Quietly the sun rose into the sky and fell once more behind the horizon. She sat on the boulder by the lake and watched Belenus and Breck romp with one another. Resting her chin on her knees, she let out a quiet sigh. They were adjusting and she knew it would only be time before she would be wanted back. She watched Breck pin the growing pup down and she smirked. Breck allowed Belenus to his paws and looked at her. She watched the pup spot her and watched him jump into the cold lake. He swam rapidly to her side and she pulled herself off the boulder. His legs pulled him out of the lake and he raced to her. She knelt down and he knocked her onto her back. Kisses covered her face and she shoved him off slowly. He caught her arm in his mouth and she met his gaze. The light in his eyes made her laugh and she pushed him off. He bounced away and leapt onto his hind legs. His paws hit her chest and knocked her back into the boulder. Catching his face in her hands, she rubbed his ears and he wagged his tail. Kissing his head, she let him go and he jumped down. Breck approached them slowly and she watched Belenus slowly give up his game. The pup nudged her hand once and returned to his father. They disappeared into the forest and she let out a sigh. Glancing down at her muddy clothes, she shook her head and pulled her boots off. Dropping her shirt onto the boulder, she discarded her jeans onto the boots with socks and approached the lake. Wading out to waist high water, she dipped into the water and allowed the cold to cool her blood. Surfacing, she rolled onto her back and made a path down to the end of the lake. Coming back to the center, she rolled onto her stomach and swam to the other end. Each stroke became easier and she tried another lap down the lake. Feeling some resistance slipping into her muscles, she moved to the far end once more and came to a stop in the middle. Treading water, she allowed herself to let out a deep breath and drop below the surface. Sinking away from the surface, she opened her eyes and watched the light slowly disappear. She could feel her lungs burning for air but she wanted to stay buried in the water. The images passed through her head and she closed her eyes. She let out a breath and fought back the pain. She didn't want to see Cori or feel her cold coat in her hands. Gunshots rung in her ears and she felt herself shaking. Pulling her eyes open, she gave a strong kick and rose to the surface. Holding the coughing inside, she drew in deep breaths and waded to the shore. Reaching her clothes, she pulled them on and slid into her boots. Dropping to the ground, she collapsed onto her back and stared up at the night sky. Her neck burned and she covered the old wounds. Looking around, she felt the growing cold and she sat up. "Thought you were going to do my job for me." Her eyes narrowed and she saw the shadow moving closer into the light. She watched Bain appear and saw the red gaze buried in his eyes. Frowning, she pushed herself to her feet and let go of her neck. Her eyes met the bloody gaze and he sneered, showing fresh blood on his fangs. She felt the coldness wrapping around her lungs and she glanced over her shoulder. Bryg stood down the bank and she shifted back to keep them both her field of vision. Bryg stepped closer and she slid her feet back slowly. She knew they held the advantage but she wasn't going to run away. Bryg sneered and asked, "Why would a wounded, sick hunter be out here by herself?" She felt her fists tightened and her breathing grew shallow. Her eyes snapped back to Bain and he drew closer. Backing up, she brushed up against the boulder and allowed it to support her. Bryg lunged and reached for her throat. She dropped below the attack and rolled away. Bain caught her arm in his boot and held her pinned below him. She stared up at him and he knelt down. A hard hand ran along her face and she brought her boots into the back of his head. He stumbled off her and she jumped to her feet. Bryg slammed into her and she caught her balance, stepping into the lake. The two lunged together and she jumped away from Bryg. Bain caught her head and slammed his arm into it. She felt the fist hit her stomach and she met Bryg's stare. The sneer fueled her blood and she used the hold to kick the vampress away. Bain let out a snarl and jerked her head back, sinking his fangs into her shoulder. Feeling the pain slipping into her head, she jerked away and moved further out into the lake. Bryg caught the wounded shoulder and dug her nails into it. She tried breaking the hold but dropped to her knee. The water rested around her neck and Bryg pulled her to her feet. "I'll leave you with a message for Coyle." The fangs ripped into the open wound and she felt the cold slipping past the pain. Bain cleared his throat and the fangs jerked out. She dropped into the lake and Bryg returned to Bain. They left the cold water and she pulled herself onto her feet. Having no strength, she dropped to her knees and forced the air past her frozen lungs. Closing her eyes, she took another deep breath and heard the water splash. She looked up slowly and watched Belenus and Breck swim to her. She felt them surround her and she slid her arm over Breck. They helped her out of the water and she dropped down next to the boulder. Belenus rested next to her and warmed her frozen skin as Breck disappeared into the woods. She held her hand to the wound and closed her eyes. Resting her head on Belenus's back, she felt his warmth surround her mind as she slid into oblivion. ___________________________________________________________ The pull of blood drew his mind awake and he opened his eyes. Looking at the ceiling, he felt the pull deepen and he rose to his feet. Climbing the stairs, he walked to the hall and approached the door. Pulling the door open, he stepped outside and felt the sun rising. He heard the racing paws and looked to the woods. Breck stopped in sight and his golden eyes glowed. The bare fangs drew the attention and Coyle approached the wolf. He backed up and turned to the forest. Watching the wolf disappear, he followed and tasted the blood in his mouth. Reaching the lake, he saw Breck race down the bank and stop by the boulder. Her scent filled his head and he moved silently to the wolf. Seeing Belenus curled up around her, he knelt next to the pup and ran his hand over his head. Belenus looked up at him and gave him access to her. The smell was intoxicating and he saw the blood running down her arm. Growling, he lifted her into his arms and felt her cold body hang limply in his hold. His fangs flashed as he let the smell fill his head and he took to the trees. Quickly he moved through the forest and landed in front of the manor. Throwing the door open, he mounted the stairs and moved to the south wing. Reaching her room, he stepped inside and moved to a chair. Resting her in the chair, he filled a glass and placed it next to the table. He drew her hair away and turned her head to see the wound. The red blood drove him into a haze and he lowered his mouth to the hot liquid. Running his tongue over the wound, he felt the blood slow its flow and he pulled back. She was cold and needed days of rest. He was starving and her blood was the only thing that satisfied him. Growling, he drew her into his arms and picked up the glass. Resting on her bed, he forced the liquid into her mouth and set the cup aside. Hearing the pulse grow stronger, he looked down at her and watched her slowly stir. She opened her eyes briefly and stared at him before drifting back into oblivion. He felt her heart beating against his arm and placed her on the bed. The wet clothes needed removed and he moved to her closet. Grabbing sweats, he returned to the bed and removed her boots. Pulling her up in his arms, he removed the soaked jeans and shirt. Pulling the sweats up her legs, he felt the strong muscles against his hand and stopped. She rested in his hold and was at his mercy, lying half naked before him. The ache filled him as he pulled the pants up to her waist and picked up the sweatshirt. Slipping it over her head, he freed her hair and lowered her onto the bed. She was feasted on and beaten. Growling, he drew her shirt away from the shoulder wound and looked at the bite. His eyes became golden and he ran his tongue over old blood. Her body warmed around him and he let out a groan. He moved the shirt further away from the wound and brushed his fangs against it. Her pulse jumped and he sank his teeth into her. She felt the power and her eyes flew open. He drank slowly, feeling her blood satisfying his hunger. The sensations flooded her head and she felt her body awakening to him. He drew back and slid his tongue over the wound. Pulling the sweatshirt down, he met her gaze and saw her dark gaze reflecting back at him. He pulled her up and she ran a hand along his jaw. Her touch burned and he closed his eyes. She took a deep breath and brushed her lips over his. He stilled and felt the hunger ignite within. Wrapping his arm around her, he crushed her to him and devoured her mouth. She moaned into the kiss and he nipped her lip. The blood filled his mouth and he slid his tongue over her lip, devouring her taste. She closed her eyes and his kiss devoured her again. Hands clinging to his shirt, she felt her blood racing in her ears and wanted more. He caught her head and pulled it back. He pushed the sweatshirt up and yanked it off her. She met his gaze and he pulled her onto his lap. Feeling her burning skin in his hands, he devoured her mouth and listened to the racing pulse. His hands slid up her back and he pulled her closer to him, pressing her against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he looked at her. Watching her rapid breathing, he watched her close her eyes and slow her breathing. He lowered his mouth to the exposed swell above her bra and sank his fangs into the soft skin. The hot pleasure filled her and she went limp in his arms. He drank slowly, savoring the taste and fuel. Hearing her pulse dropping, he felt her blood flow slowing. Closing the wound, he looked at her and lowered her onto the bed. Holding her down, he watched her easily slip into a long sleep and covered her up. Quietly he crossed the room and adjusted the fire. Increasing the flames, he looked back at the bed and watched her curl up under the bedding. She wielded a wild beast in her and it tempted him more with each drink. Stepping out of the room, he closed the door and felt the sun shining against the closed windows. Moving down the hall, he walked to the north wing and disappeared from the sunlight.