“Yeah, we did okay, old man,” she snorted, but her eyes filled with love when she said it. “Plus, if I’d had a mother, she’d have lost her shit when I started hunting demons down in droves at the age of ten.”
Xavier laughed along with the men, and I shook my head. I couldn’t imagine doing what she did. Even though I’d held a god within me, I didn’t wish to hunt down monsters. Plus, Fenrir had only been allowed to interfere so far, and the rest had been up to me.
“The mountain is thawing, and with it brings new beginnings. I have a few kids who went through hell and need someplace to lie low for a bit. They’re good kids, and I intend to train them when they’re ready. We have some things happening at the guild, and some old friends have been coming around,” Xavier announced.
“They’re human, aren’t they?” I asked, watching Xavier turn to look at me. “And those old friends, they’re not friends at all.”
“You’re correct, and I can’t have these kids around with what those old friends coming around might mean. I’d rather send them here, where they’ll be safe. My guild is filled with hunters and those who don’t house enough genetics to be considered full-bred, with enough blood to belong to a specific race. We’re mutts, with enhanced senses, speed, agility, good for hunting, but not much else since none of us are accepted by our races.”
“Have you considered shipping them to E.V.I.E.?” Saint asked, his stare sliding to Chaos, who had fallen asleep with Lycia cradled in his arms. He smirked, sliding his eyes to hold mine with silent laughter.
“Yeah, but Rhys isn’t sending more people in while they’re shifting alliances. He’s got his hands full with his child on the way. He’s got a spitfire that wants his nuts mounted above her fireplace. Ian and Hunter offered, but again, they’re human. I wouldn’t send humans to the King of Vampires, even if he is the head of that house. And Hunter, shit, I wouldn’t send my enemies to him. The fae enjoy breaking humans and owning them.”
“Send them here,” I replied, holding Saint’s stare. “We know wounded, and we know how to help them the best so that they can be emotionally and physically healed. We have mixed breeds up here now, and we tend to collect broken things and find a place for them in our pack. Our rate of helping those in need has increased, and they seem to enjoy it here. We have the room and the resources. You helped us when we needed it. We may not have known or assisted my father, but many of the broken people are in that position because of him. We can help them, but we won’t keep them here if they decide to leave.”
Xavier looked at Saint for the answer, and he smiled tightly at me before nodding. “She’s the alpha’s mate. Her word is the same as mine here, Xavier. If my mate says yes, then I agree. She’s smarter than I am and much wiser than I suspected. However, if they hurt my pack, I will end them. We’ll see if they fit in here, and if they do, they can stay. You don’t ask for much in return for what you do, so know that if you ever need us, we’re here.”
“I know that, Saint. I knew what kind of person you were when I saved you and Eryx from that shithole cell where we’d found you. I also knew that you were worth saving, even though you didn’t think you were.”
Saint hadn’t believed he could be saved after he’d been forced to murder others. He’d spent the time with Xavier atoning for his crimes, even though they hadn’t been his. He’d told me everything he’d done, explaining shit that made my stomach curl. I hadn’t condemned him or judged him because he’d been told to do it or die. I couldn’t imagine not having him back with me.
In the little time we’d had together, life had settled into the perfect mess that had been missing from my life. I had people who knew what I’d been through and didn’t judge me. They had been through hell too, and somehow, we’d all come out stronger.
Life wasn’t what you went through—it was the end result, the happiness you took as the moments came amid the chaos. Our family had a rocky start, but I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side. The pack was thriving, and Saint brought a security that I hadn’t known was missing. He had been missing from my life when I’d rejected him, but the pack had also suffered without him and his crew.
Saint drew closer, picking me up to sit me on his lap while we watched the men pushing the swing, checking it for safety. They’d turned into protectors and large children around the kids. They were healing, which wasn’t something you could force to happen. It had to happen on its own, and time truly did heal wounds when you allowed it.
“You’re beautiful and happy,” Saint whispered against my ear.
“I am happy. I am so happy that I don’t even think it’s real half the time,” I admitted.
“I love you, Braelyn. This is real. This is our family and us.”
“It’s perfect,” I swallowed thickly as my tone filled with emotions. “I couldn’t dream of a better family or ending to a bunch of broken misfits. This is our world, and you are mine. You, Chaos, and Lycia are my reward for enduring all the pain until the world was right. I love you, Saint Kingsley. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
“With you at my side? That’s a loaded comment,” he laughed, kissing my cheeks as he reached over, ensuring his daughter was warm enough in our son’s arms.
Phones started chiming, and I adjusted on Saint’s lap as he pulled his out of his pocket. He stared at the screen before lifting his eyes to Xavier’s, who was peering around the room.
“Enzo hasn’t ever asked for help before. This can’t be good,” Saint stated, even as he tightened his arms around me. “We have to go.”
“Yeah, because if the witches are around him, it means his enemies from his past are near. He doesn’t ask for help because he and his brother are scary mother fuckers. Whatever it is, it won’t be good, and we need to prepare for that. I need to head home and get a team together. I’ll meet you guys at Hell’s Cauldron. Brae, always a pleasure,” Xavier said, leaning over to clasp hands with Saint before placing a chaste kiss on my forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep him safe. He’s got a family now.”
“I’m not worried about Saint. I’m worried for whoever is stupid enough to mess with Enzo and Ezekiel. That is probably the biggest mistake someone could make,” I admitted.
The men chuckled, but there was worry in it. I stood as Saint rose from the couch before smiling tightly at me. He leaned over to grip my jaw, kissing me hard and fast, then pulled away slowly, studying me.
“I need to go call Enzo and see what we’re dealing with and what’s happened. Don’t worry. Whoever it is, they won’t live long enough to be a problem.” I smirked at his statement, knowing it wouldn’t be as easy as they made it sound. Enzo was powerful, and he was calling in reinforcements. That alone screamed that something big was unfolding. “I’ll be back shortly, and when I return, you better be in my bed waiting for me. I’m not leaving here without you being boneless and properly fucked.”
“Promise?” I whispered, smiling devilishly.
“I promise you won’t be able to speak by the time I’m finished with you,” Saint grinned, heading for the door with the others trailing behind him.
Saint had a purpose, and I wouldn’t stand in his way. The pack came first, but Saint trusted me to run it while he was out saving lives. I’d accepted who he’d become, and he recognized that I had been running the pack alone and could handle pretty much anything the world threw at me. It was a push-and-pull relationship, but we’d found a balance. I knew that no matter what, Saint would always return to me. At the end of the day, it was the only thing that mattered.
The End
Other Series by Amelia Hutchins
Legacy of the Nine Realms – Epic Fantasy Series
Aria and her sisters return to the human realm of Haven Falls to find one of their own is missing. They soon discover things have changed in the human realm and that nothing is what it seems, including Knox, the egotistical, self-centered, frustratingly gorgeous man who declared himself King during the
ir absence.
Sparks fly when the two enter a fiery battle of wills as Aria learns she is more than just a witch in the Hecate bloodline; she is much, much more.
Will Aria embrace her savage side to find her sister and save her family, or will she burn to ashes from his heated kisses and burning hot embrace?
Knox has ulterior motives for being in Haven Falls and never expected the little witch to show up and brazenly challenge his rule.
It was supposed to be easy; get in and get out. Move pieces into place and set the stage for the war he’s been planning for over five hundred years. Aria is his sworn enemy, but something within her calls to him, and he hates himself for craving the fiery kisses that have reignited his cold, dead heart. One taste and he thought he could get her out of his system. He was wrong.
Will Knox let go of the memories of the past, driving his need for revenge that will destroy the pretty little witch he craves, or will he push the boundaries to fight for and claim what is his by right? Either way, war is inevitable. And nothing will stop him from reaching for what is his.
Begin the journey with book one—Flames of Chaos
Amazon: shorturl.at/sIQS3
The Fae Chronicles – Paranormal Romance Series
Have you ever heard of the old Celtic legends of the Fae, beautiful, magical, deadly, and a love of messing with humans just for kicks and giggles?
Welcome to my world.
What started as a strange assignment leads to one of the most gruesome murder mysteries of our times, and my friends and I are set and resolved to find out who is killing off Fae and witches alike.
There are a couple of problems in the way. I hate the Fae, and the Prince of the Dark Fae is bound and determined that I work for him. He’s a rude, overbearing, egotistical ass with a compulsive need to possess, dominate, and control me. Oh, did I mention that he is absolutely sex-on-a-stick gorgeous, and he makes me feel things that I never ever wanted to feel for a Fae?
Every time he touches me or looks at me with those golden eyes, he seems to pull me further under his spell, despite my better judgment.
My friends and I can’t trust anyone and nothing is as it seems on the surface. Not even me.
My story begins with me—Fighting Destiny
Amazon: shorturl.at/itwE0
Monsters – Dark Fantasy Romance Series
My coven has remained hidden in the shadows for centuries. We’ve avoided the ‘real world’ altogether, hiding from monsters and other creatures sharing this planet.
We found refuge in the Colville National Forest, nestled in a town protected
by magical barriers. But our powers are locked by an ancient curse; one meant to protect us from being found.
Until now.
The past has a way of repeating itself. A new game is beginning, and no one is safe.
He’s coming for me.
He’s hunting.
The monster we’ve run from for centuries has found us.
How far will this deadly game go?
How far will I be able to take it, or will he destroy me and everything I care about?
Will the one thing I can’t live without be the key to destroying and undoing the past?
Or will the past destroy me before I can save the people I love from what I’ve done?
Begin the ride—Playing with Monsters
Amazon: shorturl.at/uCUZ8
Bulletproof Damsel – Urban Fantasy Series
One sassy female weapons master who doesn't get out much.
One alpha-hole who lays claim to her the moment he sets eyes on her.
Remington is a weapon in the hands of her enemies, and Rhys intends to use her.
An ancient family feud between the infamous Van Helsings and Silversmiths who once made their weapons legendary...
What could possibly go wrong?
For Remington Silversmith? Apparently everything.
When Remi comes face-to-face with Rhys Van Helsing, the world will never be the same again.
One little Bullet incites war—Bulletproof Damsel
Amazon: shorturl.at/hvV58
Moon-Kissed – High Fantasy
Alexandria Helios is on a mission to find her brother. Landon disappeared on his quest to find the Sacred Library that holds the cure to the moon sickness affecting their people. There is one problem. Alexandria’s journey will take her through the Kingdom of Night and directly into Torrin’s path as the head of the Night King’s army. He’s egotistical, sexy, sin incarnate, and everything she knows she shouldn’t want, but his whispered promise of dark desires awakens something deep within her that makes him hard to resist.
Torrin didn’t expect the lead assassins of the Moon Clan to walk into his trap. Alexandria has ignited something within him he thought was gone, and he knows he shouldn’t crave her, but he does. She’s a fire in a world of ice, bathed in blood and moonlight that calls to the darkness within him.
Secrets are unraveling as both are tossed into a ploy that neither is destined to survive. Can they find common ground and work together to defeat the darkness? Or will the world come crashing down around them as they tear each other apart?
Anything can happen once you’re—Moon-Kissed
Amazon: shorturl.at/cxBIM
About the Author
Amelia Hutchins is the number one national bestselling author of the Monsters, The Fae Chronicles, and Nine Realm series. She is an admitted coffee addict, who drinks magical potions of caffeine and turns them into magical worlds. She writes alpha-hole males and the alpha women who knock them on their arses, hard. She doesn’t write romance. She writes fast-paced books that go hard against traditional standards. Sometimes a story isn’t about the romance; it’s about rising to a challenge, breaking through them like wrecking balls, and shaking up entire worlds to discover who they really are. If you’d like to check out more of her work, or just hang out in an amazing tribe of people who enjoy rough men, and sharp women, join her at Author Amelia Hutchins Group on Facebook.
Stalker Links
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1240287822683404/
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