Page 111 of Hunter

As she clawed at the wet dirt, reality registered. Nothing would ever be the same. The vampire was forever lost to Hell.

Chapter Fifteen

“We’ll find him,” Hunter assured Willa, who lay curled on the leather sofa, despondent.

Hunter had insisted they take the private jet back to Wyoming as soon as possible. Rafe had texted him that rogue wolves had broken into a meeting, and that nearly all his wolves were held up in the pack house. Hunter made multiple attempts to call him but was unsuccessful. Anger and guilt rolled through him, aware he’d brought this evil onto his pack. They’d come for Willa, he was certain, but now they’d get the Alpha, an angel of death who would bring their swift demise.

The only good news was that with the demon sated, his mate was free from their contract. But Viktor had been sucked into Hell, and Hunter knew as well as anyone that the vampire would not survive a second round.

Fucking Ilsbeth. In an attempt to steal the skin book, to absorb its dark spells, the witch had disappeared into the fiery pit. Hunter questioned why Viktor risked his own life for Ilsbeth, instead of simply letting go of her.

The shaken voice of his mate drew him out of his contemplation, and he turned toward Willa. “Hmm what, sweetheart?”

“I don’t understand how any of this happened. The demon agreed. Why did he take both of them? If he wanted Ilsbeth so bad, just take her. Why didn’t Viktor just let go and let that bitch fall into Hell? And why are the rogue wolves still in Wyoming? They should’ve been in New Orleans after me.”

“I don’t know. Whatever it is, it’s about pack.” Remus.

“This is all my fault. If I hadn’t stayed with you, none of it would have happened. They all probably know I’m your mate. This is so messed up.”

“It’s not your fault, Wills.” Hunter shoved out of his seat and sat on the floor next to his mate, resting his hand on hers. “I still don’t know how I could have been so wrong about him, but I think this has something to do with Remus. He’s been my beta for a couple of months but it’s not because we’re friends.”

“How did he become beta?”

“He earned it. I’ve had several different betas over the years. Blake. He’d been my beta for twenty years.” Hunter sighed. “His mate was killed by a human. Apparently, she wanted to be with him. In a jealous fit, she shot his mate up with enough silver to take down a demon. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that he couldn’t cope. Went rogue. I had to take someone on. Remus had been pack for about five years, had come in from Chicago. He fit right in. No problems. From the very beginning he was a good leader. When the wolves fought for their place, Rafe lost to Remus. At the time, it was the right thing to do. My beta is important within the pack. I can’t always be here.”

“That day at your house. Remus was ice cold,” she recalled. “Seriously. He was like a serial killer. I’m worried about what he’s done.”

“I’ve got to get back. Fucking Rafe, man. If it weren’t for the brute strength of Remus.” Hunter blew out a breath. “It still doesn’t make sense. He never acted like this. Not ever.”

“Maybe the demons got to him. Maybe he needed something and made some kind of a trade,” Willa suggested.

“Or a fae. Kellen seemed pretty fucking comfortable on my territory. Wouldn’t surprise me. Whatever turned him knew how to give a good mind fuck. That’s for sure.”

“We’re going to get your wolves out. If Viktor…” Willa’s words drifted into silence.

“We’re gonna get him back. I promise.” Hunter brought the back of her hand to his mouth, brushing his lips against her soft skin.

“I can’t believe he’s gone,” she whispered.

Willa’s grief threaded through him. Hunter grew more determined to put a swift end to the rogues.

Hunter rested his head into her palm and closed his eyes as she stroked his hair. Soon the Alpha would fight. A seasoned warrior, he’d mete justice, sending the rogues back to Hell one by one. Like the others who’d challenged him in the past, they’d submit to his mighty beast.

“How far is it?” Willa asked.

“We’ll be home soon.” Home. Hunter smiled, glancing to his mate. “We’re going to have a proper date when this is all over.”

“We already had a wedding.” She laughed.

“I suppose we did. I’m going to have to get someone to send our gift.” Hunter kept his eyes trained on the road as he drove. “I’d love to see the mailman’s face.”

“I’m not sure how I’ll cope in the pack,” Willa stated, changing the subject out of the blue.

“You’ve been rogue for a long time, but you’re going to fit in well. I know it.”

“I always loved being in a pack. It’s just…they might hate me.”

“They’re going to love you. You’re my mate.”