Escaping Death

Chapter 49

Hey everyone! Sorry for the disappearing act, life is always crazy for us in September.

For anyone wanting the rest of this story and it's sequel (book 4), head on over to my Patreon. There's also a few bonus chapters from this story exclusively available there.

Happy Tuesday!

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Solana

"Ready to go, Sunshine?" Dean grabs my travel bag and throws it over his shoulder as he lifts two other bags off the floor.

"I still don't understand why we had to leave today. The party isn't until Thursday," I complain for the hundredth time.

"It's too late to change plans now, Sol. We need to be at Caligo in thirty minutes." Ace grumbles as he exits the front door and adds his bag to the trunk of Eli's car.

"Don't worry, Sunshine. Once we're there we can sneak off and spend the week getting lost in the Grove." Eli winks at me and playfully slaps me on the bottom earning himself warning growls from both Ace and Hunter.

Dean packs the last of the bags and joins Tate and Eli in the car while Ace kicks his bike into gear and looks at me expectantly.

Hunter's strong arms encase me from behind and squeeze me tightly. His chin rests on my shoulder where he occasionally drops kisses to my neck and jaw. "You'll be okay, Sunflower." He whispers to me sweetly.

I begin to turn in his arms and he loosens his hold on me to allow me to turn to face him and wrap my own arms around his waist so we're both standing there holding on to each other.

"Please promise you'll record your brothers kicking Eli's ass, because you know he's going to piss them off," Hunter is only half-joking.

"Fuck, Hunter, three days at home...just kill me now." I turn and drop my forehead to the center of his chest, taking my time to listen to the steady, unwavering beating of his heart.

I feel his laughter as much as I hear it. "Say hi to your mom, then fly off to the hot springs and camp out there until the party. Slip in casually late, stay for a drink, and then come home — here." I don't miss the way he called this home, and the way he almost made it sound like it was my home too.

"That's not a half bad plan," I think aloud.

The blaring of Ace's horn calls out to us to hurry up and say goodbye, but it's just so fucking hard when I really don't want to go. Especially without Hunter.

"I better go before Ace gets his tail in a twist." I begin to pull away from Hunter but he doesn't relinquish his hold on me quite yet.

"Hey," he tugs me back towards him, slips a hand behind my head, and brings our lips together. He holds me there for several moments allowing me to soak in his scent and his taste, the pressure of his hands on my body, the warmth of his touch. Not even the second sounding of Ace's horn can disrupt this moment.

When we finally pull apart he tucks a strand of my naturally white hair behind my ear, kisses my cheek, and whispers "I'll miss you," in my ear. Then he sends me off to climb on to the back of Ace's bike.

"Everything okay?" Ace asks me as I settle in behind him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's get this over with." He chuckles at my groaning and leads the way to Caligo.

The ride seems faster than usual, not that I paid much attention to it. Ace's heat, scent, and electric touch occupied most of my thoughts, leaving little room for dread.