Fated to the Huntress

Chapter 7 : Meeting Part 1

The night might have been quiet as she stepped into the darkness, but her own heart pounded in her ears louder than thunder striking right outside an open window. It shook her whole body, making her stagger uneasily as her legs seemed not to want to respond but want to break into a run at the same time. She wasn’t aware of any thoughts in her head, only that she needed to get outside, she had to see Silver Eyes up close again.

Thankfully, no one noticed her on her way out. If anyone had seen her she wouldn’t have been able to form a coherent excuse for why she was sneaking out so late while she was supposed to be on bed-rest. No doubt Lottie would tie her to her bed if she knew, and Brent would say that if she could sneak she could train.

A quick turn out the front door and she was nearing the spot where she had seen those eyes. She squinted, hoping to see the familiar flash, but felt disappointed when she saw nothing but the trees. Still, her body urged her toward the spot, not allowing her time to realize that this was a stupid idea. She knew that any wolf was dangerous, and being alone put her at a disadvantage, and Silver Eyes was huge, so even with a group she’d probably still be powerless, but she couldn’t find it in herself to care.

She just needed to see those eyes again.

Once she reached the trees, she stared into them, hoping to see the flash of silver to prove she wasn’t losing her mind. How could she explain being called into the forest by a pair of eyes that weren’t even there?

She looked at the ground and noted the broken branches and sunken earth. Something had been here recently, and it was huge! Looking up, she peered even deeper, craning her neck out but not wanting to fully step into the darkness yet. The hair on her neck stood up and goosebumps appeared on her forearms, making her keenly aware that she didn’t have any armor, any weapons…nothing but a light tunic and her trousers. She hadn’t even bothered with shoes, just a pair of slippers!

After a moment of not seeing anything, she sighed and felt her whole chest deflate. She must be losing her mind. Whatever had been there must have left in the time it took her to come downstairs. The thought that Silver Eyes might have come and not waited for her brought a wave of loneliness to her soul that almost brought tears to her eyes. Fighting a sniffle, she turned to head back inside, hoping no one would notice her again. Now she really just wanted to crawl under her blankets and rest.

Just as she turned, a low growl sounded behind her. Not loud, not angry, more of a whimper that just happened to be deep. She spun again, and there! Two large, silver eyes peeked from behind a large trunk. They were wide, and swirling with some emotion Vera had never seen before. She lost herself in those orbs as she turned to face them fully again. Once again her body stopped reacting to any conscious thought and she took the step past the tree line and into the darkness. From here on, no one looking from the Lodge would be able to see her.

Silver Eyes backed further into the trees, never blinking or losing eye contact with her. He kept far enough away that she could just barely make out his shape against the blackness of the night, his eyes the only light guiding her way. She couldn’t tell how far he backed up, but kept a slow enough pace that she could keep up without struggling, while still not getting too close.

After what seemed like forever, he finally stopped. With that low whimper-growl he seemed to nod at Vera. She instantly knew he wanted her to stay still, and she complied, wondering when she had started understanding Werewolves. Silver Eyes disappeared one more time behind a tree, but Vera could hear the unmistakable sounds of bones breaking, mixed with deep grunts, and finally a sigh. A bit more rustling followed before he finally reappeared, only this time, Silver Eyes wasn’t a wolf.

Instead, Vera faced a half-naked man who easily stood taller than anyone she had ever met. He might have been close to double her height, but easily double her size. Her eyes were drawn away from his face to the boulder-like muscles that rippled with his every move. His chest was dusted with a light layer of dark hair that narrowed just above his toned abs and started a delightfully pointed trail toward his trousers. Just like his wolf form, Vera wanted to run her hands through that thick fur until her fingers were numb.

When he caught her staring (barely able to stop from drooling), a deep chuckle rumbled through his chest and he took a step toward her. Her eyes went back to his face, where the same silver eyes peered from under thick, black eyebrows. He wore his long hair loose around his face, framing a strong, decisive jaw-line under thin bow-like lips that were curved up at the corners as he stared at her as hungrily as she did him.

“Hello, Mate,” he said, fully smiling as he raked his eyes over her again. “I’ve been looking for you.” She couldn’t stop the shiver that traveled through her body at his gravelly voice. Her instincts told her he was dangerous, but she felt trapped in her own skin, unable to move away. Her body began to feel impossibly warm everywhere he looked and she didn’t seem to know how to breathe properly.

“Why?” She finally choked out.

His eyes met hers for only a moment before he appeared toe to toe with her, leaning over her small form but not touching. He completely dwarfed her, but she wanted him to. She desperately wanted to feel those large arms around her, crushing her into his form. Her fingertips itched and the only way to scratch them would be to run them over his pecs, brushing through the fine, dark hair there. She could feel his warmth without touching him, but she craved the fire beneath his skin, threatening to consume her.

“Because you’re mine.” He leaned the rest of the way to her face and claimed her lips, engulfing her in every way she had wanted him to.