Page 19 of A Shadow of Betrayal

“Let's go find you a bunk,” he grumbles when he realizes I have no intentions of answering him, and pushes the big door open, making my heart lift from the warm glow that comes from the building. I give the exterior of the big building a once over as I hurry forward, noticing it looks like a large log cabin, which would actually look somewhat homey if it wasn't for the piles of deep snow surrounding the place.

The moment I step inside and let the door shut behind me, cutting off the howling wind and pelting snow, I relax a little. Warmth greets me like a comforting hug, and I tremble in my spot as I look around the big room I've stepped into, keeping myself half-hidden behind Lennox as he stands tall at the entrance of the biggest living room I have ever laid eyes on.

My eyes widen as I take in my surroundings, jumping from the colossal fireplace residing at the center of the wall across the room to the six black leather couches placed strategically around the open-planned living area, leaving plenty of room to walk around the furniture, all while keeping it cohesive. I grimace when my gaze falls on the animal heads mounted to the wall by the fireplace; deer, elk, and a bison are all represented. I wonder if the Rangers from the past have hunted the animals themselves or if they were simply brought in in order to make this place feel like a hunting cabin.

“Umbra Regalis,” a clear voice says, and I tear my attention from the animal heads to where a young man now stands in front of Lennox. I arch a brow when the young man dips his head in a respectful nod before he leans to his left and meets my eyes.

“Rodgers,” Lennox grumbles, not sparing the man a second glance as he brushes the snow from his broad shoulders. “Is Monroe back from his patrol? He has a new Ranger who will be under his supervision.”

Rodgers straightens up and looks back at Lennox, nodding his head again. “Yes. Marley, get Monroe for Umbra Regalis,” Rodgers snaps, his calm tone turning to an authoritative one, and I look behind him, realizing there are several young men and even one girl standing at attention all around the room.

A blond guy immediately jumps to do the task assigned to him while the others look at Lennox with matching expressions of wonder and fear.

“A new recruit?” Rodgers asks, looking at me again, his eyes trailing up and down my body before he purses his lips in disapproval. I have the sudden urge to flip off the dude, but figure that wouldn't be acting my age, and if what Lennox said about all these people's age, odds are the guy standing in front of us was several years younger than I am, and I do not need to make myself look immature.

“A new Hunter,” Lennox replies, standing to his full height when he's finally done brushing the snow from his body. He has a few flakes in his black beard, and I have the urge to step in front of him and brush them off, but I know that will not go over very well.

“What? But she’s so… small,” Rodgers says with a hint of exasperation in his voice, and this time, I don’t hold back. I flip the dick off, making him smirk in amusement when Lennox glares at me in response.

“And she’s not your concern. Learn your place, Rodgers. I don’t give a damn whose DNA you share. You will not butt into Regalis business,” Lennox is quick to reply, sneering at the boy in front of him, and I watch with a satisfied smirk as the man visibly wilts in on himself under Lennox’s dark glare.

“Regalis?” a smooth voice comes from across the room, and I watch as yet another young man steps out from one of the doors to our right. He’s tall, with red hair and a shockingly bright set of green eyes that almost look like they have a neon tint to them. “What's up, man? Has there been another breach? I left two men there just in case there was another wave of the fuckers who tried to come through,” he explains, stepping up next to us, his attention on the big man in front of me.

I study the newcomer and wonder if it's a requirement for them all to be absurdly tall with massive shoulders, in order to be here. The man isn’t as handsome as Lennox, but he's good-looking in his own way. He has a defined jaw with sharp cheekbones and a strong nose that is almost too big for his face, but his bright neon eyes are distracting enough to draw your attention away from that fact.

“No breach. I sent Creed up to make sure everything was okay and relieve the Rangers on duty,” Lennox reassures the guys with a sigh, making me perk up at the mention of Creed. I can't help but wonder if the man I met a few nights ago is okay.

I would think that he should still be in the hospital from the extent of his injuries, but whatever weird magic these Hunters have has done enough for him to be out and about already. My mind reels with questions, and I want to ask Lennox when Creed will be back, but bite my tongue when both men turn and look at me.

“This is Ranger Smith,” Lennox offers up, frowning as he waves a big hand in my direction. The red-haired man smiles and steps forward, offering me his hand in greeting.

“Hello,” he says with a warm smile. I smile back and let my stiff shoulders relax as I shake his hand.

“Ranger, this is Umbra Monroe.”

“Hello,” I say awkwardly, shaking the man's hand a few times while staring into his unique eyes.

“I'm guessing you are the new recruit Axford sent for?” Monroe asks, looking up to Lennox for confirmation and frowning when he shakes his head.

“No. Meyer, well…” he trails off, and I look at him, surprised he used my first name. “She is a lost Hunter who Drakos came upon in the States. Axford just did the bloodline test,” Lennox whispers, glaring at Rodger and gesturing for him to leave.

“Truly?” Monroe murmurs, gently pulling his hand from mine, and I blush when I realize I have been shaking his hand for too long. Glancing up, I find Lennox looking at my hand that I had been shaking Monroe’s with. His brows pulled together in a deep frown that makes me move to step back when Monroe's hand snaps out, grabbing my other hand and making me jump in surprise. A pained gasp hisses past my teeth, making the Umbra Hunter drop my hand in shock, darting Lennox an odd look when he growls under his breath, stepping closer to me.

“Are you alright?” Monroe asks in concern as Lennox curses and grabs my hand, glaring at it like he’s offended at the sight of the angry-looking cut on my wrist and palm.

“She’s also not able to heal herself, apparently,” Lennox mutters under his breath.

“I’m sorry, Ranger; I didn't know. I was only trying to see how long the test line was,” Monroe offers with furrowed brows.

“It's fine,” I grit out, twisting my wrist painfully out of Lennox’s hold, glaring at him when he huffs in frustration and lets me go.

“What’s her bloodline?” Monroe asks, ignoring me and looking over my head to Lennox, who purses his lips like he’s too embarrassed to answer. The freaking prick is forcing me to stay somewhere I don’t want to be and has the damn nerve to act embarrassed about the situation.

“Regalis,” I respond for Lennox, my voice clear, cutting across the quiet room like a knife.

TEN

Meyer

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