Fenrir: Savage Pack, #1

Chapter 1

Kraven liked it when she woke gently and could ease into her day. Today was not one of those days.  Instead, it felt like she’d been put through a blender and then poured back into her body to be met with the clash of an out of rhythm drum line pounding between her temples. She groaned, scouring her memory for what had gone so horribly wrong that she felt like this. It had to be the mead, she thought, and vaguely remembered drinking cup after cup of the honeyed goodness. After that? Nothing.

She cracked one eye, but everything was still dark. Her nose twitched as the fluttering of her eyelashes made something tickle her nostrils and want to sneeze. Her head hurt too much to think, but her brain insisted on puzzling it out anyway. She groaned as she lifted her head and winced as her hair slid back and light blinded her, feeling like an ice pick to the eye. Squinting, Kraven waited for the room to come into focus.  Not that it helped, because what she saw made no sense.

Kraven blinked at the ceiling and, her brows wrinkled with confusion. Why is my bra twirling on the ceiling fan? Wait. Since when do I have a ceiling fan? Her golden eyes flared as memories of a naked man flashed through her head. Oh. Hell. No. I didn’t. The sinking feeling in her stomach told her that, oh yes, she had.

With cold dread making her nauseous, she rolled her head on the pillow, praying it was empty. It wasn’t. Her brow arched at the furry head and partially open muzzle. A wolf? Of course, because why wouldn’t there be? Duck my life. Kraven groaned. One night in Midgard and this is how it ends? In bed with an animal? She was open to a lot, but bestiality wasn’t her thing.

She shuddered and groaned without meaning to. Wincing, her eyes darted to the massive canine beside her. For the love of Odin, please don’t wake up or get bitey, she prayed silently. The wolf was huge. Its coat was a pretty mix of brown and grey. It was probably gorgeous as wolves went, but with the confusing scraps of memories ping-ponging through her head, she found it hard to appreciate. She struggled to make sense of the man she remembered, with the doe brown eyes and hair to match, that fell over his eyes and gave him a boyish charm that had piqued her interest, and the animal in the bed beside her. Maybe he was one of those shifter beings that her sister had told her about.  That was still shudder-worthy, but she could live with it.

Her brows furrowed and sent a bolt of pain through her head. Kraven shoved the heal of her hand against her eye and tried to wish her hangover away. It didn’t work. She peeked under the sheet and confirmed her fear that she was naked and then glared at her bra as it circled on the fan above her. She’d been sent here to do a job, and she was wasting time. That wasn’t a luxury that even a Valkyrie of her station had.

She had to get her head back in the game, find Fenrir and stuff his furry ass back into his cell before all Hell broke loose, literally. The first step was getting out of here without waking up the ‘big bad wolf.’ Kraven rolled to the edge of the bed, slithered her bare skin out from under the sheet and landed in a crouch. Holding her breath, her eyes bounced between the wolf’s closed eyes and the steady rise and fall of his chest. Just stay asleep a little longer, she prayed.

Creeping over the hardwoods, she picked through the trail of clothes that led to the bed, gathering hers and arching a brow at those that belonged to a man. It took longer than it should have. Every time the floorboards creaked she cringed and stared at the wolf on the bed. The harder she tried to be quiet the more noise she seemed to make. Kraven glanced up at the ceiling fan. Yeah, that bra is a casualty of war. Too bad, I liked that one. Now, where the hell is my underwear?

The wolf on the bed stirred, and Kraven froze. Paws extended, and furry toes parted as they stretched. Kraven held her breath and waited to be pinned by its predatory gaze. She sighed her relief when his eyes remained closed, and a groan rumbled in his chest. Casting a last mournful look at the ceiling fan, Kraven pulled her shirt over her head and stepped into her jeans. She hopped on one foot and tried to stuff her other leg into the remaining pant leg, but the world seemed to shift under her, throwing her off balance. Her eyes widened. Yup, she was going down. Skinny jeans were no good for a quick exit, and she cursed the sales girl that had convinced her to follow fashion over function.

Kraven landed with a less than graceful plop. Her eyes darted to the sleeping wolf, and she stifled a groan when its strangely familiar deep brown eyes rolled open, holding her captive and sending a pleasant jolt to all the parts she was doing her level best to cover. This situation was disturbing on too many levels to count. With her bare ass against the floorboards and her jeans around her knees, she felt the blood racing to her face. Oh, joy. Caught with my pants down, literally, and now I’m blushing. This day just keeps getting better. Um. Hi. I was just... Kraven pointed toward the door. Yeah, I’m gonna go now.

Shooting to her feet, she yanked the denim up her thighs, fastened the fly and grabbed one boot from the dresser while her eyes searched for the other. Crap, it’s under the bed. Do I really need two boots? Kraven sighed as more heat filled her face. Yes, damn it, I need them both. Just gonna get my other shoe. She edged toward the bed, for the first time realizing that the monstrous wolf could decide she would make a delightful snack and that it had to be dinner time somewhere. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was amused, with the way its brows shifted over its umber gaze as he watched her.

Kraven’s hands itched to sink into the impressive cape over his neck and back to see if it was as soft as it appeared, or would the hair be course? What the hell was wrong with her? Shaking herself, she reached under the bed to snatch the other boot and put her hormones on lockdown as a perfect specimen of the masculine form flashed in her memory. Tall, dark, delectable and even now, it made her mouth water. She remembered a deep hypnotic voice, the heat of big hands drifting over her skin and her saying...

Kraven closed her golden eyes as yet more heat filled her face. So, this is how spontaneous combustion happens. Good to know. Wincing, she glanced up at him. Did I really say wolves are people too, and I was happy to do my part for world unity?

The big wolf chuffed, and there was no mistaking the amusement dancing in those dark eyes.

Yeah. I was afraid of that. Um. Kraven backed toward the door with her boots still clutched in one hand while the other reached behind her to turn the knob without looking. She’d never been so embarrassed in her life, but on the bright side she was almost positive he was a wolf shifter, and she hadn’t committed any cardinal sins that she’d rather be lobotomized than remember. Nice to meet you and all. She wracked her brain for his name or any words that would make this less awkward. She had nothing. Catch you later.

She backed out and yanked the door closed behind her, wincing at the loud slam. Still holding the knob, she dropped her head against the cool wood of the door, needing a moment to collect herself. Duck my life, Kraven muttered and raised her head. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and spun on her bare heel. She yelped and froze. No less than five pairs of eyes were locked on her. Some were curious, and some were hostile. Either way, there was no way out of this with her dignity intact.

FENRIR CHUCKLED AND shifted to his human form when she closed the door behind her. She’d taken finding a wolf beside her well, better than most. Not that he shifted in his sleep often, just when he drank too much and if the pounding between his ears was any indication, they’d finished off that keg of mead they’d started last night. He scrubbed his face with his hands and glanced toward the bathroom. A shower would put him back to right, and his bladder was screaming, but the girl wasn’t going to get far. The Alpha’s house always had someone milling around and most didn’t take kindly to strangers.

He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and dropped his face into his hands as soon as his feet hit the floor. Uhg. Waiting for the screaming to start, he raised his head to blink at the sun coming through the window, arching a brow at a black lacey pair of underwear dangling from the lock. I guess she’d rather go commando than stay. He chuckled again, wincing at how it made his head ache. Good, he groaned out. The last thing he needed was some clingy woman that he couldn’t shake. He had no time or patience for that shit. A good roll in the sack was all he was interested in, though he wouldn’t have minded a second round with that one. She was breathtakingly beautiful, even with a bad case of bedhead. And higher maintenance than you could tolerate, he reminded himself.

Still, he couldn’t help wondering if he should be a little insulted by her hasty exit. Seriously, what did she find so repulsive that she needed to sneak out without saying goodbye? Just be grateful she’s gone, he muttered, cutting off that line of thought that always degraded into obsessing over Brooklyn and his mother, the only two women, other than his sister, that he could say he’d ever truly loved. They had one thing in common, they’d both bailed on him. Fenrir had no intention of setting himself up for that kind of hurt again.

A faint rattling came from above, causing his head to tilt back. A wide grin came to his lips. Underwear wasn’t the only thing she was missing this morning. Knowing that, eased whatever hurt feelings he’d been nursing. That, and knowing that she wouldn’t be going far until he was ready, no matter how eager she was. They were in the Hollow, the Savage Pack’s territory and the wards that protected it didn’t allow anyone to come or go without a pack member’s assistance. It was her bad luck that they didn’t take outsiders in their territory kindly.

Fenrir glanced at the clock and chuckled again, surprised that she wasn’t screaming and pounding on his door to get back inside. He pushed off the bed and crossed the room, plucking the black lace from the window before pulling the curtains closed. He sighed his relief when the pounding in his head backed off, and the light dimmed. He grabbed a pair of sweats from a basket of clean-ish laundry in his closet, pulled them on and shoved the black lacy thing into his pocket before grabbing a clean black wifebeater from a dresser drawer.

Again, the bra swinging lazy laps around the fan on the ceiling caught his attention. Smirking, Fenrir pulled the black cotton shirt over his head and then down over his chest and stomach. He should return that to her. It was only polite, to be sure she had all her things before she left. He chuckled. If he did it in front of whoever was up and making breakfast this morning, maybe she’d turn that adorable shade of red again. That was too hard to resist.

He hopped up on the bed that he should be making instead of walking on, stretched up and pulled the cord to turn it off. When he could stop the blades with his hand, he pulled the lacy undergarment down. Without meaning to, he held it under his nose and inhaled deeply. That was a mistake. As soon as her scent filled his nose, his cock twitched and not in the way meant to remind him to take a leak. Though that was a pressing need.

After taking another healthy sniff of the sheer fabric that matched the underwear, he balled up the bra and shoved it into his other pocket, before hopping off the bed and crossing the room to take care of his need to piss. When he was done, he pulled his sweats back up to cover himself and arched a brow at the tent in his pants. There was no hiding that. Growling, he washed his hands and threw some water on his face while trying to will the erection away. Wiping his face, he knew it was a lost cause.

Sighing, Fenrir brushed his teeth. He was going to have to change into something that could wrangle that son of a bitch between his legs into submission. Spitting the minty foam into the sink, he rinsed the toothbrush and returned to the dresser to pull on a pair of snug, but not too tight, jeans. He eyed his crotch again. It wasn’t great, but it would do. He retrieved the sweats from the floor and pulled out the undergarments, balling them in his hand before going to find the woman. He wanted her gone ASAP, but not before he made her face glow with a little friendly public humiliation. He chuckled at the thought.

Chapter 2

Kraven sighed and let her head fall forward on her shoulders. So much for a stealthy escape. She had no choice but to do the walk of shame. Her brow arched when low growls began to vibrate the air around her and the eyes locked on her flared with a faint glow that told her she was surrounded by wolves. Slowly, she raised her hands, palm out, showing they were empty as her eyes searched for an exit.

Let’s all calm down. I just want to leave. She forced a smile and edged further into the room even though her feet wanted to retreat. He didn’t mention the pack would be here to wish me a good morning. What a nice surprise. Kraven was relieved that her voice sounded much calmer than her pounding pulse. She knew she could survive an attack unless they beheaded her, but she had a job to do, and the pain would slow her down.

I don’t suppose any of you have heard of a wolf named Fenrir, or can tell me where to find him? Kraven’s tone was conversational as one of the men on the other side of the large open plan home shifted into a gray wolf and began toward her. Tracking him, she smiled at the others. I wonder where their clothes go when they do that, she thought randomly.

A mountain of a man with dark skin and darker eyes pointed his finger at the door she’d just come through. Why you asking?

Kraven followed his finger and where it pointed to. Seriously? she asked the only one that seemed willing to do more than growl and glare.

Yeah. You didn’t answer the question. The man stepped closer, forcing Kraven to crane her head back to see his face.

She sighed. She would have closed her eyes or considered pounding her head against the wall, but if the wolf trotting toward her jumped, she needed to see it coming. Of course. It would have to be him. Great. She faked her enthusiasm like it was her job. Is it too much to ask that a man live up to the hype, just once? Duck!

Snickers and laughs broke out, and most of the onlookers seemed to relax. Even the approaching gray wolf veered off and sat on its haunches, watching her curiously with one blue and one green eye.

Duck what? the big guy asked, tilting his head to the side.

My life?

What does that have to do with poultry?

Huh? Kraven had no idea what he was talking about.

Ducks. You know. They have wings and waddle. As in, if it walks like one and quacks like one, it is one? The man’s confused expression mirrored her own, though his was infinitely more menacing.

I’m trying to follow, but you’re not making any sense, Kraven admitted, lowering her arms and bracing her hands on her hips.

I’m the one not making sense? Onyx snorted and rubbed a hand over his head. It was shaven but due for a touch-up.

None, at all. Kraven shook her head.

But you said it.

Said what?

Duck! he exclaimed with an exasperated sigh. Please, someone, anyone, tell me this is really happening because I think I’m losing my shit.

Exactly! Kraven agreed with a smile. She had no idea why the man turned away and rubbed his face with his hand or why he groaned.

Tell me I can kill her. She makes my head hurt, Nyx muttered to the room in general.

I vote no, Kraven smiled, not sure what his issue was. He was one confusing man.

You don’t get to vote, he growled, glancing up at her.

Why not? Is it a prejudice thing? Are you profiling me because I can’t sprout fur and don’t want to howl at the big glowing ball in the sky after dark? Kraven crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but profiling is wrong. Well, more politically incorrect then wrong, but still wrong. She arched a brow, drumming her fingers against her arm as she waited for a response.

The wolf with the mismatched eyes whined and lowered its body to the floor before covering its muzzle with a paw.

I second the vote to kill her. She makes my head hurt too, Nyx. That came from a bearded guy wearing a worn Boston Red Sox hat, standing near the fireplace.

We only need one more, Nyx turned away and leaned on the kitchen island as he looked around the room hopefully. Anyone?

Duck my life, Kraven muttered and for the first time listened to her feet, taking a step closer to the bedroom she’d just left.

Nyx groaned and banged his head against the heel of his hand. She’s doing it again. Make her stop.

FENRIR’S BROWS CREASED, and his chin tilted up at the change to the general scent of the house. Tension and frustration were on the verge of becoming aggression. He sighed. One morning that didn’t end with mopping someone’s blood off the floor was something they really needed to try. You’d think they could learn to coexist, but not the Savage pack or any other he’d come across.

His eyes closed for a moment when he remembered that the chick from last night was wandering around out there and was about to get an eyeful of something they didn’t want her to. Damn it, he growled and yanked open the door just in time to hear her rant on profiling.

What your life? He stopped behind her, smirking when she jumped.

Don’t do it, man, Nyx warned raising his head from his palm only enough to see Fenrir. It’s a trap. Trust me.

I don’t think he likes me, Kraven whispered, though not exactly quietly because she didn’t care if the Nyx guy heard her or not.

You think? Nyx scoffed and lowered his head again.

Kraven ignored him, mostly. The expression of fuck you that she wore spoke volumes.

Back at you, Sweetheart, Nyx growled.

What’s not to like, when you’ve obviously got mad skill at making friends, Fenrir almost choked on his amusement when Nyx snorted.

I don’t know, Kraven shrugged and shook her head. I’m a ducking delight to be around.

Ducking?

Nooooooooooo, Nyx groaned, and some of the others snickered.

Yes, ducking! What’s so ducking hard to understand about it? She turned a glare on Fenrir. You know, duck you, duck me, we ducked and duck my ducking life! Her voice grew louder with each word, carrying to the back corners of the room.

Oh, he bit his lip trying not to join the others who were laughing at her, some so hard that tears streamed down their faces. I think you mean fuck, Beautiful.

No, I’m pretty sure... Kraven trailed off and turned when she heard someone snort and watched them crumble to the floor, holding their sides and howling with laughter. Her mouth snapped shut, and she turned back to face Fenrir, appearing much calmer than before. With an F, you say? Interesting.

Yes, with an F. Fenrir grinned.

You’re sure?

Definitely. A duck is a bird.

Kraven nodded, tapping her index finger against her bent arm. I’m going to kill my sister. Awesome! Now I have something to do after breakfast.

She taught you that? Fenrir lost the battle of holding his laughter in. If you tell me she did it on a cell phone, I’m going to need to sit down. The look she gave him said it all and Fenrir lost it. Leaning back against the wall and sliding down into a squat, he gasped for air.

Kraven arched a dark brow and eyed him. I don’t understand why that’s funny, her tone was so dry that even Nyx chuckled.

Autocorrect, Fenrir snorted and wiped at his tear-streaked face.

Well, that explains nothing. Thank you for clearing that up. She watched him, sighing when she obviously thought it had gone on long enough. When you’re done, I’m going to need you to come with me.

It wasn’t the words but her authoritative tone that broke through his fit of humor. She sounded like a cop who was trying to walk someone out to a place they could be cuffed and stuffed into a cop car. Yeah, I don’t think so. He wiped his eyes with the tail of his wifebeater.

What do you mean?

I mean, no ducking way, he coughed trying to control the laugh that wanted to come back.

Kraven rolled her eyes, not appreciating his humor. But you have to.

I really don’t. I can walk you out. That’s about as much as you can hope for. Fen pushed back to his feet and pointing toward the door. After you.

You’re Fenrir, right?  Not just some idiot who thinks it’s a cool name.

He growled and glared around the room, wondering who had given his hit-it-and-quit-it his name. So, what if I am?

THE Fenrir, she ignored his attempt to usher her out, and the doubt in her voice told him that she thought he was indeed an idiot.

The only one I’ve met, why? This wasn’t funny anymore, and his pack was getting twitchy. The occasional growl had become a long drone as one picked it up before it was dropped by another.  He didn’t want to be cleaning pieces of her off the walls for the rest of the day, but if she kept this up, it was going to happen.

I’ve been hired to bring you in.

Chapter 3

Kraven glanced over her shoulder when she realized that the room had gone silent. A rodent passing gas would sound like thunder right now. A chill raced down her spine, warning that she was in danger and should not have made her demand public. Or not, she gave a shaky laugh. I think I really would like to leave now. She’d also like to manifest her weapons to defend herself but sensed doing so would cause more violence than it