Mates of a Werewolf Hunter

Chapter 29 A Retreat to Elegance

Valentine Winters P.O.V

I couldn't do it.

I couldn't leave him there, stranded with a loaded gun aimed at his head. The very thought of abandoning him gnawed at me, tearing through every instinct to run. My body tensed, but I stood my ground, refusing to let fear dictate my actions.

Who could walk away from their soulmate in a moment like this? Anyone in my shoes would have done the same. The bond we shared was too deep, too strong to sever for the sake of my own freedom.

Slowly, I lowered myself onto the ground, my white fur brushing against the cold earth as I bowed in submission. It was a silent plea, an offering of my life in exchange for his. The choice was clear—my freedom meant nothing without him by my side.

Lucifer Argent's P.O.V

My wolf growled in frustration as I watched her refuse to run. The tension in the air crackled, thick with uncertainty. Why wasn't she following the instincts ingrained in her wolf nature? She should be sprinting to safety, not submitting to this madness.

I silently urged her to flee, to prioritize her life over this chaotic situation. But as I watched her lower her massive wolf body in submission, irritation surged within me. Her loyalty overrode her survival instincts, and it exasperated me as much as it stirred something deeper—something warmer in my heart.

Kyle, momentarily bewildered by her unexpected defiance, tightened his grip on the gun. The slight distraction was all I needed. I lunged, driving my elbow into his stomach and wrenching the weapon from his grasp. The tables had turned, and the confidence drained from Kyle's face, replaced by a mask of fear.

My so-called father, the man who had inflicted so much pain and confusion in my life, dared me to shoot. The air was thick with anticipation, charged with the weight of this final confrontation.

"So-" he began, his voice dripping with challenge. "Do you even have the guts to shoot me? Do you have the heart to do it?"

I flicked the safety off, the sound sharp in the tense silence. His bravado faltered, fear creeping into his eyes. Just as I prepared to pull the trigger, my mate—my courageous, stubborn mate—stepped between us, altering the course of this deadly standoff.

"Step aside." I ordered, my voice laced with frustration.

But she didn't move. Defiance flickered in her eyes as she shook her head, standing her ground.

"I said step aside." I growled, my wolf's presence intensifying, pushing against my control.

Please, you'll regret it, her voice echoed in my mind, soft but firm.

"I wouldn't regret—" I began, but she cut me off.

He did look after you, she reminded me, her thoughts brushing against mine with a calmness that only fueled my inner turmoil.

I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the anger simmering within me. Her disobedience, her refusal to heed my commands, only intensified my frustration. Images of the past flickered through my mind—moments when he cradled me as a child, times when he provided for my every need. A maelstrom of conflicting emotions surged, tearing at my resolve.

"Fine!" I groaned in exasperation, lowering the gun.

I turned my gaze to the man who had raised me, despite everything. "Harm her, and you won't be so lucky next time." I warned, my voice cold, carrying the weight of a promise that hung in the charged air.

The tension lingered, unspoken threats and unresolved emotions swirling between us. The standoff might have ended, but the battle was far from over.

Valentine Winters P.O.V

How could he even contemplate ending the life of the man who, despite the torment of relentless training and hunting, had provided him with a life of relative comfort?

"Get me my clothes in a suitcase and all my cash. I'm leaving this place," Lucifer ordered, his voice cold and resolute.

His gaze locked onto me, sending a shiver down my spine. His commanding presence was undeniable, a stark reminder that he was not one to be trifled with.

He kneeled down, his voice cutting through the silence. "Come here."

Should I approach him? The question lingered in my mind.

"Do I always have to repeat myself for you to understand?" he groaned, his tone laced with mild frustration.

Reluctantly, I crawled toward him on all fours, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Shift back." he ordered, his eyes unwavering.

I shook my head, refusing. I couldn't expose myself to him in such a vulnerable state.

"It's not like I haven't seen you naked before." he reasoned, his voice softening slightly.

With a fluid motion, he unbuttoned his shirt and handed it to me. "Shift back and wear this." he instructed, offering a temporary solution to my predicament. I took the shirt into my mouth and walked behind a nearby tree. With a quick shift back to my human form, I slipped into the shirt, the fabric hanging loosely on my frame.

I couldn't shake the feeling of exposure and shyness that clung to me, even with the shirt providing some semblance of modesty. It was far from ideal, but it was better than nothing.

His men soon emerged, carrying two massive suitcases, a small bag, and a wallet stuffed with credit cards. "Thanks." Lucifer acknowledged, taking the luggage. I followed in silence as he led me to a sleek Mercedes. He tossed the bags into the trunk before taking my hand and guiding me to the front passenger seat. The door shut with a reassuring thud, and he moved to the driver's side, starting the car with a smooth purr of the engine.

As we drove, questions swirled in my mind. Where were we headed? Why was he coming with me? The quiet car ride felt like a chessboard of unspoken thoughts and suppressed inquiries. Despite the bravery I had shown in my pack, here in his presence, I felt like a hesitant milksop.

Eventually, the car pulled up near a bustling shopping mall. I glanced at him, puzzled. Why a shopping mall?

"Wait here and don't go anywhere." he instructed, locking the car with a slight opening of the window.

Sighing, I rested my head against the glass, the exhaustion of the day sinking in. I drifted into a brief nap, only to be jolted awake by the sound of the car door slamming shut. Lucifer returned with bags brimming with clothes, the sight of which piqued my curiosity.

He handed them to me, restarted the car, and as we pulled away, I peeked into the bags. All women's clothing. Was this for me?

"Change at the back; we'll be staying in a hotel tonight. You can't just walk in wearing that." he answered, as if reading my thoughts.

Nodding, I clambered to the back seat, quickly changing into undergarments, a black top, and jeans. As I settled back into the front seat, I noticed his gaze flicker over me, a brief moment of acknowledgment before he refocused on the road.

Moments later, we arrived at a grandiose hotel, signaling a shift into a new chapter of our uncertain journey.