Chapter 81

Lisa Pov

The sunlight broke through the canopy of trees as I made my way toward Kate’s cabin. The forest around me felt eerily still, like it was holding its breath. Ever since the battle, something had shifted—not just in the pack but in me. My decision to let the Scorpio Pack go had sent ripples through everyone, and I wasn’t sure whether they were waves of respect or doubt.

But right now, it wasn’t the pack’s opinion that weighed on me—it was Hunter’s. He’d vanished after the battle, and the silence from him was louder than any growl or snarl.

I knocked on Kate’s door, the sound echoing in the quiet. A moment later, it creaked open, revealing Kate with a mug of tea in her hand. Her raised brow told me she wasn’t surprised to see me.

"Let me guess," she said, leaning against the doorframe. "You’re looking for Hunter."

I sighed, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "Have you seen him?"

Kate chuckled, closing the door behind me. Her cabin smelled of herbs and something faintly sweet, probably one of her concoctions for calming the mind. "You’re not the first to come asking," she said, setting her mug down on the table.

I frowned. "Who else?"

"Mark stopped by earlier,” she said casually, sitting on the edge of a chair. "Apparently, they were together after the battle, but then Hunter disappeared. Typical, right?"

I sank into the chair opposite her, my mind churning. "So no one knows where he is."

Kate tilted her head, studying me. "It’s Hunter. He’s not the type to announce his plans. He’s probably watching from somewhere, waiting to see how things play out."

"Watching what?" I snapped, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Doesn’t he care that the pack is in chaos right now? That I’m—" I stopped myself, biting back the rest of the sentence.

"That you’re what?" Kate pressed, her gaze sharp.

"That I’m dealing with the fallout from my decision alone," I admitted.

Kate leaned back, crossing her arms. "You think he doesn’t care? Lisa, Hunter cares more than he lets on. But he’s not going to hold your hand through this. He’s testing you, seeing if you can handle things without him stepping in."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. "So he’s avoiding me on purpose."

"Not avoiding," she corrected. "Observing. There’s a difference."

I rubbed my temples, the weight of everything pressing down on me. "I just… I need to talk to him. To know if he thinks I made the right call."

Kate’s expression softened, and she reached across the table to place a hand on mine. "Lisa, you made the call that felt right to you. That’s what matters. Hunter might not agree with it, but he respects strength. And what you did? That took strength."

Her words offered some comfort, but they didn’t ease the knot in my chest. I stood, pacing the small room. "I’m going to find him," I said finally.

Kate laughed. "Good luck with that. Hunter doesn’t want to be found unless he decides it’s time."

I ignored her skepticism, determination fueling me as I left the cabin. If Hunter was out there watching, then I’d make him see me.

The forest was quiet as I tracked the trails around the territory. Hunter’s scent lingered faintly, but it was hard to follow. He was deliberate, always careful to cover his tracks. Still, I refused to give up.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in shadows, I was beginning to feel the strain. My legs ached, and my mind buzzed with frustration. But then, I caught it—a fresh scent, faint but unmistakable.

I followed it, weaving through the trees until I spotted a figure sitting on a fallen log. His broad shoulders were relaxed, his head tilted back as he stared up at the sky.

"Hunter," I called out, stepping into the clearing.

He didn’t move immediately, but I saw the slight tilt of his head, acknowledging my presence. Finally, he stood, turning to face me. His expression was calm, unreadable.

"You’ve been busy," he said, his tone neutral.

"And you’ve been absent," I shot back.

Hunter crossed his arms, his gaze steady. "You handled the battle. I didn’t need to be there."

I took a step closer, my frustration boiling over. "You didn’t need to be there? Hunter, the pack is falling apart. They don’t know what to make of me, and I don’t know what to make of you disappearing like that."

He studied me for a long moment before speaking. "I left because I needed to see if the Scorpio Pack’s surrender was genuine."

"And?"

"They’re restless," he admitted. "Their Luna is grieving, and Pascal is hungry for revenge. Johnson’s trying to keep them together, but it’s fragile. They’ll be back, Lisa. It’s just a matter of when."

His words sent a chill down my spine. "Then why didn’t you stop them? You could have ended it—"

"I could have," he interrupted, his voice firm. "But that’s not what you wanted, is it?"

I froze, his words cutting through my anger.

"You made a choice to let them go," he continued. "To show mercy. I wanted to see what that choice would lead to."

I clenched my fists, my voice shaking. "So you were testing me."

Hunter stepped closer, his presence towering but not threatening. "Not testing. Watching. You stepped into a role you’ve never had to play before, Lisa. And you did it your way, not mine."

His words stirred something in me—something between anger and understanding.

"Do you think I was wrong?" I asked, my voice quieter now.

He paused, his gaze softening. "No. I think you did what you thought was right. And that’s what matters. But mercy has its price. You have to be ready for it."

I met his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt. "And if they come back?"

"Then we’ll deal with them," he said simply.

The weight of his words settled over me, but this time, it didn’t feel as heavy. For the first time since the battle, I felt like I wasn’t carrying it all alone.

Hunter turned, motioning for me to follow. "Come on. Let’s head back. The pack needs its leader."

"And its Beta," I added, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

He glanced back at me, a rare smirk crossing his face. "I never left, Lisa. I’m always here."

As we walked back through the forest, the tension between us eased, replaced by a newfound understanding. Hunter might not always agree with me, but he respected me. And for now, that was enough.