Page 82 of Alpha Hunt

I’m stiff. Every muscle is aching. I could say that it was from my frenzied race to save Edirn yesterday, but it’s not. It’s from hours of lovemaking. Incredible lovemaking. When I glance over at where he’s standing with Jagger and Gage, my cheeks go warm.

I love you…

The words filter into my head. He’s speaking to me. Our own hidden language. My lips twitch into a secret smile. When I look up, he’s staring at me. He winks, and my cheeks go even hotter.

When did I turn into such a giddy, blushing girl?

When I met this man, that’s when.

“What’s got you smirking like that?” Savannah asks, her green eyes twinkling with mischief as she bumps her shoulder against mine.

“Don’t tease her; she’s a newlywed. Her brain isn’t working.” Sierra prods her with an elbow. Her hand rests on the slight swell of her belly, a gesture that’s become unconscious since she found out she was pregnant.

“I can tease her if I want. You’re not the boss of me!” Savannah objects playfully, sticking her tongue out at her sister. The playful banter between them warms my heart. After everything they’ve been through, it’s good to see them like this.

“Girls, girls…” a silver-haired woman nudges between them, her voice warm with affection. “No bickering; this is Casey’s big day.”

“It’s hardly a big day, Mama Barr.” I smile at the Wildview matriarch, Juliette. “Nor is it really for me.” I look around us. New faces are circulating; the others in the Steel Lakes pack have gathered to meet the twins’ family. We saved their parents and both pairs of twins, along with their aunt, a sweet-faced woman who’s been anxious since she arrived. I look over at her now, standing slightly apart from the others, her arms wrapped around herself as if she’s trying to hold herself together. A stark contrast to the high spirits of the others.

I wish I could make her smile. But that’s not going to happen. Not until we know what happened to her daughter.

“Oh look, now you’re sad,” Savannah says, patting my shoulder. “You know what would make you happy again?” I tilt my head at her in confusion. “A baby, that’s what.” She passes little Bree to me. Or is it Gina?

“Um…thanks?” I say, holding the child against my chest. I’m getting better at it now. Though I doubt I’ll get much chance to hold them. Juliette and her mate Allard have been cooing over the babies since they settled in. Proud grandparents.

“You’re a natural.” Sierra winks at me. “And pretty soon, it’ll be your turn.”

The thought of little Edirns running around lightens my mood slightly. But still, I’m worried about the wolf we never saved.

“We’ll find her,” I say firmly, looking at the others.

“Find who?” Tarkin comes up to join our group.

I scowl at him. “Sybil’s daughter.” How does he manage to be so insensitive and still so charming?

“Oh! Right!” he agrees. “Yes. We’ll definitely find her.”

Savannah and Sierra nod, their faces growing serious. Juliette reaches out and squeezes my hand, her eyes shining.

“You’ve already done so much for us, dear. We’re so grateful.”

“For sure, we’re grateful!” a jovial voice pitches in. “This is a day to celebrate. And it’s thanks to you and that big fella of yours.” Allard Barr shares the same determined jawline as his twin daughters, but that’s where the resemblance stops. They’re carbon copies of their mother, who could be a sister if it wasn’t for the silver of her hair.

“I just feel responsible…” I shrug.

Allard rests a big, warm hand on my back, his expression warm. “And you’re a very special young woman for feeling that way. But we also need to give thanks for the blessing of the rest of us being out of that place.”

Juliette gives a shudder. “I don’t think we could have survived another day.”

“You would have, my darling,” her husband reassures her. “You’re strong. So brave.” They share a loving look, and I imagine Edirn looking at me that way in thirty years.

Allard turns back to me. “My niece is strong and brave, too,” he says. “It’s the reason she got out of there. She fought them every step of the way.”

“I almost wish she hadn’t.” Juliette shoots a look toward where Sybil is standing, then lowers her voice. “They’d have gone easier on her if she hadn’t.”

“That’s just the girl’s way, Julie,” Allard says. “A fighter through and through. A true survivor. Which is why I know she’s out there somewhere, alive and well. And we’ll find her. I’m sure of it.”

Juliette nods, gnawing on her bottom lip. “I just don’t know how that stuff would affect her, Allard. They gave her so much more than they gave to us.”

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