Wolves' Bane (The Order of the Wolf, #3)

Cal snorted. “That’s an understatement.” His stomach clenched. A huge fucking understatement. History had proven that battles between the Huntress and Lazarus had never turned out well, especially when the Huntress was linked to him as his bride. There had only been three, one of whom was Cal’s own mother. The irony that he’d been chosen as Hunter for Lazarus’s bride was not lost on him, when his own mother had faced off with him almost thirty years before and had not lived to tell about it.

“We could forgo this battle, hide Morgan until the next lunar eclipse, when she’s better trained, more equipped to face off with Lazarus.” Even as he said it, Cal knew this was a no-go. The lunar eclipse only happened once every thirty years. Although the timing sucked, if Morgan was Lazarus’s bride, he’d come for her, do whatever it took to have her in his clutches.

“The lunar eclipse is our greatest chance of defeating him. We got to her first, we have the advantage. There will be a battle and it will be on our terms.” Andrew’s voice held conviction, like he expected only success. Cal wished he felt the same way.

It was vital that Morgan be initiated into the Order and begin her training. If she was indeed Lazarus’s bride, she’d need all the strength and knowledge that Cal could give her, and that started with the bonding process. He rose from his chair and looked down at Andrew, and then Kelly. “I’ll bond with her and get the training underway.”

“You know what this means though, right, Cal?”

Cal frowned and nodded. Unfortunately, he did.

Andrew rose and walked him to the door. “It’s important that you stay neutral with her, try not to get too attached.” He patted Cal on the back. “Kelly has high hopes for this girl, but she can’t see the future as clearly as usual. There’s something about this whole situation that has her a little freaked out. I’m going to spend some time trying to decode the images that keep popping up, but for now we’re flying blind. We’ve talked about this possibility; history always has a way of repeating itself. Every Hunter here has vowed their loyalty, even in this kind of situation. You know what must be done and you’re the best Hunter for this scenario. Keep her at arm’s length. It’ll be simpler that way.”

Cal nodded as he opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. “You can trust me to follow through.”

Andrew narrowed his eyes, cocking his head and studying Cal intently for a moment. “Yes, Kelly seems to think that your intentions are good but that your actions will speak louder. Cal, I’m serious, keep your emotions in check. Don’t get too attached.”

Cal’s frown deepened. “Don’t worry about me, Andrew. I won’t let Kelly down.”

But I don’t know how I’ll keep my emotions under control where Morgan is concerned.





Chapter Seven





Destiny


I sensed Caleb’s body nestled close to mine, felt his warmth in my dreams and it made me instantly wet and aching. I drifted out of a deep sleep to find him curled behind me in bed, slowly drawing patterns over my back. After my shower, I’d thrown on a pair of panties and a tank top before crawling onto the huge down-filled mattress. Now Caleb’s hand was snaking up under my top to touch my skin and continue his tracing.

I kept my eyes closed, loving the feel of his fingers gently stroking my flesh. My stomach fluttered with excitement. Sleep clouded my brain, making me fuzzy, making it all seem like a dream. A deliciously erotic one.

“You should get some more sleep,” he whispered, his lips brushing my earlobe, sending shooting spasms of pleasure through me.

“Mmm hmm.” I felt the prodding of his erection against my butt and imagined he was naked next to me. Sleep was the last thing he wanted me to do.

If this was a dream, it was the best dream ever.

I turned toward him, my stomach fluttering with new excitement as his hand slid around, following my movement, skimming across my belly until it stopped just under the swell of my right breast. I stared up at him. In the muted light, I could just make out his chiseled features as he propped himself up on his elbow, his upper body hovering above the bed.

“I hope you don’t mind.” His smile was wicked, what I would consider naughty, and it made my heart beat faster.

It feels so real. My brain was still cloaked by sleep, my thoughts now muddled with lust, reality and unconsciousness swirling together like I was under some kind of spell. Just go with it.

I smiled back, my hand shaking slightly as I raised it above the sheets and ran my fingers along his jaw. He had showered and shaved. “How long have I been asleep?”

Caleb shrugged, closing his eyes briefly as I caressed his cheek. “Only a couple of hours.” He opened them again to stare down at me, his gaze shifting to my lips. “I have some things I need to explain to you. Some important things about us.”

I nodded slowly, barely able to concentrate, as I traced my thumb over his bottom lip. “I feel like this is right, Caleb. Why is that? I hardly know you, but I feel like we’re meant to be together.” Words tumbled out, no hesitation, or any kind of censor on my sleepy brain.