Page 30 of Haunting the Hunter

Now back in her room, I realize once again I’m not alone.

Well.

Less alone than I usually am with you watching me. What are you doing here again? Aren’t you supposed to be keeping watch over the brother?

Whatever. I can understand your interest, human, but know that I’m spoken for.

I walk down the stairs to sift through the library and see a tiny black cat with beautiful orange eyes staring up at me. Oh my fucking Gods.

“KITTY!”

I jump over to the fluffball and begin to squish her little face. She purrs into my hands as she willingly accepts my aggressive cuddles. I fucking love cats.

“You’re a beauty,” I say, scratching the underside of her chin. Her purrs ring through the room, and I smile to myself.

Interesting. Maybe I misjudged our hunter. He must have brought this kitty home.

“I wonder what the story with you is.” Just picturing Cade in a position where he felt he needed to bring home a cat is hilarious to me. “He didn’t see you coming, did he?”

I carefully pick up the cat and walk upstairs, lying down on Callisto’s bed. The cat makes biscuits on my chest.

Yeah, I could get used to this…

I must have nodded off because I hear the front door shut, Jack’s and Callisto’s voices traveling. The little feline is still curled up on my chest, content and sleeping. I carefully set her down next to me on the pillow and creep through the door. Calli speaks up from the kitchen.

“Thanks, Jack, I really needed that.” She sighs. “Wait, what’s this?” I watch as she picks up a small note from the counter, reading it aloud.

“What’s up with all the cat food?” Jack asks.

“So you won’t be alone. P.S., her name is Karma.” She stands there for a moment.

“I see cat things but no cat,” Jack speaks up.

Calli begins looking around underneath chairs and tables before her gaze catches on a window—cracked open.

“What an idiot. He brought home a cat and left the window open. It’s probably long gone by now. And why did he buy so much food?”

She goes over and picks up the bags, reading the labels off. “Pro kitten plan, digestive care for elderly cats, indoor joint health? What the fuck, Cade?”

I double over laughing at the top of the steps, my stomach tightening and my face hurting from the smile stuck on my face.

This fucking guy.

I see Karma walk past me, little paws hopping down the steps. The second Callisto notices, her face lights up and she crouches down.

“Oh my goodness, you’re so cute!” she says in a high-pitched voice.

Karma rubs up against Callisto’s legs, and when Jack bends down to beckon her, the cat totally ignores him.

“Aww, c’mon, don’t be like that.” He steps over and scratches under her chin and she purrs, thrilled for the interaction.

“She likes you!” Callisto says in that sweet voice of hers.

“Look at us, we’re like a little family,” Jacks says with a stupid-ass smile on his face.

Their eyes meet. Jack’s face softens as he continues petting Karma.

MyCallisto andmycat are staring up at him as if he hung the fucking moon. A low growl rumbles in my throat. How dare they look atJacklike that.