The Hunt: Protectors of the Wild Book 1 Read online




  Copyright © 2019 by Piper Collins

  All Rights Reserved.

  Cover Designer: Gina Clark

  Cover Model: Jason Aaron Baca

  Editor: Gina Clark

  This book wouldn’t be possible without the following people:

  Mom-thanks for always believing in me

  Ty-thanks for being my inspiration and weapons expert

  Tonja-I appreciate your perverted ways more than you know

  Dad-thanks for making calculations

  Mae-thanks for the technical side of things, as always

  And to my countless beta readers…thank you

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  The Hunt

  Protectors of the Wild, Book 1

  by Piper Collins

  Prologue

  Josh

  The stars were always brighter once you were only ten minutes out of the city. Driving east on highway 84 with the last dim glow of Portland's lights in my rear view was one of my favorite sights. I said one of my favorite sights. My first? My girl sitting shotgun. The windows are down in my crew cab, dusk is starting to blanket the tops of the valley that make up the Colombia River Gorge and the sweet smell of honeysuckle from her freshly shampooed hair is gently blowing around the cab. It's intoxicating.

  I reach my hand out and rest it on her thigh, just above her knee. She's wearing a cut off skirt and a plain white tank; she does this intentionally. She knows I like to rest my hand on her exposed skin and perhaps let my fingers playfully drift up. I like to tease you with the thought of having easy access to me, she'd say. We've never done it, but have come damn close. I'd like that to change, but I'll wait for whenever Amanda's ready. Hell, I'd wait a lifetime, that's how much I love her.

  The beginning of summer is upon us and along with it the promise of our future. Tomorrow we graduate high school and start the countdown to forging our way as adults. I'll be starting an internship with a local lumber company and Amanda will be going off to USC in less than two months. We plan on making the whole long-distance thing work. It'll be hard, but worth it.

  Amanda's been my girl since we met in the seventh grade. Her locker was next to mine and the moment I saw her deep chestnut hair framed around her olive complected face, I knew. I knew she was the one, the one that I was going to end up with, the one I'd spend the rest of my life with. Don't believe a thirteen-year-old kid knowing his romantic destiny? I'm not sure I would either. But there I was, hit with Cupid's arrow. I've never even looked at another girl since her.

  I can still hear her confident voice when she introduced herself. "I'm Amanda and it looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other," she announced. It took me a minute before I responded. Her lips. I was distracted by her full bottom lip that was now stretched into the most beautiful smile.

  "Uh, I'm sorry...?" I responded lamely.

  "Well, we have lockers next to each other, so we'll be bumping into each other at least six times a day." She paused. "You know...in between each class? Unless you plan on carrying these bricks they call text books around all the time?" That sweet smile was back. Her large caramel eyes looked at me patiently waiting for a reply.

  "I-I'll carry your books for you. If you'd like?" I stammered. Great first impression Josh... Amanda let out a melodic giggle as she outstretched her hand with a book for me. I eagerly took it from her while we slipped into easy conversation about where our classes were and which teacher we had for which subject.

  "I can tell you're thinking about something. You're not here are you? In the present I mean..." Her seductive voice brought me out of my reverie. She could always tell when I was day dreaming. Her tiny hand rested on top of my larger one. I turned it over and she playfully placed the heels of our palms together, measuring how short her hand was compared to mine. The tip of her thumb only came up to the knuckle on mine. Damn, she was petite. She fit with me in all the right places.

  "Mmm, I was just thinking about when we met, is all," I told her. "I couldn't stop looking at your mouth when you introduced yourself. Still can't stop looking at it," I said curling the corner of my mouth up.

  She blushed slightly. I knew she loved when I talked about how we met. She told me once that it was like hearing her very own fairy tale told by her very own prince. Her brows drew together in a pensive look before saying, "Oh, you mean the time I wanted to see how much you'd do for me before giving up? Carrying my books, walking me to class, waiting outside the girl's bathroom for me to come out...I thought you'd bail the first chance you could. But you never wavered. And I'm glad." She said the last part with a contented sigh.

  I was smitten with her then and I am now. I pulled off the highway and took the little-known side road that wound up the hillside. I was taking her to our favorite spot. The road narrowed a bit and then turned from a roughly paved two-way road to an even smaller single lane gravel one. This was the night that would cement my feelings. I'd waited so long to make things real and official.

  The road turned slightly and now we were facing north with the entire gorge below us and nothing but the vast, expansive darkening sky in front of us. This was our spot, the place we'd been coming to since I got my license. I loved taking her here; it was where we'd come to blow off steam after difficult tests, where we shared each other's first kiss, and explored every make-out base. It was the perfect setting for the next step in our lives.

  Amanda opened her door and grabbed the blanket from behind the seat and headed to the bed of the truck. Grabbing the pillow from behind my seat I met her in the back and helped her spread the blanket and create a make-shift bed. This is what we'd do. Lying next to each other, sharing the warmth our bodies offered, staring at the stars and talking about everything that came to mind. That's what I loved so much about her; she was so damn carefree. She balanced my more rational personality. I'd worry about something and she'd respond with "Whatever is meant to be, will be. Just go with it Joshie." I'd been called Joshie from an early age and always hated it. Hearing it on Amanda's lips never bothered me-in fact, I secretly loved it.

  "What do you want Amanda?" I reached for her hand and our fingers interlocked.

  "I could really go for some fries and a coke right now, you?" She knew what I was asking but she liked playing with me.

  My voice got serious. "You know what I mean, Amanda...like, after we graduate tomorrow. What do you really want?" I asked.

  She rolled up on her elbow and looked down at me. She was the carefree one, but now she looked at me with the most serious look I've ever seen. "You Josh. That's all I've ever wanted. We'll be taking different paths soon, but believe me when I say that I will wait for you and I hope you'll wait for me. We're meant to be together. Do you think it's crazy that we feel this strongly for one another?" Her beautiful eyes were looking at me with longing and it was all I could do to control myself.

  "Hell no, I don't think it's crazy!" I said without abandon. "Amanda, you're my everything. I'll wait for you. Every br
eak from school, every time you come home for the holidays-I'll fly down to visit you when I can. I can't imagine my life without you," I declared. Here was my moment. I sat up and retrieved a small box from pocket. Amanda followed me up and sat opposite me with her legs gracefully tucked under herself.

  Her eyes followed my hand as it dipped into the front pocket and she let out a small gasp when she saw the box. "Amanda," I started, "you've had my heart from the first day I met you. We've been by each other's side through a lot and every time I'm away from you, I feel a void. You fill my heart and soul with happiness and even though we'll be separated by miles, my heart and intentions will remain true." I opened the box and she stared down at a simple gold band. Sunken into the yellow colored metal was a single round yellow sapphire. I should've been nervous, but I wasn't. This felt beyond right, with every fiber of my being.

  "It's a yellow sapphire," I said. "The yellow gold and the stone are bright and happy and that's all you've ever made me. It's not a diamond, but I want this to be symbolic of our promise of commitment to each other. 'Manda, will you promise to wait for me?" I reached for her hand and simply held it.

  There was a single track from a tear that had escaped down her left cheek. I reached to wipe it away and she intercepted my hand. She gently pulled it to her mouth and placed a single kiss on my palm. Her lips, there they were again, distracting me and sending a jolt down my spine.

  "Amanda..?" I prompted.

  "Oh Josh," she sighed. "I've never been happier. I like you and I love you; of course, I'll wait."

  And with that my mouth claimed hers and we kissed for what seemed like an eternity. That was just it; with her, time stood still. She was a golden, bright light that warmed me from within and in that moment, I knew that nothing would separate us.

  Until the day our graduation tore a chasm the size of a canyon in our lives.

  Amanda

  I carefully chose my outfit for today. I wanted to look polished and pretty after my gown was no longer required to be worn. Pictures last a lifetime they say, so I went with a dusty blue sun dress that complimented my collar bone and narrow waist. It was what I wore underneath that was chosen with the utmost care.

  I wanted tonight to be the night for Josh and me. We'd saved ourselves and though he was nothing but respectful, I wanted more. I'd thought long and hard and I was ready. Ready to commit myself to Josh, the boy I loved. I knew he'd hesitate at first, but once his hand slid up my thigh and felt the lacy garment, he'd be rearing to go. I chose yellow lace to match the brilliant sapphire that sat in the band on my right ring finger.

  I'd never felt more sure of anything in my life. My immediate future was set; I'd be leaving for SoCal in mid August which meant my time with Josh was limited. The thought of being separated by so many miles made my stomach do a somersault. We'd make it work and then life would take us where it would.

  My mom yells from downstairs that it's time to get going. The ceremony starts in an hour and a half and she and my dad want to get pictures beforehand with me outside the venue that's hosting the graduation. The plan is to meet Josh there. Luckily, we'll only be a few seats away, alphabetically speaking. He's a C and I'm an E.

  I grab my purse and double check that the picture I keep of Josh and I is tucked away in my zippered side pocket. I carry it with me everywhere. It's a candid snapshot of the two of us taken in the hallway in school from junior high. His left arm is around me and the other is filled with my text books. So chivalrous, one of the many reasons I love him.

  The excitement of the day is contagious as my parents and I have our pictures taken once we arrive. The ceremony will be long, there's around four hundred and twenty-five kids in our graduating class. I spot Josh and hurry over to him. He's so handsome in his cap and gown. He easily grabs me around my waste and spins me in a dizzying hug that I've come to love. He's so much taller than me and it's effortless for him to swing me like he does.

  "Hi handsome," I say with a sly smile.

  "God, I thought you'd never get here. You look beautiful and the ring looks great on you," he says this last part close to my ear which sends a shiver down my arms. He knows my trigger points and the area just under my ears is super sensitive.

  I lean up to him and whisper "I have a surprise for you tonight."

  He looks at me with wide eyes. I'm rewarded with a million-dollar smile and clasp hands as we walk into the venue.

  The ceremony drones on. Josh and I have already accepted our diplomas, and we're currently on the letter M. Half way...my mind is consumed with thoughts of what tonight will bring. Josh has been my best friend, I've shared my every thought and dream with him and he's been nothing but supportive. Even when I dropped the bombshell of me wanting to go to an out of state college.

  His unwavering support is one of the many reasons I fell for him. It wasn't hard and it didn't take long, but Josh has been my one and only person. He's the one that I can imagine my entire future with. He'll be an amazing husband and a wonderful dad when the time comes. He's caring and thoughtful and protective and manly in all the right ways.

  We're coming up on Y now, it's almost over. I lean forward in the seats and catch a glimpse of Josh. He's leaning around our classmates and seeking me out as well. We both smile at each other. The ceremony ends with the tossing of the caps but before he and I can get to each other, his dad has approached him and pulled him away from the crowd of new graduates.

  I wanted to get to him, to give him a hug and say "we did it!", but I'm surrounded by friends that sweep me up in their enthusiasm and I quickly lose sight of Josh. It was exciting, the feeling of being free from mandatory schooling, the feeling of taking on new responsibilities and the idea that the world was at our feet. We'd all worked so hard to get here and it was time to celebrate.

  I eventually made my way through the throng of people only to be sobered by the vision that would haunt me for the rest of my life: Josh's dad had him firmly by the shoulders and was forcing him out through the double doors. Josh was strong and built well, but he was no match against his six-foot-four-inch dad. I shouted his name as loud as I could hoping it would carry over the crowd. Right before the door closed, as if pulled by an invisible magnet, Josh turned around and saw my tear stained face. I saw but didn't hear my name on his lips. It was the last time I saw him.

  CHAPTER 1

  Amanda 12 Years Later

  The ticking of the clock on my cherry wood desk was enough to make me want to punch something-anything. But mostly just Jason, my boss. Schedule this, schedule that, follow up on my Prime orders, book a table at this restaurant, pick up my dry cleaning... Yes, as a personal assistant that was my job, but the man was a tyrant. The man was the typical thirty-something millionaire playboy. He made his fortune in his early twenties, on top of his trust fund, and was knee deep in money.

  The job sounded appealing and to an eager new Business grad, and a three-figure salary was the icing on the cake. So yeah, it didn’t matter that the interview went swimmingly or the fact that Jason was attractive and knew it. I was hungry to work and to put my degree to use. You don’t graduate from USC at the top of your class just to sit behind a desk and play puppet to a mogul. Or do you?

  Evidently so, except tonight I wouldn’t be at my desk. Jason’s annual end of summer soiree was at eight, and I was inevitably required to be there in case he needed me to do anything. And I was dreading it.

  I wish I could say that he hosted this to raise money for charity, but no. It was a black-tie evening on his yacht that consisted of other insanely rich assholes, schmoozing, networking and getting drunk on eleven-hundred-dollar champagne. How did I know this? Because I ordered the two cases of booze and didn’t feel bad when I charged it to his black AMEX card. What was twenty-six thousand dollars in champagne to Jason? Nothing, that's what.

  It was three forty-five and I still had to get his dry cleaning and sign for his tux that was being delivered at four-thirty. I was off an hour later, but had to get
home and dress in my required attire that Jason had deemed adequate. I’m pretty sure I'd rather chew my toenails than go tonight, but what could I do?

  I walked the short distance to the dry cleaners and retrieved his clothes. It was a beautiful day in LA and I wasn’t quite ready to get back to the office, so I stopped at the Starbuck’s on my way back for an iced tea. The passion fruit tea was pleasant on my palette and the coolness of the drink was refreshing after my short walk.

  On my way back in the building, I caught the elevator just as the door was closing. A nice man held the door for me so I could slip in. I must’ve looked flustered carrying five shirts, my drink and trying to keep my Celine bag on my shoulder.

  “Thanks so much,” I said with a warm smile.

  “No problem, miss,” the gentleman said. “You wouldn’t perhaps be going to Mr. Haywood’s floor, would you?" he asked and shifted a black garment bag to his other hand.

  “I am. Is that his tux? I can take that,” I offered and began to lay the shirts over my arm.

  “Nonsense. Your hands are full-here, let me help you with those in fact." He took the clothes from me and added them to the hanger the tux was on. He had a kind face, albeit tanned beyond measure. The harsh LA sun had done a number on him, but if I had to guess, he aided in the acceleration of UV exposure.