Alpha Hunter Read Online Free Page B

most of it before continuing the conversation. “And Nazerel is one of these Shadow Assassins?” She held up her mostly empty glass. “Do you want some?”
    He shook his head. His body processed raw energy far more efficiently than the human digestive system. Though he ate and drank, it was largely for enjoyment or to blend in with his non-gifted companions. “Nazerel is an alpha hunter. He leads one of four teams of mercenaries that escaped to Earth.”
    “Escaped from wh ere or what?” She set the glass aside and leaned back against the counter. She wore a striped shirt that buttoned down the front tucked in to snug blue jeans. The jeans were obviously hers, they fit like a second skin, but the shirt seemed oversized and oddly masculine. Not that the garment detracted from her feminine appeal. It just triggered something dark and possessive, made him want to strip her naked and imprint her with his scent, his taste—his seed.
    Forcing back the unwanted urge, he focused on the answer to her question. “The Shadow Assassins were a closed society of male mercenaries who lived by their own rules. They literally hunted females for the purpose of pleasure and procreation. As an alpha hunter, it was Nazerel’s job to train the others, help them hone their skills.”
    Her brow arched and one corner of her mouth twitched as if she were fighting off a smile. “They sound like Amazons.”
    “I’m not familiar with the term.”
    “ Amazons were mythological female warriors who had no use for men except to replenish their ranks.”
    He nodded and moved closer, not understanding her mood. Why wasn’t she taking this seriously? Didn’t she realize the danger was not only real but personal? “There are similarities. Shadow Assassins kept their females captive until they delivered a child. If the child was female, both mother and daughter were returned to the world above. But if the child was male—”
    “ ‘The world above?’ What does that mean?” Her lashes lowered and her expression smoldered with feminine awareness. Why the hell was she flirting with him? This wasn’t a history lesson. He was trying to brief her on the enemy.
    “Shadow Assassins lived in an underground complex that could only be reached by teleportation.”
    Her tongue peeked out, drawing his attention to the lush fullness of her lips. “You’re saying all of this in the past tense. If the danger is in the past, why are Shadow Assassins on Earth?”
    Desire coiled through him, his body reacting despite his suspicion that she had an ulterior motive for her actions. “The Shadow Maze was liberated and all the men retrained. Most successfully integrated into Ontarian society, but the hunters were used to commanding others, not being commanded. The strongest rebelled and made an alliance with one of our most powerful enemies.”
    She pushed off the counter and moved closer, her gaze focused on his mouth. “How did they end up on Earth?”
    He needed to snap her out of this mood before he did something they’d both regret. Dragging his gaze away from her mouth, he cleared his throat and gave himself a firm mental shake. “They came here in search of females with compatible physiology. You are one such female.”
    “Long story short, Nazerel wants me to have his babies?” She smiled and shook her head. “I’ll just tell him I’m not interested.”
    Her lightheartedness annoyed him enough to clear his head, allowing him to regain control of his wayward body. “You’re thinking in human terms. Nazerel is not human. He has no intention of giving you a choice. He’ll seduce or outright rape you until you conceive.”
    “What a charming concept. Good thing I’m on the Pill.”
    Blayne grasped her upper arms and drew her forward until he towered over her. “This isn’t a joke. Nazerel is dangerous. We haven’t found out exactly what they’re up to, but we suspect it’s more complicated than producing children. The Rodytes are continually