Gifted

Chapter 44 - Hunter

Everyone had left the room. Apart from Pearl, who was still unconscious on the opposite armchair.

Looking down and stroked over Sage's hair. 'This will be over soon, baby. And I'll do whatever it takes to get you back. Just promise me you won't give up on us.'

I hoped on some level she could hear me. Continuing, in case I didn't get another chance.

'Baby, you need to realise what it means to have you, be with you. You're my light, my heart, my soul. It's been that way the moment I set eyes on you. I tried to fight it—deny it. But you got in here.' I placed my hand over my chest.

'You saw past all my bullshit and showed me how to love somebody. Understand Sage, I can't have you thinking that I'll be okay if you leave me, because I won't.'

I stroked my thumb over her cheek, across her lips. Relieved that she didn't feel as cold as earlier.

′I've no fucking idea what I did to deserve you, but here you are. You're all I need, Sage. You're all I want. So, don't you fucking dare give up on us. Because I'm gonna fight for this until the last breath leaves my body.′

Swallowing down my heartfelt plea. I hoped to Christ on some level she heard me. I looked up to see Gunner in the doorway—as usual, I didn't hear him approach. Sneaky bastard.

"Good boss?" he grunted.

Good? Yeah, right. I felt so far away from being good. For the first time, my stress levels were jacked to the max, and it didn't help that I hadn't slept in what felt like weeks. I was nearly running on empty, a pressure cooker waiting to burst.

Shoving all that to one side and with a quick flick of my head, I needed to move my arse. "I need you to watch her."

I shifted myself from under her. Kissing the top of her head. 'Love you.' I smiled and a flush flooded her cheeks, offering me hope she'd heard me.

"Shout me if she moves, breathes differently or anything, yeah?"

"Sure boss."

"Same goes for her too." I pointed towards Pearl, who was still out for the count.

He grumbled but nodded.

>>>

Checking the time, it was just after one in the morning. I needed to check in with Zander, John and the packs. I'd already left most—who the fuck was I kidding—All the planning to Zander, which was fine by me.

Me, I would rather kill things.

Everyone was in the kitchen. I got myself a coffee whilst listening to the back-and-forth planning and banter.

"Intel says Du-Ponte has a weapon that can do some strange shit to wolves," announced Zander.

My ears pricked. "Like what?"

He shrugged. "He has some batshit doctor working for him. I'm now finding out more wolves have disappeared—mainly rogues. They haven't been checking in."

Zander gave me a look. What the fuck did he expect? I'd never chased down rogues that didn't check in before. Had enough shit on my plate.

Pushing down my irritation. "Okay, we can't focus on what he might or might not have. What this needs is a head-on attack. Remove the head of the snake and the rest will fall."

That was my plan. Simple. Direct. Effective.

"Du-Ponte?" asked Misha.

I nodded. "Yeah, Du-Ponte and that fucked up Dream-Walker. Sage was very clear, he needs to be taken out of the picture."