Page 91 of Rhett

They all gave me aWhat are you waiting for?stare.

“Can I just sit this one out?” I begged.

“Oh hell no,” Izzy held out her hand to me. “If I’m doing it, you are too.”

“Yup,” Nyx agreed. “Now get your ass up and join in our group hug.”

“Well… okay.” My lips curled up as both Nyx and Izzy helped me to stand.

As we all hugged it out, the embrace filled me with the most satisfying feelings of acceptance, happiness, belonging, and love.

When we broke apart, Rose pumped her hand in the air and squealed, “You all are the best.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at how charged up Rose was from our group hug. I guessed deer-shifters did need hugs.

Izzy plopped back onto her pillow. “I’m letting y’all know right now if any of you let it leak that I participated in a group hug, I’m going to cunt punt every one of you, witch-gangsta-style.”

We all burst out laughing.

Despite the craziness that I’d experienced in the Ridge, I could get used to being around people who cared about me with no hidden agenda. I could tell that Imani, Nyx, Rose, and Izzy genuinely loved one another and had embraced me into their family.

I had to admit since arriving in the Ridge, I felt happier.

I’d found my family—my pack.

I looked forward to settling down in the Ridge with friends, family, and Rhett. I knew life in the Ridge wouldn’t be easy, but life was never a piece of cake for me.

I’m going to fight for my happily-ever-after because I deserve joy and love.

CHAPTER24

RHETT

Hours walking through the thickness of the forest and there was still no trace or scent of Sam.

I pulled a bottle of water out of my backpack and guzzled it.

“It’s been hours,” Jasper grumbled. “Are you sure Clancy’s not working with Sam to throw us off his track?”

Quinn shook his head. “I trust him. He’s a childhood friend and former military. His word is his bond. We just need to go deeper into the forest. I think that’s why we failed to find him on our previous hunts. We didn’t go deep enough.”

“Agreed,” I replied.

We continued to trek into the woods.

Jasper stilled. “You smell that?” He tapped his nose.

Quinn scanned the area. “Smell what?”

“Sam,” Jasper answered.

“I don’t smell anything,” I muttered.

Jasper grinned. “That’s why I’m the best Tracker that ever was or ever will be,” he boasted. “Follow me.” Jasper took off at top speed, with us close on his heels.

About a half hour later, I picked up Sam’s scent.

“In the cave,” Jasper whispered, pointing to the big stone cave entrance covered with lianas.