Chapter 85

Hunter POV

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, my voice low and sharp.

She smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Good to see you too, Hunter.”

“Answer the question,” I demanded.

She sighed dramatically. “I thought we could talk. You left so quickly earlier. I didn’t get a chance to say everything I wanted to.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said firmly. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Her gaze flicked past me, into the house. “Oh, but it seems I’ve interrupted something. Lisa’s here, isn’t she?”

My hand tightened on the doorframe. “Leave, Ava.”

Lisa appeared behind me, her presence grounding me. “Hunter, who’s at the door?”

I glanced back at her, then turned to Ava, my jaw tightening. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Ava’s smile didn’t waver. But she e stepped closer, her voice dropping. “We’ll talk soon, Hunter. Whether you like it or not.”

And just like that, she turned and walked away, leaving a storm of questions in her wake.

I closed the door and turned to see Lisa looking at me straight in the eye.

“Who was that woman earlier?” she asked, her tone calm but pointed. “I think I’ve seen her before.”

I tensed, the ease I’d felt moments ago vanishing. “No one important, pumpkin,” I said quickly, motioning for her to sit beside me.

Her brows rose slightly, and she folded her arms, waiting. She wasn’t going to let this go.

Taking a deep breath, I reached for her hands. “Alright, Lisa. I’ll explain everything. You deserve to know.”

Her gaze softened, but her silence told me to continue.

“Her name is Ava,” I began. “She was a close friend of my late mate. After my mate died, Ava... well, she tried to become my second-chance mate. She thought she could fill the void, but I didn’t feel the same way.”

Lisa didn’t react, so I pressed on.

“She tried everything,” I said, my voice low. “She even went to my mother to convince her. And my mother, being hopeful that I’d move on, supported her. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.” I hesitated, my jaw tightening. “One night, she showed up at my room... wearing nothing but lingerie. I was furious. I threw her out and made it clear that she had no place in my life.”

Lisa’s lips parted slightly, but she said nothing, her eyes locked on mine.

“The next morning, I went to her house to make sure she understood, but she was gone. She’d left without a word. I didn’t think I’d ever see her again... until yesterday at the restaurant. And now, here.”

Lisa’s fingers tightened around mine. “Hunter, why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“I didn’t want to burden you with my past,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But now that she’s here, I’m worried. Not for me—for you. I don’t trust her, Lisa. I don’t know what she wants.”

For a moment, she said nothing, her thumb brushing over my knuckles. Then she smiled—a soft, reassuring smile that made the tension in my chest loosen.

“Hunter,” she said gently, “you don’t have to worry about me. The woman you brought into your life three years ago isn’t the same naive girl anymore. If Ava tries anything, I’ll handle her.”

Her confidence stunned me. “Lisa...”

She reached up, tugging playfully at my cheek. “Seriously, the way you acted, I thought this was some huge scandal. But this? I can handle it.”

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “You keep surprising me, pumpkin.”

“That’s my job,” she teased, but her tone softened. “Thank you for telling me, Hunter.”

Unable to resist, I leaned forward and kissed her. “Thank you for understanding.”

The moment shifted as I pulled her into my arms and tickled her sides. She squealed with laughter, trying to squirm away.

“Hunter! Stop!” she gasped, tears of laughter in her eyes.

“Never,” I declared, scooping her up and carrying her toward the stairs.

The next morning, I woke her with kisses, peppering her face until she giggled awake.

“Morning, handsome,” she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep.

“Morning, beautiful. Let’s go for a run before the day gets too busy.”

She stretched, her smile brightening. “Alright. Give me a minute.”

We shifted effortlessly in the woods, the sound of cracking bones and tearing fabric filling the cool morning air. Lisa’s wolf, sleek and elegant, kept pace with mine, the bond between us as strong as ever.

Out of nowhere, her wolf turned and leaped at me, knocking me to the ground. I growled in surprise, but she only licked my face, her playful energy infectious.

I growled playfully, rolling away before her antics could push me over the edge. The pull between us was strong—too strong—but I needed control. I ran toward the hills, needing space to clear my head. She followed, and when she rested her head on my neck, purring softly, I couldn’t help but relax.

We stayed like that for a while, letting the bond between us settle, before heading back.

As we reached the house, I told Lisa to go inside while I took care of a few things. One of the guards handed me a change of clothes, always prepared after a run. Lisa shifted back into her clothes and waved as she disappeared into the house.

I mind-linked Mark and Andrew.

“All preparations for today need to be finalized. Tomorrow has to be perfect.”

“On it, Alpha,” they replied in unison.

I made my way to the kitchen, calling out for Claire, our head chef.

“Yes, Alpha?” she said, appearing quickly.

“I want the best dishes for tomorrow. Nothing less than perfect.”

“Understood, Alpha,” she replied, bowing.

“Whatever you need, get it early. No excuses.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

As I left the kitchen, my phone buzzed. It was Joe.

“Alpha, I’ve finalized the invites. Everything is in motion. What’s the plan when is the day?”

“Tomorrow is the day, Joe. Keep up the good work.”

“Got it, Alpha,” he said before hanging up.

As I pocketed my phone, I allowed myself a rare moment of satisfaction.

Lisa Pov

I was finishing up in the bathroom, the warm steam still clinging to the air as I wrapped myself in a towel to dress. I wore a comfortable jean and polo them looked at the window where the sun peeked through the curtains of my room, illuminating everything in a soft glow. As I stepped to the window to let in some fresh air, the scene outside caught my attention. The entire pack seemed busy—people moving in every direction, carrying decorations, tables, and all kinds of supplies.

"This must be Hunter's doing," I murmured to myself, a smile spreading across my face. He had always been so thoughtful, going above and beyond for me. How blessed I am to have him. I didn’t think peace like this was possible for me, not after everything I had endured. Yet here I was, feeling safe, loved, and content.

My fingers absentmindedly touched the edge of the windowpane as my thoughts carried me back. It wasn’t that long ago when things were so different.

***Flashback***

I could still remember the heartbreak from my first mate. He had broken me in ways I thought I’d never recover from. The rejection, the cruel words, the way he left me feeling less than nothing—it had almost destroyed me. For so long, I carried the pain like a weight around my heart. Every morning was a struggle to wake up, and every night was a battle to fall asleep. But then Hunter came into my life, and everything changed.

At first, I didn’t believe I deserved someone like him. He was patient, gentle, and fiercely protective. Day by day, his love chipped away at the bitterness that clung to me. He reminded me what it felt like to be valued. To be cherished. Slowly but surely, the wounds left by my former mate faded, replaced by something far more beautiful.

But it wasn’t just my past relationships that had left scars. Joining Hunter’s pack had been an uphill battle. Some of the pack members didn’t think I had what it took to stand beside their Alpha. “She’ll never be a warrior,” I had overheard one of them say during training. Their words stung like venom, but I refused to let them break me.

Hunter had stood by me through it all. Even when his mother disappoved of my relationship with him, He didn’t waver. “Lisa is my choice,” he told her firmly. I still remember the look in his eyes as he said it—full of determination and unwavering love.

***End of Flashback***

The sound of a gentle knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, expecting Kate or Claire. Instead, the door opened to reveal Joyce—Hunter’s mother.