Page 30 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

The fear-soaked adrenaline coursing through my veins makes me halt here, overlooking the Hollow forest and the quiet sleeping mountains. We've been all over the woods tonight, and yet… For the first time in a long time, I'm anxious within the depths of the trees. My instincts are screaming at me, but I don't know what they're saying.

My wolf and I agree on one thing,something is wrong.

Eventually, the boys and I returned to the Packhouse because Jay didn't want to leave his precious GTR overnight. A feeling I can't say is foreign; I'd be going back for the Stingray, too.

We shift next to the outdoor showers, where you can always find a spare robe. The precise location of my clothes is a mystery. A glance around the yard tells me someone has already picked up the stray bits of clothing, so it's no use trying to find them now. I'd bet Aggie or Sam picked ours up.

It is a surprise, however, to find the lawn still glowing, the building similarly bright, like the entire structure is one big beacon. Magnus is not usually to be found out front with Nero in tow after a run. The Alpha is surveying the vast forest and the dark skies beyond with arms crossed in front of his chest. He's been leaning on Jay more and more lately, and Jay won't just be the Alpha ofourlittle Pack for much longer.

"Boys. Miss Hunt." Nero nods at our group, arms tightly crossed over his chest. "Glad to see you're back safe."

"Is something wrong?" Dante asks arms crossed in his robe.

"Hunters were in the area tonight. Not everyone is back yet." Nero answers, and Magnus' back bunches with tension.

"Keep me updated? I'll take them back to the Cabin." Jay's response brooks no argument as he hooks his arm over my shoulder and steers me and the boys towards his car. My stomach tightens painfully, and I'm glad it is empty. This all feels too familiar.

In complete silence, Saint pushes me into the backseat, following me into the leather interior. Dante takes the front while Jay jumps in the driver's seat. When he smoothly pullsus away from the Packhouse, Jay speaks again. "Did any of you notice anything weird tonight?"

"You mean you didn't feel how fuckingoffthe forest felt?"I chime in from the back seat, honestly astounded if no one else felt it.

"There was something, sure, butwhat?"Jay responds, peeing at me through the rearview mirror.

"My wolf was on alert. We barely did anything other than put one paw in front of the other." Dante replies, his deep baritone belying the anxiety in his scent.

"I could barely focus on anything else." I quietly admit. "It's why I stayed on the overhang for so long. We were watching.Waitingfor something to show itself."

"So, was it just the Hunters that made the forest feel that way?" Saint asks, just as Jay pulls up to the Cabin.

No one answers as Jay parks his GTR next to my Stingray or while we pile out of the car. When we're all inside the house, Dante breaks the silence.

"Maybe Magnus will know more in the morning," he offers, moving towards the stairs. "I'm grabbing a shower."

"I think I'm going to put a movie on to fall asleep. Anyone want to join?" Something about the atmosphere of the forest makes me want my Pack close.

"I'm your huckleberry, Tiny." Saint immediately responds, Jay chiming in a half-second later with an "Obviously, Gorgeous."

"What's your poison?" Saint asks, hooking an arm over my shoulders, and Jay's fingers intertwine with my left hand.

"I know just the thing," I answer, marching up the stairs with my boys in tow.

"The couch is downstairs, love," Jay says, laughing.

"Sure is. But here's the thing, Big Guy, I have zero interest in falling asleep on the couch."

Jay snorts and then says, "Alright, that's fair." He and Saint do nothing other than follow me into our room, where I take the remote to fire up my favorite comfort movie.

It takes more than one movie for me to fall asleep, though.

Somewhere in the middle of the second, this time a racing flick Jay chose, I fell asleep snuggled in close with my Pack.

14

Cuddle Puddle

Artemis

Warmth cocoons my body, and I am the most comfortable I have ever been in my entire life. Jay's arm cradles my neck, my back flush against his side. My legs are entangled between his legs, and his arms are somehow everywhere all at once.