Hunter's Attraction

It's Still Monday?!

Monte sprang into action, locking his jaw on the unsuspecting werewolf's neck. Despite the size of the loveable Saarloos, Monte was still no match for the almost full-grown werewolf. Monte's teeth scraped against fur, but the larger wolf showed little reaction before hurling him like a rag-doll into a nearby tree. The c***k of impact echoed, followed by a whimper. Monte’s unsuccessful attack had bought Lena the time she needed to get a head start.

Eight-year-old Lena careened blindly through the woods, screaming at the top of her lungs. A voice in her head urged her to shift, but Lena’s flight response had activated. Staying calm didn’t even cross her mind. She at least had the wherewithal to run without looking back.

A strange pain filled her head, causing Lena to lose her footing, and she stumbled through a thicket, a thorn bush, and a patch of poison ivy. Lena tried to stand but lost her footing after searing pain raced through her ankle. “Ow,” she cried. Hopping on one foot, she made it to a tree almost a yard away. Resting her back against the tree, Lena slowed her breathing. I need to stay calm. I hope Monte is okay, she thought with tears in her eyes.

Just when she thought she could take a breather, the sound of snapping branches echoed through the forest as the gray werewolf burst through the trees, eyes glowing sickly yellow, foaming at the mouth. It came charging straight at her from the tree line.. The gray werewolf was 50 feet away when it launched at Lena. Lena brought her arms up with a scream, bracing for impact…but nothing happened. Opening her eyes in confusion, Lena cried out in relief. Sirena was there, and she was beating the crap out of the scary werewolf.

***

Sirena dashed through the woods, skillfully dodging and weaving through trees. She could smell Lena and Monte, but it was the sour, rotten egg smell that had her worried. The wind whipped through her fur, but her focus was on that sour, rotten egg scent that had her stomach turning. What the hell is that? Lena, she attempted to reach the little girl again. Sirena growled in frustration. Lena was blocking her. Damnit, Lena! Why hadn’t she shifted? Sirena shook her head. Concentrate, Sirena.

Coming to an abrupt stop, Sirena tilted her head. Lena and Monte’s scents were separated. The smelly egg smell, however, was following Lena. Sirena broke into a sprint again, willing her way past Lena’s defenses. I have to stop or else I lose energy.

Sirena picked up speed when she spotted Lena leaning against a tree…and a gray werewolf charging from 100 yards away. Running faster than she’d ever run, Sirena launched her body into the gray werewolf, sending them both sprawling along the forest floor. Not giving the wolf a chance to regain his footing, Sirena attacked again, claws elongated, fangs out. Her teeth clamped on the back of his neck. The moment her teeth pierced flesh, an acrid, burning taste flooded her mouth, and she sprang back, sputtering. Wolfsbane? Her eyes widened in realization. As this wolf was shakily standing to its feet, Sirena realized this wolf was rabid or sick. I can’t kill him!

Back on his feet, the gray wolf charged again. This time, Sirena’s glowing white eyes made direct contact with his jaundiced-looking eyes, and she released a commanding growl. The gray wolf’s body contorted unnaturally, bones cracking and shifting as his snarling face melted away, replaced by a pale, sweat-drenched human one. He looked no older than 17; his skin was clammy; and sweat was dripping off of him. “Where am I?” he looked around in confusion. Sirena barked, and the male fell to the ground, comatose.

Sirena walked over to Lena, who was shaking like a chihuahua. Lena hastily threw her arms around Sirena, sobbing into Sirena's fur. Lena’s whole body trembled as she collapsed against Sirena’s fur, her sobs breaking up her words. “I-I know I should have shifted…Monte…”

I tried to reach your mind. You had your walls up, Sirena spoke to her through her thoughts.

“I know, I know,” Lena sobbed. “I wanted to be brave, but he was so ugly and-and-and he smelled so bad. And now my ankle hurts.”

Sirena lowered herself to the ground. Get on, she ordered. I’ll take a look when we get home. Chris! Sirena screamed for Chris as Lena climbed onto her back.

It was an accident, I swear, the loveable, oafish, newbie replied.

Sirena rolled her eyes as she began a slow trot back to the house. Contact Aiden. Tell him we’ve been attacked.

Holy crap! Are you okay? Was anyone hurt? Is Lena okay? Chris’s voice in her mind was a mix of panic and concern.

Sirena let out a low growl. Aiden is at the ME’s office with the Cortez pack gamma. Call him until he picks up. Then I need you to retrieve the sleeping werewolf—he’s about 100 yards from the creek.

On it, Alpha.

Don’t call me–you know what, never mind. Just go. Sirena disconnected from Chris’ mind and listened to the hiccupping sobs of Lena. It was going to be a long trot home.

***

“Why don’t you take a break, Lily?” Jesse suggested. “You’ve been working nonstop for the past five hours, and that kid seems to be waiting for you. Are you sure you don’t need security?”

“I’m positive,” Lily nodded. “He is part of my group.”

“I see,” Jesse chuckled. “Why don’t you take 30?”

Lily nodded.

Walking from behind the counter, she contemplated ignoring JP; but she wasn’t rude, like he and his friends. She would be the bigger person.

Walking to his table, she loudly pulled out the chair and sat across from him. “What are you doing?” she asked with a harsh glare.

“I just…I want to say ‘I’m sorry’,” JP replied.

“Great,” Lily rolled her eyes. “You did. Now you can leave me alone.”

“Lily,” JP sighed heavily, “please. This is new territory for me, too.”

“I don’t care. Tell your pack and your friends that I have no intention of being your mate.”

“Mate marks don’t disappear overnight.”

“Well, seeing as I don’t have one, that seems to be more of a you problem.”

“You don’t have one, now. You could get one in the future.”

“I am human,” Lily stated firmly. “Humans don’t get mate marks.”

“Well, you’re obviously not 100% human. If you were, you wouldn’t have a mate mark.”

“Look, you have to stop coming here. My manager is beginning to think you’re a stalker.”

“I’m not a stalker. I…I…I don’t want to be away from you.”

Lily felt a flicker of sympathy but crushed it. She wasn’t going to fall for his nice-guy act. “Again, a you problem, because I want to be far away from you.”

“Lily- “

“You know,” Lily scoffed, “a couple of years ago, this would have worked on me. ‘The cute boy who is a jerk, but only because he doesn’t feel understood. Deep down, he really is a nice person. You just have to peel back the layers and break down his walls.’ You’re that type of guy, and I would have totally chased after you. Unfortunately for you, I’m not that girl anymore. I’ve lived; I’ve learned. I will not fall for a guy who says nothing while his friends insult me in Spanish; who has been nothing but rude to me since day one. Do me this one favor…be gone by the time my shift is over.” With that, Lily stood from the table and walked back to the counter. Jean-Pierre could only stare as she walked away. He couldn’t help but wonder…did she call me ‘cute?’

***



Trixie texted her partner. The hunter just dropped Juan off. He’s been in a meeting with the alpha for the last two hours.

Do you know who he attacked or where he ran?

No, but from what I saw, the drug worked perfectly. Should we begin? Trixie replied.

I want to run one more test. There’s a rumor going around that your nephew has a fated mate–a hunter at that. Aiden’s sister.

Yeah, what about her? Trixie asked.

I want to know what this huntress is made of–how much of a threat she really is. Can we use her to our advantage?

Okay. I’ll get a werewolf ready.

No, not one. Send more. If we’re lucky, she won’t survive.