Page 1 of My Pleasure

Prologue

Hunter watched the two small children turn back to go inside their home and sighed. He hadn’t made any headway with them.

Konstantine walked up. “No luck again today?”

He shook his head. “I’m not sure how much is them being wary of strangers or if their parental figure told them to be cautious around unit warriors.”

Konstantine gave a low hiss. “I never would have thought in my lifetime, I would see our people turn on the very ones who keep them safe.”

“I have to believe that it’s not permanent. Storm Keep is just in the middle of a reorganization,” Hunter said, not really believe his own words.

Zev snorted as he came down from the Upper City street. “Only my loyalty to McKenzie and our unit keeps me here. This place is fucked and getting more fucked as the days go by.”

Hunter nodded absently. His family moved here to be closer to him when he was assigned to the Nu unit. With everything happening, he wanted to send them to Graham in Lycaonia. “Maybe my parents should visit Graham.”

Konstantine chuckled. “If you ever suggest to your mother to leave Storm Keep, please let me know. I will avoid the Armstrong estate for a while.”

Wincing, Hunter grunted. “We have family in Lycaonia, but mother made Storm Keep her home. I don’t think I could suggest her leaving and expect to be fed again.”

“And we all know that is most important,” Zen teased.

“Of course it is,” Hunter acknowledged.

“Speaking of getting fed, do you think Genevieve has had a chance to make our bacon?" Zev asked, licking his lips.

Hunter brightened. “I got extra, hoping to drop some off with the kids. Let’s go see if she’s done.”

Zev clapped him on the back. “After you.”

Hunter looked back at the solemn house before walking away with his unit brothers. He prayed his mate would come home soon, for all their sakes.

Chapter One

Hunter lingered outside of his parents’ kitchen. He knew from the other warriors and from little Meryn, that his unit brothers were spelled to have dreams of their mates. His started weeks ago before Genevieve arrived. In his dreams he saw a woman with kind eyes and easy smile. At her side two children hold on to her hands as if she were an anchor they floated around.

Then, dark hands ripped the children away, causing his mate’s heart to shatter. Each night he tried to stand between the children and those grasping hands but failed each time. Unable to stand the thought that the children were in danger, he did some poking around. He had recognized his mate almost immediately, Caiden pointed her out years ago as a recent Academy graduate. When he thought about how many times, they had almost been close enough to find one another and didn’t, he shook his head. No point dwelling on it now.

Today, he had made his way back to the estate where the children lived with their uncle. They sat quietly out-front watching people go by. Both still looked slightly underfed, and their clothes serviceable, but worn. He tried to bring them treats, but they shied away from him.

Now, he stood outside his mom’s kitchen. If there was anyone who would know what to do, it was his mother.

“Hunter, get in here,” his mother yelled out, jolting him from his thoughts.

Hunter walked into the kitchen. “Hello Ma,” he said, keeping his tone light.

“Hmm. You have been hovering for days. Sit and talk, young man,” she ordered, pointing to the chair at the table.

Sighing, but smiling ruefully, he sat down. “Can’t I just visit because I love and miss you?”

When he looked over to where his mother was kneading bread, she was giving him a flat look. “I birthed you and raised you. I know what you’re going to think before you think it. Now, tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’ve been dreaming of my mate. It’s Kiera Sorrel from around upper mid-city. She left about five years ago to earn money for her siblings, visiting occasionally. The children are currently being looked after by her father’s brother. However, they look a bit thin and weary. I don’t have the position to help them since, technically I haven’t even met my mate yet, and I want to feed the kids,” he finished his long ramble and watched as his mother blinked once, then blinked again.

“What!” she screeched.

Heavy footsteps pounded toward them as his father burst through the back door. “Myra? What is it?” he demanded going over to his mate.

His mother lifted a flour dusted finger at him. “He… he…”