The Hunt

A rude Awakening

The next week passed by in a blink of an eye. Every day, I stood up, went out jogging, trained and tried to stay out of the way of everyone else in the house. I don’t know what I was thinking. I can’t jeopardize my chances here by picking a fight with Monica. And over a guy of all things. I have decided to keep my priorities straight. Besides, from what Alaine had told me, Alarick is not profoundly serious when it comes to relationships. He has been on-and-off with Monica for the last year, but he doesn’t refuse a side dish either. The last thing I need right now would be to get tangled in a love triangle. I’m not too confident about my chances anyway. I may have piqued his interest for a moment, but if push comes to shove, he will choose someone of his own kind.

Watching everyone from afar has given me a better understanding of the dynamics of living in this house. I kind of feel bad for Alaine. She practically doesn’t have anyone here. Her brother is almost always busy, locking himself in his office or out on business. Monica is Monica. I have a feeling something has happened between them, but Alaine hasn’t told me anything, and I am not going to push her. Darius and Lana seem nice, but they tend to stay together, and no one wants to be a third wheel.

When I woke up, it was still dark outside. I would usually get up at six to go for a run, but I guess that the ball today has me more anxious than I thought. I look at my phone, and it’s just half past five, but I think that half an hour won’t do much more for me and I doubt that I’ll even be able to fall asleep again. I throw on a jumper and the first pair of leggings I can find and head downstairs towards the entrance.

“You’re quite early today, Nora,” his deep voice sounds slightly sleepy though it carries the same amount of power and authority as always.

“Excuse me?” I mumbled. He had caught me off guard. I was avoiding him all week and quite successfully, but of course, the one time I did see him, Alaine wasn’t there to be my buffer. “Yes,” I straightened up. “I couldn’t sleep, so I might as well use the time for something useful.”

“You don’t mind if I join you then,” his lips curved into a brash smile. This wasn’t a question or a suggestion. He was just stating this as a fact.

Does he know the effect he has on me? Just standing here inhaling his scent is driving me crazy. Imagining all the things he would do to me. Things I would want him to do. What would it feel like to have his hands on me, his fingers running over my bare skin? His lips on mine. Just thinking about it makes my knees go weak and my stomach jump. If he made a move, could I resist him? Would I be strong enough to push him away? Or would I give into temptation? Would I risk everything just for a fling? Just a couple of minutes ago, I was sure that I wouldn’t. I was determined not to. But all of my resolve flew out of the window the moment I heard him say my name.

We didn’t talk much as we ran. I would occasionally catch him looking at me but nothing else. He would just flash me a smile and continue onwards. Running was always the one thing that would help me clear my head, but not this time. My mind was filled with thoughts of him.

“Join me for a swim?” He asks, suddenly pulling me back to reality.

“Swim?!” I almost squealed, only imagining the chill of the water. “It’s barely fifty degrees outside!”

“Keep me company then,” he winks and throws me a devious smile.

Without another word, he turned left and onto a path leading deeper into the woods. Of course, like a fool that I am, I follow. Though I do not regret it. The forest is magnificent. Ancient trees with branches stretching wide and far. Old Sacramento-green pine trees contrasting the fresh lime of newly reborn grass. The rising sun quietly struggling to push through the awakening spring greenery. But the sounds. That has to be the most breathtaking part of the scenery. Different bird songs tie together into the most wonderful symphony of the wilderness. It’s all simply magical.

The woods slightly open up into a beautiful lake with crystal clear water. As I stand there by the shore, I can count the stones at the bottom. I have never stopped to admire the beauty of this place, and now I was simply awestruck. The blue mountains in the distance with snow-covered peaks were somehow making me feel safe. As if I were in an impenetrable fortress. I felt the hair at the back of my neck stand as I turned around to see Alarick undressing. His body is covered in tattoos, but not in a messy, over-the-top kind of way. Every single one of them looks like a piece of art that has been thoughtfully and carefully placed in just the right spot. None of them would be showing if he wore a long-sleeved shirt, which, I’m guessing, was also by design. Alaine had mentioned that the pack also runs a couple of businesses around the U.S. and Alarick is the CEO of the company as well as the Alpha of the pack.

“Are you seriously going to get in? It’s April, the water must be freezing,” I had to say something, if only to distract myself from the thoughts that had overwhelmed me.

“Werewolves tend to run a little hot,” he winks at me once again. “Our body temperature is higher than humans’ and we don’t really get cold. So, will you be joining?” once again he flashes a devilish smile as he steps into the water.

“Well, I’m not a werewolf and would freeze to death,” I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest as a sign that there would be no further discussion on this topic.

“I could find a way or two to warm you up,” he raises an eyebrow playfully as he extends his hand in an invitation towards me.

“I don’t think your girlfriend would appreciate all the innuendos you’re throwing my way, Alarick.” I suddenly annoyed myself with only that one word.

“Monica is not my girlfriend, and she knows that very well,” he sighs. “Look, there’s clearly something going on between us. I can feel it and I know that you can feel it as well. You’re a mystery to me and I can’t help but try to figure you out.”

“I’m not a puzzle to be solved,” I can feel anger and something else rising in my chest, making it difficult to breathe. “And if Monica isn’t with you, it doesn’t look like she got the memo, babe,” I pushed the last word out drenched in sarcasm and immediately felt ashamed. What do I have to be jealous of? He doesn’t belong to me. Even if he doesn’t belong to Monica either, I have no right to behave like a child.

“What are you so scared of?” the expression on his face seemed genuinely baffled. Does he look hurt?

“I just don’t want to mess this up,” my chest tightens seeing him like this and the anger is gone just as fast as it arose. “This, you, your pack is probably my only chance of getting to Devland. My only chance to see him dead. I just can’t let anything interfere with that. I don’t want to get into a catfight with Monica that would end with me being kicked out,” I’m quiet for a moment and just look him in the eyes, trying to make him understand without words. “This is the only thing that matters to me now. Even at the cost of my own life, I will see him dead,” I whispered the last part, perhaps more to myself than to Alarick.

Not waiting for him to respond, I turned around and headed back, leaving him standing there chest deep in the freezing water.