PROMO Hunted – Laura Tolomei @LallaGatta

Why is this vicious predator terrorizing the village? Who is Therry, and why does he live deep inside the forest, away from mankind? But mostly, why can’t Kendryck get him out of his mind? As the hunt progresses, so does his fascination with the most intriguing young man the hunter has ever met, until things don’t add up, and Therry’s dark secrets will have to be revealed…eventually.

TAGS

Erotic Romance with an Edge, Laura Tolomei, Author Laura Tolomei, LallaGatta, Lalla Gatta, literary, reading, writing, author, ebook, e-book, fiction, extasy books, erotic, erotica, paranormal, shape-shifter, shapeshifter, dark fantasy, horror, Halloween, novella, men-love, man-man, men-men,, gay, MM, MMF, book trailer, Kendryck, panther, Therry, mystery, suspense, bloody sacrifice, murder, Sanguinary Seductions, anthology

SYNOPSIS

Kendryck’s hunt of the vicious predator that is terrorizing the village brings him deep inside the forest where he meets Therry, an odd man who has chosen to live away from humans. As the hunt progresses, their friendship grows, soon turning into something more. But there are truths that Therry can reveal about Kendryck himself, which the hunter is not prepared to accept. But time is running out, so Kendryck will have to find the courage to face his deepest fears and confront the true beast.

PG (905)

The body lay in a pool of blood. The smell pierced his nostrils and he inhaled it deeply. The predator had left visible marks all over the mangled flesh, ripped skin and thorn muscles strewn around like scattered toys left behind by a naughty child. Kendryck narrowed his gaze on the deathly scene, annoyed with the scarce light that did not allow a thorough examination. As usual, the forest keeps its secrets in darkness, he mused, although he had no trouble determining the cause of death. The same predator had struck again, the third killing in just over a month.

Having finished his analysis, he gathered some rocks to protect the body. He could not carry it alone the entire way. Instead, he would leave it there and run back to the village to seek help. When he was just about done, he heard a cry.

“Help!”

Kendryck ran in the voice’s direction. The forest was oddly quiet as he sped through the tall trees, their thickness not allowing a clear view. Luckily, he now knew the territory by heart, so placing the sound was no particular effort. The voice called from an opening just a short distance away from the body.

“Help,” the cry rang out again.

The rest of nature was deathly silent―no bird song, no tiny feet scurrying away disturbing the stillness. Coming behind the trees, Kendryck saw the back of a slim figure, all dressed in black. The youth’s shoulders moved back just as the hunter saw the flick of a black tail disappearing inside the vegetation. So, the feline really exists, Kendryck thought, looking at the last of the long tail. “Hey,” he called out to the young man. “Are you all right?”

The man turned and flashed a pair of luminous green eyes on the hunter. He looked young, though something of his expression did not quite match the apparent age. Dark haired, he was tall and very slim. His face was interesting, though triangular in shape. In fact, he almost resembled a feline more than a human and Kendryck wondered briefly whether he was the predator’s relative.

“Thank you,” the youth said, moving towards him. “Without your intervention, the beast would have eaten me.”

He moved elegantly, Kendryck noticed, swaying slightly from side to side in a seductive way that he found intriguing.

When he reached the hunter, the boy flashed a bright smile. “How can I thank you?”

Kendryck was taken aback. Usually, victims from near death experiences at close range with predators did not react like casual tourist on a relaxing visit at the forest grounds. “Weren’t you afraid?” he asked, rather than answer the question.

The young man shrugged. “I live in the forest, so it wasn’t the first encounter of the kind. I’ve learned to dominate my fear. It usually never helps in times of crisis.”

Again, the boy struck him as much older than he looked. “I guess you’re right,” Kendryck agreed. “Anyway, you have nothing to thank me for. The beast had already left by the time I got here.”

“She left because she heard you coming,” the youth objected. Then, before Kendryck could deny any further responsibilities, he extended his hand. “By the way, I’m Therry.”

“Nice to meet you,” the older man said, surprised he really meant it. “I’m Kendryck and I’m one of the hunters who should find the beast.”

“Oh, she won’t let you find her that easily,” Therry assured.

“Did you get a good look at it? Our problem is that we don’t even know what it looks like.”

“She’s like a big black cat. That’s all I saw. As I said, when she heard you come, she left in a hurry.”

“How do you know it’s a female?” Kendryck asked interested.

Therry shrugged. “She looks female,” was the cryptic answer as he moved away from the hunter, heading inside the trees.

Disappointed to see him leave so soon, Kendryck followed the youth. “Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“So, you really do live in the forest,” Kendryck observed, knowing the village lay behind them.

“Of course, I do,” Therry confirmed, without stopping.

Kendryck reached him. “Maybe I should accompany you…just in case the beast returns.”

“As you like.”

They walked in silence for a while. Therry picked his way carefully, seemingly unafraid. Kendryck followed closely, checking each bush for a sign of the predator. But the way was clear and thankfully the forest was back to normal again. With a lighter pace, he felt the odd stillness slipping away just as birds chirped their melodious songs a little louder.

Soon, they came to a deserted little hut in a clearing. Therry opened the door and Kendryck followed inside.

“Do you live alone?” he enquired.

“No, I live with my woman.”

“But why have you settled so far away from the village?” Kendryck wondered aloud.

Ignoring his question, Therry went to a makeshift fireplace, built with stones. Over the bright flames, a metallic structure held a pail of water. The youth took down the pail and checked the water. “Would you like some herb infusion?” he asked, replacing the pot over the burning fire.

Kendryck was tempted to refuse. Usually, he disliked encouraging any form of social acquaintance, particularly with strangers. Yet, the youth intrigued him, his unconventional ways attracting more than a fair share of the hunter’s attention. “All right,” the hunter agreed at last.

PG (602) M/M

“Are you sure they were chewed?” Kendryck’s forehead creased. The images from his dream crashed on him. Knife—yes, there was a lot of that flashing last night. Blood—yep, sure thing, there was a lot of that, too, seeping and spurting all over the place. Therry—unfortunately so there, the hunter hadn’t been able to get him out of his mind since. But teeth? He couldn’t remember a single tooth working its way on the woman’s battered flesh. “I mean…” He cleared his throat before continuing. “Are we sure it wasn’t man’s work instead of an animal’s?”

“Kendryck, however inexperienced, we know the difference between a man’s and an animal killing.” Clearly, the Chief was losing his patience. “The panther assaulted her. There’s no doubt. Now get out there and find this beast. I can’t take this pressure anymore.”

“Damn!” Skivet hit the trunk of a tree as he headed toward the forest with the rest of the team. “I really thought the fucker had finally left us in peace.”

“Fat chance.” Gary growled. “But we gotta catch it this time before it takes us all down one by one, like Kendryck said.” He sent a glance full of admiration to him, the only hunter of the group, the only killer of the group, too.

“I doubt any of us are going to rest until we have.” The oldest man on the team gritted his teeth. “I know I won’t.”

“And neither will I,” Skivet joined him. “This damn panther has done enough damage as it is.”

What if it isn’t an animal at all? What if mine wasn’t a dream at all? Whatever the case, Kendryck couldn’t honestly blame the predator for the latest bloody death. And why the fuck had Therry been there?

“I hope our efforts are going to pay off.” From Bryce’s disillusioned tone, it was obvious he felt anything except optimistic.

“They will if we do things right.” Kendryck hurried his pace. “If you say so.” Bryce accelerated to keep up. “From what the Chief said, she should be just up ahead.”

The rest of the distance was breached in silence until they came upon a secluded clearing and the ripped flesh in the middle of it. And the curses muttered under everyone’s breaths made a chorus impossible to ignore.

“Well, to answer your previous question, Kendryck, at least we know for sure it’s our predator.” Skivet’s lips curved in a downward angle. “No man could’ve done…this to her.”

“And it’s also the same woman you were staring at in the street,” Bryce confirmed.

Not that the hunter needed it. He had recognized her straight up, in spite the mess and blood marring her features. Down on his heels, he examined what was left. Like Derrynt, pieces of Lonette’s flesh had been torn, chewed and the remains scattered around. Like Derrynt, the pool of blood under the body was impressive for the sheer amount of liquid. Like Derrynt, Lonette had bled out before being eaten. Which left him off the hook, ‘cause for sure he had nothing to do with Derrynt’s death. Or did he? “We better split up and see if we find any tracks, any traces of this son of a bitch.” Straightening, he gestured for them to leave. He couldn’t wait to be alone. And once he was, he sprung off in a northerly direction, almost running in his haste to get to the only place where he might find some answers.

With a thumping in his heart and a roar in his ears, he sped blindly, his feet evidently knowing where they were going on their own. Like a madman, he flew around trees, jumped over branches and wrestled bushes. His lungs burst from lack of air. His muscles burned from the effort. He almost couldn’t take it one step further until—at last—he arrived at his destination.

The hut seemingly abandoned didn’t fool Kendryck for a moment. Shoving his way through the front door, he broke inside where Therry sat on the leather skins, as though waiting for him.

“What have you done to me?” Kendryck shouted, advancing toward him.

PG (631) M/M

“Don’t move.” Since he had pushed Therry against a tree trunk and pinned his face to it, Kendryck made the words sound deliberately playful.

“Oh, great hunter, please don’t hurt me.” As always, Therry played along beautifully, squirming as though really scared of him.

Damn! “Only if you tell me if you’ve seen the panther lately.” With all the wriggling, the man’s ass was digging in Kendryck’s groin. “And make it quick.” Because he didn’t know how long he could take it.

“I haven’t. I swear.” Sounded like a lie from a mile away. “Have you?”

Funny thing—he had. Or rather parts of it here and there. “Not really.” Just didn’t want to admit it to Therry. Truth was—Kendryck was getting the feeling the panther was playing a game of its own with him. Whenever he heard something suspicious, he’d run only to catch a glimpse of hind paws rushing off, when it wasn’t the flick of a long black tail waving goodbye.

“Are you sure?” Not that Therry was fooled for a moment by his answer. “I saw you checking your traps before.”

How could an experienced hunter like him admit that a blasted feline was taunting him? “The traps were empty.” They’re always fucking empty! If he hoped they’d catch the elusive beast during its weaker moments, he was starting to think again. “And I can’t find any tracks of any relevance, no matter how long and hard I go over this damn forest.” Whatever I do, I just can’t seem able to lay a finger on it. And to think he prided himself on using his killer instinct to think like a beast!

“Oh, don’t get so depressed.” Now Therry’s cooing was as mocking as the panther playing hide and seek with Kendryck. “I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.”

“Yeah, and you’ll tell me where.” Pressuring Therry’s rear, he buried his straining shaft within the buttocks.

“Or what?” That tension was rising faster than Kendryck anticipated was evident from Therry’s shorter breath and more pronounced swaying.

“Or I’ll torture you.” Enough of thinking about what was becoming not just Kendryck’s, but an entire village’s obsession. Lonette’s death had intensified matters. Now it seemed like the hunt never ceased. Nor did the daily drudgery of scouting and patrolling amongst fearful people scared of their own shadow. Definitely, Kendryck had to take a break. “I’ll curt you open and drink your blood.” This last one was a husky whisper in Therry’s ear that turned Kendryck’s cock rock-solid.

“You wouldn’t dare.” The young man tensing all of a sudden told Kendryck his shaft wasn’t faring any better.

“Watch me.” Taking out his knife, Kendryck shred the man’s shirt to bits, carving the flesh as much as the cloth. It usually didn’t happen quite this way. It was rather Therry who tempted Kendryck by flashing his wrists during their herbal tea rituals, then cut the flesh himself, feeding it to the bloodthirsty hunter. But this time, Kendryck wanted to be the master.

With meticulous care, he slashed a few times on the young man’s back, already littered by tiny scars. At first trickling in tiny drops, the blood soon pooled in larger splotches, which smelled far more intoxicating than the tiny lacerations Therry inflicted on his wrists and arms. So Kendryck inhaled it to his lungs, letting the bittersweet odor wash down to his full-bloom erection. Then he had to taste it. The first lick was pure bliss. The ones that followed seeped the red liquid down his throat. Thirdly, there was the feel of the slippery liquid, along with that of his tongue running over the uneven edges of the wound. And Therry flinching in obvious pleasure just added to it all.

Why did he link blood to sex?

————EROTIC——————

ADULT (285) Shape shifting

At that point, Kendryck saw it. The incredible transformation happened under his very eyes. The elegant beast first shrank. Its long length shortened to a human size. Away went the tail and the pointed ears. Arms and legs replaced the paws. The muzzle lost its animal traits, adapting to the new body. In a matter of seconds, the panther was gone. In a matter of seconds, it became a slender woman with long dark hair, her naked body twisted under Therry’s firm grasp.

When the transformation was complete, the youth laid her on her stomach, then covered her. As he bit her deeply between neck and shoulder, she raised her ass. Glued against him, blood seeped from her tender flesh to stain her creamy skin, trickling to her buttocks, too. An enthralling picture from where Kendryck stood, one Therry couldn’t appreciate. But her increased slides sideways were evidently all he required to make his move. Cock hard and ready—with a swift move, the man shoved into her, then pumped frantically.

Bow and arrows forgotten at his side, Kendryck stared on, the craving to get between them mounting by the minute. Were he to attempt it, they probably would’ve let him, or so he told himself. They were too busy in their own celebration anyway, calling for life’s renewal and for the reassurance blood hadn’t spilled in vain. For sure, this awareness made Therry bang her faster and push for a quick release. Yes, just like cats making love. When she screamed and thrashed, Kendryck knew it was over.

Shaken more than he cared to admit, weak on his knees, Kendryck stumbled backward, unsure of what to do for the first time in his life.

M/M (669)

“What have you done to me?” Kendryck shouted, advancing toward him.

Therry simply looked at him, the hint of a smile curving his thin lips.

“Answer me, damn it!” But when he came up to the youth, he lost his impetus and collapsed down on his knees. “Why?”

“Because of this.” Therry reached for a knife, laying by his side, and slid the sharp blade on his arm. A thin red line appeared. As it dripped on the leather skin, he watched it for a second, then turned it to Kendryck.

The smell of fresh blood drove the hunter wild. Without thinking, he grabbed Therry’s arm and sucked the wound, his tongue avidly tracing its edge.

Evidently, this was the signal Therry had been waiting. Toppling Kendryck, he grabbed the man’s cock, which stirred to stiff attention. Still holding his arm in the hunter’s face, Bending, Therry’s mouth replaced his fingers. Hardly enough, of course. Kendryck’s beast was still trapped inside his breeches, demanding to be let out immediately. Therry had no trouble obeying. In swift motions, he pulled it out, and eventually his tongue wrapped around the swelling length. After sliding down to the base, it went back up, sucking all the way.

Fuck! Kendryck had no time to think. Hot damn! The sensations shooting from his erection were enflaming him like nothing ever had. It wasn’t just the adept tongue curling around his engorged tip. It wasn’t even the seductive sliding rhythm set by Therry’s hands. It was more a combination of both, added to the feeling of sinking into a velvety unending wet cavern. Yes, because unlike all his previous oral sex, Therry could swallow him whole, letting him reach the edge of the throat without any trouble. Like plunging straight down to the young man’s stomach—that was blowing Kendryck’s cock away. All it wanted was an explosive release, which wasn’t long in coming. Expert tongue circled the bursting head, drawing it so far down Kendryck thought he had skipped the stomach all together and landed directly in the ass. Adroit hands increased the tempo, forcing the load up, to all effects taking away Kendryck’s choice in the ejaculation department. For the hunter, it was the finishing line. Heaving, he flooded Therry’s mouth with a powerful jet that the young man gulped down avidly. Not that it was the end of anything. The mouth refused to budge. Glued to Kendryck’s meat piece, the tongue teased the shriveled length until it was as thick as before. Then Therry clutched Kendryck’s hand and placed it over his own stiff beast.

Well, talk about different. Kendryck had never been with a man. Nor did he have any time to ponder the novelty, not with Therry pulling out his rigid equipment. What was the hunter to do? Nothing since his hand automatically curled around it, as if having a mind of its own, and Therry moaned, as if he really loved it. Sure, it was all a matter of interpretation. The young man couldn’t speak much, being his mouth kind of busy pampering Kendryck’s flourishing monster. But there was little room for doubt. So Kendryck deepened his touch, dragging his palm from balls to cockhead in a series of rhythmical slides.

“Fuck me, hunter.” Probably to make his plea more effective, the youth placed a hand on his arm. “And make it quick ‘cause I can’t stand this heat one second longer.”

Now talk about dangerous. “Are you sure?” Kendryck didn’t think twice about exposing what was in his mind. “I mean I tend to get wild.” Therry seemed to know exactly what went on his head anyway. “And I wouldn’t want that…” My morbid tastes got the better of me. Not like in my dreams. Not while I’m with you. “I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”

M/M/F (406)

“She’s like no other woman you ever tried.”

“Then give her to me.” Kendryck growled, stretching an arm to take her. “Now.”

“Thought you’d never ask, hunter.” Clutching Tamara’s arm, he shoved her to Kendryck. “She’s all yours.”

Pinning her belly down on the leather skins, he went straight for her ass—round and firm just the way he liked it. Not that it really mattered where he’d possess her. As he hastily removed his breeches, he only wanted to put his mark on her. To dominate her. To use her body to get in touch with his own.

At the moment, she was as inconsequential as the women he had forced to have sex, except she was a beast at heart.

Placing her on her hands and knees, he adjusted her butt to his shaft’s convenience, the tip nudging the puckered entrance. The ring in the middle of the crack was so exciting he could hardly wait to stretch it to its limits. And it wasn’t so narrow either, probably thanks to Therry’s extensive use, which eased everything for Kendryck. With a decisive hip swing, he breached it. Once the cockhead was inside, he had no trouble sliding the rest of the way. Not just because she was large enough. Mostly because her rear had a sucking effect that gulped him all the way to the balls, swallowing him literally. Oh, she was so delicious. Like with Therry, Kendryck hoped he could stay inside her forever. If it would satisfy one urge, he still had another to take care of, one that required him to bend on her neck.

As his teeth sunk into her soft flesh, the taste of her blood exploded in his mouth. Uncontrollable, he clenched his teeth harder together. She didn’t moan. Didn’t make a sound. Simply drilled her ass to his erection and raised her back, offering more flesh to his avid fangs. Mostly, she got wetter, her honeydew trickling down her thighs in visible trails that induced Kendryck to bite and slam more fiercely. He had already set a furious pace in his ramming of her delightful behind that squeezed his cock to perfection. Tamara returned thrust for thrust, until she was stuffed to her guts.

“Well, well, I knew you two would hit it off.” Chuckling softly, Therry knelt in front of her face. “But I hope you don’t mind, hunter, if I take something of her, too.”

—————–WEBSITE————————

M/M EXCERPT (962)

“What have you done to me?” Kendryck shouted, advancing toward him.

Therry simply looked at him, the hint of a smile curving his thin lips.

“Answer me, damn it!” But when he came up to the youth, he lost his impetus and collapsed down on his knees. “Why?”

The smell of fresh blood drove the hunter wild. Without thinking, he grabbed Therry’s arm and sucked the wound, his tongue avidly tracing its edge.

“Fuck me, hunter.” Probably to make his plea more effective, the youth placed a hand on his arm. “And make it quick ‘cause I can’t stand this heat one second longer.”

“Don’t worry.” Not surprised, not scared either, Therry’s voice was reassuring in a self-confident way that wiped out all Kendryck’s reservations in the blink of an eye. “I’m used to treating beasts.” To emphasize his point, he turned his back to the hunter. After shedding his shirt, he settled on all fours and raised firm buttocks up in the air.

Kendryck noticed the truth of Therry’s words carved on the youth’s flesh, in the tiny wounds that crossed his chest, back and shoulders. So he really needn’t worry. The surge of unabated pleasure at this awareness tightened Kendryck’s cock unbearably. Never had his erection been harder. Nor had anybody’s puckered opening seemed more inviting. Never had the butt hole given in so deliciously at a simple digital pressure. Definitely, this was turning out to be fantastically more than anything he could’ve expected. After a few finger coaxing glides in and out, slipping his cock inside was easy. Enlarging it to his convenience was even less of an effort. Since the youth was more than ready for him, Kendryck abandoned any pretense at gentleness and began shoving forcefully. As his balls slammed against Therry’s thighs, he pumped. No, rammed actually, aiming for maximum depth. His throat—he had to reach them and beyond if possible. It was the only way to quench the burning spot at the tip of his erection, which pulsed every time the cramped ass walls crushed it fiercely. Point was—he didn’t want to lose it. Not yet anyway. He was having such a good time in Therry’s butt Kendryck wished it would never end. Stepping up the rhythm seemed to increase his control, but the effect was illusory. Truth was—he was losing himself in Therry’s constricted flesh. And his smell was making him positively crazy. Yet, just like in his dreams, only this time he had no bloody fantasy.

Unlike the women, Therry matched his frantic pounding—thrust for thrust.

LINKS

Night Owl Reviews

http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=2649

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18144308-hunted

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