Page 59

CHAPTER 58

W hen I head into Shamus’s office the next day, I don’t bother knocking. He looks up from behind his desk. I plop down in a chair and kick up my feet. “I want to find the pack Black was hunting, and I want to talk to the alpha who left that message.”

“Hello, angel, please do come in,” he deadpans.

I shrug. “Your house is my house now.”

“Since when?” He smirks as he leans back, his focus entirely on me. It used to annoy me, but now I like it. How the mighty have fallen.

“Since you stuck your dick in me. I might as well get something out of it.”

He blinks for a moment. “Orgasms were not enough?” he responds.

“Eh, they are a bonus,” I retort as I pull out my blade. I carry the jewelled dagger I killed Black and my team with on me at all times now. I still wear its scars, and it seems to fit my hand better than any other, so I flip it idly as I talk. “The alpha, I want to find her. She’s . . . important for what we have planned. I feel it.”

“Erm, Commander Vilaran,” a hesitant voice calls, and I tilt my head with a frown.

Smirking, Shamus turns his computer so I can see three other men on the screen watching me with wide eyes. “Commanders, this is who I was telling you about, Major Havelock.”

I blink at his comment. When did I get a promotion? I mean, I deserve it, but still. The three men just continue to stare at me.

“Hey.” I nod in greeting. “Nice to see you can actually get involved, you know, as long as it’s not in a war for the soul of our organisation.”

Shamus grins as he turns the screen back around.

“You were right. She’s very straightforward,” one remarks.

Another laughs. “I see why you like her.”

“We can finish this later. Thanks for the update, Commander Vilaran.”

Shamus hits some buttons and leans back, looking far too proud.

“You could have told me you were on a call,” I mutter.

“Why would I do that?”

I purse my lips as he stands and heads my way. My blade stills as he tilts my chin back with a soft, possessive touch.

“You think I care if they know we are together, angel? I plan on telling the whole world. Let them talk, I don’t care. Why would I when I get you?” He kisses me deeply, stealing my train of thought for a moment, and when he leans back, he looks far too smug. “The wolf?”

I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure, and his smirk deepens. “Yes, her name is Quinn. I’ve been speaking to a friend who knows her. He gave me her location. I’m going to speak to her. We will need her in the future.”

“Are you asking permission or telling me?” He tilts his head.

Standing, I press the dagger under his chin and tilt it up as I lean in as if I’m going to kiss him. His lips part, his eyes blowing with desire as he watches me. “When do I ever ask for permission?” I whisper before pulling back. “See you in a few days.” I saunter to the door, hearing him mutter after me, and this time, it’s my turn to grin.

We step through the portal outside of the forest. We could go straight into the Red Mountain Pack’s land, but that would be an act of aggression, and I’m a hunter, so appearing right in the middle of their pack would be stupid. This way, their sentries and outer warning systems will alert them that I am here.

“Wait here,” I instruct the others as I hand my weapons over.

“This is really dumb,” Fang scoffs.

“If I go in there armed, they will kill me on sight. If I’m unarmed, then they will let me see their alpha . . . maybe,” I explain. “Out of curiosity. Quinn seems like the curious type, but she also seems like the vengeful type. I am betting on her curiosity winning out.”

I shrug back into my leather trench coat after stripping off all my gear. “Besides, we need her. I will go into her land as a friend and find out what I need to know.”

“And what’s that?” Ronan asks.

“If she’s what I think she is,” I explain. “I saw this place in my vision. I need to be here, but I need you all to stay back. One sniff of you and they’ll try to kill us. I’ll go alone.”

“Very dumb,” Fang repeats.

“What if she orders her wolves to kill you for trespassing on her land?” Zeev asks, but he doesn’t seem overly concerned.

“Then I’ll get the fuck out of there, and I’ll have my answer either way, but she won’t.” I shrug. “I saw her video. She’s an alpha through and through, which means she’s more than brawn. I have a good feeling about her.” Slipping my gloves on, I grin at them. “I’ll be back soon. No killing any wolves.”

I nod at them and head into the forest alone. It’s the first time I’ve been by myself in a long time. My instincts rise sharply, as if enhanced now that they aren’t at my back. My heart pounds, but I ignore it and the urge to reach for a blade that isn’t there.

Instead, I walk slowly and loudly. I don’t sneak or hide, and my hands are held out at my sides.

I can feel their eyes on me and sense the wolves hiding in the trees. It’s a good sign that they don’t instantly leap out to kill me though.

I’m about two miles in when two wolves step into my path. One changes back to a man with beautiful auburn hair and bright green eyes. He’s definitely attractive, but I prefer my men more . . . crazed. “You are trespassing.”

“I wish to see your alpha, Quinn. I come as a friend,” I reply carefully.

He frowns. “You’re a hunter.”

“So I am.” I smile. “But I’m not her enemy.”

I see him debating what to do, and I let them choose. His eyes go far away for a moment before he says, “Follow us. We will escort you. I’m not saying she won’t kill you on sight though.”

“Her land, her choice.” I shrug as I lower my hands and follow behind them.

We stop a mile in. “We will be there soon, but I have to check for weapons.”

I press my hands behind my head and let him search me. He is thorough, checking every inch of me, even the seams of my coat, and when he steps back, he shakes his head. “You really are unarmed. You’re either crazy or stupid.”

“A bit of both,” I admit. “I’ll keep my hands here, less intimidating.”

“I have a feeling you wouldn’t need weapons to kill us. Come on,” he says, but he’s smiling happily.

Strange wolf.

The other wolf who has been stalking us in the trees moves closer—a female, if I’m not mistaken. She circles me before walking at my back. I don’t like it, but I have no choice. The walk is long, and when we reach the tree line, the male wolf lets out a sharp whistle. It cuts across the sprawling, luscious green grass leading up to a bustling area where there seems to be a house of sorts. I see many wolves there, but I search for the familiar face, finding her in the crowd in the distance.

I recognise her from the video. She’s in a man’s arms, but she pulls from his embrace when she hears the whistle, turning to see us.

“Come on,” the male wolf says. I follow them across the land, seeing the other wolves in human form peeking out at me. A crowd begins to gather as I am led over before stopping in front of her.

Quinn looks exactly as she did in the video. Her eyes are sharp, intelligent, and strong, and her body is muscular, letting me know she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. She’s kind, I can tell it instantly, but the way she checks on the wolves and the way they defer to her with respect tells me she has earned their loyalty. I’m even more sure now that this is where I should be.

We eye each other for a moment.

I know I’m surrounded by enemies, but I remain calm and collected. If need be, I can slip away, but I have a feeling this is exactly where I should be right now. The male wolf carefully pushes me to my knees, not unkindly but with intention. I kneel before her, but we both know I’m not helpless if need be.

“Who are you?” she asks, her voice sultry but strong. This is a woman who’s used to getting her way. I can respect that, plus we both had a common enemy.

“Tate, but some people call me angel,” I reply.

“Shit.” The man at her side groans, and I eye him carefully. He’s human, and he also seems familiar, but I can’t place him. The way he moves speaks of training though.

She glances at him with a frown, clearly trusting his instincts and advice. Interesting. The look they share is filled with more than friendship though.

“I know her,” he says, answering her unspoken question, and leans in with a familiar, easy movement. He lowers his voice, but I hear him as he explains. “She’s a sector leader from up north. She was rising through the ranks quickly last time we heard. I think she might have even been with Black. She’s brutal, but I also heard she’s fair. Rumour is Black didn’t like her because she wouldn’t listen to him and even let some monsters go. That’s how she got the scar.”

“Her own people?” Quinn frowns, the idea troubling her.

“My own people.” I smile, knowing it is not a very nice one. “I didn’t agree with them killing a young vampyr. They didn’t like that and tried to kill me.”

She watches me, her brows drawn together. “What happened to them?”

“I killed them.” I choose my next words wisely, knowing it will set the tone for how this will go. “I do not hurt innocents, which is why I’m here.”

“My message,” she says, her eyes widening in understanding.

“Message?” The man at her side frowns, looking between us.

I spare him a look, remembering where I saw him. “I guess Simon was right. I’ve heard of you. It’s nice to meet you. I have to say, I’m surprised, but in a good way.” I look back at Quinn, since she is in charge. “And you are Quinn, Alpha of the Red Mountain Pack.”

“How do you know?” she asks, crossing her arms in a defensive gesture.

Truth is important here. If we are to build the friendships I need to forge a better future, then we need to start on the right foot.

“I know a lot. Besides your message, I have friends in your world. I might be a hunter, but I’m a fair one, and they know that. They come to me for help. There’s a wolf not too far from here with a mate called Simon. We get together for game night sometimes, and he told me about you. He’s the reason I’m here, along with your message. He said he knew you and your father and that you are a force to be reckoned with. I also think we both could use the other’s help.”

I see her process my words as she drops her hands to her hips. “How did you even find us?”

My smirk is vicious, but I can’t help it. “Hunter, remember?”

“You have no weapons,” she retorts.

I shrug leisurely, my hands aching behind my head. “I’m not here to hurt anyone.”

“So you walked into a wolf pack unarmed?” Disbelief colours her tone. I get it. I would feel the same way. It could be a trap, so I don’t blame her for not trusting me.

“I figured you would either kill me or listen, so weapons wouldn’t matter much either way. Besides, I still have my hands,” I say, offering another truth. I won’t hide who I am, and they already know.

Her laughter fills the air, a soft sound that makes the man at her side smile even as he watches me carefully. “Fine, why are you here, Tate?” she asks, and I know then she might still kill me, but her curiosity is winning out.

The fact that I haven’t offered her violence is confusing her. Good.

“I have a feeling we are going to be good friends. Can I get to my feet? I fucked up one of my knees last month chasing a dragon, and it still hasn’t healed right.” My first lie, but I need to get up. If this is going to happen, then we need to be equals and I need my hands. She considers my request before nodding, and I stand, drop my hands, and pull off my gloves.

“I saw your message. I like your handiwork, by the way. I went and checked it out. My new team is there now, cleaning up the mess and burning the bodies.” Another lie—well, kind of, because the bodies were already dealt with, but I want her to know we are helping her. She simply stares however. Time for the reason I’m here. “Hard, I like that. Anyway, you’re right. The hunters are an ancient group, but we were not always bad. My father was a good man, a good hunter, and he showed me his ways, helping not just humans but your kind as well. I’d like to get back to that again, and I think you can help me. So, Quinn, let’s work together. I’ll clean up the hunters, and then we can stop the evil in this world together, both human and monsters alike. Sound good?” I hold out my hand, hoping she’ll take it. I need to know who I am trusting with this. I need to know if she’s the woman I think she is and, more so, the leader I will need.

She considers me, and I wait, not moving my hand. A warm breeze smelling of flowers and fresh grass washes over us, and her eyes seem to soften in acceptance before she places her hand in mine. The moment her skin touches mine, I am in her mind. I flip through her memories, not invading her privacy but looking for what I need.

I find it and smile.

She’s trustworthy, and she’s also strong enough to be what I need and has the morality to back it up. Quinn, Alpha of the Red Mountain Pack, is a true leader. She’s exactly who I need at my side and has the same dreams I have.

“I’d like a truce, but between me and you. I don’t trust other hunters,” she murmurs, and I blink, bringing myself out of her head now that I know. This is exactly why I needed to come in person.

“You’d be stupid to, and you are not stupid, Alpha.” I grin and shake her hand, noticing she doesn’t test her strength against mine—another thing I like. She doesn’t feel the need to show off because she’s secure in her place. “Strong grip. Yes, I think we will be friends, Quinn. I’ll head back now and help clean up. Once my house is clear, I’ll send a message, and then I think we should get together along with some other friends I have and send out an accord.”

“What other friends?” she asks, not sure how to handle me or my words.

Truth is also important to her, so I offer her another.

“Oh, some vampyrs I met along the way. They are a good bunch, but slightly crazy, especially their queen. I met her on a hunt. She was hunting them too—sorry, judging them. We worked together at the end,” I admit. Althea is already on my list, and I know she will be involved in what I have planned. I do not need to ask. She actually told me. Besides, she probably saw it before I did. Another breeze washes over me then, tasting like freedom and home, and I close my eyes for a moment, letting it relax my taut muscles.

“Change is coming, and it starts with us women—queens this time, not kings.” I bow out of respect because she deserves it. “I’ll be seeing you again, Quinn.” I glance to the men at her side, the hunters. “Always room for more hunters with us.”

“Our place is here,” he replies without hesitation. Good.

“I had a feeling. Oh well, but once a hunter, always a hunter. Best of luck.” Turning away, I whistle as I walk over the grass to the trees, hearing her call out to her wolves.

“Escort her off the land, but let her go.” Her voice carries on the wind. “I have a feeling Tate is about to become our best asset.”

She has no idea.

I’m about to make her dreams a reality. I’m about to change everything, and she will help me do it.