Silver Moon Huntress

Emma

I tossed and turned all night. I wasn’t sure if my inability to sleep was due to the stress I felt over my Hunter mark or the constant ache I had begun to feel all over my body. It felt like growing pains combined with the soreness of a hard workout.

I finally gave up on sleep and went out for a morning run. Somehow, the pounding of my paws against the ground eased the pain, and I started to feel more normal.

I reached my favorite riverside spot and laid down in the crunchy leaves, enjoying the crinkling sound they made as I rolled onto my side.

My mind wandered to my predicament. I lived a completely ordinary life, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future. Could I really pass up the opportunity to make a difference in favor of something easy and familiar? Did I want to be the kind of person who hides from everything difficult and never takes a chance?

I thought about how my parents would react to me joining the Hunters. I knew they would worry—they’d be pretty poor parents if they didn’t care about their daughter’s safety. But they’d also be so proud. I knew they were concerned that I was too shy, unmated, and seemingly directionless. I could picture my mother bragging to her friends and my father’s quiet approval.

But if I became a Hunter I would never be there to see it.

Then I thought about how disappointed they would be if they found out I refused my calling and ignored the Moon Goddess’s plans for me. My indecision was maddening. Then again, I should probably cut myself some slack. This was a life changing choice, after all.

I sighed and wished I had someone other than Caleb to confide in. I’d never had many female friends. Because I tended to stay quiet during group conversations, other ladies thought I was stuck up or bitchy. I wanted to change their minds but I just didn’t have anything to add. I didn’t know anything about makeup, I was unmated with no prospects, and there was only so much iced coffee I could handle.

Not for the first time, I wished Mila was still here. She was the only girl I’d ever bonded with at school, probably because she was just as quiet as me. Alas, she had mated to the Gamma of a neighboring pack and moved away. We still talked on the phone from time to time, but she was often busy and I didn’t want to be a burden.

I chided myself. This was serious! Mila would want to hear about it, and I knew I needed her advice. I hopped up and started toward home.

***

I paced my room as the phone rang, tapping my fingers nervously against my arm. After several rings, she picked up.

“Hello?”

I let out my breath in a rush.

“Hi Mila. It’s been a while.”

“I know love, I’m sorry I haven’t called. Things have been so hectic here. I got tapped to help organize the winter festival this year and my Luna has me working overtime.”

“It’s okay, I know you’ve been busy. I.... I just really need advice right now.”

“You sound anxious. Is everything okay? Is everyone safe?”

“Yeah yeah, everything’s fine. I have a crazy decision to make and I didn’t know who to talk to about it.”

“I’m all ears, hun.”

I took a deep breath.

“I got a Hunter mark.”

She inhaled sharply.

“Goddess. When?”

“A few days ago. I’ve been trying to decide what to do about it.”

She took a long pause, and I could tell she was trying to choose her words carefully.

“What can you do?”, she asked quietly. “The Moon Goddess has chosen you. It’s foolish to fight the destiny she’s given you.”

“Do I have no free will then?”

“Darling, even if you try to hide your mark, the Hunter Squad will sense it and come for you. I’ve seen it.”

“What do you mean?”, I asked, panic rising in my throat.

“The Moon Goddess blesses the Hunters with extraordinary strength and resilience, but she also bestows gifts on them. Once you are marked, they can sense you.”

“How do you know so much about them?”, I breathed.

“I live at my pack house, dear. I see the Hunters everyday. I’ve gotten close to a few of them. What are you worried about?”

“What if I can’t do it? What if I’m not strong enough, or I can’t handle the training? What if I never get to see my family again?”, I said in a rush.

“Em. Stop. You’re one of the strongest, most determined people I’ve ever met. Once you put your mind to a goal, I know you’ll achieve it. I can’t assure you that you’ll get to see your family as often as you want to, but you won’t be cut off from them completely. I still saw Zander every so often.”

I’m such a f*****g i***t. Why didn’t I call Mila the moment I saw my mark? She dated Zander Dalton for a year back when we were in high school.

“Goddess, I can’t believe I’m so dumb. I totally forgot about you and Zander”, I said.

She laughed and replied, “it’s okay. We were together a long time ago for a very short time.”

“So has anyone ever refused a Hunter mark?”, I asked.

“I’ve never heard of it happening, but I suppose it could be possible. Really though, Em. I would’ve thought you’d be so excited about this!”

“I am. It’s just so hard to take a leap. I don’t know how you did it.”

“Hun, it was easy. Obviously I didn’t want to leave you, or my family, but I found my person, and I never looked back. Maybe the Hunters will be your people?”

“I hope so, Mi.”

I heard a commotion on the other side of the phone, and Mila said something to someone in the room with her.

“I’m sorry Em, I have to go. My Luna is starting our planning meeting. Keep me updated though! I’m rooting for you.”

“Thanks Mi. Love you.”

“Love you too”, she said, and hung up.

I put my phone in my pocket, squared my shoulders, and told myself I would go to the pack house and find the Hunters after training today.

I never got the chance. They found me first.

***

I ducked under Caleb’s fist and jabbed him in the side with my elbow.

“Ouch, Em. You mad at me or something?”, he joked.

“I can’t help it if you’ve gone soft!”, I laughed.

“I’m not soft”, he said huffily. “I just didn’t get to eat a full breakfast this morning.”

He walked over to the window and took a swig of water.

I was starting to sweat, so I took off my sweatshirt. I was wearing my usual long-sleeved shirt, carefully hiding my mark.

Caleb’s eyes widened.

“Goddess, Em. You look ripped!”

I looked down and saw that he was right. The fabric of my shirt hugged my body tighter than usual. My arms bulged under the fabric, and I could see a distinct line down my stomach that hinted at my ab muscles. Even my legs looked unusually defined. How did I not notice this before?

“That’s what happens when you actually go to the gym”, I teased. “Ready for another round?”

“Yes! Don’t let me forget to tell you about my date, too!”

I ground my teeth, but smiled and leapt toward Caleb. I crashed into him, and he offered no resistance. I sat up, shoving his shoulder playfully.

“What’s wrong? Not ready for a real fight?”, I asked.

Caleb didn’t respond. His eyes were fixed on something behind him. I turned and saw three tall, heavily muscled people standing in the arena doorway. Around me, fights had halted, and everyone stared at the newcomers.

The male in the middle of the trio stepped forward and called out to the room in a confident, clear voice.

“We’re here for Emmaline Archer.”