Hunter's Attraction

Making An Appearance

“So, what’s up?” Sirena asked Lily as she rummaged through the shelves in the backroom. “You were quiet the whole drive here. You didn’t even react to Lena’s news.”

“Wait, Lena has news?” Lily looked up from her laptop, her brow furrowing. “Was I really that out of it?”

“You were in another universe,” Sirena replied with a smile. “Did you even hear my news about Steve?” She gestured to the ball python hiding in a makeshift cave. Lily glanced down at the cardboard box—Steve’s temporary home.

“No, I remember that conversation,” Lily answered. “What was Lena’s news?”

“She’s starting school tomorrow.”

“Really?” Lily’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yeah,” Sirena sighed.

“You don’t seem too happy about it.”

“Well, I can’t keep her hidden away forever, and she deserves some semblance of a childhood. After everything she’s been through, maybe being around wolves her own age will be good for her.”

“How does Lena feel?”

“She’s beyond excited. She’s upset that Monte can’t come with her, but other than that, she’s ecstatic. Her outfit is already laid out.”

“You found a school and got her registered that fast?”

“The Cortez Pack has its own accredited elementary school—kindergarten through 5th grade. About 150 kids, including several human children.”

“Interesting.”

“She knows to keep her heritage a secret,” Sirena said, pulling out a small bowl and staring at it with a frown. “Do you think this is big enough for a snake to soak in?”

“No,” Lily replied. “What about Aiden? What does he think about school and Lena? Where is he?”

“He’s at the school right now, filling out forms. But I’m the only one feeling weary about this whole thing.”

“You guys fight about it?”

“No, we simply disagreed,” Sirena pointed out. “But he made a really good argument. By the time the clock ran out, I had no rebuttal to his claim.”

“You do know it’s weird that you guys use a debate timer for your arguments, right?”

“Healthy arguing is one of the keys to a healthy relationship.” Sirena found a used heating lamp. “This’ll work,” she muttered.

“Well, if arguing that way works for you guys,” Lily chuckled.

“I know. We’re weird,” Sirena laughed along. “Now, it’s your turn.”

“What do you mean?”

“What’s got you rattled?”

“Oh,” Lily shut her laptop. “JP shared something with me, and I accidentally let it slip to Aiden, who then told JP. Now JP thinks I purposely betrayed his trust.”

“Oh, the drug thing,” Sirena said as she finally found a bowl big enough for a soaking snake.

“Aiden told you, too?” Lily’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

“Technically, you never said he couldn’t tell me,” Sirena smirked.

“Well, JP basically accosted me at school. Stupid Aiden. Just when I thought JP and I were finally becoming friends…”

“Why do you want to be friends with JP so badly?”

“He’s…he’s in my group.”

“Yeah, but do you care about the other group members’ perceptions of you?”

“That is...I…whatever. They’re both idiots.”

“Don’t be so hard on Aiden.” Sirena stood up with a huff, muttering, “I have a water bowl, a lamp, a hide…”

“What do you think?” Lily asked.

“About what?” Sirena replied absentmindedly.

“The attack, JP, the silver bullet—all of it?”

“I think we have no idea what’s going on. We don’t have any pieces to whatever puzzle this is. We don’t have a clear picture. We’re in the dark, and we shouldn’t make assumptions about anything.” Lily nodded. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think JP is involved,” Sirena continued. “Aiden is just trying to be a protective older brother to make up for…you know.” Lily nodded in understanding. “Okay,” Sirena huffed. “I’m going to go down to the stockroom, though I doubt I’ll find what I’m looking for.”

“What are you looking for?”

“An enclosure for Steve.”

“Aunt Sirena,” Lena came dashing around the corner, Monte on her heels, “there’s a customer here. He wants to adopt a dog.”

“I can help him,” Lily stood up.

“Are you sure?” Sirena asked, taking in Lily’s leg braces. “Take Monte with you.”

“I’ll be fine, Sirena. He just wants a dog.”

“Fine,” Sirena relented. “Come on, Monte. Let’s not scare today’s customer.” Monte barked in understanding and followed Sirena out of the backroom

***

Lily hobbled to the counter. “Hello, sir! How can I help you?” She asked with a bright smile. But as she took in the stranger, the smile slowly faded from her face. He was taller than Aiden—over six feet—with wide shoulders, black hair, and striking black eyes. His skin was more brown than tan, and his smile was perfect; he was perfect. Yet, Lily’s past had taught her to trust her instincts, and her subconscious was screaming all sorts of warnings at her.

Shaking her head, she forced a smile back onto her face, one she hoped reached her eyes. “Hello,” she said again, “how are you today?”

“I’m good,” the stranger beamed at her. “Actually, I’m great! My name is Roderick, and I would like to adopt a dog.”

***

Sirena glared at the shelves and bins in the stockroom. I don’t have supplies for a snake, she thought as she pulled out her phone to text Aiden. “I guess we’re going to have to fork over $400 for a snake enclosure,” she murmured to Monte.

Suddenly, a chill filled the air, and Sirena began to feel… disconnected. Monte alerted her, his body tense, but Sirena couldn’t understand why. “What’s wrong, boy?” she asked, her voice sounding distant and hollow. Why does it feel like I’m not really here? She instinctively began to pet Monte. “What’s going on?” she heard herself ask again, as if the words were coming from someone else. What is happening? “We should probably go upstairs now,” she said, forcing a smile that felt foreign on her face. “Let’s go upstairs.”