Page 83 of Hunted

He could see into the other wolf’s mind—a kaleidoscope of memories: trust betrayed, hopes dashed, disappointment and pain.

But you’re still here, Gunn said to him.

Sanchez gave him a little head-butt. Whatever.

But in Gunn’s sight, he shone with the light of the bond. The pack was complete.

Gunn Changed and stood up. He reached his hand into the air, and from the muddy field in Illinois where he’d thrown it down, Gregor’s star pendant flashed into his palm.

It always came back.

The pendant’s light shone from between his fingers like a beacon, and with all his wolves watching, he fastened it around his neck willingly for the very first time.

“All right then,” Boomer said from behind him. “Let’s party!”

But Gunn had one more thing to take care of before he could relax. After all the wolves except Mikey went down the mountain to the compound, he felt Thanatos watching him.

Turning, he saw him standing in the doorway. Surprisingly, a hint of the pack bond shone in him too.

“What happened to DB?” Mikey asked.

Thanatos said, “He went back to wherever he came from. After making a number of slightly overdramatic threats about what would happen to me if you were harmed.”

He turned to Gunn. “I take it you’re staying on as alpha?”

Gunn grinned. “I guess you got your way after all. Are you sure you still want it?”

“That remains to be seen.”

Michelangela asked, “What I want to know is, what the hell do you want with my Uncle Tristan?”

“That is no longer your concern. The dragon boy agreed to carry a message to him.”

“Little fucker,” Michelangela said. “So, I guess we’re working together now, huh?”

“Apparently,” Thanatos said. “Have you two given any thought at all to what will happen when Ms. Connors’ family learns where she is?”

“Actually, I have,” Mikey said, surprising Gunn.

“You have?” She nodded enthusiastically. Oh, no. “Aren’t we supposed to talk over our plans before we start carrying them out?”

Mikey patted his arm, and then lost her balance, lurching into him. “You’re gonna love this one.”

Oh, shit. “Are you still high?”

Mikey turned to Thanatos. “I’m thinking you’ve been going about this all wrong. I mean, secrecy’s fine and everything, but it’s really hard to hide things in the digital age. What you really need is a cover story.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, a front, really. You need to be a security company. One that people can know about. You can even take legit jobs. And still do all your other stuff.” She frowned. “You might have to pay taxes, though.”

Thanatos said stiffly, “I have lived in the shadows for… many years.”

Mikey rolled her eyes. “Well, you still can. Nobody wants you to come out, dude. Trust me.” Gunn could have sworn Thanatos snorted—except he never did. Mikey went on brightly, “Make somebody else the face of your corporations. You probably have about a gazillion shell companies anyway, hiding all your money. Don’t you?”

Thanatos’s hood turned to Gunn, who was trying not to laugh.

“Is she serious?”