Chapter 35

" W here are you going?" Hunter hisses as he half-runs, half-wobbles after me, with a cane the doctor's forcing him to use.

I should wait. Should slow down for him. But I'm too pissed.

I shoot him a glare over my shoulder. "You should be in bed."

"I would be," he snaps back. "If you were in it with me. Instead, you're storming around the compound like a psychopath, scaring everyone you come in contact with!"

He's not wrong. A point that's only proven as I turn a corner too sharply, running right into a woman and her two small children. I stumble backward, and a warm arm wraps around me, pulling me into his chest.

"You okay?" Hunter murmurs.

I don't respond, too busy gawking at the family who's gawking right back at me. My eyes slide across their little bundle of identical genetics, taking in the blonde, petite woman who can't be much older than me, and her two small children. All three have similar, heart-shaped faces and light complexions. They're even dressed the same.

It's fucking adorable.

The little girl, who can't be more than five, clutches her mother's hand while the boy, maybe six, peers up at me with wide eyes. The woman blushes, ducking her head slightly as she tries to herd her children to the side.

"I'm so sorry," she starts, but the little boy is bouncing on his toes, his excitement palpable.

"Mommy, is that her? Is she the Queen?" he whispers, not so quietly. His sister's eyes widen, and she tugs on her mother's hand, her little face alight with wonder.

"Shh." The mother tries to hush them, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of pink. "You don't need to—"

"But it's really her!" the boy insists, his eyes never leaving me. "She's the Queen, Mommy!"

The word hits me like a punch to the gut.

Queen.

The title feels so foreign, so ridiculous. Yet here I am, standing in front of these kids who seem to think I'm something out of a fairy tale. I've been so consumed by the chaos, the danger, the loss, that I haven't stopped to think about what this place really is. I haven't realized until now that families—actual families—are living here, underground, hiding from the world above.

The little girl steps forward, releasing her mother's hand and inching closer to me. She looks up with big, innocent eyes, and before I can react, she tugs on the hem of my shirt.

"Can I have a hug?" she asks, her voice small but full of hope.

Her mother immediately tries to intervene, her voice apologetic. "Oh, sweetheart, you don't have to—"

"But I've never met a queen before," the girl insists, her gaze never leaving mine.

My eyes burn, and before I can stop myself, I'm dropping to a crouch, opening my arms to her. She doesn't hesitate, throwing her chubby little arms around my neck, and the force of it nearly knocks me off balance. I hold her tight, my heart squeezing painfully in my chest. Her small body is warm against mine, and for a moment, I close my eyes, letting the simple, pure love of this child wash over me.

She has no idea who I really am. No idea of the danger I've brought down on this place, on these people. And yet, she looks at me like I'm something special, something good. It's almost too much to handle.

The little girl pulls back slightly, her hands resting on my shoulders as she looks at me with a bright, toothy grin.

"You're pretty," she declares, and I can't help the tear that slips down my cheek.

"So are you," I manage to whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm happy to meet you. What's your name?"

"My name is Suzette. What's yours?"

"Suzette is a beautiful name," I murmur. "My name is E—" I choke back the word and swallow hard. "My name is Skylar."

Suzette punches her brother and bounces on her toes while pointing at me. "Did you hear that? I met her! I really did! That's the Queen's name!"

"I know, dummy," he whisper-hisses. "I can hear!"

"I'm so sorry," the mother says with an embarrassed smile.

I smile back, wiping the tears from my cheeks as I stand. "It's no problem at all. Really."

The boy, emboldened by his sister's bravery, steps forward too, but his eyes are locked on Hunter.

"Is he someone special?" he asks, his voice full of awe.

I glance over at Hunter, who's watching the scene with an amused smile despite the cane he's leaning heavily on. His eyes are so full of awe, so full of love; my breath catches.

After everything we've been through—a childhood filled with ugliness and pain, I never thought we'd end up here. Not in an underground compound. Not with miles of the unknown stretched out before us.

But here: whole, safe, together, in love .

Deep, desperate, forever love.

"He's someone incredibly special," I whisper. "He protects the queen. Defends her. Cares for her."

From the very beginning, Hunter has done everything he can to protect me. He stood between me and my monsters long before I knew they existed. He climbed on a table and took punishments for me. Dove in front of a bullet for me.

He's my warrior. My shield. My knight.

As if sensing my unspoken words, his throat bobs and his eyes cloud over. We stare at each other for a long moment that's charged with intense emotions that I struggle to name.

When I can finally breathe again, I turn back to the boy and whisper through tears, "Would you like to meet a real-life knight? He has a sword and everything."

The boy's eyes widen, and he nods eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement. I motion for Hunter to come closer, and he obliges, crouching down with a wince to meet the boy at eye level.

"Hello there," he murmurs, his voice gentle. "I'm Hunter. And yes, I do have a sword."

The boy's eyes nearly pop out of his head. "Can I see it?" he asks, his voice breathless.

Hunter chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Not today, little man. But maybe someday, okay? I've got important business with the Queen to attend to."

The boy nods, his eyes still wide with wonder. "Okay," he agrees, and I can see the wheels turning in his head, probably imagining all sorts of heroic tales involving knights and queens.

The mother finally manages to corral her kids, gently guiding them back to her side. She gives me an apologetic smile, but there's warmth in her eyes.

"Thank you," she says softly. "They've been talking about you non-stop since they heard…well, since they heard you were back."

I swallow hard, the weight of her words settling over me like a heavy cloak.

Am I back? I didn't even know this place existed a week ago.

"It's okay," I say, forcing a smile. "I'm glad I got to meet them."

The woman blushes again, ducking her head as she murmurs a quick goodbye and starts to lead her children away. The little girl waves at me as they go, and I wave back, my heart aching with a mix of emotions I can barely understand.

As they disappear around the corner, the reality of it all hits me like a freight train.

This isn't just a compound filled with soldiers and weapons. This is a community. A family. And because of me—because of my name, my money, my family's history—they're all in danger.

These people aren't just fighters. They're parents, children, friends. They're hiding down here because it's the only place they can feel safe. And now, because of everything I've brought with me, that safety is threatened.

I feel the tears welling up again, and I quickly swipe them away, trying to pull myself together. Hunter is watching me closely, his expression soft with understanding, but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't need to. The weight of what I'm feeling is clear enough.

"I didn't realize…" I begin, my voice trailing off as I struggle to find the right words. "I didn't know there were families here. Kids."

Hunter nods, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and resolve. "It's a whole world down here. They've built something…something that's worth protecting."

I swallow hard; the tears threatening to spill over again. "And because of me, they're not safe."

Hunter reaches out, gently gripping my arm, his touch grounding me. "It's not your fault," he says firmly. "You didn't ask for any of this. But now that you're here…you can make a difference. You can help protect them."

His words are meant to comfort, but they only add to the weight pressing down on my chest. The responsibility feels overwhelming, suffocating, and I'm not sure I'm strong enough to bear it.

But then I remember the little girl's smile, the awe in her eyes as she looked at me, as if I were something magical. I remember the boy's excitement at the idea of meeting a knight, the innocence in his questions. They don't see me as a threat, as someone who could bring danger to their door. They see me as someone who can protect them, someone who can make things better.

And maybe…maybe I can be that person. Maybe I can live up to the expectations they have of me. Maybe I can be more than just a name, more than just a title.

I take a deep breath, straightening my shoulders as I look up at Hunter.

"We need to find Oliver," I say, my voice steadier now, more determined. "We need to find the guys."

I'm done waiting around. Today, I need answers. I need to put an end to this.

I storm through the compound, my footsteps echoing off the cold, metal walls. Anger and fear are boiling inside me, threatening to spill over, but I keep them in check. There's no time to fall apart. Not now. Not when I'm so close.

I burst into the tech room, and the sudden silence is almost deafening. The hum of computers and the low murmur of voices stop dead as everyone turns to look at me, but I don't care. My eyes lock onto Oliver, the nerd boy, the Chief Technologist of Le Milieu, and my cousin. He's hunched over a table with a devastated look on his face, and my heart skips a beat.

No.

No.

"Did you get anything from the trackers?" I ask, my voice edged with desperation.

Oliver looks up, and the sadness in his eyes makes my gut sink. He gestures weakly to a tiny metallic pile on the table in front of him. The pieces are small, almost insignificant, but the sight of them sends a wave of dread crashing over me.

"Three are dead," he murmurs, adjusting his glasses with shaking hands. It's then that I notice the stack of energy drinks. He must have been up all night. Fuck. "I'm not hopeful I'll get anything from the last two, but I've learned from the others. I'm still working—"

"I'm going," I snap, the words slipping out before I can think.

My heart is hammering in my chest, and I shove away from him, from Hunter, from the eyes of the tech team surrounding us.

"I'm going to the house. If anyone can save them, it's Stone. But he's gone, he's missing, and I—" My voice falters, and I take a deep, shaky breath. "He can still save us. His hub, the computers, they're all we have."

"Ella," Oliver calls, but I shake my head and turn around, giving them my back, so they don't notice my eyes blurring.

I grab the door handle, but my sweaty palm slips on the cold metal. "I have to go. I'll track them, and then we'll go get them. I'm done waiting."

I shove the door open and charge down the hallway, my feet pounding against the metal flooring. I don't stop, not even when I hear the clatter of heavy footsteps behind me. I know who it is without even looking—Hunter.

Of course, he would chase me.

Despite everything, a small smile tugs at my lips. Hunter will always chase me, and while I don't mean to make him, it's comforting to know he's done avoiding me like he used to. That he's finally all in.

"Isabella Hudson," he barks, his voice sharper than I've ever heard it.

I freeze just long enough for his warm fingers to wrap around my bicep. He spins me around, pinning me to the wall with a force that knocks the breath out of me. My eyes widen as I stare up at him, taken aback by the intensity in his gaze.

His jaw is clenched, his expression a mix of anger and concern. "Are you fucking kidding me right now?"

I swallow hard, my heart pounding as he steps into me, his body pressing against mine. My eyes flick down the hall, noticing a small crowd led by Oliver, doing everything they can to give us space. Oliver kicks the ground and looks up at the ceiling, humming a random tune, trying to pretend he's not witnessing this.

My eyes snag on Hunter's abandoned cane. I chuckle softly, but the sound dies on my lips as he wraps his hand around my throat, tilting my head back so I'm forced to look up at him. The pressure is firm but not painful, a reminder of his strength, his control.

Holy shit. That should not be so damn hot.

But it is. And the fire it ignites in me nearly makes me forget why I'm angry in the first place.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing?" Hunter growls, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you have any idea what's waiting for you out there?"

I open my mouth to argue, but he presses closer, his thumb brushing over the pulse in my throat, and the words catch in my throat.

"Augustus' men could be waiting, searching, looking for any opportunity to snatch you up," he continues, his breath hot against my skin. "And you want to just waltz out of here like it's nothing?"

"There will never be a safe time to leave," I shoot back, finding my voice despite the way he's affecting me. "And the longer we wait, the more time we're giving Gus to prepare his men. More time he could be hurting the guys."

Hunter stares at me for a long moment, his jaw pulsing with barely contained frustration. His thumb continues to stroke my throat, and I swallow thickly, my mind spinning from the mixture of fear, anger, and undeniable attraction swirling between us.

"You are my life, Isabella," he says, his voice softening, but the intensity in his eyes never wavers. "You are my world. My reason for breathing." He closes the distance between us, bringing his mouth inches from mine. "You are precious to me. Do you understand that?"

I exhale shakily, the weight of his words pressing down on me in a way that makes my heart ache. "Hunter…"

"No," he interrupts, his voice firm, unwavering. "Do you understand me?" Each word is punctuated, driving the point home with a force that leaves me breathless.

I nod.

"Words, my love," he murmurs. "Give me your pretty words."

"I understand you, Hunt," I agree breathlessly.

He holds my gaze for a moment longer, searching my eyes for any hint of hesitation. When he finds none, he presses his lips to mine, kissing me hard, regardless of the eyes on us. The kiss is desperate, a fierce reminder of everything we've been through, everything we still have to face.

He shoves his knee between my thighs, pressing me harder into the wall, and I gasp against his mouth, my fingers curling into his shirt as I cling to him. When he finally pulls back, I'm dizzy, my heart pounding in my ears, my body trembling with the force of my emotions.

"Then stop treating my world like it's disposable," he says, his voice low, but there's an edge to it, a raw vulnerability that cuts straight through me.

With that, he steps back, shooting me a sharp look that's as much a warning as it is a plea.

"If you want to go to the house and search the computer, we'll go. But you're not going alone. You're not going in unprotected with some half-assed scheme. You're going in with a mafia's worth of protection. Guns, vests, a backup plan, an exit plan, and me." He smirks, the intensity in his eyes softening just a fraction as he adds, " Your knight. "

I stare at him, still catching my breath as I process everything he's just said. The reality of the situation, the danger we're facing, it all crashes down on me at once. But so does the certainty that I can't do this without him. Without any of them.

"Okay," I finally whisper, nodding as I let the tension drain from my shoulders. "Okay, we'll do it your way."

Hunter's smirk widens into a genuine smile, and he steps forward, pulling me into his arms. The warmth of his embrace is a stark contrast to the coldness of the compound around us, and I let myself melt into him, taking comfort in his strength.

"We're going to get them back," he murmurs into my hair. "And we're going to end this. Together."

I nod against his chest, knowing that he's right. We'll do this together, and we'll do it the right way. Because there's too much at stake to let emotions cloud our judgment, too much to lose if we're not careful.

Hunter pulls back just enough to look down at me, his hand cupping my cheek as he leans in to press a soft kiss to my forehead. "Let's get ready. We've got a lot of work to do."

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat as I let him lead me back down the hall. The urgency is still there, still burning in my chest, but it's tempered now, tempered by the knowledge that I'm not alone in this. That I never was.

As we walk, my mind races with thoughts of what's to come, of the dangers we'll face, the risks we'll take. But beneath it all, there's a quiet determination, a resolve that solidifies with each step. We're going to find them, and we're going to bring them home.

And when we do, Augustus is going to wish he'd never laid a hand on any of us.