Chapter 24: Hunter

Ryder seemed notably captivated by our conversation this morning. When I left Lottie's, I ran straight home to change and find Ryder. There's never anything I keep from my brother and beta. He needed to know about mate bonds between us and humans. If this is not a one-off thing, others may feel it too, and we want them to know it's real.

He seemed distracted a good portion of the time and took off without a word. He must still be dealing with that blogger he told me about. With the blood moon only a week away, there are also more shifters showing up in town, and he has to deal with them as well. I leave that all to him. For now, I need to focus on Lottie and Vincent and what the fuck I'm going to do about both.

I know what I want to do with Lottie. I want to chase her through the forest and pin her beneath my hulking form and rut her like the beast I am. I know I can't take her in my true form; she's too small and fragile, and I'd never do anything to hurt her. But I can chase her and pin her to the ground and fuck her as a man. It'll be just as satisfying.

But I also want more. I want to know if she talks in her sleep, what her favorite movie is, her greatest fear and deepest desires, how fast she can run, whether she wants children and whether she plans on going back to her life as a famous pop star.

That last one is a rather pressing issue. It would be difficult, but I'd make it work if she wanted to return to LA and continue her career as Alexandria. I could pose as her bodyguard. My inner beast wouldn't be pacified with anything less. As her mate, I would be her best protection. But it would also be difficult.

There are non-humans who are successful celebrities, so it can be done. None of them are alphas, though. I may complain about the day-to-day responsibilities as mayor, but I would never change it. I'm an alpha. I'm born to lead and command. If an alpha doesn't have a pack, they can go insane. Literally, if that were to happen, I would be useless as a mate to Lottie. And that won't suffice. I'd have to create a new pack. I'd have to leave Ryder and Ginger, my parents, Donna and Levi, Dottie and Fynn. I've established my pack here; leaving it now would be painful.

Not having my mate could be more painful. I would eventually get past the physical pain of the separation as long as we never solidify the bond. But the emotional pain of knowing I had the opportunity to have Lottie for a mate and let her slip through my fingers would destroy me.

I can go back and forth in my head all day, but nothing will be solved until I work things out with Lottie. Until she definitively tells me yes or no. Until then, I'm no longer going to restrain myself. I won't deny myself her touch and affection. Her smile and laughter. Her lighthearted kindness and easy-going banter. Her sweet, enchanting voice. That is if she ever sings for me again.

I will learn everything there is to know about my mate and give her every pleasure our bodies demand. I will show her what it will be like to be mated to an alpha, to me.

Fuck, I never thought I would find my perfect mate. And unless she denies me, I will make her mine. I'll just have to be very convincing.

It's been hours since I left Lottie with Ginger, and I can just imagine what my sister has filled her head with. Not that I think she would speak badly of me; she loves me. She loves Lottie, and I'm sure would love for us to be mates. I'm more concerned she told embarrassing stories of our childhood and frightened her with stories of the mating ceremony.

Knowing you're going to be hunted and chased through a forest in the middle of the night under a full moon to be mounted and fucked by a nine-foot-tall wolf beast and then bitten while orgasming can be overwhelming for some. For others, it's arousing. Just thinking about chasing Lottie through the dark woods, hearing her heavy breaths and echoing laughter, has my cock hardening in my pants again.

That's going to be happening a lot more now. The more I touch and smell her, the more my body will respond, hoping to fuck and mate. I don't blame it; Lottie is sexy as hell.

Stuffing down my growing desire, I reprimand myself and adjust my cock to a more comfortable and less visible position. It won't go away completely, but at least I can minimize my reactions around my siblings. In private, alone with Lottie, I'll wear my boner like a badge of pride. Showing her exactly how aroused she makes me isn't something I am embarrassed by.

This time, I don't walk to Lottie's cabin but drive over in my truck, tossing an overnight bag in the back seat with a few changes of clothes. I don't plan on leaving Lottie's side until this Vincent situation is handled. Making her leave the comfort of her space in the cabin won't help her to trust me, so I figure sleeping on the couch for a few days won't hurt. Maybe once she's more comfortable with the idea of us, I can bring her to my house and show her where she might live if she were my mate.

My house is nice—two stories, large spacious rooms, with a multi-car garage—but I'm sure it doesn't hold a candle to whatever mansion she lived in back in Los Angeles. I can only hope my humble abode doesn't offend her.

She seems happy enough in the small cabin so I think she might like my house. But will she be okay sharing it with Ryder? At least until he marries or finds his mate.

Arriving at the cabin in mere minutes, I'm glad to see both Ginger and Lottie's cars still parked outside. Which means they didn't leave, or they did and came back safely. Either way, my mate is here, safe.

Looking around the clearing, I sniff for signs of elves or any other presence lurking in the shadows. I neither smell nor hear any, which pacifies my protective instinct for the time being.

I don't even knock as I enter through the front door. She better just get used to me being around because I don't plan on leaving—ever.

Both Lottie and my sister are curled up on the couch, talking and laughing. My Nightingale's sweet laughter rings out like the purest joy. It absorbs into my skin and settles itself deep in my heart.

"Hey, Hunter, did everything go okay?" Ginger calls over the back of the couch, causing Lottie to turn her luminous smile in my direction.

The sight of her nearly makes me speechless, but I manage to force out the words. "Yeah. All good."

"And Vincent?" Lottie adds, a small bit of her smile dampening at the mention of the elf.

"Nothing yet. Wherever he's hiding out, he's keeping quiet and letting his henchmen do his dirty work."

Ginger growls, and a matching scowl sours her expression. I feel the same way about the bastard, but I can't do much until he makes a move. Attacking an elf of his stature without "provocation" (at least what they believe to be) would be dangerous and invite even more mayhem upon our town.

It's best to wait him out. Eventually, he'll cross a line, and I'll make sure he feels the full force of my beast when he does.

"All right, love birds. I have some things to take care of. Gossip blogs to suppress and Reddit pages to irradicate."

Ginger stands from the couch, scoops up her purse and travel tumbler from the end table, rounding to meet me. She presses a kiss to my cheek and then winks at me. What the fuck is she winking for?

"See y'all later. Remember," she turns to look over her shoulder at Lottie. "Mom's house tomorrow, ten a.m. cooking lesson."

Lottie nods her head adamantly her smile broadening and flashing her white teeth. I want to argue against her going out tomorrow, but she'll be with Ginger and me at my parents' house. Because I'll be going with her. I'll be going with her everywhere for the next week at least. But I plan to keep her here in the cabin, safe and secure, until Vincent gives up and leaves town empty-handed once again. Or until I make him.

Ginger zips out of the cabin like a whirlwind, shutting the door behind her, leaving me and Lottie alone once again. Just the way I like it.

"Hello there, sweet Nightingale. What did you and my exasperating sister do while I was gone?"

My feet move swiftly, carrying me to the couch to sit by Lottie's side. As if I've done it a million times, I place a soft kiss on her temple in greeting. She accepts it, not pulling away or pushing me away. I take it as a win, tilt her chin up with my knuckle, and press another kiss to her lips this time. Infusing it with all the pent-up lust she stirs in me.

When we pull apart, Lottie's lips are swollen pink, her eyes are unfocused, and her breath comes in short pants. The best part is the pink flush spreading across her cheeks and down her neck.

"Um, what was the question," she asks in a daze, her eyes focusing on my lips as if she wants to kiss me again.

Later, sweet Nightingale. I'll kiss you all you want.

"What did you and my sister get up to while I was gone?" I repeat.

"Oh. Not much. Just talking."

"About?"

"You. The mate bond. Fashion shows in Paris."

I chuckle and settle on the couch, pulling her into my side and getting comfortable. I could stay like this forever, especially when she snuggles into my side and makes herself comfortable.

"Fashion shows in Paris, huh? She blackmailing you into taking her? Don't let her push you around and force you to do things you don't want to. She can be a bit demanding at times. Especially when it comes to fashion."

She snickers and rests her head on my chest just under my shoulder. My arm finds its proper place around her, holding her close. I like snuggly, affectionate Lottie.

"She's not blackmailing me. I offered to take her whenever she wants to go. It doesn't matter to me. The fashion is interesting, but it was never really my scene. I only ever went because it's what my manager and publicity team thought I should do to better my image and popularity. To be seen in the most prestigious fashion shows hob-knobbing with a-list celebrities."

She inhales deeply and her body goes lax on the exhale.

"I hated going to those events and parties and acting like I was so excited to be there. It was exhausting."

I rub my thumb along the soft fabric of her sweater covering her arm in a soothing motion that seems to quell her growing displeasure. She will no longer do things that displease her. Only pleasurable things when I'm around.

"You don't have to take her. She won't be mad if you tell her no."

"I know. But maybe with her at my side, I'd actually enjoy it."

The thought that Lottie is making plans with my sister that far in the future is encouraging. That means she wants to be around that long.

"I will gladly play bodyguard for you if you want to go. Hell, maybe I'll even rope Luna in to do some private work for me this time."

Her giggles cause goosebumps to rise across my flesh, and again, I'm struck with just how much she affects me. It must be the mate pull. It has to be because no one has ever elicited such volatile reactions from me.

We fall into a comfortable silence, neither one of us moving from our position on the couch, and I take the opportunity to relax, to just be and feel what it could be like with her as my mate. My inner peace only broken when Lottie speaks.

"So, what shall we do for the rest of the day? I've been dying to go into the bookstore and pick out a few books. And we could swing by The Sticky Bun for an afternoon snack. Maybe go for a walk after when we get back."

I hate to burst her happy bubble, but we won't be doing any of that today or anytime soon. If she wants something from the restaurants in town, I'll have Ginger or Ryder or one of my assistants drop it off for us.

"We're not going anywhere. We're going to get comfy and stay right here. We can have my assistant Levi bring us something later if there's something specific you're craving."

"If he could rustle up some sushi, I would love him forever. But why can't we just go get it ourselves?" Lottie's tone becomes sharper but confused.

"Because Vincent and his men are still running around town, and I'd like to keep you safe from whatever he may have planned until he leaves. So, until then, you're going to have to stay here under my protection."

Lottie jerks from my arms so abruptly that she practically falls off the couch in her retreat.

"What? Are you trying to tell me I have to stay here and can't go anywhere? At all till you say it's okay?"

From the sharp tone of her voice, I gather she's not happy about my decree, and I tread carefully in my response but maintain my decision.

"Yes. It's dangerous with Vincent trying to make a play for you, and it's easier to keep you safe here, in the cabin."

"No!" Lottie practically yells and stands from the couch, putting distance between us. Distance I don't like.

She was just so open and accepting, and in an instant, I pushed her away. I don't care if she's mad at me as long as she's safe and protected within these four walls.

"Yes. It's the most defensible position."

"No! I will not have another person making decisions for me, telling me what to do and when. Controlling my every move and life, all under the pretense of protection and what's best for me. No! Not anymore, never again.

"My mother did it for so much of my life, and I will not let anyone take control again. Every minute I lived under her rule, I felt like I was suffocating, dying slowly under the weight of her thumb. You may think you know me and my life, Hunter, but you don't. I'm not some pampered princess on a mountain vacation. I ran away from my life. Left without a word and didn't tell anyone where I was going or for how long, or even if I would ever return. Because that's the only way I could escape her control. To break free from her tyrannical rule.

"I'm finally in control of my life, my body, and my future. And I will not give it up because some prick with a Napoleon complex wants to throw his weight around to try and strong-arm you into giving up your family land."

During her speech Lottie began to grow more and more agitated. Fisting her hands and gesturing wildly to emphasize her point. Now she deflates, expelling all her pent-up frustration and anger, staring down at me with wide hopeful eyes. Eyes I can't look away from, eyes that latch onto my soul and grip tight.

"I will not do that again. I will be going to Sticky Bun and the bookstore. I'll concede to no forest walk, but I will be going into town, and you can come with me or not. But I will be leaving in ten minutes. So, if you want to keep me safe, you'll be ready to leave when I am, or I'm going alone."

My mate has claws, and she is not afraid to use them. I hate the idea of her being out in the open for Vincent to get to, but her ferocity and defiance turns me on.

Whatever it is that chose Lottie for me chose well. She has spirit and spine and a determination to be in control of her own life that I admire. An alpha needs a strong mate to put him in his place every once in a while. I suppose that time just came sooner than expected.

A low growl grows in my chest in appreciation for this woman standing firm in front of me. Standing, I encroach on her space, filling it with my body and scent, hoping it does as much to her as hers does to me. When I see her pupils dilate and her throat bob in a swallow, I know it has at least some effect.

"Very well, Nightingale, I will go with you to town. But you must stay in my sight at all times. Am I clear? This, I will not budge on."

Her shoulders drop, and she puckers her lips. I can tell she wants to argue, but she won't. She'll give me this much.

"Very well," she grumbles. "But you can't rush me, and I decide when we leave and where we go."

She points her index finger in my face, and I bend down to nip on the tip, giving her a small growl for good measure.

"Fine."

"Fine."

Lottie steps out of the reach of my pheromones and makes her way to the bedroom to get ready to leave. I watch her ass in those skintight leggings the entire way.