THE BOUNTY HUNTER LUNA

CHAPTER 2 - AINE'S POV

I dressed and packed a bag, added my weapons to my red leather suite, and braided my white hair, before leaving my suite and found my chef Nate, talking to Alex, who was eating toast and eggs.

''Morning boss,'' He smiled at me, ''I made your fav's.''

''Appreciate it, don't burn my tavern down while I'm away.''

''That last fire wasn't my fault.'' He pouted, and I laughed.

''You threw a tea towel onto a pot on the fire.'' I pointed out, as I sat down and pulled some roast tomatoes closer.

''Minor detail,'' He laughed and walked back into the kitchen.

''Your staff really seem to love you,'' Alex commented, as he looked over at me.

''Oh, yes, I'm their favorite being of all time,'' I said sarcastically, ''They live for moments when they get to be around me. They literally don't function while I'm out of their sight, they just stand there weeping for me. Oh Aine, where are you? How do I go on without you? Why have you left me all alone in this cruel world?''

''Are you always like this?'' He asked angrily, and I smirked.

''Usually.'' I smirked and started eating. ''So, I read your intel. Do you really think Emmet is the savior you're all hoping for?''

''It's Alpha Emmet to others.''

''Not to me, it's not,'' I said firmly, with a tone of challenge, and he heard it, because he leaned back slightly.

He gulped, ''Yes, Emmet is the savior we're hoping for. He will beat Laric. I know he will.''

''You have a lot of trust in a man who's been sheltered his whole life.'' I shrugged and continued to eat. ''Has he ever even been in a fight?''

''Not a real one, but he's never been beaten.''

I laughed, ''Well, if he can beat a priest, then I guess we're saved.''

''You don't know him, he's got what it takes.''

''Well, I guess we'll see,'' I shrugged, and lifted my coffee cup, ''I'll wait for my invitation to his coronation.''

Alex exhaled and continued to eat in silence after that. Once we were done, I pulled my bag over my shoulders.

''Ready?''

''As I'll ever be.'' He told me, and followed me out into the cool morning air, making me shiver. I could be in my nice warm bed right now, but no, instead, I'm off trying to find some dog.

I pulled up my hood, and led the way down a dirt path.

''Where are we going?'' Alex asked me, ''I came from the West.''

''Thanks for the information,'' I said, and kept walking North, until I reached an old oak tree the same width of my tavern.

''Wow, this is massive,'' Alex said as he looked up at it, ''I can't even see the top. I was up on that mountain yesterday and didn't see it.'' He said and pointed towards the West.

''It's hidden by magic,'' I told him, ''Now be quiet, so I can find your Alpha.''

''Find him how?''

''Be quiet?''

He frowned and crossed his arms, before mumbling something to himself, but I ignored him and knelt down. I closed my eyes and pressed my hand onto the bark. This tree was connected to every other tree and plant in the forest, and an Elf like myself, could tap into it and search.

I scanned through the pack close by, and the other smaller homes, searching for a life force that belonged to an Alpha, and I found him, along with 4 others.

"We need to hurry," I said, standing up and brushing the moss from my knees. "I have their location, they're near the edge of the territory, but they're stuck in the canyon. However, that canyon is spelled with a mist that makes you relive the worst moments of your life, unless you know your way through. If we're lucky, we'll get to them by tomorrow before they're through it.''

''But won't we get lost?''

''I know the way through.''

''Great, let's go.''

''First things first, I need my ride.''

We set off again, weaving through the woods. The atmosphere was remarkably peaceful, the scent of crushed pine and damp earth hanging heavy in the air. It was the kind of morning that made you forget about cages, captors, and political squabbles between species.

I stopped in the middle of a sun-drenched clearing in the forest and let out a sharp, melodic whistle that rippled through the canopy like a falling leaf.

"What are you doing?" Alex asked, his deep voice breaking the quiet.

I frowned, "This isn't going to work if you question me every 5 seconds," I complained, as two magnificent unicorns stepped gracefully out from the shadows of the evergreens.

"Wow, I've never seen one this close," Alex breathed, his rough exterior melting away for a split second as he stared.

"Glad I could help you out," I said as I walked over to them.

"Thalia! Avalon!" I said, throwing my arms around the mare's neck while Alex timidly came over, keeping a respectful distance. "My friends, I need your help. Will you carry us on my journey to save an Alpha captive?"

"I would, of course," Thalia spoke directly into my mind, her voice like wind chimes in a breeze. "I owe you my life, and the lives of my herd, but I am with foal."

"Ah, really?" I said out loud, a grin spreading across my face.

"Really, what?" Alex asked, looking between me and the magical beasts. "Are you speaking to them? Unicorns rarely talk to other species."

"Alex, do you know what be quiet means?"

He growled angrily in the back of his throat and kicked a stray mossy rock, before crossing his arms once more.

"The Lycan's moody," Avalon commented, his horn catching the sunlight and casting glittering rainbows across the grass.

"I know, I've been annoying him," I said proudly, and Alex glared at me with enough heat to singe my earlobes. "Anyway, congratulations on the newest member of your family."

"Thank you, Aine," Thalia responded warmly. ''I wish I could help.''

"I can help. Can I go, mother?" Avalon asked eagerly, tossing his snowy mane. "I'm old enough to leave the herd, please?!"

Thalia looked at me, her luminous eyes searching mine. "Will you keep him safe?"

"I'll protect him with my life," I promised, resting a palm against the young colt's silky shoulder.

"Then he may take you."

I smiled, and bowed deeply to them. "I appreciate the help, and I will bring you some crystals as a thanks."

Unicorns, as any seasoned traveler knew, absolutely loved to eat crystals.

"Deal. Go and be safe, Avalon."

"I will, Mother, I love you."

Avalon lowered himself to the grass, and I easily climbed onto his broad back, settling comfortably against his warm, shimmering coat.

"Come on, dog, time to shift," I called down to the towering warrior beside us. "Your Lycan will need to be fast to keep up with Avalon. He's the fastest in the herd. Thalia, we'll be back in 5 days at most."

She bowed her head gracefully, turned, and trotted back into the safety of the emerald shadows, leaving us to the road ahead.

''Spike can keep up.'' He said proudly.

Alex shifted and a large brown Lycan shook out his fur, and we all took off.

We didn't get far, however, before I saw a familiar figure in the forest.

"Mr Grey!'' I shouted, but she didn't respond, "Maggie! What are you doing out here?" I called out as I jumped off Avalon and ran over to the old woman.

Her hair was a mess, and her clothes torn from navigating through the bushes and trees.

I'd met her years ago, at 14, she was wild and feral, as most rogues were, but I managed to subdue her, and once she was calm enough to shift back, I found a very broken woman.

She seemed to have lost her mind, so I took her to a witch friend, Elsa, I knew, hoping she could undo the damage, being a rogue had done, but upon inspection, Elsa told me, that Mrs Grey, hadn't lost her mind from being rogue, it was from a potion.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I can see fragmented memories," Elsa told me, her expression sad, "Her mate was Elf, like your mother, and they had 3 children, but they were all slaughtered during the purge. She drank a poison thinking it would kill her, but she just lost her mind."

"Can you fix it?" I asked, as I looked at the pitiful woman, lying on the bed.

"I guess, but I'd rather now," She said, and looked at me, "It'll only break her more. Losing your mate breaks you in ways you're far too young to even understand. It would be a disservice to her. It's a mercy to leave her like this, or... Kill her."

I'd thought it over all night, but in the end, I decided to keep her with me.

Mr Grey, moved from town to town with me while I began my work as a bounty hunter, but it became very clear that she needed a stable, safe environment, so I bought my tavern at 16, and spent a year renovating so it was actually livable. But when I was 18 and away on a hunt, Mr Grey attacked her carer, when the noise from the tavern became too overwhelming, so I built her a small cabin in the forest. She was still close enough that we could have meals together, but far enough away, that the noise didn't bother her.

I'd also gifted her a grey rabbit, named Smokey, who never left her side, otherwise she'd lash out.

"Aine, my dear Aine, you're here, I've found you!" She wept as I pulled her into a hug, "Smokey has vanished, I tried to find you but you were gone."

"Where are your caregivers?"

"Oh, them," She waved her hand dismissively, as I gently pulled twigs and leaves from her hair, "They are useless. Snuck out before they could find me."

I frowned, this wasn't the first time she'd snuck off.

"Let's get you home and cleaned up."

"NO, I NEED SMOKEY!"

"Calm down, I'll find Smokey, I swear."

She smiled and leaned into me, "My Aine is the best."

I smiled and kissed her head, as Alex shifted.

"What are you doing? We don't have time for this."

I glared at him, "Shut up and put some pants on," I snapped as I walked Mrs Grey back into the forest towards her home. Luckily, we weren't far away.

When we reached the cabin, I could smell blood and I looked down at Maggie.

She hadn't just snuck away, she'd hurt them.

I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket.

"Maggie, let's play a game," I said in my most playful tone, and held up the handkerchief, "I'm going to blindfold you and when I take it off, Smokey will be back."

"Yes," Mr Grey clapped in joy, as I covered her eyes, but I caught Alex's expression, he was confused and worried, clearly able to smell the blood too.

Once Maggie was in the blindfold, I walked her inside, and down the hallway.

The door to the living room on the right was open, but I found no signs of Lydia and Patrick.

I smelt the air, scanning for the rabbit and smelt him in the kitchen, and luckily the blood wasn't coming from there.

"This way, Mr Grey," I ushered her down the hallway and into the large kitchen where a cold cup of coffee was sitting on the table.

"Stay right here." I ordered, and ducked down under a cabinet, while I heard Alex wander up the stairs towards the smell of the blood.

I scooped up a frightened Smokey, and went back to Maggie.

"Okay. Take off the blindfold!"

She squealed with delight as she pulled it off, her whole face lighting up.

"Smokey, you bad boy!" She scolded him, as she cradled the precious creature in her arms.

"Why don't you come with me, and I'll give you a bath.

"That would be perfect." She smiled and let me lead her into the back room.

When I'd finally filled the tub and put her into the warm water, making sure Smokey was sitting in his bed, I told Maggie I'd be right back.

I quickly rushed up the stairs to find my care givers alive, but both sporting head injuries.

"This is the 3rd time this month!" Patrick complained, "She needs better help!"

"I've warned you over and over again, to keep Smokey with her!" I said in annoyce as I passed them over 4 gold coins each as compensation. "Go get cleaned up. It's nearly time for the morning staff to come, so I'll wait until they get here."

"Yeah, yeah!" Lydia growled, as she got up.

Once they'd left, I walked back towards Maggie's room, but Alex grabbed my arm.

"We can't afford delays like this!" He shouted, "Leave the old lady and..."

Before he could finish, I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the wall.

"Listen to me Beta," I said on warning, as I gripped his throat tighter, despite him attempting to pull me off, but I was too strong, even for a Beta of this power, "I will say this once and once only. That woman in their is my family, she means more to me then 100 Alphas, yours included, so shut up. I said I'd get your damn dog back, so I will, now go be useful, and make some fresh tea!"

I released him and he started gasping for air.

"How are you so strong?!"

"I work out." I snapped and went back to Maggie.

I gently washed and dried her hair, before pulling it into a loose bun the way she liked. I dressed her in her favourite red dress, and even put a little bow on Smokey at her insistence, and walked her back into the kitchen.

"Mr Grey, this is Beta Alex," I finally introduced them, "He's made you some tea, why don't you tell him all about Smoky while I go clean up upstairs.

"Upstairs is clean, darling," She told me, "That annoying girl Lydia cleaned."

"Well, I'll go check on her work." I responded, wanting to clean up the blood before she saw it. I was just lucky the blood was upstairs and not down.

By the time it was cleaned up, Maggies day time carers had arrived. I explained what had happened and that Patrick and Lydia couldn't return tonight, but luckily Luke new of two others who could replace them, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mr Grey, my love," I knelt before her, and took her hand in mine, "I have to go now, and I'll be gone for a few days."

"But you just went away!"

"I know, but this Beta," I gestured to Alex, "Has lost his Alpha, and I'm going to find him, and then I promise, I'll take some time off and we'll go to the beach!"

"Wonderful darling," She said happily, "It's been so long since we've seen the beach, and watched the sunset."

"I'm looking forward to it, but you have to behave while I'm away," I said in warning, "Not hitting!"

"I don't hit anyone, just go, you have an Alpha to find."

I smiled, kissed her cheek, scratched Smokey behind the ear and went to leave, but Maggie grabbed my arm and gave me two gold coins.

"For your troubles today, my darling."

I smiled and took them, "Thank you."

As we walked down the hallway, Alex said, "You're not actually going to take gold from an old lady not in her right mind, are you?"

I paused by the door, opened a box filled with gold coins and placed the 2 into it, before closing the lid.

"You don't know me, Beta, don't presume to," I snapped, and walked out the door, "Where do you think she got the gold from in the first place? Me!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I..."

"I like the moments when you're quiet!" I snapped, "Thank you for waiting," I said to Avalon, as I reached him, "We can go now."