The Hunter's Warrior

by Bryce Evans

  He grabbed the chocolate ice cream and marked it off his list. This was everything he thought of as he headed to the counter. “This is the one she likes?” Caz asked the older gentlemen.

  “I wouldn’t say like, because Raven loves it. She comes in here just about every other day to buy it. I think she will be shocked to know you put so much effort into cooking her dinner,” the shop owner said, placing the items in a bag.

  “Thank you, Mr. Lutz. I appreciate you giving me all your advice.”

  “Any time, Caz. Make sure you come by after the masquerade ball and meet my Luna and my great-grandson, Dylan. She’s a beauty, but I can already see that you have your eyes set on Raven. She’s a beauty and good luck to you. Wild spirit that one. Those are the best,” Mr. Lutz said, winking at him.

  Caz carried the groceries home and put a note on the bag to not touch it. He put one on the ice cream too, just in case. Then he went in search of his mate. He needed to or his tiger would go looking for her.

  Walking out on the porch, he glanced around the yard but didn’t see her. He knew she wasn’t in her room and her truck was still parked outside. Smelling the air, he caught her scent and followed it.

  Raven was sitting at the picnic table drawing. He slowly walked over and sat across from her. He watched as her hands moved back and forth, but she never looked up at him. He could tell she was drawing, but he had no clue what. Her hand held her notebook up blocking his view.

  They stayed silent until she finally stopped. Tilting her head to the side, she turned her notepad and showed him what she was drawing. His mouth fell open as he got a good look. He twisted and looked toward the alpha’s house. Jade and Lennox were piled up on the swing snuggling.

  Her drawing was so vivid. He took a second look and saw all the details nobody else would know, but he knew, and Raven drew it with perfection. Lennox’s and Jade’s initials were cut into one of the beams of their home. He shook his head.

  “This is beautiful, Raven. I...never knew you could draw. I’ve never seen any of your stuff. This is beyond beautiful. It’s a masterpiece,” Caz said, smiling. “Why do you keep this a secret? You’re so good at it.”

  “I’m a hunter. And that’s all I ever wanted to be. I love to draw, but only when I’m off or have nothing else to do. You really think I’m good?”

  Caz snorted. “Are you kidding? Have you ever shown anyone your work before?”

  Shaking her head, Raven turned the picture back to her and stared at it. “Nah, doubt anyone would buy it. Maybe something to put in a litter box or something, but I wouldn’t call it a work of art.”

  Grabbing her hand, Caz gave her his “serious” look. He wanted her to know he meant what he was going to say. “This is a work of art, and its breathtaking, and yes, you should show it.”

  “Never showed my work to anyone before. Not even Leo.” Raven snorted, then looked up at him. “He’s asked, of course, but it was something I wanted to keep to myself. You know?”

  Caz smiled. “But you showed me.”

  “Well, of course. You’re my mate,” Raven said, and they looked up at each other at the same time.

  He swallowed hard. If he said something, she may take it back, and right now, she admitted they were mates. Thank you, Lord.

  “I thought about framing it and giving it to them for their anniversary. It’s coming up in a couple of weeks. I never know what to give people for gifts. I just thought...maybe--”

  He watched as Raven started to tear it out of the notebook. He grabbed it before she could rip it up. “No...no, no. This is the perfect gift. Look, if Lennox and Jade don’t rave over it, then I will give you a thousand dollars cash.

  “And if they laugh and throw it to the side, then I will still give you a thousand dollars and an extra thousand. I’m so sure they will absolutely love it that I’m willing to bet that much money. I have faith in you, Raven.”

  Clutching at his arm, she smiled for a second and then it disappeared. Raven turned the notebook around and started drawing more to it. The more she drew, the more at peace his tiger became. Propping his head up with his arm, he watched as his mate drew.

  He continued to watch each stroke of her pencil as more and more of the alpha’s cabin came to light. Her small smile and beautiful hazel eyes glanced in his direction. “You’re purring.”

  “I’m content. My tiger is relaxed and happy with you,” Caz muttered.

  “Are you serious? But we hardly know each other. I know our kind are different, but--”

  Caz put his hand on her arm, stopping her. “Just let it happen, Raven. I’ve learned that my mate is an artist and a talented one at that. I’m happy just sitting here under the trees watching you draw. Just let it be, baby.”

  The soft rose color painted her neck and up to her face. “Okay,” she whispered.

  And as she continued to draw, he continued to run his fingers up and down her arm. Why? Because she was letting him touch her and that was a miracle. He didn’t remember the last time he felt so tranquil, and the way she was looking, his mate felt content too.

  He felt someone behind him. Apparently, Raven figured it out the same time. His purring had turned to growling until his alpha stood in front of them. Raven quickly turned the page.

  “I thought for a minute my mind was playing tricks on me, but Jade assured me that I was seeing what I thought.” He lifted his hand stopping Raven from commenting. “I’m not here to judge or comment, only that I just received a call from Calum. He said he was invited to see the home of Wyatt Benjamin. Calum also said that I was invited since we were eating dinner with him tonight. That was the only way we could all go. Just come as you are. We are leaving now.”

  Caz and Raven both stood and got in the back of Lennox’s SUV. “Don’t you think it would be odd for all of us to show up?”

  “Not really. He’s a billionaire and loves to show off or, at least, that’s how Calum is. He’s the only billionaire I know and as soon as his house was completed, he had a party to display it. He’s having a masquerade ball to show off his new ballroom,” Jade said.

  “You’re rich, Jade, but you don’t show off,” Raven answered. Nobody said anything at first. You could cut the tension with a knife. He closed his eyes waiting for it, but when nothing happened, he let out the breath he was holding.

  “I’m not a billionaire, Raven,” Jade answered.

  “Yet. This is how you have to think, Jade. But you will. We all know how talented you are.” Raven assured her.

  “You really think so?” Jade asked. She had turned in her seat and stared, just like he was.

  “Come on. Of course, I think that. Tell her, Lennox. We all know that.”

  And just like that, the biggest smile came across Jade's face and even Lennox smiled at his mate. “See, baby, I told you you’re a great businesswoman.”

  “Thank you.” And the rest of the ride to meet Calum and Riley was peaceful. He studied his mate, wondering if she was acting or if she really meant her compliment. He listened for any change in her breathing or a wink, but nothing. Raven actually complimented her alpha’s mate and this was what had him guessing if he really knew her at all.

  Of course, they had just met, but Caz was great at gaging people. All except Raven. He didn’t have time to study her more when they pulled up at Calum’s. He was already waiting in the car as they got behind him and followed him to the target’s new residence.

  This was another problem for them. Why would a city billionaire move to a small town in Georgia? What was Wyatt Benjamin and Boris Connor up to? These were the questions they needed answered.

  According to his sister, Calum was a nervous wreck about his friend. Why would Boris be involved and to what extent? He was on the vampire council which was a huge problem.

  “Goodness,” Jade whispered as they pulled up at the front gate. “It’s so...so--”

  “Tall.” Raven finished her sentence, but she was right. This gate was made of brick and mortar, and a
t least twelve feet high.

  “Why would someone need a fence that tall?” Jade asked.

  “So you can’t see what’s going on behind it, which is why we were invited. To take the speculation off him. Make sure you spread out and cover as much ground as you can while we are here. He’s hiding something,” Lennox said.

  They drove through the gate and armed guards were everywhere. The grounds were covered in tall trees, but the guards all stared at them as they went by. Raven and he both turned around and watched as the guards continued to stare at them as they drove down the long driveway.

  Raven turned around and frowned. “Creepy, if you ask me. What do they think we have in here, a bomb?”

  “It was a little strange. You told Cosmo where we were going?” Jade asked, turning toward her mate.

  He glanced at her and smiled. “Of course, baby. There are enough Death Hunters just over that ridge if anything happens. It will be fine.”

  “I know. It’s just like Raven said, creepy. Why all the fire power?” Jade asked. “We are only country folk, not the mob.”

  “Well, technically, we could be considered a mob of shifters,” Lennox said, winking at Jade. But it was a valid question and Caz knew the alpha was only trying to put Jade as ease. Even his tiger was on the lookout. For what though? What had him spooked?

  As they pulled around the corner, his mouth fell open. Calum’s house was impressive, but this was something seen in the movies. The biggest castle he had ever witnessed. “He built a castle in Georgia.”

  “Jeez, it’s really a castle, Lennox. How much money does this man have and look at all the guards.”

  Now his tiger was pacing. He glanced around taking in every angle. Something wasn’t right and Jade was correct, how much money did this man have and why did he need so many hired guns?

  “Just take it easy, hunters. I sent Cosmo a text and they will be patrolling, and he’s already placed a call to Dixon and Crenshaw. If anything goes down, they will attack and ask questions later. Don’t go anywhere alone. Got it.”

  His alpha didn’t have to say it twice, but Jade looked like she was about to bolt. “Baby, calm down, you will only unnerve us. Nothing will happen to you, I promise.”

  “Lennox, who do you think you are talking to? I have enough magic in me to drop every brick of this castle on this rich man’s head if he even thinks twice about hurting any of us.” Jade announced, then opened her door. They all sat there for a minute taking in what Jade just said.

  “Don’t piss my mate off, people. Because she could do just that,” Lennox said, getting out of the truck.

  Caz and Raven looked at each other and then smiled and got out. It still didn’t stop the tension boiling inside him. His tiger still paced, watching and smelling anything that scented off. His mate was beside him and he wouldn’t hesitate to shift and kill anything that came near her. But just like him, Raven was checking out everyone and everything as well.

  They were also watching Jade, because Quinn and Scarlett told them that between Jade and Greer, they had enough power to take out the whole county. If they knew how to use it. Scarlett was working with both of them because neither knew how to control the magic.

  He had heard about witches and even dealt with them, but until he met Greer, Jade, and Quinn, he never liked them. Thankfully, he learned that all witches were not alike. Funny how you have this prejudgment about others until you really figure it out.

  “Welcome to my home.” They all watched as a tall man approximately six-foot, seven-inches tall came around the house and greeted them. Staring him up and down, Caz noted the man didn’t even have on shoes. He was barefoot and very young looking. Nothing like the pictures he had seen. This man was in his late twenties if that old.

  Even Lennox looked confused. All except Calum. He greeted the man calling him by the man they were all supposed to meet. “Hello…Wyatt. This is spectacular.”

  “Thank you, Calum. I’ve always wanted a castle and never found one I liked enough to buy but I had a clean slate here and decided to build it. It took five crews to get it built so fast.” He glanced at Raven and smiled. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Hello, I’m Wyatt Benjamin.”

  If the man continued to stare at his mate, he was going to rip his eyes from his head. Caz just about did, but his mate threw her hand out to the billionaire. “Hello, I’m Raven Verdes and this is Caz Milton.”

  Wyatt glanced at Calum. “Didn’t you say that your wife was a Milton?”

  “She was and that is her brother and Raven is his girlfriend,” Calum answered, defeating the tension before he started the killing.

  Opening the front door, Wyatt held his hand out welcoming them in. “I’m so glad you all came. I was hoping to meet people. When I bought this land, I was afraid I wouldn’t know a soul. Now look, I’ve already met some of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Come, let’s go through the house. I have prepared a meal for us out back on the patio. It’s too pretty to eat inside.”

  “We didn’t expect to eat, Wyatt, just thought we would stop by before we went to dine. You didn’t have to do this,” Calum expressed.

  “Nonsense. I couldn’t invite you over without feeding you first. Now what kind of host would I be?” They followed Wyatt through the house, and even though it was a castle, it had a very homey feeling. Large sofas and chairs sat in a living room area where men and women sat watching TV. They all stared at them as they passed. None of them smiled, but carefully watched them.

  Caz couldn’t explain it, but these people didn’t look like they were staff. They looked like they lived there. Almost like his home. The pack house. This was so strange. Even Calum was taking it all in, but these were humans. Not shifters or vampires, but humans.

  The kitchen was bigger than the one in Calum’s house. Two stoves and two industrial style refrigerators. It looked like something out of a restaurant. But the beauty was still there and people were mingling in the kitchen, sitting at the bar and the giant table.

  Again, as they passed, they all stopped what they were doing and stared.

  Holy crap, was this a cult?

  When they made it outside, holy moly, the grounds were incredible, and the back porch was unreal. Tables were set up with food piled on them. Did he expect them to eat all of that? He ate a lot, but this wasn’t a party. It was just them.

  “Please sit and let’s eat then take a tour,” Wyatt suggested, pulling out a seat for Raven. He made sure she was next to him as they sat. As soon as they did, the old Raven came out.

  “Just a quick question, but is this like a cult of some kind?” Everyone froze. Apparently they all had the same question because they all looked at Wyatt waiting for an answer. Caz’s mate had no filter. He was already figuring that out.

  Wyatt snorted, then busted out laughing. “Sorry, but I guess it does give that impression. No, we are all family. My family is spread out over the world and I want to get them together, hence the castle. So, to answer your question, Raven, this is my family. I offered them a place to live for free and even employed most of them. I really have enjoyed it and they seem to as well, but not a cult, just my family.”

  “This is my sister, Charlie. I hope you don’t mind if she joins us.” They all turned toward the back door as a beautiful woman with blonde hair and black highlights walked toward them. She carried a basket with fruit.

  “Hello,” Charlie said. She was terribly shy and didn’t look at any of them long in the face. Still, this was strange. Beautiful and tall. She had to be at least six feet. This was turning out to be the strangest day he had ever had. The woman was stunning but something was off about these people including their host. Was he the mastermind behind the taking of shifters?

  Caz looked away from the female and at his mate who was watching him like a hawk. He winked at her trying to calm her. Nothing about the woman attracted him. He only had eyes for Raven.

  “Let’s eat, everyone. I have plenty of food,” Wyatt said.

/>   Chapter Thirteen

  Raven noticed Charlie continued to glance up at everyone, but she didn’t like the fact the woman continued to look at Caz a little too much. But something was so strange about Wyatt Benjamin and all his family. All twelve thousand of them. Who asked all of their family to live with them in a castle in Georgia of all places? Okay, maybe back in the dark ages, but not today. Unless…

  Raven readjusted in her seat and waited until everyone was up and filling their plates. Wyatt was still sitting at the table with his sister. “Mr. Benjamin, I was—”

  “Please call me Wyatt.”

  “Okay, Wyatt, where is your family from?”

  Wyatt shifted in his seat and glanced at his sister who also looked uncomfortable at her question. “Well, we are from Arizona and a lot of my family lived there. Some come from England, Australia, and Europe. But most are from Arizona. They all seem to love the weather here and trees. Have you always lived here in New Hope, Raven?”

  This man was good at only giving enough information and changing the subject. “No, I was born in Alaska, but moved here about three years ago. We also love the weather and trees,” Raven said. Yes, she was being a smart butt, and yes, she knew he knew she was. Still she was who she was and it didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest.

  He even chuckled when she said it. Caz put his plate down and put his hand on her shoulder. “I can make you a plate if you want.”

  “Nah, but thanks.” She got up and went to the table set up with more food than they could eat, but when you have a clan of people living here, she suspected it wouldn’t go to waste.

  “How long have you two been together?” Charlie asked, putting food on her plate.

  Raven couldn’t stop the growl that escaped her as she stared at the woman. “Not long, why?”

  “I’m sorry. You both make a sweet couple. I meant no harm. I like to people watch and he’s very attentive to you. I could tell he likes you a lot. Please forgive my manners. I meant no harm.” Charlie nodded, and walked back to the table.