Page 42 of A Hunter for Luna

I swung up into Biter’s saddle, the leather creaking beneath me. "Fine. But don't expect me to coddle you. We ride hard and fast."

Luna just smiled, a glint of challenge in her eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"You feel safe leaving your sister and nursemaid here?"

Luna's expression flickered, a hint of uncertainty passing over her features before she masked it. "They'll be fine. Your mother's household is secure, and Rose has Sofia to look after her."

I shrugged, not entirely convinced but unwilling to discuss the point further.If something happens, it's on Luna's head, not mine.

Clicking my tongue, I urged my steed forward. Luna fell in beside me as we rode out of the courtyard, the clattering of hooves against cobblestones echoing in the early morning air.

We rode in silence, cutting across the countryside, the only sound the steady rhythm of our horses' hooves against the earth. I kept my eyes forward, my mind already racing ahead to Kalion and what I might find there.

Lucardi was running scared. But from what? Or who?

It was a question that had been eating at me since I first heard the news of his abrupt departure. Lucardi was a cautious man, not prone to rash decisions. For him to leave so suddenly,without even a proper entourage... something had to have spooked him badly.

I glanced over at Luna, riding tall and proud beside me. The early morning light played across her face, casting her features in a soft glow. There was a determination in the set of her jaw, a fire in her eyes that I recognized all too well.

"You realize this isn't going to be a pleasure trip," I said abruptly, breaking the silence between us. "It’s not too late to go back."

Luna met my gaze, her chin lifted in that infuriatingly defiant way of hers. "I'm well aware. I'm not here for a pleasure trip."

"Then why are you here?" I said. "What do you hope to gain from this? There’s no guarantee you’ll get pregnant on this trip either."

For a moment, Luna was silent.

"I'm here because I refuse to wait anymore. I'm here because I'm tired of being treated like a pawn in everyone else's games. And I'm here because..." She hesitated, as if weighing her next words carefully. "Because I think there might be more to you than just a ruthless mercenary out for revenge."

I stared at her, caught off guard by her words.She thinks there's more to me? She has no idea who I really am, what I've done.

But there was a flicker of understanding in her gaze that unsettled me. It was as if she could see right through me, past all the layers of anger and bitterness and pain, to the man I used to be. A man long dead.

Dangerous thoughts for the girl. She’d learn.

I tore my gaze away from Luna's and focused on the road ahead. "Just try to keep up. And don't get in my way."

And with that, I spurred my horse forward, leaving Luna to follow in my wake as we rode down the road to Kalion. The way stretched ahead, dusty and sunlit, with the distant silhouette of the Renhos Mountains on the horizon. We rode in silence for the first few miles, the only sound the rhythmic thud of hooves and the occasional call of a bird overhead.

I kept my pace fast, pushing the horses but not enough to harm them. I glanced over occasionally, expecting to see Luna struggling, but she matched my speed, her face set in determined concentration.She's tough. But we'll see how long she can keep this up.

I urged my horse into a gallop. The wind whipped past my face, stinging my eyes, but I didn't slow down. I was curious what her reaction would be.

To my surprise, Luna kept pace, her horse's hooves pounding the earth in perfect sync with mine. Her auburn hair streamed behind her like a banner, and there was a fierce, exhilarated gleam in her eyes that I admired.

I slowed my horse to a canter, then a trot, and finally a walk. Luna pulled up beside me, her face flushed and her breathing slightly labored, but there was a triumphant smile on her lips.

"Had enough yet?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She laughed, a bright, defiant sound. "No. You can rest if you need to, old man."

I shook my head, annoyance blending with amusement. "We'll see about that. There's still a long way to go."

There were dangers on this road. Bandits, thieves, wild animals... I'd probably have to protect her, whether she liked it or not.

And if I had to, back to Legnali she’d go.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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