Page 3 of Hunting for Love

I’ll have to get Cooper on research as soon as possible. Cooper is our lore guy. He has books upon books upon books in his library. He’s constantly adding to his collection with every single city we visit. He’s not only book smart, but also fit to be out in the action if needs be.

If there’s anything that could bring a wishing well to life, Cooper would be able to find it.

The newly made parents look down lovingly at their baby and something like longing hits me in the chest. I’ve never really been someone to dream about a partner and kids, but seeing how happy they are sparks something inside me. Maybe I would be a better dad than my own. Maybe I’d fall into the same supernatural trap that he did.

I shake my head, looking down at the cats tucked in my arms. The little one lets out a little snore as he sleeps while the adult cat stares up at me with wide, green eyes. I sneak out through the same door I’d come into, quickly finding Axel’s bathroom.

“Okay,” I whisper, looking through his cabinets and finding some cleaning supplies and some bandages. It seems Axel, despite being a vampire, had everything he might have needed to help someone in need. That’s perfect because right now, that’s exactly what I need to help my little furry friends.

I lay them both in the sink, making sure my hoodie cushions them nicely before getting to work cleaning up the wounds on the adult cat. I’m careful as I move, doing my best to make this as painless as possible. The poor thing has been hurt enough, I don’t need to accidentally add to that.

“There we go,” I whisper, using the bandages and wrapping them around the cat’s paw. “All better for now. We’ll check it in a few days and clean it as needed.” I feel silly talking to the cat but I can’t stop myself from doing it, hoping they’ll somehow understand my intent. “We’re gonna be loading you up into my RV for a road trip. I hope that’s alright.”

Those giant green eyes meet mine and Iswearthey give me a nod in understanding. I tilt my head to the side and they copy the gesture. Huh. Weird.

Before I can think more about it, Martin is knocking on the door to check on me. After assuring him that everything is alright, the four of us, Martin, Carlos, Cooper, and myself, head back to our RVs for the night to give the new parents some privacy with Lily.

CHAPTER TWO

ZANDER

I watchas the human who found us places us gently on his bed. I heard his friend call himRonny. My true mate’s name is Ronny. I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around this whole situation.

He’s brought us to an RV, which is a strange way to live. Though, I can’t really judge, thinking back to what I’ve just escaped from. This is a vast improvement.

JJ stretches out beside me, letting out the most adorable yawn. More and more I’m glad I finally made that decision to get the fuck out.

I take in a deep breath, getting hit full force with Ronny’s scent while we’re laying in his bed. Fuck. It’s the most perfect scent that I’ve ever experienced. It’s lemony and bright and all things good in the world. I take a step out of his hoodie just so I can bury my face in his sheets, rubbing myself against his scent to let it wash all over me. I should be embarrassed but there’s something about being in this form that lets my inhibitions be more carefree. Ronny thinks I’m a cat and a cat would rub themselves against these soft sheets.

“Make yourself at home,” he says with a wide smile, rubbing the top of my head. I lean into his touch, wishing I could shift into my human form and hug him tight. But I stop myself from thinking about that too hard.

Ronny’s ahuman. Sure, he seems to be friends with some vampires and that guy who smells like a wet dog who I’mprettysure is a type of canine shifter, but that doesn’t mean he’s okay with other supernatural creatures. It doesn’t mean he won’t freak out when he finds out the cat he’s been taking care of is actually a man.

I’ll wait just a little while longer. Ronny mentioned taking a drive to a new location. Plus, my paw needs to finish healing. I’ll just wait until I’m feeling better and then I’ll shift. It’ll be fine.

That’ll give me time to sit and see what kind of people these guys are. It’ll give me time to see what kind of personRonnyis.

My eyes widen as Ronny pulls off his shirt. Oh my gods. I greedily take him in. He’s lean but strong with the smallest spattering of chest hair in the center of his chest. There’s a fine line of hair that leads from his belly button down into his jeans. His eyes are a rich, dark color that matches his dark hair. My stomach squirms in the most pleasant way at the sight. My true mate ishot.

The thought stops me in my tracks. My true mate. I can’t believe I’ve found mytrue mate.

John used to say so many things to keep me under his thumb. One of them was thathewas my true mate and that to leave him would be going against Lady Fate herself. Now that I’ve found Ronny, I can’t help but feel even more bitter towards John. He was never my true mate. He never smelled like home the way this man does. Gods, I wish I could go back and get the years back that John stole from me but I can’t, all I can do is live the best life now that I have freedom.

I’m allowed to make choices now. I’m allowed to decide what’s best for me and JJ without someone breathing down my neck telling me I can’t trust myself.

I decide to stay right where I am. This feels right. I might not be able to rely on Ronny. For all I know he’s a mass murderer who’s taking us across the country to find his next victim. But now I have the ability to run away if push comes to shove. I’m notstuck. And now that I’m more attuned with my instincts, I trust that Lady Fate wouldn’t push me from one douche to another. Ronny feels different.

Ronny starts to hum a soft song as he throws on some sweatpants and a hoodie. My eyes follow him as he steps out of his bedroom. In this form, I’m allowed to stare from my place on the bed as he sits down at a computer, his fingers flying faster than I thought possible across the keys. I lay my head on JJ’s, snuggling close and letting his warmth sink into my skin. I lick his ear, letting him know I’m here and that we’re safe. He nuzzles me right back.

JJ is the one good thing that John gave me. I’m thankful for my little boy every single day that we’re both alive. We’re free.

As my eyes grow heavy, soothed by the sound of Ronny typing on his keyboard, I can’t help but think about the future. Now that I’m away from John, the future is a mass space of opportunity. I could quite literally do anything. It’s overwhelming. It’s exhilarating. But my mind continues to drift back to Ronny and this crew. They all seem sogoodat first glance. I hope I’m not wrong about them.

And Ronny. Handsome, caring Ronny who found a hurt cat and immediately picked them up, promising to take care of them. I want his gentle hands on me again, running through my hair. I want those full lips against my own. I want him to form a relationship with JJ. Oh gods, I hate how drawn I am already, but that’s having true mate I suppose. A supernatural tug towards that person.

Hopefully Ronny will be okay that I have a kid. Gods, what am I even thinking? Can I really tell this human that I’m his true mate? Would he evenwanta true mate? Is he even attracted to other men?

Instead of letting all these worries wash me away, I shake them away. I can worry about them tomorrow. For now, I’m going to rest and regain my strength. I’m going to trust that this is truly the hand of Lady Fate, guiding me to where I’m supposed to be. I close my eyes and for the first time inyears, I sleep without a shadow of doom hovering over me. I sleep peacefully.

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