The Huntress and her Alpha

I wasn’t raised to believe girls only wore pretty dresses and were kept around to be seen not heard. I was raised to stand up for myself and those who needed protecting. I was raised dirty and constantly bruised. It’s safe to assume I was raised by my single father, the head of our Hunter’s society. My mother died when I was young, tragic I know. My father never let me wallow, instead he threw me into the thick of training. He said grief would make me strong, and like always he was right. I was the strongest female Hunter there was in our society. I liked to believe that made him proud. Be he was always holding back, never telling me I was good enough. Like he knew something I didn’t. Like he thought I was going to betray our sacred vows before I had the chance to take over for him. Sometimes I wondered if he blamed me for mom’s death. They were inseparable, at least the people who remember them told me they were. My father had been so in love with my mother he was borderline obsessed with her. That’s what some people call soul mate, a bond between two Hunter’s that’s so strong they don’t want to be with anyone else. If it hadn’t been for me my father would still have my mother. Maybe he’d be happier with her instead of being stuck raising his child, who everyone always likes to remind me, looks exactly like her mother did at this age. “Watch your feet.” His voice was directed at me. I rolled my eyes and spun as I sparred with my best friend Luca. Sweat dripped down my back between my shoulder blades as i scowled. Luca laughed. “I say we blow off steam tonight and go into town.” It’s like she read my mind. “Hell yes. I could use a night of some shameless flirting.” My dad was too busy training me which meant I didn’t have time or energy to date. Not that the guys in our society would even think about asking me on a date. Between my dad’s temper and my ability to defend myself I’m pretty sure they were all terrified of me. Luca was happily dating Travis, since they were old enough to walk basically. But she enjoyed playing wingman whenever she got the chance. “I know. Your dad seems to be tense lately. So I’m sure you haven’t gotten a break in a while.” “Yeah you could say that.” I jabbed towards the right side of her body and she swerved. I was getting tired, more tired than usual. Maybe i was coming down with something. Or maybe it was the endless nights I’ve spent trying to fill myself with knowledge to impress my father and passing up on real sleep. “Maybe it’s because you’ll be twenty one tomorrow.” Luca flashed me a smile. Twenty one meant nothing to us in terms of being legally able to drink. We had been drinking for as long as we were able to hunt for wolves. Some of our friends found their soul mates at twenty one. Some call them mates, but i don’t like it. It makes us sound like the wolves we’re supposed to despise. I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure he has no idea that tomorrow I’ll be twenty one and possibly find someone to be with. All he cares about is making sure I’m ready to take over when he’s done running this place.” “Your dad loves you, Max. Even if he shows it in his own way.” Luca pushed a strand of hair out of her face as we squared up against each other. By now my dad had to be aware we were doing more talking than fighting. My dad clapped. “Alright enough for today. Go clean up.” I sighed, relieved to be done pretending to spar. Luca flashed me a smile. “Be ready by six. Travis and I will pick you up. Wear something… not intimidating.” I couldn’t help but laugh as she walked towards her house, which was in the opposite direction of mine. I wouldn’t say my clothing were intimidating. But i liked leather jackets and black jeans a little more than your average twenty year old. I sighed, running up the stairs and turning the water on. I started with it cold, to cool my body down. Gradually I warmed it up, loosening my sore muscles and forcing my mind to shut off. Slowly I found my center, the first thing we’re taught as hunters. Find your center, don’t let your fear control you. Being afraid in a fight will only get you killed. I let myself calm down and the fatigue slowly faded. I pulled myself back into the moment and grabbed my shampoo, washing my hair of sweat and dirt from rolling around on the ground. Once I was clean I got out of the shower and dried off. I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered what life outside of this supernatural world was like. Girls could be whatever they wanted, date whoever they wanted. There was no training, no over bearing father’s who hated everything you wished you could be. Maybe mom would’ve survived. Maybe she wouldn’t have died if we weren’t the head of the Hunters. Maybe I would’ve chosen to be girly, to wear pink and dresses that were made with sparkles. Maybe I would have someone to talk to. Someone who wanted to be with me, not be afraid of me. —— Luca and Travis showed up right at six on the dot. I was in my bathroom, finishing my makeup when i heard her throw open my bedroom door. She laughed when she saw me leaning into the mirror with my mouth hanging open applying my mascara. “You look good.” She said, her eyes traveling down my outfit. I flashed her a smile. “I tried. Not scary right?” She rolled her eyes. “A little less than your go to. But I approve. Now let’s get you some action tonight.” I looked back at my reflection. My tank top was velvet, dark red and blue and greens made a tartan pattern. I tucked the front into my skinny black jeans. My heels were slightly higher than I normally went for, but it was my birthday after all. My eyeshadow was natural, highlighting my blue irises that cascaded into green. I chose a bold red lip for the occasion. I walked out of my bathroom and looked at Luca with a smile. I had left my hair down in its natural curly mess that it usually was. I grabbed my favorite worn in jean jacket to pull on before we headed out. “Travis!” I met him at the bottom of the stairs. “So nice of you to take me out on this milestone birthday.” Travis sighed, grabbed Luca by the hips. “Where she leads, I follow.” Luca giggled. I wondered when my best friend finally turned 21 if she’d feel the bond slip into place with Travis. They were perfect for each other, they loved each other more than I had seen some chosen partners care for each other. It only made sense that they were soul mates. Well at least to me. “Let’s go!” “Wait where’s your dad?” Luca asked as I grabbed my leather bag and pushed my phone into my back pocket. I shrugged. “He probably has some meeting or other. Didn’t even come home for dinner. So let’s go before he randomly appears and gives us the third degree.” Travis drove a really nice car. He was a year older than us and an only child so his parents spoiled him. Plus he was on track to becoming my dad’s right hand man since his father had gotten injured recently. Of course that meant he’d be my right hand and I wasn’t sure if he’s who I’d choose. If it was my choice I’d choose Luca. We worked well together, she’s my best friend. If I had to take over for my father it only made sense to do it with someone I trust. Of course I trust Travis. Only because he’s with Luca. Part of me is afraid that when she’s of age she’ll find her soul mate and crush Travis. After all he hasn’t found his, he is happy with Luc. But there’s always a chance, every time we meet with our societies, to find a soul mate. I wondered if Luca was afraid of that happening. I was afraid if I brought it up she’d get upset. Maybe she hasn’t thought of that happening. Maybe she truly believes she is Travis soul bonded. Travis played music that Luca and I liked, turning it up loud so we could dance and sing along. These were the only two people i ever let myself lose control with. Because I trusted them both, together. Maybe not separately, but I knew Luca would never let Travis leave me behind. The town that sat right outside the society was neutral ground. Anyone could come through it without having to worry. There was a truce or something that had been drawn up years ago. So wolves, vampires, fae, they all came here to unwind after whatever they did during the day. I wasn’t sure how a truce was made when our entire way of life was focused on making the town safe for humans. But I wasn’t alive when it was written and in all these years since no one has broken its terms to ignite a war. Once we get to the bar it’s already crowded. I’m surprised since it’s barely 630 and a Wednesday night. Either way we bypass the line and head straight for the bar. Travis orders us a round of shots and each a mixed drink, refusing to take either of our money. “Happy birthday Max!” He raises his shot and we follow. Soon we’re doing the same motion, saying the same toast, raising up our fifth shot. I didn't mention to Travis or Luca that my father not coming home for dinner meant I also didn’t eat. So I was really feeling those five shots as I sipped my Jack and Coke. Someone started one of my favorite songs on the jukebox and I squealed. I got a few side eyes from the girls beside me, mostly because they didn’t like me even when I was sober. “Luca!” She laughed. “I played it just for you.” I grabbed her hand and we starting dancing as the song played. “My pretty little Galway Girl…” I spun around, laughing as one of the guys sitting on the stools grabbed me by the waist and pulled me onto the dance floor. He held me close, almost possessively. He smelled like woods, which meant he was almost certainly a wolf. I didn’t care. The alcohol was thrumming through my veins and everything felt perfect as he danced me around. I kept giggling as he dipped me towards the floor, my leg coming up to his waist. Everyone was clapping when the song ended and he kept his hands on me. It was when he leaned in to kiss me that I sobered up enough to push him away. “One dance doesn’t earn you a kiss, buddy.” He pouted as I broke free of his hold and then turned to find where my friends had gone. I caught sight of them cuddling up close in a booth in the corner, Travis had his arm around Luca’s shoulder and she was looking up at him with those big doe eyes. I couldn’t intrude on their moment, even if it was my birthday. I sighed and walked back towards the bar. The guy who had been dancing with me raised an eyebrow as I passed, like he thought I’d reconsider kissing him. Sometimes I wanted to make my dad angry and I would imagine what would happen if I decided to bring a wolf home. Not that he would ever meet someone I’d consider dating. But it’s fun to imagine the anger, the disrespect he would no doubt feel if I told him I was dating a wolf. So I flirted with wolves here at the bar whenever Luca drug me out. Mostly for entertainment purposes. I’d never go home with them. Well there was that one time I slipped up and slept with a wolf. He had taught me things I never knew I needed to know. I shook my head, I might flirt with the wolves here in town, but I learned quickly where to draw the line. I shivered standing at the bar, feeling eyes on me as I waited to order another shot. I knew I didn’t need it, but the buzz was wearing off. I could feel reality starting to set in. I needed to get back to that happy medium I had been in before. After all it was my birthday in twenty minutes. “What’ll it be?” “Shot of Jack and a beer.” I answered tapping my fingers on the bar. The bar tender nodded and went to work. Someone whistled beside me. “You sure you’re of legal drinking age?” I rolled my eyes. “You sure it’s any of your business?” “Pretty girl like you doesn’t need to get herself into trouble before she’s old enough to drink. Mixing your liquors like that, it’ll give you a hell of a hangover tomorrow.” “I’m a big girl. I can handle myself thank you.” He laughed, his fingers were wrapped around the neck of his own beer bottle. I finally looked at him and I stopped the next set of words that were about to come out of my mouth. Because he was gorgeous. His profile was defined, his jaw looked like it was sharp enough to cut me. His fingers were long, his hands big and looked strong. His shirt hugged his arms perfectly, his muscles defined. He had some stubble around his jaw, like he had forgotten to shave. He had a head full of dark hair that curled at the end. I felt the urge to reach out and run my fingers through it. But when he finally brought his eyes up to mine I felt the noise of the bar fade away. Because they were the prettiest shade of hazel I had ever seen. Even in the harsh light of the bar they looked like they were liquid gold, swirling around with black flecks throughout them. “I’m Max.” I didn’t usually offer my name first. But something about him made me… feel alive. I flashed him a smile, I couldn’t get over how gorgeous his hazel eyes were even in the light. I could feel his energy as we stood at the bar. Usually that meant there were… supernatural things at work. “Philip.” He said taking a drink of his beer before reaching out his hand. Before I could think it through I took his hand in mine. My eyes went wide as sparks traveled up my arm, knocking me back and away from this man. The clock didn’t say midnight yet, and yet those sparks…. He was staring at me with big eyes. “Max.” I shook my head. “I have to go.” I ran out before the clock struck midnight and we would both discover what exactly those sparks meant.