Darker (Alexa O'Brien Huntress Book 6) - By Trina M. Lee Page 0,122

out metaphysically to sense who was on the other side. The earthy energy was strong and familiar. Werewolf.

I jerked the door open with my heart in my throat. I was a little lightheaded, unable to believe my eyes. There, with his platinum hair long enough to hang in his jade green eyes and a quirky little smile, stood Shaz.

“Hey, babe,” he said. “Am I late for the party?”

I gawked at him like a moron, staring in stunned silence. If this was just a dream, I was going to be pissed when I woke up.

Before I could pinch myself, he stepped over the threshold and captured me in his warm embrace. The scent of wolf and pine filled my nostrils, scratching an itch I’d learned to live with. I ran my hands over him, down his lean body and up into his hair. No dream, this was real.

I tried to speak though no words could squeak past the knot of overwhelming emotion that choked me. I clung to him like a drowning woman to a life preserver. I wanted to say so many things that I must have mumbled something unintelligible.

“God, I missed you, Lex,” he murmured, stroking my hair. “I never got used to being without you.”

“When did you get back?” I finally managed to say. I held him tight, afraid to let go.

“Today. Just a few hours ago.”

He kissed me, a tender press of his lips to mine that quickly grew into a passionate exhibit of frenzied love. My wolf leaped for joy at his touch. I couldn’t get enough of the way he felt. I was ready to let go of the past, of the mistakes we had both made. He was here now; that was what mattered.

The sound of applause broke us apart. Jez stood in the kitchen, grinning from ear to ear. “Perfect timing. Dinner’s ready. Although, it looks like you two are ready for dessert.”

We followed her to the backyard where Kylarai also threw herself at Shaz in glee. Arys sat back looking pleased with himself.

There was a flurry of chatter as everyone threw questions at Shaz about where he had been and what he had done. Shaz laughed and ran a hand through his hair, one of his habits that I had dreadfully missed.

Arys rose to greet him with a handshake that became one of those loose guy hugs. The kind of hug that is brief and barely a hug at all but means more than either man will admit to.

“Welcome home, pup.”

Epilogue

“You’re going to Vegas? For how long?” Kale regarded me with skepticism. He sat across from me in a corner booth at The Wicked Kiss, drumming his fingers impatiently on the table.

“I’m not sure. A week or two I guess. Depends how much fun we’re having.” I swirled the whiskey in my glass before tossing it back and savoring the burn. This was the best place to speak with Kale. He had to know I’d be out of town; the club would be entirely his responsibility. So would everything and anything that happened inside it.

Kale leaned back, his lips pressed together. He sat stiffly, clearly as uncomfortable as I was. We hadn’t spoken since the night he promised to drive me crazy. This meeting was awkward for me, too.

“You mean it depends how long it takes for someone to try to kill you,” he scoffed.

“Would that really be a problem for you?” I asked snidely. I’d come to discuss the club, not to sling barbs at one another. “Besides, Arys and Shaz will be there. Jez, too.”

“Ah, I see. So, your wolf came home. How very romantic. Must be nice having your little threesome back together.” Shadows veiled Kale’s mismatched eyes, and I couldn’t read him. Even his energy felt tight and restrained. He didn’t want to let me in.

Actually, our threesome had yet to resume. Perhaps it never would. Shaz had only been back a few days. Our time together had been spent talking and cuddling, simply finding joy in being together. I didn’t know what the future held for Shaz and me. I was happy to take it a day at a time.

“Look, I just wanted to let you know I’d be gone for a while. I’m not interested in playing the game with you, Kale.” I spun the empty glass, using it as a distraction. Maybe I should have just called him.

He chuckled, low and smooth. My pulse quickened, and I cursed inwardly, knowing he’d sense it. Raising a