Sitting down in a cross-legged position beside him, she wrapped an arm around him and laid her head against his shoulder. His arm came immediately around her as well, his fingers tangling in her hair. There was nothing she could say that he didn’t already know, no great wisdom she could offer when he knew more about his own species than she ever would. So, she simply remained quiet, offering her support, her company, her strength, and her ear should he wish to talk.
Several moments passed before Travis broke the silence. “I’m glad you’re here,” he murmured.
“There’s no place I’d rather be,” she told him honestly.
“She’s most likely been in stone for the entirety of the years she’s been missing, suffered unspeakable torture before her body crusted…” his voice cracked with emotion on the last and she squeezed him a bit tighter. Clearing his throat hard, he pushed through to say, “It’ll take time.”
“However long it takes,” was Morgan’s heart-felt response. “We’ll be here. We’ll bring her home.”
“God, I love you,” he rasped. His hand cupped the back of her head as he kissed her forehead and both of her cheeks, before claiming her lips in a scorching kiss that curled her toes in her boots.
When they finally broke the kiss, Travis rested his forehead against hers with a sigh. “I’m so grateful I met you. So beyond thankful that your instincts didn’t force us apart.”
Morgan grinned. “You’ll always make me tingle, Travis St. John. I like it.” Pecking his lips with a kiss, she added, “And I love you.”
She’d never get tired of saying those words, never stop being amazed that, despite their species’ instinctual animosity for each other, she’d somehow won the heart of a dragon.
Epilogue
It took three days of sleep and steady feedings from both Morgan’s and Kane’s pure blood before Jamie felt strong enough to leave her bed. She still couldn’t yet see, and her hands pained her mightily, but with assistance, she was able to move around the cabin, shower, and sit in the living room with them, insisting that she be brought up to date on what was going on. Her pain coupled with her lack of sight had made her cranky and demanding, a fact that amused them all, but especially Kane as Jamie barked at them to read the latest news to her from certain online sites.
The pack, for the most part, kept their distance, with the exception of Archer Langley who had stopped by to visit Jamie several times, most likely hoping that the vampire’s healing would see them leaving the pack’s territory the sooner. His methods, however, left something to be desired in Morgan’s estimation. He frequently taunted Jamie, sneering at her that her insistence on babying her injuries was a sign of weakness, adding that he should have expected as much from a vampire – the moniker being said with enough derision that Morgan would have yelled at the male if Jamie hadn’t beaten her to it. The verbal lashing the Turned vampire had given Langley was enough to scorch his ears. Surprisingly, instead of snarling in true predator fashion, the alpha had thrown back his head and laughed heartily, remarking that perhaps Jamie wasn’t as weak as he had assumed.
Kane, in the meantime, had taken full control of the territory, the announcement spreading far and wide among the Turned that called Louisiana home. All of them were on their best behavior as they waited to see the mettle of their new leader. His first order of business, to call off the hunt on the witches, promising severe retribution to any that ignored his mandate. Second, was a meeting with Destin Jourdain. The leader of the Order had made no promises, insisting, as he had with Morgan, that he would wait and see, but there was hope.
Rodolfo’s greenhouse of horrors was emptied out, those vampires still savable were given a second chance and nursed back to health, the unheard-of act of compassion cementing their loyalty to Kane.
Not wanting to be seen as filling Rodolfo’s shoes, Kane insisted that the Born’s villa be torn down despite there only being fire damage to the one side. It was also a final act of revenge done on Jamie’s behalf that they waited until she was finally able to open her eyes and watch as the building crumbled under the pack’s heavy-duty construction equipment.
The new home base that Morgan had imagined was currently in the planning stages, the pack offering to help – again, most likely in the hopes that they would be seeing the last of the vampires in their territory faster if Morgan and her team had a place to go. Jamie, Kane, and Travis offering opinions on the layout and design, even Archer Langley added a few helpful suggestions.
Morgan and Travis spent as much time as possible together, frequently walking hand in hand through the bayou or around the city, enjoying the music, the food, and the ever-festive atmosphere that lived and breathed in New Orleans.
Spirits were high, a sense of contentment in all of them, and Morgan was adamant she would enjoy it while it lasted. The threat of war was still an ever-present specter casting a shadow over their happiness… and a sleeping dragon had yet to wake.
Coming soon: A Hunter Turned, Hired Hunters Series Book 2
About The Author
Kimberly Forrest is an independently published paranormal romance author and a stay at home mom. While she’s currently living in Virginia, she was born and raised in Vermont where her Malsum Pass Series is set. She’s been an avid reader and fan of romance since she picked up her first romance novel at the age of thirteen.
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Also by Kimberly Forrest
The Malsum Pass Series
Malsum Pass
Until You: A Malsum Pass Novel
For Her: A Malsum Pass Novel
Meant To Be: A Malsum Pass Novel
Whole-Hearted: A Malsum Pass Novel
Small Moments: A Malsum Pass Novel
Soul Deep: A Malsum Pass Novel
Christmas in Malsum Pass: A Malsum Pass Novel
Fifty, Furred, and Fabulous!: A Malsum Pass Story
Misfits & Rogues Series
Tea with Monsters
Dinner with The Wolf
Chocolates from A Vampire
Brunch with An Angel
Hired Hunters Series
A Hunter Born
Coming Soon: A Hunter Turned
A Hunter Born (Hired Hunters Series Book 1) Page 15