Page 131 of Rogue & Her Hunters
Joker points his fork at the daggers. “They mean that you’re pack.”
My expression softens. I study Phantom’s face. He is looking at me, hopefully.
Bird’s brow furrows in confusion. “Are daggers normal courting gifts?”
“They’re the best.” I snatch one of the knives, testing its weight in my hand. “Perfect.”
Phantom puffs out his chest with pride.
“I’ll train you in how to use it, Cookie. You’ll be a true Hunter in no time.” Joker leans across the table closer to Bird. “Although, maybe Phantom should train you instead. He’s better than me at hand-to-hand fighting with these things.”
Phantom nods.
When I sit back down, I’m smiling. “A meal cooked for me and a dagger. This is the type of love I understand.”
“I knew that you loved me.” Joker flutters his eyelashes.
“Don’t push it.” I flick his forehead.
“You saw that, right? Protect the Beta.”
Phantom’s lips only quirk, as he signs something that can’t be polite because Joker dramatically acts out his heart breaking.
“Where did all the heroes go?” Joker laments.
“Sorry, only villains here.” I take another bite of my pasta. “This is fucking good pasta. But I wouldn’t care if it wasn’t. Eating with you like this feels great. Well, better than I expected it would. When I was young, as a Rogue, I was kept in a basement most of the time. I wasn’t allowed to eat with the rest of the family because they pretended that I wasn’t biologically theirs. They thought that it was too shameful. I always wondered what it would feel like to sit around with a pack and eat a real meal. I like it.”
Why are they all looking at me?
Phantom surprises me by reaching across the table and grabbing my hand.
My stomach flutters, when he turns my hand over and kisses the back of it.
Warmth spreads through my chest.
“I have my own dagger now and I’m going to learn how to use it,” Bird says, with an edge of steel. “I will be joining you in taking revenge on your family.”
“I’m sure that there will be enough revenge to go around.” Joker’s voice is dark. “Because we’ll all want in on that.”
The warmth spreads.
Apart from my brother, I have been alone for my entire life.
Suddenly, I don’t feel alone anymore.
I glance at Phantom, who is watching me with a piercing gaze. “But why are we hiding out here? You told me that you have a mission.”
The silence draws out a moment too long, as Phantom and Joker exchange a glance.
Finally, Phantom gives a short nod.
There is no doubt that liberal as he is, Phantom is still the Chief Alpha.
“We’re not hiding,” Joker at last admits. “We’re hunting other bounty hunters who are coming for you. And theyarecoming.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Hunter Cabin, Blue Valley Woods
