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Copyright ©2009 by Kate Hill

First published in 2009, 2009

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CONTENTS

The Huntress

Kate Hill

* * * *

The Huntress

Kate Hill

All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2009 Kate Hill

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The Huntress

Kate Hill

Magda, the powerful new werewolf queen, can handle just about anything, except witnessing the abuse suffered by her lover. Cassia has spent her life using her magical massages as well as her body to serve the greedy warlock who has enslaved her.

Returning from a solitary hunt, Magda meets her lover at the inn where she works, and after another night of passion is determined not to leave alone. This time she will do whatever it takes to free Cassia from Stephan, even if it means risking their lives.

The Huntress

In the Wicked Wild fierce creatures dwelled and the most dangerous forms of magic were practiced without restraint. To survive there, one had to be either tough or cunning. Fortunately for her, Magda was both.

Today she made her way back to her pack's territory after completing a solitary hunt. It had been an exhilarating experience, but not nearly as exciting as what she had planned for tonight.

Earlier she had injured her shoulder. Nothing serious. Just a sprain. Under normal circumstances, she would ignore such an insignificant injury. A time or two of shifting shape would heal it, but tonight she had a better method.

Dusk fell, but the dimness didn't hinder her keen vision as she made her way to Eagle Talon Inn. The place was run by Stephan, a disgusting warlock of limited magical talents. If not for a particular barmaid, Magda wouldn't waste her time stopping there.

A year ago she had come across the inn after suffering a rather serious injury while hunting. She'd needed a place to rest and gather her strength. Stephan had introduced her to one of his workers, a barmaid named Cassia, who gave healing massages. For a fee, she could cure just about anything, and if one wasn't sick or injured, she had other skills to offer. When she wasn't healing or waiting tables, she sold her flesh, for she was in demand among the inn's regular visitors.

At first Magda had nearly refused to allow the barmaid to touch her. Then she had set eyes on Cassia, a tall, slender young woman with dark eyes and long chestnut hair, and was lost. She wasn't sure if the attraction was mutual. Cassia, hardened emotionally by a difficult life, was almost impossible to read.

To heal, Cassia required her patients to strip naked and she massaged them from head to toe. The massage expelled illness, injury, and even the effects of evil magic. By the time she'd finished with that first massage, Magda was healed of her wound but suffering from a fierce case of desire. Making love with Cassia had been the natural thing to do. Paying her afterward wasn't so natural, but worst of all was watching Cassia deposit the money into Stephan's grubby hand.

She told herself she wanted nothing to do with these people again, but memories of Cassia's beautiful eyes, her gentle hands on Magda's body, and the sound of her soft voice in her ear drove the wolf woman back to the inn as often as possible.

Though Cassia seemed to enjoy their encounters, something about her remained distant, as if she feared friendship or love. But Magda hoped if she kept showing Cassia how she felt, the woman would eventually respond emotionally with the same fervor as she gave her lush body.

As Magda walked down a well-trodden path toward the two-story inn made of stone and wood, her clit ached and her nipples stiffened with desire. She had already changed from her wolf form and dressed in trousers, a shirt and boots. Werewolves usually stayed nude, but Eagle Talon Inn had so many seedy characters she was less apt to end up in a hassle if she wore clothes.

Nearing the inn, she glanced through the picture window and noted it was a busy night. Men and women of various magical species mingled at the bar or sat at the tables. Some were involved in a card game and others watched a half-naked dancing girl who was rather pretty, but Magda had no interest in anyone except Cassia.

She opened the door, stepped inside and strode to the bar, where Stephan stood. Tall and skinny, though with a slight potbelly, thin reddish hair and fish-like blue eyes, he smiled, exposing uneven, discolored teeth. Apparently the full house made him quite happy. Magda longed to slap that greedy grin off his ugly face.

Seeing her, he curled his lip. “What do you want, Magda? Or should I say who do you want?"

"Where's Cassia? I need her healing skills."

He snorted. “Sure you do."

"No bull, Stephan.” Magda took several golden elfin coins from her pocket and tossed them on the counter. “Where is she?"

Reaching out with his tapered fingers, he collected the coins and shouted, “Cassia! You've got a customer!"

"I told you I'm taking a break,” Cassia bellowed and strode through the nearby door leading to the kitchen. Her long dark hair was tied back and she wore a flowing skirt and an off-the-shoulder black top that exposed a good deal of her cleavage. Though slim, she still had curves, full breasts and rounded hips. Magda couldn't wait to grasp those hips and cover those breasts with kisses. She longed to suck Cassia's pretty pink nipples, feel them stiffen beneath her probing tongue.

By the flush of Cassia's cheeks and the spray of perspiration across her forehead, nose and upper lip, she'd been very busy all night. Probably waiting on most of the tables in between fucking any beast that paid for her.

Magda's gut tightened. Hadn't she just paid for her as well? She longed for the day Cassia would come to her without the farce of Magda “paying” for it.

Upon seeing Magda, the nasty scowl faded from Cassia's face and she smiled.

"Looks like you've changed your mind about a break,” Stephan sneered, then turned to Magda. “She's all yours."

"Yes, she is,” Magda said, staring into his eyes with such ferocity he turned away.

"Magda,” Cassia called, her gaze darting from the innkeeper to the werewolf. Was that concern in her eyes? And if it was, who was it for? Magda hoped it was for her. “Come upstairs with me."

With a final glare at Stephan, Magda joined Cassia and they wove their way through the crowd toward the stairs at the back of the room.

Cassia led the way up the rickety wooden steps lit only by a dim lantern at the top of the staircase.

"With all the money Stephan takes in, you'd think he'd use some of it to fix this place up,” Magda muttered. “It's 2009 and I bet this place hasn't been touched in the whole two centuries he's been here."

Smiling, Cassia glanced over her shoulder. “I didn't think werewolves cared about the décor."

"Ah, but I wasn't always a werewolf."

"I know. You were one of Artemis’ huntresses.” Cassia paused at the top of the stairs and turned to Magda, who stood two steps beneath her. She reached out and caressed Magda's cheek.

That was true. Magda had spent ages running with Artemis’ band of nymphs and magical huntresses. An experimental tryst with a rather attractive man had ended life as she knew it. After making love with him, he passed on his werewolf curse to her, but in a way it had also set her free. Even as an immortal huntress, she had certain limitations, but to run like a wolf, to finally understand the nature of animals, her prey, was something she had never dreamed of.

"Sometimes I wonder what a huntress, a werewolf queen, needs to come here for, to a woman like me,” Cassia said, her gaze fixed on Magda's.

"You sell yourself short, Cassia.” Magda took her hand and kissed her palm.

Cassia grinned, turned and slipped on a clump of wet leaves on the floor. She fell backward, but Magda caught her and winced, pain shooting through her sprained shoulder.

Cassia heard Magda gasp and was immediately concerned. She tugged away from the huntress’ protective grasp and said, “What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"Just a sprained shoulder."

"Then you really do need my services tonight."

Magda's deep, dark gaze fixed on her and her lips parted, as if she was about to speak, then she simply nodded.

"Come on.” Cassia took Magda's hand, loving its warmth against hers, and guided her down the corridor.

Until meeting Magda, Cassia had never fully understood what it felt like to love someone, and she had never dreamed of falling in love with a customer. Yet Magda was nothing like the others who came here to use her, either for healing or sex. From the first Magda had treated her with kindness, gentleness. In spite of her strength, the werewolf queen had a tender side that Cassia found irresistible.

Usually she loved their interludes, but whenever the beautiful werewolf came to her injured, she couldn't help worrying. Between the hunts and helping her pack defend their territory, Magda led a dangerous life. What if someday she was fatally wounded? Cassia didn't want to think about it.

They made their way down the narrow corridor. Sounds of fucking drifted from the other rooms, but as usual Cassia ignored it. When she finally reached her room, she opened the door. She and Magda stepped inside, then Cassia locked the door behind them, ensuring privacy.

While Magda undressed, Cassia changed the bedding. For anyone else she wouldn't bother, but for Magda she wanted everything fresh and clean. If only Cassia herself could be as pure for her lover, but life had used her badly. Her mother had worked for Stephan and her father had been a satyr passing through for a single night. Later, her mother had traded Cassia for her freedom. Since then the innkeeper had kept her against her will, using one of the few but ferocious spells he had mastered.

Right now nothing mattered to her but the beautiful brown-haired woman undressing across the room. Cassia couldn't keep from staring at her. Magda was tall, deliciously curvy yet athletic and supple from her active lifestyle. She had the most beautiful breasts Cassia had ever seen—not especially large, but very firm and round. The nipples were dusky pink and already stiff with desire.

Magda winced slightly when she shrugged off her shirt and again Cassia felt a wave of concern.

"Lie down,” Cassia told her. “How did it happen?"

"Chasing a boar. I was hungry,” Magda said and stretched out on the bed, belly down.

Cassia shed her clothes quickly then straddled Magda, their backsides resting against each other. It felt so good, their smooth skin touching, but before pleasure came healing.

Slowly, gently, she began massaging Magda's neck and shoulders, absorbing the discomfort from the sprain and feeling it disappear into the air and out of their lives.

Her hands rubbed lower, across Magda's smooth back. “It's been so long since I've seen you I thought you might have decided to stop coming."

"No,” Magda said. “Never. I've just been busy since taking over leadership of the pack. I would have come sooner if I could."

"I ... I missed you."

Magda rolled over and Cassia slid to the side, her legs entwined with Magda's and their gazes locked.

"You did?” Magda asked.

Cassia nodded.

A slight smile touched the werewolf queen's full pink lips. “I'm glad. I missed you, too. Have you been all right?"

"Yes, but I'm better now that you're here."

"Yeah?"

Cassia nodded and leaned closer, her lips almost touching Magda's. The werewolf queen cupped the back of her head and kissed her.

Magda's kisses were always soft and gentle. And she tasted and smelled so good.

Closing her eyes, Cassia parted her lips and their tongues mingled. They explored every inch of each other's mouths and Cassia couldn't resist taking Magda's full lower lip between her teeth and sucking it. She caressed the werewolf queen's hair, loving how thick and smooth it felt. Magda also wove her fingers through Cassia's hair.

Magda's scent—fresh and wild like the woods—tantalized Cassia. She relished the feel of their soft, full breasts pressing against each other and she loved the gentle rub of their stiff nipples. Unable to resist, she broke the kiss and slid down lower on the bed. She grasped one of Magda's soft, round breasts and squeezed it gently while taking the nipple into her mouth. She sucked it and ran her tongue over it. The little bumps on her areola were such a turn-on, the texture of them irresistible.

While she licked and sucked Magda's breasts, the werewolf queen stroked her shoulders and back. Her fingers lightly traced the side of Cassia's breast. No one except Magda had ever touched her like this, as if she was something delicate, worthwhile and appreciated. To everyone else she was just a whore, Stephan's property.

Each time she was with Magda, Cassia longed to make her feel as loved and cared-for as the werewolf queen made her feel. She enjoyed giving Magda pleasure.

Reaching down, she cupped the soft mound between Magda's legs, loving the sensation of her thatch of springy pubic hair and the warmth and softness of her clit, already swollen with desire. The need to lick and suck her lover's clit overcame Cassia and she moved even lower on the bed.

"I've missed you so much,” Magda breathed, falling back on the pillows and spreading her legs for Cassia, who settled between them.

Pleasuring Magda was easy and one of the most joyful things in the world to Cassia. The women had spent enough time together to know exactly what the other wanted.

Cassia buried her face in Magda's dark pubic hair and closed her eyes, enjoying the rough texture of it against her face. Then she rolled her tongue over Magda's plump clit. She gently teased it with her lips, tugging on it ever so lightly. All the while her hands stroked Magda's sleek, beautiful thighs and rounded hips. She reached up and caressed the wolf woman's belly, loving the feel of soft flesh over hard muscle. Magda was the loveliest, sexiest woman Cassia had ever known. Strong yet tender. Powerful but compassionate.

With a sigh of pleasure, Cassia used the very tip of her tongue to stroke the side of Magda's clit. The werewolf queen's body jerked slightly and she moaned, tightening her fingers in Cassia's hair.

Cassia smiled. Magda loved having the side of her clit teased and Cassia didn't blame her one bit. Hers was also very sensitive there and whenever Magda pleasured her, she paid careful attention to it, so Cassia repaid in kind.

She knew by the raggedness of Magda's breathing, the tenseness in her sleek body and the way her hands trembled on her hair that the wolf woman was about to come. Cassia began flicking her tongue over her clit with rhythmic upward strokes.

"Oh, Cassia, please!"

The wolf woman rarely begged, so for her to expose such vulnerability to Cassia touched her deeply. In repayment Cassia continued licking her sensitive clit, driving her into an orgasm that made her cry out, her body thrashing so fervently that she nearly threw them both off the bed.

While Magda lay on her back recovering, her long, lovely body misted with sweat, Cassia stroked her tenderly from breast to hip.

Then Magda sprang up and pushed Cassia onto her back. The barmaid gasped with surprise and smiled, weaving her fingers through Magda's brown hair as the wolf woman pressed delicate kisses along the side of her neck.

"I owe you, babe,” Magda said, sliding to the bottom of the bed. Her gaze swept Cassia's nude body, then darkened with rage. “What's that?” Magda slid a hand between Cassia's legs, lightly touching bruises on her inner thighs.

"Nothing."

A growl escaped the wolf woman's throat and the rage on her face was frightening to see. “I'm going to kill Stephan."

"Magda, please. It wasn't him."

"Then it was one of those bastards he loaned you to."

"I don't want to talk about this,” Cassia said, grasping Magda's arm tightly. “I just want us to enjoy the time we have. Please."

Magda's breasts rose and fell with her enraged breathing, her nipples stiff as arrowheads. Somehow she managed to control herself. She closed her eyes for a moment and nodded.

"I thought you owed me?” Cassia smiled and once again stretched out on her back.

Magda took Cassia's foot in her hand. She gently massaged it then kissed the sole. Her fingers stroked her ankle and Cassia lay back, watching her beloved kiss and caress her leg from calf to thigh, her touch particularly gentle on the bruises.

"You're so beautiful,” Magda said, her voice just above a whisper. “I think about you all the time."

Those words made Cassia's head spin with pleasure and a hint of confusion. At one time she had never imagined loving anyone. Now she feared she loved Magda too much. Whenever they met, Cassia was the happiest woman on earth, but lately watching Magda leave had been almost unbearable.

"I think about you, too."

Magda met her gaze and smiled. “That makes me happy."

"I like making you happy."

"Then let me make you happy."

Magda lay between Cassia's legs and repaid the delightful favors Cassia had given her just moments ago.

Her eyes closed, Cassia stroked Magda's hair and shoulders as the other woman licked and sucked her swollen, aching clit until Cassia's heart pounded and her body trembled on the verge of ecstasy.

"Magda, yes. Oh yes,” Cassia panted.

The wolf woman's hands slid beneath Cassia's ass and squeezed gently. When she pressed a fingertip between the indentation and teased Cassia's throbbing little sphincter, the barmaid could hold back no longer.

Moaning and writhing, she came long and hard while her lover continued lapping her clit and teasing her bottom.

When the last quiver rolled through Cassia, she lay still and content. Magda covered her with the sheet then climbed beneath and cuddled close to Cassia's side. Cassia snuggled even nearer and for several moments they rested, enjoying each other's warmth and nearness.

Finally, Magda said, “I'm asking again. Why don't you leave this place? Go someplace where you'll be appreciated."

Cassia lifted her head and met her lover's gaze, her jaw set. The look in her eyes told Magda she wasn't as adamant about staying here as she tried to appear. “I told you."

"That you want to be here?"

The barmaid left the bed and walked to the chair across the room. She took the robe that was draped over it and slipped it on.

"I don't believe that for a second, Cassia,” Magda continued, leaving the bed and approaching her lover.

Cassia spun, her dark eyes gleaming with hurt, anger and a longing that broke Magda's heart. “Why won't you leave it alone, Magda? You treat me like I'm some delicate little innocent. My mother was as much a whore as I am and my father was a cloven-foot beast who passed through for a night."

"I know what you are, Magda. You're a gentle healer. A good woman. The woman I love."

"Don't say that!” Cassia snapped, though tears sprang into her eyes.

"Why not?” Magda approached, her heart pounding. Heaven help her, she had just admitted it out loud. She had loved Cassia for so long, but had avoided telling her. She tried showing her whenever she had the chance, hoping that if Cassia didn't reject her physical affection that one day she would grow to love her back. Now she had little choice but to confess. Coming here and seeing the abuse her lover suffered was more than Magda could tolerate. It went against her very nature.

"Because this isn't right. You're a werewolf queen and I'm—"

"The woman I love. The one I want to take back to the pack with me."

"And make me a werewolf?"

"If you want me to I will, but I love you as you are. Cassia, I'll buy your freedom from Stephan if he can't be persuaded to give it away. I'll do whatever it takes to make him break the spell holding you here."

"I can't ask you to do that."

"I want to. Doesn't that count for anything? Remember, I'm a werewolf queen so I'm used to getting what I want."

Cassia smiled sadly and shook her head. “What will your pack think of me?"

"They will accept you. We've had non-werewolves live among us before. You'll be my mate and they will welcome you."

"How do you know?"

"Because the women of my pack respect and care for each other. Even though our curse brought us together, it's not the thing that keeps us together."

Cassia sighed deeply.

Unable to keep from touching her any longer, Magda placed her hands on Cassia's shoulders.

The barmaid met her gaze. “It sounds wonderful."

Grinning, Magda said, “Well, it usually is. But don't be fooled. We still have our disagreements just like any other family."

"Family. That's something I've never had."

Magda caressed her cheek and said, “Then let me give you the chance."

Cassia stepped away, hugging herself. Her apprehension was almost tangible and Magda suffered with her. If Cassia refused, there was no way Magda could bear to leave this place without her, yet it had to be her decision. She would not become as much a monster as Stephan by forcing her to join her.

"All right,” Cassia said, and turned to Magda. “But you must promise me something."

"Anything."

"No violence if you can help it."

Magda narrowed her eyes. “That won't be easy. I'd like nothing more than to give Stephan a portion of the pain he's given you."

"It's not him I care about,” Cassia said, placing a hand to Magda's cheek. That touch alone made Magda tingle all over. She wished they could tumble back into bed, but the sooner they left this place the better. “It's you I'm worried about, Magda. I know you're a great huntress, but Stephan has some evil magic up his sleeve and I don't want you hurt, especially not because of me. You see, I ... I love you, too."

Magda smiled and the women embraced. Still holding Cassia tightly, her face buried in her thick chestnut hair, Magda closed her eyes. “At first I wasn't even sure you liked me."

"Liked you?” Cassia snorted, her hands stroking Magda's back. “I think it was love at first sight."

"I wish you'd told me sooner."

"I couldn't. I was too ... My life here ... Everything was a mess."

Magda stepped away slightly to gaze into Cassia's eyes. “It'll be over soon."

"I know, but you still haven't promised me."

Her brow furrowed, Magda asked, “Promised?"

"No violence."

Sighing deeply, Magda hesitated a moment, then said, “I'll do my best. I promise no violence unless absolutely necessary."

* * * *

In her pack, Magda was known as a woman who kept her cool, remaining detached and impartial even when dealing with the most difficult situations. It was part of the reason the previous queen had chosen Magda as her successor.

Now, facing Stephan at the bar, she felt her temper on the verge of taking over.

The man's fish-like blue eyes, gleaming with greed, shifted from her to the mug he was polishing with a rag. She detested the thought of paying him for something that didn't belong to him in the first place. Cassia's freedom was her own, her birthright the same as any other person, but he had stolen it and now Magda was bartering for it.

"Cassia is a fine asset to this establishment,” Stephan said. “Especially her ass. She makes as much money fucking as she does healing. If you want to take her out of here it will cost you."

Magda's fists clenched and she resisted the urge to shift to her wolf form and tear him limb from limb. “All right, you bastard. How much do you want for her?"

"Let's see. If she takes five to ten customers a day, seven days a week ... There's fifty-two weeks in a year—"

Magda's temper snapped. Growling, she reached across the bar and grasped Stephan by the front of his shirt. Their gazes locked and she summoned her inner wolf. Her features elongated and fur sprang out over her body. She was so furious that she scarcely felt the pain that accompanied the change. When she spoke, her voice was deeper than before. Animal-like. “How about I give you the twenty pieces of elfin silver I have in my pocket, along with your stinking life, and you give me Cassia."

Stephan swallowed loudly. “That sounds fair. I accept."

"Cassia!” Magda shouted.

The barmaid, carrying a bag with her few belongings, approached wearing trousers and a shirt. She placed a hand on the werewolf queen's arm. “Magda, I said no violence. It's over. I'm free of the spell holding me here."

"It's true,” Stephan choked. “It ended when I accepted your offer."

Growling again, Magda released Stephan, who rubbed his chest where her claws had scratched him. Magda shifted back to her human form, reached into her pocket and tossed the promised silver on the counter.

The women left the inn and made their way through the woods.

"I can't believe I'm really free,” Cassia said. “But I worry about what you did to Stephan."

"I should have killed him."

"That's not what I mean. I know how vindictive he can be. I hope what happened doesn't come back to haunt us."

"He has you convinced he can do whatever he wants, doesn't he?” Magda said, her anger stirring again. “Why don't you just—” Magda grunted in pain as something sharp struck her in the back.

"What's wrong?” Cassia demanded and stepped behind her. “Oh no! It's a dart."

Again Magda grunted as Cassia pulled out the weapon. The barmaid stared at it. “Poison potion. It's one of Stephan's few skills."

Already Magda felt dizzy and she staggered, but Cassia wrapped an arm around her and guided her toward the safety of a cave.

"Now I know I should have killed him,” Magda murmured, trembling as pain spread throughout her body. “I'll try to shift shape. It speeds the healing process."

"No!” Cassia snapped. “In this case it will make the potion work faster."

"I...” Magda gasped and closed her eyes, hating this weakness and the terror that filled her. Terror and regret that she hadn't truly helped Cassia after all. “I feel like I'm going to die."

Cassia stared at Magda, horrified. The werewolf queen felt like she was going to die because she was going to die. That potion was fatal and worst of all, the evil magic in it guaranteed that after death, the victim would become a Wraith of Misery and spend eternity haunting the darkest parts of the Wicked Wild.

Quickly Cassia began removing Magda's clothes.

"Now isn't the time, babe.” Magda tried to sound teasing, but her words ended in a groan of pain.

"Save your strength and just lie on your stomach. I'm going to heal you,” Cassia said, though she wondered if she could. Most likely the poison would infect her through their link and they would both die. At least then they would be Wraiths of Misery together and to Cassia that was better than losing the woman she loved.

"Cassia, don't.” Magda struggled against the barmaid's hands, but her strength was slipping fast. The huntress hadn't the power left to fight and Cassia was determined to either save her or die. “Cassia, please. I know this could kill you, too."

"Then we'll face whatever comes together. Now, don't move."

Completely drained, Magda lay still as Cassia finished undressing her. Cassia gazed down at the werewolf queen's magnificent body, marred by the fierce red wound where the dart had struck her back, and her heart twisted. Summoning her magic, she placed her hands on Magda's shoulders and gently massaged. She knew Magda's body well. Every scar, each curve of muscle, the softness of her breasts and the delicious swell of her hips. None of that seemed to matter now. All Cassia cared about was saving her life.

The pain Magda felt seeped into Cassia and she moaned softly, but didn't stop the healing massage. Even when she thought she might faint from dizziness and pain, she continued, her hands rubbing every inch of the werewolf queen, driving out the evil potion.

Cassia felt when Stephan's wicked magic left. It shot out of the women's bodies and dissipated.

Exhausted, Cassia collapsed on top of Magda, dazed but not so much that she didn't appreciate the warmth of her lover's flesh and the gentle throb of their mingling heartbeats.

* * * *

Cassia had been living with the werewolf pack for nearly a month when she heard the news.

She was in a special hut that had been built for her to practice magic and where pack members could come to her for treatment. At the moment she was massaging a young, blond wolf called Helen. A nice girl, though a bit foolhardy when she sparred, which explained her injured leg.

After a few moments, Helen rolled over and said, “Thanks, Cassia. It feels much better."

"You're welcome, but try to be careful next time.” Cassia rubbed a friendly hand over the younger woman's hair.

"I always try."

"Yeah. Right.” Shaking her head, Cassia chuckled as Helen left the hut and another wolf, Annabel, stepped in. Cassia's heartbeat quickened. Annabel and a few others had accompanied Magda on an extended hunt. They had been gone for three days and Cassia missed Magda so much it hurt.

"You're back.” Cassia smiled. “Where's Magda? Wait, do you need healing, is that why you're here?"

Annabel shook her head. “No. I'm fine. Magda is washing up at the brook. I had to bring in the meat and stopped by to give you some news."

"What is it?"

"That warlock you worked for, Stephan, is dead."

Cassia paused, stunned. She probably shouldn't rejoice over someone's death and she didn't really. It was more relief she felt than joy. Ever since Stephan's dart—for she had no doubt it was his dart—had almost killed Magda, she feared he'd seek revenge upon them.

"How?” Cassia asked.

"Someone cut his throat."

"Do they know who?"

Annabel shrugged. “From what I hear, it could have been any one of a thousand enemies."

"That's true enough,” Cassia said, though something told her she knew which enemy it was.

She left the hut and walked to the brook where Magda stood, naked, in her human form, washing away dirt and sweat from the hunt. Cassia took a moment to admire her tall, curvaceous body. She loved the shape of her breasts, the way her big, dark pink nipples crowned them. The urge to suck those nipples was almost overwhelming.

Magda turned to her and smiled. “Hello."

"Hi.” Cassia strode into the water. One thing she had eagerly adopted was the werewolf habit of going naked in good weather.

The women embraced and Cassia buried her face in Magda's hair. It carried the scent of the forest and had a leaf or two stuck in it, but Cassia loved how it reflected her mate's wild and free personality.

"How was the hunt?” Cassia asked.

"Very successful. We got several deer, some rabbits—"

"An evil innkeeper."

Magda's smile faded and she met Cassia's gaze. “What?"

"We've never lied to each other. Don't start now."

"He was a threat, Cassia."

"I know. And ... I understand why you did it."

"Do you really?"

Cassia took her lover's face in her hands and stared deeply into her eyes, hoping she could convey with a look all the love and appreciation she felt. “Yes. I love you. More than I ever imagined loving anyone."

"I love you, too.” Magda embraced her tightly. “It's my duty to keep you and this pack safe."

"Yes. It is. But it's also our duty to support you. You could have told me what you intended to do."

"You probably would have tried talking me out of it."

"Maybe not.” Cassia sighed. “I know the kind of man Stephan was. He tried to kill you once, and me with you. He would have tried again."

"Now that part of your life is truly over."

Cassia stepped back slightly so she could meet her lover's gaze. “It was over the minute you walked into my life, Magda."

"I think my life truly began the moment I saw you."

The werewolf queen's words touched Cassia deeply and for a moment they simply stared at each other, enjoying the closeness and love between them.

Then Cassia stepped away, waded into the water and splashed Magda.

"Hey!” Magda shouted. “Stop it!"

"Make me."

Magda bounded deeper into the water, fought her way through the splashing, and pulled Cassia into an embrace.

Cassia wrapped her arms around Magda's neck and brushed her nose against the werewolf queen's. “I like it when you make me."

"Good."

"Want to make me do something else?"

Magda smiled. “What a fabulous suggestion."

Hand-in-hand, the huntress and the healer left the brook and headed for their cottage.

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Kate Hill

What do trips around the world, endless nights of breathtaking sex, and a muscular, 6-foot 3-inch, brown-haired, blue-eyed significant other have to do with Kate Hill? Absolutely nothing, but she can dream, can't she? In reality Kate is a single, thirty-something vegetarian New Englander who loves writing romantic fantasies. Visit her online at www.kate-hill.com, www.myspace.com/katehillromance, or join her newsgroup at groups.yahoo.com/group/katehill. Stop by Kate's Amazon blog at www.amazon.com.

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