Page 12 of It’s Kind of a Bunny Story (Hey There, Hop Stuff #3)

“Sadly, for the burrow, that was beyond generous—especially considering how little they thought of me.” Charlee seemed unfazed by her burrow’s latest atrocity. “For them to make this offer, it shows how much they respected, or feared, Fletcher’s influence.”

“It was their way of controlling both of us,” said Fletcher.

“My father didn’t want to face the embarrassment of having his heir removed from future leadership.

And since they couldn’t let me leave the burrow for fear of my telling the world how they were running things, I’d become a problem.

You were the carrot they dangled in front of me in hopes of solving both their problems at once. ”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Charlee chewed her lip, trying to figure out why he’d hidden it.

“I’d like to know the answer to that as well.” Copeland’s voice was void of any emotion, and he watched Fletcher with the steady gaze of a predator on the prowl.

If he lost control and injured the male rabbit, it would break Charlee’s heart. I also knew I’d be unable to stop him, not when my bloodlust was simmering just under the surface.

“Because I knew you were tired and your body was giving out from the constant beatings. I was afraid you would agree to those terms because it was a slight improvement to the alternative.” Fletcher stared down at the floor.

“And I knew I couldn’t stand by while they continued treating the rest of the women the same as they always had.

But if I didn’t keep my mouth shut, they’d take you from me and punish you to keep me in line. ”

“Oh, Fletcher!” Charlee sobbed, wrenching herself free from Copeland and throwing herself into Fletcher’s arms.

He crushed her against his chest. “And because I never wanted you to believe you were something that could be given and taken at their whim, as though you were nothing more than property on loan.”

Charlee’s sniffles shredded my soul. She’d gone through so much, and I was in awe of how much strength was packed into such a tiny body.

Fletcher gently rocked her, trying to comfort her. “Besides, their offer was empty because I didn’t just want your body. The only one who could give me what I wanted was you because I wanted your heart… but only if you gave it to me freely.”

The fury I’d felt toward Fletcher vanished. He’d been young and still had done everything he could to protect her. And then, instead of taking the prize they’d offered, he’d risked everything to give her a chance at a life outside the burrow. A chance at freedom.

“I respect you for going against everything you were raised to believe in. That isn’t easy.” I paused to clear my throat. “And I will forever be thankful that you did. You brought my mate to our doorstep. You’re not so bad, Rabbit.”

“Same to you, Wolf.” Fletcher gave me a nod. “You need to let the alpha know the council has hired coyotes as enforcers to collect debts. Our burrow has made a fortune offering high-interest loans to people down on their luck.”

“That is predatory, which is weird, coming from a shifter species that’s supposed to be prey,” Copeland pointed out.

“So the burrow may have hired the coyotes to what? Find you two? Kidnap Charlee?” I asked.

“Most likely, they have orders to bring Charlee back. The council knows if they get to her, I’d return to the burrow as well.” Fletcher paused, then added, “It’s also possible they have an order to kill us before we have a chance to tell our story and stir up trouble for them.”

They wanted to drag my mate back to the burrow to be used by other men? And if that failed, they were going to kill her?

I’d die before I let them so much as breathe in her direction. My wolf was rabid with the need to seek vengeance, but I needed a plan before I released him.

Hunt them down.

Kill them.

Find a sorcerer.

Bring them back from the grave.

Kill them again.

Rinse and repeat.

Yeah. That would work for me.

With a plan in place, I stood from the fireplace hearth and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Copeland asked.

“To commit mass murder.” Realizing my mate might think I was upset with her, I softened my tone and added, “I’ll bring muffins when I come back.”

Rustling came from behind me, but I would not be stopped. Not by anything.

“You can’t go fight an entire burrow on your own! After our mate’s heat is over, we’ll go together.” Copeland said, appearing at my side. “Besides, you’d be a total dick if you hogged all the bloodshed for yourself.”

Copeland’s words reminded me of why he was my best friend. He knew my plan was risky, but he also recognized that he couldn’t talk me out of something once I’d made up my mind. And he was willing to charge into danger by my side.

“Fine. I won’t visit the burrow until her heat is over. But my wolf needs to run.” Not waiting for a response, I took off toward the thick tree-line.

I didn’t even slow as the magic of the shift rippled over my skin and my paws thundered over the forest floor. Hopefully, the run would burn off some of the violent energy that threatened to consume me.