Red Read online

  Evernight Publishing ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2015 Scarlet Fox

  ISBN: 978-1-77233-582-8

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Lisa Petrocelli

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  I’d like to thank all of the awesome people at Evernight who made this story possible. I’d also like to thank the readers! To all of the ladies who still love a good fairy tale even though we’ve grown up. We’re never too old for make believe.

  RED

  Naughty Fairy Tales

  Scarlet Fox

  Copyright © 2015

  Chapter One

  When she was born, her hair was such a blazing, fiery shade, her parents simply called her Red. The infamous name followed her throughout her life like a plague, as did the signature feature. She’d thought about cutting off all of her bouncing curls, possibly dying her hair black to spite her parents. It wouldn’t matter though. Even if she wasn’t visually such a noticeable member of society, her father being pack leader would always make her iconic within the community. There was no escaping it.

  With a sigh, Red continued loading up the picnic basket in front of her. She intended to take it to her grandmother, who lived a mile down the road. Her grandmother was the only person she was able to converse with in which the conversation didn’t feel stilted and overly formal. Men feared her father, so as a result they feared her.

  It wasn’t as if her father was an excessively threatening man, but he was pack alpha, and he was very overprotective of his only daughter. At nineteen, she’d never even been on a date. None of the pack members her age dared come near her. All it took was one look from Daddy, and they all tucked their tails and scurried away.

  Her father had formed the pack when they moved to this small, wooded town. Before that, the wolves in the area had been guideless and lost. They’d all benefited from having a strong alpha in their midst, but unfortunately many of them were young. Those that weren’t had no desire to climb the rungs of the pack. They felt they were too old to start aiming for a position of power. As a result, this meant no viable mates for her. She would become pack leader when her father stepped down, and not just because of heredity. There was simply no one else for the job.

  A thought flitted through her mind, and she scowled. There was one other man in the pack capable of running things. Her father’s second-in-command, Hank, would love the position, but she had a feeling the pack would not enjoy his leadership very much. She sensed he’d also love nothing more than to make her his mate. She would rather remain single for the rest of eternity than allow that to happen. The man was in his late thirties, nearly twice her age, and when he looked at her, chills of foreboding ran down her spine. He was not a good man, of that she knew. Unfortunately, any time she warned her father of this, he waved off her concerns. He thought she was merely intimidated by Hank’s power. It wasn’t the power that worried her. It was the man behind it—a man full of malice.

  Not wanting to dwell on thoughts of Hank, Red packed up the last of the lunch she’d prepared to share with her grandmother and slipped her red cape over her shoulders. She’d started wearing the cape to get around without anyone catching sight of her red locks and reporting her every move to her father, but the cape had become just as iconic as the damn hair. It was frustrating as hell, but she continued to wear the stupid thing out of spite.

  Snatching up the picnic basket, she swept out the front door and started down the path through the woods that led to her grandmother’s house. It was easier than driving, and besides, she had no fear of the forest. The forest should have fear of her. She was, after all, one of the most dangerous things in it.

  With a delighted, wicked smile at that thought, she bounded down the path, intent on getting away for a while and spending some quality time with a family member who actually understood her. Her father tried, bless him, but he would never truly grasp the desires of a young woman on the brink of adulthood. She was desperate to live a fulfilling life of her own, out from under his thumb and watchful eye. He would never understand the yearning in her heart for something more. She loved pack life, but it didn’t entirely complete her. It wasn’t all she was. She was still a woman with desires.

  Making quick time, she passed the lake that signified the halfway marker to her grandmother’s house. It was as she rounded the edge of the lake that her senses prickled. She reared to a halt and lifted her head, suddenly alert. Was she being watched?

  Carefully, she glanced around. She felt eyes on her, but she did not see the source of her unease. She’d never run across a human out in these woods. The odds of doing so now were unlikely. Cocking her head ever so slightly, she sniffed the air in an attempt to pick up a scent. The familiar odor of deer stung her nostrils, but nothing more. She turned slowly, studying her surroundings. There was nothing. No one. Still, she curled back her lip and issued a warning growl.

  When no response followed, she chocked her paranoia up to her thoughts of Hank. It had her seeing things that weren’t there—which meant she was giving him too much of her time. Forcing her shoulders to relax, she started back on her path.

  She arrived shortly after at her grandmother’s and without any further incidents. It was only as she was knocking on the door that she felt it again—the eyes. Turning, she gazed into the woods. Where are you?

  The door swung open behind her, and her grandmother stepped out onto the porch. “Red, come in. Come in.” The elderly woman paused, and Red knew her keen senses were kicking in. Her grandmother might be past her prime, but she was still wolf. She immediately noticed the unease in her granddaughter even if she didn’t know the exact cause. “What is it, Red?”

  Red hesitated, glancing out into the shadows of the forest. “N-nothing, Gran. I suppose.” She turned back to her grandmother with a warm smile. “It’s just…I could have sworn I felt eyes on me.” She shook her head, feeling silly. “It was nothing. My imagination getting away from me, no doubt.”

  Her grandmother narrowed her eyes at the line of trees for a moment before stepping back and waving Red into the house. “You always did have an active imagination, child. Forget about those eyes. Come. Come. Show me what you brought us for lunch.”

  With one last backward glance, Red entered the cabin and shut the door behind her.

  Chapter Two

  There they were again. Those eyes. After a few days passed, she’d convinced herself she’d imagined the whole thing, but Red could feel them on her back. And this time, she knew they were not a figment of her imagination. Someone was watching her.

  Most women might panic and run, let their fear take over, but she was not most women. Straining her ears, she caught the sound of a snapping twig from somewhere behind her. Calmly, she dropped her picnic basket at her feet. Then she unhooked the single button of her cape that rested just under her throat and let it flutter to her feet.

  She remained still, listening, but she allowed a predatory growl to escape her lips. Whoever was following her would quickly learn they were barking up the wrong tree. She would have laughed at that pun had she been less aggravated.

  As she listened attentively to her surroundings, she was startled to hear a responding growl. Wolf. Confusion flitted through her. No one in the pack would be bold enough to track her. No one but Hank, an
d this didn’t reek of his style. He was more of a smarmy, political sort. He did all of his maneuvering over dinner and a bottle of classy wine. He didn’t seem the type to resort to stalking. So then who the hell was following her?

  She growled again and straightened her arms. As she stood waiting, she allowed her nails to elongate and grow into claws. Her shoulders popped, the bones stretching, becoming longer. She transformed herself, allowing the beast within to emerge. She kept herself between forms, a grotesque wolf-man fit for any horror flick.

  She emitted another fierce growl, challenging whoever waited in the woods. To her surprise, a vicious snarl echoed her own, coming from behind her. She spun just in time to be bowled into by another wolf.

  The two of them tumbled to the ground in a tangle of fur, limbs, and snapping teeth. She was so startled at the sight of another werewolf—one she clearly didn’t know—that her reactions were slowed. She was on her back in a vulnerable position, giving her opponent the advantage. She barely managed to jerk her head to the side when he lunged at her, narrowly avoiding the large male sinking his fangs into her throat.

  Snarls and growls sounded in the once peaceful forest, and Red’s heart leapt into her throat. Who was this man? What did he want from her? And how had he entered their territory without detection? One of her paws found his chest, and she raked downward, leaving a trail of blood as her claws ripped through flesh.

  He howled, and a massive arm came down, pinning her wrist to the dirt. He restrained her with his body, keeping her immobile as he pressed her down into the earth.

  Red thrashed against him, tearing out with her free hand in hopes of injuring him in any way. Panic bubbled inside of her. She could fight. She was one of the most aggressive members of her pack, but this man was strong. And he was obviously not as timid as the men she was used to.

  She’d caught him in the jaw, striking with enough force to bruise, but it was her claws she’d been trying to use. He’d deflected most of the blow, coming away with a mere scratch. As she came at him with another strike, he caught her second wrist and pinned it down next to her head. Now both of her hands were immovable, leaving her exposed.

  Red screamed her anger. She fought to toss him off, snarls ripping from her throat in an aggressive warning. He was powerful, but she was the daughter of an alpha. She would not go quietly.

  As she struggled against him, it took her a moment to realize something had shifted—something monumental. Her snarls had turned into breathless gasps. Both of their bodies had slowly drifted back into human form, and what she’d thought to be a bite from him turned into a bruising kiss. Her curled fingers that had been desperately trying to claw at his hands now gripped tightly, and the weight of his body was no longer threatening. Instead, his erection pressed roughly against the fabric of her skirt. She whimpered in pleasure at the sudden and unexpected sensation.

  He shifted his grip on her wrists, taking them both in one hand. With his right hand free, he brought it down above her shirt.

  He elongated his hand into claws once more, and Red tensed. She held her breath, watching with wide eyes to see what he planned to do. When his sharp talons ripped through the fabric of her shirt, tearing it away, she squirmed beneath him. Her bra quickly followed as he bared her to the daylight.

  The moment her breasts were free, his hand returned to its human state, and his mouth found hers again. He kissed her greedily as his fingertips toyed with one of her nipples. He pinched, teasing the bud into a hardened peak.

  She was astounded by his boldness. No one would ever dare take such liberties with her. She was the pack leader’s daughter! She whimpered and lifted her legs up around his waist. She elevated her hips, rubbing her core against his erection. This stranger had just awakened every dark sexual desire buried inside of her. This was what she’d needed—a man. An alpha.

  His hand left her nipple and traveled down her waist. He forced it between their bodies, and a moment later, she felt his fingers grazing the front of her panties. She was so damn wet, she knew he must have felt it even through the fabric.

  As she squirmed against his probing fingers, the sound of tearing fabric filled the air. An instant later, she felt a soft breeze as her panties fell away. All that rested between them now were his pants.

  Wanting to tear them from his body, Red tugged against his restraining grip in an attempt to free her hands. She wanted to touch him, feel him beneath her fingertips.

  The man tightened his grip, giving a soft, warning growl.

  Arousal spiking through her, Red stilled. Though it wasn’t in her nature, she allowed him to take control. She eased back against the grass and simply returned his fervent kisses. She became pliant in his arms. She saw no reason to act aggressively. He was giving her what she wanted anyway.

  His hand reached the buckle of his belt, and he yanked it free. Then he wrenched at his slacks, tugging them down his waist. He quickly had himself exposed and poised at her entrance.

  As her tongue battled with his, the man forced his way inside of her. Red gave a cry into his mouth as he tore through her barrier. It didn’t hurt. It probably should have, but she was so ready for him, and she’d waited so long for this moment.

  The action startled him, though. He reared back, sitting up on his knees. He gaped down at her with something close to horror, his chest rising and falling raggedly. “Virgin.” He must have seen something in her eyes, because whatever protests he had faded away. An instant later, he was on top of her again, kissing her roughly. He palmed her thighs, lifting them ever so slightly to give himself a better angle. Then he was forcing his way inside of her again.

  Red moaned, tossing her head back in ecstasy. She didn’t care that the blood she’d drawn earlier smeared along her chest. It only added to the animalistic sexuality of the moment. Her hands found their way down his back until she was able to grip his backside. She squeezed, pulling him deeper, arching with his every thrust.

  His teeth closed over her bottom lip, pulling as his hips pumped rhythmically into her.

  She couldn’t remember ever feeling so good in her entire life. This man seemed to know her body in ways even she didn’t. With each thrust, he drove her higher, spiking her pleasure in frantic bursts. “Please. Please.” She begged him for release, for what she’d desired for so long.

  He angled his hips and drove deeper, and she felt herself explode around him. Shockwaves unlike anything she’d ever felt had her body quaking. Her nails found his back, and she raked them into his skin. She cried out into his mouth, feeling him climax a moment behind her.

  His body shook and trembled as he emptied himself inside of her, filling her.

  Red whimpered, her whole body feeling sensitive after such an intense bout of sex. She lay trembling beneath him, her lips still seeking his.

  It was the man who finally seemed to come to his senses. He rolled off of her, sitting beside her in the grass, his head in his hands. “I am so sorry.” He glanced over at her with blue eyes wide with alarm.

  As she sat up on her elbows, she was finally able to get a good look at her mystery seducer. The man had beautiful blue eyes and dark brown hair that fell over his forehead in a sexy wave. He appeared to be near her age or a little older, perhaps mid-twenties. He was fit, but the muscles rippling under his flesh had more to do with wolf than a good workout. Just the sight of him had her pussy clenching with desire. Even though she’d just had him, she wanted him again.

  “Shit. I don’t even know your name.”

  “Red,” she said softly.

  “Red,” he repeated. “Well, Red, I’m Max. Max Carpenter.” Before she could return his greeting, his head whipped in her direction. “What the hell were you doing out here, Red? This area was supposed to be without a pack. I was told it was safe to come up here.” He shook his head. “But you smell of pack. And power.” He shuddered at that. “I don’t know what came over me. I couldn’t control myself. I had to have you. I had to immerse myself in the power I
felt flowing through you. It just…matched my own in a way I can’t describe.”

  He’d wanted some of her power. She understood that, because she felt the same way about him. Their respective powers had seemed to mesh, flowing into one for that beautiful moment when they both experienced orgasm. “My father is the local pack leader.”

  “Shit.” That one word was filled with distress. He ran his hands through his hair and blew out his breath on a sigh. “I am so fucked.” He let out a frustrated growl. “What the hell was I thinking?”

  She’d been having trouble offering much to the conversation, but at his tone of remorse, she found her voice. “I wanted it.” The words came out rushed and breathless.

  “You wanted it?” He gave a disparaging laugh. “A virgin wanted to lose it in the dirt out in the middle of nowhere to some guy she’s never met before? I find that unlikely.”

  “Listen, Max. I’ve been waiting a long time for another alpha to come along. It wasn’t like I was a virgin by choice. I wanted it just as badly as you did. Stop laying all the blame at your feet. It’s not like I put up much of a fight.”

  He shook his head with an overwhelmed expression. He ignored her comments and instead posed her with a question. “How old are you, Red?”

  “Nineteen.”

  “Nineteen. I’m fucking twenty-four. I had no business…” He trailed off with a sigh. “Listen, I’ve got a cabin not far from here. At least come back and let me get you cleaned up. It’s the least I can do.” He waved a hand at her shredded shirt. “I can let you get a shower and give you a change of clothes.”

  There was so much she wanted to say, but she couldn’t seem to find the right words. “Okay,” she finally said, her voice nearly a whisper.