Hunter (Crescent Wolves Book One)

Chapter One

Serina! Wake up! It's today!"

Being shaken awake by my best friend Cassy was more normal than you'd think. Given that Cassy had a key to my floor in the pack house, it wasn't much of a surprise.

"Ugh, Cass, what time is it?"

I opened my eyes slowly to the bright sunshine flowing in the large windows overlooking the vast forests surrounding my home. "It's nearly 11 Ser. You've slept the entire morning. You missed everyone setting up."

Cassy gave me a shake and walked over to my dressing table, plopping herself down by the mirror and casting me an exasperated look back. Slowly, I sat up, trying to untangle myself from my bedsheets, stretching, and feeling the muscles in my backache from the dreams from the night before.

"What do you mean setting up? What's going on now?"

Slowly leaving the bed and stumbling over to my bathroom door, I looked at my best friend, who was excitedly vibrating.

"Only you would forget! The Gathering! Everyone's been given tasks, and the whole house is being prepared. We have visitors coming."

She practically squealed the last part, making me stop in my tracks.

The gathering, the thought of it alone, made me nervous.

Making my way into my small one-suite bathroom, I turned on my shower, allowing the water to reach the desired level, and looked in the mirror. Something from a horror movie came to mind as I glanced at my reflection. My face was pale, and I had bags under my eyes, not to mention hair, the black strands tangled and pointing every way.

"Apparently, your dad has even called in more troops, not to mention the extra security of late."

Cassy called from the bedroom, interrupting my gaze.

Trust Cassy to know all the gossip; she has an ear to every wall. But the extra security is unusual. They've been on the borders until now.

Stripping from my pajama shorts and baggy top and stepping into the shower, I quickly washed myself with my coconut shampoo and conditioner treatment, soon untangling my lion's mane of hair. Stepping out wrapped in my fluffy towel, I felt like a new woman, but the thoughts of the gathering kept plaguing my mind.

Making my way into my bedroom, Cassy patted the seat by the dresser, hairbrush in hand. I couldn't help but smile. Cas had been my friend for as long as I could remember, always caring for me and teaching me how to do womanly things. Things you can't reasonably ask your dad.

My mother died when I was young. Leaving me to fend for myself and my ruthless father, who prefers tough love and ignorance to taking notice of me.

Cassy started teasing the tangles from my hair, the long ebony waves now flowing down to my ribs. I had taken my mother's coloring, much to my father's continuing disapproval.

My thoughts whirled around the ever-looming event, where all the surrounding packs gathered. This year, our packlands had been chosen to hold the event.

"What do you think dads up to Cas?"

I couldn't quite shake the nerves now bubbling in my stomach.

"I don't know, but the pack is talking; people even say it could be the Royal pack. The Crescents are arriving."

That statement had me sitting up. Horror took over the nerves in my stomach.

"Surely not! The Crescents! We've not seen them since we were pups! They never attend the gathering."

Turning right around on the stool, I faced my friend full-on, and for a second, I even saw pity flutter in her eyes. Even her boisterous personality could sense the oncoming tension, the unknown, the way the royal family's arrival affected us all.

Affected me.

She put her arms around me, giving me a tight hug. Her floral perfume filled my senses and calmed me.

"I don't know, but it would explain what's happening here. Personally, I'd love to get a look at the royals again. Now hurry up and get dressed! So, we can see for ourselves."

After throwing on a simple summer gown and Cassy gossiping on my arm, we made our way down the two floors to the pack's main quarters, which were buzzing with activity. People flew around cleaning windows, mopping the wooden floors, and piling laundry. We went through the house to my dad's study, stopping before the dark wooden doors.

"Ugh… I think I have something to do."

Cassy's sudden bravery in turning tail and heading for the door made me giggle. I couldn't blame her. Marcus Redmoon was a terrifying figure, tall, broad, and, despite being in his late fifties, a tank of a man. He was a prizefighter in his youth, winning many fights for the pack and strengthening our bonds with the Southern and Eastern packs we once fought with. Not to mention, he had a mind for strategy, clever. I could never get away with lying to him.

These days, I knew better.

"Don't just stand in the doorway, girl. Come in so I can see you."

I knew it was coming, but I still jumped when I heard his voice—cold and hard, like steel. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the office. The space was light and airy enough. Extended bookshelves filled the walls, and a dark wooden desk sat in the middle with a modern computer and piles of paperwork. But the figure behind the desk drew my gaze.

Suddenly, the room did not feel so light, almost like all the brightness and air seemed to be sucked out.

"Well, daughter, how did you know I was about to summon you?"

Marcus's eyes glinted with a dangerous gleam when he turned and set them on me.

"Lucky guess"

I just tried not to flinch as he smirked at me. He would never hurt me, but I knew that he would never need to. I was taught long ago what would happen if I disobeyed.

"Have you heard the gossip then, Serina? We expect visitors. Sit."

I came forward, sitting down on one of the two chairs in front of the large desk my father sat on the other side of. Looking smugger by the second, he was really starting to unnerve me,

I had a feeling something significant was coming, and I would not like it.

"What's wrong child? You seem nervous. And so, you should be."

His wicked grin grew with each sentence. At that point, I had a cold sweat. The nerves have turned to blocks of ice, stealing my breath and freezing me to the very core. He carried on regardless of my feelings.

"I have made an arrangement, my dear; you will finally be useful to me. These pack wars are expensive and dearly cost us men and money. Simply, the Redmoon pack cannot go on. So, I have struck a deal. We will have peace."

At first, I was stunned and gleeful. A war as old as time was finally coming to an end, years of fighting and wolves killed for no more than an old feud and a borderline. It was all over.

And then it hit me.