Hunter's Secret
Chapter 23 - Introductions

***Present Day***

Hunter’s POV

“What if we took in Red Rock?”

My question hangs in the air as my dad considers the proposition.

“I tried that before you were born, Hunter. Titus Black was not appreciative of my offer of help. He basically kicked Ryan and I off his land with a threat to not return. He is a man of few words, and I really don’t know much about him other than his scandal when he let Ash into his pack.”

“Maybe I will just ask Ash to give me his contact information. I could take Cameron with me after I become the official Alpha in five months.”

“I am not going to tell you no. You are going to oversee this pack, and I trust your judgement, but I am going to caution you; Titus Black is not a man who will hesitate to attack, trust me, I would know.”

I just nod my head and leave to go talk to Cameron.

‘Locks, where are you? I need to talk to you.’

‘Not right now, H.’

‘What do you mean not right now?’

‘I said not right now,’ he responded and cut the connection.

He cut the connection! The only other time he has ever done that was when Xavier was in control. What if he needs my help? I try to mind-link him again, but it doesn’t go through.

I grab the to-go bag, run out of the house, and immediately shift. It doesn’t take River long to catch his scent. We take off and quickly find him, sitting on the ground, looking off into the distance. I try to get a little closer and River steps on a stick. The snap causes him to shoot up and he immediately shifts into Xavier.

Xavier narrows his eyes at River and bares his teeth. River doesn’t take too kindly to the challenge and growls in response. Then I see a small hand reach up and touch Xavier’s shoulder. I mentally face-palm myself. He was with Emma. I should have known that they were still walking together. I shift back and throw on the clothes from the bag.

I put my hands up in the air. Xavier finally realizes it is just me and he allows Cameron to shift back. I threw him some clothes too, considering he just shredded his. He glares at me, and I try to offer an apologetic smile which he does not appreciate. I can see him getting worked up. He is really angry with me for ruining his time with Emma. She places her hand on his arm, and he visibly calms down. She tells him to go talk to me and I can tell he was fighting with Xavier about leaving her. I turn my back and sit down on the ground, trying to show Xavier that I am not a threat to Emma.

He finally says and walks over to me, tapping my shoulder impatiently. I stood up and faced him. He mind-links me because I know he does not want Emma to hear what he is about to say.

’WHAT DO YOU THINK ‘NOT RIGHT NOW’ MEANS???’ he scowls.

‘I was worried about you. I thought you might have lost control again and needed my help.’

‘I *was* fine. Emma was just starting to warm up to me and you ruined it!’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘You should be! If I needed your help, I would have called for you.’

‘I was just worried about you, Locks. I’m sorry.’

’We can talk later, Alpha,’ he replied, sarcasm dripping off his last word.

‘Abso-fricking-lutely not! You can be mad at me all you want but you cannot disrespect me! Don’t do it again, Beta,’ I warn, my Alpha aura letting itself out and River was begging for me to let him take control, which I ignored. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Cameron lowered his gaze and mumbled out an apology. He goes to walk back to Emma, and I grab his arm.

‘Look at me.’

He begrudgingly obeys.

‘We will be talking but it can happen later. It is not important right now. Go back and enjoy your time with Emma. I will be at the house.’

He gives me a tight smile which I return with a genuine one. I let him go and I head back to the pack house.

Cameron returns a few hours later and heads straight to his room, avoiding my gaze. Nope. We are talking whether he wants to or not, and I assume the latter. I open his door and close it behind me.

“I’m sorry, Hunter. I don’t know what came over me. Xavier was terrified that someone was going to hurt Emma and I wasn’t thinking rationally. I am sorry for disrespecting you. I didn’t mean it. Please don’t be mad at me,” Cameron blurts out, basically in one breath.

“I am not mad at you. You are completely forgiven. But I am more patient than River is, so you need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“It won’t.”

I can hear the sincerity in his voice.

“I know. So, tell me about Emma?”

He falls back onto his bed with a happy sigh, “She is perfect. And all mine.”

I think Cameron has soaked four shirts with his sweat now. He keeps coming out of his room in a different shirt. I don’t know why he is so nervous. Today is my official Alpha ceremony which means Cameron will also become the official Beta. That shouldn’t be making him so nervous though. He has already been my Beta, and we make a really good team. Plus, the pack already admires both of us.

I hear him come out of his room again and he sighs deeply. I continue to pour over the documents that dad gave me but I also talk to Cameron.

“Locks. I can hear your heart racing from all the way over here. Breathe dude. Why are you so nervous? You have already been Beta for almost a year now. This is nothing,” I state, without looking up.

“I know.”

“So, then why are you sweating bullets over there? Emma?”

“She wants to introduce me to her mom as her mate, today. After the ceremony.”

His words caused me to look up and spin around in my chair to face him, “That’s big. Are you ready?”

“No. Yes? It’s complicated but I love her.”

“I know you do. I am really happy for you, Locks,” I say, trying to keep the pain out of my voice.

I am truly happy for Cameron, but I also have been desperately searching for my own mate. It hurts to see him with Emma even though I am happy for both of them.

“H?”

“Yeah?”

“You know I love you too, right?”

“I know. I love you too. If you sense anything, I am just feeling stressed about the pack right now,” I explain, trying to change the topic.

“You know as well as I do that is not the only reason you are feeling stressed. You ready to go for the ceremony?”

I sigh and stand up from my chair. I haven’t been sleeping very well lately and I know I am not looking my best right now. River has been keeping me up at night and even though I am tired, I still can’t sleep. I run a tired hand through my hair and smooth down my clothes. I take a deep breath and nod my head toward the door.

I take one more deep breath, straighten my posture, plaster a smile on my face and open the door. Cameron follows me out. The whole pack is gathered in front of the pack house and their clapping and cheers are deafening. Our parents are out there, standing just off the porch. I give them a smile. It is nice to know that Cameron and I have support from our parents as well as our pack. Today’s ceremony is the last step in officializing our roles. I go stand in between my parents as Cameron does the same.

The entire pack falls silent, and my parents go first. They each place a hand on my shoulders and together they hand me the key to the pack house. My parents will be moving out in a few weeks to their retirement home. All eyes move to Cameron next, and his parents do the same thing. They will also be moving out of the pack house soon. Cameron and I walk to stand next to each other and clink our keys together. The pack cheers in celebration. I look at him and he is smiling. He is enjoying his new role. I also smile to my pack, and I do my best to make it not seem forced.

I am now the official official Alpha, and Cameron is now the official official Beta. The pack disperses and we head back inside. As soon as the door closes, my face falls. I just feel drained.

“Hey, you okay?” Cameron asks softly.

“Yes. I just need some sleep. You can go find Emma,” I respond, dismissal clear in my voice.

Cameron goes to leave but the door flies open before he can get there, and Emma launches herself into his arms. He spins her around before setting her down to kiss her. I unintentionally let out a sigh and Cameron took that as my final hint for him to leave.

I sigh again and put the papers back into their folders. I take the folders back up to the office and then head to my bedroom for a quick break. I lay down for about fifteen minutes before a mind-link comes in from Cameron.

‘Hunter?’

’Locks? You, okay? What happened? Do I need to come? I can leave right now,” I say, quickly sitting up.

‘I’m fine. You can take your shoes back off and sit down.’

‘You know me too well. But you are okay? Is Emma okay?’

He laughs at me, and answers my questions, ‘Yes. I am okay. I think Emma is okay too. Her mom just wanted to talk to her without me, so I am walking around until they are done.’

‘Okay. That seems positive. Breathe.’

‘I’m trying. I am nervous though, H.’

‘I got you,’ I tell him, trying to give him some encouragement.

‘Always?’

‘Always. Let me know if you need me, Locks.’

‘Thank you.’

I close the mind-link and hope that everything goes smoothly. I know that Emma told Cameron about her father a few months ago and I am glad she felt comfortable enough to tell him. Cameron is a really good person, and he will do anything in his power to make her happy. Well, now my mind is running, and River is silently pacing again so no more rest for me. I get up and head back downstairs. I realized I hadn’t eaten anything all day, so I grab the stuff to make a sandwich. I make my sandwich and sit down at the table but as soon as I do, another mind-link comes in from Cameron.

‘Hunter. Open the door for me, please.’

I spring up from my chair and quickly open the door. Cameron is standing there carrying Emma, bridal style and there are tears running down her face. I go to open my mouth but he mind-links me again before I can ask a question.

‘I will tell you later. Let me take care of her first.’

I move out of the way, and Cameron carries her back to his room. He places her on the bed and turns to leave but she grabs onto his arm and pulls him back. He glances at me and then shuts his door. I am concerned but I know he just needs some space right now.

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