Because I can do this.
My eyes widen because I knew this existed; I watched Ava and Bryce do it all the time. I’d seen the wolves communicate through their pack link, and yet nothing in the world could have prepared me for hearing Hunter’s voice in my head. “Teach me.”
“Imagine you’re talking directly to me and you’re putting that thought in my head.”
Hey, Wolf.
The smile that comes over his face is blinding.Hey, Gorgeous.
Chapter Forty-Four
Sherese
I wake up the next morning feeling warm, hot even. I can’t remember the last time I felt warm; I’m always cold. The source of my warmth makes sense when I open my eyes. Hunter lies only a few inches away from me. I watch him for a moment, taking in the details. I’ve never allowed myself to stare at him for an extended period of time like this. His face is relaxed, and I realize I’ve never seen him fully relaxed. “If you take a picture, it will last longer.”
His voice startles me. I can’t even deny that I was staring at him. I roll towards the edge of the bed. “You wish.” Just before I can get off the bed, he snags my wrist and pulls me back towards him. I end up right next to him...like right next to him.
“I’m just teasing. You can stare at me any time you want.” He smirks, and I know he’s going to say something smart. But he surprises me when his smile goes soft. “Heaven knows I stare at you all the time.”
I laugh and push on his chest, but he doesn’t budge an inch. “No, you don’t.”
“Do you know that when you’re sleeping next to me, it’s the only time this furrow right here goes away.” He touches my forehead in between my eyebrows.
“That’s not true.”
He slides his hand down my face and tucks my hair behind my ear. “It is. I’ve watched you sleep many times.”
“Yeah, that’s not creepy, Wolf.”
He chuckles. “I’m just saying; I’ve watched you enough times to know.”
I decide to just be honest with my feelings. “Next to you is the only place I feel safe, so I guess that tracks.”
He blows out a breath and leans his head towards me, while simultaneously pulling me closer. “You will always be safe now. My wolf and I will see to it.” He leans back but doesn’t release his arm from behind my back.
I roll towards him, thinking about what I’ve been wanting to talk to him about. “Hunter,” I pause and don’t meet his gaze. “The reason I did those things to the healer…” I swallow. “Ajax showed me a picture of Ava standing in her kitchen. She was by herself, and he knew she was pregnant. They told me if I didn’t do what they wanted, something would happen to Ava and the baby. And I couldn’t…I just couldn’t….” Strong arms wrap around me.
“I’m sorry.” He sounds gutted. “I should never have doubted you. They were pitting us against each other. They gave me pictures of you with the healer, and I should have just asked instead of accusing.” He pulls back and looks me in the eye. “I get it; I would have done anything they asked me to as well.”
“I tried to help her as much as I could.”
“You got her out. That’s what counts.” He’s quiet a moment, and I can tell he’s communicating with Bryce. He scowls a moment later.
“Bryce isn’t happy, is he?” I’m not even sure why I ask. Of course, he’s not.
“No, but I’ll deal with him later. We’ll do a sweep of his house and pack lands again and see what we can find.”
His phone dings a moment later, and he rolls over and grabs it. “It’s for you,” he says, handing me his phone. I look at the text from Ava.
Ava-This is for Sherese. Thank you for protecting me. I never believed for a moment you were helping the vampires when you went back.
I hand Hunter’s phone back to him. “You okay?” he asks as he puts his phone back on the side table. I nod. “Will you do me a favor?”
“Sure.” I’m wondering just what I agreed to, though.
“Will you tell me about your mom?”
His shift in conversation startles me, and it takes me a few minutes to get my thoughts together. “She was amazing. She was strong and independent and fierce.”
