Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Hunter sipped his coffee and looked up at his pack.
“Sam and I will be gone for the day. Winston, Adam … I’m counting on you to handle things here.
I want the younger wolves doing a double training session today.
Garrett and Caden are going to do a patrol together and double check our borders.
They’re helping out in my absence. Caspian offered to help with the training today as well. Let’s keep this pack running smoothly.”
“How do you think the meeting will go? This is about the packs uniting against the demons, right?” Winston asked.
“It has to go in the direction we need. The packs must unite. We don’t know how much time is left.” Hunter frowned slightly. This part was all on him. He had to convince the packs. No, he had to convince the alphas.
A deep, red power swelled inside him at that moment, but it vanished just as quickly. What was that? He shook it off and looked up at the two women approaching.
“Doesn’t she look so much better now?” Kristen bounced around Jin.
“Does it fit okay, Jin?” Hunter smiled and stood up, walking over to her.
“Yes. I appreciate you letting me borrow your clothes.” Jin looked at Kristen who waved her off.
“Nonsense. Hunter?”
“Yes, Aunt Kristen.”
“Rosa is also going to assist in training the pack today. She’s going to use her diversions to help stimulate them.”
“That’s awesome. They could use more of that.”
Kristen looked at Winston and Adam. “You boys hurry up and finish eating. There’s a lot of work to do today.”
“What will you be doing, Mom?”
Adam turned just as her hand landed on the back of his head. “You know I’m not a fighter. That’s what your father is for. Merida and I are going to help with refreshments.” Kristen never was a fighter. She was actually a bit squeamish when it came to any kind of injury, too.
“That works for me. Growing boys gotta eat.” Winston beamed as he stood up, towering over his mother. He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom.” He flashed her a big, cheesy grin.
Kristen shook her head. “You boys are such trouble.” She started walking toward the door, but she stopped and turned slightly toward Hunter. “I hope everything goes as planned.”
Hunter nodded at her as he watched her disappear out the door. Then he turned to Jin. “How about some breakfast?”
Jin leaned up on her toes to look in Hunter’s cup. “What’s that?” She scrunched her nose with a frown. It had a strong smell to it. If that was breakfast, she was going to pass.
Hunter chuckled and his eyes danced in laughter. “This is my life blood, Jin. Also known as coffee. Here, take a sip.” Hunter held his cup up to her mouth with a side grin. He watched her face and his smile widened.
Her eyes stared into the black liquid with a small frown. Hunter leaned down and tilted his head, looking at her face. “Ugh, it's even on your breath, too.” Jin stepped back and shook her head in disgust.
Hunter laughed again. “I take it you’re not a coffee drinker?” He walked into the kitchen and brought out a box.
“Never had it, but it smells so strong.” Jin could feel everyone’s eyes on her and she looked up at Hunter nervously.
“It helps keep me going. It’s like liquid energy.
Here, I think you’d rather have one of these.
” Hunter opened the box, revealing several chocolate donuts.
He watched her eyes light up and a smile curve her lips.
Grabbing a donut, she looked up at him like a child who was just given a present.
She then bounced over to the table and perched herself on one of the chairs.
“You really love your chocolate, don’t you, Jin?
” Hunter chuckled and took a seat next to her.
She was sitting on her feet in the chair.
Even though she was a beautiful young woman, in this moment, she reminded him of a little kid who took pleasure in the little things in life.
His mind drifted back to earlier. Her voice sounded so frightened this morning.
What had happened to her before? Who could possibly do something to someone so sweet?
Chasen went to reach for a donut, his hand hovering between two. The last chocolate donut and one with maple icing. Jin took a bite of her donut and raised her eyebrow up at him. “You willing to wage war over a donut?”
For the first time, Chasen’s lips curled upward as he grinned at her. “The real question is are you really planning to fight with a guardian over a donut?” Chasen plucked the chocolate pastry in his hand and stood up. But just as he was about to place the donut in his mouth …
SWOOSH.
Before anyone knew what was happening, Jin was on top of Chasen’s shoulders, and a gust of air shot the donut up into her hand.
She giggled as she retreated by leaping over to gently rest on Hunter’s head.
Her soft giggle, along with laughter from Adam and Winston, sounded through the room.
She had more tenacity than they thought to challenge Chasen like that.
A dark chuckle left Chasen’s throat. “Careful, little demon. I’m not a cute teddy bear.”
She looked down at Hunter and grinned before she lifted off and floated back to the ground. She took a bite of the donut defiantly and met with the deep, rich brown eyes. “It wouldn’t be any fun if you were.”
Chasen smirked and shook his head. She stood her ground as he took a few large steps toward her. He watched her curiously, wondering what she would do as he closed the gap.
Hunter laughed heartily. “Finally, someone else who isn’t afraid to challenge Chasen.” He stood up, sliding his chair back. As he did, though, the back leg got caught and the chair went crashing down onto the floor.
Jin buried her head into Chasen’s chest and clenched her fingers into his shirt.
He could feel her body trembling. He looked up at the other men, who were all watching her with concern.
This was not a typical reaction. Chasen let out a sigh and placed his hand on the top of her head and leaned his head down next to her ear.
“Jin, you’re safe here,” he whispered quietly in a calming tone.
He smiled and said, “But if you ever steal my donut again, you’ll have to face the consequences.
” He winked at her as she glanced up at him.
He even surprised himself by being so friendly with her.
Don’t bring it up. Just look away and finish your breakfast, Hunter ordered everyone through the mindlink.
He didn’t want her feeling more embarrassed than she already did.
He walked into the kitchen, frowning as he poured himself another cup of coffee.
He felt his insides shake with anger. Jin had been mistreated.
Chasen watched her as she slowly released her grip on his shirt.
He could see she looked embarrassed. He smiled at her, showing her it was okay.
A realization came over him. Even with his unwelcoming attitude toward her, she still felt safe with him.
She immediately went to him when she reacted.
A strange feeling began to pull at him inside, one that he didn’t want to investigate further.
He cleared his throat and retrieved the maple donut.
“I was never going to eat the chocolate donut anyway.” Chasen grinned as if she’d played right into his trap.
Jin smiled. She appreciated them just dropping the issue.
“When it comes to chocolate, you can never be too careful.” She was shocked when she realized she’d ended up in Chasen’s arms, telling herself that she’d just leaped to the closest person.
No, it was more than that. Subconsciously, she was seeking out safety.
She had come a long way over the years, having worked on conditioning herself in certain scenarios.
She was getting better, and when she expected the sounds, she could prepare herself.
Unexpected sounds were harder to control.
She looked down at her fingers, still tingling from his warmth.
Silently, she scolded herself. She already trusted them.
When she looked over at Hunter, she saw him smiling at her.
She was connected to him, though. It made sense that she trusted him already.
He wouldn’t mistreat her; she was safe with him.
But for some reason, she already felt safe with everyone else, already trusted them.
Maybe she wasn’t completely ruined. She still had faith in others.
“Jin, the mall I’m taking you to has an amazing chocolate store.
After my meeting, I’ll take you there. You’ll love it.
” Hunter watched her eyes widen in happiness.
That quick, the pain that had flashed in her eyes was gone.
“I’ll have to leave you alone during my meeting, but Susan and Renee will take good care of you.
Plus, Chasen will be lurking around, too.
” He watched her eyes flick over to Chasen before quickly planting back on him.
Hunter walked up to her and patted her head. “You ready to go shopping?”
Jin looked up and gave him a half shrug. “I guess so.” Her voice was quiet, but a small smile rested on her lips. She felt his large, reassuring arm swing around her and hold her to his side.
“Renee, Sam, and Susan should be waiting for us by now at the car.” Hunter pulled her along. “We’re taking the stretch SUV so we can all fit comfortably.”
Jin’s eyes lit up in excitement. “I’ve never ridden in one before.”
“A stretch SUV?” Hunter asked with a smile.
“A car.”
Hunter kept the smile on his face, though his gaze met with Chasen’s. How has she never ridden in a vehicle before? Hunter held onto her protectively as they walked outside toward the SUV. Was Jin really there to protect him? Or was she meant to be there so he could protect her?
“I suggest not focusing on what’s right out the windows. Look at the horizon. If this is your first time in a vehicle, you could experience some motion sickness.” Hunter looked at her and she only shrugged.
“I could always ride on the roof of the vehicle in that case. I don’t get air sick.” She giggled at her own joke that, apparently, they didn’t think was funny.
“You ride with us, Jin. You are one of us now. Think of us as family, and we will think of you the same way. Till death do us part, right?” Hunter winked at her.
He felt her body tense up slightly as they approached the black stretch SUV that was gently humming in the distance.
The windows were all darkly tinted, and it seemed to shine in the sunlight.
Sam was standing by the open door, and Renee and Susan were already seated inside.
“There’s nothing to it, Jin,” Hunter whispered in a reassuring voice.
She nodded slowly, both excited and nervous.
She was experiencing so many firsts in her life.
And while it was a bit overwhelming, for once, she felt like she was living.
Chasen trailed just behind them. He couldn’t help it, but his gaze never wandered from Jin. Something about her kept bothering him, and he was pushing back at what his body was feeling. He squeezed his hands into fists and gritted his teeth. This was not in his plans.