ARCĀNUM (DISCONTINUED)

➺ Chapter Three ፧ Siblings

CHAPTER THREE : SIBLINGS

Athena Hale looked around, squinting her eyes as she saw the door of the bedroom somewhat creak open even more when the air has blown a bit inside from the slightly open window nearby. She huffed and headed her way towards the door, about to check inside when she heard an unfamiliar voice audibly flowing in the room.

"Hey? Um. . . Who are you?" the voice was feminine and a bit lower than most, so when she turned slowly she saw somebody who looked as if the female version of Hunter; she was just as ethereal and perfect as the guy. From the ocean blue eyes, to the dark hair -- though she somewhat had a streak of blonde on her left. Athena just hoped she wasn't just as sarcastic and arrogant as the tough werewolf.

"H-hi. . . I'm. . . I'm Athena." when she said that, the girl's eyes lit up and a smile curved up her lips. It seemed like she knew her for a second. The stranger easily heard her heart beating faster, her cheeks reddening from her and the embarrassment she had to be caught.

"I'm Erina. The older sister of the guy who lives here. . . Which isn't present around here." She shrugged her shoulders, running her slender fingers through her dark raven hair with a blonde streak as the light shone upon to her figure from behind.

It made Athena stunned by her beauty, her head tilting as she observed her features. Erina noticed and gave a cunning smirk, looking back at the human who shyly averted her gaze from her. "So. Where is my brother --"

"You don't have to ask, Erin. And don't even try attracting her as well, I don't get why men and women even take a glance at you." Hunter rolled his eyes, going inside casually holding some dead stray chicken from along the woods. "How did you even get here anyways? And why are you here?"

Athena slowly walked forward to try and get away from the bedroom door so they wouldn't be that as suspicious. "I'm here because your betas keep whining and babbling as to why your not going back to the pack house of yours and stay here at your puny cottage house. . . " Hunter gave her a look, and she added with a scoff, "God, their awfully annoying sometimes."

"Pack? So you already have a pack. . . but where would you. . . -- hide? where do werewolves hide? Honey, some werewolves have their façades like us. You've probably passed atleast 10 of them in your continuing life at the farmers market or someplace else." Erina gave a side smirk to the girl, crossing her arms as the confident aura of hers flowed brightly around her.

"Oh. . ." Athena looked down to the ground thinking deeply; if it said to be true, that means atleast some werewolves are just as nice, and tries to have a normal life and have a lifestyle that humans do. They just want peace. . . unlike other ones.

"Tell them that I'm heading back tomorrow afternoon. And they'll be having a guest. The place should be clean, no messes, no anything." Hunter coldly spoke, turning to his sister who hummed lightly, patting her sides with the palms of her hands as if to dismiss.

"Well, that's what he said. I'll be going, see you soon darling." She winked at Athena's direction, giving a wave making the girl blush and look away from her.

She surprisingly never felt this way before, but the attraction his sister had is as of a magnet. So would that plea to the fact that she gets attracted to not only the opposite gender, but to the same?

She shook her head and erased those thoughts, watching her walk away from the place in the view of the open door, her hips swaying as her posture was straightened and showered confidence.

Hunter sighed, closing the front door to make her stop her staring, striding his way towards the kitchen. "Please don't tell me your attracted to somebody like my sister. She's an ass, really. And by her looks she'll take it as an advantage to get attention to men and women, just because she haven't found her mate yet."

Athena raised a brow, walking over to the kitchen as well. "Oh. Well. . . I'll keep that in mind then."

"You have to. You don't even know how many hearts she's broken. My sister doesn't take things seriously at all. Especially to romance." He said, taking the cleansed chicken and placed it to the cutting board, grabbing a butcher's knife from the stand that held kitchen knives and chopped it.

Hunter wasn't much of a chef, though watched his mother how she cooked raw chicken and some porridge.

"Okay. . ." She nodded slowly. "Do you take things seriously?" he turned to her and narrowed his eyes, chopping the next part a bit too harsh that it was severely close to his hand that held onto the meat.

She gulped and averted her gaze to the window near them, fiddling her fingers.

"Yes. But I'm not interested." He looked back to the raw food and sighed to himself. Athena pursed her lips and hesitantly questioned once again, "Why? Do you have. . . -- a mate?" She nodded slowly, earning a scoff from the alpha werewolf.

"Well. . . - Wait. why are you asking all these stuff? Why are you interested? What? Do you wish to be my mate?" he smirked, changing the topic. His once focused and solemn look became a cocky one that made her stunned at his quick duality.

Great, his cocky side is showing.

"W-what?! I don't mean it like that!" She rambled, her hands making animatic movements.

He snorted, shaking his head and letting out a puff of laughter. Something she hasn't heard from before until now. It sounded genuine, it made her give a smile. "I'm just playing. I'm on my nice mood for now and don't ruin it by starting to fix the table with the utensils. It's about to be supper, we haven't eaten yet and this'll be enough to make us full."

She nodded and brushed past him, not needing to go on her tip toes to even try to open the cupboard which had the fragile plates and glass cups; it was the usual place where she'll find it in her home, which luckily was the same here.

She easily took the cups from the other cupboard, but the other one was too hard; the plates were scooted too much in the back for her own reach.

"Ugh. Did you do this on purpose??" she frowned, one hand onto the side of the counter as the other tried swatting closer to get a grip on atleast one. I guess she isn't that as tall as she thought she was.

Hunter rolled his eyes, "No. I didn't even know you existed before this. -- Uh huh. Right. So you coincidentally bumped into me to times, saving me two times or three, one in the dark alleyway and one in the middle of the woods, third maybe at my. . . home. At the dim night. My mother knows your name, you seem to know where your going. You might even be a stalker for all I care." She sarcastically cutted him, looking at him with a glare.

"Whatever."

Silence overdue them, Athena was still having some difficulties with getting the plates and Hunter noticed it easily. He sighed and walked over to her, holding onto her shoulder and his free hand reached to the plates, taking two. Her cheeks flushed pale pink, heart beating fast. "Great! Thank you so much!"

A grin was etched on her face, her eyes sparkled with adoration as he stared at her, his face softening for a mere second until he cleared his throat and looked away, plopping it on her hands as her reflexes worked quickly. "Your welcome." He continued doing his work, the girl happily placing the things needed.

Once she was done, she sat onto the chair and tapped onto the small table, grey eyes staring at the small scratches planted on the sides and some at the top. She bit her lower lip, her finger slowly tracing the lines.

She didn't know she was too focused until she saw a cooked chicken leg on her pearly plate with some mashed potato and cutted carrots and some peas. His had the same, and she was supremely amazed by his natural talent. "Woah. These look delicious!"

She used her utensils, eating the food with a bewildered expression. It was delectable, and it. was as if a taste of Heaven.

Hunter was amused with her liking of his dish, looking at her with a raised brow and a smirk.

Athena felt like somebody was looking at her and glanced over to the werewolf to catch him immediately looking away, he wasn't just fast enough. A chuckle escaped her lips, Hunter pursed his own as it slowly turned to a serious frown.

After the deafening silence, she finally spoke.

"Is Erina your only sibling. . .?"

Hunter clenched his jaw, his grip on his spoon and fork was too hard that it was slowly breaking. Athena gave off a look of concern, causing him to sigh and avert his eyes from her. "No. I had an older brother named Luke. He tried to save me and a girl from the rogue kingdom's troops. Right now his son is the one ruling, and he made sure that he'll finish what his father wanted to do. Give hell and back to. . . -- my family's bloodline?"

He letted go of the broken utensils, huffing. "Not only yours, Athena. It's to my own as well, and definitely the others. They've been trying to break our freedom since the day. . . never mind. You'll know soon."

"Tell me." She bit her lower lip, her face showing plead and interest. Athena didn't want to be left out and clueless of everything that was happening to her. She knew some of the werewolf culture but nothing close to the history her family has had with them.

He shook his head, standing up to clean his already empty plate and cup, "When your ready to know the truth. Everything."

She frowned and stood up, taking her own and placing it in the other sink next to his, taking the two knives (one butcher the other a butter knife) and board as well. Athena grumbled impatiently and quietly mocked his words to herself, glaring at his masculine figure that was walking over to the living room.

"That's what he said. This guy doesn't really make sense at all!" She rolled her eyes and side eyed him, cleansing the butter knife but isn't that as focused, earning a cut on the palm of her hand. Athena winced letting go of the knife, her eyes glossed with tears as she saw blood drip down her hand.

Hunter caught the scent immediately, his face falling and his feet dragging himself over to the girl. "What the f**k did you do?!"

He grabbed her wrist, her hand that held the sponge has released it out of shock. "I- Uh- Um. . . -- why can't you stay careful for once?? I can't just save you each and every single time Athena!" Hunter coldly scolded, letting her go and using his speed to go to his bathroom to get some cloth and other necessities.

Athena breathed heavily, using her instinct to wash the blood away. He came back, once again holding her wrist but more gentle, his face softening as he cleaned it up so there wouldn't be an infection, and wrapped cloth around it. "God, Athena why can't you just be careful for once?"

"I'm sorry." She mumbled, tearing her gaze away from him.

He glared at her, letting go of the grip with a frown etching his cold features again. No sign of the caring look he gave over to her was traced, it completely left. "You better be."

His pace was slow as he went to place the things back, stopping at the doorway to the living room and turning to her. "Remember we'll be going to the nearby village, we're traveling there and staying there. Don't do anything wrong, don't be as stubborn as always. Got it?"

Athena was lost for words.

She couldn't say anything back since he has left swiftly. A sigh escaped her chapped lips, her grey eyes glancing at her bandaged hand to the couch in the dark living room. The Hale girl went the wall with the light switch, closing it off.

"I don't understand him. He could be nice. . . But later on it's back to the cold and rude werewolf he is." sitting at the uncomfortable couch, she grabbed the blanket and draped it around herself, laying down against the pillow. She squirmed, it was barely sleepable, it wasn't comfortable just as last time.

What she didn't know and definitely forgot, is the quality and advantages of a werewolf; heightened senses like hearing. He has heard her small talk to herself, and let's just say it isn't that taken as a compliment at all.

Her foggy grey eyes fluttered, slowly closing as she found the perfect position to sleep in.

Whilst she suddenly and surprisingly slept in peace, the latter was barely having his needed slumber.

Hunter huffed, looking at the ceiling. How would he explain everything to her? When will she ever get ready? When will he say it? Are they safe at all? Is Erina and the pack alright?

He frowned, trying to listen to something. The owls hooting. The crickets chirping. The wind blowing outside.

Badump. Badump. Badump.

A heartbeat.

Athena's heartbeat.

His eye brows furrowed, looking at the wooden door. It felt relieving and calm to hear, it somewhat lessened the weight on his shoulders. Hunter sighed, fixing his laying position to listen closely even more.

Badump. Badump. Badump.

His eyes became droopy, his body relaxing as he drifted off to sleep.

"Why are there mean werewolves, mother?" Little Hunter questioned, holding onto her hand tightly as he looked around seeing them run everywhere crazily, blood in their paws and fangs. They looked monstrous and hideous.

"Hunter, Erina, Luke! Go to Lorraine, Lorraine Hale. They live not that far away." His mother cried, pushing them over behind a spot where the rogue werwolves won't catch them. Hunter pouted, about to say something but got interrupted by a scream nearby. They turn their heads to the direction of the cry and saw their father's body, head missing.

They beheaded him without mercy.

Sobs escaped the children's lips, Their mother having tears streaming down her cheeks but she tried hiding that, prioritizing the trio. "Go! Remember that I love you three. . ." She kissed their foreheads and they nodded, crying.

"Go!" She ran far from them to fight off a rogue beta werewolf, her fangs and claws visibly seen as she howled.

Luke grabbed their hands, being the eldest he lead them through the forest without turning back. Their hearts beated fast, Their energy draining slowly from running too much.

"Wait. this is not the route. . . --" before Luke could finish, a roar erupted from somebody's chest, Their heads snapped to see a rogue werewolf that followed them sneakily. They gulped, and ran far from the cottage nearby so they won't create chaos there or drag the destruction adding the owner to the death list. The cottage being owned by Athena's grandmother.

"Hey! we need to keep that girl far from this." Erina pointed at the one heading away from the house, finished helping her grandmother finish the treats she has given her. She looked confused, and frightened by the roar she heard, clenching her fists to the handle of the woven basket.

"U-um, alright!" Hunter squeaked, rushing over to the little girl. He quickly went beside her, waving a hand and greeting a small which made her jolt in surprise.

"Hello! I'm H-Hunter."

She raised a brow, and tilted her head in confusion, hearing the dry leaves crunching to her other side to find a girl and boy, a bit taller than them waving down to her. "Those are my older brother and sister, Luke and Erina."

The elder girl rolled her eyes, and mentally face palmed to the fact that he was undeniably slow. Luke kept looking at their surroundings and behind to check if the rogue was anywhere to be found. "Come on. Wanna play tag?"

The brunette was too oblivious to even know what was happening or to object, though she felt safety from them. "Oh. . . okay! I'm Athena."

"Great! Tag, Luke's it!" Erina smirked, running away as Hunter and the girl followed suit.

They all ran away from the elder boy, not noticing the werewolf going to them from afar until Luke looked behind. "It's here! Run!"

Athena had knitted brows. What did they mean? "What? What does he -- Just follow my lead Athena. We have to go!" Hunter hurriedly told, grabbing her hand as they went faster than what their legs could reach. Luke was now beside them, Erina at the other side as if to protect the two younger children.

They then stopped, seeing a big bad werewolf looking at them and growling, scarily showing their fangs.

The quartet ran away to the right, Athena looked shocked and affeared, hiding her face to Hunter's shoulder as his elder brother and sister lead the way.

"What was that??" Athena questioned, panting heavily as they came to stop to take a breather. Erina shook her head before Hunter could explain, the younger frowning.

"Okay. Go to your home Athena, it's enough for your energy to take. We'll --" Luke got cutted by the thumping of feet, the ground rumbling a bit. The elder brother clenched his jaw and pushed them away, Erina taken aback from his choice of.action.

"Run you three!" Luke shouted, running to a different direction and hollering over to the rogue. Hunter's eyes widened, fear for losing his brother as well written in his face.

"LUKE NO!!"

(A/N) I feel like this unlocked memory is in the need to be seen already, so I'll just give that out and the rest later. Damn it feels too fast, but pretty much isn't at all.