The Hunter

Chapter 9

I sat in one of the plush chairs scattered around the large library. I had a large tumbler full of coffee that I would occasionally sip on as I surfed the social media platforms. I may be a supernatural being, but the good thing about the internet is that I could become whomever I wanted on it. It’s not like I had friends on there anyways. I just kept them around for the lighthearted jokes and videos.

The library was always the quietest room in the mansion. It was far away from the kitchen, dining room and the laundry room. If I had to guess, Daniel might have sound proofed the room a bit so anyone can come in here and enjoy the peace and quiet. If I wasn’t feeling so hungover, I might have grabbed a book and cuddled up into the chair and spent hours reading. It was day, and Luna was asleep, so I took this time to enjoy some me time. It was rare that I got time alone, I was always doing something. I played with one of the hairs that had fallen in my face, aimlessly scrolling through the next few videos. The door leading into the library opened. Maybe a mortal was snooping around. They were creatures of the day, while most were creatures of night. I just never really slept longer than a few hours at a time, my body had gotten used to that routine.

“Couldn’t sleep?” a deep voice asked behind me. I let out a sigh, I had hoped whoever came in would just leave me alone. I looked up as the body belonging to the voice sat in one of the other chairs in front of me.

“Nope.” I said, meeting Malakai's eyes. Damn it.

“Me either.” He said simply. He sat there with no book or a phone, just stared at me. I began to feel uncomfortable and rather exposed. It was a sunny day, and I chose to sit in the chair closest to the window to soak up some rays. I had on Jean shorts and a tank, and now I was regretting my choice of outfit. I had not planned to run into Malakai looking like this. I was always fully covered when I met with strangers. It was like my shield. I never liked being exposed in vulnerable situations. I couldn’t handle his gaze anymore, so I set my phone down and raised an eyebrow.

“Are you just going to sit there and stare at me all day or are you going to grab a book and read. You are in the library.” I said, my voice coming out harsher than I intended to. He chuckled. My heart rate rose a bit.

“Are you always this defensive?” he questioned, a small grin forming on his face. Oh boy.

“Of course.” I stated, challenging him a bit. “You don’t go through what I did and not be defensive all the time.”

“I understand.” He whispered. A look of guilt crossed over on his for a moment before he returned to looking stoic. I picked up my phone, hoping he’d get the hint that I wanted to be left alone. He didn’t move. I sat there fully aware of his presence as I tried to concentrate on the dance routine some girls were doing in the video. It was no use, the longer we sat like this, the more agitated I became. I set my phone down on the table rather harshly.

“Got something on your mind, Alpha?” I asked, the irritation evident in my voice. He seemed to perk up a bit. What a strange dude.

“I was just hoping to enjoy your company a bit, even if you are on your phone.” He answered, laughing slightly. I frowned at him. Enjoy my company? Most wolves never wanted to be in my presence longer than necessary, and the feeling was mutual. I snorted.

“You’re a strange fellow. Your kind can’t stand my presence, so what’s your motive?” I spat. His grin never wavered.

“We’re cut from the same cloth.” He spoke. “We come from the same ancestors and are gifted in the same way.”

Is he talking about the bond, or the fact that we are both wolves?

“I will admit, the way your situation was handled was not right. Had I been in power at that time, I would’ve changed those asshole's minds and had you live with my pack.” He announced, his voice never wavering. I really did not understand him. Why was he telling me this? My eyes grew rather large.

“I don’t need your pity.” I murmured. That wasn’t how I wanted that to come out. I wanted it to sound as if I didn’t care. But I guess I couldn’t lie to him or myself. He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees and letting his head rest on his interlaced fingers.

“Genevieve,” he began his voice soft. My breathing was coming out fast now. “You are not a traitor. You are a survivor who was abandoned in her time of need. Our kind is always preaching about the closeness of our community and they failed to recognize that with you.”

I opened my mouth to say something witty but decided against it. Instead, I chose my next words carefully.

“You are just saying that because the Goddess has me as your mate. If we didn’t have this bond, you would not feel this way.” I said my voice small. I looked down at my hands.

“The mate bond has nothing to do with this.” He said angrily. I snapped my head up. There was anger in his eyes, but also another emotion I couldn’t place my finger on. “Even before I met you, I felt that way. I would always speak with the previous Alpha about what happened to you. He never wanted to listen to me. I was just a lowly warrior in his eyes. But I am not anymore. I am trying to make amends on behalf of our kind.”

Why was this dude trying so hard to get me to forgive the man who shunned me out?

“I’m not asking you to forgive Henry.” He said lowering his voice. Does this bond give him the ability to read my mind? I held his gaze trying to figure it out. He chuckled. “I can’t read your mind, Genevieve, your face just shows your emotions.”

That pissed me off. I spent year cultivating my appearance, so nothing showed on my face. The enemy couldn’t know what I was feeling or thinking. I sure as hell didn’t want this wolf to know. Mate bond be dammed.

“Answer me this, Malakai,” I said my voice low and steady. “Why do you want the wolves to know you are making amends? No matter how hard you try, there are still people in your pack that hate me. They would not take kindly to a rouge and a traitor if they knew I was forgiven.”

“There is nothing to forgive.” He simply stated.

“I work for the enemy; I’ve trained with the mortals. No amount of forgiveness will absolve me of my choices.” I continued; thankful my voice was stronger now.

“Like I said, there is nothing to forgive. You were the victim of a coward’s decree. He wasn’t fit to rule over the wolves, he was just stronger than the Alpha he took over from. I know for a fact, there are many who feel as I do. I was just the only one who had enough courage and strength to challenge him in battle and in political war.” He stated. I sat, rooted to my seat.

There were people who felt as though I was not a traitor. Every meeting I attended, every fight I was in, some wolf would let me know of my place. I just couldn’t wrap my head around that thought. I let out a long breath and closed my eyes. I thought his statement over. I still couldn’t grasp the fact that I had a real wolf in front of me asking to make amends. I’ve dreamt of this day since I was seventeen. I would always be hopeful that one of the packs met would take pity on me and invite me back with open arms. Time and time again I would have that hope in me until I just had a sliver of it left. I do not want to be let down again. I don’t want to imagine what would happen to me if that last bit of hope I had would disintegrate. It would change me.

I couldn’t allow myself to be hurt. Not again, and not by this man. I shook my head. I got up to my feet in a swift movement. I stared at Malakai with what I was hoping to look like an angry expression.

“I want to believe you, Malakai, but I have been let down far too many times to fully trust you. Or anyone for that matter.” I spoke. I wanted to because of the pull I felt towards him, but what I truly felt for him now was superficial. I could not allow myself to sweet talked by anyone. He stood up after a few moments, never breaking eye contact. He towered over me at a whole foot above me. I had to crane my neck back to look at his face because the proximity of his body. He was giving me this look of pain and betrayal. The library door opened.

“Mal,” the wolf who didn’t speak most of the meeting, came in. “Oh, I apologize if I interrupted.”

“No worries.” Malakai stepped back before taking his eyes off me. He walked over to his subordinate and was ushering him out and following behind.

I stood there, frozen.

The moment he walked out I felt this instant regret wash over me. Why was I regretting protecting my own heart from a stranger? I have never done that. I don’t let people in easily, yet here I am wanting to run after him and say that I believe him. I groaned outwardly. I needed to run and empty my head of everything. As I was going up the stairs, I texted Owen about my time to escape. It was exceedingly rare that I did this, but they respected my space. I just had to let the wolf out occasionally. Today was one of these times.

I reached my room and let myself in quietly. Luna was still asleep on my bed, her hair slowly becoming a rat’s nest in her sleep. I put my phone down on the nightstand and began to strip. I stepped out into the balcony, enjoying how the sun felt on my bare flesh. I quietly closed the balcony doors and turned and jump down. Mid fall I shifted into my wolf. I felt my paws hit the soft grass. I steadied myself for a moment. I shook my head, my white coat fluffing out a bit. I looked to my right and set off in my day run through the woods.