Come for Me 2 (The Hunt #2)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Alaina

R iver came to me with her mother’s dress, the same one the former queen had worn for her coronation. The floor-length gown mimics liquid gold, matching the glowing eyes of werewolves. It shimmers with even the slightest of movements. Its V-neck accentuates my cleavage perfectly, the sheer butterfly sleeves splay perfectly over my shoulders. Taya had done my hair in a French braid down my back, with tinsel throughout.

Standing in the mirror, even I had to admit I looked stunning, giving me an extra boost of confidence, and I couldn’t wait for Dax to see me. But I was nervous about the coronation.

My former pack, nearby vampire clans, and the remaining kingdom came to witness the crowning of the first hybrid rulers. It didn’t matter how much champagne I drank; nothing could calm my nerves. Exceptgossip, perhaps—

“So, tell me about you and Sam,” I ask Taya.

When I plop down on the chaise, I spill champagne on my cleavage. I wipe it up with my fingers and peer at the tailor in the room, who clearly saw. I give her a pretend-you-didn’t-see-that look.

She smiles and exits the room, leaving Taya and me alone to talk.

Taya neatly folds the tissue paper in the box that was holding the former queen’s coronation dress and fails to hide her smile. “Sam is completely unexpected. We’re so opposite, but it couldn’t be a more perfect fit.”

Taya’s right. She’s so bubbly, while Sam is an immature grump ninety-nine percent of the time. Taya is proper, and I’d argue she’s even a little sheltered. Whereas Sam is kind of a whore, who could stand to reserve himself a little bit. I could see how they could balance each other. She could benefit from corruption, while Sam could learn manners. That being said, I can’t resist asking.

“What’s the sex like? But spare me the details.”

Taya blushes.

“Um...” Taya chuckles and averts her gaze. “You could say Sam has been very persistent in trying to get me pregnant as soon as possible. Anytime I even look at a male, not even in any sort of way... he’s so territorial... not that I mind.”

I kick my feet, giddy for her.

It’s nice Mr. Playboy is becoming Mr. Domesticated and Mr. Jealous. Taya isn’t oblivious to Sam’s reputation. She handles it with grace, security, and positivity. Better than I ever could. It helps with Sam’s incessant need to mark his territory every chance he gets.

Despite how much crap Sam, and I give each other, I’ve experienced first-hand what it’s like for him to care about someone, and I wasn’t even his mate. I’m sure he’ll be good to her. And if that ever changes, well, he knows he’ll have me to answer to.

“If you have pups, I want to be Aunt Alaina,” I say to her.

“Like you’d have a choice,” Taya says. “What about you and Dax?”

* * *

I tell Taya everything.

“I don’t want to upset you.” Taya says.

My eyebrows raise. She just heard my whole unfortunate series of events. How could she possibly upset me?

“And if you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll totally understand... but, being that you’re a vampire now, are you able to get pregnant?”

I knock back the rest of my champagne, the burn more shocking than her question. I had wondered the same thing when I woke up and so had Dax. The doctor had said it could be possible since we’re still half wolf. But no one knows for sure; no one has been a hybrid before. Especially a born hybrid.

The doctor was hopeful. Even though we both died, the fact we still have vitals to check is a good sign. Our wolf is still very much alive and present. But even that was an anomaly. The doctor described the dormant vampire inside of us was similar to a backup generator. The lights may go out temporarily but the vampiric side must’ve revived us full force to normal functioning.

But I don’t bore her with that explanation, instead I say. “The doctor said it’s possible.”

Taya nods her head, taking everything in. Then she gets a second wind. “So... is there a chance you could be pregnant now?”

“If so, then the champagne was a mistake,” I snicker.

Taya laughs and shifts her attention to finger combing her hair.

I start doing period math silently in my head.

Oh, fuck.

There’s a knock on the door and some of Dax’s warriors– I guess now they’re mine, too –come in to escort me to the great hall.

“It’s time, Your Majesty,” one of them says.

I gather my dress, smoothing it out before taking a deep breath.

My best friend, and now my female beta walking behind me. We follow the men to where Dax is waiting for me. The portraits of the former royals lining the walls greet me, and I smile that I now get to be one of them.

The grand double doors where I once walked through during the Hunt all that time ago now are shut with pack guards manning the doors.

Ash appears, bowing his head at me and giving me his arm.

I smile at him, holding back tears. I refuse to let them fall as I snake my arm through his.

The vampires who came today were loyal followers and supporters of Ash during his reign, and here to support Ash’s decision to acknowledge me as the rightful ruler over both our species.

I nod to my pack warriors, letting them know I’m ready. They give a command to the guards to open the doors for their soon-to-be queen.

The warriors who were standing in front of me, now march on the sides.

The massive double doors open to reveal thousands of werewolves and vampires standing on either side of the aisle to witness their hybrid queen’s crowning.

I follow the long aisle to see Dax standing at the end in a crown and robes to match my dress.

He’s so handsome.

My hormones rage at the sight of him.

Dax’s eyes flash maroon, and lust hits me like a car crash.

Judging by the whispers, giggles and knowing smiles from the crowd, his desire was strong enough that everyone near felt it.

“My queen.”

Suddenly I’m in front of Dax. I don’t remember walking toward him at all. He holds his hand out to me.

Ash kisses my cheek and places my hand in Dax’s. Bowing to us both, Ash joins Sam.

Taya fixes my dress once more, then stands beside me but not before making eyes at Sam, causing him to raise an eyebrow and growl at the sight of her.

Two members from the royal council, one werewolf, one vampire, and a witch to conduct the ceremony, stand before us to acknowledge the joint ruling of our species.

I recognize this witch. It’s the same one who joked at the Hunt that I had burned her. She winks my way.

The witch says a blessing to the Moon Goddess, and our canines protrude at the enchantment when she gets to the part about us swearing to protect all of Moon Goddess’ children.

Dax and I swear. And the mindlink opens for me to reach the rest of Crescent. With Sam as the first to welcome me.

When the werewolf part of the ceremony concludes, she holds up a glass of wine, meant to symbolize the blood of the original vampire.

When Dax swears to uphold the importance of a vampiric bond, his duty to protect now extends to both the vampire clans and werewolf packs.

Dax drinks from the goblet and hands it to me.

I take it and swear to serve the vampire realm as I do the werewolf realm.

At my sworn oath, the witch motions me to drink.

I drink and then, before I swallow, I remember and discreetly spit the wine back in the goblet.

Dax raises an eyebrow at me.

“I had a lot of champagne,” I explain. I don’t want me spitting it out to be seen as a rejection to their sacred ceremonial practices. Insulting the vampires before my reign even starts is the last thing I want.

I turn back to the witch, who looks at my stomach, then back up to me. The corner of her mouth upturned slightly.

She knows.

Dax and I turn toward the crowd and a gold crown with rubies on the tips is placed on my head, with a matching one placed on Dax.

“Presenting your new hybrid rulers: Dax and Alaina Taylor; king and queen of the werewolves and vampires.”

“I missed the memo where my last name changed from Grove to Taylor.”

“I had my men change your name the moment I met you. From the moment you entered my life, there hasn’t been a moment you weren’t mine,” Dax says.

The crowd erupts, clapping and cheering at the official announcement of our reign.

Dax and I descend the aisle.

“Where are we going?”

“To make an heir,” he says simply.

I look behind me and see the royal council, Ash, Sam, and Taya are following us.

“ Surely, they’re not coming with us,” I say, hopeful.

Dax glances at me out of his peripheral and smirks. Of course he isn’t the least bit concerned that my father, our best friends and two strangers, may watch us consummate.Dax would fuck me even if the world was burning around us.

We get to the royal chambers, which are now illuminated by candles, with scents of jasmine filling the room. The French double doors to the balcony are open, causing the sheer curtains to blow into the room with the tempo of the gentle breeze.

The doors to our room close, and I sigh in relief that no one is going to bear witness to our consummation.

“On the bed,” Dax commands.

I sit on the edge of the bed, facing him. Dax places his arms on either side of me, leaning in, closing his eyes to inhale my scent.

“You smell different,” Dax exhales.

When his eyes open, they glow maroon.

I gulp, unsure if this is the time to tell him why I could smell different. To keep quiet, I bite my lip.

He growls at the action. Forcefully, Dax lifts me and throws me backward, and my head hits the pillows, while the bed creaks.

Dax disrobes and peels his shirt and pants off. His cock already standing to attention. A low growl hums from his throat before he kneels on to the bed, crawling to me.

Dax was always an impressive predator. He’s got his eyes set on the prey in his bed. His stature as he’s crawling up my body blocks the light, making him a shadow with glowing eyes creeping into the bed that’s canopied around us. When Dax lines my neck with his fingertips, he pulls it down to reveal my swollen breasts.

Another growl leaves his throat, this time one of approval instead of sexual impatience and frustration. Once his greed takes over and decides he’s no longer satisfied with the tease of a view he’s drunk in, he looks at me through hooded eyes and tugs on the dress.

“Take this off,” he says to me.

I don’t hesitate as I shimmy from the dress as fast as I can, careful not to rip his mother’s dress.

When it’s off, a gold, demi lace bra cups my breasts, with a matching thong to perfectly accentuate my hourglass figure. One I am reminded is about to be ruined.

Dax practically salivates, and he’s not one to hold back control.

Dax kisses up my neck, and I gasp when he sinks his teeth into my mark.

I wrap my legs around him, wanting to rock myself against him. His cock grinds against my sensitive flesh, and I moan at the friction.

“I think my queen is withholding something from me,” he says.

I feign innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” This isn’t how I wanted to tell him.

“Your scent. It’s making me absolutely feral, Alaina,” Dax whisper growls in my ear.

I bite my lip once more, stifling a moan at the huge secret I’m keeping from him and the huge flesh of his he’s now keeping from me.

“Dax, please.”

Dax lifts my chin toward him. “Eyes on me,” and he slowly slides himself inside of me, praising me for every inch of him I take. “Such a good girl taking me so well.”

He stretches me to the hilt, and I cry out.

“Only you can take me like this. Now take just a little more for me, darling.”

And I do. Every inch of him.

“That’s my good girl. I knew you could do it. I’m so fucking proud of you,” Dax praises as he starts to move in and out of me.

His pace is rhythmic. His chest on mine as he reaches down, circling my sensitive clit.

I moan as my orgasm builds.

“Mm, you moaning for me, darling? That’s so fucking sexy,” Dax says.

His voice alone could make me combust.

“Too bad you won’t get to come until you tell me what I want to hear,” he patronizes.

The look on his face tells me Dax the Torturer has returned, and he’s hungry for information.

Think of something, quick!

Hopeful I can change the subject, I try for seduction. “King Dax!” I scream.

“That’s not going to work. You know what I want. Give it to me...” Dax inserts a finger into my anus, and I feel full to the brim.

The pressure of him pumping in and out of my ass and core, mixed with his methodical movement on my clit too much. I cry out again. Tears form in my eyes.

“. . . and maybe I’ll give it to you.”

I hear the ‘or else’ in his statement loud and clear. He’s the king of vampires; the lord over what the legend says is hell’s creation... and the king of the werewolves, created by a Goddess. Heaven and hell are warped into this man, and he’s determined to give me hell until I give him heaven.

“I know you want to come for me,” Dax taunts.

He’s right. He’s built up what could be the most intense orgasm of my life and my hormonal self needs this more than ever. But only if I tell him why.

I stay silent.

Dax growls low, “Alaina . . .”

I can’t hold out any longer.

“Yes! Dax, yes! I’m pregnant.”

An orgasm rolls through my body like a volcanic wave.

Dax follows close behind me, grunting as he spills his seed inside of me.

* * *

A wolf’s pregnancy averages around three months but with being a hybrid, no one really knows if that changes the timeline.

Or chances for miscarrying. So, Dax and I waited until I really started to show to officially start telling people. At just a few weeks in, the swell of my stomach quickly moved from looking like I ate too much to it being blatantly obvious I’m pregnant. It was then we decided to tell everyone.

The kingdom was overjoyed with the announcement of my pregnancy; the promise of an heir and longstanding peace to follow. The packs and clans have been working together to subdue the rogue and vampire attacks. Everyone is cautious.

Security around the castle has increased. And Dax almost never leaves my side. The only times he’s left is to hunt for me and any pregnancy cravings I have.

Truth is, I really haven’t had any cravings, but Dax would starve if I didn’t insist that he go hunting for me anyway. It seems to be the only time he makes sure to eat.

Over the past few days, I’ve asked for venison, rabbit, and other unfortunate and delicious prey for my mate and me to enjoy. In Dax fashion, he has turned taste-testing food for us into a game of torture, making prisoners test his catch for any diseases before it’s fed to me. So far, there hasn’t been any issues but Dax doesn’t like to leave anything up to chance.

His possessiveness increased to levels I didn’t know existed. He growls at anyone who gets near me, no matter who it is, or their intentions. Cadence has intervened a few times to help deescalate him, reminding him to have confidence in his abilities, and that he is not his father. His paranoia not necessary. That’s when it gets really bad, but most of the time, I can calm him with my touch.

The pack doctor, a female witch who came highly recommended by Cadence, comes knocking on our bedroom door.

Dax growls and hisses, his ancient, immortal energy crackling around him, creating an aura of unapproachable power.

Dax covers me immediately.

I roll my eyes at the testosterone-filled male. “Dax.” I rest my hand on his arm. “We’ve been through this. She has to check the baby’s heartbeat.”

Dax’s worry hits me.

“Come here.” I take his hand and place it over my swollen belly so he can feel his pup’s strong kicks fluttering inside me. “Feel.”

Dax calms at our pup’s movements.

I motion for the witch doctor to enter.

She nods, pushing the door all the way open and shuffling in, wary not to give Dax her back.

Slowly, she moves closer to the bed, avoiding Dax’s intense stare.

As a warning and deathly promise, he growls low when she stops at my side.

I rub Dax’s back and smile reassuringly at her.

She takes a deep breath and looks at my belly with Dax’s large clawed hand splayed across it. She doesn’t dare ask him to move. She warms her hands by rubbing them together and as she does, her palms and fingertips glow white. With shaking hands, she shows them to Dax first.

Dax leans in to sniff her palms before nodding to let her proceed. But his own are still in the way of her completing the ultrasound.

Moon fucking Goddess.

And even with his go-ahead, the witch doctor still shakes. Likely because she’s aware he bit the arm off the last doctor. Something, in his own way, Dax showed remorse for. And by remorse, I really mean he just justified why he did it in a defensive tone and that he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. But he said it while rubbing the back of his neck so... progress.

My hormones have my patience dwindling and my emotions all over the place. I sigh, getting frustrated. “Dax, she can’t do anything with your hand there.”

“That’s the point.”

“She comes highly recommended by Cadence. You can trust her,” I remind him.

Dax scoffs.

I bare my teeth.

“She’s also the one who will administer any ailments to ease my discomfort, so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t eat this one,” I snap at him.

Not wanting to face further wrath of my inner pregnant bitch and corpse, he removes his hand.

I sigh again and face her. “Go ahead.”

She places her hands on my stomach and moves them around slowly. The entirety of her eyes glow white like her powers. She stares at the wall to see inside my womb.

After she’s done scanning, her eyes return to normal.

“The heartbeat is strong. Baby seems fine,” the witch doctor says. “How’s mom feeling?”

I ponder how to answer her question. Everyone is so peppy when they ask me how I’m feeling, and that I’m glowing and stunning. I typically answer with a sort-of-truth statement such as “it’s been an experience like no other.”

But if I were honest, I don’t love being pregnant. I’m exhausted all the time. And I’m glowing because I’m sweating constantly whether it’s the damn temperature or because I’ve just spent the past half hour throwing up everything Dax hunted for. Because I’m hormonal, I cry over my vomit because Dax spent hours to get it for me, and I couldn’t keep it down.

I’m grateful to be with a pup, but as Cadence tells me, it’s understandable I’m having a hard time with all the physical changes to my body, given my identity issues. When I look in the mirror, it’s my body, but it’s not. And I hate to admit it, but I don’t like how I look. I can’t wear my clothes and don my usual style, can’t eat all things I love, can’t drink beer... All of these things that I’ve come to know about myself, I’m having to change.

I just became queen of all clans and packs. I’m someone’s daughter, again. And now, I’m a mother. Yet I’m still learning myself.

It’s hard.

But no one expects or wants to hear about all of that. So, when they ask, I just respond with my usual.

“I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

She smiles sweetly. “It’s okay if you don’t love it. Being pregnant, I mean.”

Dax takes my hand, rubbing it gently with his thumb.

Tears well in my eyes, and I understand why Cadence recommended her to me.

Isabel is such a warm soul. The perfect witch doctor.

“In that case . . .”

We all laugh.

“I’ll have my student interns bring you a refill on your herbs. Take care of yourself, Your Majesty.” She curtsies. “Your Majesties.” Isabel exits the room softly closing the door behind her.

Dax kisses my forehead and stands, holding his hand out for me. “I have a couple of things I want to show you.”

Curious, I stand and take his hand. My gown swishes with my movement as he escorts me out of our bedroom into the hall.

“You’ll see.”

Two guards posted outside our door follow a few paces behind us as we make our way to the room Sam had led me to when I first arrived during the Hunt. Dax motions for the guard to check the room before we enter. The guard prepares for battle by clutching his sword. When the guard determines it’s safe, both men resume their post on either side of the door frame. Dax ushers me in front of the open door.

I gasp.

Dax had completed an entire nursery, draped in white and gold accents for the arrival of our heir. The crib pushed against the wall had a sheer canopy draped over its head. A rocking chair with a small bookshelf placed in the corner, and all you could ever need and more.

My jaw drops.

“And...” Dax walks to a door adjacent to the murphy door connecting our master closet to this room, adjoining to the nursery and pushing it open.

I squeal.

“You did all of this for me?”

He nods.

“Oh my goddess, Dax.”

A studio with all my paintings are splayed about on the wall like my own gallery with one giant empty space in the center.

“What’s that one for?”

Strong arms wrap around me from behind, placing a kiss on my temple before he rests his head on the crown of mine.

“ That is reserved for the next masterpiece you create of our family.”

I melt. Our family.

“How did you know?”

“Because I know you.” He smiles. “And I know a lot has been thrown at you in such a short amount of time.”

I snort. That’s a massive understatement.

“You’re going to be a fantastic mother.”

We stand there softly swaying together, humming and gazing at my paintings.

Dax had found a way to create a space where my identities, a mother, a mate, a queen and myself, could connect.

It was exactly what I needed. I finally grasp those sentimental sayings about people knowing you best.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” I turn to face him, placing a peck on his lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”