Page 39 of Wolf Duke

Outside, it was cold and damp, but the sky was clearing and there was no snow underfoot. Perfect.

Robert, Margaret, Blanche, and Willie were also in wolf form and waiting for them, while Wesley and the ten armed guards who would accompany the party remained in human form on horseback, their swords and shields gleaming.

Alaric flashed his fangs. “We’ll go in pairs; a bag of gold to the best kill. With all glory to Artemis, our goddess of the hunt, I hereby declare…onward!”

As they needed no horn or call, the group exploded into action. Robert and Margaret went left, Blanche and Willie went right, and Evaine and Alaric charged straight down the middle. Already Evaine could scent game in the air, and she bounded forward, wanting to yip in delight at the prospect of bringing down a stag or wild boar.

“In which direction, my queen? I can see fresh antler marks on that great oak over there.”

Evaine smiled as Alaric’s voice reached her clearly through their link. “Bah, only a six-pointer. I’ll find real game for my bag of gold.”

“I’ll give you gold. I brought along a certain toy you like,” purred Alaric.

She almost faltered at the heady memory. Wicked wolf, trying to distract her from winning! “You’ll have to do better than that, my king.”

“Then lead on,” he replied. “Just look out for adders napping in the greenery or in hollow logs, they are common around here. While adders prefer to hiss in warning rather than attack, if you step on them or try to pick them up, they’ll strike.”

Evaine shuddered. While royal wolves couldn’t perish from snake venom, it would still hurt a great deal. “I understand.”

For the next hour they loped along, sniffing the air and listening for prey. At this pace they could hunt all day, but she wanted to win the contest well before then.

Abruptly alert, Alaric lifted his head. “A herd.”

Evaine inhaled deeply and her heart began pounding with excitement. Deer, at least five or six, including a full-grown stag, less than a mile away. “Let’s isolate him.”

The battle was surprisingly short; several loud snarls frightened away the rest of the herd. Although the stag stood its ground, bellowing and pawing at the earth with one hoof as it dipped its eight-point antlers, Evaine and Alaric continued to circle it, gradually drawing closer and closer. Then, when the stag attempted to flee through a small clearing, they charged after it, easily keeping pace.

“Go, my queen,” said Alaric. “Now.”

Evaine sprang, her powerful hind legs launching her onto the stag’s rear, and she soon brought the beast down. Alaric ended its life, then he threw back his head and roared in triumph. Once Wesley and the guards appeared, Alaric gestured for his squire to cut two wooden poles to transport the stag back to the castle to be prepared for a feast.

Content beyond words at such a successful hunt, and the way they had so easily worked together, Evaine licked her muzzle and sighed. “Magnificent.”

“You were magnificent,” said Alaric, his gaze admiring. “I’ve never enjoyed a hunt more. Perhaps we could do this again.”

She twitched her tail, both annoyed and saddened at his hesitancy. “We will do this regularly, Alaric. That is what bonded mates do. They spend a great deal of time together, in bed and out. They share their joys and sorrows, their burdens and victories. All of them. How can we continue to grow our bond if you conceal your thoughts from me?”

Alaric bowed his head, his massive torso slumping a little. “You heard.”

“Of course I heard,” Evaine snapped at her very own right royal arse. “But what really matters…your actions henceforth.”

Her mate straightened and padded over, nuzzling his cheek against hers. “Evaine the Bold. I will need the occasional reminder, until it lodges in my skull. Sharing everything is not easy for a wolf who has always worn a diplomat’s mask. But I do feel. As you saw with the Oxfords,” he finished ruefully.

“And so, Alaric?” she replied pertly.

“Let me make it up to you.”

Evaine licked him in return, a little approval grooming. “With a bag of gold?”

He growled, her favorite sound in the world. “Among other things.”

Surrounded by their guards and with Wesley leading the way, they ambled back toward the castle, even stopping several times to rest under the rustling beech trees that flourished in the forest. At the keep wall, Robert and Margaret stood next to their six-point stag while Blanche and Willie had brought down a rather impressive wild boar, but all agreed that Evaine’s eight-pointer won the gold.

Robert nudged his mate, then dropped his head in a wolf bow. “A magnificent morning’s work. But please excuse us, castle duties await.”

Alaric snorted softly. “And by castle duties they mean rut.”

Somehow, Evaine didn’t giggle. “Of course,” she replied graciously. “Blanche, Willie, Wesley, I’m sure you have tasks of your own. The king and I will be in our rooms.”