“Are you going to get up and go hunting today?” Bella asked while running her long finger down my chest.

She loved playing with the black curls but I didn’t like the tone of her voice. Definitely when it was me going out in a blizzard. Just because I am a great hunter doesn’t mean I am an animal with fur. I can freeze my tots off!

Grumbling, I tossed the cover off me as I leaned over for a kiss but I felt teeth latched onto my cheek. The sound of an animal snarling snapped me out the groggy fog as I tossed her off the bed and growled at the flesh she took with her.

Bella landed like a cat on all fours. Her lips peeled back as my blood dripped out of her mouth.

Tears flooded my cheeks as I pulled the knife from out under my pillow. She pounced and I coughed her by the throat before bringing the knife into the back of her head. Easing her into my lap as her facial features went slack.

I couldn’t help the manly sobs that rolled out of me. Nor the agony that ripped through my heart like a poorly armed butcher chopping at a carcass with a dull, chipped blade.

***

I sat up slowly as my chest felt like a thousand pound, hot boulder was napping there. No, being pressed down. I clutched at my chest but the pain wasn’t being relieved. The guilt wasn’t vanishing.

My eyes closed as I scooted to the edge of the bed. My feet carried me out the room and towards the other. Even as silent as I am, the girls were watching the door as if they knew I was coming. I could hear their breathing spike. Even the ones who might have been sleeping, came awake.

Even though I eased the door open like a silent phantom. They were standing around the bed in various garbs. Nothing too revealing like a thin silk gown but some of them had enough body to be mesmerizing. For example, one girl was a little rounded but in a good way.

Mm, her legs thick enough that they grinded when she walked. She had a small pudgy stomach that overlapped her undergarments but it didn’t take away from her breast. And in that gown, it was quite eye pleasing. Then you had the slender girls with tiny breasts and almost curvy figures with a small hand hold ass.

Something for all kinds of moods.

“One of you, come. Come.”

I turned around and walked out, only to hear whispers from them.

“You go, Pamela. He stared at you.” a kind of hoarse femine voice said.

“Oh, shut the fuck up. Who doesn’t look at me but you’re the weakest out of us. So you go.” An almost angelic voice. Soft, low and filled with contempt.

“Stop fighting! I’ll go and then you can pick the next time.” Mm, much more gentle but strong voice.

“Nora, you don’t have to do it. I’m sure he had his way with them before. Just let them do it.” that hoarse voice again.

“We aren’t going to subject these girls to him. He obviously is not human and I doubt they can handle whatever he wants to dish out. Besides, it's not like you don’t get paid extra for the sacrifice.” Nora responded.

“Yeah but it doesn’t cover the trauma.” Pamela muttered.

Footsteps followed the end of the conversation for Nora. I turned and waited at my door for the long legged lady… I made a grievous error. She was short, like up to my stomach short. Not only that but she was the kind of girl that was born with the minimalist approach. Small tear drop breast, her waist barely flared out from her body…

Nora didn’t look up at me as she walked in with black shirt that was open to her shoulders and arms. Just a little strap held it up but with her bust line, it was fine. She wore shorts that hug her butt cheeks but they only dipped out enough to form a line where her ass meets her legs.

Whatever, I just need a distraction.

I closed the door behind me and smirked as I saw her standing with her arms cross under her bust. She had on a look like she couldn’t believe I was doing this.

“When they come for us, they won’t make the mistake we did.” Her eyebrows furrow as she spit venom at me.

Noris just picked the wrong moment to show defiance. All I could see was a resemblance to my Bella, that fierceness in the face of animosity.

My chest rose as I took a deep breath. Closing my eyes for a count of two before I let my animal take over. I barely heard her groan of surprise as I lifted her up and pinned her down. I ignored the struggle she tried to put up as I worked her shorts down.

I had no idea when the growling started but I sure knew it was coming from inside of me, right out my stomach. A growl that rocked my whole body and put little miss Nora on defensive. She froze and didn’t move a dime as I lowered my lips to her throat. Just hovering over her neck, I could tell that if I bit down, I would be tasting her blood.

Enjoying her pain and dying embers.

I knew she knew I was a predator, right now. I could smell her fear as strong as I could smell the soap she used last. I could feel her hairs standing on end and her breathing slowing down. Like she was trying to remove all signs of life. I dropped my pants while she laid bent over the bed, too scared to make a move.

Nora whimpered as I entered her. I didn’t think I was all that big but I haven’t looked at a human man to know the differences. Ha, I knew my chest was bigger than some I have seen. Only one of them matched my size and that was the little lover who ended up giving mother nature his brains.

My inner animal started me out slow. My nose glued to her neck as I caught not only the fresh scent of fear but the beads of fear. To be honest, I couldn’t help licking the sweat beads but the fear couldn’t distract me for long. I was an animal at the end of the day.

Rising to my feet, I pulled her narrow ass back and watched as she gripped the sheets. Nora used her forearms to stabilize her as my every thrust rocked her forward on her tippy toes.

She didn’t feel great nor did she feel like a distraction.

Nora groaned when my fingers dug into her fleshy ass. I slowed down my thrust to long and measure. Making sure she made some noise with each thrust. I may have been moving at a snail pace but I could feel how her body responded. Almost tasted how excited her body was.

Even though it was clear how much her thoughts were against this. Her drawing blood from her lips, trying to stifle her moans, the way she tried to lean out of the forward momentum. She fought hard to show she was against this act.

Hard enough for me to temporarily feel guilty. Well, until I grabbed her hair and pulled her back as I unloaded my seeds. I stared at her from the side and almost enjoyed the thrill of watching her nose flare while her eyes squeezed, tightly closed.

While she wasn’t the one that I had hoped to come. It was adorable the way she stuck up a strong front even though the fear reek on her stronger than the smell of sex. I reached around her and grabbed her breast.

Quicker than I thought was possible, she grabbed my forearm but my other hand reacted before my brain did. I gripped her throat and brought her ear to my lips as I listened to her choke for air. I all but ignore her nails scraping at my forearm and hand.

“Do you hate me? I can feel the oddness of your kind, the humans. How you women feel this is unfair. How you are giving command of units. It's strange where I come from. Women are usually inside, cleaning and cooking... Taking care of the little ones.”

I released her throat and brought my hand down to her other breast as she slouched as much as she could. While attempting to retrieve her air back. I couldn’t help but notice how she tightened around me during the choking though.

Licking my lips, I pushed her onto the bed as I turned to stare out the window. Admiring the black night for a moment before I turned back to my distraction. I grabbed her ankle and dragged her to the edge. Spreading her legs back open to enter her once again. However, few thrust in, her look was reminding me so much of my Bella.

Oh, how my Bella hated my guts when her parents arranged our mating. Called me foolish brute this and foolish brute that. Always had that stare that set me on edge. That stare that always made my loins hot. That stare that made me fall head over heels for her. Even when she couldn’t bear me a child, I still kept with her and only her.

I couldn’t stand seeing that stare on this lass face. My animal told me to carve it off her skull but I was half civilized. I merely flipped her onto her back and pressed her head into the bed. I rode her like I would a fine beast. Riding the rocks of its steps but the bed was springy enough that once I started. I only had to follow, saving a lot of stress for my body, allowing me to continue longer.

Well, as long as she had breath in her body. I had to let up several times for her to breathe but her body responded well. I used her until my loin was spent and still saw nothing but darkness on the horizon. I guess, I’ll try something productive.

One glance at my distraction left me oddly satisfied. Not so much as sleeping with my mate would have but it was amusing watching her hang half off the bed as her chest rose so high. My fingers print vivid on her tan skin. Her crotch glistened with both her and mine excretions.

I was more than a bite messy.

Though I didn't draw blood like I used to do to those blue blood lasses looking to shank up with nomad hunters. Ah, those crazy lasses would scratch and expect not to be bitten back.

I searched for my shorts and yanked them on. Followed by the rest of the gear I didn’t lose in the wild. I trotted out the door and down to the bottom floor. I sniffed around and found a basement with all kinds of metal contraptions.

I placed my hand against the warm stone and commanded it to open. The ground slide opened like mud parting due to a child stomping. Stairs forming underneath my palm leading down to the dark depths. I stood up and marched downward. One step at a time until my leather boots touch the bottom floor.

Even though I couldn’t see what was in front of me, there was a wide open cavern of smooth stone. I pictured a tunnel leading off for at least twenty meters to the right. One in the center than one to the left. Then I walked down the tunnel and began doing the same routine. Creating a maze because I had nothing better on my mind.

***

“Ika! Where is that brute of a man you have been running around with?”

Ika grumbled under her breath as she opened her door. Coming face to face with the so-called Matriarch of the New Dawn Tribe.

“He’s either playing with his trophies or out scouting.” Ika snapped.

The Matriarch frowned with her wrinkles creasing back as if she was reverting her age. The Matriarch glanced past Ika.

“Fine. You bring him my word, child. Let him know that I hope to see him soon.”

She turned around and left without saying anything more. Ika just shook her head and walked back into her room, slamming the door back. Only glancing back when she didn’t hear the click of the door jam.

Blue blood commander stood with his feet in the doorway and fully armed. Ika's eyes widened as she spun with a throwing blade in hand.

“What do you want?”

He held up his hands and tossed his head down the hall.

“Do you know when he will be back? We are supposed to go hunting this morning.”

A grimace appeared upon her face as she shrugged.

“How am I supposed to know? He is an Elder. I am but a child of the tribe. I follow, listen, and do as my Elder says. Not question his whereabouts like I am his wife.”

The blue blood nodded like it made sense before his nose flared once, twice. Ika’s nose followed but she didn’t move from her defensive posture.

***

I staggered upstairs with the intention of taking a long night. Instead I smelled anxiety and fear and the calmness of a hunter staring down a prey. That confidence in his ability to take down the prey was oozing like filth on the sides of the street.

What was worse was that my entire being was enraged. Every fiber stood on end as I stood nine steps below my floor. My instincts were whining that I had been challenged. That I am being challenged and my body is responding.

A kind of unnatural rage-calm settled over my mind. My vision expanded and settled into a grey film. My body seemed to enlarge and shrink all at the same time. I felt the minor discomfort that appeared and disappeared quicker than lust with predator breathing down your neck.

I had no idea when I arrived at the top of the stairs or when my eyes landed upon the blue blood. Yet, I knew I had more than two reasons to kill this guy. To be fair, I did not need a reason to kill him. I just wanted to kill someone that had a hand in her death.

My fangs were the only thing I had to answer to and I could taste his blood in my mouth!

The blue blood backed up with hands raised like that would comfort me or something. He already went well past the limits of my kindness. However, I stared at him and he stared at me.

A common game animals play. To see who is suited to be the hunter and the hunted. I couldn’t help the smirk that played back into a smile but I doubted he could see it with my beard in the way.

I took a single…

What’s that smell? So strong..

Wait, he fears me. I guess he isn’t all that confident as he poises.

I could feel it the moment he felt me move. The moment he realized he was too slow. The moment when he realized that his sword is too far away. His eyes widen even further as my hand grasps his neck.

His own hand connected with his hilts the moment I tossed him at the far wall. I didn’t even realize how much strength had increased. Imean, I knew I was strong. I knew he would have flown even though we were about the same size. I just didn’t realize how far or how fast.

It was scary to see him crash through the wall and into the rooms on the far end. Roll a couple of times before crashing to a stop upon a pile of debris.

I looked at my hand only to find a white paw with elongated fingers. My eyes walked my wide forearms to bend…

My body automatically sidestepped an arrow and I caught the second and third. It’s almost frightening realizing you are moving before you consciously have the desire to move. But not as frightening as appearing in front of someone who all but shit themselves.

It was amusing watching him throw himself backwards. Discarding his bow as I step with his sad and pathetic attempt to flee. I backhanded him into another wall and was about to pounce to end it but an odd scent caught my attention.

It was odd because it was both lust and disgust. However, the scent of arousal was familiar. I glanced around and locked eyes with Ika. My lips peeled back as I felt the need to crush her under my feet. Nothing was more irritating than being questioned by a child who needed saving.

I shrunk down and walked towards her feeling extraordinarily tired. So tired I felt like my head weighed a ton and my eyes burned like walking across a mile of hot coals.

“I’m going to sleep. Don’t let anyone bother me.” My voice sounded oddly tired to my ears.

However, by the time I made it to the room and closed the door. I was regaining that energy I lost in the past. It felt like waking up groggy and then catching that morning energy before noon hit.

Of course, smelling food cooking helps a lot or really seeing seven women in their undergarments really helped. I marched over a little stiffly and dropped into a chair, leaning back to enjoy the wide variety of trophies.

Right away they started tensing up. Definitely the old trophies, especially that mother who immediately stood in front of her child. Though I don’t know why they wanted to walk around in shirts and panties. I didn’t leave that order behind.

Shit, even I wore full clothes. Who would expect trophies to be in anything less?

“Fuck, he’s just staring like a pervert.”

Ah, the man-voice one. Who would have expected someone with that type of body and look to be.. So much like a sailor.

“Of course he’s looking. Who wouldn’t look when we are all dressed like sluts on the corner of fourth and sixth. We look like prostitutes. This might have been the dumbest idea I ever had.” Pamela sighed.

“Better than the Faith idea. She wanted us to attack someone who is capable of taking out several of our guys before we could even blink.” Nora added with the intent to comfort.

“Says the one who was all too happy to screw our pervert.” Faith retorted.

“Yeah but it's your turn now.” Nora shot back as she circled the spoon around her empty bowl.

“No it's not. We haven’t flipped for it.”

Pamela flipped a round coin and caught it before slapping it on the back of her hand.

“Heads or tails.”

“Tails.”

Pamela removed her top hand and showed the coin with a pleased face.

“Heads!”

I couldn’t help but waving my finger when Faith shot a quick peek over my way. She cursed a few more times before moving over. Her steps were slow and I noticed she put a few twists in her hip but while she was well-eaten. Her hips didn’t flare all that far out from her top.

In short words, she didn’t have that body you would necessarily spend a platinum on. A couple gold rounds, maybe. She did have a big bust, thick thighs, and round face that was attractive. Just her voice was oddly strange.

I spun my hand around as I pulled down my pants and watched her lips thin a bit but she turned around. She slowly bent down and her hips spread out. Showing me that fat piece of flesh that had her ass parted around.

Scooting up on the edge of the chair, I pulled down her panties and ran a finger between the slit. I had no intention of smelling it but I was curious how tight she would be. I didn’t want her so tight I had to struggle to get in. That would have been less of a distraction and more of a pain. However, I had nothing to fear.

I pulled a little miss mouth between my legs and guided her hands down to perch on my knees. Then I leaned back to enjoy and catch some well earned sleep. Yet, not even four minutes into her performance. There was a knock on the door and a smell I couldn’t quite place but who I knew.

Aye, only one fool would want to bother me and that wouldn’t set off my inner animal. Well, shit… I am fully a beast.. An animal, now. Fucking white fur paw? What the fuck is in my bloodline?

“Come in!” my voice carried past the door even at the low tone.

Aye, the old hag came stomping in. Her back set straight as if she had something wonderful to discuss. Yet, I couldn’t for the life of me remember what I needed to discuss with her. Somehow, she is aiming to get something from me for free. I wondered if her husband instilled this ideology into her.

Ah, the old hag marched five paces away from me and stopped with her hands behind her back. Probably clasps as that’s what her husband liked to do a lot. A show of not taking someone serious. That he was willing to give them that few seconds for him to unclasp his hand and unsheathed his weapon.

However, she didn’t have the presence to be intimidating or use her husband's practices. I could only shake my head and sink deeper into the couch as this mouthy girl bounces her ass on my hip. It was quite pleasant when she kept her rhythm but she often lost it. Having to move her hands about or just hover there as if she couldn’t move through an orgasm.

“We need to talk about our clan. I know you want to mourn your mate and get revenge on these humans but we have things as a clan to do.” Ah, the old hag does what women do best, nag.

I held up a hand as I sat up and pulled Faith deeper into my lap. One of my hands crawled up her shirt to grab her big breast as I turned my attention to the old hag.

“What do I get out of working with the clan? You know what the old Chief gave me but what are you willing to give me?”

The old hag eyes followed the trophies setting down at a large table, or well two tables pushed together with a fabric over it. I could see her thinking it over but I knew she had nothing to entertain me.

Women? I could hunt them down. It tasted better when I won my own to begin with anyway. Food? I’m a bloody hunter. Treasures? Do we even know if this world has them? And if they do, why can’t I take them myself?

“Right now, we have nothing but information. I sent a few girls to talk with a few locals with the Commander and they brought some interesting things. I can share them with you if you are willing to work with us. Plus we can grow food that you can’t hunt. Let’s not ignore what will happen when you get tired of these ‘gains’ from your hunt.”

I pushed Faith off my lap and she was quick enough to not stumbled as she went from sitting to standing abruptly. Impressive, coordination.

I couldn’t help looking at myself which was slick with her fluids. A little white pasty stuff that likely had treks from her walls. Interesting, Faith was the easy excitable one.

Old hag coughed and I smirked as I turned to her.

Wait, I am being too… impulsive. This isn’t good for living long. New place. Unknown place. A lot of things that can kill me and I have powers I don’t understand but they obviously adapt faster than my old ass. If Ika goes back to the clan, I won’t have a translator nor someone reliable to back me.

This isn’t like the old days where I could utilize the familiar landscape to kill or escape a beast I couldn’t kill. I had no clue about the capabilities of these new creatures. These new races. After all, my shoulder still aches from taking a bolt.

Fuck, am I really talking myself into this shit? I need a plan…. Fuck som… No, don’t look at their asses.

Focus, no distractions.

Be.. Distracted.. Look at their asses.

Ah, not working.

“We can discuss this further later. When you have your information organized. We can discuss what I can do for the clan at that time, yeah?” I stood up and walked into the kitchen. Looking into the pots to see what they cook and was surprised by the smell of meat but it wasn’t fresh.

Speaking of meat, I should go hunting.

The door slammed when the old hag left. I could hear her unhappy steps back off my plane. I really should teach her... her place. Ensure she understands that she isn’t fit to be the Chief replacement.

Knock! Knock! Bang!

I couldn’t help but stare at that door. Wondering if I should nail someone head to it to make a statement.

“Come on in.”

The smell of Ika was almost overwhelming. I don’t know if it was just her time on the moon or that my senses were just familiar with her enough for me to breathe deeply. I glanced at her as she walked down the hallway in clothes that made me pause but the look she was giving was just like Bella would give me moments before she closed shop for the day.

That annoying way she would dress that left everything to your imagination. With pieces of flesh exposed here and there and her body posture telling me exactly what she wants. Sadly, that’ll be about that time she asked a really serious question. Usually about her sisters’ lovers who I don’t care about one bit but she adores.

Ah, why are all these women going crazy now-a-days?

“We need to talk about our share of cooperation with the clan.” Ika put a hand on the counter while leaning over the pot in front of me. Giving me a good view down her cleavage. Ah, I couldn’t help the desire to breathe in deeply.

I could smell the water and some kind of soap in her hair. Almost taste the still damp skin. Just catching a site of her backside was enough to renew my lust and I knew she could smell my arousal as she backed up.

“I said talk, yeah? Not play with your toys.” She threw a hand at the trophies but had no idea it was her exciting me so much.

However, not everybody had to like me. I only force myself on trophies, so she was safe for now.

“Okay, what kind of discussion do you want to have?” I grabbed a spoon out of the rack and then my bowl while I turned to her.

Her eyes had a smile of success but I doubt she understood how much I probably wouldn’t agree to her shit.

“I think we should do that underground city. Also I heard Matriarch say something about information but those girls who went on scout said they didn’t get anything concrete. The bloody humans thought blue blood was selling women and had no interest in working with us.”

I nodded, it made total sense. They knew nothing about us except that we killed a couple of them. That was the first mistake. The second mistake is that our location is known to the intelligent inhabitants but we know nothing about their true capabilities.

Just look around this room and you can see how different they lived compared to us. Cookings pots on top of a box that heats up at the turn of buttons. Boxes with moving pictures and plenty of more that I probably haven’t picked up on.

And that’s not even getting into their modified crossbows. So their decision to talk with these humans was stupid.

“Go on.”

I spoon some of this rice into my mouth and realize they are really heavy on the season. My Goddess, it tastes like someone poured an entire bag of season into it. I suffered a second spoon full.

“We don’t need their information but that food. We will need it. You know the Bachs’ girls are good with the earth and plants stuff. They can mutate and grow some of the best produce. We will need that type of thing. Next, I can read these guys' minds if I touch them. This allows me to gain all the knowledge they do and we can figure out what to make that the humans will trade in. Also if you capture any high in the command, I can know everything important.”

This caught my attention, the whole she could read minds. Which led to another conversation, could anybody else do what I did?

“Okay, go read that short one first.” I pointed at Nora and then stuffed my mouth with a third spoonful.

Ika gave a longing glance at my bowl before walking off. I couldn’t help notice that sway in her hips that seemed to draw me in. no, it was her smell that was different from the trophies. I guess the old hag is right. Sticking with the clan would be for the best.

I leaned against the counter as I watched the three girls stand up upon seeing Ika approaching but I noticed something. Only Nora and Faith had the stubbornness to move past their fear. And fear was strong enough to cross a ten to thirteen step room.

Faith was the fearless one though. She walked right up to Ika and opened her mouth until she saw the same glow that I did when Ika used her abilities. However, I don’t think they caught the same smell that I did. That smell that had my hackles raised and a growl rolling out of me before I even knew it.

It was that type of smell that a mother would release right before the father, big ass, came stomping through the woods to kill you. It shouldn’t have been so effective against me. Something else to worry about.

Pamela and the older girls look my way moments before Ika pinned down Faith with one hand covering Faith’s temple. It was strange watching that red glow over her hands but even stranger knowing that the girl was quick with the take down.

It makes me wonder, did I blink? I’m sure I didn’t blink. Was she harnessing something that I wasn’t? Damn does this mean that she could kick my ass? I have to practice and lose this fisherman’s gut.

I didn’t even notice Ika stepping off Faith but I did see her take down Nora. I guess whatever strengthens their abilities, it doesn’t work better than our natural born bloodline. Plus the weight of the sky here is so weak. No wonder humans lack physical strength.