The Hunting of Ryder (Inferno Pack Book 2) Read online

  The Hunting of Ryder

  A J Blackburn

  Contents

  Foreword

  1. Ember

  2. Ryder

  3. Phoenix

  4. Ember

  5. Phoenix

  6. Ryder

  7. Ember

  8. Ember

  9. Elliott

  10. Ryder

  11. Phoenix

  12. Ember

  13. Phoenix

  14. Ryder

  15. Ember

  16. Ryder

  17. Phoenix

  18. Ember

  19. Phoenix

  20. Ryder

  21. Phoenix

  22. Ember

  23. Elliott

  24. Phoenix

  25. Ember

  26. Phoenix

  27. Phoenix

  28. Phoenix

  29. Hunter

  30. Phoenix

  31. Shadow

  32. Ember

  33. Chance

  34. Ember

  35. Ryder

  36. Hunter

  37. Ember

  38. Phoenix

  39. Phoenix

  40. Ember

  Afterword

  Acknowledgments

  Also by AJ Blackburn

  Stalk me Links

  Copyright © 2020 by AJ Blackburn

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Editing: Gina Casto at Killing it Write

  Cover Designer: Dez Purington at Pretty in Ink Creations

  Foreword

  This story contains adult sexual content and mature language. This book is intended for readers eighteen years and over.

  AJ Blackburn is a British Author and therefore writes with British spelling throughout her work.

  This book ends on a cliffhanger.

  This one’s for Sloth and Screamer. Without both of you who knows who I would be, maybe someone normal? Thanks for the epic conversations that would possibly get us locked up if we were ever overheard! And Screamer, make sure the Alien’s lube the probe… Love you both!

  A man might befriend a wolf, even break a wolf, but no man could truly tame a wolf.

  George R.R. Martin

  I roll over in my sleepy state, looking to snuggle into Hunter, but my arm falls against an empty, cold bed. Urgh, where has Hunter gone so early?

  “Hunter. I thought I might have had a nice birthday wake up.” I try to contact him but get no answer. Strange.

  Raising my arms, I stretch the stiffness from my body, and hear bones pop and crack. I apparently didn’t move much in my sleep last night. Swinging my legs out of bed, I rise and head to the bathroom to get rid of my vile morning breath. I feel the soreness between my thighs with every step, a reminder of last night’s fun, and a smile tugs at my lips.

  Hunter had been ruthless, and when I’d tried to take control, I’d been tied up, as always. He is such a butthole! Thinking of buttholes, yup, that’s tender too. It will be the last time he buys anything for my birthday in secret. Although, I’m pretty sure Phoenix and her freaking mates were in on the butt-plug purchase too.

  Lifting my toothbrush, I brush my teeth, rinse out the minty freshness, and wipe my mouth clean. I try to communicate with Hunter again, but I come up blank for the second time. If he’s planning some birthday surprise, I’m going to be...so excited to be honest.

  I wash my face and smile to myself in the mirror. At least I don’t look any older, and thank God there are no wrinkles on my cherub face. I do love our birthday. Phoenix, well, she just loves any excuse for a party. After the crap we endured a few weeks ago with the alchemists and the hunters, and let’s not forget Phoenix deciding it was okay to nearly die, the pack really does need a party.

  I pull on my jeans, tank top, and jumper, then head downstairs to the kitchen. I flip on the kettle and grab my favourite sister mug out of the cupboard, pouring hot water over my teabag. Taking a seat on the barstool, inhaling the earthy scent of my tea, I send a quick message on my phone to Phoenix as I tuck my unruly locks behind my ear. I’ve telepathed with her on a few mornings, and let’s just say I did not get a good response. There were moans, groans, and other sounds before she realised she’d opened a link to me too. Although, I’m pretty sure, she did it on purpose, just because she’s...well because she’s Phoenix. So, I am not making that mistake again. Texting is easier. Well, it’s less embarrassing, that’s for sure.

  Isn’t this just the best birthday morning? My mate has run off, while my twin is most likely having her usual threesome wake up call. All while I’m standing alone in my empty cabin drinking tea that I’ve brewed too long, so it tastes like rubbish. There had better be a surprise and a party at this rate.

  Twenty-six years old. Wow, how did we even get to this age! I’m sure it was only yesterday that Phoenix and I were rolling around in our sandpit. We used to pretend to be wolves, as we’d been too young to shift. Then we had finally turned ten, and our first shift happened.

  Mom and Dad had taken us out to a clearing in the forest. They talked us through what to do and what it would feel like. But nope, they hadn’t really focused on how much it would hurt! And I mean seriously hurt. The pain had ripped through my body as my bones broke and reformed. Mom had hugged me as I’d cried and screamed. Then the pain had vanished, and I was shaking out my red fur coat. I remember looking up at Mom, her eyes filled with tears.

  “Momma?” I’d asked, thinking I’d done something wrong.

  No, no, sweetie. I’m not upset. These are tears of joy. You are so beautiful.” Then she had wrapped her arms around me again, hugging me tightly.

  I’d turned my head, and I saw my father had a snowy white wolf wrapped in a hug too. Phoenix. Then he let her go, and the heifer pounced on me.

  We’d played for hours. Later we’d refused to shift back, because we were brats, of course. So, we’d curled up and tucked our noses under our tails in Phoenix’s bed and fell fast asleep. Our parents knew we would shift back as we slept. In the morning, we’d wanted to shift again, but we were both too afraid of the pain.

  As I watch the swirling steam rising from my cup, my chest is tight with the memories. I want to make my own special memories with Hunter and our pups. Someday soon, I hope.

  Right. That’s enough procrastinating for this morning. I get up and tip my crappy tea away. Pulling on my trainers, I head out the door, grabbing my coat off the hook as I pass. A snowy, fresh, crispness hangs in the air this morning, and as I walk through the woods, my steps are silent. Phoenix still hasn’t messaged me back, so I head towards the main cabin, deciding to go see our parents first. I didn’t fancy walking in on Phoenix and her mates in some strange Kama Sutra position.

  I wrap my arms around myself to fight off the chill. I was less nesh when I was twenty-one, that’s for sure. Though we did have that massive bonfire and copious amounts of alcohol at our party. So, it’s no wonder I hadn’t felt the cold the night I’d met Hunter.

  Reaching the main cabin, I jog up the steps and open the door, and Mom practically jumps for joy as I enter. “Baby girl!”

  “Mom! I’m twenty-six, I’m not a baby anymore,” I tell her a
s she wraps me in a huge hug. My last word came out slightly strangled as she squeezes the air from my lungs.

  “You will always be our baby girl.” My father’s voice sounds from the hallway to my right, just before his huge arms wrap us both in a hug, and now, I definitely can’t breathe.

  “Where is Hunter?” Mom asks as she looks towards the front door.

  “I presume he’s doing some surprise birthday thing,” I say, waving her off.

  “Okay, well, come on, I’ll make breakfast, and you can unwrap your gifts.” Smiling, she turns for the kitchen.

  My father asks, “Where’s your sister?” as he looks behind me to the door like he’s expecting her to wander on through behind me like Mom had expected Hunter to do.

  I deadpan, “You really want me to answer that?” then quirk a brow, adding to my meaning.

  He clears his throat, embarrassed, and fumbles on the spot. He is so not an Alpha male when it comes to his daughters’ sex lives. It’s hilarious to watch him squirm.

  “Well, urm, yes. Okay… Let’s go find your mother.” He spins towards the kitchen and briskly walks away. I follow while smiling and shaking my head.

  I wake on my birthday moaning, “Fuck yes!” as Elliott’s tongue lazily circles my clit, his finger slowly sliding, in and out, in and out... I love my life!

  He stops his tongue torture and looks up at me. “Morning, sweetheart.” His finger is still agonisingly slow, moving in and out and causing me to squirm. Then his finger is replaced with his talented tongue, dipping in and out, and I grip his short hair in my hands.

  “More…” I moan as I buck my hips closer to him. Ever the doting mate, Elliott obliges my plea. Ryder would have just teased me more. Moving his mouth back to my clit he starts to suckle and flick his tongue over my sensitive bud of nerves as two fingers plunge deep and hard inside me. A few seconds later and I’m coming apart under his wickedly talented mouth and hand.

  He slides his way up my body, licking and nipping as he comes up to my face, kissing along my jaw, then takes my mouth. I part my lips, and his tongue tangles with mine. I groan into his mouth in pure pleasure, and the sweet taste of myself on his tongue makes me hunger for more of Elliott as his hard-toned body hovers just above me.

  Screw that, he’s too far away. I pull him hard against me, wanting the feel of his flesh on mine. I part my legs wider in invitation. With one hard thrust of his hips, his thick, throbbing length is buried deep inside me as his hand twines into my hair. The feel of him has me crying out in pleasure. Elliott’s tongue plunges deeper into my mouth as a satisfied groan vibrates in his chest.

  I rake my nails down his back, and he growls and pulls away to look at me. My breath hitches and locks in my lungs at the intense heat swirling in his golden eyes, which match my own. “Let go, Elliott. You won’t hurt me. I promise. Please...” I beg, in my most seductive voice.

  He is always so controlled like I’m breakable. I know why because he saw what the hunters did to me when we were caged together. Day after day of whip lashings and spiked shackles. He doesn’t want any pain to be inflicted on me. Like the time Ryder had spanked me for disobeying him, again, I might add. That was the first time I’d had to come between my mates. Scary shit, trust me. But they worked it out, thank hell!

  Hmm, I wonder where Ryder is?

  My thoughts are then being fucked away as, now seemingly composed, Elliott starts to hammer into me. He takes hold of my legs and brings them up over his shoulders. I try and fail to stop the scream of pleasure that rips out of me as he powers into me. Deep and hard, his pace doesn’t falter.

  “Do you like me fucking you hard, Phoenix?” he grits out between clenched teeth. I only manage a moaned response that I’m hoping sounds like yes. The slapping of our slick skin grows louder as Elliott ups his pace. Fucking hell, his stamina is amazing. But just before I’m about to fly off the edge of my climax cliff, he slows. And I honest to hell growl at him, teeth out and everything.

  “What the—? Urm, hello?” I demand with an angry scowl on my face. He just gives me one of his wicked smirks. Damn. Then he rolls us, so I’m straddling him.

  “Fuck yourself on me, Phoenix. I want to watch this delicious body of yours bounce on my cock,” he purrs. His callused hands run softly up my thighs, over my toned stomach, then grip my ribcage. He lowers me down onto his pulsing length, my hot pussy greedily clenching around him. My head tips back, and my lips part on another moan.

  “Make yourself cum all over me, Phoenix. I want to feel this tight pussy squeezing as your cream coats me.” He shoves his pelvis up in a hard jerk, punctuating his words.

  This male and his words so rev my engine. Even just the way he uses my name, instead of sweetheart, causes fire to burn in my core.

  Leaving my head tilted backwards, so my tits are pushed out, I start to rock my hips back and forth, grinding myself on him.

  “Fuck, Phoenix,” he growls out, his fingers biting hard into my hips, although not enough to leave bruises.

  I up my pace, loving the sensation of his throbbing cock inside me. Feeling his shaft start to pulse and swell, I lean forward and run my hands through his light-brown hair, then claim his mouth. He kisses me back as if he’s starving for me.

  Riding his length up and down, I feel every inch of him. Breaking the kiss, I lean back and grasp his hands as I pull my feet up to either side of him. His eyes ignite. I know he loves this position; he loves to watch his cock driving into my pussy.

  Tightening my grip on his hands, I start to fuck myself on him as he thrusts his hips up in perfect rhythm with me.

  “Fuck, Phoenix. Yes... Don’t stop,” he pants out, his pace becoming frenzied as I push him closer. Then a pleasurable growl rips from him as my moans turn into an exquisite scream, and we cum together. Muscle spasms jolt through our bodies as my pussy milks him.

  My legs are no longer strong enough to hold me, so I roll off him and onto my back. Both of us are breathless and spent.

  When we’ve both recovered, I’m scooped up from our bed and carried to the bathroom.

  “I can walk, you know,” I tell Elliott.

  “But can you?” He smirks back.

  Nope, possibly not, but I just stay quiet. He smiles and kisses my forehead. Fuck I love him, I’m just not brave enough to say it yet. What if he doesn’t love me back?

  “Happy Birthday, sweetheart,” he says, then kisses my mouth softly as he places me on my feet. My legs still unsteady, he holds onto me, and his mesmerising playful eyes keep me locked in his gaze. My heart flutters again as his lips curve up at one side. Damn, I’m being such a girl.

  . . .

  I look at my phone, and I see a message from Ember. I snort a laugh. Yeah, she didn’t appreciate the noises from the last few mornings’ wake up calls. Oops.

  Now that Elliott and I are both showered and dressed, and sitting at the kitchen’s wooden-topped island, I ask him, “Where did Ryder go?”

  “Not sure, baby, why? Want me to telepath him?”

  “I’ve tried and came up blank. Ember says Hunter wasn’t there when she woke up either. She thinks they might both be planning some birthday surprise. She asked if you knew anything, which I suppose you would,” I say sweetly, trying to tease a confession out of him.

  I fucking love a surprise birthday party! I can see drinking games now. This time I’m determined to get Elliott drunk as a skunk. I’ve made it my sole mission from now until I succeed. By the look on his face, he knows exactly where my mind has run off too. For once, it’s not rolling around in the gutter. Well, not quite the gutter, more like the curb, about to tumble into the gutter.

  “I honestly don’t know where they are, sweetheart.” His face takes on a look of concentration, then a moment later, panic flashes through his eyes. Although, it’s gone so fast I’m not really sure if I saw it at all. “I’ve come up blank too, how have they done that?”

  “Do you really not know where they are?” I ask, a sense of anxiety sinking in.


  “No.” His face doesn’t even crack one bit. It would if he really was hiding something. I’ve learnt Elliott can’t keep anything from me.

  Okay, so now I’m getting a little freaked out. I try again to reach Ryder and Hunter, but it’s like our connection just doesn’t exist. Actually, it’s more like it never existed in the first place.

  Panic starts to grip my chest, and my breathing becomes short and shallow. Elliott is next to me in an instant.

  “Breathe, baby, deep, slow breaths. They can’t have gone far, and I’m sure it’s probably some prank they’re pulling.” His hand smooths up and down my back, calming me. My mind settles, and I start to see clearly again.

  “Right. Let’s go to the main cabin, my sister’s there. We’ll go from there and find the shitheads. And if they are playing a prank, I’ll castrate them both. Two bricks will do the trick.”.

  Elliott involuntarily covers his crown jewels, gulps, and shivers. “I’m glad I don’t ever piss you off, sweetheart.”

  I snort. “Oh, you do, big boy. But I’ve more inventive ways of castrating you, don’t worry.”

  I pat his hard chest as I stand, gathering my long dark hair into a messy bun, then laugh at the pained expression on his handsomely rugged face. Those eyes that can melt my panties right off, that messy styled light-brown hair, and the shadow of stubble over his sculpted jaw… Mmm-fucking-mmm. I have hit the fucking jackpot, I think to myself as I let out a dreamy sigh.