Hunter's Secret

Hunter's POV

We walked into his house, and I expected it to look like a typical bachelor pad, but it doesn’t. It is clean and organized. There are decorations on the walls and fresh flowers on the table. It is a small house but that makes sense considering it is just him who lives here, I guess. We head to the living room and take a seat on the couch; Titus takes a seat in the armchair next to us.

‘He doesn’t have a wolf, Hunter.’

‘Thanks for confirming, River. I sensed that might be the case. He is very non-threatening.’

‘If he doesn’t give us what we want we could just kill him.’

‘River! We are definitely not killing him! What is wrong with you?’

’You’re no fun. It was just an idea,’ he says, dramatically laying down in the back of my mind. I internally roll my eyes at him and focus my attention back on Titus who is staring at me, obvious annoyance on his face.

“Sorry about that. My wolf is feeling very chatty today. Anyway, it is nice to meet you, Titus Black. I am Hunter Levitt, the Alpha of Blue Flame. This is my Beta, Cameron Pierce. I think you met our fathers a few years ago.”

He narrowed his eyes at me and lifts his pant leg, revealing two still prominent scars on his calf, “Yes, how could I forget?”

“What happened? You fought my dad?” I say surprised.

“No. He fought me after he terrorized my daughter and then laughed about it.”

“I didn’t know that. I promise we are not here to fight you. On his behalf, I am sorry,” I say, trying my best to sound genuine.

He mumbles out a thank you before continuing, “So, why are you here then?”

“Ash helped me learn how to control my wolf when I was younger, and I would like to return the favor.”

“Ahh, you are *that* Hunter. And how do you propose you do that?”

“You don’t have to decide right now. All I ask is that you consider it. I would like to offer to take in your pack,” he stiffens and his jaw twitches, I continue, “I would not try to change anything in your pack, and you can keep your position. No one would have to move. You would have all my pack’s resources at your disposal, and I would expect you to do the same for my pack. I would offer you complete protection and you would allow me to cut down some of the trees bordering our packs, so I could build houses. Your people would be completely allowed to be on my pack land and use all our services and amenities.”

He pauses in contemplation, “How old are you, Hunter?”

“Twenty-one, sir.”

“You speak with a wisdom that is far beyond your years. Your offer is tempting but seems almost too good to be true,” he says with some hesitation.

“I understand why you might think that. I assure you that I mean everything I have said. I would technically become your pack’s official Alpha, but I will not abuse my position. You would still be able to run things the way you wish. I am not going to try to take your pack from you. You did not deserve to be stripped of your title. The only reason I would become the official Alpha is so the High Council can’t accuse me of having an alliance with you if I legally take your pack over.”

“The High Council is a bunch of stuck-up wolves who should not have as much as power as they do,” he smiles, and I relax a little.

“I agree completely but they can’t know that,” I wink.

He actually laughs and it makes both Cameron and I smile.

“I like you. You obviously care a lot about your people, and I can tell you are trying to do right by your pack. I know I should probably take some more time to think about your offer, but I believe your words. Can we shake on it?” he asks as he stands up and extends his hand out, and I quickly stand up, grab and firmly shake his hand.

“Thank you, Mr. Black. I will get started on the paperwork as soon as we get back to the pack house. If you don’t mind, can you point me in the direction of your bathroom?”

“Sure. It is right down the hallway, first door on the left.”

I quickly head down the hallway while Cameron chats with Titus. I finish up what I need to do, wash my hands, and go head back down the hallway when a familiar scent hits my nose, coming from what I assume is Titus’ bedroom. I smile to myself and rejoin the conversation.

We chatted for a while, and I learned that his daughter has completed all her education and residency at a prestigious medical school on the other side of the country and now has started working with some top doctors. I didn’t know he even had a daughter, but I guess not much information is available on packs that are kicked out. I noticed that he had a scarred mark on his neck so at one point in time he had a mate, but he lives by himself now.

Cameron and I stand up and get ready to leave. We head to the door and just before we leave, I reach my hand back out to shake his again and he returns the gesture.

“Just one more thing, Mr. Black.”

“Yes?” he asks, suspiciously.

“You don’t have to hide your relationship with Ash anymore. I will protect you both and your secret will be safe with me.”

He immediately turns red and gives me a very quizzical look. I just tap my nose with my finger, and he nods in understanding. I give him a smile which he returns.

“Thank you, Alpha Hunter,” he smiles, his eyes lighting up this time.

I give him a nod of my head and Cameron, and I leave.

Titus’ POV

No sooner than I say goodbye to Hunter and Cameron, I feel a pair of arms snake their way around my waist. I immediately turn around and hug Ash. She pulls me in for a kiss which I happily accept.

“I want you to move in,” I say, searching her eyes.

“I thought you said that was a bad idea?”

“It was. But not now,” I say, kissing her again.

“Mmm…why not?” she asks, breaking the kiss.

I lean my forehead against hers, “Because I accepted Hunter’s offer to join his pack. He said he would protect us both and keep our secret safe.”

She pushes me back, “You did what?!?”

“I accepted Hunter’s offer. He has a good head on his shoulders. I trust him,” I explain, going back in for another kiss.

She blocks my lips with her hand, “Why didn’t you talk to me first?”

“Because I thought it was a good idea. Hunter said he isn’t going to change anything, and he will let me keep things the way they are. It will be more of a legal on paper kind of thing.”

“Titus. You still should have talked to me first. I have known you for almost twenty years now. Are you not happy with how things are?”

“You know I am not but there was never another good option until now. I am sorry for not talking to you first.”

“It’s okay. I forgive you. I know you were just thinking about the best interests of your people. Hunter does have a good head on his shoulders. Why did you tell him about us?”

“I didn’t. He smelled you from when you were here yesterday.”

“Oh, I forgot you people can smell things like that.”

“I honestly forgot that we could too. It has been such a long time since I was able to use any of my abilities that I just adapted to life without them.”

She grabs my hand and pulls me over to the couch. She pushes me down and climbs into my lap and holds my face with her hands, “I am sorry Ryker is gone. And of course, I will move in. I love you.”

I put my hands over hers, “I love you too. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you.”

She sighs and lays her head down on my chest, “Big softie. You don’t have to do something to deserve love, Titus. I am really glad I have been able to do life with you for the last fifteen years. And I am very happy I can officially move in now.”

I kiss her forehead and hold her in my arms, both of us content.

Hunter’s POV

The closer we got back to the pack house; Cameron was practically vibrating with excitement at just the thought of seeing Emma again. He couldn’t get the key in the door fast enough and as soon as we walked in, we were met with the most delicious smell.

Emma was cooking something for dinner and Cameron ran to wrap his arms around her. I leave them and head up to the office to get that paperwork started. I sit down and my dad immediately walks in.

“So? How did it go?” he asks me.

“Very well, actually. He said yes,” I told him.

“Wow! How did you manage that? Did you have Ash spell him or something?”

I laugh to myself knowing that Titus is already under her ‘spell,’ “For starters, I didn’t bite him. I just talked to him like a normal person. What were you thinking when you went over there?”

“He told you about that?”

“No. He showed me the scars, dad. You got him good.”

“Well, he was about to attack Ryan!”

“As respectfully as possible, you were an idiot if you thought he would want your protection after you bit him!”

“You are right. I was not the best Alpha for a long time. I am glad he said yes.”

“Me too. Thank you for helping me be better than you were when you were my age.”

“That is all your mother. She was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he smiles, “I will let you get back to your work now. I am proud of you Hunter.”

I smile and busy myself in my work when another knock on the door interrupts me.

“Come in!” I call, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

Ryan and Emery enter the office this time.

“Alpha, Emery and I were talking, and we think we are going to move out in a few days instead of in a few weeks, with your permission of course.”

“You are family, Ryan. You don’t have to ask my permission for that. Why the change in plans though?”

He smiles at me, “With Emma needing a place to stay now, we are okay to move out earlier. We could use your help to get the rest of the stuff moved though. Can you help tomorrow?”

“Of course. If I can pry Cameron off Emma, I will get him to help too,” I shake my head at the thought and that earns a hearty laugh from Ryan.

They leave the office and I get a few things done before there is another knock on the door.

“Come in.”

“Hunter, dinner is ready. Emma made beef stew. There is enough for everyone,” Cameron tells me, and I just feel frustrated.

“Tell her thank you. I am going for a run. Don’t wait up for me. I will be gone for a while. I am fine. I just need a break,” I say, breezing by him and heading down the stairs and out the door. As soon as I get to the grass, I let River take control and we take off for the woods.