Page 7 of Oath of Revenge

Growlers avoided the old druid’s cottage in the center of the Feral Forrest. It was forbidden, off-limits, part of a treaty from years ago.

Maybe the Elders had lied about that though? If Brody remembered his family and his past in Busparia, maybe the Elders had lied about the old druid too?

If the druid didn’t kill him, she might offer shelter, warmth, medicine, and magic. The rushing water grew louder, and his heart raced, even as his body became dangerously cold.

He needed time to heal and grow stronger before he could reclaim his place as alpha and sort out the problem with Brody.

But first, he had to survive the waterfalls and escape the river before it turned south. Water swirled and tossed him from side to side. He fought against the darkness, desperately calling on all the spirits and gods he could remember as he clawed his way to the bank.

Chapter 2

“Mistress Scarlet, welcome back,” said the butler as he took her cloak. “How was your mission?”

“It wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped.” Scarlet stomped mud off her boots just inside the door of the castle. Every step made her head vibrate and bob side to side as she tried to keep her head upright.

“Oh?”

“It’s hard to be inconspicuous with fucking antlers, bunny ears, and a wolf’s tail,” Scarlet scowled.

The butler sniffed and held her cloak, “Tell me about it.”

He waved his two extra arms, which were really just two feather dusters that stuck out from each side of his ribs. Even as he shook out her cloak, the dusters were busy cleaning the dirt on the door and wall.

From his hips extended a broom on one side and a dust pan on the other, which also didn’t stop moving.

Scarlet sighed and a stab of guilt made her stomach twist. “I’m sorry, Hobbs. I know this curse is hard for you too.”

He smiled and nodded his head to the wide hallway. “They’re in the library, miss. I’ll send in some refreshments.”

“Thank you,” she said, the weight of responsibility added to the heaviness of her antlers. She might have more curses than the others, but she was the one who’d been appointed to solve the problem. They were all relying on her, even though most of the others avoided her.

She walked down the wide, marble hallway. In the past six months, the haunted Hartsgrove castle had been cleaned and rebuilt from an attack by the skeletal dragon.

Now it shined good as new, thanks to Hobbs and the castle’s ghost, Leopol. She looked around but didn’t see the wispy man as she entered the library.

Her brother, Knox, stood behind his wife, massaging her shoulders. Eirwyn sat in one of the plush chairs in front of the fireplace, feet propped up with a forgotten book in her lap.

Her family turned at the sound of her boots on the floor and smiled. They were so damn happy and content together.

She didn’t envy them, she really didn’t. She’d never wanted to live the domesticated life, barefoot, pregnant, and reliant on a man. Her dad had raised her to be independent. Plus, there was her love for adventure and that sense of fulfillment from a job well done.

Even if that job was slicing the throat of some noble scum or making an abuser disappear. She was a hired Hunter, but she had standards.

The past few years, the hunt had been getting stale, though. She didn’t want a home or babes, but she did want someone to have her back. She was so lonely, especially with these fucking curses.

They’d put a stop to almost all of it. Now she had responsibilities. People relied on her. She pushed down the rage that burned in her soul at the injustice of the curses and fear of failure at being unable to break them.

Knox smiled. “Scarlet, you’re back! How was the trip? Did you have any trouble?” His smile turned into a worried frown as she stepped closer.

She sank into the opposite cushioned chair, turning sideways and dangling her legs over the armrest.

“Of course I had trouble. I can hardly ride through the forest without getting this fucking rack tangled in the trees, much less meet with the other Hunters.”

She sighed, knowing they would think she had no propriety when in reality, this was just the most comfortable position for her giant-ass antlers.

The housekeeper, Helga, came into the room pushing a cart and swiping her tea leaf hair out of her face.

Eirwyn shifted on the seat to sit up. “Oh, tea is here. This will make you feel better. I’m sure you’re hungry after getting all tangled up and traveling all this way.”