Through the Ether (Force of Nature Book 5) - Amber Lynn Natusch Page 0,89
would be much harder to hide you in a place like St. Louis. You wouldn’t have the chance to get furry nearly as often as you’d like.”
The bear snorted his displeasure, then sat on his haunches and folded his arms across his furry chest.
“We can discuss the matter further upon our return,” Merc said, checking his watch. “Our window is closing rapidly.”
Foust quickly went about reading Jagger the riot act while Jase and Dean said goodbye to the wolves they had bonded with during their time at the mansion. The two looked genuinely sad to leave Jagger behind. Kat planted a kiss on the poor boy that made his cheeks turn as red as his hair and caused quite a ruckus with the others. But when it came my turn to say goodbye, I could hardly push words past my lips.
“I love you too, Piper,” he said, hugging me tightly. “Take good care of Foust and Brunton for us, okay?”
I nodded into his chest when my voice failed me. He pulled away and wiped the tears streaming down my face.
“We really must leave, Piper,” Merc said, his tone more urgent this time.
The rest of the group said their goodbyes, and with a sad look back at those we were leaving behind, we were off.
***
A week later, I walked down the painfully quiet hallway, doing all I could to ignore the distinct absence of bickering wolves, Kat’s sarcasm, and the heavy footfalls of the surly bear I adored. The enforcers were out doing what little they had to do, given the peace among the supernaturals, which left me in the massive mansion all alone.
Almost.
I reached the top of the stairs and looked down to see Merc standing in the foyer, smiling up at me. “Have you heard anything from Kat yet?” he asked.
“She texted me something about my inability to follow directions and how badly she plans to kick my ass when she gets back, but nothing about Grizz in particular.” I walked down the stairs wearing a smile that matched his. “She can pretend to be mad all she wants, but I know she’s glad I sent him with her.”
“As glad as you?”
“I was worried. She wouldn’t tell me what she’d be getting into out there, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to let me help,” I said with a shrug as I reached the bottom step. “I figured Grizz was a happy medium of sorts. She loves the furry bastard as much as he loves her. And I don’t exactly need a guardian anymore, so…”
“Indeed, you do not.” He took my hand and pulled me closer. “I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?”
“Of a fashion.”
“Well, what is it?” I asked impatiently. As soon as I got those words out of my mouth, Jase and Dean blew through the front door, each wearing a shit-eating grin that did not bode well. I knew those smiles. They promised drunken trouble—and lots of it.
“P, you ready to go?” Dean asked as he stole me from Merc.
“Ohhh, no. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s a hard no from me—”
“You need some fun,” Jase said, grabbing my other hand.
“Yes! Fun…you remember fun,” Dean added, “like the good old days, when it was us three against the world!”
“And Kat to make sure you idiots didn’t get me into too much trouble,” I reminded them.
“Oh, don’t worry. She texted us the riot act. We’re good.”
The boys’ smiles were childlike and endearing and impossible to say no to.
Bastards. They always had fought dirty.
“Let me guess, we’re headed to the bar?” They nodded in unison. I turned my dubious stare to their king. “And you sanctioned this?”
“Sanctioned it?” he replied with mock indignation. “It was my idea.” He stepped closer and leaned his head down to mine. “And this time, I’ll be the one to carry you out over my shoulder when you’ve had one too many.”
The intensity in his eyes made me squirm.
“Later for that,” Dean said, yanking me away from Merc again. “Now, let’s get going. The night isn’t getting any younger.”
I shook my head and laughed as he dragged me outside to the same SUV we’d taken to the bar the night I’d first met Merc. I looked back to see him striding toward us and was struck by the strongest sense of déjà vu. My breath caught, my blood rushed, and heat filled my cheeks as I realized that, even back then, I’d known that his presence in my life had purpose. That our meeting had never been by chance. He, like Knox, played a vital role in my existence. Bonded or not, he was my mate, through and through.
And nothing would ever come between us again.
THE END
(For Piper)
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BUT KAT’S STORY CONTINUES!
CHECK OUT THE NEXT PAGE FOR DETAILS...
Coming in 2022
THE FOUR ELEMENTS SERIES
Kat's return home to St. Louis was supposed to be a reunion with the best friend she left behind. Instead, it becomes a search for Lulu’s killer—one that lands Kat face-to-face with the alpha and pack she narrowly escaped years ago. But she's not that girl anymore, and this time, she's not alone. With the help of her furry sidekick, Grizz, and an uninvited NYC werewolf, Kat will get the vengeance she seeks for both her and her friend--or damn well die trying.
About the Author
Amber Lynn Natusch is the author of the bestselling Caged, as well as the Light and Shadow series with Shannon Morton. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, and speaks sarcasm fluently because of her Canadian roots. She loves to dance and sing in her kitchen—much to the detriment of those near her—but spends most of her time running a practice with her husband, raising two small children, and attempting to write when she can lock herself in the bathroom for ten minutes of peace and quiet.
She has many hidden talents, most of which should not be mentioned but include putting her foot in her mouth, acting inappropriately when nervous, swearing like a sailor when provoked, and not listening when she should. She’s obsessed with home renovation shows, should never be caffeinated, and loves snow. Amber has a deep-seated fear of clowns and deep water…especially clowns swimming in deep water.