Page 3 of Curses and Casualties (Hunters Hollow #3)

Georgia

“ R emind me to never get a room next to you two lovebirds again,” Scarlett groans as we step out into the street the next morning. The sun hits her full on, and she holds her hand up to shield her eyes. “Not unless it’s soundproofed, anyway.”

“Sorry,” I mumble, cheeks burning.

Scarlett laughs. “Don’t be. I’m teasing. You two are soul-bonded and horny. Who am I to stand in the way of destiny? Just…maybe try to keep it down a bit next time.”

“And always make sure your windows and doors are covered,” Ethan adds. “I was in the hall at one point and that glowing you do was lighting up beneath the door.”

I blush, but Ryan sniffs, his expression unrepentant. “I’m not going to apologize for making love to my mate. Besides, the glowing thing is new. We’re still figuring it all out.”

“Oh, I bet you are,” Scarlett says with a wink. “But Ethan’s right. You two need to take precautions. We don’t know who might be out looking for you. And that glow of yours is like a giant neon sign of supernatural light.”

Ryan slips his hand into mine as we walk down the busy street, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll be more careful,” he promises. “But for now, let’s focus on our next move. We can’t stay in one place for too long.”

Ethan nods, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings. “Agreed. We need to find those witches Caspian mentioned and figure out our long-term strategy.”

“All of that sounds great,” Scarlett interjects, “but I’m starving. Can we please get some food first?”

Ryan chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Food does sound good. I worked up quite an appetite last night.”

“I bet you did,” Scarlett quips with a smirk. “Just try not to break any dishes with that new strength of yours, Romeo.”

“My control isn’t that bad,” Ryan protests, but there’s a hint of a smile on his face.

We spot a diner just down the block, its neon ‘Open’ sign flickering in the window. The promise of hot coffee and a hearty breakfast is too tempting to resist.

“What do you say we fuel up there and then make our plans?” I suggest, already feeling my stomach growl just thinking about pancakes.

The others nod in agreement, and we make our way into the diner and settle into a corner booth. Ethan takes the seat facing the entrance, his posture alert despite the casual setting.

Scarlett slides in next to him and picks up a menu, studying it intently. “I think I’m going to get the lumberjack special. Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and a stack of pancakes. I’m ravenous.”

“Maybe pick something a little less pricey,” Ryan suggests, leaning in to keep his voice low. “The cash Caspian gave us won’t last long.”

Scarlett frowns slightly but nods, setting the menu back down. “Good point. I’ll just get the basic eggs and toast then.”

“How about we split the lumberjack special?” I say, giving her a sympathetic smile. “That way we can still enjoy a big breakfast without breaking the bank.”

Scarlett grins at me. “Sounds perfect. I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

“We should do the same,” Ethan says, looking at Ryan. “We’ll need to stretch our funds as much as possible until we figure out our next move. It isn’t safe for any of us to touch our bank accounts.”

Ryan nods, his expression grim. “You’re right. We have to assume the Alpha’s people are monitoring everything. Credit cards, bank accounts, even our old cell phones. We’re off the grid now.”

Scarlett frowns. “Two lumberjack specials it is—split four ways with the pancakes on the side?”

Ethan gives her a look. “How about I trade you my pancakes for your hash browns?”

Scarlett’s mouth drops open. “How dare you even suggest such a thing.”

The waitress arrives to take our order and, with the unflappable weariness of someone who’s seen it all, looks us over from our rumpled clothes to the tangled states of our hair. She flicks a pen at her notepad and asks, “Gonna need bottomless coffee today?”

“Yes, please,” Scarlett says, instantly more chipper, the threat to her hashbrowns forgotten.

By the time the food arrives, we’ve already devoured two pots of coffee, and even Ethan is almost smiling again.

The diner is quiet, sunlight filtering through the greasy windowpanes and making everything feel softer, less dire, like maybe we’re just four tired friends on a badly planned road trip instead of fugitives at the center of a supernatural war.

“This is kinda depressing,” Scarlett groans, pushing her small serving of food around her plate.

“We’ll figure something out,” I say, reaching across the table to give her hand a comforting squeeze.

She gives me a weak smile and nods, but I can see the worry still lingering in her eyes.

There have been a lot of moments over the last few weeks where the reality of my situation has really hit me.

But this reality—being on the run, cut off from our old lives and resources—is a little tougher than learning shifters and fated mates exist. And as I finish my meagre breakfast still feeling hungry, I find myself longing for the comfort of my tiny apartment.

“My apartment!” I say suddenly, sitting up straight as an idea pops into my head.

“Your apartment?” Ryan’s brow furrows. “What about it?”

I lean in close, lowering my voice. “I have an emergency stash. Cash. Supplies. With the countries I’ve traveled to last minute, it’s always paid to be prepared for an emergency.”

Ryan’s eyebrows shoot up, a mix of hope and concern flashing across his face. “I don’t know, love. If the Elders have figured out who you were in the human world, they could already be watching the place.”

“But how would they know who I am? What information do they have beyond my first name and knowing you found me in the Soulcave?”

Ryan furrows his brow, considering my words. “You’re right, they don’t have much to go on. But they do have access to witches who can scry. We can’t underestimate them.”

“And I have this handy-dandy amulet that’s supposed to hide me from that, right?” I hook my finger in the chain around my neck to illustrate my point.

“It’s worth the risk,” Ethan chimes in. “We need those resources. And since the witches the Elders’ called in to bind Georgia ended up being on our side, we might have an advantage they don’t know about yet.”

Scarlett nods in agreement. “Plus, we could use some fresh clothes and supplies. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not loving the idea of wearing the same outfit for days on end.”

Ryan looks between us all, his expression conflicted. I can feel his worry and uncertainty pulsing through our bond. “It’s risky,” he says finally. “But you’re right. We need those resources if we’re going to stay ahead of the pack.”

“So we’re doing this?” Ethan looks like he’s about two seconds away from clasping his hands together and begging, please, please, please.

Ryan nods. “We’ll scout it after this, make sure there’s no sign of pack activity. Then grab what we can. In and out.”

“What? No hot shower?” Scarlett whines.

I chuckle at Scarlett’s complaint, but Ryan’s expression remains serious. “In and out. I mean it, Scar. We can’t risk lingering any longer than absolutely necessary.”

Scarlett sighs dramatically but nods in agreement. “Fine. But the next safe house better have decent plumbing. That motel’s bathroom made me dirtier leaving it than I was when I went inside.”

Ryan nods. “We’ll do our best to find somewhere more comfortable next time. No promises, though.”

“A girl can dream,” Scarlett sighs as she picks up her fork and finishes what’s left on her plate.

Once we’ve paid the check, we exit the diner, and a chill breeze ruffles my hair, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin.

I shiver involuntarily, instinctively leaning into Ryan. But I’m not sure if it’s for warmth or protection. The idea of heading back to my apartment—my old life—is suddenly making me feel uneasy.

Strange to return to the old den, Luna murmurs in my mind, her presence stirring restlessly. Smells of before. Of when we were separate.

“You OK?” Ryan asks, his arm instantly surrounding me as we follow along behind Scarlett and Ethan. “How’s your leg?”

“My leg is fine.” I snuggle in closer as we walk. “I’m just a little chilly. And nervous, I guess. Going back feels surreal. It’s been my home for years, and yet I feel detached from it now. The life I lead only a few weeks ago seems like it happened in another lifetime entirely.”

Ryan gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I get it. I felt the same way after my change. Except I had a little longer to get used to things before the future of shifter kind settled its weight on my shoulders. Everything’s changed so quickly for you, love.”

A lump forms in my throat. “It has. Sometimes I wake up and for a split second, I forget everything that’s happened.

Then reality comes crashing back in and the life I lived before, the career I spent so many years building, feels like a dream that belongs to somebody else.

” I glance up at him. “Am I making any sense?”

“You are.” He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. “And I’m sorry you’ve been thrust into this so suddenly. I wish I could have given you more time to adjust.”

I shake my head, managing a small smile. “It’s not your fault. And I wouldn’t change it, you know. Meeting you, discovering this whole new world... it’s been incredible. Terrifying at times, but incredible.”

Ryan’s eyes soften as he looks down at me. “I’m glad you feel that way. I wouldn’t change it either.” He pauses, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. “Well, maybe I’d change one thing.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”

Ryan leans in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispers, “I’d have met you sooner.”

A warmth blooms in my chest at his words, and I lean up to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

“If you two start glowing…” Ethan warns over his shoulder, making me giggle and for Ryan to pull me even closer.