I was shaking with fury that I'd just attained pleasure with his root in me. Even more angry that I'd succumbed to it when I so clearly resented this man. But it'd felt like I didn't even have time to think about it. To fight it.

Before I could process anything, I was shuddering around him. Making him clutch me and pull my body back against him as he rocked in rhythm to that clenching inside me. Savoring the feel of my body sucking him in.

How can he have this effect on me? I wanted to throw a tantrum like a child. Kicking and screaming but knew that doing so while he was planted in me would only bring him sordid pleasure.

"I can't stand you!" I raged.

"But you bear my flesh so well." He panted coaxingly. Still forcing in then sliding back. "And you just soaked my rod with your woman's heat." He purred animalistically. "And it felt sweet, Little bird."

He pushed in more wildly than gave a growl that shook the hut. Piercing deep as I felt his hot fluid pour into me. Feeling the pulsing of his hard flesh. He moaned long and his grip was nearly bruising as he held my legs like a life line to keep him steady.

***

"You're a bastard." I said from under the bed. So angry I was grumbling.

"That I am, My Dear." He rolled aside. Giving my already reddened buttocks another light swat. "Lord you felt good, Woman. Like made to fit me. I've never felt one so fine. I'm beginning to think you were carved out by some goddess just for me."

He settled his back against the rail, flattening his long legs out in front of him and slumping his arms to the side as if spent from his ecstasy.

Something he stole from my body. My mouth twitched in contempt, and I ripped the pillow out from under me and threw it at him as I scurred backward. Out from under the bed and onto my knees to glare hatefully at him.

"I'm not for you. And one day I'll get away from you and you'll never see me again."

He scoffed. Not even looking at me. Staring at the wall across from him as he spoke. "Don't be so sure about that. I'm an exceptional tracker and I know a man even better. Nothing escapes his hunt."

"Who?"

"His name is Rhyers. Christophe Rhyers."

***

I'd never heard Mardichi speak of anyone with that softened note. Respect and fondness?

"Your brother?" It dawned on me that this man had been taking my body for several days now. And I barely knew his name. I only thought of him as the barbarian.

Because that's what he is to me.

"Of a sort." He tilted his head grudgingly. "He'd say yea."

"A close friend then?"

"Closer than most." He said cryptically. "My brethren."

"How many of you are there."

He tipped his head back and laughed outright. Making flat white teeth visible in what seemed an inordinately large mouth. His waving red hair falling back along the bed and over his muscled shoulders. Watching him laugh like that was somehow incredibly appealing.

Because it's rare.

I was disgusted at my own thoughts. Two minutes ago, he'd forcefully taken me. Pinned under his bed. And now I'm praising his beauty. Fool that I am!

"What are you?" I blurted in some strange state of wonder.

He finally rolled his head to look at me with those piercing blue eyes. "Now, that, Little Bird is an excellent question."

"You said you're a wolf."

"I am. But it's not as simple as that. I can become several creatures."

I shook my head in confusion. Is he mocking me again?

"Do you think me dimwitted."

He snorted. "Not slightly. You'd be much more tolerable if you were."

I gasped in affront, and he reached over and nudged my chin with his knuckles.

"Ye're a fine one. Trouble or not." He said as if to reassure me he was only teasing.

***

Seeing I was eyeing him suspiciously, he sighed and looked back forward. "Would you believe me, if I told you once I was a knight."

"For who?" I expostulated. Wondering what king in the entirety of the land would take him for something honorable and loyal.

He laughed. "You could at least feign less surprise. It'd be the polite thing to do."

I glowered at him. "You're not one to be chastising me for rudeness."

I nodded toward the bed purposefully. To remind him of what he'd just finished doing to me.

"Come now, Little Bird." He gave me a chastising look. "I'd agree you were far less than willing, but did I not give you pleasure before taking mine."

"Purely incidentally."

"Was it?" He tilted his head slowly. "I know when a woman relents. When her body softens. The feel of her skin bumping right before she super heats as she peaks around my rigid..."

"Stop!" I put up a staying hand. Realizing he had certainly accurately depicted what I'd experienced.

He's right. He does know what he's doing. He knows the place where pain becomes pleasure.

He'd have to with the smith's hammer he carries atwixt his legs. I thought to myself. My face tightening.

"Stop looking at me as though you'd love to thrash me." He said with a grin playing around his lips.

"I would."

"Undoubtedly. But it'd only give me more pleasure, Sweet Thing." He looked at me again with a cocky smirk. "And ye're still afire with how much ye've given me already." His gaze slid over me. Lingering on every part of me that he liked.

I instinctively covered myself.

He clucked in his cheek. "No shame in this hut, Little Bird."