Hunter's Attraction

Run and Hide (part 2)

It was nearly 10 p.m. when Aiden burst through the door, carrying Monte, with Lena close behind. He didn’t speak until Monte was settled comfortably on the couch. Lena stayed beside the injured pet, gently stroking his fur.

“Have you heard from her?” Aiden asked, his voice tense.

“No,” Sirena replied, worry flickering across her face. “Her phone is off. Her shift should have ended an hour ago.”

“This isn’t like her,” Aiden muttered, a frown deepening on his face.

Sirena kneeled beside the couch, her hand moving to pet Monte’s head tenderly. “How’s Monte?”

“Sprained ribs,” Aiden said, frustration building as he pulled out his phone. “Damn it!” He listened to the silence a moment longer. “Straight to voicemail. Again.” He worried his lower lip as he looked at her. “Sirena, I know Lily can take care of herself…but still…”

“Don’t worry,” Sirena replied, meeting his gaze as her dark brown eyes turned red. “I’ll find her.”

***

Lily’s stomach churned as her world came back into focus. If JP hadn’t shoved her out of the way, she would’ve been dead. Having the wind knocked out of her was a small price to pay compared to being mauled.

She rolled onto her stomach, her voice hoarse as she called out, “Jean!” She didn’t care if the rabid wolves heard her. “JP!” she cried again, wincing as blood trickled down her temple. Relief washed over her when she spotted JP’s heather-gray fur. He limped out from beneath a thorn bush, battered but alive.

Lily sighed, her body trembling as she pushed herself upright. The shelter was about fifty yards away. She took a step, but dizziness overwhelmed her, and she came close to collapsing. JP’s large werewolf form was instantly at her side, supporting her under one arm. “Thank you,” she whispered, tasting blood on her lip.

Together, they staggered toward the shelter. Lily punched the code into the keypad, and the door clicked open, allowing them inside. The moment she locked the door behind them, she sank to the floor, overwhelmed by exhaustion and pain. Jean Pierre’s warm breath brushed her face. “Give me a minute,” she muttered before finally closing her eyes.

***

The sound of thunder shocked Lily, making her heart race. Her eyes flew open as she gasped, scrambling to sit up.

“Careful!” a familiar voice exclaimed as warm hands immediately pressed gently on her shoulders. “Easy, careful. Your head was bleeding just moments ago.”

“JP?” Lily asked, feeling his hands guide her back down. Glancing around, she recognized her surroundings—she was in Sirena’s office, lying on her couch.

“I didn’t even notice this part of the shelter the first time I was here,” JP said, finally coming into view. “Only thing missing is a bed.” He smiled, and Lily tried not to stare at his bare chest, blushing. “Hope your brother doesn’t mind me borrowing his sweats,” he added, gesturing to his now-covered lower half.

“Um…” Lily’s brain struggled to catch up. “Are you okay?” she managed.

“Am I okay?” JP repeated. “Are you kidding me? Lily, I’m fine. Just a few cuts and bruises—I'll heal fast. I’m more worried about you.”

“Me?”

“You were amazing out there,” JP said earnestly. Lily looked away, embarrassed. “You really held your own. You saved me, like, several times. You’re incredible.”

“Thanks,” Lily replied, blushing as she winced with her next breath.

Jean Pierre’s gaze softened. “You’ve got multiple bruises on your ribs,” he said, pointing out, “and your arm’s covered in nasty welts.” He tenderly grazed her wrist. “And I’m 99% sure you have a concussion.”

Lily didn’t question him. “How long was I out?”

“Just twenty minutes,” JP replied. “The storm came out of nowhere, but it’s lucky for us. The rain will completely mask our scent. They won’t be able to track us.”

Lily nodded as the unexpected storm continued to rage outside. “Those werewolves,” she began, “they were foaming at the mouth. But they weren’t rabid.”

“How can you be so sure?” JP asked, intrigued.

“I just know,” she shrugged. “But…what was wrong with them?”

“They were drugged,” JP said grimly. “Silver Bullet.”

“Again?” Lily frowned. “Is this drug a staple in the werewolf community?”

“No,” JP replied, “and that’s what makes it so…concerning. This drug originated with South American werewolf cartels.”

“There are werewolf cartels?” Lily asked, wide-eyed. JP nodded. “That’s…terrifying.”

“Silver Bullet shouldn’t even be stateside.”

“You know a lot about the…economics of this drug.”

“I used to deal.” JP’s tone was clipped, and Lily frowned at that explanation, but let it go. “Is there coffee or tea around here?” he asked, glancing toward the door.

“Aiden’s girlfriend has hot chocolate year-round,” Lily replied. “There’s a kitchen past the bathroom. Why?”

“After tonight, I think you deserve to know a few things.” He gave her a serious look. “And sugar calms me.”

***

Aiden was pacing at the door when Sirena burst through the front door less than 15 minutes after leaving. She was shivering and soaked to the bone. "Aiden,” she said as he wrapped her in a towel and the fleece blanket he had at the ready. “The s-s-s-storm came out of n-n-nowhere,” Sirena stammered through chattering teeth. “That rain is f-f-freezing!”

“Sit,” Aiden led her to the couch where Monte was resting. “Lena, can you make the hot chocolate?” he asked the eight-year-old.

“And you said hot ch-ch-ch-chocolate was no good in the summer,” Sirena managed a smirk.

“Shut up,” Aiden replied playfully, wrapping his arms around her as she shivered. “We may actually have to use the fireplace before winter.”

***

“I found a first aid kit,” Lily announced, limping into the office where JP sat on the couch, two mugs of hot chocolate in his hands. Outside, the storm continued to rage. She carried an armful of towels and the kit.

“Lily, I’m a werewolf,” JP grinned. “I heal fast.”

“It’s for me,” she replied with a smile, sitting down a foot or so away from him. “No way I’m making it to the ER or urgent care in this storm.” Lily rolled up her pant leg to reveal three nasty claw marks on her ankle.

“¡Qué barbaridad!” JP exclaimed, setting the mugs on a nearby desk and dropping to his knees beside the couch. He caressed her ankle. “Are you okay? Do you need me to do something? Should I wash my hands?” he began rattling off more questions in Spanish.

“JP,” Lily chuckled, “it’s fine. I’ve got hydrogen peroxide, alcohol swabs—everything I need. I even have the tools for stitches.”

“You know how to give yourself stitches?” JP’s eyes widened in surprise and admiration.

Lily’s face hardened. “You’re not the only one with a past,” she murmured.

“Well,” JP said, meeting her gaze, “how about I share mine first, then you can tell me yours?”

“Sounds fair,” Lily replied. “I don’t think either of us is going anywhere, anytime soon.”