The Hunter’s Awakening

by Bryce Evans

  “You think I’m playing around? You think I want this? I don’t want a damn mate,” Cosmo yelled. A noise got their attention. When they looked up, Haven, Quinn, and Jade were standing at the back door. The look on Haven’s face told him that she heard the conversation. Even Jade and Quinn looked at her distressed face.

  Haven walked back into the store. Jade yelled at him. “What the hell is wrong with you? That girl has been through hell and now you say you don’t want her.”

  “She wasn’t supposed to hear that. I can’t have a mate. The Old One told me if I take a mate, she will die,” Cosmo said, wringing his hands through his hair. He started pacing. Jade and Quinn walked over to Lennox. When he glanced up, they were still watching him.

  “What do you mean she will die? Why is this the first time I’m hearing of this?” Lennox asked.

  “Because I never thought I would meet my mate. I won’t do that to Haven. She’s special and beautiful. She deserves so much more than…”

  “Than what?”

  “Me.”

  “Well, at least we can agree on that,” Lennox said, then Jade punched him in the arm. “Ouch. It’s true, but…if my sister has a mate, at least I know she will be treated like a queen and protected.”

  Cosmo thought he misheard his best friend. His head jerked up. “What did you say?”

  “I’m not saying it again. You heard me, stupid.”

  “I think you just said that I’m the best absolute magnificent person in the whole wide world,” Cosmo said, smiling.

  “Let’s not stretch the truth. You’re still on thin ice with me, beta. I was hoping my sister would be able to live a little before this happened. Now she thinks you don’t want her. She’s—”

  “Special, I know, but I won’t take her as a mate, Lennox. The Old One told me never to take a mate, that she would die if we ever mated. I can’t take that chance with Haven. I won’t take a chance with her life.”

  “Who…who told you that crap?” Lennox asked, laughing.

  “Natalie.”

  “Jeez, Cosmo, you know she was going crazy before she died. Why did she tell you something like that?” Lennox asked.

  “She wanted me to meet her granddaughter, but I saw her picture and let’s just say, hell no, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t take one for the team either. So, I told her I had made an oath to wait for my mate. She stopped and closed her eyes, said she had a vision. You know the witch had visions and she had never been wrong. She said if I took a mate, the chances were high that she would die if we got together. I believed her. Why wouldn’t I? She wouldn’t lie to me.”

  Lennox shook his head and looked at Jade. “I can’t believe he just said that. I don’t even know what to say, except that has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Natalie Reez was crazy. Do you hear me? Cra--zee! She told you that because you turned down her granddaughter, you fool.”

  “No…I don’t think so. She was serious, Lennox. Her eyes rolled back in her head. The woman had never been wrong about her visions. That’s why I can’t mate Haven. It’s not that I don’t want too, but I can’t take a chance of her dying.”

  “You idiot. You’re going to let my sister go through life without a mate. A true mate. I should kill you right here and spare her the misery,” Lennox said, getting up.

  Jade put her hand up between Lennox and him. “Why don’t you talk to Scarlett. She must know this Natalie and I’m sure she can make heads or tails out of this debacle. But I think you need to tell Haven the truth. She deserves that information from you Cosmo. Go on, go now.”

  Coming around to the store’s front porch, Cosmo watched as Haven rocked back and forth in the chair, her head tilted back as the sun shined on her face. A couple guards stood off to the side and Quinn sat beside her. She smiled as he pointed to Haven. Without making a sound, she got up, so he could sit next to Haven.

  He turned his head and watched as she silently enjoyed the sun without even knowing he sat there.

  “What do you want?” Haven muttered without opening her eyes.

  His eyes widened. “I didn’t think you knew I was here.”

  “My bear let me know. I smell your scent,” Haven said, still she didn’t open her eyes.

  “And what does your bear think about me?”

  Her sweet face scrunched up. “She doesn’t think much of you.”

  The smile left his mouth. Damn that hurt.

  “You sure, because I think she does.” Now he tried to get her to like him? This would be his way out. If she hated him then she would imprint on another shifter and live happily ever after. The claws of his bear swiped against his chest so hard, it made him lean over gasping for air. Haven was their mate and he wasn’t happy with someone else claiming their mate.

  “What’s wrong?” Haven leaned up in her chair with her hand on his back. “Are you sick? Oh, do shifters get sick?”

  “Look—”

  “Let’s just be friends. We were friends once, right?” Haven asked. Her hand lay on his back. The heat of her warmth penetrated his insides, and damn they felt good. She didn’t even know what her touch did to him. If he continued to stay this close, he couldn’t keep from claiming her. Damn that mage. Was Lennox right about her being crazy?

  Haven held out her hand waiting for him to shake. “Okay, friends.” There was nothing wrong with being friends. He was having trouble pushing his hand out.

  “You want to come inside and learn about the store?” Jade asked, standing at the door getting Haven’s attention.

  “Of course,” Haven said. She got up and walked to the door but stopped and looked back at him. “That’s good about just being friends. I don’t think I would like you any other way.”

  He heard the snort from the Dixon pack guards standing off to the side.

  He gave them the look that he would break every bone in their bodies if they even looked in his direction. His mouth gaped as his mate sauntered off like she didn’t have a care in the world. As the door closed, he muttered, “She doesn’t want me.” She didn’t want him as a mate. He held on to the chair before he fell and made a bigger fool of himself. His mate just turned him down. What are you talking about? You didn’t want her. Remember?

  As he got up to pace, he heard someone step onto the porch. “Who are you talking to?” Lennox asked, staring at him.

  He stopped and looked around. Even the Dixon Pack guards were staring at him. He couldn’t blame them, he paced back and forth, talking to himself.

  “Nobody.”

  “You were talking to yourself again.”

  “No, I wasn’t.”

  “Is it your imaginary friend?” Lennox said then laughed.

  “You’re enjoying this way too much. I think I hate you,” Cosmo said, walking to the truck.

  “Come on, you gave me hell when I met Jade. It’s fair. So, suck it up, buttercup.”

  “No, no, no. I tried but you used the alpha jazz on me and I let you slide. I didn’t give you hardly any shit. None, but this is your sister. Are you not upset about this?”

  Shaking his head, Lennox stopped at his truck and stared at him. He knew that look. That’s what he had been expecting when he found out Haven was his mate, but this attitude made no sense.

  “I want to rip your head off, but you’ve been my best friend forever. Plus, you’re the beta of the Death Hunters and it would be too hard to replace you if I killed you. But I know you will take care of her and that’s all that matters. Now, let’s talk to Scarlett about these mages. Haven is worried, and she’s been with them for a long time and knows their methods. We need to come up with a plan if they do find their way to New Hope.”

  “I will always protect Haven, but I don’t think she wants me as a mate,” Cosmo said, making the motion of thumbs up. “So you’re good on not killing me.”

  Lennox just smiled and backed up the truck. “Oh, buddy, remember those words you used on m—that women are fickle, and one day they hate you, and one day they love you.
Today, she hates you.”

  Cosmo didn’t know why that smart-ass comment gave him hope, but it did. The only problem was they were leaving, and he didn’t know if he could stay away from her. But he had to talk to Scarlett about Natalie Reez’s vision.

  Haven stood at the register with Jade and Quinn. Both continued to glance back and forth at each other. She knew they heard what Cosmo said. She wasn’t stupid, but she had only a little knowledge. What if? Looking up at them, she asked, “Can you make shifters mate with each other if they are true mates? And how do you even know if the person you’re attracted to is your true mate?”

  “Let’s do the register another day. I think we need coffee and buns and a little girl talk,” Quinn suggested, pulling her toward the bakery door.

  “Oh…Okay…” Haven said as she glanced back at Jade.

  “Sit down and let me get you the best desert you have ever had,” Quinn said, going behind the counter with Simone.

  “I was in your shoes…before. To be honest, I had never even kissed a boy before your brother. Never thought a man would ever want me, but…” Jade smiled, looking out the window then back at her. “Lennox made me feel things I never felt—only read about. He made me feel beautiful.”

  “Jade, you are beautiful. Of course, men want you,” Haven said.

  Smiling, Jade put her hand on top of hers. “You are so sweet, but I remember thinking that a man like Lennox could never want me. I had a hard time like you are having, but Cosmo wants you. I see it in his face. He just needs time to adjust like you do. You just got here, for goodness sake. You have a new family and friends. Just take a deep breath and take one minute at a time.”

  Quinn sat with a tray full of the most delectable sweets she had ever seen. Pointing at it, she smiled. “That is the biggest honey bun I have ever seen.” Haven couldn’t help but want to gobble it down. The scent of honey and something else drifted around her like a cocoon. She was in sugar heaven.

  “Now, to answer your questions,” Quinn said. “First, no, we can’t make you mate with your true mate, but we don’t have to because the mating pull will do that for you. Once it starts, and by the look of Cosmo, it has already started. But since you have just gotten your bear back it may take a while for you.

  “It did me, and it did Jade. But once it starts, oh boy, you will find it hard to stay away from the man. Second question, you will know he is your mate. It’s a totally different feeling than a man you’re interested in or think is good looking. Even if you are sexually attracted to him. There is a huge difference when it’s your mate. So…” Quinn glanced at Jade then bit her bottom lip and asked, “Are you attracted to Cosmo?”

  “What have I missed? Who’s attracted to whom?” Simone asked, setting coffee mugs down.

  “Cosmo,” Quinn said, putting a big bite of chocolate croissant in her mouth. “Oh my, this is wonderful, Simone. Is that raspberry filling inside?”

  “You like?” Simone asked.

  “Stay on task girls,” Jade said, nodding at Haven who was staring at her plate.

  “Haven, what’s wrong?” Quinn asked.

  Blowing out a deep breath, she glanced up at them, “I don’t know how I feel right now about all of this. I can’t stop thinking that the coven is going to find me, and they will hurt one of you or all of you. I’m scared for my brother, who I…”

  “It’s okay, Haven. Really, it’s understandable that you’re feeling like this. A lot has happened in a short amount of time and nobody is pushing you to mate. Cosmo won’t push you either,” Jade said, patting her hand.

  “But he doesn’t want to mate me. You heard him. He can’t, he said. I’m not his type. I mean look at the man,” Haven said, pulling on her fingers. It was best that Cosmo said he didn’t want her. That way she could find a job and lead a normal life. Then why did his words hurt so badly?

  Quinn and Jade both laughed.

  When she frowned, Quinn said, “Sorry, were not laughing at you, but I see the way he looks at you. Oh, he wants you, honey, but he’s fighting it. They all do. He knows that you are having a hard time right now and probably doesn’t want to put any more stress on you. Take all those nasty thoughts out of your head. We have all gone through this.”

  “But I sure liked what you told him before you came in the store. It threw him for a loop. I wish you guys could have seen Cosmo’s face when Haven told him they should just be friends because she didn’t think she could like him any other way.”

  All three girls busted out laughing. Haven couldn’t help but smile and laugh with them. She had never had friends and never sat at a table just having girl talk. She couldn’t explain it, but what a wonderful feeling, and even though her thoughts drifted back to Cosmo, she was having fun for the first time in her life with people she could call friends.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “She said what?” Scarlett threw her head back, laughing.

  “She said if I took a mate that she would die.” Cosmo didn’t think any of this was funny. Everybody took what the mage said seriously. Her visions were always right.

  “Natalie was angry because you turned her granddaughter down. Cosmo, every man has turned that witch down. Actually, they ran as fast as they could. She told them the same thing. One day your mate will die. Of course, she will. We all will. Give me a break. She pulled the old vision trick on you. Nothing but a crazy old mage. Haven is your mate, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thought so when her bear didn’t attack you. If it had been anybody else, she would have ripped them open. At least her bear likes you. Don’t know about the human side though,” Scarlett said, walking out of the room.

  “What the hell?” Cosmo said, looking at Lennox who had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. “You’re loving this.”

  “Yep. Heard anything from Raven and the guys?”

  Cosmo got up and started pacing, “No, they went to the truck stop, but there wasn’t any sign of them. They must have moved on.”

  Narrowing his eyes, Lennox said, “Something tells me they are still there. He wanted Haven for a reason. Why? He wouldn’t have left thinking she may come back.”

  “It has to be because of you. Pawn, if I had to guess. If he had her, he could control you or at least he thinks he would have the upper hand,” Cosmo said, stopping in front of his desk. “He will do what he can to get her back. Without her, he has no control.”

  “That piece of shit will never get my sister back. We have to do what it takes to make sure he never gets his hands on her again.”

  “That will never happen. Over my dead body will I let anyone take her from me again.” Cosmo said.

  “That’s why I’m not mad about you being her mate, brother. You’re a killer like me and you will never let anything happen to my sister. I failed her once. I never will again.” That was the man he knew. Didn’t hurt that Haven would be in the same clan as them and would always be next door to him.

  “I need to get back to town. I can’t leave her for long,” Cosmo said, moving toward the door. He stopped before he opened it. “Hey…do you think Haven really hates me?”

  “Yep.”

  “What…really? What do I do?”

  “Well, for one, you can tell her the truth and tell her why you couldn’t have her as a mate. Don’t ever lie to my sister because if you do, yeah, man I’m going to kill ya.” Lennox said then walked out the door. Stopping and turning, Lennox added, “Oh, and I think we need to meet with Arden and Ben Crenshaw. It’s time we come together on some type of protection for this area. We have it covered on all sides. I think we are all smart enough to come up with a plan and outwit the mages if they do decide to come here. I’ll tell Scarlett. She should be in the meeting too. I think she likes it here with Quinn in New Hope. We may see her move. Don’t you think?”

  “You wouldn’t kill me? Would ya?”

  Lennox rolled his eyes. “Focus, Cosmo. Just don’t lie to her and be good to my sister. And you live. Like you alway
s say, it’s a win/win.”

  Cosmo smiled. He loved this man. “With Greer and now Jade here learning about her powers, I think Scarlett wants to be involved. Don’t know how the Old Ones are going to take one of their strongest if not the strongest mage moving away from them. It’s going to get interesting, and like you said, with Scarlett here in New Hope, it’s a win-win.”

  Haven smiled as Quinn told her story on how she hit her mate in the nose when they met. She liked this quirky woman. In fact, she liked all the people she had met. Everything they had built here had its own vibe to it. They all seemed to like each other and wanted to be in the town together. Nothing like her father told her about the shifters hating other packs.

  She actually loved it here with all the people coming in and out of the store. Simone, the owner, was sweet and very generous. She apparently had made a name for herself. Her bakery was way cooler than the others she had seen in other towns. This one even had a taffy machine in the front window.

  People gathered outside the window watching the taffy being pulled back and forth on the machine. She could smell the sweetness of pineapple and honey as it twisted around and around. What a delectable combination it would make. She couldn’t wait to taste it. Everywhere she looked, a different desert came out of the back room. Gooey Goodness Bakery was the bomb.

  “Are you always this busy?” Haven asked, looking at the crowd. She didn’t blame them. Her attention was drawn toward the side of the room where the machine weaved the taffy.

  “Pretty much. The weekends are way worse. They come in droves from all over. We are officially turning into a tourist town. We plan to put an herb and oil shop next door. I use a lot of it with my magic and it’s hard to find some of them, but I had a call from a man who would like to open up one here. He has a sister who does it too and they want to leave the Atlanta area, stating it was too big for them and wanted a slower life. I felt like they were running, but I guess we all were when we came to New Hope looking for a new life. I liked the guy, but of course, my over protective husband is doing a background check,” Simone replied.