Having Hope (Ashland Pride Book 11) by R. E. Butler

Author:R. E. Butler [Butler, R. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: shifter romance, mountain lion shifter
Published: 2019-11-03T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Ben felt the portal close as the last person in their party walked through. It was a strange, cold gust, as if a door had sealed shut, except in this crazy realm the door disappeared and couldn’t be opened by anyone except a fae. Which made the four fae with them very important. He was nervous, but trying his best to appear calm and collected like his brothers. The problem was that he was anything but. He’d always been fairly laid-back, but being in a strange realm on a trip to meet with a goddess, a fabled person who had who-the-hell-knows what kind of power, was messing with his ability to do anything but worry over his mate and brothers. Through their connection as mates he could feel that Hope was equally concerned, but whether she was worried about her safety, or those in their party, or the actual meeting with Hrixalda he didn’t know.

As if sensing that he was thinking about her, Hope glanced at him. “I’m nervous,” she whispered.

“Yeah, me too.”

It was maybe the most truthful thing he’d ever said, next to how much he loved and adored his wife and mate. “It’ll all work out, sweetness.”

She gave him a smile, but it was weak and didn’t reach her eyes.

He honestly couldn’t wait to be back in their realm and in the safety of their own home. Hopefully with the curse fully broken and the females set free, but at this point he’d just be thrilled if they returned home with no one injured. Tilting his head back, he looked up the mountain. It reminded him of the Smoky Mountains. His family had stayed in a cabin there when he was young, and he’d found the cloud-covered mountain to be both treacherous-looking and awe-inspiring. Like the Smokies, the top of this mountain was obscured by clouds.

“Keep your eyes peeled,” Crimson said as they began their trek up the slope.

They hiked as quickly as possible along a trail that wove around large, rocky outcroppings. He kept Hope between himself and Nathan, with Owen in front of them. As the sky darkened with the coming night and the moon slowly rose, they lit lanterns to ensure they stayed on the trail. No one talked or joked as they steadily climbed toward the ancient city of Skyye; the tension among all the members of their party was palpable. He wanted to say something to ease it, but he couldn’t think of anything that wouldn’t make him sound like a jackass, so he stayed quiet.

As they climbed the air got a little cooler, and he was thankful they were wearing jackets. The cloud cover was so thick that he couldn’t see very far in front of him. Their steps slowed. Suddenly flames shot out ahead of them, appearing to come from the swords that the fae held aloft. The clouds burned away with a sizzle, clearing the path around them so they could see.

“That’s handy,” Owen murmured.

“Definitely,” Hope said with a chuckle.

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