Page 23 of His to Hunt

If this were a real mating bond, we would have met sooner. There would be dates instead of bloodshed. Or lots of fucking, depending on how well the first meeting goes. I could have already tasted that wet arousal between her thighs. I could have sunk my entire length into that delicious heat. Fuck, I need it. I need it bad.

“Taryn,” I groan, my fist pumping faster, my leg twitching against the ground. “Fuuuuck!”

I stroke myself hard enough to spill my seed. I turn and most of it hits the ground, but not all of it. Now my pants need to be washed. Another fucking problem because of her.

Jacking off gives a slight rush of relief. There’s less pressure everywhere and I feel like I can breathe easier. I fucking needed that.

But I still need to hear from Saul. I check my phone and there’s still nothing.

It’s a busy day at the diner for Taryn. I just watch from across the street. Frank doesn’t have any time to harass her because he’s in the kitchen. She seems very relieved not to have Joe around. Honestly, it looks like some of her stress just melted away. I swear the circles under her eyes are lighter today.

But the peace doesn’t last. Around noon, police officers arrive, and they aren’t there for lunch. Taryn and Frank are both questioned, and both look pale as hell after the police leave the diner. Frank closes up early, and they ride home together. Melinda arrives shortly after they do, and she’s never home this early.

“Great,” I mutter, leaning against the tree. “I fucking traumatized suburbia.”

Nobody leaves the house for the rest of the day. The next day, Melinda goes to work, but Frank doesn’t. Taryn must be in her basement, since the lights are on.

Then my phone lights up. It’s Saul.

“Tell me you’re close,” I almost beg.

“Close enough to have your scent, Victor,” he replies. “I’d ask what you’ve been up to, but it’s all people are talking about.”

“Yeah, this fucking mating bond,” I snarl angrily. “But they deserved it. Or I think they did. Fuck, I don’t know.”

“This has you all wound up, huh?” Saul chuckles dryly. “Stay where you are. I’m coming to you.”

Yeah, my scent is all over this fucking town now. Wolf, blood, and death. Saul will find me easily, sitting here, watching my mate’s house. Looking like a fool or a savage, I’m not even sure anymore.

Almost thirty minutes later, I catch Saul’s scent and I’m standing when he skids to a stop near me. He shifts, tosses his backpack on the ground, and puts on his clothes before walking closer.

“Here,” he says, tossing me a brown burlap bag not much bigger than a quarter.

“What’s this?” I ask, catching it and looking closer.

It’s sealed, and there’s something inside. I can’t identify the scent, but there’s definitely something pungent inside.

“You have to burn it. You need to be close enough to her for both of you to breathe it in,” Saul explains. “I got it from a shaman. It should break any curse, but it’ll definitely get rid of this one.”

“Thank fuck,” I mumble as I heave a sigh of relief, rubbing the bag in my hand. “Alright, I’ll get rid of this fucking mating bond and then I’m coming home. I’m assuming Silver Pack will welcome me back?”

“With open arms, brother,” Saul assures me. “You missed one hell of a party and a couple of women were asking where you were. It could have been a great night for you.”

“Yeah, not having any of those out here,” I mutter, glancing at the spot where my seed stained the ground.

“Let me know if you need anything else,” Saul offers. “You’ve made Covington rather interesting, so I think I’ll stick around a few days.”

“Glad I could help plan your vacation,” I snipe, turning my eyes back to the house.

But this is no vacation for me. I’ve got what I need to break this curse. Shatter this mating bond before it has a chance to turn into a frenzy. I just need to get close enough to Taryn to use it.

I took care of the monsters in the dark.

Now, the only thing that’s coming out of the shadows is me.

CHAPTER 8

Taryn