Claimed under the moon.

Blood lust. pt.1

The forest had gotten quieter by the time Felix, Gwen and Ben were leading Priya back to the campsite.

She walked between them,her arms folded across her chest.

She was dirty,her hair was tangled from the chase and her whole body felt sore.

The discomfort, however wasn't enough to stop the many questions that were running through her mind.

Who exactly were these people?

What did they want with her?

Where the hell was she supposed to go after this?

Felix walked a few steps ahead before glancing at her.

"You've been awfully quiet."

"Well,I haven't been given much reason to speak, have I?"

The female hunter let out a sigh.

Felix looked offended.

"Well sorry, I've been too busy trying to keep you alive."

"Mmm, but you were also chasing me. so which one is it?"

"That's before I knew you could understand me."

"Understand you? What the hell does that even mean?"

"I thought you were a crazy werewolf."

"Dude, that is literally what you said I am."

"Yeah I know that, but you're different."

"Different? How?"

Felix shrugged.

"I don't know yet."

"Wow... that's comforting. Thanks."

Gwen,the female hunter smiled.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to him."

"You've known him that long?"

"Umm,long enough."

Felix rolled his eyes.

"Don't listen to her."

Priya looked at him.

"I wasn't planning to."

Gwen laughed.

They all remained quiet until the other male hunter spoke.

"It just occurred to me that we don't know what to call you."

Priya looked at him.

"Huh?"

"Your name?"

Priya just realized that no one had asked.

"Oh,I'm Priya."

Felix slightly repeated it.

"Priya."

She nodded.

"How about you?"

"Well I'm Felix. That's Gwen and that's Ben."

Priya looked at Ben.

"oh...Ben. The one who pointed a crossbow at me."

Ben grimaced.

"I'm never escaping that,am I?"

"Probably not."

"Fair enough."

They all went quite again, until Felix spoke.

"So... Priya... where do you live?"

"New York."

Felix raised his eyebrows.

"Wait,here?"

"Yep."

"Cool. What do you do?"

"I am a lab technician."

That made Gwen glance her way.

"Wait seriously?"

Priya nodded.

"What kind of lab?"

"Medical."

Felix looked impressed.

"That could come in handy."

"How?" Priya asked.

"You'll see."

After a few moments,Gwen spoke again.

"Do you have family here?"

Priya's expression changed.

"Umm,no. They live in Texas."

"Are you gonna tell 'em?"

Priya looked away.

"I don't really know."

How could she tell them?

How on earth could she tell them that she had become something that they all had only seen in movies.

Felix knew that the topic was an uncomfortable one for her to discuss.

"Well, you don't have to make a decision now."

Priya looked at him.

"Well, what do you suggest I do now?"

"Come back with us to the camp."

"Yeah, and then what?"

"You can do whatever you want.

Priya almost laughed.

"I don't think I have many options."

Felix didn't argue. He just nodded.

"No, but you have more options than you think."

The camp came into view a few minutes later.

The trailers were arranged in loose circles beneath the trees with vehicles parked between them. Equipment and weapons were arranged beside the trainers. In any other place, it would have seemed weird.

But it was normal here.

Two people stood in front on the trailers looking at the group that was approaching.

A man and a woman.

Felix walked ahead.

The man walked up to him.

"You're back."

"Yeah."

The man looked at Priya.

"And this is?"

Felix glanced at Priya.

"This is Priya."

The man looked at her again.

"I'm Jake."

He pointed to the woman behind him.

"That's hope."

Hope smiled politely.

"Hi."

"Hey."

Priya looked at Jake.

There was something about him that made her straighten herself. He behaved as someone who was used to being respected and obeyed.

Hope on the other hand,seemed relaxed and friendly, but her eyes were observant.

Before anyone could say more,Ben stepped forward.

He took a deep breath.

"Priya."

Priya looked at him.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I was too aggressive."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Too aggressive?"

"Okay fine...I was being a complete asshole. That was because I thought you were going to hurt someone. I didn't know what you were capable of. I know it doesn't change anything but I'm sorry that I pointed that thing at you."

He seemed genuinely sorry.

"It's fine."

Ben cheerfully smiled.

"Thank you."

Jake looked at Felix.

"You said she transformed."

"Yeah,she did."

"Does she remember?"

"Umm...kinda."

Jake looked at Priya.

"So she knows what she is?"

Priya nodded.

"Yes. A werewolf."

Jake didn't sugarcoat it. He didn't feel the need to.

"There's no known cure."

"I know."

"You can't return to your normal life. it's not going to be the same. Stay here, you'll be safe and we'll help you put your emotions in check."

"I don't want to just stay here. I can't be useless. I can help."

Felix smiled at her.

"You won't be useless."

Jake raised an eyebrow and looked at Priya.

"I'm a lab technician."

"Medical?"

"Yeah."

"What can you do?"

Priya explained.

Tissue sampling. Documentation.Blood analysis. Lab testing. I can analyze all biological evidence.

Jake nodded slowly.

"We work on supernatural cases regularly. If you can help, you will."

Priya nodded.

"And I'm going to find a cure."

Jake stared at her.

"You really are determined."

"Yes I am. I have to be."

"You're aware that there's no known cure? But you're still going to try?"

"Yes."

"Then try."

Before Priya could answer,Ben came rushing out of one of the trailers with a walkie-talkie in his hand.

"Jake!"

Jake quicky turned.

"They found another body."

"Where?"

He gave him the address.

"Possible vampire attack."

Priya's eyes widened.

"A... vampire?"

Hope looked at her.

"First one?"

"First one? This is how I find out that they exist."

Hope smiled at her sympathetically.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

Priya wasn't sure that she wanted to get used to it.

Jake looked at Priya.

"If you want to come, you need to put some proper clothes on."

Everyone just realized she had been wearing the jacket that Gwen gave to her since they were deep in the forest.

Desperate to prove her worth, Priya decided to tag along. She put her pain and tiredness on hold.

She quickly changed into the clothes given to her by hope and met them waiting for her outside.

Jake looked at all of them.

"Let's go!" He yelled authoritatively.

Priya looked at Felix.

He nodded towards the vehicle.

She followed...