Hunters
1146 Words
The peace didn't last.
Three days after the Moon Temple revealed the bond, Roman woke before dawn to a scent that made every instinct inside him come alive.
Smoke.
Metal.
Humans.
He was outside before the sun rose over the mountains.
Kai was already standing at the edge of the tree line, his expression grim.
"You smell it too."
Roman nodded once.
"They're closer than yesterday."
A low growl rumbled in Kai's chest.
"They're not hikers."
Roman crouched, running his fingers through the damp earth.
Fresh boot prints.
Heavy ones.
At least four people.
One set was larger than the rest, leaving deep impressions in the soil.
"They're carrying equipment," Roman said quietly.
Kai's jaw tightened.
"And weapons."
---
Inside the cabin, Emma stretched as she walked into the kitchen.
The smell of cinnamon rolls drifted through the air.
Finn stood at the counter dusting flour from his hands.
Leo was setting the table while humming loudly to himself.
Asher wandered in moments later.
"Morning, everyone."
Leo grinned.
"Morning."
"You overslept."
"I was resting."
"You were snoring."
"I was aggressively resting."
Emma laughed.
The sound filled the kitchen.
But something felt...off.
Roman and Kai weren't there.
"They're outside," Finn answered before she could ask.
"They've been gone for almost an hour."
Emma frowned.
"Everything okay?"
Finn hesitated just long enough for her to notice.
"I hope so."
---
Roman returned just as breakfast was being served.
His expression was unreadable.
Kai followed close behind.
Neither of them sat down immediately.
Asher looked up.
"Well?"
Roman folded his arms.
"We have visitors."
Emma's smile faded.
"What kind of visitors?"
"Hunters."
The room became silent.
Leo slowly lowered his fork.
"They're back."
Emma looked around the table.
"...Back?"
Kai answered.
"Every few years someone wanders too close."
"Most are harmless."
"Some aren't."
Finn quietly added,
"They don't always hunt animals."
Emma stared.
"You mean..."
Roman nodded.
"They hunt wolves."
Her stomach dropped.
---
After breakfast, Roman gathered everyone in the living room.
"They're camping somewhere east of the river."
"There are four of them."
"They'll probably be here another day."
Kai crossed his arms.
"I say we scare them off."
"No."
Roman's answer came immediately.
"As long as they stay outside our territory, we leave them alone."
"And if they don't?"
Roman looked toward the window.
"Then we protect our home."
Emma shifted uneasily.
"I could talk to them."
Five heads turned toward her.
"They're human."
"They'll listen to me."
Kai shook his head.
"They won't."
"You don't know that."
"I know hunters."
Roman raised a hand before the argument could grow.
"No one is approaching them."
"It's too risky."
Emma reluctantly nodded.
She understood.
Even if she didn't like it.
---
Later that afternoon, Emma wandered into Finn's herb garden.
She knelt carefully, pulling weeds from around the lavender bushes.
It helped calm her thoughts.
She hated feeling helpless.
Suddenly—
A twig snapped.
Emma looked toward the trees.
"Hello?"
No answer.
Another snap.
Closer.
She slowly stood.
A man stepped into the clearing.
He wore camouflage clothing and carried binoculars around his neck.
A hunting rifle rested over one shoulder.
He froze the moment he saw her.
"Well..."
"I wasn't expecting to find anyone living out here."
Emma's heart began pounding.
Think.
Fast.
The hunter smiled politely.
"You okay?"
She forced herself to smile back.
"Yeah."
"My car broke down a few days ago."
"I'm staying with some friends until it's fixed."
The lie came easier than she expected.
The man glanced toward the cabin.
"Friends?"
Emma nodded.
"They own this place."
"Huh."
He scratched his beard.
"We've been tracking some unusually large wolves."
"You seen any?"
Emma's pulse hammered.
She shook her head without hesitation.
"No."
"Just deer."
"And rabbits."
The hunter looked disappointed.
"Shame."
He looked back toward the woods.
"If you do see them..."
"They're dangerous."
Emma swallowed.
"I'll remember that."
He tipped his hat politely.
"Stay safe."
"You too."
She watched until he disappeared into the trees.
The moment he was gone—
She ran.
---
Roman met her halfway across the yard.
"What happened?"
Emma was breathing too hard to answer.
Finally she managed,
"I..."
"I talked to one of them."
Roman's face paled.
"You what?"
"He came into the garden."
"I couldn't let him see anything."
Kai appeared beside Roman.
"What did you tell him?"
Emma looked at each of them.
"I lied."
"I told him my car broke down."
"That I was staying with friends."
"And when he asked about wolves..."
She took a deep breath.
"I said I'd only seen deer."
Silence.
Roman searched her face.
"You protected us."
Emma frowned.
"Of course I did."
"They would've hunted you."
"As far as they're concerned..."
"You're my friends."
No one spoke.
Leo smiled first.
Then Finn.
Even Kai's guarded expression softened.
Just a little.
"You lied without even thinking about it," Kai said quietly.
Emma shrugged.
"You saved my life."
"I wasn't about to betray you."
Kai stared at her for several long seconds.
Finally...
He gave one short nod.
It was the closest thing to thanks anyone had ever seen from him.
---
That evening, Roman stood alone on the porch watching the sun disappear behind the mountains.
Emma stepped outside carrying two mugs.
"I figured it's my turn."
Roman accepted one with a small smile.
"Thank you."
For a while they stood in comfortable silence.
Finally Roman spoke.
"You could've left with him."
Emma looked at him.
"What?"
"The hunter."
"He would've taken you back to civilization."
"You would've been safe."
Emma laughed softly.
"You think I'd just abandon you?"
Roman didn't answer.
She looked out across the forest.
"When I got lost..."
"I thought I was completely alone."
"I'd convinced myself no one would ever find me."
She glanced toward the cabin where the others laughed over another card game.
"Instead..."
"I found five people who treated me like family."
Roman's chest tightened.
Emma smiled.
"I wasn't lying to that hunter."
"You are my friends."
Roman looked at her.
For the first time since she arrived...
He believed her.
Not because of the Moon Bond.
Not because of destiny.
Because she had chosen to stand beside them when it mattered.
Inside the cabin, Leo peeked through the curtain.
"They're smiling again."
Asher looked over his shoulder.
"They're definitely smiling."
Finn chuckled.
"Leave them alone."
Kai, who happened to be passing by, glanced out the window.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"She chose us today."
Finn nodded.
"She did."
None of them noticed the distant figure standing atop a ridge overlooking the cabin.
The hunter lowered his binoculars.
"There is something strange about that place," he muttered.
He turned toward the camp.
"We're coming back tomorrow."
Far below, the lights in the cabin glowed warmly against the dark forest.
For the little pack, the danger wasn't over.
It was only just beginning.
- Writer
