The Hunter’s Awakening

by Bryce Evans

  “Smart. You never know who will try to come in just to spy on the packs,” Haven muttered, looking out the window. Her eyes swayed, scanning the crowd for one of the coven members. She had to be cautious, praying they weren’t checking the town for the white bear.

  “You’re protected here, Haven. There are guards everywhere. That big man over there is the alpha of the Crenshaw clan. Trust me, Ben Crenshaw would rip anyone to shreds if they even came in here with any intention to hurt any of us. His mate Monica is in here working,” Jade said, trying to calm her nerves.

  “I know, but you don’t know these people. They are evil beyond anything you can think of. They work together and their techniques for picking people out in a crowd who they think are watching them are outstanding. That’s how they knew the female Death Hunter was watching them. At first, I thought they were wrong, but my father told me what they were looking for and it became obvious.”

  Haven glanced at Jade, Quinn, and Simone. Her hands twisted in her lap under the table. “I just wanted her to leave…before they got tired of her. Sometimes they allow them to follow them. Then they lay one of their traps. Take their magic then kill them. I continued to watch her, letting her know they were on to her, but they didn’t mess with her because they knew she was a Death Hunter.”

  “How did they know?” Jade asked, biting her fingernail.

  “It’s how the hunters carry themselves. No fear in their eyes, no expression whatsoever. The female had apparently earned a reputation because they knew her name, Raven.”

  “Oh no…Lennox and Cosmo should know this information. I don’t always get along with Raven, but I don’t want her to get hurt either,” Jade said.

  Cosmo, even saying his name made the hair on her arms raise. The bear inside her moved, standing at attention looking around trying to find him. She tried not to think about him, but it continued to get harder to do, especially when his name came up.

  His hair, his lips, his legs, his butt, his everything, that’s all she could think about. Many times, she had to keep her hands closed tightly together so she wouldn’t reach out and touch his face. The sweet scent in the bakery made her think of his scent. A sweet floral perfume was what he had. The honey smell that was pretty much all over the store made her think of him. Everything made her think about Cosmo. Just get back on the subject. He doesn’t want a mate. Remember, he said that. He doesn’t want you.

  “What else did they say?” Jade asked.

  Haven jerked her attention back to the girls. “Oh…If they hadn’t been pressed for time and on the trail of the white bear, they would have killed her. I’m certain of it. She needs to change her methods and try to blend in more. She sticks out. She’s beautiful and that certainly gets your attention, but she’s trained and methodical in how she looks at people. Obviously, she was scanning the crowds checking them out,” Haven added.

  “That’s good information, Haven. The guys need to know. Raven is hard core and it may hurt her pride to hear that, but she still needs to know and learn from it,” Quinn insisted. “Now, let’s talk about clothes. What kind are you interested in making?”

  She felt excitement inside. It had been a dream since she was little. She loved dresses for everyday wear, but she hadn’t seen a lot of them in the stores that she liked. “I like dresses to wear all the time that flatters a woman’s figure no matter how big or tall they are,” Haven explained.

  All the women smiled and leaned forward. “Tell us more,” Quinn said.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Cosmo wanted to be sitting at that table inside the bakery. He wanted her to smile at him like that. She had no clue just how beautiful she really was. As he watched, he could tell she wanted to crawl under the table and hide. This wasn’t the Haven he knew a long time ago. Of course, she was just a child, a baby really, but she had an attitude then and very demanding. Now, not one part of that person stood out inside her. What the hell had they done to her? He needed to bring that part back. She needed to be that way again.

  Lennox scuttled to his side of the truck and leaned against it. “You don’t want to go inside?”

  “I think she needs this time with the girls.” Inside the bakery, the ladies laughed.

  “Well, if anyone can help her out of the shell she’s in, it will be the girls. She’s shy,” Lennox said as they stared into the window.

  Shaking his head, Cosmo muttered, “I would say she is scared of her own shadow. They made her like that. That’s why he hid her bear. He knew it wouldn’t settle for being pushed into the corner either. That girl attacked and played harder than the boys did. Now look at her. He’s made her sit there and not speak. He wanted her to have no voice and be his slave. Someone who was always around but never heard. I will kill that bastard for doing that to her.”

  “Not if I get to him first. He took my family from me. I won’t let that go. He may have had something to do with killing my parents too. I will have my answers before I kill him.”

  “When is the meeting with the others?” Cosmo asked, still staring at her in the bakery.

  “Six tonight. Scarlett wants Haven there. She thinks she can give us a lot of intelligence on the mages, but I don’t want anyone scaring her. She’s petrified enough.”

  “I’ll be beside her.”

  “If she lets you within ten feet of her, that is,” Lennox said with a smirk on his face, pushing away from the truck before he could hit him. The bastard was enjoying this way too much. “Come on, let’s go eat something.”

  Slowly, he got out of the truck and followed Lennox into the bakery. For a second, her eyes lit up when she saw him. But it faded quickly when she glanced at her hands. He would need to work on that.

  “Hey, guys,” Simone said, getting up from the table. “I have fresh buns coming out of the oven.”

  “Sounds good,” Lennox said, pulling a chair up and sitting beside his mate. The table went silent as Lennox and Jade rubbed noses with each other. Cosmo glanced at Haven who watched the scene intensely. He knew she had never seen that type of affection. Mates would often nuzzle when they had been away from each other. The longing looks on her face drew everyone’s attention. And he desperately wanted to be the one who gave her that affection one day.

  “Ladies,” Cosmo said while staring at her, waiting to see if she would look at him and make eye contact. Before he was done, she would stare the strongest alpha down. Nobody would make her cower to anyone ever again. Even him.

  Quinn’s phone rang. She got up from the table and motioned for him to sit beside Haven, which he gladly did.

  “Cosmo, I love my flowers,” Simone said, holding up the vase on the table, smelling them.

  “Good. I hope to have the others in a couple days. Once I get my transplants in, we don’t have to go anywhere to buy them.” Cosmo continued to stare at Haven, but she wouldn’t look at him. She just sat twisting her fingers in her lap

  “I love flowers. They make me happy,” Simone said.

  Cosmo wanted her to look up and join the conversation. Then he remembered what she said about flowers: “Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” Immediately, her eyes flew up to meet his. He smiled and handed her a flower from the table arrangement.

  The blush stretched across her face made the blue-green color in her eyes sparkle. He could lose himself in those flecks.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “You’re welcome, beautiful.” Cosmo knew it would make her blush more, but he had to let her know what she meant to him.

  Haven inhaled deeply looking away.

  “I think these have gotten bigger, Simone,” Cosmo said, as she placed the honey bun in front of him.

  “Nah, you think so? It has more honey on it, but it’s not bigger. I can’t keep enough of these in the cabinet. Plus, I don’t have the oven space,” Simone said, laughing.

  “What time is the meeting?” Quinn asked, walking back to the table.

  Lennox glanced at her. “Six tonight. W
e need a plan.”

  “Plan for what?” Jade asked.

  Lennox glanced at Haven. “We need a plan if the coven comes to New Hope. I will need you in the meeting, Haven.”

  Immediately, Haven’s eyes glanced around the table then at her brother. She only nodded and looked at the taffy machine. Cosmo saw the resolve in her face. Almost like she waited for them to finally act on it. She knew more than anyone how dangerous the coven was. They would need her help. It would be all hands-on deck.

  He knew she watched him eat as he swallowed the bun. Then he glanced at her, licking his fingers one by one. The look on his face would leave no doubt in her mind that he wanted her. He figured she would look away, but the little minx groaned and continued to stare until there was no icing left. Every minute, she seemed to get bolder and he needed to act on it.

  “Haven, will you come help me move some flowers around in the hot house. It helps if two people are in there.”

  Blinking several times, Haven cleared her throat. “Uhm…Sure.”

  “Take the truck.” Lennox tossed the keys in the air to him. “Remember to come to Dixon land for the meeting.”

  “You got it, Alpha.” Cosmo said with a smirk, allowing Haven to step in front of him.

  They strolled in silence crossing the street to his nursery. As soon as he opened the door, the fresh scent of flowers greeted them. He stared as she inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scents of flowers.

  “It smells wonderful in here. If I could afford it, I would have fresh flowers every day in my house. They make everything seem like it’s going to be okay,” Haven said, walking in farther, inspecting the flowers.

  “They make people happy,” Cosmo said as he watched her bend down and smell the roses. “What is your favorite flower?”

  “Tulips. All the different colored ones. I love to see them sitting on tables. It makes the room look so glamorous. The B&Bs we stayed in had some. I could just sit and stare at them.”

  Cosmo chuckled and turned a knob. “You are great for my business. I want to be able to have any kind of flower here and never have to buy them from other vendors. I just need to hire some people to help me run this place. I can’t be here all the time. They need to be the type of person who—”

  “Loves flowers,” Haven said, finishing his sentence. He couldn’t stop staring at her mouth. Her lips were plump and juicy.

  Clearing his throat, Cosmo looked away.

  “Something wrong?” She narrowed her eyes as he glanced at her mouth.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “Oh.” The prettiest pink crept up her neck. She turned away quickly staring down at the flowers. “You don’t have to say that. I know I’m not the type—”

  Before she could move or even say no, he stood in front of her enclosing her in his arms. He didn’t want to scare her, but he had to taste her sweet lips before he went mad. When she held on to him, he leaned forward pressing his lips to hers. He was right. They were as soft as he had dreamed they would be. Taking it further, he licked her lips until she opened. He softly twirled his tongue with hers. She pulled away, panting, holding her hands to her lips.

  “I’m not good at that. I’ve never…”

  “Haven, for someone who’s never kissed a man before, you were…In fact, I would like to try that again, because you know the old saying, practice makes perfect.”

  “I just figured you’re used to women who know what they are doing.”

  Cosmo took her hand. “Woman, I felt that kiss from here.” He pointed at the top of his head. “To here.” Cosmo put her hand on top of his groin. Her eyes got big as saucers as she looked down then pulled away.

  “Uh…I…I’m sorry,” Haven said, glancing down then up again.

  “Sorry…I’m not. Just touching you does that to me. If I had my way, you would be wrapped in my arms all the time.” Cosmo smiled as she glanced up at him. “You.” He pointed at her. “Do that to me. You make me feel alive.”

  “But I thought, you didn’t want a mate. I heard you say—”

  He sighed. It was time she knew. “Listen, about five years ago, this mage, one of the Old Ones, wanted me to date her granddaughter, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know, but apparently she was crazy. I told her no, that I wanted to wait for my true mate. Natalie told me she had a vision and that if I mated then my mate would die. I believed her since she was an Old One and I trusted what they say. But after talking to Scarlett about it, she laughed and told me that nobody wanted to date her granddaughter and she told them the same thing. I always wanted you, Haven. I want you so badly, it almost kills me to be without you.”

  “Really?” Haven asked, her eyes widened.

  “How do you feel about me?” He couldn’t believe he just asked that. Cosmo felt like a kid with his first girlfriend. “I don’t expect you to feel anything right now, but—”

  His back slammed against the wall and a soft body pressed against his. His bear snarled, wanting out to play with their mate. Her lips smashed against his. Opening his mouth, he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, listening as the moan slid from her. The woman played with his tongue then licked the inside of his mouth. Cosmo pulled away from her and stumbled to the other side of the aisle. Swallowing hard, he leaned against the counter. “Jesus, woman. Where did you learn to do that?”

  Putting her hand to her chest, “I don’t know. I’m so sorry.” When she started to walk out, he put his hand out stopping her. “No, don’t be sorry. I loved it, but if I don’t stop…I won’t stop. I’ll take you right here on the floor.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  Cosmo rubbed his hands down his pants. He needed to get out of this small place or he wasn’t going to stop. His control was slowly coming unraveled. Moving away…he needed to breathe. Why were they here…oh yeah, he looked at the control button. He pushed it and the sprinklers above the flowers started misting water.

  “Oh, I thought you were going to have to water them all by hand. That’s nifty,” Haven said, bending down so she could get a closer look. She glanced over her shoulder at him then back at the sprinklers.

  He couldn’t help but smile. Everything fascinated her, and he wanted to be the one that showed her all she had missed growing up. He wanted to see life through her eyes with amazement and awe. He glanced up and saw the time; they needed to be at Arden and Quinn’s house.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  The smile fell from her expression. Once this was over, he would make sure that beautiful smile never left her amazing lips.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Haven was glad Cosmo allowed her some quiet time as they drove to Quinn’s house. She couldn’t believe she kissed him. Actually, she rammed him into the wall and kissed him. Basically, she attacked him. She reached up and skimmed the edge of her lips. She could still taste him. The taste of the honey bun still sweet on her lips. Glancing at him, his arm draped casually over the steering wheel, like he didn’t have a care in the world. She was right about his lips, plump and sweet.

  She looked out the window. She didn’t want this night to end. Today with the girls had been fun. Thinking of the coven ruined it. They took all her happy times away.

  Suddenly, her body slid over the seat and bumped against Cosmo. She glanced down as his hand lay on top of her leg.

  “Don’t go getting lost in your thoughts. You see that tree right there.” She followed his finger toward a big oak tree. “My bear loves to climb that tree. It’s actually on Dixon pack land but so far, they haven’t said anything to me about trespassing. He likes to climb all the way to the top and look out toward the mountains. There is a spot where he sits. No thinking, just sitting and letting the cool mountain breeze blow across his fur. One day, soon I’ll take you to my tree and we can sit at the top.”

  “I would like that,” Haven whispered. Her arm curled around his. Laying her head on his shoulder, she didn’t think about the coven. She listened to the soft song on the radio and Cosmo’s heart beating. It
gave her peace. He made it good again.

  She pulled her head up as the truck slowed at the gate. This wasn’t any ordinary gate, but high tech. Cameras were spaced across the top and she bet they had more cameras in the woods. Cosmo threw up his hand and the guard opened the gate.

  As they followed the dirt road, it opened up and all she could say was “Wow!”

  “Impressive, isn’t it?”

  “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s a community hidden within those gates.”

  “Our home will look like this soon. Some of the team are out on missions, but once they are back, you will look at it, and go wow.”

  “Your house is beautiful already. When I saw it, the first word was wow. I know it sounds stupid to say just that, but I love it that much. The wraparound porch and all the flowers. It’s just…wow.” Haven glanced up at him. “You made it like that.”

  “You’re...There isn’t enough words to say how I feel about you,” Cosmo said, pulling up to a log cabin then kissing her cheek. He had to hear how fast her heart beat. Haven took a deep breath. They stared into each other’s eyes. It was a moment she would never forget. She saw peace in him. A place she never wanted to leave. But all good things must come to an end. She glanced away breaking the spell of happiness she was feeling even for a brief moment. Outside, Lennox and Jade sat in a swing, watching.

  She followed Cosmo out of the truck. “Welcome to Dixon Pack land. What do you think?” Jade asked.

  “What’s not to like. It’s beautiful here. I don’t think I would ever leave if I lived here,” Haven said, looking around at all the cabins snuggled among the trees. Just like a fairy tale. “It’s your own sanctuary where you can be who you’re meant to be, and nobody will judge you.” When Haven glanced at Jade, they all were staring at her.

  “You are welcome here anytime,” Arden Dixon said, standing at the door.