A Hunter's Keep - #1 of "The Hunter's Series"

Lizzy’s POV

Once they saw what had been done to toe wolves here, Kevin and Jack never once left my side. Even Derik seemed to be uneasy about what might be done to me, by the looks I was getting from the many wolves that now found lost family and friends.

I chose to ignore it. I chose to ignore the pain in my chest. I chose not to think, that I – for them to have this, I had to give up EVERYTING I ever had in live. My family, my freedom, my life… Even Sif…

I turned and walked over to the stairs that led to the lowers prisions. Jack and Kevin tailing closely behind me, along with Derik and Alpha Vector. The anger radiating off them in waves and a low growl escaped Derik.

“The keys are in there,” I said, pointing to a steel door, that was locked. I wasn’t silver, so I knew they could take it down and fetch them. Alpha Vector did the honors, while he, Jack and Derik went inside to get the keys. I and Kevin got a pair each as well, but unlike the males, I headed further into the prison.

I needed to find her. To find Sif’s mother!

This might be the very last thing I got to do for her. I could bring her mother back…

She wasn’t hard to find, seeing that she was in the exact same spot where I last saw her. She looked pale and sick, but at least still alive and breathing. She looked to me and her surprise was almost as evident as my pain. I felt guilty for leaving her, but this way I at least could unite her with her daughter.

“You came back,” she whispered, while I removed her chains. A second later Derik popped up behind me.

“Alpha Vector!”

His voice was clear and loud, echoing off the thick walls. I looked up and couldn’t help but to admire how natural he made all of this seem. In the midst of all of the chaos going on, he remained calm and collected, never loosing sight of what was important.

“Dad?!”

“Steffanie!”

It was a heartwarming moment to see them together. Although I hated the man, I didn’t wish it even for my worst enemy to lose a child.

“There are more cells up ahead,” I said, and led the party away from the father-daughter moment. These cells were for the stronger females. Their cells were small rooms carved into the cold walls of the mountain and enclosed with a thick steel door, laced with silver.

I helped them getting them opening the doors, getting the females out of this hellhole. They all looked the same. Sick and weak, but alive. I opened the last door. A lone she-wolf was lying in one of the corners. She looked up at me; murder and hatred in her eyes. I’d opened my mouth to assure her, that everything was going to be ok, when I sensed his presence behind me.

And that’s when it all clicked.

Her eyes soften and widen in surprise. His breath hitched and I could almost hear his heart drop. The chemistry between them was thick enough to cut through.

That’s when I realized: This she-wolf…

It was Mindy.

It was Derik’s mate!