The Hunt

The Wolfs' Lair

I could barely sleep last night. This was the first time in months that I felt like I was getting closer to my goal. I was still wary about working with others. It’s difficult to trust anyone, let alone a supernatural. Even though Burner seemed sincere in wanting to help me take down Devland, I knew little about him or his true intentions. There are only two things I can rely on right now: my instincts and what dad had taught me. And until I’m proven otherwise, werewolves and vampires are the same. They both see humans as inferior, weak, and ignorant - they see us as pray. I will work with the alpha and his pack as long it’s in my best interests, but as soon as a single hair stands on the back of my neck, I will not hesitate to do what’s best for me.

We have been driving for over five hours now, and we should be getting close. The road is surrounded on both sides by thick woods, fog clinging to every branch and leaf. The air is thick and heavy but calming. Was there a storm coming? If so, I hope there’s lightning. It’s so beautiful and powerful. For some reason, I have always felt the most calm and safe during a thunderstorm. Mom told me that when I was born there was a huge derecho storm rolling through our town. She was terrified for my safety, but even with the wind howling and rain pouring down so hard that it sounded like you were on the inside of an angry wasp hive, I was just looking up at her, calm and serene. And as the lightning struck somewhere near the hospital, thundering so loudly that the whole building shook with the impact, I fell asleep.

It was difficult to see more than 30 feet ahead now, but I could still make out the red light of Burners’ motorcycle leading the way. The ride was easy, considering conditions. I was relaxed. And as always, my thoughts started flooding with memories. Even though I was always close to my mom and my sister, dad was the one I could somehow relate to the most. I am his carbon copy; same thick dark brown hair, same wide wondrous eyes, same happy-go-lucky smile. He loved us all equally, but I was his little prodigy. Dad always said that he was so worried because his daughters were so beautiful, so he had to teach us how to defend ourselves. But Miranda put her foot down when she was fourteen. Fighting didn’t suit her. She was just too tender, too good. Both her and my mom were just so gentle. I was different. Every day, I would eagerly wait for my training. I loved learning new combat techniques, new fighting styles. Looking back, I should have realized that this wasn’t a normal family after-school activity. But this was the norm that I knew. And now, I couldn’t be more thankful for what I’ve learned and the skills that I have developed.

I was so deep in thought that when I noticed four huge wolves running on both sides of the car, I almost swerved off the road. Are they werewolves in their animal form? These beasts were huge. They were all at least ten-feet long and their heads were at the same height as my car. The one brown wolf running closest to me turned its head and growled at me. I need to stay calm. I can’t let them smell my fear. Only now did I truly understand how terrifying these creatures were. Their paws pounding the ground as they ran alongside me were so powerful, they could probably tear the door of my car clean off its hinges without any problem. Even though Burner is also a werewolf, at this moment I felt glad that he was with me, leading the way and giving me safe passage into their territory.

We reach a crossroad; Burner turns left, and I follow him closer than before. As we continue, the forest surrounding us becomes airier and unexpectedly opens into a huge estate where at the end stands a house that I can only describe as a mansion. At the top of the stairs leading up to the entrance are three figures. Two men and a woman. I let my eyes slowly trace all of them and as they stop at the man standing in the middle my heart skips a beat.

Burner lazily climbs off his motorcycle and starts going up the stairs towards the three figures. The air was suffocating now, like the pressure suddenly shifted, and I felt weighted down. My feet betrayed me as I stumbled slightly trying to catch up to him. He may have had his arm around my throat yesterday, but today he’s the closest thing I have to an ally here, and he did promise me safe leave if things didn’t go as planned. When he stands next to the man in the middle and shakes his hand, I’m slightly taken aback. Although I have always considered myself tall at five foot seven, this man was still towering. He’s at least a foot and a half taller than me.

He is a sight to see. His jet-black ear-length hair effortlessly brushed back by his long fingers, sat perfectly atop of his head. Piercing ice-blue eyes perfectly framed by dark eyebrows and downcast thick eyelashes. His body - built like a Greek god. Wide shoulders, powerful toned arms crossed over his chest which made them look even bigger. Long muscular legs stood firmly as if they were rooted in place. No one could move this man unless he wanted to move. But out of all his otherworldly features, the most attractive was his smell. Damn, did he smell amazing: like oranges, pine trees by the sea and just a hint of fresh cut grass. I have never experienced such an overwhelming feeling of attraction. Every cell in my body was pulling me closer towards him. How could someone I have just met have such an impact on me? It almost made me forget who he was. What he was. Until he opened his mouth to speak.

“Is this some sort of joke, Burner,” he snarls while looking down at me, “you said that you were bringing me something promising, and then you show up with a human?”

“Give her a chance, Alarick,” Burner winks at me, “she’s stronger than she looks and even quicker on her feet than me. Look at the welcoming gift she gave me when we first met,” he smiles proudly while showing off a scar on his left bicep.

“Fine. You will be tested in combat just like anyone else that wants to join me. We don’t need any dead-weight slowing us down. Don’t think that we’ll be going easy on you just because you’re human.” He said the last word with such disdain I could feel my heart almost jump out of my chest to escape the pain.

“Then what are we waiting for?” I grit my teeth, now feeling anger building up at my core. This man, Alarick, knows nothing about me, and yet he’s looking down on me just because I’m human. “I don’t have the whole day.”

“Hey, are you sure,” Burner cuts in, I can see a resemblance of worry in his eyes. “You are full of surprises, kitten, and I would never underestimate you, but we’re talking about hand-to-hand combat with a werewolf. No toothpicks or flowers this time.”

“Call me kitten again, and I will take you down right here as a warm-up.” I answered jokingly as I lightly jabbed his shoulder. I can’t believe that this tattooed ginger brute is starting to grow on me.

Alarick shifts a slightly confused look between the two of us before his hooded gaze turns expressionless once again. Just for a second, something else flashed in his eyes. Was he annoyed by our little display of friendliness? Was he angry with Burner for being somewhat concerned about my well-being?

“Follow me. You will be fighting Monica,” he motions to the blonde standing on his right. “If you can survive ten minutes with her in the ring, you’re in.”

The girl is well-built, but we’re the same height and have similar physiques. I should be able to take her down. But I have never fought a werewolf and I don’t know what supernatural strength they have. If Burner is worried, maybe I should be careful as well. This pack is the best chance I have against Devland, and I’m not about to mess it up by being too cocky.

As we made our way around the house into an open-air arena, I mentally prepared myself for the fight to come. I watch Monica. Study the way she walks, the way her arms swing by her side, the way she places her feet one after the other. She’s relaxed, not expecting much of a challenge from a human. I will have to show her and everyone else who could be bothered to watch to never underestimate us again.