The Hunter's Curse

Sage’s POV “You are about to be named the greatest hunter in history, how do you and your team feel about that?” The camera flashes nearly blinded me. I forced a polite smile, fingers tightening on the microphone. “How do we feel?” I let out a low laugh. “Proud. Tired. Hungry. But mostly proud.” A ripple of laughter moved through the press crowd. A woman in the front row lifted her recorder. “Do you think you’ve surpassed your family’s legacy now that you’ve reached this point total?” “Legacy isn’t about numbers,” I said smoothly. “It’s about responsibility. Every generation of Whitmores has carried the weight of Silverpeak’s safety. My team and I… we’re not killers. We’re protectors. We hunt werewolves, yes, but not out of cruelty. Out of duty.” Another flash went off. Someone coughed. A man in a sharp navy suit leaned forward. “Some would argue that a werewolf is still a person under the curse. Do you feel guilt?” My jaw clenched. “Do I feel guilt when I stop a rogue from ripping through children on their way to school? No. I feel relief. And so do the families who get to see their loved ones again.” The room quieted, waiting for me to stumble. I didn’t. I raised my chin. “But,” I added, letting the pause stretch just long enough, “that doesn’t mean we enjoy bloodshed. My team studies, prepares, strategizes. We take every mission seriously. We don’t shoot for sport. We neutralize threats. That is the difference between murderers and hunters.” A hand shot up in the back. “Ms. Whitmore, rumors say your team has the highest success rate in the last decade. Is that true?” I smiled at that one. “Check the records. We haven’t lost a mission yet. And we don’t intend to. The Whitmore Unit will continue to be the best, because failure is not an option when lives are on the line.” The reporters scribbled. Cameras clicked. My voice carried in the silence. “I’ll tell you what it means to be the greatest hunter in history,” I said. “It’s not trophies. It’s not applause. It’s the sleepless nights, the silver burns on your skin, the scars you stop bothering to cover. It’s knowing you stood between this city and the monsters outside its gates. And you’d do it again tomorrow.” A murmur of agreement filled the room. Even the reporters seemed a little caught off guard by the conviction in my tone. Someone pushed for one more. “What about the other elite hunters competing for the same title? Do you see them as rivals?” “My only rival is myself,” I said firmly. “And maybe my twin sister.” I let a grin slip. “But trust me, the world is safer when Ivy and I compete. It keeps us sharp.” The laughter eased the tension, though I caught the flicker of surprise in a few faces. They weren’t used to me joking. Another flash. Another barrage of voices. “Do you think hunters should open up training to non-Whitmore families?” “Would you ever retire before your record is broken?” “What’s your response to the protestors outside claiming hunters exploit fear?” The questions tangled together. My head buzzed. I held up a hand. “That’s all for tonight,” I said. “Silverpeak deserves to rest easy, and my team will make sure of it. Thank you.” The moderator gestured, and the lights shifted. The crowd began to shuffle, reporters shouting as security ushered them back. I exhaled, lowering the mic. My pulse still thundered in my ears, but I forced my posture steady. Perfection had no cracks. I stepped down from the stage, the hum of voices chasing me. My heels clicked against polished wood, my eyes catching the blur of movement near the aisle. And there she was. Ivy. Her lips stretched into a smile, soft but sharp in a way only I could read. “Hello, sister.” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and stepped right into her arms. “God, Ivy, I’ve missed you.” She stiffened for a moment, then hugged me back loosely. “Really? You’ve missed me? While you’ve been basking in all the attention at Silverpeak?” Her lips spread into a sly smile. “Greatest hunter in history, is that what they’re calling you now? While I still exist?” I laughed, pulling back to look at her face. “You’ve been stuck up at Vigilwatch, Ivy. Somebody had to stay behind and protect all of humanity.” Her eyes rolled so hard I thought she’d get dizzy. “Vigilwatch isn’t a vacation, Sage. I’m stationed right on the border of the Forbidden Lands. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out there? Those werewolves—” “—aren’t the ones storming through our city streets tonight,” I cut in smoothly. “That was me out there. My team. We’re not relaxing behind some wall.” Her lips tightened. “You think I don’t do anything? I watch every night, Sage. I see shadows moving, I hear howls echoing through the mountains. If they ever decide to break through, Vigilwatch falls first. And if Vigilwatch falls, Silverpeak is next.” I tilted my head, more amused than offended. “So you’re saying my little sister actually envies me?” “Envy?” She barked a laugh. “Please. I wouldn’t trade shifts with you for the world.” Before I could answer, a sharp buzz rattled against my wrist. I glanced down at the small device glowing faintly on my arm. “What is that?” Ivy asked immediately, curiosity lacing her tone. “It’s called a WatchRing,” I said, tapping the surface to silence it. “My team built it last year. Instant communication, tracking, alerts… basically our lifeline in the field.” Her brows furrowed. “You’re using that during press conferences?” “Yeah, well.” I rubbed my temple. “Duty doesn’t stop for speeches. Not that I should even be handling this one. Another team should’ve taken it. I’m… honestly overworked, Ivy. Haven’t slept properly in weeks.” Her expression softened for the first time all evening. “Then step back, Sage. No one’s chaining you to this title but yourself.” “Easy for you to say. You’re not two points away from breaking history.” She smirked. “History doesn’t pay for weddings.” That startled a laugh out of me. “Weddings? Really?” “I’m serious.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Mother and Father won’t stop pestering me. I swear, every letter I get is another list of suitable men. They want me married before winter’s over.” I whistled low. “Poor Ivy.” She nudged my arm. “Don’t act like you’re safe. What about you, hmm? Think you’ll get away without them asking? You should prepare yourself too.” “Prepare for what exactly?” “For marriage. For once in your life, stop hiding behind the hunt and think about a future.” I turned away, staring at the line of reporters still shuffling out of the hall. The lights still burned hot against the stage, but I suddenly felt cold. “Father and Mother should know better by now,” I said quietly. “The only thing I’ll ever get dressed for is a werewolf funeral not my wedding.”