Hunters and Beasts

Hunter's life

Faith calmed her out of control nerves and looked at the black sedan that was behind them. Her eyes flashed as she went blank faced. She hadn’t noticed where it came from but it was approaching them quickly. The lights flashed and Caleb looked to her for guidance.

“It’s one of ours. Pull off and don’t react to anything they might do, I’m begging you.”

“I’ll follow your lead, but I wont allow them to hurt you.”

“Even if they try that, please I will talk to you about everything latter.” He set his jaw but nodded before pulling off to the side, the sedan stopping next to them. The window rolled down and two hunters in security uniforms looked at them.

“Faith blackheart, you are to come with us!”

“Surely this is a mistake.”

“no mistake. You need to have action taken on you for the leaving of school early. Come with us now and we wont have to get the police involved.”

“Okay fine, give me a moment.”  Faith looked at Caleb who was staring strait ahead with his jaw set. “I’ll see you latter.”

“latter faith.” She slid from the jeep and walked to the back seat of the sedan and opened the door to see tyler sitting in the back smiling. She sighed and slipped in.

“What now?” she said closing the door as the hunters sped off leaving caleb sitting on the side if the road.

“Did you really ditch your duties to go out with the captain of the football team?”

“Yes, the CAPTAIN of the FOOTBALL team. You know where we just found out that there was a werewolf.” Tyler scoffed.

“You could have just informed the team of your plans vs running off. Your father visited school today and you were gone.”

“of course, that’s what happened. I am the leader of this team. I don’t have to inform the members of my actions.”

“If you wish to remain the leader you probably should.” Tyler met her eyes with a smirk.

“I’m sorry that you are still sour, but I bested you fair and square. You got three of your team killed with your ‘tactics’."

“It would have worked of your team was in position!” he slammed his fist down on the door.

“We had to adapt in the field, something you aren’t familiar with.” They pulled up to the compounded office building and they got out of the car.

“You need to watch your back faith. You are on thin ice as it is.”

“Like you know anything about what is going on here. If you need me, I’ll be in the debriefing room. Go get the squad working out.”

“Yes. Mam.” Tyler stormed off in a huff and Faith waited a moment before walking towards the building. She rode the elevator down and walked down the dark hallway to the war room. All the local squad leaders were present. She quickly took a place along the back and waited.

“Alright Hunters let’s get a status report going.” Her father took the podium. She waited for her turn while everyone went through an array of ‘nothing to reports’ and ‘possible werewolf dinner’. “Sargent Black-Heart. Report.” Faith cleared her throat.

“Confirmed wolf sighting, confirmed connection with the school. Observations have been started to find more, if any, wolves that might be hiding among the students at Spartan high. Working on a plan to gather more information now. We are implementing testing protocol, Sir.”

“Is that what you were doing earlier when you skipped out on class?”

“Yes sir. I was vetting the captain of the football team in connection to the wolf that was discovered.”

“so, you weren’t putting off your duty to go f**k around with some teenage boy.”

“No sir.”

“You are a hunter before anything else. Do good to remember that. That sums up the debriefing this week. You have your orders, continue to carry them out. Dismissed.”

Faith left the room and went to the training area. She set her squad free on the workout equipment and went about her own business. She started on the treadmill and after 2 miles moved to arms, legs and free weights.  After a blistering hour and a half workout she sent her squad to their assignments for the night. “Remember team, observe. Do not engage. Try to confirm identity. We know they are in the woods. Pick up is at dark.” They all saluted before running to get changed. “Tyler.”

“Yes, sergeant.” He spat her title like poison in his mouth.

“Where is my truck?”

“At school. Have fun with that.” He smirked and walked away. f*****g prick. He’s gotten worst as time goes on.  Faith stayed in her soaked gym clothes and walked towards the elevator. Guess it’s a extra ten mile run for me today. Faith walked through the parking lot and the gates opened for her. She headed in the direction for school 1830 flashing across her watch.

She neared the school and looked down at her watch 1947 flashed across the screen. Not my worst time. She got to her truck and climbed in breathing heavily. She pulled out her phone and saw three new messages. Two were from Caleb, one from Stone, one of her cadets. She read the one from stone first. Sorry to bother you, sarg, but Tyler is causing more trouble and trying to change your command.  Faith sighed before reading the other messages.

Hey faith I hope everything is okay.

I’m concerned. I didn’t like the way they acted. Please let me know that everything is fine. 

Everything is fine. We can talk about it latter. Thank you, Caleb. She put her phone away and started the drive home. She pulled into her driveway and saw something sitting on her deck.

“What the hell?” she got out and inspected the package on her porch. There was a note on the box. I hope this helps you understand me a little better --C. She took the box inside and opened it. Inside the box was an array of books, journals. She picked one up that looked aged. Michael Greymoon. Holy s**t, the Michael Greymoon? She had heard of him from her lore and history books. He was the original alpha, the first recorded in history. She gently placed the book down and pick up a newer looking one. Caleb Greymoon. He gave me his journal. Faith took the box to her office and set down the books. She looked at the time, it was now 8pm. s**t time to get geared up. Faith quickly put on her gear and drove to the rondeau point. She arrived at the compound and met up with her squad. Tyler was waiting in the van.

“Weapon check.” The team’s checked their ammo before loading the van. “Alright Tyler. We are going to area three.” He nodded and drove towards the woods. Faith started out the window at the darkening world around her. Please do not let them find anything tonight.

Caleb stared at the faces in front of him, the faces of his pack members. Currently his pack held a hundred members. They all waited for him to speak, quietly talking among themselves. He cleared his throat getting the attention of those infront of him.

“Thank you all for coming. I’d like to talk to everyone as a whole so that we can understand the severity of the situation we have here.” There were murmurs in the crowd. “I would like to start by reminding everyone, no one is being forced to stay here in my tribe. While it is true I am the last of the Greymoon’s, this doesn’t mean our kind is without numbers. I can command them all, but I believe everyone should be free to live as they choose unless it threatens us as a whole. We are stronger together, under one moon then we are apart.” A few of the pack members howled. “I do not tolerate insubordination if you live under my name!” Caleb's tone got stronger. “I do not tolerate the senseless murder of humans for sport or food. We have a way of life, and we have VALUES.” The crowd cheered with his message. “If we do no wrong the hunters have no need to come for us.”

“But sir, they search these very woods!”

“That might be true but give them not the reason to find you and put you down, or they will. Recently I had to put down one of our own for attacking a hunter and talks of treason. You all have the right to challenge me if you wish!” Caleb ripped off his shirt, his veins bulging. “Do I have any takers!” the pack avoided his gaze. “Then we live another day, as the Greymoon tribe!”

“Sir!” a wolf ran up to the meeting. “The hunters start their patrol!”

“Everyone scatter! Remember my words! We will see each other at the house!”  he watched as his pack transformed and disappeared into the woods around him. He transformed last and turned his nose to the air and sniffed. Faith. Her sent is stronger than any other. Caleb ran through the trees until he neared where he smelled faith. He could smell the hunters nearby. They were bitter and easier to identify than Faith’s sent had been the first time he caught onto it. He decided to stay back from her, and to stay undetected.

Caleb watched faith make her woods through the brush. She was silent and exceptionally light footed. Her hunting gear was strapped tightly to her body, rifle in her hands. The one she shot me with. Caleb slowly followed her, stepping as lightly and silently as she herself did. She was alone, just like all the other times he had followed her through the same woods. He had been following her for awhile now, she was on her way back to the meeting place where her and her team would talk before leaving. Caleb watched her hips sway as she walked and the gracefulness of her movements. Caleb stumbled and crashed into the brush. Crap.  He looked up for faith and she had disappeared. He stood slowly until the muzzle of a rifle contacted his neck.

“Its not polite to stalk.” Caleb shifted, putting his hands up.

“I wasn’t stalking, I was simply walking behind you in the same direction, while staring at your butt.” Faith lowered her weapon and scoffed.

“Why are you following me?” Caleb stood, brushing off.

“Making sure you are okay. I was worried that I had scared you earlier.”

“No.” faith looked away. “You didn’t.”

“What’s wrong?”

“it’s a complicated world we live in.” he stepped closer.

“Only if you make it that way. What does your heart say faith? That’s what you must follow.” He reached to touch her arm, her radio going off and startling them both.

“Sargent report? What’s your twenty?” faith looked to Caleb with apologetic eyes.

“Almost there, ten mins tops.”

“Oscar Kilo.” The radio cut out.

“Looks like I have to go.” He touched her arm gently. Her body was stiff, he was standing there shirtless with a thin sheen of sweat across his body. His eyes were soft, and she looked to his lips. She turned to walk away and froze. f**k it. f**k what my dad wants! I want to follow my own feelings! Faith turned back to Caleb and placed her hand on his shoulder. He stiffened as she placed her other hand on his face and lead him in for a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Whenever you want. All you have to do is call.” She smiled as he transformed into a wolf and ran off, pausing to look back at her. She hurried back to her squad, breaking through the brush, startling them. They all gave a quick report of no sightings and went their separate ways. Faith stored her bag in her truck as tyler walked over.

“You were late, and your coms were silent. Weren’t planning to be a hero again and try to take on more wolves, were you?”

“Its easy to get lost in the hunt, something you aren’t familiar with.” Tyler scoffed and stormed off. She sighed as she slipped back into her truck. He’s getting to be more of a problem. Faith got back to her house and looked at her watch. 2:13. She could hear a storm rumbling in the distance. She heard a twig snap and looked in its direction. She saw nothing and sighed before going inside and locking the door. She hurried to get showered and sank into her bed to try to sleep.