Page 60 of Hunted (Haven Realm Chronicles 1)

Raising my chin, I smelled nothing. We kept moving until the faint burning smoke hit me. Finally, civilization. Once we got closer to homes, I’d leave the wolves in the woods, while I found out where wewere.

“Not sure that’s a good idea,” Dagen pipedin.

“Neither is rocking into town with three naked men,” Ihissed.

A carving on a tree we passed grabbed my attention. A circle with a triangle inside. Protective runes. My heart soared, as I’d seen them before. I found other pines with similar markings and looked around at the gurgling creek nearby, the land slopingupward.

“Oh, I know where we are.” And I pushed onward. “My friend liveshere.”

My thighs ached with the climb, and still my vision refused tosharpen.

Soon enough, we reached the top, where we stood at the rear of a double-story, stone house. Decorative wooden slats covered the windows and the pointy roof had an iron weather vane, topped with arooster.

Just being here had me ready to tackle the world. I turned to my men. “Stay here please, and I’ll beback.”

Oryn nodded, and I headed to the front of the building, pulling down my skirt, which had inched up my thighs. But when I raised my gaze, I found Bee already in the doorway. She wore pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Not her usualdresses.

Her eyes widened. “Scarlet? Where the hell have youbeen?”

My eyes watered at seeing a familiar face. I ran to her and leaped into her arms. “I wasn’t sure I’d even make it back home, and then I met these wolves, and I swore I’ddie.”

“Holy fucking toads.” She gulped, and I broke away, following her gaze to behindme.

My shifters stood there, proud of their nakedness. Nero gripped his hips with a wink, Oryn had his arms folded, and Dagen studied us with his darkenedstare.

Bee shoved me into the house to where two couches faced the fire. This was where we had spent nights chatting about boys and spells. We’d devour an entire cake between us and drink endless cups of coffee. Heavens, I missed those times somuch.

She slammed the door shut and swung toward me. “Who the fuck are they? Did they follow you? Are they guardians? Why are they naked?” She paced to the window to peer out. “What do theywant?”

“Relax; they’re with me. I have so much to tell you.” I stumbled toward her, and she seized my arm, her nose scrunching as she stared at the greenstuff.

“What happened to you? What’s this green stuff and what are you wearing? Girl, your hair isatrocious.”

“Is your dad home?” I took off my backpack and dropped it near thecouch.

She shook her head. “He’s at the markets. I was about to go and continue searching for you, as I’ve been doing fordays.”

I swallowed the rock in my throat and stalked to the door, opening it to the men and waving them forward. I turned to Bee. “They won’t hurtyou.”

They strutted their stuff indoors, each one spreading out to inspect a different part of the room. Nero made a beeline for the sofa and crashed, putting his feet up, while Oryn inspected the bowl of fruit on the table in the corner and helped himself to an apple. Dagen remained near the door, unmoving like awarrior.

It’s okay, Dagen. You’re safe, Ipromise.

Bee backed toward the window, the lace curtain fluttering around her. “Scarlet, what the hell is going on here? Have you finally snapped and are here to have an orgy?” She smirked. “’Cause I might be all in onthat.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Neroadded.

“What?” I walked to Bee’s side but tripped over my slow feet. Crashing into the side of the sofa, I caught myself before landing on thefloorboards.

“Whoa! Okay,” Bee began. “Someone tell me who you all are or I’m pulling out my whackingstick.”

I couldn’t form words as I broke into a coughingfit.

“She’s got wolfsbane poisoning,” Nero barked. “And needs a shower to cleanse off thetoxins.”

Footfalls boomed, but I remained on my knees, hunched. The worldtilted.

“Come.” Bee was at my side and seized an elbow, drawing me outside and to the rear of the house. “I have a tub there. Dad uses it sometimes to wash himself when he works in the garden.” She turned to the guys. “Go into the bathroom inside and bring me several towels.Quick.”

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