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CHAPTER FOUR

NERI

After her escape, Neri had never enjoyed the touch of others, even a casual brush of shoulders as they passed in the aisles of a store. And she sure as shit had never slept next to anyone before. Despite all of her instincts, she found herself relaxed when Hunter, his fresh scent washing over her, slid into the bed clad only in his boxer briefs. She had used the shower in the guest room before she changed into a long-sleeved shirt and pink and black flannel pajamas, but as her gaze traveled over his muscled chest, she tugged at the hem of her shirt in a nervous gesture, aware of her desire for him.

Wow, he’s beautiful.

Neri’s cheeks heated, but that didn’t stop her gaze from tracing over every inch of his olive skin and sculpted muscles as he moved. Hunter, who called to her in ways she had yet to understand, was the most gorgeous man she’d ever come across. But it was his protectiveness and his assuredness that allowed her to conclude she was his mate.

As he lay down, she relaxed back on her pillow and a flash of memory came to the forefront. Instead of forcing it away, she concentrated on it.

Fear flooded her as she watched a little girl; her long brown hair tied up in pigtails, dash off as if someone was chasing her. Neri caught sight of the dread etched on the girl’s face and she searched for the person chasing her. Before she caught a glimpse, the memory faded.

Without realizing, Neri had leapt out of bed and stood next to it, her back ramrod straight and her fist clenched at her sides. Hands gripped her shoulders and as she came back to awareness, she blinked and looked up at Hunter, who had concern etched on his face.

Neri swallowed and then cleared her throat before she explained what she had seen and sensed.

“I promise, we and the other assassins will help investigate your past and we’ll find out what happened to her.”

With his words, something inside Neri relaxed. Hunter would do everything he could to help her.

Hunter searched her face and Neri watched his gaze study the dark circles under her eyes from years of fitful sleep, always dotted with nightmares so she hadn’t slept an entire night straight through.

“Let’s sleep and we’ll search tomorrow.”

With heavy steps, Neri walked toward the bed and dropped next to Hunter after he pulled down the covers. As she moved to lay her head on her pillow, Hunter maneuvered her to lay her head on his chest as he wrapped her close in his arms.

Neri burrowed closer to his warmth as it infused into her cold skin. She hummed as she clung to him. He let out a breath, and she remembered, too late, that her skin was cold to the touch and she tried to pull back. Hunter stopped her movements by opening his hand on her back.

“I like your cool skin on mine. We shifters run hot. It’s half the reason we live in the mountains.”

Hunter cupped her cheek and continued.

“You are perfect the way you are.”

“Odd, you mean. A freak.”

“No, no angel, you are not a freak. Each immortal is different, each with rare abilities and skill sets. There is nothing wrong with being you.”

She grew quiet as she mulled over Hunter’s words.

Although she had limited interactions and conversations with other people and trusted none, she trusted Hunter.

“Even though I remember nothing from before my transition, I can sense when I’m in danger. When it happens, I find myself in another place before I can blink.

“I never allowed myself to get close to anyone. I have that sense that even in the life I had before I found myself imprisoned, I shut myself off and I have no clue what normal behavior is. But the doctor said I was disposable, and I found no evidence anyone ever wanted me to bother enough to search for me, so I couldn’t help conclude he was right.”

Hunter’s expression grew sad as he stroked his hand up and down her arm, warming her skin.

“Immortality is a second chance in life. Some remember their past and some don’t but all that matters is we found each other. So now you have a mate and by default, a nosy, loud, and deadly family who protects their own and will butt into our lives any chance they get, but they mean well. And we’ll find the answers you need. But know this…”

Neri, who had been staring into Hunter’s eyes and watching them spark with emotion as he spoke, blinked away tears that threatened to spill over. “What?”

“Nothing we find will change things between us. You are mine and I, my angel, belong to you.”

Overwhelmed by strange emotions that flooded through her, she took a moment to calm her emotions enough to speak. As she opened her mouth to respond, there were several loud clanks in succession.

Something had tripped her motion sensors.