Page 1 of Hunted

Chapter One

LEI

"I can do this. I can do this." Imutter to myself from where I sit in my rented jeep outside the gates of Redwood Manor, home ofthe Redwood Pack.

It's been four years since I was here last, and I wasn't expecting a warm welcome.

Taking a deep breath, I exit the jeep, holding my head high as I walk straight towards the tall wrought iron gates, not bothering with the intercom. Security here is tight, and I know the alpha Jacob will already be aware that the pack has a visitor.

Turning my head, I look at the camera hidden behind a stone wolf placed on the top left post.Seconds pass, and I wonder if I had misjudged Jacob's curiosity. The last thing he would ever expect would be for me to return after four years, but I was hoping he would at least be willing to hear me out, even if it is just to toss me back outside these gates once more.

Seconds turn into minutes until finally, I hear the whir of machinery as the gates begin to open.

Keeping my shoulders straight, I walk back toward the jeep and continue driving to the house before stopping.

Taking a deep breath, I grab my bag from the backseat before leaving the car, making my way toward the black and white tiled staircase leading up to the house.

"Lei?"

I close my eyes as I hear someone calling my name behind me. It's a voice I know all too well. It's a voice I'd dreamt about every night for the past four years. A voice that I never thought I would hear again.

SlowlyIturn around and face the man behind me. The man I had left behind without a word—my mate.

"Lei, is that really you? Where the fuck have you been?" He growls before coming to a stop before me and pulling me tight against him. His lips landed on mine in a bruising kiss as his arms crushed me flush against his chest.

Before I know what is happening, his leg slides behind mine, and I fall hard before Riley catches me, softening my fall.

"You're in big trouble, little wolf." he whispersbefore gently nibbling at my lip.

For the first time in weeks, I feel myself smile. Corbin and Riley had always called me their little wolf, and although I would always pout and whine at the name, I secretly loved it.

"Riley. Get up."

At the sound of Corbin growling above us, my smile instantly falls from my lips.

Like Riley, it's a voice I'd only ever dreamt of hearing again. Only this time, it's different. It's deeper, darker, and eludes such power that it sends a cold shiver running down my spine.

As Riley pushes himself to his feet, he holds out his hand for me, but I don't accept. I refuse to look weak. Instead, I turn my gaze toward Corbin as his blue eyes pierce mine.

"Go back inside, Riley," Corbin demands, but he doesn't take his eyes off me. "What do you want … Mate?"he spits out the last word angrily.

"I—" Damn it, I’m not prepared for this. I knew coming back here would be hard, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to face the men of my past until I had spoken to Jacob. Pushing myself from the ground, I try again. "I'm here to talk with Jacob. Is he around?"I ask.

Corbin scoffs. "My father's been dead for the past two years. If you'd stuck around, you would have known that. It looks like you'll have to talk to me instead. Now, what do you want?"

His stare is cold, and I find myself fighting the urge to wrap my arms around myself. I've never seen him like this before. He looks exactly like the guy I had left four years ago, only his aura doesn't match. It's too cold. Too hard. And promises nothing but pain.

"I'm sorry. I–I didn't know," I stutter. "I’m just passing through, and I was hoping that maybe I could stay here for a couple of days?”

“Here.” He barks out cruelly. “This isn't a hotel, Lei,” he spits. “You left. You don't just get to show up here looking for a room.”

Sighing, I look away, breaking his hold. This was never going to be easy. With Jacob, I knew all I would have had to do was to promiseto stay away from his son, but now, I have nothing to bargain with.

Bending down, I collect my backpack off the ground from where it had fallen when Riley tackled me and turn back toward the jeep.

"Wait," he snaps as I turn back around. "There's a meet tonight at six. Pack or not, I expect you to be there. We'll put it to a vote."

I nod, relieved. It was the best I could have hoped for. I'm not sure what the rest of the pack thought about my abrupt midnight departure four years ago, but at least it gives me a few hours to think of another plan.

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