The Recruit (Book Three) (23 page)

“I’m starting to wonder about that.”
Constance said softly.

Jordan glanced at her. “What do you
mean?”

She shrugged. “I’m just saying that it
seems like more and more vampires are banding together. When Will
and I hunted together as teenagers, it was always lone vampires.
Occasionally there would be two of them together, but that was
extremely rare. Now, it’s starting to be rare to see a leech
alone.”

Reid rubbed at his smooth jaw. “If you think
about it, the bloodsuckers hunting together makes sense. They’re
less vulnerable to attack and they can take down more humans at one
time. I’m surprised it’s taken them this long to realize it.”

“
They’re fucking idiots and they can’t
stand the sight of each other.” Mannie shook his head. “Even if
they’ve had the brilliant idea of hunting as a pack, it’ll never
last. They can’t go more than a few days without turning on each
other.”

“Samuel managed to build himself an army.”
Jordan pointed out.

“
T
he average vampire isn’t capable of doing what Samuel did.”
Mannie countered.

“Regardless, we’re sending a hunting team for
this pod. After what happened, the Board is extremely nervous about
vampires who have banded together.”

“Jordan –“

“
The decision has been made, Mannie.”
Jordan interrupted. He regarded the three of them solemnly. “I’ve
selected a few older recruits to go as well – Selena, Leanne, and
Alex. Mannie and Constance will be the team leads and I’ve emailed
you the list of recruits the Board wants on the hunt.”

“I’m going as well.” Reid replied.

“Not this time.” Jordan answered. “You just
had your cast removed and – “

“Two weeks ago. My arm is fine.” Reid
protested.

Jordan shook his head. “We’ll give it another
week or two before we send you hunting.”

“I’m going on this hunt, Jordan.” Reid
snapped.

“No, you’re not. We don’t need you on this
one.”

“Fuck!” Reid swore loudly and stomped from
the room, slamming the door behind him as Jordan raised his
eyebrows at Mannie.

“Any idea what that was about?”

“Nope, not a clue.” Mannie lied. “When’s the
hunt?”

“
Tomorrow night. You and Constance can
brief the recruits today and get them set up with their weapons. If
you have any questions, come see me.”

Mannie and Constance left Jordan’s office
and Constance gave Mannie a curious look as they walked down the
hallway. “What’s up with Reid?”

“Selena.” He replied briefly.

“
Oh. I thought that was just a casual
thing.”

“
It is.
Just like you and Ryan are a casual thing.” Mannie grinned.
“Hey, how old is Ryan again?”

“You know how old he is.” Constance scowled
at him.

“You’d better be careful, Connie, they’re
going to start calling you cougar instead of Lycan.” Mannie
laughed.

“Call me Connie again and I’ll wear your guts
for garters.” Constance replied tartly as she raised her hand and
lengthened her fingernails into sharp claws.

“God, you know it turns me on when you
threaten me like that.” Mannie grinned again and Constance rolled
her eyes before slapping him lightly on the back.

“Seriously though, Mannie, I’m worried about
the hunt. I don’t think – “

“I’m going with you.” Reid stepped out from
an adjoining hallway.

“Sorry, buddy. You heard Jordan.”

“
Fuck Jordan! I’m going on the hunt.” Reid
snarled.

“Listen, he’s right. Your arm could use
another week or so.” Mannie replied before slapping Reid on the
back. “Don’t worry, man. Selena will be just fine. She can take
care of herself.”

Reid snorted angrily. “I know that! I’m just
anxious to be out hunting again. It has nothing to do with
Selena.”

Mannie laughed as Constance made a noise of
disbelief.

“What? It’s true.” Reid scowled at them.
“This has absolutely nothing to do with Selena.”

“What has nothing to do with me?” Selena had
come up behind them and Reid flushed a dull red before shaking his
head.

“Nothing.’

“It’s obviously not nothing.” Selena
answered. “What’s going on?”

“There’s been a hunt scheduled for tomorrow
night. You’re going on it and Reid isn’t. He thinks you can’t take
care of yourself and is trying to worm his way in on the hunt.”
Mannie said cheerfully.

“Shut up, Mannie!” Reid said through gritted
teeth.

“I can take care of myself.” Selena frowned
at him.

“I know.” Reid said hastily. “It’s just been
a while since I’ve hunted, that’s all. I’m anxious to get back in
the game.”

Selena gave him an appraising look. “Good.
Because I don’t need a babysitter, Reid.”

“I never said you did.” He said
defensively.

There was a moment of silence that Mannie
broke. “Well, this is fucking awkward as shit.”

Selena shrugged. “I’m leaving. Douglas is
back and I want to hear how Hannah is doing.”

She marched down the hallway and when she had
disappeared, Reid blew his breath out in exasperation. “Thanks a
lot, Mannie.”

“What did I do?” Mannie protested.

“Just do me a favour and keep your mouth shut
around Selena, okay?” Reid sighed.

He walked away before Mannie could reply and
Constance smiled briefly. “He really likes her.”

“You think?” Mannie laughed. “Selena has him
wrapped around her little finger and she doesn’t even know it.”

* * *

Selena collapsed against the bed, panting
harshly and her body shuddering, as Reid rolled off of her. He lay
on his side next to her and propped his head up with one arm.

“Hey.” He grinned smugly at her as he traced
small circles on her flat abdomen with his fingertips.

“Stop looking so smug.” She pinched his cheek
affectionately as his grin widened.

“What? Can I help it that I’m so damn good in
bed?”

“Yes, you keep mentioning that.” She said
dryly.

“And proving it – over and over. Let’s not
forget about that.” He nuzzled his face into her neck and cupped
her small breast.

She shivered delicately and he placed a soft
kiss below her ear. “Maybe I should prove it again.”

She smiled in the dark before stilling his
roving hand. “I should probably go back to my room.”

“It’s still early.” He nipped at her
collarbone.

“I know but I need to get some sleep. I need
to be well-rested for the hunt tomorrow night.”

He stiffened against her and she turned to
face him when he eased away from her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

She rubbed her thumb across his cheekbone.
“Tell me.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“I told you I don’t need a babysitter.”

“I know.” He said irritably. “But that
doesn’t mean I can’t worry about you. Wouldn’t you be worried if I
was going on the hunt and you weren’t?”

She stared silently at him and disappointment
churned in his belly. “Forget it.”

He started to turn away and she pushed her
naked body against his. “Reid, wait.”

He stopped but stared over her shoulder at
the wall as she rubbed his chest. She could see the hurt on his
face and she pressed her mouth against his. He resisted at first
but she licked at his lips with her soft tongue until he groaned
and opened his mouth. They kissed deeply and he squeezed her firm
ass as she rubbed her pelvis against him.

When they broke apart, she smiled at him and
brushed her hand through his hair. “Yes, I’d be worried. But, I
also know that you can take care of yourself, just like I can.”

He didn’t reply and she smiled reassuringly
at him. “I’ll be fine, Reid. I will.”

“I know.” He murmured.

She squeezed him lightly but when she started
to slide from the bed he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her
into his embrace.

“Don’t go.” He whispered. “Stay the night
with me, Selena. Please.”

She nodded. “Alright.”

He sighed with relief and kissed her forehead
as she stared up at him.

“
I sleep better in your bed with you than
alone in my own.” She admitted quietly.

She waited for his smart ass remark but he
only smiled at her and kissed her forehead again. “Good night,
sweetheart.”

“Good night, Reid.”

Chapter 18

Will stared at the ceiling of the tent as a
particularly strong gust of wind rattled the canvas. He shifted
into a more comfortable position, pulling the blankets to the
middle of his chest and tucking his hands behind his head, as he
listened for Hannah.

It was another ten minutes before she
trotted into camp. He listened to her sniffing around the edges of
the tent before she shifted and ducked into the tent. She smiled at
him
as she straddled his
hips and stroked his chest.

“You didn’t run for very long.”

He shrugged. “I was tired.”

“
How tired?” She leaned down and kissed the
line of his jaw, making a growling noise of happiness when he
shivered under her.

“We need to talk, honey.”

“Do we?”

“Yes. About going back to the facility.”

She sighed loudly before nipping at his
throat. “Fine, but we talk after. I need you, Will.”

“Hannah – “

“After.” She whispered before pressing her
mouth against his.

He groaned and she flattened her naked body
against his, rubbing herself against him as she kissed him with
light fluttering kisses.

His cock was hardening against her and he
made a low growl of need before sliding his hand to the back of her
neck and pushing his tongue between her lips. He kissed her deeply,
claiming her mouth, as she pulled the blanket down and rubbed her
wet pussy against his erection.

“I love you, Will.” She breathed into his
ear.

“I love you too.” He sucked on her bottom lip
as his hands stroked her breasts and flat stomach.

Her eyes were glowing and she made a soft
growl of satisfaction before lifting herself and sliding her warm
core down over him. They both moaned with pleasure and she gave him
a naughty grin before reaching for his arms. She pinned them above
his head and began to ride him with a fast and wild pace that had
him on the verge of coming.

“Wait!” He muttered as she ran her teeth
along the sensitive spot on his neck.

“For what?” She grinned at him and he growled
warningly.

She growled back, her eyes flashing, and
squeezed her muscles around his aching cock.

“
Fuck! Hannah, don’t do that!” He
moaned.

She leaned over him and licked his collarbone
with the tip of her warm tongue. “All mine.”

“
Yes.” He agreed before easily breaking
free of her grip and sitting up.

She
arched her back and urged his head to her breasts. He
kissed the tip of each nipple and she tugged sharply on his hair.
“Don’t tease, Will.”

He sucked her nipple into his mouth and
nipped it lightly with his teeth. She moaned and clutched at his
head as she
rode him
frantically.

“
Oh, Will!” She cried out before her entire
body froze and she howled with pleasure.

He buried his face in her warm neck as her
tight core pulsed around him, and gave into the blinding urge to
come. She clung to him as he muttered her name and sucked roughly
on her throat.

She collapsed against him and he kissed her
repeatedly before easing her on to the pile of blankets that made
their bed. He pulled the top blanket over their naked bodies as
Hannah pushed her hair back from her face.

“That was super.” She grinned
enthusiastically at him and he laughed.

“Glad you enjoyed it.”

She kissed him before turning on to her side.
“Good night, my love.”

“Hey.” He grabbed her arm and swung her
gently back to face him. “No going to sleep. We need to talk,
remember?”

“
I’m tired.” She pouted at him. “Can’t we
talk in the morning?”

“No, honey. You can’t keep avoiding this
conversation.”

“I’m not avoiding. I’m just tired.” She gave
him a small smile. “The morning, alright?”

“No.”

Her nostrils flared and her eyes flashed
green before she sighed heavily and sat up. “Fine. You want to talk
about the facility – let’s talk.”

“It’s time to go back.” Will said gently.

“I’m not ready yet.”

“You are. We both know it.” He rubbed her
back as she stared at her hands.

“I still don’t have full control over it and
if I screw up one more time, Jordan will kick me out. Is that what
you want, Will?”

“
You do have control over it now. You’ve
done really well and you’re ready to go back.” Will
replied.

She sighed harshly. “You don’t know
that.
Anything could
happen. It’s safer for me and others to be away from
them.”

Will sat up and put his arm around her
waist. “Honey, we can’t stay out here forever.”

“Why not?” She asked suddenly. “Why can’t we
stay here in the forest – just you and I?”

He
gave her a startled look. “You can’t mean that.”

“I do.” She said firmly. “These last couple
of months have been the happiest months of my life, Will. We’re
Lycans and being in the wild, hunting and mating, is what we’re
meant to do. Can you not feel that?”

She cupped his face and kissed him lightly.
“This is what you want too. Don’t try and deny it, my love.”

“What about your mom and dad? What about Chen
and Selena and the twins?”