Page 315 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Chapter 8

Noah

“What the heck?” Mia squawked, her eyes wide. “A hunter? Hunting what?”

She either knew nothing about our world or was a damn good liar. I put all my faith in the former.

I should’ve left it there, but I couldn’t stop the words from spilling out of my mouth. If she didn’t know about this world, she needed to. I couldn’t lie or hide the truth from her. Not any longer.

I leveled my voice, searching her eyes for a hint she knew, that she was just playing me. I came up empty. “I’ll explain everything, but right now we need to get out of here.”

She held my stare for a moment before the crease deepened in her forehead. “Is this a joke? ’Cause it’s not funny.”

“No. It’s not a joke. It’s real.”

“Hunters here in Woodland Falls?”

If we weren’t in danger of the hunter returning, I would’ve breathed a sigh of relief. Based on her reaction, she clearly didn’t know.

“Yes. And I need to get you out of here before he comes back.”

I didn’t give a shit if the hunter came back for me. I counted down the days to that reunion. But I wouldn’t put Mia in more danger. I slid off the rock into the water and grabbed her by the hips. “Do you want me to carry you or can you swim back?”

She didn’t answer, just kept staring at me. Instead of waiting, I turned around, slid her butt off the ledge and lifted her onto my back. She held on tight as I kept to the shallower edge of the pool, piggybacking her to the bank. When we reached our bags, I unlocked her legs and let them slide for her to stand.

One look at our clothes and my heart sank. The hunter took Mia’s shirt. Of course, he did, it had her scent all over it. Fresh meat in Woodland Falls. Only a matter of time before the hunter figured out her connection with Joan, and then with me.

Mia remained silent as I wrapped a towel around her shoulders and helped her put on her shoes. No time to dress, I shoved her shorts in her bag and slung it over my shoulder before picking up my things.

I took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’re gonna move quickly, ’kay?”

She nodded.

As fast as I could, without revealing my bonus wolf speed, we hurried back to my truck. In an instant, we were driving through the forest toward home.

Bouncing around in the truck, Mia reached for her bag and slipped on her shorts. “I think we left my shirt back there.” She searched near her feet and inside her bag again. “I can’t find it.”

“I’ll check later.” I wasn’t about to tell her a hunter stole it.

Once out of the forest and back in cell reception, I texted Liam to warn him. Yeah, I knew better than texting while driving, but there were times for breaking the rules. This was one of them. I couldn’t exactly speak with Mia in earshot.

Instead of texting back, the dumbass called.

I groaned and answered. “Couldn’t text?”

“Are you fucking with me?”

“Nope.” I accelerated around the bend, dirt and dust filling the rearview mirror.

“Ivy’s still here with me. I’ll call Ash.” Liam paused. “Is Mia with you?”

“Yep.”

“Do you think she knows?”

I glanced at Mia in the passenger seat, clutching the seatbelt in one hand. This wasn’t how I wanted to tell her. “I hope not.”

After ending the call, I tossed the cell on the dash and focused on getting inside the house before the hunter tracked us down. I slammed my foot on the brake, skidding to a halt in front of the porch.

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