“Thank you.” Lexia stood.
“Do not thank me, Lexia, I am giving you burdens you shouldn’t have to carry.”
“They’re my friends, Sarah. If that’s all, I’ll arrange for you to receive your son.”
“I just have this.” She handed her an envelope. “Inside is everything your father left you. This house, quite a substantial sum of money and various other things. I am sorry for the way things happened. I was good friends with your father once.”
Unsure what to say, Lexia wrapped the envelope to her chest and called for Grey. She walked Sarah to the door and watched her run to her son. Unlike Ross, Zac had held onto his humanity. Ross had been one of the unfortunate hunters to have been upgraded by Lucy. He’d died in the explosion, along with every other mindless hunter the shifters trapped inside.
As Sarah left, Lexia felt a small piece of herself knit back together. She’d saved the hunters. Those who’d wanted their lives back had since been cured and returned to their families. She’d destroyed Lucy’s plans, killed every monster she’d ever made, and freed those trapped within her grasp.
Turning at the sound of footsteps treading lightly down the stairs, she smiled at her daughter’s mesmerized face. Marcus was pulling faces at her over Belinda’s shoulder, Miles and Mellissa laughing at her, too. A rustle in the trees and Sammy and Grey disappeared, running through the forest as wolves.
You were right, Derrick. There is happiness destined in my life.
The happiness of a daughter’s love and the happiness of loyal friends. Lexia was still broken, but healing, just as those around her were.
Chapter 45
THREE MONTHS LATER
The smell of barbequed meat lingered in the air as the late summer sun set. The garden cast in a warm glow, Lexia watched Grey and Sammy sparring, while Lola giggled as she watched.
“Ooh,” Lexia said with a wince, “that had to hurt.” Dust flew up as Grey hit the ground. “Old age getting to you, Grey?” Lexia called as he jumped up, renewed determination on his face.
Sammy egged him on, grinning the cocky smile of a youth.
“He’s going down,” Miles told her as his approached, burger in hand.
“What makes you say that?” she asked.
“His ego is getting in the way. I learned my lesson the first time we sparred,” he told her, smiling from the memory.
Laughing as she pictured Miles, all cocky smiles and cheeky glint, he’d underestimated her the day they’d met. Never had he done it again. “You weren’t bad, for a novice.” Lexia grinned.
“Careful, Lex, I think this ego thing is catching.”
Sammy hit the ground, his face slamming first into the hard rain-parched earth. It took him a second before he could breathe. Rolling over, he laughed and groaned as Grey towered over him.
“Had enough, pup?”
Lexia cut in before they were at it all night and bleeding all over her yard. “Foods done. Come get it.”
They ate outside, making the most of the last few summer evenings. The banter between the group was playful and that of family. That was what they’d become over the last few months, a family; one no one could break, all missing pieces, yet somehow together they made a whole.
Day by day, Lexia pieced herself back together. With the help of Patricia, Caden’s mother, she’d worked through the trauma in her life and though she had so much more to deal with, waking in the mornings had become easier. She no longer needed time to build her walls. The nightmares still chased her and she thought the demons in her head would always be there; that was her burden to carry.
There was still something missing though, one essential part of her life missing. Lincoln. She’d known for a few days it was time to go back, known she was strong enough to face him, to feel the overwhelming bond between them. First though, Lexia had to work up the courage to tell the others. She didn’t think they would mind too much, after all, there were seven of them, plus a baby, living in a three-bed house. Grey and Sammy mainly slept in the woods, or curled up on the porch, but winter would soon be upon them and she couldn’t expect them to sleep outside in the snow. Lexia shared her room with Lola and then the girls shared a room, Marcus and Miles taking the other. The arrangement wasn’t ideal and as Lola grew, it became more crowded.
Lola seemed like any other child, maybe a little advanced, but not too much that she’d be seen as unusual. People just presumed she was older than she was. Not that many people saw her. Lexia only ventured into Deadwood for a weekly shop, and once when Alice moved back. Alice now lived back in her childhood home with her family. Since she was safe, they’d left California. Lexia still held onto the hope that one day Alice could look at her as she once had, even though the conversation they’d had her first day back had been tense.
“I want to forgive you, Lex, but I can’t. The hunter may be gone but this anger, it’s still inside of me, and when I look at you, it ignites. I understand why you did what you did, and honestly, there is a part of me that forgives you, but the stronger part hates you. You’re still my friend, Lex, just the best friend I wanna punch.”
Lexia had laughed at what she’d said, much to Alice’s disgust. She understood the rage inside of Alice. After all, there was plenty in Lexia. One day, Lexia knew Alice wouldn’t want to punch her anymore.
“We’re moving,” Lexia said into the momentary lull in conversation.
“Moving?” Mellissa asked, the sun made her dark red hair seem alight.
“Yes, moving,” Lexia confirmed.
“Somewhere with seven bedrooms I hope,” Grey muttered.
Smile turning cheeky, Lexia replied, “What’s wrong? Too old for sleeping in the forest?”
His reply made her laugh: wolf eyes and a low growl.
“How about a pack where you can each have your own home, should you wish?” Lexia asked them, already knowing they’d follow her anywhere.
“We allowed back, boss?” Marcus asked. He’d let his hair grow out since leaving the compound, a few more weeks and she suspected he’d need to tie it back.
“I’m the alpha’s mate. I’m pretty sure we’ll be allowed back.”
“Bit of ground to cover before you claim that title, Lexia,” Grey commented, his eyes far wiser than his forty years.
“I know,” Lexia replied quietly. It would take more than a smile to fix what she’d done. “Have faith.”
“Always have,” Belinda said, her smile reassuring. Unlike Marcus, Belinda had cut her hair. The short-serve bob suited her, made her seem older than her eighteen years.
“Forest’s gonna be a nightmare with this little miss crawling,” Sammy laughed, currently wrestling Lola off the table. Crawling was a nightmare full stop, and at nearly five months old, she was a little early. Lexia suspected she’d be early walking too, and with her higher than average strength and fast development, being on pack lands away from prying eyes was the safest place for her.
“So, you in?” Lexia asked, eyes landing on every member of the group.
“In,” they all replied together.
Moving required a little more planning than last time. It was surprising how much someone could acquire in a few months, especially when they hardly left the house. Although the government had disowned the hunters, they’d each had been given a small amount to start again with. Luckily, Marcus had bought himself a truck. Lexia had laughed when he’d first drove it up the drive; its paint peeling away, rust spots throughout the body, but now he’d restored it and Lexia was grateful for the large tray on the truck.
“Just a few more,” she told the men as she sat another box on the pile of things she wanted to take.
They grumbled a few incoherent things but carried on trying to fit all the boxes and various pieces of furniture Lexia had decided to take with them. Lexia planned to sell the house that had once been her home. She’d enjoyed being back and it was nice to have some more happy memories to block out the bad, but Lexia was ready to move on. She couldn’
t live in the house her father had been murdered in and the money from the sale would come in useful for Lola’s future.
Everything she’d not packed, she planned to leave behind in her past. Every item that held a precious memory would accompany her into the future.
With everything ready to go, Lexia strapped Lola into her car seat inside Caden’s car. With the truck full to the brim and two shifter wolves ready to make the journey on foot, Lexia locked the front door and took one last look at the house she’d grown up in.
Her chest felt tight, throat thick with unshed tears but she was ready to let it go, happy to move on.
“Let’s go,” she said, a little too cheery as she jumped from the porch. “See you at the outer boundary,” she called to the wolves at the edge of the tree line.
Climbing into the passenger seat, Miles started the car and they set off for pack land. The wolves ran beside them, hidden in the trees that lapped either side of the road. Lexia watched them race. They howled a keening cry, both sad and beautiful; it made her shed a tear. Through the tears she shed, Lexia whispered goodbye.
“Stay in the car. I’ll handle this,” Lexia ordered. They’d reached the hidden track leading to the center of Lincoln’s homelands, but after taking the turn and navigating Caden’s car over the rough terrain, they’d been stopped on what Lexia guessed must be the pack boundary.
Grey and Sammy crouched low, their growls warning the snow leopard they were not to be messed with. Not that the snow leopard seemed at all intimidated.
Lexia was still in shock from seeing a guard and even more so that it was a snow leopard. Its fur was a stunning contrast to the deep green of the forest. White dappled with dark spots and with fur thicker than she’d seen on the other cats, Lexia wanted nothing more than to sink her hands into its coat. The snarl as she approached indicated that wasn’t the best idea. Bending slightly, her head tilting to catch its piercing blue eyes, Lexia spoke softly. “Hey, I’m Lexia. Any chance we can talk to Lincoln?”
The leopard glanced at her briefly, then leapt forward, snapping at the wolves. “Hey!” Lexia said harshly, closing the distance between them.
Grey looked at her, his look warning her to get back. “It’s all right, Grey. I’ve got this,” Lexia reassured him. She’d not tapped into her powers since…since throwing Lincoln across the room, but she guessed they had to still be in there somewhere. “I don’t know who you are, but if you do not fetch Lincoln, there is a car full of highly trained hunters and two angry wolves who will move you aside.”
The snow leopard shifted. Looking to be in his late thirties, his hair a white blond and still as fluffy as his fur coat, the man carried through the same piercing blue eyes into human form. “Lincoln isn’t here,” he told her.
“Well, fetch Caden or Caleb. Better still, move aside and I’ll find them myself.”
“Can’t do that, miss. You’re entering private land.”
Eyes flaring, Lexia clenched her fists. “I know it’s private land. I used to live here. I’m Lincoln’s mate.”
“Like I said, Lincoln’s not here.”
“For God’s sake,” Lexia huffed. Turning back toward the car, she ordered, “Don’t kill him.”
The snow leopard was good. It took both the wolves and Marcus to subdue him. With their new prisoner bound and unconscious in the truck, they carried on down the track, managing to get Caden’s car most of the way before they had to get out and walk.
Lexia felt nervous as she neared Lincoln’s home. Already in the distance, she could see new cabins had been built.
“Lexia,” Caden called, running up to her.
Finally, she could breathe; someone was pleased to see her. “Hey, Doc.”
His smile huge, he stepped forward and wrapped one arm around her, his lips pressing against her cheek. “I’ve missed you, Lexi. And wow, look at you, Lola. You’re so big,” he said, allowing Lola to clasp his finger as she reached out to him. “So what’s going on?”
The words wouldn’t leave her. She’d not thought to call ahead. Maybe it was silly to think they’d all just have been waiting for her to return. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
“Hey,” Caden said gently, tilting her chin up when she looked away, “this will always be your home. A lot of things have changed recently, but our pack still needs a heart.”
“He’s not here, is he?” She couldn’t feel him and although there seemed to be a lot more members, the pack was missing a vital part.
“No, he left the day you did. I’ve looked but I can’t find him.”
Lexia pulled Caden’s head toward her, kissing his cheek and holding him close. Always the one to hold everything together, no one realized how much he hurt. “I’ll bring him home, Cade.”
“Soo, where do we unpack?” Miles asked. “Oh, and we brought a new prisoner, too. Shall I dump him in the cage?”
“What?” Caden gasped.
“He’s kidding,” Lexia said, glaring at Miles. “There’s no need to put him in the cage. I’m sure he’ll be fine when he comes to.”
Miles laughed.
“Lexi,” Caden muttered, shaking his head.
“What, he wouldn’t let us pass,” she said defensively as they walked toward the house.
“That’s his job.”
“Well, then he needs improvement. Good job I’m here to take over training.”
“There is nothing wrong with how I train.” Lexia turned at the booming voice of Caleb.
“Hey, good to see you looking so well,” Lexia said, walking into his embrace. The last time she’d seen him, he’d still been shaking the effects of his bullet wound.
“So you’re back?”
“I’m back,” she confirmed. “Me and my motley crew.”
“Good job we built a few extra cabins then,” Caleb replied.
Chapter 46
Three days she’d been walking the Black Hill Ranges. Deeper into the mountains she’d gone and still she’d found no sign of him. Her supplies were about out and she was starting to contemplate shooting a rabbit before she starved.
Draining the last of her drink, Lexia sought out water instead of her panther. Determined to not return without Lincoln, she’d carried on searching, pushing her body to its limits, realizing she wasn’t as fit as she once was.
“Damn you, Linc. I don’t even know the way home. Where are you?”
Fear of dying out in the wilderness had been clawing at her. What had once been a tiny flicker, had grown into a burning flame as the hours ticked by.
Hearing water, she changed direction. Carefully maneuvering across they rocky ground, she left the flatter forests below and climbed mountainsides.
“I wonder if Caden will send search teams if I don’t return soon?” she muttered to herself. “A-ha, water,” Lexia cheered. She came across fresh water pouring through cracks in a cliff face. The rock glinted in the late afternoon sun.
Holding her bottle under the stream, she filled it then drank down deeply. Emptying the next bottle over her head, she pushed the strands of hair from her face, feeling a little more refreshed.
Deep and aggressive, the growl made Lexia jump. Heart a brutal drum, she turned slowly. A hissing cry left the panther as Lexia faced him; lips pulled back, his teeth in sharp focus. If it hadn’t been for the ache in her chest, she’d have thought the panther was a wild animal and not Lincoln. There was nothing civilized about him, nothing remotely human.
For an awful second, she was filled with fear, a paralyzing fear born from the knowledge she might have lost Lincoln forever.
No!
Mind screaming against the impossible idea, Lexia took a step toward the snarling panther. Lips quivering as he growled, she lifted her palms, taking slow, steady steps to the side, until the cliff face wasn’t at her back. Lincoln didn’t move from his higher position. Crouched on a large rock, it would take only one leap for him to reach her.
“Hey, pretty panther.” She smiled. His mewling, high-pitched snarl pierced
straight through her heart. “Come on, Linc. I know you’re in there somewhere.”
No growl this time but still, his body language remained aggressive.
“I’m not going to hurt you. Even if you attack me, if I’m destined to die here, then I’d rather it be by your hands than from the elements.”
That statement got his attention. Body relaxing slighting, Lincoln stopped his soft growling and waited.
“I’m going to tell you something, something I’ve not told anyone,” she told the cat who held her heart. “I’ve done a lot of talking over the last three months. Told Caden’s mother things I’ve never told anyone, but this I’ve never told.”
Deciding Lincoln wasn’t going to rip her throat out just yet, Lexia sat on a nearby rock. Staring at the ground, she brought Derrick’s face into her mind. “I met my biological father.” Lexia glanced up to see no reaction.
“His name was Derrick. He didn’t know who I was to him, not until the end. He was a good man, Linc. He cared for me. He protected me. He even scolded me.” She laughed through her tears. “Derrick loved me. Not that he understood it, neither did I, but when Lucy told me, it all made sense.”
She had to stop and take a breath, the memories too fresh, too painful. Looking at the panther, she continued. “He lived through years of torment so his wife and the daughter he’d never even met, would be safe. And in the end, he died. He died for me. He should have gone home. He should have met his daughter. I guess my fathers are cursed, destined to give their lives in return for mine.”
Rage like liquid fire licked through her veins. “My mother stood there, her wicked, joyful smile, lighting her face.” Each word, flung from her mouth with such hate. “She was willing to kill every person I loved and I still couldn’t kill her.”
Holocaust (The Deadwood Hunter Series Book 3) Page 26
