Page 123 of The Hunter

Lacey smiled as Sophia spoke. There was a soft, dreamy light in the woman’s dark brown eyes. Lacey had seen that same tenderness in Cole’s eyes when he looked at Sophia. If love at first sight was real, surely it existed between the two of them.

“You know, Cole used to be a raging asshole,” Lacey said.

Sophia’s eyebrows rose. “What do you mean?”

“When we first woke up, he was angry and in denial, and very distrustful of Ketahn. But reality throat punched him real fast and knocked some sense into that thick head of his. He’s grown so much since then. Really, I think out of all of us, he’s the most changed. This whole experience might be the best thing to have happened to him. Now, he’s doing the things he loves, has a community that cares about him and supports him, and he’s given so much back to it. He’s thriving here.”

“I’m so happy for him,” Sophia said with a smile. But her smile faded quickly, giving way to a somber expression as she cast her gaze to the floor. She drew her legs up against her chest and wrapped her arms around them. “I know you all haven’t been awake as long as I have, but you’ve made a home in Kaldarak. You’ve made a family there. And I know when the kurghests are killed, you’ll head back home…

“Do you…” She met Lacey’s eyes. “Do you think Cole would ever consider staying here?”

Lacey’s heart went out to the woman. She could only imagine what Sophia was going through. From waking up alone, thinking she was the only human left alive, to finally discovering years later that she wasn’t the sole survivor, and now to the realization that she’d soon be the only human in Tovuunshai again.

“You should talk to Cole about it,” Lacey said, offering her a gentle smile. “He’s the only one who can give you an answer.”

Groaning, Sophia covered her face with her hands. “Do I sound pathetic?” She dropped her hands and once more crossed her legs. “I know we just met, and it’s gotta sound crazy that I’m wanting to ask him to stay after a couple days, but I just feel this strong connection with him, and I…I don’t want to lose it.”

“You don’t sound pathetic at all. I think what you’re feeling is totally normal. And even when we leave after this hunt is over, it doesn’t have to be goodbye for good. Cole could always come back and visit, and you’d be more than welcome in Kaldarak. I’d love to spend more time with you too.” Scooting closer to Sophia, Lacey gave her a little nudge with her elbow. “You should check out Cole’s deck.”

Sophia laughed. “He told me about it.”

“It’s pretty awesome, and he has every right to be proud of it.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

They chatted some more, changing the subject from Cole to their time in the jungle. Sophia recounted all her clumsy early attempts at hunting while Lacey laughed and shared her own stories. She’d at least had help from Telok and the other vrix, while Sophia had been on her own for weeks.

Sophia also talked about the winddancers and how they’d become her family, especially Tas and Shir, who were like a brother and sister to her. She explained the winddancer word Nedrayas—it meant community, family, and home all at once. For the winddancers, all three were one in the same. They would always be home as long as they were together.

She also mentioned a bit about her life on Earth and her family there. She’d had good, hardworking parents who, while sad, had been supportive of her and Damián’s decision to join the Homeworld Initiative, and a younger sister who’d been a nurse.

Not wanting to bring the mood down, Lacey didn’t share much about her own childhood. While it made her envious to hear about such loving parents and carefree, safe, and fun childhoods, she was always glad to hear that others hadn’t suffered as she had.

But that was all behind her now. Lacey had a new life here. She had a beautiful home, amazing friends, and…a mate.

God, she still couldn’t believe it. Telok was her mate.

Absently, Lacey touched the mark on her shoulder.

And he was out there somewhere, likely hurt that she’d pushed him away, that she’d closed herself off to him.

She needed to find him.

“Does it hurt?” Sophia asked.

“Does what hurt?”

The woman pointed to Lacey’s shoulder. “I take it that’s from Telok?”

Flushing, Lacey covered it lightly with her hand and nodded. “It stings, but it’s not unbearable.”

“I’m still reeling from the fact that humans and vrix can mate.”

Lacey chuckled. “It doesn’t seem like it should be possible, but we’re definitely physically compatible.”

“Well, congratulations to you,” Sophia said with a grin.

“Thank you.”