Hunted

Chapter 31: Happy Birthday

After so much planning (mostly by Hope) it was finally the day of the party. They had made special arrangements to get everything set up at the beach. It was about an hour from the pack house and the main part of the territory but it was still within our borders. Everyone was very certain we would be safe. Even the beach we were on was a private beach owned by the pack.

It took a bit to get all the chairs and food and everything set up but Hope was such a trooper. She had everyone in line doing exactly what she needed them to do. Finally we were ready to just relax. During the day there weren’t too many people. Just my close friends and a few others. Hope swore that everyone else was going to be coming once the sun went down. I don’t know why she thought I was going to want that. I really didn’t care about all those people being there. I just wanted to have a good time with my friends.

The plan was to camp out on the beach and then leave sometime tomorrow afternoon. Aaron had set up like 30 tents. I felt so bad for him. I wondered if the shifters would even use them. Everyone simply shrugged their shoulders when I asked. Oh well. I guess it would be like asking if they sleep in a bed or in a house.

I had never been on the beach with friends before. We played so many different games and swam in the water. I don’t think I had laughed this much in a long time. As the sun started to set, true to her word more and more pack memebers began to show up. They all came up to me and wished me a happy birthday. I didn’t think they really knew who I was but that was okay. I just thanked them and they went on their merry way.

Jackson started building a giant bonfire where we could roast marshmallows. I loved when they were just about burnt. You didn’t want them black but that brown color right before was the sweet spot. I was sitting next to hope by the fire when I heard her sigh. “What’s wrong?” I asked not looking away from the flame.

“Well it looks like someone decided to bring alcohol which was on the no list. Mostly since you don’t really care for it.” Hope seemed actually disappointed. I wasn’t going to stop anyone from having a good time. I wanted to have a nice time at my party too. “It’s okay Hope. I don’t mind. As long as they don’t try to make me drink it.” I gave her a small smile and she nodded.

Everything was going so perfectly. “Happy Birthday Emmry.” My head flew up and I saw Savannah standing there. I looked behind her and saw Colton and someone who looked very similar to him walking around. “Thank you Savannah.” I tried to give her a small smile but I did not think she was believing it.

“You should talk to Colton. You messed him up. I thought you were friends.” Savannah crossed her arms over her chest. I knew she was just protecting her brother but that didn’t make me any less upset.

“Excuse me??” I frowned and went to stand up. Hope put a hand on my shoulder. “She didn’t do anything and you know it Sav. Just because Colton is your brother and was the i***t doesn’t mean you take it out on her. Go hang out with your brothers. You never get to all be together.” Hope gave her a look. Savannah scoffed at us before walking away. So that other guy must be Colton’s younger brother. I would have asked to be introduced to him but I really didn’t want to go over there.

I was actually having a pretty good time. The sun  had set and everyone was either dancing or drinking which was fine. I moved away from my spot at the fire so I could give Hope and Aaron some alone time. They had been spending a lot of time at my house recently to get this whole thing together. I figured they deserved some time just the two of them. I saw standing at the edge of the water. The waves slowly lapped up to wet my toes. The water was chilly compared to how it felt earlier in the day when the sun was up.

“Beautiful.” Colton said from behind me. I let out a sigh but I didn’t turn around.

“Yes it is.” I said looking at the stars. Colton moved so he was right next to me.

“I…I’m sorry for how everything went down.” I could tell he was being sincere.

“I know but that doesn’t change the fact you are lying to me and if you aren’t here to tell me what you’re not telling me then you should just walk away.” I couldn’t look at him. I was still rather upset with him. I trusted Colton to be my friend and he let me down.

“You don’t understand what…I just I want things to go back to how they were.” Colton sounded a little bit desperate but he was trying to hide it.

“Then tell me why you were avoiding me.” I finally turned to face him. I was not going to give in on this. If he wanted me to go back I needed to know.

“It doesn’t matter Emmry. What matters is I am your friend and I want to be your friend.” Colton continued going to grab my shoulders. I took a step back from him. It wasn’t out of fear but instead out of discomfort. I did not want him to touch me. He had really hurt my feelings.

“Emmry…” Colton frowned slowly dropping his hands. I knew it had to hurt him a little but I wasn’t going to do it this way.

“Unless you’re going to tell me what’s going on you need to go away.” I turned my head back to the water.

“Come on Emmry.” Colton once again went to hold my arm. I groaned and stook a few more steps back. “I’m not doing this.” I told him and started walking back up the beach. I was not going to stand here and have him go back and forth on this. I wasn’t in the mood for mind games it’s my birthday. Colton was following me at first but one of the security pack members saw my face and quickly stepped behind me. I thought I heard a growl as I walked into the wooded area. There was a set of woods right near where we were camping for the night. The maritime forest looked beautiful at night.

All the trees seemed to be full of magic. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going but I just needed to get away from the party. Colton was going to keep pestering me and that was not something I was in the mood for. I was walking along the path when I saw the most beautiful reading tree. I sadly had left my book on the beach but I climbed up in the tree anyway. It was wide enough to be comfy in but not too wide that it’s difficult to climb.

I couldn’t tell you how long I sat there. I was nearly asleep when I heard twigs snapping. Something wasn’t right.

“Hope?” I whispered. If she was nearby she would hear me and call out. But no one answered. I heard a twig snap again. I looked around but I couldn’t really see anything. I could just about hear the music from the bonfire. How far had I walked? I was just about to get down out of the tree when I heard the growling.

Minutes later I saw him. The gray wolf who killed my mother was circling me.