Page 115 of Hunter

“I’m ancient, so much more so than this young pup, than you, than any here in your pack. Not all secrets can be told. Just trust me. At worst he’ll die. But if I can bring him back to you…look, you saved me. I owe you one.”

Rafe’s eyes fluttered open. “Do it.”

“Where are you going?”

“I can’t tell you. You’re gonna have to trust me.”

“Jesus, Vik.” Hunter closed his eyes, his lips tight. He could have done so many things differently. Rafe would die because of his actions.

“Trust him,” Willa whispered.

“Are you sure, Rafe? I can’t promise what will happen to you,” Hunter said.

“Fuck, man. I got no time. Just do it,” he managed, blood gurgling in his throat.

“No pressure, but from the sounds of his heartbeat, he’s got about two minutes. I’ve got to do this now,” Viktor urged.

“Where are you going?” Hunter asked.

“We don’t have time!” the vampire yelled.

“Stop it, Viktor!” Willa demanded.

The vampire hovered his palm above Rafe’s head. “One minute. Tick tock.”

“Hunter. Please. It’s time.” Willa brushed her palm along his cheek, a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. You can trust Viktor. He’s family.”

Viktor nodded, his expression somber.

“You’re gonna be okay, Rafe. You can trust the vampire.” Hunter spoke, although Rafe no longer responded.

“Thirty seconds.”

“I love ya, bro.” Hunter nodded at the vampire.

“See ya on the flip side. Fiji awaits.” Viktor knelt and placed a hand on Rafe’s shoulder.

Within a blink of the eye, they disappeared. Hunter stared at the blood-stained earth, grief churning inside his chest.

“He’s going to be okay,” Willa said.

“We may never know. But I trust Viktor.” Hunter turned to his mate. “This will never happen again under my watch. Not ever.”

“You killed the rogues. You saved me and the pack.” Willa bowed her head in both reverence and submission for her Alpha.

Hunter heard their paws treading towards them before he ever saw their eyes. Two rogue wolves barreled out of the woods toward him. He reached for the shotguns that lay on the ground and threw one to Willa. As the wolves lunged, they fired off several rounds directly at the wolves. Smoke and dust spun in the air, the dead animals landing on the ground with a thud.

Hunter stepped toward the rogues, who’d been forced into their human forms. He stared down at the lifeless intruders and spat on them. “Enjoy Hell.” With the final rounds, he unloaded silver into their foreheads.

The Alpha rose, turning to address his pack. Women and children ran outside onto the grass, exiting the pack house. Each and every one shifted before him, lowering their gaze, submitting.

“Teton Wolves. I stand before you humbled. Our brother Rafe chose to go with the vampire. Viktor. He can be trusted. Rafe is now in the hands of the Goddess.” Hunter reached for Willa, her palm in his. “I want to introduce you to my mate, a true Alpha female. Princess Aline Ermenjarta. An original wolf of the Lobo. She is my mate. My queen.”

Hunter smiled at Willa as she sent her light through him, their skin glowing. Awe and acceptance from his wolves registered. “Now we run.”

Shifting into his mighty beast, he set off into the woods with his mate by his side. Through tragedy, they’d grown stronger. By risking his life to go into Hell, he’d saved not only Viktor but himself, finding his mate. His pack rejoiced as Willa released her power, tendrils of her royal energy threading through the pack. Energized, they ran through Yellowstone, strong and united. Teton Wolves.

Chapter Sixteen