Hudson knew enough about fairytales to get the significance of what having a mate meant. He took another drink of the horrible energy liquid in his hand. “I really wished I liked alcohol. Now would be the right time to indulge.”
Bryce, Lawson, and Ansley giggled.
“Shawn might have some stashed in our kitchen,” Sam offered.
Hudson shook his head. “I don’t think that would help me think any.”
“Thinking is highly overrated,” Stryker told him.
Wait. “So, you really stole Leo’s RV and drove it down here to stalk Gavin?”
“Borrowed,” Stryker said. “And stalking is such a negative word. It was foreplay!”
“Dude!” Sam groaned. “I don’t want to hear about your foreplay.”
“It’s fun!” Stryker said as he waggled his eyebrows.
Turning his head, Hudson caught Bryce’s gaze.
Bryce gave him an understanding smile.
“Bastian was going to tell me?” he asked.
“I’m sure he was. It’s not like he could keep this secret from you for long,” Bryce replied.
“And he’s the same cat that I’ve been talking to?”
Bryce nodded. “He scented you immediately and knew that you were mates. That was why he was sort of following you around.”
“Keep in mind that we’ve only known Bas for a few weeks,” Lawson said. “We know that he’s a good man. He’s protective over us and worked years helping the paranormal community by working for the council.”
“I thought he meant the FBI or something,” Hudson confessed.
“It’s even better than that,” Bryce said. “Bas, Leo, and Aaron spent their entire lives protecting the paranormal community. This is after they were taken in by the council when they were just children themselves.”
“Bastian said his parents were murdered.”
Stryker nodded and this was maybe the first time Hudson had seen him so serious. “They call it the great hunt. When humans banded together to hunt down all the paranormal. It was bad.”
“That’s how Leo and Gavin were separated?” Hudson asked.
“Yes. My mate was too young to fight. They hid him below the floorboards of a cabin. He escaped through a tunnel, but Leo was injured. The council saved Leo. Gavin was out on his own for a very long time. Until he met Axel.”
Hudson rubbed his chest. “Bastian told me some but not all of that.”
“It’s hard when so much of their past is wrapped up in being paranormal,” Bryce told him. “Axel doesn’t talk about thosedays. Neither does Gavin. Most of the others are young enough that the hunt was over when they were born.”
“Okay.” Hudson nodded. “Shifters and magic and all that is real.”
“Keep repeating it,” Lawson encouraged. “The more you say it, the easier it is to start believing.”
“I kind of wish Bastian was here,” Hudson admitted.
“He’ll be back soon,” Bryce assured him. “It must be killing him to be away right after you learned his secret.”
“I hope they’re okay,” Hudson said. “And that they find the missing boy.”
“They’ll find him,” Stryker told him. “Our mates are awesome!”
