The sun rose over the meadows and shined through the enormous window, striking her in the face. She took a deep breath and opened her brown eyes slowly. Resting her hand on her forehead, she took a deep breath and sat up. Pushing the bedding away, she walked over to the window and watched the sun light up the town. The door opened and she looked over her shoulder. Bain stood in the shadowed doorway and she looked out the window. He was pushing his luck messing with her. She could feel her body recovering from the wounds and in a few days she would be out of this place. "Why do you stay?" Her eyes closed and she smirked. That was still bothering her. She detested vampires more than anyone else. She destroyed each one that was caught in the town after dark. Something had lured her into staying and it had golden eyes and a deep, seductive voice. "You want me gone, Vampire?" His eyes flashed and he growled, "Yes." She looked over her shoulder and asked, "Afraid I'll kill your sister or you next?" His eyes became dark red and she walked over to the bed. Sitting down, she looked at him and waited. He was controlling himself better and it was a game to toy with them. "I'm more worried about what you're doing to Coyle." She smirked coolly and asked, "Why? Don't you want to take his place?" "I never will. He was chosen a long time ago. He is the only one that has the power to manipulate his own kind." She remembered it well. When this vampire, Bain, had been attacking her he had frozen up. She remembered the haze on his face and felt him lifelessly leave her. The same was for his sister, Artis. Their leader was powerful and she felt the desire to fight him increasing every time she was away from him. "Your connection will alter your system, Hunter." "Not really." Bain stared at her and just couldn't believe her. She had already changed in her physic. Her hair had becoming a golden blonde and her body once just toned was now a tempting sculpted piece of work. "Why do you believe that?" Her smirk vanished and she stated, "Wolf blood." His eyes lost their red and he asked, "When did you get it?" "When your leader saved Breck." Bain sighed and finally understood. That night their connection had been formed. The wound on Coyle's arm was from Breck. The blood the wolf drank held both her and Coyle's mixed together. Now there was wolf blood coursing through the two enemies and the connection mixed the three bloods into a new kind of system. "You don't crave blood now?" She got to her feet and walked to the window. Her eyes studied the lighting of the morning and she sighed. "No." "Coyle's blood?" The question made her smirk slowly and she looked back at him. Bain knew how to get answers and he was proving to be an excellent debater with her. "Does it matter?" He stepped into the hall and said, "It does if it means you plan on killing my leader." She watched him disappear down the hall and looked around the room. It was old and peaceful, but it left her feeling caged. She needed to get away and walked over to the bed. She grabbed her jacket and slid it on. Grabbing her boots, she slid them on and stood up. Quietly she walked to the window and pushed it open. Looking down, she saw the over hang to the doorway down below and slid outside. Her boots hit the overhang and she dropped to the ground. Taking a deep breath, she brushed her hands down her legs and walked to the iron gate. Pushing it open slowly, she slipped between the bars and stepped outside. The sun welcomed her as she left the manor and headed across the meadow. She needed to see the wolves but knew other issues came first. Quietly she approached the town and stepped into the busy streets. Watching the people run around, doing errands, made her smirk and she heard a loud clash. Walking down the street, she stopped by the tavern and looked down the alley. She found the man passed out on the ground and she let out a sigh. Slowly she walked over to him and knelt down. Her fingers slid through his hair and she shook her head. "Aedan, what have you done?" Slowly she helped him to his feet and slid his arm over her shoulders. She felt his other arm pulling him down and she caught it. Holding it to his chest, she walked him out of the alley and headed to her place. Maneuvering between the people left her wearing out and she quickly found her home. Pushing the door in, she hauled him up the stairs to her room and stretched him out on her bed. She walked downstairs and closed the door. Hanging her jacket up, she grabbed the first-aid kit,a bowl of hot water and a cloth. Returning to her room, she closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed. She put the bowl on a table at the head of the bed and wrung out the cloth. Sliding it down his dirty face, she smirked and cleaned the alley dirt away. Putting the cloth in the bowl, she removed his shirt and found the expected sores. Drinking and fighting had put him in the worst shape of his life and she knew it was her doing. Pushing the blame aside, she opened the kit and began doctoring the wounds. Cleaning the last wound, she closed the kit and carried over to her desk. "Aine..." Looking over her shoulder, she found him still sleeping and she returned to the bed. Running her hand along his jaw, she kissed his forehead and watched the dream subside. Getting to her feet, she walked over to her window and pushed it open. She sat in a chair and watched the town people live their daily carefree lives. Her head rest against the wall and she held a knee up to her chest as she let her mind wander. The afternoon came and went. She replaced his bandages twice and returned to her seat. The sun was beginning to set and his eyes slowly opened. He looked at the ceiling and then looked around the room. His eyes landed on her and he tried to sit up. The movement caught her eye and she stopped him from moving. Holding him down, she checked for fever and sat back on the bed. He stared at her and asked, "When did you get back?" "This morning." Closing his eyes, he smirked and caught her hand. She slowly stood and he looked at her. His hand fell onto the bed and she left the room. He closed his eyes and saw her again sitting at the window. She had looked at ease and seemed different. She had changed since that vampire had taken her way a week ago. She was more alluring than he could remember. Her body had changed and her voice held a teasing bite to it. The door opened and he opened his eyes. He watched her place some food by the bed and sit down next to him. "For me?" "The alcohol is gone. Your system will need the food if you don't want to get sick." He smirked and slowly pushed himself up. She handed him some of the food and walked over to the window. He ate while studying her and saw the dim glow in her eyes as the sun shone on her. He swallowed the last bite and put the plate on the table. "Don't even think about getting up." He shook his head and asked, "Grow a pair of eyes in the back of your head?" She looked back at him and approached him. He caught her hand and she handed him some kind of drink. He stared at it and looked up at her. Frowning, he drank the stuff and gagged as she took the empty glass away. He stared up at her and asked, "You wanna kill me?" She pushed him down onto his back and examined the healing wounds. "You did a good start." He sighed and felt her hands slide along his chest. They left the skin burning and he caught them. She met his gaze and he pushed himself up. "Why did you come back?" "To fix what was left damaged." He caught her face in his hands and said, "I've missed you so much." "Drowning your sorrow in alcohol was stupid." He chuckled and pulled her to him. Holding her in his arms felt like a dream and he didn't want to wake up. He slid his hand down her spine and kissed her forehead. Looking down into her gaze, he knew he was drowning in her and brushed his lips over hers. The electricity shot through both of them and he deepened the kiss. Her arms slid around his neck and he pulled her onto his lap. Needing to believe she was actually here, he felt her muscles under his hands and pulled her underneath him. His hands slid over her body, memorizing every detail and he met her gaze. She slid her hands through his hair and he kissed her arm. "I've miss you so much." She smiled slowly and pulled him down to her. The kiss ignited his blood and left him breathless. Running her hands down his back, she felt him trail kisses down her neck and she closed her eyes. She felt safe and warm and felt the want as much as he did. ______________________________________________ His hand slid through her hair and she slid her hand along his chest. He kissed her forehead and she looked out the window. He watched her sit up and she quickly left the bed. Hastily she yanked her clothes back on and left the room. Moving downstairs, she caught her jacket and pulled the kitchen door open. Stepping into the dead streets, she heard the laughing and found the couple down by the tavern. She watched the woman lead Doran inside and she let out a growl. He was such an idiot not seeing who she really was but he would learn. A howl came from the woods and she looked to them. The door opened behind her and she saw Aedan leaning against the door. She caught him and said, "Go back inside." He caught her arms and said, "You're not running off tonight, Aine." She kissed him slowly and said, "I will be back. Go rest." His eyes narrowed and she stepped free. He watched her disappear out of town and sighed. Stepping inside he closed the door and returned to her bed. She ran to the edge of the woods and stopped. A fight filled her ears and she moved silently through the shadows. Stopping by the lair, she saw the form looming over Cori. The white she-wolf lunged and caught a shoulder. A roar filled her ears and she saw Cori get thrown to the ground. Her hands curled into fists and her knuckles turned white. Breck jumped the man from behind and sunk his fangs into the neck. He jumped off the wounded and returned to Cori. She rose to her feet and they stared up at the attacker. He raised a gun and aligned it with Breck's head. Aine jumped the man and threw the gun aside. He threw her off and she landed on her feet. Pulling the stake from her pocket, she met the vampire face and her eyes flashed. His fangs flashed in the night and he lunged. She slid behind him and shoved the stake into his heart. He turned to look at her and disappear. Letting her lungs recover from the rush, she turned to the wolves and approached silently. Kneeling next to Cori, she slid her hands over the she-wolf body and hugged her. Cori licked her face and she turned to Breck. He nudged her hand and she laughed. "I've missed you so much." A bark caught her attention and she caught the pouncing Belenus. Landing on her back, she was covered in kisses and pushed him off. He wagged his tail and she kissed his head. Breck nudged Cori and she retreated into the lair. Belenus slowly followed his mother and she met the alpha's gaze. The stake rested on the ground and she slid her arms around his warm coat. He nudged her face and she kissed his head. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner." He let out a whine and she laughed. Rubbing his ears, she rose to her feet and caught the stake. Slipping it into her jacket, she looked back at the wolf and he moved into the lair. Knowing things were finally okay, she left the lair and headed back to town. Stopping inside the town, she saw the two leaving the tavern and met red eyes. The vampire left Doran's side and slowly approached. She stared at the vampire and her hand rested around the stake. Doran stared at them and quickly moved between them "Bryg, let it go. She won't hurt you." The vampire knocked him aside and said, "She just killed one of us." Catching Doran's gaze, she saw him stare at the vampire and the knowledge of her identity was chilling. "I thought you were bound to Coyle, Hunter." Her eyes met the red ones and she growled, "I'm bound to no one." "His blood is in you. I hear it calling to me." Doran glanced at Aine and then back at Bryg. Coyle sounded familiar, something he'd heard from Bryg. Blood inside Aine was only human blood. Bryg stood in front of her and spat on the ground. She released the stake in her hand and held the vampress's glare. "You're the informant." A smile crossed Bryg's face and she said, "Just as quick as your mother, Colleen." Her eyes flashed and she growled, "Get lost." Bryg sneered and asked, "Did I hit a nerve? Do you not love your mother? You're a splitting image of her." The stake cut into her hand and she said, "Doran, get her out of her or I'll kill her." He stared at her and saw the ice in her gaze. Everything was different about her. Something changed inside her and if this Coyle's blood was in her he knew something bad was going to happen. He caught Bryg's wrist and the vampress followed him down the street. Letting out a sigh, she ran her hand over her neck and looked down the street. "Smart move." His voice calmed the raging inside her and she looked up. He sat on the roof of a house and stared down at her. She released the stake and he dropped to the ground. His eyes studied her face and he drew her hand from her jacket. "You kill my kind when they threaten the wolves, but do not kill them if they approach you." She held her ground and said, "I'd have to deal with Bain. I don't need another round with him." Coyle released her hand and heard the steadying pulse. He'd never heard it race before nor had he ever seen her set to kill so quickly. "Keep those minions away from my family and I won't kill you." She turned on her heels and walked down the street. He watched her disappear and stared down at his hand. Her pulse had been racing in his grip and his eyes narrowed. A scent covered hers and he recognized it slowly. Growling, he returned to the roof and followed her through the streets. She walked into her home and closed the door. Shedding her jacket, she kicked off her boots and walked upstairs. Not bothering with the lights, she moved to the window and sat down. She was too wired to sleep and the encounter with Coyle left her high strung. He had watched the feud and yet didn't stop his own. She frowned and heard, "How many did you kill?" She looked up from the window and found Aedan sitting up, watching her. She smirked and got to her feet. He drew her down onto the bed and she rested her head on the pillows. His hand slid along her arm and she closed her eyes. "One, almost two." "What stopped you?" "Doran's dating her." Aedan stared at her and she shrugged. Chuckling, he drew her into his warm embrace and she savored the relaxing kiss. His mouth was hot and demanding, pushing any thoughts from her head. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she lost herself in him and welcomed the distraction. Their clothes landed on the floor and he entered her. Her hands dug into his shoulder as the storm built and she closed her eyes. The power building between them left her in a haze and she moaned as his climax came. She followed quietly and he kissed her, calming her spinning mind. She slid her her hands through his damp hair and he trailed kisses down to her breasts. His mouth returned to hers and he pulled out slowly. Holding her in his arms, he rested on his side and she curled up in his embrace. Her breath brushed his chest and his hand slid through her hair. She closed her eyes and he kissed her forehead. Resting his eyes, he let out a sigh and followed her into a gentle sleep. ______________________________________________ His eyes stared at their sleeping forms and he felt the fangs extending in his mouth. He'd heard her moaning and watched the way they touched each other. She was with this man again, giving herself to him without a second thought. Golden eyes flashed through the night and his hiss slid into the window. Dropping down to the street, he shoved his hands into his pockets. She had left after speaking with Bain. He'd monitored their conversation but didn't enter the room when Bain left. He waited until nightfall, believing she was too weak still. Finding her room empty and the window open corrected that thought. This woman was using their connection to heal herself quicker than any other hunter and leaving him uncertain of the next move in their game. He quietly returned to the manor and stepped into his room. Artis sat on his bed and he closed the door. She watched him remove his shirt and dispose of his boots. His expression was wild and she stood up slowly. He caught her in his arms and threw her onto the bed. His hands removed her wimpy clothing and she devoured his hard kisses. Taking him inside her, she felt his agitation fueling him and she savored it. He had lacked a fire in their recent bedding sessions. It was back and she knew why. She could smell that woman on him. Grateful the woman had corrected the path he was heading down, Artis felt his fangs in her breast and moaned. She always fed well before coming to him. He drank more each time they came together and tonight he was famished. She held onto his broad shoulders and felt the ecstasy filling her mind. Slowly feeling began to dim and she closed her eyes. He closed the marks with his tongue and rolled onto his back. She moved with him and her leg draped across him. He didn't care if they were still connected. His mind was slowly calming down and he slid his hand through her hair. Artis was the only sane thing left for him to use. His eyes lingered on the ceiling and he heard the moaning and saw the two again. Keeping the annoyance silent, he let a cold smirk cross his face. The woman wanted to test his patience and he would do the same. He wasn't the head of his kind for nothing. He could manipulate anyone to do his bidding and this hunter would die if he had any say in it. He wasn't going to lose his position to a woman. Her blood was a drug but soon he would be feasting on the blood and hearing her last breaths. He'd kill her the same way Bain disposed of her mother. It was the only pleasure they got out of Hunters. Using their bodies past mortal limits and then killing them. That was the next move in their twisted game. He closed his eyes and let the smirk disappear. The woman would be alone soon enough and then he would do it. He needed her gone and needed his world back to normality. If it means losing the wolves's trust, so be it. He would not stand by anymore and lose himself in a woman.