The Hunter

Chapter 5

Theo’s POV

*The previous evening*

    I didn’t want to be working tonight.  It was mere days before the full moon, and I’d already been feeling the effects.  My mother had insisted though. Her driver quit last week, and she asked me to pick up the deliveries until she had time to find a replacement.  It was boring, but at least I got to listen to my own music rather than that country music drab she played over the speakers at the restaurant from open to close.  

    I pulled up to the old motel and walked toward the designated room awaiting their delivery.  I lightly tapped on the room door which opened to quickly revealed the young tenant inside. She was short, with long blonde, damp hair and deep brown eyes.  She smelled like roses and vanilla with a slight hint of something strange. Is that wolfsbane I smell?  She couldn’t be a hunter could she?  She looks so young.

“Oh thank goodness.  I’m starving!” She practically squealed at me.  Excitement evident through her wide smile. I see her stop for a moment.  I hear her heartbeat begin to race as she stares at my smile I flashed her.  

“Your pizza miss.”  I state as I hand over her order, and she reaches me a five dollar bill for a tip.  Never breaking eye contact. 

    I couldn’t hear or smell any other humans in the room with her.  I didn’t understand why she would be traveling alone. She couldn’t have been no more than sixteen to seventeen years of age.  I decided to try to pry a little.  

“My name is Theo, by the way.”  I held out my hand for her to shake.  Hoping she would take it as a gesture of kindness, and not creepiness.  Her smile widened and she quickly shook my outstretched hand.  

“Lydia.”  She responded.  

    I then caught a glimpse of the arsenal that was laid on the bed in the room behind her.  An assortment of guns and blades. I didn’t know much about weapons, but it looked like she had enough laid out to do some serious damage if she needed to.  Was she a hunter?  Is that why I smell wolfsbane?  She doesn’t look like she could take down a pup.  I raised an eyebrow to her.  

“Planning on robbing a bank Lydia?”

“Oh! Um..no, it’s, um...just...a little family business.  N-nothing to to crazy.” She stuttered out, adorably while trying to close the gap in the door slightly.  Preventing me from seeing more.  

     Definitely a hunter.  I could feel my wolf growing a little uneasy.  Hunters rarely came to this area. We were very careful about not giving them a reason to.  We kept our pack members in line. Not that many were really that untamed. We didn’t want to attract too much attention.  We just wanted to live peacefully to ourselves.  However, I also felt something drawing me to her.  I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

“Don’t worry.  Your secret is safe with me.  Enjoy your pizza Lydia.” I smile at her again, and turn towards my car.  I can hear her heartbeat speeding up, and feel her stare on me. It was quite amusing.  So, I turn to give her one last smile, and speed off towards the diner.

“s**t!  Dad’s not going to like this one bit.”  I growled out. Slapping the steering wheel in frustration.  

    I returned back to the diner to see if mother had anything else for me to do.  Lucky for me, it was a slow night. So I grabbed a sandwich and headed to the small break room in the back.  Why would a hunter be here in Bradbury?  She didn’t really look like i thought a hunter would.  I guess I didn’t think one would look so...normal? I don’t know.  Should I tell father about her? What if she is just passing through anyway.  I would put everyone on alert for nothing. Maybe I’ll keep it to myself for now.  No need to get everyone worked up for nothing

    I pondered the thought for a while longer until my mother broke my daze with another delivery order.  I finished off my shift, which lasted another hour and thirty minutes, and helped my mother clean up before we headed out.  My mother was a beautiful woman. I got my dark eyes and hair from her. She walked with a grace that commanded respect when she entered a room.  However, she was one of the nicest women you would ever meet. She was Luna of our pack, and everyone adored her. I learned early on not to let her small frame fool you.  

    She liked to set in on training classes where my father’s beta James’s would teach us younger pups to fight in wolf and human form.  James was also my mother’s brother and my uncle. He didn’t let the fact that I was his alpha’s kid stop him from kicking my ass a time or two.  One class, I was feeling a little cocky. Like I could take on anything. I was an alpha, and I didn’t need to be trained by a mere beta. My mother was quick to step up.  

“Okay Theo.  If you are so skilled, fight me.”

     This was something I was not expecting.  I wasn’t going to hit my mother. I would never hit a woman.  Especially my mother and Luna. 

“What?  No. I want to challenge James.”  I retorted sternly. 

    She just stared back at me with disappointment in her eyes.  Then, her dark brown eyes went a darker shade of black, and I knew what was coming next.

“I SAID FIGHT ME”  My mother’s voice was calm, but boomed with authority throughout the training facility.  

“Yes, mam.”  I answered back shakily.  Quickly regretting my earlier actions.  

    I launched myself towards my mother.  Swinging fists left and right without ever making contact.  My mother had swiftly dodged each of my hits with ease. I lifted my leg and spin around for a kick, but my mother had already made her move.  With an effortless dip, she had spun her body around, knocking me off my planted foot and hard onto my back.  

“Who knows what Theo did wrong there?”  I heard her address the class, while I lay moaning in pain. 

“He attacked without thinking.  Underestimated his opponent, and therefore was not ready for his attack.”  I heard a familiar voice speak from the crowd. It was Michael. My best friend, and future beta of the pack.  

    I sat up as my mother leaned down to my side.  An I told you so smile plastered on her face. She held her hand out to me, and helped me to my feet.

“So, I think you have an apology to be making son.”

“I’m sorry uncle James.  I mean Beta James.” I quickly retorted when I noticed my mother’s stare.  “I’m sorry for my attitude. I obviously still have much to learn, and would appreciate another chance.”

“How can I refuse after seeing an ass kicking like that?  You could have gone a little easier on the boy Gen.” He laughs out.  

“I thought that was easy.”  My mother shrugs her shoulders and joins my uncle in his laughter.  

    After that day, I took my training more seriously.  I also gained a whole new level of respect for my mother.  She could have easily sat back and let my uncle knock me down a few pegs.  Most other she-wolves I know would have. Instead, she stood up for one of her fellow pack mates.  Even against her own son. That is why our pack loved my mother. She was fair, and treated everyone with respect.  No matter their rank. I decided to mention the young female hunter to her on the ride home. Get her opinion on whether or not I should mention her to father.  

“Mom, you remember that delivery I made to that god awful hotel down the road?  I think the name on it was Monroe or something?”

“Ah yes, I remember.”

“Well, there was this girl there”

“Oh Moon Goddess you found your mate!” she blurted out.  Interrupting my sentence before it barely began.  

 “No mother!”  I blurted out.  “Definitely not my mate.  I mean, she was cute and all, but not my mate.”

“Well darn.”  She crossed her arms disappointingly.  “What about her then?”

“I think she may have been a hunter.”

“A hunter?  In Bradbury?  Was she alone?”

“I think so.  I couldn’t smell or hear any others in the room with her.  If she wasn’t, they were in a different room. I don’t know whether I should tell father or not.  She could just be passing through. Nothing to worry about. You know, but what if I don’t tell him, and it turns out to be serious?  What do you think I should do?”

“Well, did you get any murderous vibes from her?  Did she seem like she knew what you were and we could be in trouble?

“Honestly, no.  I did get an odd feeling when I looked her in the eyes.  It wasn’t like a mate feeling. So don’t start that again, but more like ‘she is more important than we know, and i need to keep an eye on her’ kind of feeling.”

“Then maybe that is what you should do.  I’ve raised you to follow your heart, but listen to your gut.  If you feel there is something about this girl, then listen to yourself.  We can keep this from your father for now, but only for a few days. Until you can find out more.  Okay?”

“Thanks mom.  I knew you were the right one to come to for this.”

    I turn off the road, and up the long dirt drive to our home.  We lived a little on the outside of town. It helped keep us safe from humans finding out about our existence.  Plus, it just felt more in tune with nature to be away from the busy town and city life. I passed the three story hotel like building, or pack house, you come to just before our family home.  We used that building to house many of the pack members who preferred being close by, or families seeking shelter while traveling through.  

    The main house was almost as large as the pack house.  A three story brick home with a large front porch with pillars to each side.  Opening the front door, you walk into the foyer with a large round table with a vase of calla lilies in the middle.  They were my mother’s favorite flower, and my father ordered that there would always be a beautiful bouquet waiting for her when she returned every day.  Her face would light up every time as if it were the first time seeing them. Behind the table was a staircase ascending to the second floor where my mother would always go as soon as she got home.  That is where my father’s study was located.

    I headed to the kitchen to grab a snack and headed up to the third floor where my room was located.  I ate the sandwich and a bag of chips I had taken while watching some random show on television about some snake gang fighting a giant stick monster.  Then I decided to shower and sleep. James had called an early training session for the warriors in the morning, and mother expected me to deliver again that evening.  Story of my life.  

    Training went as usual that day.  James made us run the grueling course he so deviously devised himself in the woods behind the pack house, and then we did a little one on one combat training.  

“Dude, you were on fire today.”  Michael, by future beta stated on our way back to the pack house.

“I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Oh yeah?  What’s got the future alpha’s mind a mess this time?  Some girl?”

“Actually, yes.”

    I proceeded to tell him about Lydia and what I had seen in the motel room.  Hoping he could help me make sense of what I was feeling. It was his job as my future beta after all.  Help me work through dilemmas. Right?

“Dude, I don’t know what to tell you.  Maybe the Luna is right. Keep an eye on her.  Maybe it is nothing, or maybe the Moon Goddess has a plan for her.  A plan that somehow involves you.”

“Seriously, you are absolutely no help at all.”  I say throwing an apple at his head. “I’ve got to get ready for work.”

    I head upstairs to shower, and then to the diner to start my work day.  It’s a steady day. I head out with my first batch of deliveries no sooner than I arrive and clock in.  As I’m pulling into the diner from my third batch of deliveries, I catch that familiar scent of roses and vanilla.  I see her sitting alone at one of the outside dining tables talking on the phone. I tune my ears and listen in to her conversation. 

“I was thinking more element of surprise.  I noticed a room the female was in after the males left.  Seemed to be their den, if you would call it that. Maybe toss a bomb through the broken window.  While they are inhaling the wolfsbane, go in, a couple head shots to take them out, and I’m on my way home the next morning.  I’ll pack a few other things in case they try to fight, but there are only 5 of them. It shouldn’t be too hard.”

5 of them?  What could she be talking about?  Bombs of wolfsbane? Definitely a hunter, but what is she planning?   How can she sound so casual?  

“I got this momma.  Don’t worry. My food is coming.  I’ll talk to you later. Love you.  Goodnight!”

    She hung up the phone as my mother sat her food on the table in front of her.  Now was my chance to talk to her. Maybe figure out what her deal was.  

“Good evening Lydia.”  I chuckle a little when I see her jump at my greeting. 

“s**t, Theo!  You scared me.  When did you even get here?”

“I seen you when I pulled in.  Watched you for a moment. You really like that burger don’t you?”  She obviously wasn’t amused with my comment. If looks could kill, her eyes would be my downfall right now.

“What do you mean watched me?  What are you? Some sort of creep or something?”

“You could say that I guess.”  I said, shrugging my shoulders, and reaching across the table to grab a fry from her plate.  “So, what brings you here? Hoping to run across that handsome delivery guy again?”

“What?!  NO!” She protested.  Her cheeks growing more red by the second.  “I just wanted a bite to eat, but I guess I should have kept on driving.  Some old creep keeps stealing my food, and doesn’t seem to take the hint that I’d like to be left alone.”  

    She scowled at me again, but I could tell she wanted anything but for me to leave.  Her heartbeat was racing and her skin was flushed. Even her scent had changed since I sat down.  More fierce and intoxicating. Just as I am about to offer a retort to her statement, my text notification begin to chime in.  One after the other.

“Umm, Theo, are you going to get that?”

“I really don’t want to.”

My phone then begins to ring.  I dig it out of my pocket and see Michael’s name on the ID.  

“Yes?”  I answered sternly.

“Dude, you need to get home now.  There’s been an attack.”

“What?!  When?!”

“About an hour and a half ago.  I tried to mind link you, but I got knocked out.  Multiple shifters. Your father is hurt, but the doc says he will be okay after he rests, but dude, they took your brother.”

“f**k!  I’m on my way.”

“Everything okay Theo?”

“No.  I’ve got to go.” 

I ran down the steps and back to my car, and sped off back towards home.