted and formed with leather bands all the way to the middle of his back.

I can't see around them, but I'm guessing one or two horses are pulling us. It's a slow and steady paste like the animals were already worn out and tired. We wobble and jump a little through a sharp turn, and suddenly, a little town appears.

No, not a town! This looks more like a wooden village from an old game or movie. But by the sounds, I could hear in the distance a lot of people living there. Talking, shouting, kids crying, the distinctive sound of metal against metal. The whole thing seems to be surrendered with a massive fence, looking more like they just cut off the branches of the biggest trees they could find and stuck the trunks together. Primitive but effective!

This was definitely a new level of crazy! With a little hustle and grunting, I managed to sit up on my knees. Thank god they only tied my hands, and not my feet to like the rest! The blond kept on ogling me to the point that my temper got the best of me.

'What?'

'Nothing.'

She just rolled her eyes and looked away again, like she didn't just stare at me intensely for over 5 minutes. I managed to turn around and push myself back to the end of the carriage. It had a wooden plank over the end, but a 10cm plank won't hold me back! I kept my stare at the guys in the front, but so far, they seemed way too occupied by watching the horse ass in front of them.

'They will kill you, you know!'

My head snaps towards the blond. She was still looking down at me, yes, I was sitting on the dirty floor, but she was in the same boat as me!

No need to be that smug. Money can't help her out of this, well, not from the looks of it.

'Yeah, but I rather die running than be part of whatever sick fantasy these creeps have planned out for us! See you on the other side!'

I grinned, and with my feet, I pushed myself out and over the plank. I landed with a heavy thud on the hard and rocky ground. My upper back collided with the ground first, and gasped for air as it was forced out of me by impact. The pain was making me feel sick!

Clenching my teeth, I managed to get up; just as I straightened my back, I saw the carriage continue and the wide eyes of a stuck-up blond stare at me. I winked

Reviews for The Viking's Mate Hunt

[Arpi Tadevosyan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really got sucked into the story, very light and nicely written. Also I like the world which author created, as well as the unexpected turns in the storyline, which made me sympathize even more with the main female character.

[Sarai Sainca · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a cool book. The men in this novel are very barbaric and childish. Elisabeth/Eir deserves better. I hope in the next book she gets a new mate who loves and cherishes her and doesn't have a raging ego.

[Aurelia Ryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such a good read. I couldn't put it down until I knew the ending. Will be looking for book 2 to see what happens next for Eir and Toke