Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Hunter:
God, it feels so damn good to have her back in my arms.
My fingers run through her hair, just the way she always liked.
I can still remember how she’d make me sit down and massage it for her. I’d tease her in between, tickling her until she laughed that sweet laugh of hers. And when I was done, she’d pull me in, kiss me, and whisper how much she loved me.
Back then, Anika loved me as fiercely as I loved her.
But now? I’m not so sure.
Still, I keep stroking her hair, my chest tightening with a mix of longing and relief. I watch her sleeping face and then after several seconds, I murmur, “Welcome back.”
The moment the words leave my lips, her eyes fly open.
Before I can react, she jerks upright with a strength I never thought she had. I still stay seated on the bed.
My gaze is also locked on her as her eyes dart around the room, searching, scanning—until they land back on me.
“What the fúck! Hunter?!”
She looks a little rough around the edges… but to me, she’s still beautiful.
“Anika, hey!” I greet her with the most perfect smile I can muster. The one she used to say she loved. The one she always hoped our kids would inherit.
“You know, I’m so glad to—”
I don’t even get to finish.
She moves closer, and for a second, I think she’s about to hug me. But nope.
Instead, her hands clamp down on my shoulders, and the next thing I know, I’m shoved to the floor.
Hard.
“Ow!!” I grunt, my ass smarting from the impact. For someone who’s supposed to be recovering from whatever was injected into her, she’s got a hell of a lot of strength.
“Goddamn it, Anika! You didn’t have to—”
“Having you that close was starting to disgust me, so I just had to.” she cuts in, her voice low and sharp like a blade.
I freeze, staring at her in disbelief. Did she really just say that?
The Anika that loved me always liked it when I touched and was always around her.
It feels like I can’t breathe.
She parts her lips to speak but before a word slips out, she winces suddenly, pressing her fingers to her temple.
“Oh my god, Why does my head feel like it’s splitting? What the hell did you give me?”
I shoot to my feet without thinking, taking a step toward her.
She immediately lifts a finger.
“Don’t. Just, stop! What am I doing here? Why the hell would you even…. This is kidnapping!”
“It’s not kidnapping if all I did was try to save you.”
“Save me?” She lets out a snort. “You’re ridiculous, Hunter. You teamed up with Dylan just to drag me here, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t.”
“Oh please, spare me that bullshit!” She snaps, grinding her teeth. “How long was I out?”
“Thirteen hours.”
Her eyes go wide. “Thirteen—? W..why? What the hell do you even want from me?”
“I want you!” The words tear out of me before I can stop them. “I want you, Anika. All I want is you! I’m miserable without you..do.. do you even get that? I’m losing my damn mind knowing you’re not here with me. I’m fúcking miserable without you!!”
I’m panting by the time I stop. My chest rises and falls hard.
My eyes burn, locked on hers, praying she can see just how much I mean every word.
For a second, I think I’ve reached her.
Her lashes flutter. Her expression softens.
Just for a few seconds.
And then the next, she throws her head back and laughs.
Loud.
“Not bad, Alpha Hunter.” She sucks her teeth. “I almost believed you. Really. Uhm.. I’d give you a ten out of ten for the performance.”
I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment. “Wow, Anika?”
She scoffs. “What, you expected me to laugh? Run into your arms? You dragged me here against my will!! Do you have any idea how insane that is?”
“For goddess’ sake, I didn’t kidnap you, Anika,” I snap. “I fúcking saved you. I never teamed up with Dylan.”
Her lips curl into a snort. She doesn’t believe a damn word.
But it’s the truth. Teaming up with Dylan would’ve been the dumbest move of my life. He’s a snake and a manipulative, power-hungry bastard.
I’m stronger than him in every possible way, and I told him as much. I tried to talk him out of going after Matteo. Told him It was suicide.
But Dylan? He’s too stupid to listen. He even had the balls to say that once he killed Matteo, he’d mark Anika and make her his Luna since she wasn’t marked yet.
That was it for me. I made my own plan. I had a spy tailing him day and night, and when I learned the exact time he’d trick and strike Matteo, I got into position.
Right at the edge of Matteo’s pack borders, hidden in the bush.
The moment Dylan showed up and the fight broke out, they were too distracted to notice me slipping in.
I don’t know how I almost got recognized, even with the mask on, but I did…and I nearly killed the guy who spotted me.
Nearly.
Turns out, he was useful. Being one of their pack’s high ranking guards meant no one questioned him when he drove out past the borders in a small car—with us hidden inside.
“Stop staring at me and say something, Hunter!” Anika’s voice slices through my thoughts, sharp and furious.
I blink, refocusing on her. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to get me the hell out of here!” She fumes. “You’re such a creep, you know that, right?. This is freaking insane! If Matteo finds out you kidnapped me—”
“What’s he gonna do?” I cut her off with a bitter laugh. “Matteo, Matteo, Matteo… Fúcking Matteo! Stop saying his name, it hurts! And yes, he’s never going to find you here.”
“Fine then.” She shoots to her feet. “I’ll find my own way out. If you really did save me, then… thanks.”
She lets out a sharp hiss and spins on her heel. She’s barely taken a step when a low and humorless laugh escapes me.
“You can’t leave this packhouse, Anika. Not unless I say so.” I say darkly. “I’ve already given orders. If you try, they’ll drag you right back… to where you belong.”
She freezes, then whirls to face me, her eyes wide with something between shock and fear. “Excuse me??”
“You heard me loud and clear,” I say evenly, watching every flicker of her expression. Then, almost as an afterthought, I add, “Actually… I have something for you.”
Her brows knit. I don’t wait for her to say a word before I clap my hands.
Twice.
And then a second later-
The door bursts open.