Drifter
Page 32
Kate wrapped an arm around Mitch’s waist. He pulled her close, squeezing her tight, and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Unless we figure out what we’re supposed to do here and how to control the mountain.”
Gabe sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “Sounds like we need Ethan.”
Everyone nodded their agreement.
“So what do we do now?” Claire asked.
Mitch glanced at Gabe. “We wait for Ethan.”
“And if he doesn’t show?” Kate whispered, meeting Mitch’s gaze.
Mitch lowered his gaze. He sighed. “Then we either figure out how to deal with this on our own. Or we run for our lives.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Gabe, Claire and Honor were asleep in the treehouse across from Mitch and Kate. While Mitch and Gabe had gone to explore the mountain earlier, Kate had gathered palm leaves and made a temporary bed in the opposite corner of the treehouse. He lay there with Kate now, cuddling close. Her thoughts were so strong, they flew at him, bombarding him. Would Ethan make it to the mountain? Would they survive when the mountain came alive? What if Ethan didn’t show up? What would happen then? Would they all die?
Mitch tightened his arms around her and whispered in her ear. “Stop thinking so hard, Kate. I can read all your thoughts. We’re going to be fine. You need to be positive.”
She sighed and turned to face him. “I’m just worried. What Gabe said makes sense. If that volcano erupts, we won’t be safe anywhere. We can’t outrun it. We’ll all die.”
“The mountain brought us here for a reason and I refuse to believe it was so that we would all die. We will beat this thing. We have to. Remember that ‘forever’ we talked about? I want it, Kate. I want a forever with you. So fucking bad I can taste it. So I have to be positive. And so do you.”
Kate grew silent, contemplating his words. She snuggled closer, pressed her lips to his. “I love you, Mitch. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. I don’t want to lose you.”
He squeezed her tight. “You won’t. I guarantee no man has ever loved a woman the way I love you. You’re my soul mate, Kate, the other half that makes me whole. We fit together perfectly. You help calm me when the drifter inside me gets too strong. You keep me sane. You keep me human. You know that, right? Without you, I don’t know what or where I’d be right now. You and me, we’re destiny. Nothing will ever change that. And no matter what happens, I’ll never stop loving you. You’ll be with me always.” He slipped his hand between them and tapped his chest. “Right here.”
She nodded, swallowing hard. A tear slipped down her cheek. Mitch gently wiped it away.
“Don’t cry, sweet Kate. We have to believe that we will have a future. But if for some reason, I die when this all goes down, then I will die a happy man knowing I was loved by you.”
She nodded and cuddled closer. Gradually, her body relaxed and soon she drifted off to sleep.
The mountain continued to call Mitch all throughout the night, pestering him like angry bees buzzing in his head. He did his best to push it aside, to ignore its persistent calls, but even with Kate in his arms and being surrounded by her goodness, he still felt the mountain’s pull and couldn’t ignore it completely.
Shira, it continued to call.
Shira. Shira. Shira.
He had no idea what would happen over the coming days, but he vowed he would do everything in his power to see that Kate was safe, even if it meant he would die in the process. His love for her went deeper than he could explain, even to himself, which didn’t seem possible, because he’d only known her for a short while. But he and Kate were just meant to be. There was no other explanation. Destiny.
Mitch sensed the time for the mountain’s release was rapidly approaching. What he didn’t know was whether the mountain would erupt by itself, or if it needed their help to do so. And if it needed them, what were they supposed to do?
That dragon-like beast encrusted in the wall was constantly in Mitch’s thoughts. What was that thing? A giant drifter? A dragon of some sort? Why was it stuck in the wall? And what would happen if it got free? Was it evil? Would it kill everything in its path? Could it be controlled like the drifters?
There were so many unanswered questions. So many unknowns. Though he hadn’t admitted it to Kate last night, he was scared too. The world was about to change again.
But would it be for the better?
Or for the worse?
Would they come out of this as survivors?
Or would they perish in whatever was about to come?
Mitch decided in that moment that he couldn’t let Kate out of his sight. With her beside him, he was stronger. He needed her. And bonded pairs were supposed to be more powerful than anything else. If they went into the mountain together, she might die.
Or they might beat this thing, whatever it was.
Together, using their combined powers, they might be able to defeat Ronin. While alone it would be impossible.
Or maybe their powers were for something else entirely.
Could he risk Kate’s life like that? Could he put her in danger?
If you want a future with her, you might have to.
They had control of the drifters right now. At least temporarily. Mitch had hunted with them last night. He’d fed them. They viewed him as an alpha male, the leader of their pack.
Or at least he hoped they did.
How long before Ronin upset the hierarchy and took control?
If Ethan didn’t heal and get there soon, Ronin would win.
Mitch had no idea where Ronin was right now. Or what he was doing.
Hurry up, Ethan. Get your ass here. We need you.
Would Maddy be able to convince Ethan to go to the mountain when no one else had been able to? Mitch was skeptical, but he had to give Maddy the benefit of the doubt. She was certainly a persistent woman. And tough as hell. He would have to put his faith in her ability to sway Ethan to her way of thinking.
Come on, Maddy. Get him here.
Dawn arrived and with it came a new urgency, a new determination. A hope for the future. Mitch wanted a happily ever after with Kate.
So somehow, he’d find a way to get it.
# # #
Don’t miss the conclusion of the UNDERNEATH series in Ethan’s story, UNSEEN, coming September 2017.
If you enjoyed DRIFTER, please take a moment to leave a review. Reviews are what help readers discover new authors and I appreciate each and every one. I also encourage you to share this book with your friends.
Other Titles by Leslie Georgeson
No Son of Mine (standalone mystery/drama)
Unlikely Heroes romantic suspense series:
Stolen – Book 1
Abducted – Book 2
Deceived – Book 3
Stoned – Book 4
Scarred – Book 5
Underneath dark fantasy/paranormal romance series:
Exiled – Book 1
Drifter – Book 2
Unseen – Book 3 (coming September 2017)
About Leslie Georgeson
Leslie Georgeson wrote her first book at the age of fourteen and has been weaving tales ever since. She’s an avid reader and craves edgy, unique stories about strong characters overcoming difficult struggles. She likes to make her own characters suffer through life-altering hardships, but she believes happy endings are what make all the struggles worthwhile.
Leslie lives with her husband, daughter, two horses and a cat on a quiet county acreage in Idaho. Visit her webpage at http://lesliegeorgeson.com/ to learn more.
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