Hunter's Attraction

This Is Her?

Jean-Pierre spent the rest of the morning being doted upon by his mother and tía Trixie. His mother kept speaking excitedly in Spanish, going on about the honor of having a fated mate—an honor JP didn’t want.

“Hang in there, mi sobrino,” Trixie said, patting his hand comfortingly as his mother continued to chatter.

“I don’t want a mate,” JP finally interrupted.

“¡¿Qué?! ¿Por qué no? Es un honor.”

“How?”

“Well,” Trixie replied, “the pack will be more open and accepting of you, and forgiving.”

“Our Gamma won’t think you’re trying to influence his goddaughter,” his mother added.

“Maybe Isabel García is your mate?” Trixie suggested.

“There is nothing between me and Isabel,” JP said, rolling his eyes.

“Does she know that?” Trixie teased. Jean-Pierre glared at his aunt’s mocking smile.

“Here, mijo,” his mother said, placing his breakfast in front of him.

“Gracias. I just want to survive these next two years,” JP muttered, furrowing his brow.

“I am proud of you,” Mamá said softly.

“We both are,” Trixie added with a smile as JP’s phone pinged.

“Well, I need to eat quickly. That was Julian. He’ll be here in 20 minutes.”

“Come, come,” Mamá urged. “You can’t concentrate on an empty stomach.”

“So, what’s on your agenda?” JP asked, eager to shift the attention away from himself.

“This and that,” his mother answered vaguely. JP stopped listening as she continued, his mind drifting to the past few years. He hadn't been a juvenile delinquent, per se, but tragedy had struck their family time and again, and 12-year-old JP had finally snapped. He fell in with the wrong crowd and got involved in some dangerous things. Now, Jean-Pierre was grateful that a new pack had accepted them, especially since he had turned his life around. Of course, it didn’t hurt that his mother was the younger sister of the pack’s Alpha.

A car honked outside, pulling JP from his thoughts. “That must be my ride,” he said, standing up from his seat.

“Have fun,” Trixie smiled.

Jean-Pierre returned the smile. “Adiós, mijo,” his mother said as he bent to kiss her cheek. “Hasta luego,” JP kissed his mother and squeezed his aunt’s shoulder before rushing out the door.

“He’ll be fine, manita,” Trixie encouraged her older sister, “now if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting.”

“Ooh, would this meeting be between you and tu amor?”

“¡Cállate!” Trixie laughed, giving her sister a playful shove. “See you later.”

“Adiós.”

***

“Hey, cousin,” Julian greeted JP as he jumped into the Wrangler.

“Seriously?” JP laughed. “Another one?” he asked, jumping into the shiny new car.

“Perks of being the son of a Beta,” Julian shrugged. “We need to pick up Diego and Isabel,” he added, waggling his eyebrows as he backed out of the driveway.

“Stop,” JP said, punching him lightly.

“What?” Julian laughed. “She’s got a major crush on you, bro. It’s obvious.”

“It’ll never work out, anyway.”

“What do you mean?” Julian asked as he stopped at a stop sign.

Jean-Pierre slowly rolled up his shirt, revealing his mark. “Mira.”

Julian glanced at JP’s exposed skin. “Uh…nice ink?”

“A mate mark.”

“Seriously?” Julian burst into laughter. “Oh, man! Isabel is going to be pissed.”

“Just drive.”

“When did this happen?”

“This morning.”

“Make sure I’m around when you break the news to Isabel.”

“¡Cállate!”

“Fine, fine,” Julian said, turning into a neighborhood. “I’ll let it go... for now.”

“Would you just drive? We’re going to be late.”

***

Lily checked her gloss in the visor mirror. Today was the day—her new beginning. Glancing at her phone, she reread the messages from her family: her dad, her mom, Rose, Samson, Aiden, and Lena. Even Sirena had sent her an encouraging text, along with a picture of Monte.

Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes as she thought about her incredible support system. She didn't just have luck on her side; she was blessed. Inhale. Exhale. She opened her eyes with renewed resolve. “I got this,” she muttered, grabbing her messenger bag. “I got this.”

Sliding on her sunglasses, Lily finally stepped out of the car. She adjusted her shirt, shook out her limbs, and took in her surroundings. “Wow,” she breathed as she walked toward the buildings. So many students were milling about—she hadn’t realized just how many people attended community college. Lily frowned. Some days, she couldn’t believe how stuck up she used to be. “Whatever,” she muttered, her hands automatically adjusting her ponytail. Plastering a smile on her face, she set off on the journey to her first class: ENG 225, Intro to Creative Writing.

***

Jean-Pierre bit back a curse as Isabel slid into the car. As he feared and expected, the moment she opened her mouth, she was already flirting—something he had no patience for today. Sitting in the passenger seat was the only relief he had. If JP was being honest, the more Isabel spoke, the more the burning sensation in his side intensified. The car felt stifling, and he was sweating; he needed air. Without waiting for Julian to put the car in park, JP jumped out.

“Dude!” Diego called after him.

“Bro!” Julian shouted. “You good?”

“Uh… bathroom,” Jean-Pierre blurted out the first excuse he could think of. “See you later.” He rushed off before any of his friends could respond.

***

Once JP had put some distance between himself and his friends, he slowed to a walk, exhaling heavily. At last, he could breathe, and the burning in his side eased. What is wrong with me? Isabel’s flirting had never really bothered him before, but today—it took everything in him not to claw her throat. Maybe if I could talk to my wolf... Some werewolves could communicate with their wolf side, the human and wolf acting as two separate beings sharing the same body. Then again, do I really want a second voice in my head—one that would likely just annoy, argue with, and criticize me constantly? The whole idea seemed weird. He couldn’t imagine sharing his mind with a— “Woah!” JP exclaimed as he collided with someone. His arms instinctively shot out, wrapping around their waist. “I’m so… sorry,” he trailed off as his eyes locked with hers—warm, deep brown, like chocolate. Time seemed to stop. Jean-Pierre suddenly became hyper-aware of every breath he took, and every breath she took. A strange sensation flared from his mark, exploding across his side. He was floating. And what was that scent? It was intoxicating. Was it coming from her?

Without thinking, Jean-Pierre buried his nose in her hair. Her dark chestnut locks, pulled into a perfect ponytail, were soft and mesmerizing. The rich, earthy scent wafting from them consumed his senses. It’s her—this incredible scent is her. My mate! She was his—. My mate! She was his—“Let go of me,” the girl said sharply, pushing him away.

“Oh,” JP blinked, snapping back to reality.

“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded, adjusting the strap of her bag as she eyed him with scorn.

“I’m sorry,” JP stammered. “It’s just... don’t you smell...?” The girl only glared at him. Sniffing the air, JP’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re human.”

“Uh... duh,” she replied, looking him up and down with disgust. “Watch where you’re going. I’m gonna be late because of you.” She spun on her heel and marched away.

“What?” JP muttered, frozen in place. Wait. I’m mated... to a human? Heck. No.