Luna's Outcast

Chapter12

Hunter’s pov

I grinned as I saw the little cabin come into view. I tightened the charm necklace in my pocket as I drew nearer.

I knew for certain Madeline would love it…but I was still unsure how exactly to give it to her.

My pace slowed down as I noted the dried trail of blood. I came to a stop as my eyes trailed along the floor and I noted how the shrubs were stumped on.

There were claw marks on the trees and my heart dropped as I smelt the faint smell in the air.

The adorni…they had been here!

I resumed walking, faster this time as I made my way to the cottage.

Before my hand could grab the door handle, the door pulled open and Lucas stretched out a dagger at me.

I took a step back as I quirked a brow at him.

“What do you think you are doing?” I gritted out.

“Where is Madeline?” My eyes darted towards the cottage, but Lucas blocked my view.

Had she been hurt?

“You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to act like you care about her when you are working with them.” Lucas growled as he approached me and even though I knew I could easily dislodge the dagger from his hands, I stood still.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked calmly.

“I don’t have time for this, Lucas, I need to see Madeline.” I announced and tried to walk past him, but he blocked my path as his eyes darkened.

“What’s going on?” Madeline’s soft voice reached my ears seconds before she stepped out as well and my chest loosened.

My eyes trailed down Madeline’s body as I tried to make sure she was alright. I noted a few scratches on her body but other than that, she appeared to be alright.

“Hunter!” Madeline’s lips stretched upwards in a smile and she took a step towards me but Lucas held out his hand, blocking her.

My eyes narrowed in irritation at the man.

“What is going on?” Madeline repeated.

“Isn’t it obvious Madeline? What are the odds that the Adorno attacked us just a day before he returned?” Lucas inquired, and my hands clenched into fists by my side.

“What exactly are you trying to insinuate?” I muttered.

“Lucas, I don’t think—”

“Just think about it Maddy. Why else would the adorni be looking for you in specific?” Lucas cut her off and my eyes narrowed at the nickname.

“The Adorni came here to seek you out in particular?” I asked as my gaze shifted from Lucas to Madeline.

“Don’t act like you didn’t send them,” Lucas straightened his hand with the dagger still aimed at me.

“Why would I send adorni to get Madeline when I could just get her myself if I wanted to?” I questioned as I c****d my head to the side.

The man’s logic grated on my nerves, especially since I knew he was doing it to simply get into Madeline’s good graces.

“You aren’t fooling anyone Hun-”

Before he could complete his sentence, I stepped forward and in a swift motion I grabbed his wrist and pressed on his pressure points until his palm opened, and the dagger fell onto the floor.

“You filthy-”

“That’s enough.” Madeline squeezed between us and pressed her palms against our chests in an attempt to push us away, but neither of us bulged.

“Madeline, you can’t let this — this…hunter-”

“You would say anything to get me out of the way wouldn’t you?” I cut him off with a sarcastic chuckle.

“That’s enough, both of you!” Madeline raised her voice and I could see the annoyance clearly written on her face.

“Do you really think I would send adorni to hurt you?” I inquired, my eyes trained on Madeline and I heard Hunter scoff but I paid him no attention.

The only person I cared about was Madeline, who she believed was all that mattered.

“I know you had nothing to do with this Hunter. I trust you,” Madeline’s eyes met mine and I ignored the flutter I lightly felt in my chest.

“I can’t believe this,” Lucas muttered as he took a few steps back.

“You really believe him? You believe—”

“Lucas, I know you are trying to look out for me, but we can trust Hunter. If he wanted to help me, he would have done so already,” Madeline pointed out, and I stifled the smirk which threatened to break out on my lips as Lucas glared at me.

“I wonder what he did to make you so blind.” Lucas shook his head in disappointment before he stormed off.

“Lucas,” Madeline called after him, but I held her arm when she wanted me to follow after him.

“He’ll be back, he just needs some time to cool off,” I explained and Madeline bit her lip contemplatively.

“I just don’t want him thinking I’m picking sides and I don’t care about-”

“His pride is simply hurt, but I’m sure, deep within him, he knows I have nothing to do with the attack. He’ll come around,” I interjected, and Madeline slowly nodded.

“What did the adorni say?” I changed the topic and Madeline relayed everything that had happened to me.

I was surprised Madeline was able to stand her ground against the adorni, but then again, from the first moment we began training, she was a quick learner and I could tell she would be a fine warrior.

“I’m glad you aren’t hurt,” I muttered, regretting the words the second they left my lips.

“Well? How about you? How was your trip?” Madeline asked, and I cleared my throat.

“I don’t know if this is a good time, but I got you a little something,” I muttered as I fished out the necklace from my pocket and held it out to her.

Madeline beamed as she took a step closer to me and turned around for me to put it on her.

My hands shook lightly as I did the clasp of the necklace and Madeline's intoxicating scent wafted around me.

“Beautiful,” I muttered as my hand brushed against her silk skin.