Knightgale or Hunters

Knightgale or Hunters

Saviour's POV

He pulls out a small knife. Almost as small as a pocket knife.

The blade is black but it still manages to catch the light.
He checks it one last time before handing it over to me.
“I don’t know if it’s important, but I saw it in Solan’s pocket. I don't think he remembers putting it there but I kept it, in case.”

My brows nearly kiss as I access the knife. It looks like it was made from bronze, but it's quite heavy and on the head is a strange carving, like the symbol of a bird.
Now I see why Leo kept it. It doesn't seem like it's just an ordinary item.
“This could be what we need to track down these bastards,” I mutter under my breath.
Throne steps closer, inspecting the weapon. “Why don’t I recognize this symbol?” He whispers to himself.

I pass it to Raven, hoping one of us knows something about it. The moment her eyes land on it, her face falls.
Relief floods my heart even before she speaks because I know we are closer to the truth with this information.

“This,” she whispers, her hands shaking as she runs her thumb across the image. “This doesn’t belong to just any hunter…”

“Hunter?” I frown.
Raven nods, meeting my gaze. “It belonged to my father. He cherished it. I… I remember it ‘cause he never separated from it.”

“We have to find them,” I say, my voice cold. But first I need to get us out of here.

I stride to Leo’s cupboard and rip it open. He makes no protest at all but the scowl on his face is loud enough. Although it disappears when I pull out sweatpants and a hoodie.

I drop them beside Solan but he doesn't move out of his current embrace with Jace.

Jace has his face buried against Solan’s chest. It would have been hard to know he is crying if not for the constant shivering of his shoulders.
Raven smiles at Solan who's arms wrap around Jace a little tighter, his chin resting on the smaller boy’s head.
And when Solan looks at me, he smiles softly.
I shake my head, not disturbing him. Let them have their moment.
My gaze strays to Victor, catching his eyes already on me.
Our boys remind me of us. The days when Victor would cry on my shoulder… Days that built our relationship into what it is today.

“You’re such a baby,” Solan teases.
“Shut up,” Jace slaps his arm, making Solan hiss in pain.

We all tense up, including Jace who pulls away immediately, guilt shadowing his gaze.

“You alright?” Leo mutters so easily with a worried gaze, like it's something he has gotten used to asking.

Solan nods quickly, rolling his eyes as though tired of the question. “I should dress up though.” he says.

I turn my gaze back to Leo.
I don't know if it'll ever make sense to me why he has kept my son safe.

What does he want in return?

Solan manages a grin, although I catch how he winces when Raven and Victor help him up. “You really did miss me, huh?” he teases Jace who scoffs, turning away, giving him as much privacy as possible.

“Not even a bit,” Jace lies confidently.

For the first time since yesterday I take in a calm breath, then I turn to Leo.
“Why?” I ask, striding over to him.
“Why what?” He lifts a brow.
“Why did you reject the alpha seat?” I say, taking a step closer. “You could have been living fine. You wouldn’t have had to scrape by like some stray dog.” I spit out taking another sweep of the rundown cabin.

His smirk fades, replaced with a glare. He also steps forward. “Living fine? You mean rotting in that hell hole. Every wall of that pack reeks of blood, betrayal, regret... Of what I lost. Every brick reminds me of my screams that never got heard. You think I wanted to chain myself to that?”

“Yes,” I answer truthfully. “You speak like it never mattered to you. Or were you just not satisfied because you weren't offered the crown.”
He keeps his eyes on me. “We all knew who deserved the crown. It wasn’t mine… And yes, maybe back then I was desperate but that's only because… Well, she's dead now.” Leo says instead and my heart clenches at the pain in his eyes.

“Without a yoke on my neck, I won't take what doesn't belong to me.” He adds.

I scoff. “That’s not an understanding I thought you possessed. Considering you once tried to touch my mate.” My jaw clenches.

I notice how silent the room has become again. Perhaps I was louder than I thought.

“Well I'm sorry for that.” He grumbles.

“If you are going to say it so nonchalantly then you better keep your apology to yourself.” Raven shoots.
His gaze flickers to her. “And how would you like me to apologize?” He asks.

Raven walks steadily with a straight face, her eyes locked on him.
Leo swallows but doesn't step away. Swiftly without anyone seeing it coming, she kicks his chest. Leo crashes to his knees with a grunt.

“Now apologize,” Raven says, standing above him.
Leo grunts in pain, but he doesn’t fight her. Instead, looking up he mutters, “Damn, Raven. You’ve gotten meaner.”

With a deeper glare, she drives her boot into his abdomen.
Leo doubles over.
“Fuck…” he coughs. “I'm sorry, goddess be damned!” He curses, but doesn't lift his head. “I regret it. I should never have tried to touch you. I'm really sorry that I tried to… touch you like that. I swear I never forced myself on anyone before but I'm not justifying myself. Only that, I lost control that day. And I regret it, along with my multitude of other sins.”

Raven walks off without a word, her stare telling me we have to leave.

“Where will you stay?” I ask calmly, signalling our men to prepare to leave.
Leo looks around, rubbing his stomach. “What do you mean? This is my home.”
“Yeah, and everyone knows you took Solan in. If our enemies come for him and find you then you'll be dead before the fight begins.”

Leo snorts, “I don't need to leave.”

“You’re safer with us,” I say. “Stay alone, and you’re dead. Stay with us, and maybe you'll live long enough to keep running that mouth of yours.”

Leo studies me, but I don't wait for him and turn around.
“Let's go.” I say, knowing exactly what he needs.
As expected, we barely take a step out before he shouts.

“Fine. But don’t think for a second it’s because I need you.” He hurries up, grabbing a few things and as I watch him, I'm not sure I can trust him but I can at least pay him back for keeping my pup safe.

Nothing could pay him completely for the sorrow he's prevented me from having.

We step out, our steps sharp.

“So no one is going to thank me? Seriously?” Leo complains.