Chapter 17

He stalked silently through the icy mountainside.

Calm.

Focused.

Alert.

His senses were heightened, blood throbbing in his veins, driving him forward.

Only a matter of time and she was his. He could smell her on the wind, and knew she was close. It hadn't taken him long to catch her scent, hadn't taken him long to catch up.

He could smell her excitement and her fear. It was intoxicating. As was the heavy arousal, one he'd sensed many times from her now. She couldn't hide it if she tried and always it triggered that primal hunger in him, twisting and spurring the heat within. His claws flexed and his spinefibers shivered just at the thrill, the need to consume her.

Those times they were together, he had to fight not to give in fully to his powerful urges, to be sweet like she so desired. But that time was done.

The storm ahead was coming in fast. He quickened his pace, moving swiftly across the rocky terrain with natural ease, as if he knew the land by heart.

Like the storm, he wouldn't stop. Couldn't even if he tried. The exhilaration of the hunt was the only force within, pulling him toward her. His beautiful prey.

The wind picked up and her pungent scent of fear mixed with her arousal hit him once again, almost making him halt. Oh, she craved this like he did, she must. He was so close, he could hear her pulse, a soft throbbing in his ears.

The beast in him reared its head and inhaled, fangs slipping from his upper lip, wanting to bite, his cock so hard he had to ignore the pain, the desperation to plunge into her soft, warm body. He wanted to devour, needed to. His heart pumped heavily in his chest, his blood soaring. His eyes searched from one side to the other, not missing a beat.

Movement came to his right. No, just a rock falling. Then another. A small furry creature bolted and slipped into a nearby tunnel.

He slowed, hearing her pulse quicken. Close. So close.

He moved along the side of one towering rock, slipping into its shadow. She was hiding now, he was sure of it. He could search for her, but he wanted to see her run. So, he waited instead in the darkness for her to move.

The clouds slipped across the sky, over the light. A flash of lightning lit up the sky, and the thunder boomed in the distance. The first few flakes of snow drifted down, melting onto the ground.

Just a little longer…