Wild Hunt (The Revenant Book 4)

by Kali Argent

  “Breathe, kitten.” Trying to calm her, he stroked his hand down her thick mane of dark hair. “They’re going to love you.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because I love you.”

  “I don’t know. It’s been so long since you’ve seen your sisters. Maybe I should have stayed back at the room this first time.”

  They’d already reached the steps that led onto the small covered porch, so it was a little late for second thoughts. Plus, he knew for a fact that his younger sisters were going to adore her just as much as he did. Nothing he could say would convince her, though. She’d just have to find out for herself.

  The front door swung open before he’d even cleared the steps. A high-pitched girlish squeal almost shattered his eardrums, and the next thing he knew, he was being tackled to the ground under the combined weight of two overly excited females.

  “Deke! Holy shitballs, dude!” Rolling off him, Jazz punched him in the shoulder hard enough to make him wince. “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Ignore her. We were both really worried for you.” Rising to her feet, Evie dusted pine needles from her jeans, then offered a hand to help him up from the ground. “We missed you.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Jazz was the baby of the family, and she’d never really grown out of her brat phase. “So, did you bring me anything?”

  “What exactly would I have brought you?” Laughing, he pulled both of them into his arms and kissed their heads, just like he’d done when they’d been little. “Damn, it’s good to see you.”

  Jazz punched him again, this time in the ribs. “So, who’s the human chick?”

  “Jazz!” Though only two years older than their sister, Evie had always been the quiet, responsible one. At only twenty-two, she had a unique perspective on life, and she was probably more mature than he was. “Don’t be rude.” Releasing him, she turned to Roux with a bright smile. “Hello.”

  Moving to Roux’s side, Deke wrapped an arm around her tiny waist and pulled her close. “Kitten, this is my sister Evelyn, but you can call her Evie. The pain in my ass over there is Jasmine,” he added, pointing to her. “Her friends call her Jazz.”

  “Don’t lie to the poor girl.” Jazz snorted. “Everyone knows I don’t have any friends.”

  Deke rolled his eyes at her. “Ladies, this is Roux Jennings…my mate.”

  “What?” his sisters screeched in chorus.

  “Way to bury the lead,” Jazz chastised. “Jeez, brother.”

  “I know it’s rare, but I have to agree with Jasmine on this one.”

  Both females converged on his mate, pulling her into welcoming hugs and smothering her with sisterly affection as they welcomed her to the family. For her part, Roux looked like a frightened rabbit that might bolt at any moment. As the hug went on for far longer than propriety dictated, however, she gradually relaxed, and when Evie invited her to join them for lunch, she easily accepted.

  Deke watched the trio disappear up the steps and into the cottage without a backward glance. He didn’t think they’d forgotten him, but he clearly wasn’t their priority anymore, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Damn, it was good to be home.

  ~

  After an entire day of searching, Mackenna’s hope had faded.

  No one she’d spoken to—and she’d asked a lot of people—had heard the name Jessica Juarez. Apparently, there were a few different Jessicas, Jessies, and Jesses who called the camp home, but none who matched her friend’s description.

  The chances of finding Jess in Olympus had been slim, but that hadn’t diminished Mackenna’s quiet optimism. Or she’d just been in denial. She knew how unlikely it was that her friend had even survived the Purge, let alone the long and dangerous road from Cuna Mundo to Olympus.

  She had just wanted so badly to be wrong.

  “I’m sorry, baby.” In the hallway outside their room, Cade took her hand and pulled her close for a slow, lingering kiss.

  “No.” She sighed and leaned into him, resting her brow against his shoulder and closing her eyes. “It was stupid.”

  “Hey.” He tapped the underside of her chin with his index finger, coaxing her head up. “None of that. Having hope isn’t stupid.” He kissed her temple and hugged her close. “In a lot of cases, hope is all we have. I’m just sorry it wasn’t enough this time.”

  “I think I always knew, even before we went to the ranch.”

  She just hadn’t wanted to believe it. Instead, she’d put herself and her mate in danger, almost gotten him killed, and all because she hadn’t been able to accept the truth. It had been reckless, selfish, and yes, stupid.

  There was a hint of a smile playing over his lips as he swept her hair back over her shoulder. “Not knowing is the hardest part.”

  Yet, it was as common as breathing now. Most of the people in Olympus probably had at least one friend or family member who had disappeared in the past couple of years. Worse, they might never know what had happened to them. It wasn’t something anyone really talked about, but it had to be in the back of their minds.

  In movies, whether the world ended because of zombies, plague, war, or alien invasion, the hero’s journey always focused on survival. Part of that survival sometimes involved a desperate search for a loved one, usually a spouse, child, or both. Everyone else the hero had ever known—parents, siblings, cousins, friends, and so on—were immediately and outrightly presumed dead.

  Had that happened after the Purge? With so many dead, had people stopped searching and just assumed their loved ones were gone forever? It sounded so bleak, but she also kind of understood it.

  “We don’t have to do this,” Cade said, interrupting her thoughts. “If you’re not feeling up to it, you can stay in the room, and I’ll go scavenge us something to eat.”

  “No, I want to go.”

  Fresh fish and hand-cut fries from the diner at the edge of camp sounded amazing. She’d even heard rumors about slices of chocolate cake as big as her head, and comfort food seemed like the perfect antidote to a disappointing day.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Mackenna smiled as she took his hands and began pulling him down the hallway, her boots scuffing over the teal, low-pile carpet. The flooring was obviously cheap, and it had probably been outdated when it had been installed, but it was clean, and it appeared to have held up fairly well over the years.

  The wood paneling on the lower half of the wall had been scuffed and chipped from the numerous guests who had passed through the corridor. In contrast, the warm, cream-colored paint on the other half appeared fresh. The black light fixtures attached to the walls also looked newer, while the paintings and other art had probably been purchased decades ago.

  The entire lodge seemed to be a mixture of old and new, tradition and progress. She liked it. In an odd way, she felt a connection with the place. The woman who had escaped the Hunters wasn’t the same person who had been kidnapped from the side of the highway. Nor was she a wholly new person. At her core, her personality, her likes and dislikes, hadn’t changed. Now, she was just…more.

  From the moment she’d woken up in the hospital, she had been struggling in vain to reclaim a life that no longer existed. Foolishly, she had somehow convinced herself that she could pick up where she’d left off as if the past two years had never happened. She couldn’t forget her past, and she didn’t know that she’d want to, even if it were possible. After all, those experiences, both good and bad, had made her who she was now.

  She could remember the past, however, without letting it weigh her down. She could hope without letting it hold her back. So much had been taken from her, but she had also found more than she probably deserved. She had a roof over her head, food in her belly, and a new family who always had her back. Safety and comfort were no longer guaranteed, but they were privileges she now enjoyed.

  She had Cade.

  Even before the Purge, many Gemini wen
t an entire lifetime and never found their other half. Having a mate who adored her, who always put her first, who knew all her flaws and loved her because—not in spite—of them was a true and precious gift. She’d lost a lot that night she’d blown her tire, but since then, she’d been blessed with so much more.

  “What is going on in that head of yours?” Cade asked as they exited the lodge and stepped out into the brisk night air. “I swear about twenty different emotions have crossed your face in the last five minutes.”

  Mackenna shrugged. “Just working out some stuff.”

  “And how is that going?”

  “Pretty good.”

  Nothing was set in stone. It didn’t have to be either-or. She could mourn the loss of her old life and still be grateful for her new one. Pausing on the front lawn, she swung Cade around and lifted her arms to encircle his neck as she arched into him for a kiss.

  “Not that I’m complaining,” he said with a smirk, “but what was that for?”

  “Just my way of saying thank you.”

  “And what are you thanking me for?”

  Where did she even start? For taking a chance on a broken and damaged werewolf. For not driving past her when every instinct had probably told him it was for the best. For traveling across two states to let her hope for just a little bit longer, even when past experiences said they wouldn’t find the answers she sought.

  For trusting her. For believing in her and helping her believe in herself again. For loving her, protecting her, guiding her, and knowing when to let her find her own way.

  Against all logic and faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, they’d found their way to each other, just when they’d both needed someone the most. Whether fate, or luck, or some higher power had led him to her on that lonely stretch of road, it had been Cade who had made the decision to stop, and that choice had changed both of their lives in ways they probably didn’t even realize yet.

  “Just for being you.” She kissed him again, slow and sweet, pouring everything she felt into the meeting of their lips. “I love you, Cade.”

  “I love you, too, baby.”

  She didn’t know what the next week would bring, or even the next day. With so many people still suffering, she did know that they couldn’t hide in their sanctuary forever. Eventually, the Revenant would be compelled to venture away from Olympus, to help those who needed it and right the injustices of the world.

  When they did, she planned to be there with them. Second chances didn’t happen often, and they certainly didn’t come without a price. It was time she started repaying the debt of hers.

  In the meantime, she felt no guilt about soaking up every moment of peace and happiness she could. She was still finding her way in this new world, still figuring out who she was—as a Primus Wolf, as a friend, a mate, a survivor, and just as a person.

  But right there, wrapped up in Cade’s arms with the stars shining overhead, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.

  Epilogue

  They’d been in Olympus for a little over a week, and while everyone seemed to be enjoying some much-deserved downtime, Lynk felt restless.

  It had been almost two years since his last visit, and in that time, the population had exploded. While glad to see that more survivors were finding their way to the haven, he worried the colony wouldn’t be able to sustain the numbers for much longer. He wasn’t the only one, either. He’d already heard whispers about relocating some of the residents to another settlement in Mexico just past the Arizona border.

  Stretching his legs out in front of him in the dirt, he leaned against the log at his back and tried to get comfortable. The bonfire crackled and spit, its flames reaching nearly ten feet into the air. It provided light, warmth, and they didn’t have to worry that someone might see it. In Olympus, fire meant safety. It wasn’t dangerous. It didn’t make them vulnerable.

  Seated on an adjacent log, Deke had his arm around Roux while the latter spoke animatedly with the captain’s sisters. With their dark, flowing hair and icy blue eyes, Lynk could easily see the family resemblance.

  A little farther along the circle, Mackenna had her head bent with a female he didn’t recognize. He could probably hear them if he tried, but he had no desire to eavesdrop. He was just glad to see the she-wolf looking so at ease.

  Standing just behind the two females, Cade stroked Mackenna’s hair as he laughed at something Webber had said. The past two years had changed them all in one way or another, but Lynk didn’t think anyone’s transformation had been as dramatic as Cade’s. The human had been so bitter when they’d first met, distrusting of everyone, even the people he claimed to be allies.

  Back then, Lynk never would have imagined that he’d one day call Cade a friend.

  Readjusting, he tipped his beer bottle to his lips. His team’s happiness should have been infectious, but he just couldn’t shake the sense of apprehension. Nothing felt wrong exactly. It was just a heaviness in his chest, a weight that never seemed to go away. It also didn’t appear to have any correlation to the events happening around him.

  He hadn’t said anything to the others because he didn’t know how to explain it without sounding paranoid. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel that something big was coming.

  Lifting the bottle to his lips again, he paused mid-drink when a snippet of conversation reached his ears. He hadn’t been able to make out the words clearly, but the anxious tone had caught his attention. Focusing, he set his beer on the ground and searched for the source of the distress.

  It didn’t take him long to find it.

  Down by the water’s edge, beyond the ring of light cast by the fire, Abby and Luca appeared to be in a heated discussion. Judging by Luca’s tense posture, he wasn’t happy about whatever was being said. From that distance, with only the moonlight to illuminate them, Lynk couldn’t be sure, but he thought he detected the glimmer of a tear on Abby’s cheek.

  While he wasn’t clear on how the two knew each other, he could sense the depth of Luca’s feelings for the female, so he didn’t think the guy would hurt her. With that being said, it really wasn’t any of his business. Couples fought. Sometimes the disagreement led to tears. He doubted either of them wanted an audience for it.

  “Luca, it’s the only way.”

  “I won’t do it.”

  Lynk frowned. That didn’t sound like a typical couple’s spat. Rising from the ground, he brushed the dirt off his backside and positioned himself closer to the water, just beyond the glow of the fire. He didn’t want to intrude if it turned out to be nothing more than a lovers’ quarrel, but he wanted to be close enough to intervene if the need arose.

  “You can’t ask me to do that,” Luca growled.

  “It has to be you.” Abby stepped closer to the male, reaching out to place her small hand on his chest. “It’s the only way.”

  “Dracca, don’t ask this of me.” He covered her hand with his own, holding it against his heart. “I just got you back. You don’t even know if he’ll let you return.”

  Lynk shuffled a little closer, his brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of what he was hearing. It sounded like Abby wanted to leave, and she intended to do so alone. Clearly, Luca wasn’t happy about it, and given everything they’d been through to rescue her the first time she’d disappeared, Lynk didn’t blame him.

  “I have to try. I’m the only one who can stop him.”

  After a pregnant pause, Luca sighed and shook his head. “Two hours.”

  “Twelve,” Abby countered.

  Luca shook his head again. “Six.”

  “Deal. If I’m not back in six hours—”

  “I know what to do.”

  Lynk growled under his breath. What the fuck was going on?

  Abby’s head turned in the direction of the bonfire. “They won’t understand.” She shook herself, dropped her hand from Luca’s chest, and took a step back. “No goodbyes. Just do it.”

  No more words passed between them as Lu
ca wrapped his arms around her and bent his lips to her neck. Uncomfortable spying on such an intimate moment, Lynk turned away. He even took a step back toward the fire but stopped suddenly when the wind shifted, bringing with it the scent of newly spilled blood.

  Snarling, he spun back around just in time to see Luca spit a mouthful of crimson onto the sand as he clutched Abby’s lifeless body in his arms.

  About the Author

  Born with a silver tongue and a pen in her hand, Kali spends her days crafting scandalous romances filled with flawed heroes and kick-ass heroines. When she's not writing, she can be found curled up in her favorite chair with a good book and a steamy cup of coffee.

  Self-proclaimed introvert and supporter of the selectively social, Kali currently resides in North Texas with her insane family, including two lazy dogs and one tragically misunderstood cat.

  Seriously, though, the cat is evil.

  For More Information, Please Visit:

  www.kaliargent.com

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