Hunter's Attraction

34.

Trixie had been watching and listening the entire time, hidden just around the corner from the lunch line. When she saw Tony and his friends approach Lena and her group, her first instinct was to intervene. But something made her hesitate, some deep-seated intuition telling her to wait and watch.

From her angle, she had a perfect view when it happened – the exact moment Lena's eyes blazed white with power. Trixie's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. "Elena," she whispered, the name falling from her lips like a long-forgotten prayer. The realization hit her like a physical blow, memories she'd buried years ago to rush to the surface.

There was no room for doubt. The power in those eyes, that bright white – she'd only seen it once before, in another little girl who'd disappeared without a trace. "Elena," she breathed again, gripping the wall for support. Questions flooded her mind, each one more urgent than the last. How was Elena alive? Where had she been all these years?

***

"Roderick. He's here. I smelled him. He's here."

Lily stared at JP in confusion. "He-he's here? What?"

"Lily," JP grasped her upper arms, his grip desperate as he shook her. "He's here, Lily! I smelled him!" Lily tensed, instinctively preparing to shove JP away, but then she really looked at him. His pupils were blown wide with fear, sweat beading on his forehead as he gasped for air. She reached up, placing a gentle hand on his neck, feeling his pulse racing wildly beneath her fingers. "Lily, he's..."

"Okay," Lily nodded, switching from confusion to calm authority. "Why don't you sit here?" She led him to a chair at the kitchen table, steadying him as he sank into it. "First, I'm going to get you a glass of water, then I'm going to dig for clothes in my brother's closet. After you get dressed, tell me everything." Jean-Pierre nodded shakily, his breathing still uneven. Lily gave him a firm, reassuring nod before hobbling to the cupboard. She needed JP calm enough to explain what had him so terrified.

Five minutes later, they sat on the couch, JP now dressed and somewhat calmer. "So, Roderick is here," Lily repeated carefully.

"I swear, Lily," JP looked at her pleadingly, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. "I smelled him barely a mile away from your house."

Lily frowned, a cold realization dawning. "You know what? There was a werewolf staring at me. Big, black fur."

"When? Where?" JP's head snapped up, tension returning to his shoulders.

"He was in the backyard, just moments before you came banging on the front door. Jean-Pierre rose from the couch, and Lily followed suit. He strode to the back door, sliding it open and stepping onto the patio. "Where?" he demanded, scanning the tree line.

"Right over there," Lily pointed to the thicket.

"Stay inside," JP ordered, his voice dropping to a growl as he moved toward where she'd pointed, his body already coiled for a fight.

***

Lena rocked back-and-forth in the bathroom corner, tears rolling down her face. I want Sirena. Where is Sirena? Why didn't she answer?

"Lena," her teacher's voice echoed off the tile walls. "I saw what you did. I know what you are." Lena pulled her legs tighter to her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible. "You're a very special werewolf," Ms. Trixie's voice grew louder with each step. Through the cage of her arms, Lena saw a pair of shoes appear before her. Slowly looking up, she shuddered at Ms. Trixie's smile – it wasn't unkind, but there was something knowing in it that made Lena's stomach twist.

Ms. Trixie squatted down in front of her, keeping her movements gentle. "Was Tony being mean again?" the teacher asked softly.

Lena nodded, sniffling.

Ms. Trixie muttered under her breath in Spanish, "Alguien necesita darles una bofetada a sus padres."

Lena frowned at understanding the words. Ms. Trixie's eyes grew wider before her smile returned, warmer this time. She held out her hand to Lena. "Why don't you come eat with the other teachers and me? Then you can tell me what happened and why you went careening from the lunchroom."

Taking the offered hand after a moment's hesitation, Lena allowed her teacher to pull her to her feet. Her other hand clutched her phone, still hoping Sirena would call back soon. There was something comforting about Ms. Trixie, but Sirena had warned her about trusting too easily.

***

Sirena smiled at the family in front of her – a dad, a mom, and two girls who enthusiastically explained that their parents let them skip school today for this momentous occasion. They had just finished signing the adoption papers. "That's it," Sirena beamed, "and here you go." She handed the leash over to the father. The dog eagerly followed his new family, tail wagging with joy. Hunter the beagle finally had a forever home. "Have a great day," Sirena called after them.

"Bye!" the children chorused, their parents echoing the farewell as they left the shelter. Sirena's smile lingered as she reached for her cellphone. It had been vibrating earlier, but she hadn't checked it.

"They were adorable," Christopher said, leaning against the doorframe.

"Shouldn't you be cleaning Gideon's litter box?"

"That cat hates me," Christopher pouted. "You know that. He's always trying to bite me and claw my face off."

"Such a baby," Sirena muttered, noticing a voicemail notification. As she played it, her smile vanished. "Sirena," Lena's voice trembled through the speaker, thick with tears. "I did something bad. I ordered someone to do something. I didn't mean to. It was an accident, I swear. Can you pick me up? I want to go home. I want Monte."

Sirena ended the message, her hand already grabbing her keys. "Monte!" she called for her dog, forcing herself to remain calm. She turned to Christopher. "You're in charge."

"Sweet," Christopher smiled.

"Don't burn the place down," she called over her shoulder, already running. The next few moments blurred together – starting the car, pulling out of the parking lot with tires squealing, and then... suddenly she was at the school. Sirena blinked, turning to Monte with confusion in her eyes. The Saarloos wolf-dog stared back at her serenely from the passenger seat. "How did I get here so fast?" Sirena asked, a slight tremor in her voice. Monte only tilted his head at her, his amber eyes calm. "Stay here," she whispered shakily. "I'll be back." She stepped out of the car, her movements precise and controlled as she forced herself to focus on the present moment and strode toward the school's entrance.