|69| ~ The Hunt~

Unedited.

Cyrus POV.

Embry's wolf in media.

I'm making my way to beloved, mentally praying that she didn't feel Luscious arrival throughout our bond. Luckily for me, she didn't and I believe that I have the last new moon of winter to thank for that. A miracle.

The New Moon is here.

The Wolf Moon.

The Moon after Yule.

The Old Moon

The Ice Moon.

The Snow Moon, or whatever the fuck else moon that werewolves, lycans, witches, and gypsies would like to call it.

In fact, all four of those species share common beliefs when it comes to the superstitious power of the moon, believe it or not. Actually, that may just be the one thing out of all things that they have in common, now that I'm thinking about it. Although, each species believe each new moon represents different things.

For starters, witches and their descendants believe that this upcoming new moon has many properties that I really don't feel like exploring. Nor, do I care to, but I will say this.

To witches, witches' descendants, and witches kinfolks this upcoming new moon is the time to plant a seed to bloom. The time for new beginnings.

Literally. It's their baby-making season, which means a whole lot of fucking and I'm dead ass serious.

During old times, witches, gypsies, and warlocks would utilize this upcoming New Moon power to their full advantage. They would seek out new lovers or more like new flings unless they were tied to their paramour and they would hump like rabbits, just to increase their number in species. Many powerful witches in history were conceived around this time all in the name of ritual love.

Aurora the most powerful witch of all time, per see, would utilize this moon power to conceive her daughters. Legend has it that she would either seduce human lovers or make love to other warlocks, pray to her Goddess, and then boom the next thing you know she would be pushing out another hell-sent, ball of fire little witch.

Those magnificent but most certainly malicious creatures that we creatures of the night can't help but love to hate.

They are all truly pure evil. At least, the ones that I have had the displeasure of meeting are.

I always hated when one of them tagged along with Aurora to visit my oh-so-sweet, caring, and all-species-loving aunt. It was nothing but pure torture and I am not hypothetically speaking.

In all honesty, a lot of my infamous tremendous torture methods were inspired by one of them.

Moving along, werewolves and Lycans, both believe that the new moon is a time for healing and letting go of their destined duties or pack responsibilities because to them these new moons are a reset point for the lunar calendar, they're considered an ideal phase for planting new seeds in your life, launching new projects, or setting fresh intentions but most importantly letting things go that no longer serve you.

It's a time of new beginnings and the one night of each month when they can be carefree. Matter of fact, wolves tend to howl more often during the winter season transitioning into the spring because of this belief.

However, the only belief that we creators of the Night acknowledge about the moon is how powerful each moon and its phases can be.

To be quite frank, we don't give a fuck about the moon harness unless it's a Blood Moon or Dark Moon for obvious reasons. Although, I suppose that my current beliefs will no longer sustain me because of Embry. I know how important soon upcoming rituals are to Embry, which means that they are now important to me. I'm aware that this New Moon is extremely important to Embry and her wolf because of three main reasons.

Firstly, Embry is her people's beliefs, culture, and traditions. As I stated to werewolves and Lycans this moon represents a time for healing and letting go. So, in Embry's eyes, this is the only day of the year that she can not only let go of all of the trauma cost to her thus far but most importantly her time to heal.

Secondly, wolves also believe that tonight is an escape their only night to escape their burdens but yet their blessing of pack responsibilities which means that tonight is the only night Embry willn't feel guilty about leaving her pack behind. For the first and last time this year, Embry can be carefree. She can live how she wants to live.

And finally, this night represents Embry's inner peace, which is also extremely important if not the most important to Embry, meaning this night is also equally extremely important to me, despite my own personal beliefs.

Her happiness means everything to me. She means everything to me and I can't help but thank Embry's Goddess for bringing her to me as I am now quietly sitting in a pine tree, admiring my enchantress of a beloved from afar.

She's so got damn beautiful. How the fuck did I get so lucky, or better yet how did I become so blessed? I'm thankful. She's a force to be reckoned with, a true force of nature.

My only complaint is something as simple as why is she out here by herself. She knows better. Embry is way too valuable.

She knows that I want her to be guarded at all times for any reason just like this one. I've been watching her for a while now and she has not once seemed to realize that one of the biggest predators of all time is here along with her, or does she?

"She does," my monster growls out in approval as we notice Embry's little ears twitch and nostrils flare widely, which means that she's attempting to identify our scent.

Interesting. So she does know that she is being watched. She just doesn't know who is watching her, and that must be only because of the energy of the new moon. It's time.

I jump down onto the ground and appear behind her, finally making my presence known, "That's it, Sunshine," I breathe into her hair while slipping my arms around her tiny little waist, making her heart drops and making my frozen heartbeat.

She has no idea the sort of effect she has over me.  Not at all.

"You came," cry's out her wolf as she sinks into my embrace.

"Of course, sunshine. I wouldn't miss it for the world. The both of you are my life," I tell her the truth because they are without them I' minds of well be considered dead because I can't live without either of them. "Besides I love the chase," I add in, just to make them smile.

Suddenly, Embry's wolf takes a step away before looking me in my eyes, "Good little monster, come chase," she says before she shifts into her glorious true form and then takes off running.

For a moment, I just stand here and once again thank the moon Goddess herself for this extraordinary creature that I'll chase to the end of the world before I break off in a full-fledged run, following right behind her as I should.

I swear on my life that I'll always follow her into death does us part.

*************

Embry's Wolf POV.

I'm bursting with excitement and confidence as I rush past the series of snow-covered pine trees, leap over yet another log, and most importantly outrun my mate. Cyrus, my King, and yes he's still chasing after me. He can't help but follow me.

We've been at this game of cat and mouse for the last past hour now. I run. He chases after me. I'm almost captured. He almost captures me.

It's a hunt. A friendly game of a hunter being hunted down by a bigger threat and I must admit that I'm having a blast.  This game is fun as hell.

My four paws barely touch the ground as I charge through the forest with the love of my entire existence following close behind me. The wind rushes throughout my white and silvered colored fur. The power of the new moon beams all around me as the radiant beam of light reflects marvelously off the blanket of beautiful snow. It's so beautiful and tonight is full of many mystical possibilities.

The forest is huge a huge playground and unfamiliar territory to me. Which of course, my mate is using that fact to his full advantage. I've found myself cornered once, or twice but it's nothing that I can't handle and he knows it's. Tonight is my night, this is my time to shine. Cyrus may be this big-shot predator vampire king, but I'm the one who stole his heart, meaning that I'm the real threat.

I'm the real danger.

I'm his queen.

Queen, Embry.

The big bad wolf that has captured the big bad vampire king's heart has come out to play.

I'm all for this, all for him. I'm looking forward to it, once again being captured by him. Although he seems to be unable to keep up with me. In fact, Cyrus has been unable to keep track of me, but that's okay because this is how it's supposed to be. This is our destiny, how it was almost meant to be and I know this now. I was made to be his one and only and I fully accept my responsibilities.

That's exactly why tonight shall be the night that I shall finally give my king all of me but first, he has to capture me, and once done, the beast shall finally conquer my body.

I can't wait.

"Neither can I," says my ruthless mate, from being me. Keywords: Behind me.

"You've got to catch me first," my voice appears inside his head as I continue to rush through the forest at full speed.

"Now don't get too cocky, little wolf," he taunts while increasing his speed. "I promise you that if your body shall be my prize that I'll soon be feasting on your treasure chest while celebrating my victory,"

And that's all it takes to send my arousal floating in the air all around me.

Oh, my Goddess! This man sure has a way with words.

"And he also is a man of his word," Cyrus' words rush like a gust of wind inside of my head. "Just give in, sunshine. I promise you won't be disappointed.

"True," I mentally growl as the sound of the rushing water enters my sensitive ears. I'm drawing closure towards the river. Then, all of a sudden I feel this zap and heaviness in the air. Cyrus!

"Got you, Sunshine," He draws closer.

I can feel him feel his body on my body. He's right on but even still I keep running. "Just give up, baby. I'm right behind you," He speaks the truth. "It's been fun and all with you playing hard to get, but you will lose. "You minds of well, stop and open those pretty little legs of yours, just give in to me, baby. You know that you want to," he teases me and like a done with a bone, I particularly lick my lips in anticipation.

He's right. I really do.

"Don't give in," speaks up my human. "He's seducing us she speaks the truth. I know and it's working.

But, I do love this game of playing hard to get.

"No way," I tell her, increasing my need for speed. The surrounding trees are a blur. "This is way too much fun,"

And I mean it. It is.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm killing to be touched by him, but at the end of the day, I am still a wolf. A dangerous predator and my dark side feed off the hunt. Besides, this body is for the taken. His taken but Cyrus will have to win it fair and square.

"Come on, Sunshine," growls my mate. "Give in," he too once again increasing his need for speed.

We're pretty close this time. I can feel my temperature rising as my arousal increases by the second, becoming more potent.

"Stop playing around, Embry," roars my mate monster. Oh, my Goddess! He can smell how sweet heat. "Give it to me now,"

"I would, baby," my words renters his head as I draw closure towards the rushing frosted river "But what's the fun it that," I add in, as I suddenly leap up, shifting into my human form in mid-air, and then diving right into the ice frozen river, doing exactly what he wants me to do, playing hard to get but most importantly losing him.

I won.

********************

I'm smiling as I emerge up from underneath the river and then swim towards the riverbank. I won. I've been underwater for a while now, hiding out from my mate. I know, that may have been a little overdramatic but I couldn't help myself, just like he enjoys the hunt I really do enjoy the chase.

That's another reason why we're most likely paired. My wolf side and the monster love to play games. We're meant for one another, bonded in every way. So, yes! I'm enjoying this game but I enjoy the fact that I beat him even more.

Woo Hoo!

And I'm right on time to finally complete the Strawberry Moons ritual.

Woo Hoo, again!

That's one for the big bad wolf and a big fat L for the ruthless vampire king.

You see, I told you that I was the real predator and that Cyrus the scary vampire king is no match for me.

"I don't know, something doesn't seem right," says my human. "Our mate wouldn't just give up on the conquest to tame our body that easily,"

"That's because he was dealing with you, Embry," I tell her. "Not me, watch and learn, sweetheart," I tell her as my lips transform into a wolfish grin.

"Whatever, you say," says my human before leaving me be.

I smile harder! Poor, human. She has no faith in me.

I finally reach the riverbank, pull myself up, and then deciding not to waste another moment completing the task that was placed on me. I walk into some sort of learning.

From right here, I can see that the moon is at its highest peak.  I can also feel the power of my Goddess radiating around all of the surrounding frosted-covered pine trees.

Tonight is the only night that I can have time to heal and dismiss my pack responsibilities. Tonight is a time of new beginnings and also the only night of the year when I can be carefree.

"Dear, Goddess! I embrace the power of the moon," I pray with glowing golden eyes as I stare at the extraordinary berry pink orb. "I ask for your forgiveness, and your permission to live as a free spirit for just one night. I ask for your acceptance and guidance as well. I ask for you,"

Suddenly, I feel that well to familiar zap and heaviness in the air. Like an invisible thunderstorm zapping lightning above my head and roaring thunder into my heart. My breathing picks up before all of a sudden I lose my breath. My heart is pounding so loud that I'm absolutely certain that it can be supernaturally identified within a mile radius from beat to beat.

My nostrils flare widely and the intoxicating scent of mulberry spice overwhelms my senses. The tiny little hairs on the back of my neck lifts. He's here.

I can smell him before I have a chance to see him. No, scratch that! My mind, body, and entire soul can sense him. He's closure then I think, watching me from the shadows. Now the question is how long has he been watching me, patently awaiting to pounce on top of his prey?

"I told you so," says my human. "That was just way too easy"  she gulps as I wildly look around and within a second I come face to face with my predator of a mate. My ruthless King.

He's standing in front of the river, dripping wet, and about 20 feet away from me. Watching me as if I'm the holy freaking feast, good enough to eat. Sudden visions of how good he flashes across my mind. Oh, my Goddess! Why was I running again? His skillful tongue can eat as much as he pleases, Bon-appetite!

No, he's the one who looks good enough to eat. Maybe, I should just take my mate's advice and just give in.

"We're so confused," innerly signs, my human.  Yes! We are and I can bet my bottom dollar that he knows it.

That's exactly his posture is so relaxed but he can't fool me I know that he is more than ready to raise hell. My sudden increase in body heat is his territory, the hellfire he creates inside of me.

My devil of a mate smiles, showing off his fangs as if he knows what I'm thinking, and then has the nerve to slowly lick his lips. Oh, my Goddess! Oh, my Goddess! Yup! It's getting hot out here and luckily for me, I'm not wearing any clothes.

My heart rate is officially fighting to launch inside my chest, ready to take off. And my mate's intense bright red gaze ain't making it no better, as he burns me with his stare, branding me, marking his claim.

"Make a run for it," my human suddenly breaks through my self-consequence.

"Yes, little wolf," says my mate monster while lifting his chin up as if he's challenging me to run. Those bloody ruby eyes of his are baring straight into my soul. "Make a run for it,"

Got you! You sure don't have to tell me twice! That's exactly why I break off in a full-fledged run for the second time tonight but this time I'm in human form. This side of the forest is an even bigger playground and it doesn't help that I don't know where the hell to go. Yet, I still flee like I'm running for my life. Greenlight I'm on the go!

I run between a small yap within the trees, in hopes of confusing him by slightly brushing up on both of them and then I dive behind a bush...Yup! The hunting game has turned into a childish game of hide in seek. He has to seek me out if he wants to claim this body.

"Oh, that can be arranged," his word appears inside my head. "Come on little wolf. Come, out! Come, out! Where ever you are," he says inside my head as the sound of his boots crunching over top of the snow rings like a bell inside of my sensitive ears. Oh, snap!

He is here and I know he can not only smell me but hear my beating heart. I push my naked body against the snow in hopes of masking my scent and calming my racing heart.

Unfortunately, for me. It does nothing.

"Of course, it didn't say my mate now sitting directly beside me with the smile of triumph gracefully set upon his juicy lips. I try to move but his bright ruby eyes are literally pinning me in place, slowly drenching my naked body from head to toe,  but they linger on my ass far too long.

"I like you in this position," he declares. "Pressed up against the ground with that sexy ass all up in the air," he adds in, officially snatching away my pure heavenly soul. I'm caught.

"Yes, you are, sunshine," he finally moves his ass from off my ass just to stare into my eyes, and then the next thing I know is his wet body pressing up against my wet body. "Good, girl," he says.

"Now, arch that ass up. I would like full control over my all you can eat, feast,"

Awake Update. Please don't forget to hit that golden star ⭐️ comment and follow. If you want to read a chapter ahead you can access my Inkitt link on my profile.

My next update shall be Friday and now for the surprise.

I know that I promised you twp updates and a promise is a promise but the thing is that I didn't promise you an update from the CBARVK. I just promised you two updates.

He-he-he... Yup! I sneaky, so with that being said, I have published the first chapter of book 3 Hunted By The Barbaric Vampire King (Lucious & Beretta) ⚡️🔜. and you can also read a chapter ahead on Inkitt.

The Trailer for Book Three is also in the media.

Now please keep in mind that it is just a teaser completed with a trailer. The book willn't officially start into this book is complete. I hope you love Bugs enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I'm low-key obsessed with Beretta Banks or should I say Be-Be.