Chapter 1 #2
“Gather the others… And boil water for the cleansing of his wounds,” Vor barked, hands on his narrow hips. “I’ll follow behind you shortly.”
Silence ticked by as neither man spoke. Snow tensed all the more, wondering if a fight might result. If so, he might have a chance to run without being noticed.
But run where?
“I’ll gather the others, my liege,” Greer spat, the words appearing to taste like vinegar as they left his lips.
Greer gave Snow another longing look before he turned to leave.
Vor slowly spun back to Snow. “Pay him no heed. Today was a heavy one. It was tough on us all.”
Behind Vor, Snow noticed Greer lean over and reach down towards the forest floor. A glint of the setting sun hit the axe and flashed into Snow’s eyes. He winced, turning his head away.
“Unhand it, you thieving whoreson,” Vor bellowed, once more causing Snow to flinch.
Vor hadn’t bothered to turn around, yet he’d seemed to sense what Greer was doing. Greer smiled wickedly and lowered the silver handle back down to the ground. He disappeared seconds later, whistling joyfully as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
Once the sound of his whistling faded, Vor eyed Snow in the dying light.
“The night grows colder. There will be a fire to warm yourself by in our hearth. The food might not be the best you’ve eaten, but it will be nourishing.
” He smiled. “I daresay our apple ale might be the best you’ve ever imbibed. ”
Snow’s belly rumbled, although the thought of food came second to the delight of warmth. The cold had already crept into Snow’s bones and threatened to become painful. He contemplated his options, which seemed to be to either go with Vor—or freeze. Both might end with his death before sunrise.
Which ending would be less painful? There was no way to know for sure.
“Are you of noble birth?” Snow asked, his voice low, forced from his chilled lips.
A soft smile spread across Vor’s lips. “He speaks.”
“Answer my question,” Snow demanded.
The smile faded, a frown taking root. “Nay. I am no nobleman, but you can trust that I will protect you this night.”
Snow had trusted the huntsman and look where that had led him. “Y-you… you told him to gather the others,” Snow forced from his chilled, numb lips. “How many are you?”
“Seven,” Vor replied. He searched Snow’s face and must’ve noticed the increased worry. “On my honor, I vow to you—you will be safe.”
Dear gods. Seven. “Are… they all alphas?”
“Yes.”
“As big as you?” Snow asked, wringing his hands.
“Nay,” Vor whispered, a hint of a smile seemingly curling his lips. “None surpass my size.”
With that smile, Snow noted how handsome the brute was, his bearing almost beguiling.
The devil himself could beguile, though, and couldn’t be trusted.
To allow himself to be taken in by a handsome face and a promise of warmth could be his downfall.
Smaller or not, seven alphas were more than he could fend off alone.
Snow deluded himself. He’d scarcely be able to fend off one, and he’d likely fail at that task.
“Although, two are near my size,” Vor added. “Greer, the one you’ve met and another.”
His addendum afforded Snow no greater ease.
“Size or not, we have no reason to harm you,” Vor said. “We’ve lacked company for some time. You’d honor us with your presence.”
There was an honest ring to his words, yet Snow hesitated still.
Vor sighed. “Would you rather freeze to death all alone with an empty belly or at least be warmed and… sated?”
Snow’s gaze whipped to his.
Sated?
There had been a tone that word had been spoken with, one that sent a tendril of need curling within Snow’s belly. Another bead of slick dribbled down his leg, and it was clear from the deep inhale and faint growl Vor soon made that he’d scented it.
What is it Vor wished to sate within him?
Snow’s fingers curled into fists at his sides, his curiosity threatening to put him in closer towards danger.
Those smiling, seductive lips drew Snow’s gaze once more.
The giant of a man didn’t look as if he could ever be sated.
A shiver washed through Snow at the thought of Vor demanding satisfaction. Over and over… all night long.
“You’re freezing. The cold will only grow worse as night falls,” Vor said. He held out a meaty hand. “Abduction is not my habit, but I might consider it knowing what might transpire if I were to abandon you.”
Before Snow could reply, an eerie, animal-like cry echoed behind him.
Whatever it was, it sounded from Hell itself.
The fiend shrieked through the wood, the noise amplifying as it moved.
As it seemed to near, Snow leapt forward, his heart pounding.
He tripped over the gnarled, tangled roots of the copse surrounding them. The ground came swiftly.
Vor caught him before he struck it. The alpha cradled him close, his heart beating madly against Snow’s ear, almost as fast as his own. Snow lifted his gaze and met Vor’s intent one.
More slick dripped from him as he inhaled Vor’s spicy, hardworking scent of oak, pine, and musk. Snow’s gaze moved to Vor’s full, soft-looking lips, peeking out from his trimmed moustache and beard. Snow bit his own lower lip, fighting the urge to offer a kiss of thanks.
A kiss?
Where was his head at?
A growl of full timbre rocked through Snow. Was it his or Vor’s? Vor’s, he thought, but couldn’t be sure. His eyelids lowered, and a moan nearly escaped his lips, the urge to cuddle closer taking root. There was want in both sounds, want Snow felt soul deep.
Want Snow wanted to surrender to, fully.
Vor lifted Snow and set him on his feet.
His face appeared to darken as he dusted off his hands on his chausses and backed away a step.
He sighed, shaking his head. “I fear you’ll be the death of me.
” He met Snow’s gaze. “Yet I can’t walk away without knowing you’ll be safe. Please, allow me to help you.”
Instead of taking as any other alpha might, he’d set Snow away and given him another chance to make his own choice. That cemented Snow’s decision. He reached out and took Vor’s hand.
It was then that he realized the alpha was still kneeling. They were almost eye-to-eye. How huge was this man?
A faint chuckle rumbled up from that lightly-furred, barrel chest. “Have no fear, fair omega. You’ll be safe tonight. I vow it.”
Their gazes locked, and Snow gasped. That close, he realized Vor wasn’t handsome. He was devastatingly gorgeous, in the most distracting of ways.
In the blink of an eye, Vor hefted Snow over his shoulder and rose to his full height.
“Hey,” Snow argued, twisting in Vor’s grip.
“You’re wounded, little one. I’d prefer our trip not take the whole of the night.”
Snow writhed once more but gave up. He’d made his choice to trust Vor, and he was no match for the alpha’s strength. All he could do was pray he’d be safer in that cottage than outside in the wood all night.
But not too safe. A little danger might be fun. Snow inhaled the alpha’s scent and moaned inwardly, the aroma intoxicating.
After Vor collected his axe, they quickly made their way through the trees.
The ease Vor had in carrying him sparked the pulsing throb deep within to grow.
The large, strong hand over his backside nearly eclipsed it, signaling just how tiny he was compared to the big brute.
Their size difference was dizzyingly exciting.
Even with hundreds of tiny cuts and bruises forming all over, his longing grew deeper—until it was the only thing he could think of.
When his small shaft grew thick and hard against Vor’s shoulder, his cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Had the alpha felt it? Nothing was said for many strides of the alpha’s long legs, although Vor’s hand did tighten on his bottom.
“Once we get home, I’ll get you patched up, little one. After you’ve been fed, we can take care of that, too.”
“I know not what you speak of,” Snow whispered hotly.
Vor’s hand slid over his bottom, gliding over the tattered fabric covering his honeyed hole. “I think we both know what you crave, little one. I can sate that need, too.”
Snow’s cheeks burned hot. “I did not ask.”
“You needn’t ask. Your body did for you.”