Luna Hunted
Chapter 10

Kara

A few months later, I stood outside my old family home. Nostalgia swamped me and threatened to take my legs out from under me, but Titus’s arm was around my wa!st. His ch3st against my back held me steady. Protecting me like he said he would.

He’d transported Garth’s body back the week after he’d killed him. Apparently, Garth’s father had taken the news rather well. Surprise of all surprises there. I’d half expected Titus to have to kill my old alpha too.

For I was now a full-fledged member of the White River wolf pack.

Everyone had been so welcoming. Titus’s family was great and so was his second, Palmer. After being adrift for so long, it was nice to have a home. A family. To be connected to someone. As though I belonged in White River.

“Are you sure you want to go inside?” Titus asked, always the caring mate, even when he was being a dominant alpha.

“I do. I want to get the photographs and other stuff.”

“I promised to protect you against anything hurting you, and I sense you are in pain right now.”

“I am.” I leaned back into him. “But I need to face this before I move on.”

He sighed against my back.

I cracked open the back door and stepped inside. Everything was how I’d left it. All except Dad’s dead body on the floor. At least they’d buried Dad. Gave him a proper funeral even though I hadn’t been here. Tears welled in my eyes. Titus’s firm hand clasped mine as we made our way through the house with boxes in our arms. I placed framed photos and trinkets in the boxes, taking the belongings that held memories for me and my family.

Things to help me remember them by. Titus placed the full boxes on the floor and taped them shut. I left my clothes hanging in the closet. Titus had provided me with a full wardrobe over our time together. He’d stuck to his word and had given me anything and everything I’d wanted.

Over our time together, I wanted just him. His presence. His comfort. And his love.

“I’m finished here,” I said. “All I see are ghosts.”

“I’ll load these in the truck.”

“Thank you, Titus.”

Taking one last moment, I sat in Dad’s old armchair, soaking in the comforting presence of what would be his last embrace.

Titus returned and found me. He gave me a concerned look, but I stood up and wrapped my arms around his waist. His muscular arms immediately encircled me and drew me to his body where his warmth and scent filled me with so many emotions I’d never believed possible over the years of my running.

“I’m not leaving here running this time.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I can come back any time I want.”

“Yes, you can, so long as I or one of our pack escort you here. I still don’t trust the alpha.”

“I’m good with that.” I squeezed his body tighter. “Can we visit my dad’s grave now?”

“Of course, love.”

Titus

Kara was quiet after visiting her house. Even quieter at her dad’s graveside. I handed her the bunch of flowers we’d purchased along the way, and she placed them beside his headstone. I didn’t think he deserved her respect after he’d gambled her away, but I didn’t know the full extent of their relationship. Perhaps he’d been a loving father. I couldn’t imagine how losing his mate and then almost his entire family had messed with his head.

It sure would mess up most people, let alone wolf shifters. We were all about pack and family.

At least I’d given Kara a family. A place to call home. I’d grown to love her over our months together. If I was honest, the first spark of love was there the first time we met. The first time she ran from me. We’d played chase many times since we’d mated. Each time ended with us locked together with my knot.

She loved it just as much as I did.

But the scent of her salty tears wounded my heart. I rubbed her back while she sobbed silently.

“Let it out, Kara.”

She spun and flung her arms around my neck. Great sobs wracked her body. Her tears soaked my shirt, but all that mattered was her. Her pain gutted me, and there was nothing I could do and no one I could kill to stop it.

When her tears didn’t end, I said, “Stop now, love, you’re hurting yourself.”

Her tears eased, then stopped at my commanding tone. I may be an as*sh0le using my alpha tone on her, but she’d make herself sick if she didn’t stop. She lifted her tear-stained face. I kissed the saltiness from her cheeks until a small smile lit her face.

“Better?”

“Much.” She nodded. “Take me home, Titus.”

I’d make sure her smile turned into a grin of pure happiness.

“With pleasure, love.”