"Well I can text her and see what she says." Luna’s bright grin warmed his wolf’s heart and his.
"It can't hurt." Jina added. If they were accepted, their lives wouldn’t be in constant danger. But he wouldn’t be able to fix the mess with his family. Hunter resisted a sigh.
"Will you be coming with us if we go?" Luna held her breath for a moment.
"I'm not sure. Worry about you two first." Jina smiled. Dominic glanced their way, his eyes stayed on Jina the longest before returning his gaze to the alpha.
Luna bit her lip like she wanted to say something as she pulled out her phone and typed away. She looked at Hunter for a few minutes while she waited for Alia's response. He didn’t know Alia, so he couldn’t anticipate how long it would be for a reply. His wolf paced making him nervous. Cut it out! He yelled at his beast who didn’t listen.
Luna's phone beeped after a few minutes. She sighed. "She said we need to meet the alpha to finalize it all, but she said the coven would accept me." She typed another message asking about her mom and dad to come out too then hugged Hunter. The alpha would have to accept both of them since Luna had a wolf too, but he kept it to himself. She was too excited to bring her more worry and he didn’t want to crush her hope.
"That's great news," Jina said when the phone buzzed again.
"I have even better news. You and Dominic are welcome to meet with the Elders and Alpha." Her shoulders relaxed. One big family. Hunter glanced out the window, if his parents had been kinder or more open they wouldn’t have to leave.
"Alia said that?" Jina raised her eyebrow.
"Yep." Luna held up her phone, so her mom could read it. Her eyes widened as she stared at the phone.
"For now, I’ll help you move out there, but I don't know if I’ll stay." Dominic rubbed Luna's back.
"Well then I’ll have time to convince you to stay." Luna smiled and hugged him, who chuckled.
"Hunter, you should get packed." Dominic smiled. "We'll leave tomorrow morning. Brauc can hold off your family till then."
"If you're planning on saying goodbye I’d do it with me there." Brauc shook his head. "I don't need someone else doing stupid shit."
"We should go talk to them now, then." Hunter sighed. His stomach tightened, he didn’t want to say goodbye to his family, but they were forcing him away.
"Do you need back up?" Dominic offered but Brauc shook his head. Luna gave Jina a hug and then walked out with Hunter and Brauc and closed the door. His parents were the ones putting this on him. Family or mate. His wolf knew which one was worth it. Luna loves us without conditions.
Luna grabbed Hunter's hand as his parents marched out of their home.
"I'm sorry Hunter,” Luna whispered. He didn’t blame her; their lack of unconditional love had spoken volumes for years.
"Don't be. I'm their son and if they can't accept me because I'm mated to a witch then it's their problem." Hunter glanced down at her stomach. "I promise you this, I’ll love our children no matter what." Images of her body swelling up with pregnancy made his wolf excited and his human nervous. Soon her scent would change again signaling she was pregnant. Once again changing Hunter’s life. Maybe this is the way life is meant to be. Grandma Reva would probably agree with him.
"So, you're planning on knocking me up more than once?" Luna smirked.
"Minimum of two but the limit is completely up to you." He winked and the smile on her face warmed his heart. Being near her was easy, he just hoped the place in Nevada would accept them.
"Your family is waiting." Luna glanced over his shoulder, and Hunter followed her gaze. Tommy, Scotty and his two older brothers, Kev and Andy stood with their mates. His sister, Brenda wasn’t there but she didn’t like confrontation. He couldn’t really blame her, he didn’t like it either. I lied for years to avoid fighting with them, look where I am now. His wolf shook his head.
"I'll protect you, Luna. I know we haven't fully talked but I've made my choice. I want you." He kissed her and then met her gaze. "I love you my little witch."
"I love you too wolf." Luna smiled then it faded as she glanced at his family. Hunter kept her close as they approached his parents. One lesson they gave him, never put conditions on love. It should be free.
"I see you have made your decision then?" His mother lifted her nose. His wolf whimpered at the anger in her gaze.
"Yes. This is my mate and I accept the magical part of her." Hunter rubbed her hand trying to calm her down as her heart raced, which distracted his wolf. He needed to stay strong for both of them.
"Well then I have nothing more to say to you." She turned around and stormed back to the house. His heart ached, he never expected to be rejected by his own mother. It fucking stung more than the bone breaking hex he took for Jina. At least she appreciated him for taking the hit. Before her hand reached the door, Hunter cleared his throat.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I need a pack who can accept both me and my mate." When he met his mate, he never imagined the path they had taken. But no matter what he would stick to his mate like a bear to honey. He wanted to keep the promise he made her when they first met and never leave her.
"Goodbye," she said then proceeded into the house, slamming the door.
"Be safe, brother. I may not approve of your mate, but I don't wish you ill will." Kev had always been the calmest as the oldest sibling. At least one brother doesn’t completely hate me.
"Thanks Kev." Hunter nodded. Kev pulled his mate toward the house. Slowly everyone said their goodbyes leaving Brauc with Hunter and Luna. The window’s shade moved, and Brenda waved at Hunter.
"I'm sorry about this," Brauc finally said after a few minutes.
"I had a feeling this might happen. I don't blame you. Tell Xavier I said bye." He glanced around the neighborhood he grew up in. So many memories but soon he would make new ones with his mate. His eyes wandered down to her tummy. Maybe soon I’ll have my own babies to spoil with love instead of putting conditions on them.
"Will do." Brauc climbed into his truck and Hunter slipped Luna into his home.
"Before we pack up my stuff I need to see you in my bed." Hunter whispered into her ear. They had a long drive ahead of them, starting tomorrow.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Luna
*Two Days Later*
LUNA GLANCED BACK AT her dad’s truck, wondering if he would stay with them once they reached Nevada. Hunter pulled Luna into a kiss on the other side of the parking lot and she gave into the warmth of his touch. After a full belly, she wanted to lay in a nice warm bed next to Hunter, in Denver Colorado. The last few days had been one hell of a drive and she still felt a little tired even with Hunter doing most of the driving.
"Hunter." Jina hissed and he pulled away from Luna, who turned to look at her parents. Her dad said something about kissing but her mom whispered something so low even her good hearing didn’t catch. But Hunter’s grip tightened on her hips.
"Luna dear." Jina yelled making her jump. Night had fallen completely about ten minutes ago on their drive back from the restaurant.
"What?" Luna asked then Hunter leaned closer to her ear.
“There’s a hunter right behind you,” he whispered. Fear washed over her whole body, she had heard about the fuckers who like to hurt supernatural beings. Her body tensed up and her hand pressed over her stomach. Hunter turned to face the man strolling toward them. Luna tried to calm her breathing and used her mate’s strength to keep her grounded. Jina reached them with Dominic close behind. She hoped the guy wouldn’t be too stupid to take on all four of them.
"Do you happen to know where Applebee's is in this town?" the hunter asked.
"I'm sorry I don't," Luna supplied. The man took another step toward the small group. Hunter growled low which seemed to shock the man. His shock turned into delight as a wicked grin tipped up his lips making Luna’s stomach turn. "I never expected to find such fresh meat tonight."
"Walk away and things won’t get ugly. You're o
ut numbered." Hunter pushed Luna behind him into Jina's arms. Her magic hummed at the surface, ready to protect the ones she loved. The hum of energy grew stronger as her mother’s face turned from dread to determination.
"Two wolves with their little human mates. I rather like those odds." He raised an eyebrow while pulling out a long knife, it glinted from the street light to his left.
"I'm not a fucking human." Jina veered around Hunter and faced the man threatening her family. Luna scanned the area to see if anyone watched but there wasn’t anyone for miles.
"It's clear," Luna said right before Jina used her powers to push the hunter into the air and back a few feet. He narrowly missed the cars and landed on the small field.
"What the fuck?" he yelled as he scrambled to his feet. Dominic shifted into his wolf and ran right for the hunter. Luna took in a deep breath ready to attack, she wanted to help.
"Get her out of here." Her mother kissed Luna then bolted toward her mate.
"No, I'm staying with them." Luna caught Jina's attention. She turned just before reaching the fight raging between Dominic and the hunter.
"Bull shit. They can deal with a lone hunter but I'm not putting you in danger Luna." Hunter lifted her into his arms and put her into his car.
“Hunter go back!” Luna twisted in her seat and tried to see her parents.
“I made your parents a promise, damn it Luna. I’m not breaking a promise again.” He shook his head. Luna’s heart raced in her ears, she could help her mother kick some ass.
“But we can...” She spotted a truck weaving through the light traffic right behind them and it wasn’t her dad’s pickup. “I think we have someone else following us.” Her mouth turned dry.
“Are you sure?” He twisted in his seat then checked his mirrors.
“Pretty sure, he’s about to close the...” The trucks front bumper smacked into Hunter’s tail light. Luna lurched sideways toward the front of the car and Hunter cursed.
“How?”
“I don’t know but I can’t use magic to slow them down with the others on the road.” She glanced around and counted four other cars were slowing down. The hunter’s truck bumped into their car again.
“Those fuckers will pay.” Hunter ground his teeth. They were far enough from the other cars to do small spells but nothing too large like fire to push them off the road. Luna took in a deep breath and focused on the hum of her magic just waiting for her to use.
“Lux,” The ball of light hovered over her head. With a flick of her wrist the light flew right into the other car. Only the driver chased them instead of a car full of hunters, which made her nerves slightly settle.
“You can take on one hunter while I cover you right?” Luna glanced his way.
“I think I can do that.” Hunter grinned and rolled his shoulders. “But you need to stay in your witchy form.”
“Why?” Luna lifted her brow as he pulled over.
“You’re a stronger witch and more experienced in this sexy body then your beautiful wolf.” He pulled her into a kiss and the truck slammed into theirs sending them apart. Luna’s shoulder slammed into the dash board.
“Shit that hurt.” Luna rubbed her arm and tried to focus on what came next. Hunter didn’t delay in jumping out of his car and running to the truck. Witches aren’t out of the closet, but wolves are. Luna bit on her lip, if she shifted then she wouldn’t need to hide herself or the magic she would use. The fucker who hit the car had also hopped out and started swinging at her mate. Her stomach lurched, the idea of her mate being hurt scared her. She didn’t want to lose him, but she also didn’t know what to do.
The man swung and hit Hunter in the face. When her mate’s swing hit the guy’s gut a few cars zoomed by. If she joined the odds would be in their favor. Did she shift or hide them, so she could use magic? Your magic is stronger than your wolf.
Luna jumped out of the car and let the magic pulse through her body. She scanned the roads and only saw the tips of headlights on either side.
“Walk away.” Luna’s voice rose, and the hunter turned his attention to her.
“Your guy is filth and so are you.” His gravelly voice rode on Luna’s nerves.
“Dolor.” Luna hissed out the words and he screamed out in pain. Energy pulsed through her body while the wind picked up. He pressed his hands on the sides of his head and she let go of the spell. “Last warning. I don’t want to kill you, but I will if you stay.” If he left, then he was probably just following orders.
“Fuck you bitch.” He spat.
Cars zoomed by and the guy took this chance to punch Hunter in the groin who stumbled back toward the traffic coming their way. Luna’s head snapped to the left to see the car wasn’t moving over like the others. Hunter fumbled right into the highway.
“Divello.” Luna pushed the energy on the broad side, so the vehicle would be pushed to the other side of the road. Tires squealed but the driver kept going. Hunter regained his sense of direction and lunged for the guy then punched him in the face. Luna double checked to make sure they were in the clear for another few minutes, but another semi-truck headed their way. Not enough space to lite his ass on fire.
“Divello.” She focused on him again and another gritted scream left his lips. “Break his neck.” She didn’t lift her gaze from the writhing male on the dirt.
“If I kill him, we’ll bring trouble to the pack.” Hunter stood behind him blocking the man from the highway drivers.
“And if we don’t kill him, he’ll keep coming till we’re dead. Even if I take his memories he’ll just go after other wolves.” Luna broke the spell to meet her mate’s gaze. “Either you kill him, or I will. But my method is by fire which could create more problems than a broken neck.”
The semi-truck zoomed by sending wind their way. Hunter wrapped his hands around the guy’s neck and snapped it before he managed to come back from the pain she had inflicted on him. Relief flooded her muscles and drowsiness followed close behind.
“You need to call the guy who helped you before.” Hunter hissed through his teeth. She didn’t like the anger contorting his features.
“Ash?”
“Yes. Tell him what happened so his alpha can have someone clean this up.” He waved his hands to the dead hunter and the pickup.
“It might not be his territory.” Luna had no clue where they stopped on the highway or if they took the interstate.
“He’ll know what to do.” Hunter grabbed the guy and carried him toward the pickup’s bed.
“I can help you.” Luna took a few steps toward him, but he shook his head. After putting the hunter into the bed of his truck, her mate slammed the tailgate shut.
“Why?”
“Why what?” Luna raised her brow trying to figure out what was wrong. She had been cautious when she used her magic.
“You just forced me to kill someone.”
“Someone who wanted to kill you and me.” Luna pressed her finger into her chest.
“I could’ve knocked him out and left.” He stormed past her and jerked the car door open. Luna glanced back at the pickup before taking in a deep breath.
“Then you should’ve let me do it.” Luna shrugged her shoulders before climbing into the car. Hunter slid into the car and slammed it closed. After he started the engine, he turned to face her.
“If I’d let you kill him, it could’ve exposed the witch population, which puts you in even more danger.” He shoved his hand through his brown hair.
“The next car was miles away, I could’ve moved him behind the pickup and set him on fire. No one would’ve seen him burn to death.” Luna pulled out her phone and sent a text to Ash about the dead hunter. She pulled up her map app and did a screen shot where they were and sent it to him as well.
‘Thanks for the tip. I’ll let my alpha know.’ Ash texted back quickly.
“Should we go or check on my parents?” Luna wanted to know how they were doing with their own hunter bastard. Hunter shook his hea
d as a set of headlights pulled over toward them. Her heart spiked, she didn’t know if the truck was a cop or another hunter. She didn’t want to take an officer’s memory to keep her and her mate safe.
“Luna?” Dominic called out. Her heart leapt, and she jumped out of the car and sprinted to her parents.
“Thank goodness you’re safe.” Jina pulled her into a hug and her heart relaxed. Warmth flooded her body.
“Thank you for keeping her safe.” Dominic patted Hunter’s shoulder. “I didn’t think you would ever kill a hunter.”
“I didn’t want Luna exposing herself. I took the lesser of two evils.” Hunter turned and marched back to the car.
“Let’s get out of here before we draw too much attention to ourselves,” Dominic spoke softly then kissed Luna’s head.
“We’ll see you at the next hotel.” Luna waved goodbye and climbed back into the car with her mate. She didn’t know how to console him, but she needed to think of a way. Maybe this is his breaking point and he’ll leave me once I’m back in Nevada.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Hunter
FIVE DAYS ON THE ROAD had drawn Hunter's nerves out and the peak had been killing the freaking hunter. He had never wanted to take someone’s life and the last day of their drive he had thought about it repeatedly. When they reached Crescent Valley, he had come to a sense of peace. If he had done it his way and knocked the fucker out, the hunter could’ve killed another wolf once he woke up. His wolf had been completely happy with one less murdering hunter in the world threatening the safety of his mate.
Luna spoke to her elders soon after they arrived in town. They agreed to let Luna go if the Moon Coven accepted them. Now Derrick would need to accept them. Hunter stared at the popcorn ceiling wondering what the alpha would say. If they weren’t accepted he didn’t know where they could turn.
Luna rolled to her side and placed her hand on his chest. A scent filled his nose as he laid in Luna's bed. His mind raced as he sat up and scanned Luna’s sexy curves.
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