Wild Hunt - Kali Argent Page 0,76

and happiness she could. She was still finding her way in this new world, still figuring out who she was—as a Primus Wolf, as a friend, a mate, a survivor, and just as a person.

But right there, wrapped up in Cade’s arms with the stars shining overhead, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Epilogue

They’d been in Olympus for a little over a week, and while everyone seemed to be enjoying some much-deserved downtime, Lynk felt restless.

It had been almost two years since his last visit, and in that time, the population had exploded. While glad to see that more survivors were finding their way to the haven, he worried the colony wouldn’t be able to sustain the numbers for much longer. He wasn’t the only one, either. He’d already heard whispers about relocating some of the residents to another settlement in Mexico just past the Arizona border.

Stretching his legs out in front of him in the dirt, he leaned against the log at his back and tried to get comfortable. The bonfire crackled and spit, its flames reaching nearly ten feet into the air. It provided light, warmth, and they didn’t have to worry that someone might see it. In Olympus, fire meant safety. It wasn’t dangerous. It didn’t make them vulnerable.

Seated on an adjacent log, Deke had his arm around Roux while the latter spoke animatedly with the captain’s sisters. With their dark, flowing hair and icy blue eyes, Lynk could easily see the family resemblance.

A little farther along the circle, Mackenna had her head bent with a female he didn’t recognize. He could probably hear them if he tried, but he had no desire to eavesdrop. He was just glad to see the she-wolf looking so at ease.

Standing just behind the two females, Cade stroked Mackenna’s hair as he laughed at something Webber had said. The past two years had changed them all in one way or another, but Lynk didn’t think anyone’s transformation had been as dramatic as Cade’s. The human had been so bitter when they’d first met, distrusting of everyone, even the people he claimed to be allies.

Back then, Lynk never would have imagined that he’d one day call Cade a friend.

Readjusting, he tipped his beer bottle to his lips. His team’s happiness should have been infectious, but he just couldn’t shake the sense of apprehension. Nothing felt wrong exactly. It was just a heaviness in his chest, a weight that never seemed to go away. It also didn’t appear to have any correlation to the events happening around him.

He hadn’t said anything to the others because he didn’t know how to explain it without sounding paranoid. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel that something big was coming.

Lifting the bottle to his lips again, he paused mid-drink when a snippet of conversation reached his ears. He hadn’t been able to make out the words clearly, but the anxious tone had caught his attention. Focusing, he set his beer on the ground and searched for the source of the distress.

It didn’t take him long to find it.

Down by the water’s edge, beyond the ring of light cast by the fire, Abby and Luca appeared to be in a heated discussion. Judging by Luca’s tense posture, he wasn’t happy about whatever was being said. From that distance, with only the moonlight to illuminate them, Lynk couldn’t be sure, but he thought he detected the glimmer of a tear on Abby’s cheek.

While he wasn’t clear on how the two knew each other, he could sense the depth of Luca’s feelings for the female, so he didn’t think the guy would hurt her. With that being said, it really wasn’t any of his business. Couples fought. Sometimes the disagreement led to tears. He doubted either of them wanted an audience for it.

“Luca, it’s the only way.”

“I won’t do it.”

Lynk frowned. That didn’t sound like a typical couple’s spat. Rising from the ground, he brushed the dirt off his backside and positioned himself closer to the water, just beyond the glow of the fire. He didn’t want to intrude if it turned out to be nothing more than a lovers’ quarrel, but he wanted to be close enough to intervene if the need arose.

“You can’t ask me to do that,” Luca growled.

“It has to be you.” Abby stepped closer to the male, reaching out to place her small hand on his chest. “It’s the only way.”

“Dracca, don’t ask this of me.” He covered her hand with his own, holding it against his heart. “I just got you back. You don’t even know if he’ll let you return.”

Lynk shuffled a little closer, his brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of what he was hearing. It sounded like Abby wanted to leave, and she intended to do so alone. Clearly, Luca wasn’t happy about it, and given everything they’d been through to rescue her the first time she’d disappeared, Lynk didn’t blame him.

“I have to try. I’m the only one who can stop him.”

After a pregnant pause, Luca sighed and shook his head. “Two hours.”

“Twelve,” Abby countered.

Luca shook his head again. “Six.”

“Deal. If I’m not back in six hours—”

“I know what to do.”

Lynk growled under his breath. What the fuck was going on?

Abby’s head turned in the direction of the bonfire. “They won’t understand.” She shook herself, dropped her hand from Luca’s chest, and took a step back. “No goodbyes. Just do it.”

No more words passed between them as Luca wrapped his arms around her and bent his lips to her neck. Uncomfortable spying on such an intimate moment, Lynk turned away. He even took a step back toward the fire but stopped suddenly when the wind shifted, bringing with it the scent of newly spilled blood.

Snarling, he spun back around just in time to see Luca spit a mouthful of crimson onto the sand as he clutched Abby’s lifeless body in his arms.

About the Author

Born with a silver tongue and a pen in her hand, Kali spends her days crafting scandalous romances filled with flawed heroes and kick-ass heroines. When she's not writing, she can be found curled up in her favorite chair with a good book and a steamy cup of coffee.

Self-proclaimed introvert and supporter of the selectively social, Kali currently resides in North Texas with her insane family, including two lazy dogs and one tragically misunderstood cat.

Seriously, though, the cat is evil.

For More Information, Please Visit:

www.kaliargent.com

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