Page 139 of Monstrous Serpent

“He better not be the one we’re hunting. Not with what I paid.” The second guy watching the tree line glares at Wade. “You promised a real challenge. That bitch is about to piss himself.”

My gaze moves to the man sharpening his knife on a nearby log. Still don’t know how Wade got out of prison. Or what the hell is going on?

Wade stands, wipes his knife, then sheaths it. “This one’s just the bait.”

Hunter.

No. No. No.

Garrett stalks over to his uncle. “What are you talking about?”

My teeth clench, lips pressing tight, even as my body continues to shake. How could Hunter have been so fucking stupid? How could he let that piece of shit back in?

Wade straightens, shoulders pulled back. “Mind your business. You text your brother? He on his way?”

Garrett’s fists curl at his sides. “What did he pay for, Uncle Wade?”

The guy with the knife snickers. “A hunt. Your uncle promised us a real treat. Paid five thousand.” He points his knife at me as he looks at Wade. “But that isn’t what I paid for, so you better give me a refund.”

Wade huffs. “The real one is on his way. But like I said, you might not make it out. He’s skilled. Dangerous. A lion.” Wade jerks his head at me. “That’s his bitch. And he’ll tear anyone apart to protect him.”

I swallow, tugging at the zip ties once again. “He won’t come. Not for me. Not now.”

Garrett closes the distance between us, then kicks my thigh. “Shut the fuck up. This is your fault. You took him away. You were supposed to die. Everything was supposed to go back to normal.”

I spit at him. “And you’re fucking delusional.”

He kicks me again. And again. Each time throwing more of his weight into it.

“Enough.” Wade’s voice booms through the trees. “Don’t make me put you down too.”

Garrett whirls on his uncle. “The plan was to get Hunter back. He’s one of us. Why—”

“He was never supposed to be one of us, you dumb shit.” Wade shakes his head. “Both of you were supposed to die with the other children. But then he grew, got bigger, stronger. Your father saw the potential to turn him into a perfect predator. One who would be a real challenge to hunt. You were just another way to train him. Otherwise, we would’ve put you down a long time ago.”

My stomach twists again, heart trying to pound its way out of my chest. Always hate hearing about Hunter’s uncle and father, about what they did—who they were.

Hunter would never hurt a child. And I did everything I could to curb him killing for sport. Made sure our targets deserved it because I promised myself I would never let Hunter turn into them.

But this? What they did to my best friend was on purpose?

And Hunter went and fucking let Garrett back in like he forgot his brother hadn’t opened the door and pointed monsters at us out of jealousy. He got us both caught back up into their psycho shit. And for what?

My molars grind, fingers curling so tight my nails bite into my palms.

Fuck Hunter.

Fuck Garrett.

Fuck Wade.

And fuck my life because things were supposed to get better. Instead, they’ve gotten worse.

The vein in Garrett’s forehead pulses. “No, Hunter isn’t supposed to—”

Wade draws a handgun from his waistband and aims it at Garrett. “Don’t make me end you right here, boy.”

Garrett steps back, eyes wide, then turns to me and spits. “This is all your fucking fault.”