Page 73 of Nugget

Stryker shook his head. “Nothing. Sorry I interrupted. Go on.”

Leo shrugged. “The council found me and took me to their doctor. Once I was awake and healed enough to ask questions, I asked about you, Gavin. They said there was no sign that you’d gotten out of the cabin.”

Gavin didn’t know how to respond to that. Obviously he’d gotten out.

“They took me to where they were housing the survivors of the attacks,” Leo said. “There were so many kids that were all alone just like me.” Leo looked over to Aaron.

Aaron nodded and gave Leo a small smile.

Aaron had been rescued from the hunters as well? That was interesting. Gavin still couldn’t place his paranormal creature though. Now he knew how Bryce had felt.

“They gave us some options. They could try to place us in foster homes, with new families, or we could train and become part of the council,” Leo told them.

“You both obviously chose to work for the council,” Stryker stated.

“I had a family,” Leo replied. “One that I loved very much. I didn’t want a new one. Besides, I was already old enough to shift and make my own way. I gave myself a mission.”

“What was your mission?” Gavin thought he already knew. He and Leo had been close as children.

“I was going to find the hunters that took my family from me and make them pay,” Leo said coldly.

“And did you?” Stryker questioned.

Again, Gavin was surprised. Stryker was almost hostile.

Leo smirked. “It took time but yes. My team and I tracked down hunters all over the world.”

“You said you looked for Gavin?” Stryker questioned.

Leo nodded. “I went back to the cabin. I searched for any sign that he got away. By then a few months had passed. I even searched the woods. Looking for something. Anything.”

“Leave nothing behind,” Gavin said softly. That was what he’d been taught by his brother and father.

“But you were so young,” Leo said. “I was sure if you were alive, I’d find something. Anything.”

“I traveled quite a bit once I got my bearings,” Gavin supplied.

“Where did you go?” Leo fisted his hands. “Who helped you?”

“No one,” Gavin admitted. “I didn't trust anyone. Not paranormal and especially not humans. I lived off the land for decades until I ran into Axel. I was in my late twenties by then.”

“That had to have been at least twenty years!” Leo exclaimed.

“I can see that.” A little smile played at the edges of his mouth. “And found a pack and a very strong alpha.”

He was a little embarrassed. Not an emotion he was familiar with.

“We’ve all heard of your pack in the council,” Aaron said.

“They’re a family. Not a pack,” Stryker stated.

Aaron laughed. “You don’t like us much, do you?”

Stryker rolled his eyes. “I haven’t seen or heard anything that I would change my opinion.”

Gavin squeezed Stryker, but Stryker wasn’t looking back at him. He was staring right back at Aaron.

“We’re the good guys,” Aaron responded.

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