Cayden stood in the middle of the clearing surrounded by gigantic wolves. There was no fear, only rage and hatred flowing through his veins. He stared ahead at the grey wolf approaching him, knowing that none of the others would dare attack him. They were all in human form, afraid and fascinated at the same time, some of them seeing a hunter for the first time up close and person. His family had been their version of a grim reaper for as long as time existed.

Plus he had driven his blade through the heart of their alpha. The cocky bastard had been confident that he could win a fight against Cayden. He had also shot a silver bullet into the side of a wolf that had been brave enough to attack. He aimed his gun at the gray wolf. He knew it was Liam Conway because he’d been watching him for several nights.

Cayden had seen the mysterious billionaire shift a few nights ago and then had taken off into the woods in a hurry. He hadn’t bothered to follow because he had a much more awarding prize in sight; the alpha of the pack living the woods. He had been convinced it was he who had killed his father but when he had taken down the wolf and he shifted into his human form, the man swore he wasn’t the killer. It was his wife.

And that was why Cayden found himself in the middle of a pack of deadly wolf shifters. Stupid, yes, but he was getting really tired of being in Boulder Junction. It was time to make his priority kill, take as many others as he could, and get the hell out of dodge.

“Don’t make this hard, Conway. Just move and let me get to who I came here for‒ the alpha’s wife.”

He could see surprise in the wolf’s eyes and didn’t know if Conway was shocked that he knew it was him or the fact that he came for his mother. Oh, he knew them all because he’s been watching them unseen like a ghost in the night.

“My father was killed by one of your kind a year ago in these woods. The dead old man over there told me his wife did it. So if you let me go ahead and take her life in return then maybe, just maybe, I’ll leave here without killing any more of you.” It was a total lie. He was going to slaughter as many as he could.

The wolf snarled and surprisingly lunged at him even though he had a gun pointed at him. Cayden’s finger pressed the trigger, aiming for Liam’s head but he managed to shift mid-run and rammed into Cayden. Fuck. The bastard was fast, faster than the other wolves he’d encountered.

Cayden hit the ground hard and the gun fell from his hand, but rolled and jumped to his feet, immediately retaliating with a swing of his blade. Liam leapt back, evading the sharp weapon and advanced. They met midair and dropped to the ground and rolled, each fighting to gain the upper hand. Liam’s teeth sank into his arm and he grunted, driving a fist into the wolf’s ribcage. Liam fell back several feet. His eyes gleamed with ferocity and Cayden knew Liam was capable of killing him if the fight continued. Perhaps he had been too confident in his abilities. So he threw his blade with speed and hoped it landed somewhere vital.

Liam growled when the weapon lodged itself in his left shoulder, taking him down. Cayden’s smile fell when he heard another growl and turned to see a brown and white wolf sprinting toward him from the woods with deadly intent. He reached for his gun. “Fuck.” He had dropped it. He took off toward Liam and pulled his blade out of flesh and fur to finish him before the other wolf reached him.

“Cayden, stop!”

Skylar? He came to a halt and spun around, his eyes widening when he came face to face with the barrel of his gun. He lifted his eyes to hers. His heart constricted at the sight of her, which was ridiculous seeing as how she seemed to have lost interest in him and she was holding a gun to his head.

“Sky, what are you doing? Give me the gun and get behind me. I’ll get you out of here.”

Her hand shook as she inched around him, spinning to keep the gun on him. “I can’t let you kill him, Cayden.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’d rather shoot you.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry, but I will.”

He was momentarily confused. Then his eyes shifted to Liam still in his wolf form, slowly rising. And he knew why he had lost the one woman that stirred up strong feelings in him. She was in love with a wolf shifter. It was there in her eyes, the length she would go to protect him.

Jealousy rolled through him, fueling his rage. His hand tightened around his blade. “Don’t make me have to hurt you, Sky!” he roared, taking a step toward her.

She jumped and stepped back. Liam placed himself in front of her and Cayden saw death in his eyes, a wolf ready to kill to protect his mate. Liam’s eyes challenged him to make a move. Cayden realized that the other wolf was now standing behind him and more had shifted and were inching closer. Well. Shit. If he kept fighting, things wouldn’t end well for him.

“Liam, please no more fighting.”

Skylar’s soft plea reached Cayden’s ear before she stepped out from behind her wolf boyfriend. He snarled, still pissed that she had chosen the abomination over him.

“Cayden, just leave. I don’t want you to get hurt or killed,” she said, glancing around at the several feral creatures who were eying him with menace.

“Why do you care?”

“I still consider you a friend, Cayden. I’m sure you don’t feel the same way about me right now, though.”

He gritted his teeth. He had been falling for her fast and she had friend-zoned him. Great. His nostrils flared as he looked from Skylar to the wolves.

“How about a deal? Give me the woman who killed my father and I leave, peacefully.”

There was a series of growl. “Okay, I guess I’ll die taking down as many of you as you as I can, then. I’m telling you one more time, Sky. Move.” The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her, but if she stayed in the way, he couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t be injured. He took one more look at her gorgeous face and lifted his blade.

“She’s dying, Cayden. Isn’t that enough? She’ll be gone in months.”

He let out a frustrated growl. Damn it. He couldn’t help softening a bit every time she spoke. He was such a sucker. “What are you talking about?”

“The woman who allegedly killed you’re father is sick and dying. What kind of a hunter would you be if you struck down a woman who can barely stand?”

He dropped his hand with his blade. “God damn it, Sky. And I can’t even hate you for this.” He took a step toward her and Liam growled. “Cool it, dog. I’m not going to hurt her.” He stopped, his eyes boring into hers. “Walk away with me, Sky. This is no place for you.”

No, she was too sweet, too bright and good. Look at the effect she had on him. She had talked him out of the vengeance he desperately sought for so long. At least he had the satisfaction of killing the pack’s alpha.

She smiled sadly and kissed his cheek. “Go, Cayden, please. You’re surrounded and I still care about you. Go. Take care of yourself.”

He let out a breath. The wolves moved closer and he inched away but his eyes remained on Skylar. “I’ll see you again, Skylar Moore.” He turned hateful eyes to the gray wolf standing behind her before he turned and disappeared.

---

Things had calmed down a bit after the hunter ran off. Liam scowled. Okay, so the man hadn’t run off. He had been willing to stay and fight to the death, which Liam found grudgingly admirable. He had left because Skylar asked him to. He eyed her with love and amazement. He would have reveled in further battle with a hunter of legend, but more shifters would have been killed in the process.

She gazed up at him, biting her lip. “I’m sorry I got in the way, Liam. I was terrified he was going to kill you.” She glanced at his shoulder wound, which was already healing and tears filled her eyes. “Are you angry that I stopped everything? That Cayden got away?”

He sighed and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. “It’s fine, Sky. If you weren’t here things would have probably gone way worse.” He grinned. “A few shifters here are already whispering that you’re some kind of half human, half magical being. The legendary grim reaper of supernatural creatures walked away because you told him to.”

Skylar rolled her eyes. “Oh for God’s sake. It’s called reasoning. I’ll have to teach you wolf shifters about that.” She pressed her palms against his chest and glanced at his mother’s closed door. “I’m assuming she hears everything with her superhuman hearing and all. Are you ready to talk to her?”

He nodded. Finding out his mother had killed a hunter still had him floored. He laced her fingers with hers and pulled her toward the door. “I’m ready and you’re coming with.”

Leah refused to look at them as they entered. Shame and guilt danced across her pale features. “You should have let the hunter in to kill me. I’ll be dead soon, anyway.”

Skylar gasped. “No, don’t say that, Leah. Liam would never allow that and neither would I.”

She glanced at Skylar and let out a sob. “I’m glad my son found a woman like you. I heard everything. You brought us peace.”

Skylar shrugged. “Well, temporarily.”

“I’ve always wanted peace,” Leah murmured.

Liam shook his head. “That’s why I find it hard to believe you killed a hunter, but you haven’t denied it.”

“I did it a year ago, when I was still strong enough to shift and run. I went out with your father. I was so excited because we hadn’t done anything together in a while. We saw a man snooping around near our community and he had weapons. We knew it was a hunter. It was the first either us had seen one. I begged Isaac to turn back and get to the safety of the pack, but he wanted the bragging rights of killing a hunter. I stood back and watched them fight.” Her eyes lifted to Liam’s. “Your father was injured and the hunter was about to kill him. I jumped out and attacked him while he was focused on Isaac. I was just lucky. I never intended to kill anyone. We never told anyone it was me and Isaac took the credit for killing the man. I didn’t mind. I mean, I thought that would make him love me again.”

Skylar was already perched on the bed and hugging his mother as if she had known her all her life. “You were protecting someone you loved, Leah. I would have done the same.”

Liam wiped a hand over his face and watched his mother cling to Skylar. “Well, Isaac is dead.”

“I heard.” Leah sniffed. “There’s no alpha. I suppose when Lucas decides to surface -”

“There is an alpha.”

Two pairs of shocked eyes flew to Liam. “You’ve changed your mind?” Leah asked, hope shining in her eyes.

“You were right, Sky. Maybe I can bring a change. My father’s out of the way and everyone here is looking for a leader. I can make things different, better. ”

Her lips curved upward and she nodded her support. Leah clutched her heart. “Are you sure, Liam? What about your happiness?”

“I will be happy,” he said gazing at Skylar. “As long as I have my woman with me.”

“Well, I’m not going anywhere,” Skylar said with a smile. She gasped when Leah pulled her into a tight embrace with a sudden burst of strength.

Liam grinned, glad that his mother was happy. A burst of love for the small woman in his mother’s arm swelled inside of him. “Mom, Skylar and I will back tomorrow. I should get her home now.”

Skylar glanced up with a frown. “But -”

“Let’s go, Sky.”

Understanding dawned when she saw the smoldering look in his eyes. She swallowed a smile and kissed Leah on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Leah. Maybe we can bring you to Liam’s cabin, mansion, whatever it is.

She chuckled. “I suppose now I can do that.” She seemed delighted.

Liam kissed his mother’s cheek and pulled Skylar to the door. She stifled giggles as they made their way down the front steps. “You horny devil,” she whispered.

He let out a laugh, feeling at ease for once in a long time. He looked around, noting that his father’s body had been removed. He waited to feel even a sliver of remorse but none came. Spotting Michael, he approached him.

“Where’s Henry? He was injured by the hunter.”

“He’ll be fine. He’s home with his wife. So what’s going to happen?” Michael’s eyes were fixed on his.

Liam’s mouth stretched into smile and Michael’s eyes widened. “You accepted.” He fist pumped the air. “Yes! I swear if Lucas took over, I would probably organize his assassination.”

“Michael!” Skylar gasped.

“Oh come on, you’ve met the guy. Remember when he tried to eat you?”

“That doesn’t mean -”

“Don’t start you two.” Liam clapped Michael’s shoulder. “If Lucas shows up and starts trouble, take care of it. As my second in command, I’m leaving you in charge. I’ll come back tomorrow and we’ll let everyone know what’s going on.”

Michael snorted. “By the wide grins on everyone’s faces, I think they already know. They were all suffering under dearly departed Dad’s tyranny. And what the hell do you mean second in command? We never had -”

“I’m going to make some changes and that’s the first change. I’m hell bent on making family duty and spending time with my woman and work. So just work with me, little brother. I won’t be here all the time and I need someone I can trust to stand in my place from time to time, like when Sky and I go on vacations.”

Skylar’s eyes gleamed as he led her toward the trees where his car was still parked on a narrow path. “Can we go to Paris?”

“Anywhere you want, baby.”

Michael shook his head and watched them walk away. “They’re so sickeningly adorable,” he murmured and walked off.

She squealed. “I can’t wait to tell Farah I’m going to Paris. I can’t wait to tell her about everything that happened today.”

“You’ll have to wait because when I get you into bed, we’re going to be there a while.”

“I like the sound of that.” She looked at him with troubled eyes. “Your problem has been solved, but mine is still hanging in the air. I don’t know what my father is up to and there’s a mob boss still trying to get his hands on me.”

He opened her door and she slid into his car. He was tempted to abandon the vehicle, lift her into his arms and run home. They would move much faster. “It’s our problem, and no one is getting their hands on you except me. We’ll deal with it together.”

Skylar smiled slightly and let out a breath. “Okay. Are you sure about everything, Liam?” she asked as he drove off.

He immediately knew she was talking about him suddenly changing his mind about becoming alpha. “I can’t be entirely sure about everything. I’ll just have to take things one day at a time. There’s one thing that I am sure about.”

“What’s that?”

He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

“You and me.”

---

END