Silver Moon Huntress

Zander

The moment I heard Emma’s mind I knew she would be something special. She was timid at first, waiting to hear an explanation before jumping to the offensive, but the further we walked without speaking, the more resolved to be obstinate she became.

In typical Hunter style, she seemed quiet, but not shy. Only around each other did we truly come out of our shells to become the headstrong, stubborn leaders our Alpha needed us to be.

I thought back to our training session. I was not disappointed by her performance. She learned quickly and held her own better than most new Hunters I’d trained with.

I heard first hand how determined she could be when she put her mind to something, and I could tell she would thrive if I challenged her with just enough ego to make her want to show me up.

She was absolutely mesmerizing to me. The way she carried herself—less graceful than Vesper but somehow more poised. And those bright blue eyes! A man could drown in those eyes.

Usually, I tried to use my gift for important Hunter matters only, because felt invasive to spy of my fellow Hunters’ private thoughts. Vesper was particularly peeved by my listening in, and I knew better than to attract her fiery wrath.

However, I couldn’t resist when I caught Emma staring at me while we were stretching. She had no idea, but I had thought about how it would feel to wrap her in my arms—to comfort her and assure her everything would be alright. To hear that she was thinking the same thing made me feel like a bubble of happiness was rising in my chest. But then the bubble burst, as I remembered we were coworkers. Teammates! Nothing could be allowed to jeopardize the integrity of the team.

I would be strictly professional.

***

When we arrived at the pack house, I could feel Emma’s apprehension. I saw Caleb before she did and smiled, ready to give my friend the usual fist bump in greeting, but his eyes slid right past me.

He made a beeline for her, and for a crazy second I wanted to throw out my arm and stop him from touching her. I mentally shook myself, watching him envelope her in a big bear hug. I envied that familiarity.

Caleb held on to her for a moment too long—long enough to arouse suspicion from even the most preoccupied bystander. I had to know what he was thinking.

I focused my energy on his, feeling rather than seeing the tendrils of my power reaching out to him.

“My girl. Mine.”

I pulled my power back and turned away, jealousy gnawing at my insides. I excused myself, not wanting to subject myself to a reunion where I was the third wheel.

I walked upstairs to Alpha Holland’s study and knocked on the door, ready to give him the daily progress report. I heard multiple sets of feet walking inside the room and wondered if I should come back later.

The door opened and before me stood my best friend.

“Z! Good to see you again buddy!”, Alex exclaimed, stepping forward for a hug and clapping me on the back.

I returned the hug, grinning.

“Alex. You’ve gotten old”, I teased.

“Now, now. Is that any way to speak to your future Alpha?”, he said, in mock consternation.

“My apologies, sir”, I replied, making a show of stooping into a low bow.

“Stand up dumbass.”

I stood, and we both laughed.

Alpha Holland cleared his throat behind us, and we both turned to face him. s**t. Not really how you’re supposed to greet your Alpha.

I was relieved to see he was smiling. Usually he was much more stern. A real no-nonsense type of man. Then I saw Callie sitting in an armchair near him and understood. She had a strange power over everyone. No one in the world could be mad when she was around. She was just too sweet. Too pure.

“Dalton. I assume you’re here to give the progress report.”

Alpha Holland had a weird knack for asking questions that sounded like commands. I supposed it had something to do with his Alpha authority.

“Yes, sir”, I replied, and began reeling off the army training highlights and all other mundane news.

When I paused, Alpha Holland said, “I understand you have a new recuit. A female.”

“That’s correct, sir.”

“I trust you’ll whip her into shape in no time.”

“We’ll do our best, sir.”

Alpha Holland nodded his approval.

“I’ll meet her next time you have guard duty. I’d do it now but I have meetings to get to.”

I knew a dismissal when I heard one and nodded in acknowledgment before turning to the door.

Alex followed me out to the landing, saying, “sooooo, tell me about the new girl.”

I sighed, turning back to him.

“What do you want to know?”

“Is she hot?”

I rolled my eyes. Alex left for the academy when he was eighteen, an unmated free agent. I knew he wouldn’t have had much opportunity to snag girls while he was there, but he’d done his fair share before he left. I doubted his attitude toward girls would’ve changed much.

“She is fairly attractive, yes”, I said, downplaying a little. “Her name is Emma.”

“Em-ma”, he said, drawing out each syllable. “I definitely want to get to know her.”

I recognized the mischievous glint in his eyes and my jealousy reared up again.

“Alex. You know Hunters can’t get involved! Besides, shouldn’t you start looking for your mate? You’re not getting any younger”, I teased. There was a slight edge to my voice but I didn’t think he noticed it.

“A man’s gotta live a little!”, he replied. “I’ve been acting like a priest for the last seven years. I need to stretch my wings!”

Same old Alex, I thought wryly.

“Well stretch them far away from the Hunter compound, okay?”, I said tartly.

“Why Zander, if I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were jealous!”

Shit. Cool it Z, I chided myself. I glared at him.

“I’m simply interested in the betterment of the Hunter Squad. How can I shape her into a great warrior with you lurking around all the time?”

He laughed.

“Fine, fine. But I do still need to meet her. And any of the other Hunters who were selected while I was gone.”

“Okay”, I said. “I’ll tell everyone to look in on you next time they have guard duty.”

I turned to walk down the stairs, but Alex stopped me.

“There’s something serious I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

I turned back to him, my eyebrow raised in question.

“Will you be my Beta?”