WILD HUNT
The Revenant, Book 4
Copyright © Kali Argent
Synopsis
Held captive by human Hunters, Mackenna Wade has spent the past two years dreaming of the day she would escape her prison. Every minute since the Purge has been a living hell inside the compound, but she refuses to let her captors break her. So, she waits. Watches. Listens. And when one little mistake opens the door to opportunity, she’ll risk everything for a chance at freedom.
Even exposure of the deadly secret she harbors.
Caught in an endless spiral of shame and guilt, Cade Novak isn’t interested in being part of a team or having people depend on him. Been there, done that. It never ends well. He knows venturing into a hostile shifter camp is a suicide mission, and one he fully intends to be a one-way trip.
Until fate intervenes.
It’s a battle of wills when these two damaged souls collide, but if they can let go of the past and learn to trust again, they might just find something worth fighting for.
Table of Contents
Synopsis
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
About the Author
More from Kali Argent
WILD HUNT
Copyright © June 2020 by Kali Argent
Cover Art by Black Butterfly Designs
Published by Peccavi Press INC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal, except for the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
“Hope is a waking dream.”
—Aristotle
Prologue
Then…
“And you’re sure you feel okay?” Behind the wheel of her SUV, Mackenna Wade watched the white center lines on the two-lane road whip past her. “No headache, nausea, vomiting? You’re not bleeding from your eyes, right? Nothing like that?”
“I’m fine, Mack.” Jessica Juarez’s voice blared from the phone’s speakers and echoed through the interior of the vehicle. “Stop worrying so much.”
How could she not? According to the news channels, no one knew what the hell was happening, not doctors, scientists, or the government. They were calling it a virus, but no one really knew for sure.
Whatever was causing it, humans all over the world had been flooding into hospitals, clinics, and emergency centers, all exhibiting the same terrifying symptoms. It started with a headache and vomiting. Then came the fever. If one survived that, they could look forward to excreting blood from their eyes, ears, and nose before finally succumbing to the disease.
The only silver lining was that the victims didn’t suffer long. From the onset of symptoms to expiration lasted only hours, and so far, there was no effective treatment. Thousands of humans had already perished, and the death count continued to climb every day.
“They’re calling it the Purge,” Mackenna insisted. Well, her people—the paranormal population—were. The humans called it an apocalypse. “That sounds like something to worry about.”
“Whatever.” The slight tremor in Jessica’s voice belied her dismissive tone. “Where the hell are you anyway?”
“Actually, I’m not sure.” She’d been driving on the same stretch of bumpy road for hours, trying to make it back to her hometown before shit really hit the fan. “Hold on, I think there’s a sign.” The reflective green highway sign came into view, giving her the names and distances to the next three towns. “Looks like I’m about three miles from Salt Rock, Colorado.”
“You’re lost.”
“I am not.” She’d exited the interstate to avoid the multitudes fleeing the big cities and had never quite found her way back. “I’m taking the scenic route.”
“Right.” Jess drew the word out sarcastically. “So, is that where you plan to stop for the night?”
“Uh, definitely not.” Mackenna had been on the road for nearly six hours, and she could feel every mile in the tight muscles of her neck and shoulders. Even if she had planned to pull over for the night, it wouldn’t be in a no-name mountain town with a population of just a few hundred. “I’ll stop for coffee at the next place I see. If I keep going, I can make it there before sunrise.”
“Mack…”
She could practically hear Jess rolling her eyes on the other end of the line. “Relax. I’ll be fine.”
“Being a werewolf doesn’t make you invincible.” There was a long pause, followed by a heavy sigh. “Never mind. Just check in soon. Promise.”
“I promise.” Grinning, Mackenna reached toward her phone where it sat in a stand attached to the dashboard. “I’m hanging up now. I’ll call you back in a couple of hours.”
Without giving her friend the chance to respond, she pressed the circular red button to disconnect the call. Then, returned her attention to the current stretch of dark and deserted road.
Ahead, the sky illuminated with the faint glow of streetlights, and minutes later, a faded and crooked wooden sign announced she’d entered the Salt Rock city limits. She’d just crossed a narrow bridge over a slow-moving creek when her SUV began to shudder and veer to the right, pulling her forcibly onto the shoulder.
With her heart pounding into her throat, she gripped the wheel tight and slammed on the break, sending her vehicle fishtailing through the gravel before finally skidding to a jerky stop. Cursing under her breath, she fumbled around with the gear shift, placing the transmission in park before killing the engine.
Eyes screwed closed, hands still grasping the steering wheel, she dropped her head back
