Page 24 of Hunter

“Now that you mention it, they smelled like ass.”

“Ass?” Viktor laughed.

“Like rotten egg?” Hunter asked.

“More like a whole dozen. Seriously smelled like ass. Disgusting.” Shelley’s nose cringed.

“Sulfur.” The Alpha scrubbed the scruff on his chin, his eyes narrowed on the human.

“They’re here.” Willa’s heart pounded in her chest, and she straightened her back. They’d come for her.

“Anything else?” Hunter pressed.

“Am I getting paid for this because I really would like another drink. My friends are going to be worried about me.” Shelley stood and cocked her hip, fiddling with the stick in her mouth.

“I do believe we’ve all had enough, yes?” Viktor looked to Hunter who nodded. The vampire held the door open gesturing with his hand for her to leave. “It’s been such a pleasure to see you again, pet. Happy trails.”

As Shelley went to exit, she stopped to stare at Willa. “He was going on about finding a she-wolf. He didn’t mention any names but said something about being on her scent. After what he did to Ronnie, I wouldn’t want to be her. Just sayin’.”

“As much as I love nature, I’m growing bored of the country. Perhaps I’ll go to LA.” Viktor yawned. “I need a vacation.”

“No one’s keepin’ you here, vamp. You don’t have to stay,” Hunter told him as he stood. “My pack won’t let them get any further. They have no place on our lands.”

“I’ve got to get out of here,” Willa insisted. “They’re after me. Neither of you have anything to do with this. They’ve already hurt one human. He could have been killed. The only reason they didn’t is because she shot them.”

“They shifted right in front of them. They all shifted, not just the hurt ones. None of my wolves would ever do something like that. They want us to know they’re here. It was a message. What they don’t know is who they’re dealing with.”

“They’re here for me. If I leave, you will all be safe.” Willa paced and stabbed her fingers through her wild mane. “No, I’ve got to go.”

“You’re not going anywhere. We’re all in this together.”

Viktor picked up a plastic coconut and tossed it into the trashcan. “Can I suggest we retire? I’m so over this place.”

“Why are you here?” Willa’s expression grew somber, her limbs felt heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds. She needed to shift.

“It’s not my style to leave a friend in need,” Viktor replied without emotion. His focus went to Hunter. “You ready?”

“Yeah. Let’s get outta here,” Hunter replied, giving a nod to Willa.

“Care to flash? We can skip out on the party without interference,” Viktor suggested.

“Only out to the parking lot. We brought the car.”

“Your wish is my command.”

Before Willa had a chance to protest, the vampire touched her shoulder. She sucked a breath as she disappeared, disoriented as they landed outside the entrance.

With the soothing touch of the Alpha’s palm on her back, Willa attempted to compose herself. Bent over with her hands on her knees, she struggled to focus on Hunter’s face. His lips moved but the pounding in her head drowned out all sound.

“Jesus, Vik…what’s going on with her?”

“Flashing is always a problem for wolves. You know that.”

Willa coughed back the bile that rolled in her stomach, but soon lost the battle.

“Oh shit.” Viktor jumped back, holding his hands up in the air.

“What the fuck did you do to her? Willa. Baby. Come on now.” Hunter pulled her into his arms as she panted for breath. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, sending calming energy to his little wolf.