Mating Games: The Huntress

Episode 13

RESSA POV

I’m not worried about the Sparring event tomorrow and I’m barely worried about the Hunt the day after that. Mia and I are used to fighting for our lives, and we can handle ourselves. But I am a little worried about tonight, about meeting him.

I can’t be sure until we actually meet that we are mates, or so I’ve been told.

And yet, I know. My Wolf knows. Nyx Knight is my mate.

Why an Alpha? Why an Alpha from such a disgraceful and dangerous Pack? Why a sexy as hell Alpha that makes my heart race in a way it never has?

I think I’m gonna throw up.

That’s the reason I’m in the bathroom. Well, that and I’m trying to delay putting on another dress. I hate them all, and no matter how many times Mia and Hannah clap and gasp at me in one that fact doesn’t change. I’d honestly prefer to walk into that Wolf den with my Hunter gear.

Knock! Knock!

“Go away!” I mumble.

“Fat chance! Come on, Huntress, I know this isn’t your jam. But it’s happening, so get that cute ass back out here.”

“No! I feel naked in all of them, if I can’t go out there feeling like me then I’m not going.” I finally say, and man it feels good to stand my ground. Even if I am being a little childish. Relief washes over me at the thought of not being a spectacle in less than an hour.

“Ugh.. I give up!” Mia growls and then I hear her walk away. Good. Christ she’s been a lot pushier sense we got here.

A few minutes later a light knock comes at the door and there’s no miracle that would make Mia that quiet.

“Who is it?” I ask.

“It’s Anna, can I come in?” She asks and my stomach twists.. dammit.

“Uhhh..” I kinda freeze, landing somewhere between genuinely wanting to talk to her and terrified to. I don’t often find myself at a loss for words, but here I am.

“If you let me in I’ll tell you anything you want to know about my brother, and I won’t bring any dresses in there with me!” She adds, and both offers make me smile at the thought. So I open the door.

Once she’s inside I quickly close it back up and lock it.

“Oh very cute, you know I could just break the door down, right?” Mia yells through the barrier and it makes me smile.

“Do it and find out what happens!” I snap back, and Mia once again growls and storms off. I hesitantly look back at Anna and she seems completely relaxed, she’s also smiling at me like she’s happy to see me. Which I’ll admit feels kinda nice.

“Why do I get the feeling that you and my brother are gonna be perfect for each other?” She asks.

“I don’t know, but I thought I was the one who was asking the questions?” I respond and Anna smiles and nods her head.

“That is what I agreed to, alright..” she jumps up and sits on the bathroom counter in her silver sparkly gown. Somehow looking completely comfortable and like a glamorous movie star all at once “.. shoot, Sis. Whatcha wanna know?”

“Is he..” I falter a bit and have to take a deep breath before I continue “.. is he as decent as everyone seems to believe?”

“I can respect that you’re skeptical of that. And I know it’s not only because of Nightshades reputation, but I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that Nyx is an Alpha. Am I right?”

“Yes.” I admit.

“Honestly..” she pauses “.. he is one of kind. I don’t know how he has survived what my Dad tried to do to him. But he did, and he did it with his soul intact. Andressa, my brother is the most decent man I know.” She answers, and I believe she believes that. Which is actually comforting.

“Is he, I mean does he have.. Ugh..” this one is a little more embarrassing to ask, so I hesitate.

“Does he have women?” She asks and my eyes snap up to hers, and Jesus just the idea of that being true stokes a rage inside me that I’ve never known. I’m going f*****g insane.

“Yeah, will I have to contend with a bunch of jealous conquests?” I clarify.

“No, as far as I know he’s only ever cared for one woman. He did have a s****l relationship with her, but it didn’t end well and that’s all I’ll say. Some stuff needs to come from him, when he’s ready and when he feels he can trust you.” She answers.

“That’s fair..” I agree, and I continue “.. What are his views, on half-bloods I mean? Will he be disappointed if he’s mated to one?” I ask, and I hate that I have to push down a knot of fear in my throat. Asking this question makes me almost want to cry, I guess I feel like I already know the answer.

“No, he won’t be disappointed. I know he’d appreciate a mate in his life who is strong, someone who is able and willing to correct decades of brutality and mistakes that the Knight family is responsible for. He’s never opened up too much in this arena, but I do know one thing for sure.”

“And that is?” I press.

“He deserves for someone to love him; all of him. He has been fighting for it his whole life, we both have. I got a lot more nurturing than he did from our mother, but even mine was scarce. And she did her best with us considering the life that was forced upon her. But when it came to Nyx she couldn’t see past who fathered him. Which isn’t his fault; if you decide to hold who our father is against him that will be your mistake.” She says fiercely, and I think I respect her even more than I did a minute ago.

“I like how protective you are of him, that says more about him than anything you could actually tell me.” I admit.

“I am protective of him, I have his back and he has mine. I imagine you can relate, you and Mia seem very close. And you bicker like sisters.” She teases and it makes us both laugh.

“She is my sister. And she’s gonna kill me if I don’t just pick a stupid dress.” I add as I plop up on the bathroom counter next to Anna.

“Personally, I’d prefer for you to stay alive long enough to actually meet, Nyx. Hannah texted me and told me they were having trouble finding something that you liked. But you don’t strike me as some entitled Prima Donna. Is there a chance you might find something you like now? After our little heart to heart?” She asks and I can’t help but smile.

“You’re a very intuitive individual, Anna. I suspect it’ll take an intelligent and impressive individual to match that. I’ll try on whatever it is you brought.”

“I didn’t say I brought over a dress..” she eyes me suspiciously, but I can tell she’s being playful.

“You’re not the only one who’s intuitive, and it was easy to read between the lines.” I shrug.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind. And I did bring something, it actually belongs to my mother. She always brings a few options to these things, and she told me I could bring it over for you to try.”

“You told your mother about me?” I ask anxiously, and I know my eyes are as wide as saucers.

“Of course not, to be honest I don’t think it’d register much if I did. She keeps herself pretty boozed up these days.” Anna says nonchalantly, and it kinda endears her to me even more.

“So what did you tell her?” I add.

“That there was an exotic Goddess that needed something fit for a queen. She just shrugged and said she didn’t care. I promise you, it isn’t a big deal.” She adds as she opens the door and goes to get the dress. And as she does Mia pops her head in.

“Are you done freaking out? I got me a delicious mate waiting downstairs and I’m going with or without you!”

“I wasn’t freaki—.. wait, what?!” I jump off the counter and pull Mia all the way into the bathroom.

“You know who yours is too? Why didn’t you say?”

“Yours was kind of a bigger deal, I mean damn, an Alpha? And maybe I’m also a tad more nervous than I appear to be. It was nice having everyone focusing on you and Nyx.” She says and now I kinda wanna ring her neck.

“You’re a brat.. but I get it. So who then, who is it?” I plead.

“I’m not telling. I’ve kept a lid on it this long, so I’m going all the way. I want it to be a surprise.” She says as she winks and then sneaks out of the bathroom as Anna comes back in.

“Ready?” She says as she closes the door and hangs up the dress bag.

“As I’ll ever be.” I say unenthusiastically.

“Relax. This is super elegant and it’ll make your eyes pop. Plus..” she pauses as she unzips the bag to pull out the dress before continuing “.. it’s also Nyx’s favorite color.”

And I’ll admit, even my stubborn ass is a lot blown away. It’s stunning. It’s a strapless midnight blue dress with a sweetheart neckline, and the fabric looks so soft. Christ, I know what a sweetheart neckline is now. Kill me already.

“Anika has some accessories to jazz it up, and to make you look as fierce as you are. But sometimes keeping it simple is the best route, especially when you’re as beautiful as you are.” She adds as she gazes at the dress.

“It’s perfect...” I whisper and Anna beams back at me as I glide my fingers down the bodice of the dress. It’s cinched at the waist and flares out at the hips, but the material is relaxed. I can tell it’ll form to me and not poof out like some kind of Cinderella gown.

Twenty minutes and a lot of primping later we’re all back in the SUVs and headed to the castle. And somewhere between us all being herded into a secluded area and me needing to pee I found myself on a balcony outside. Over looking the ocean and listening to the waves crash against the shore. But mostly I’m contemplating what my new life might look like, and wondering if Senna’s figured out what I’ve done yet. I imagine she’ll be as surprised as I was.

But if I’m being really honest with myself, this doesn’t feel wrong. For the first time in a long time I feel truly free.

“Pretty sure you aren’t supposed to be out here.” A deep lazy voice intrudes and when I turn to see who it is my breath catches a little. Whether it’s because he’s gorgeous or because he’s Nyx’s brother, I couldn’t say. Maybe it’s for both reasons.

“Pretty sure I can be wherever I want, if we aren’t supposed to interact your the one who should have kept walking.”

“If you expect a man to walk away from you when you look like that..” he lets out an exasperated sigh as he leans against the balcony and eyes me up and down, and admittedly his staring isn’t off putting. I guess I’m still getting used to this kind of attention. I’ve been closed off to it for so long that I don’t really know what to say or do when people keep commenting on my beauty or on me in this dress.

“That’s a compliment I suppose, thanks. You should still go.” I add and Max tilts his head to the side and eyes me curiously.

“You’re one of the Hunters, right? An-Andrea?” He asks and I shake my head no.

“Andressa, but you were half right. I was a Hunter.” I shrug and turn away from him to look back out at the ocean. His company doesn’t feel threatening oddly enough, and I think I’ve exhausted all my nervous energy for one night. Plus his minty smell is kinda soothing, it actually reminds me of Nana Toma’s scent. Goddess, I really miss her.

“You seem less than impressed with all this, that tells me you’re a smart girl. What brought you to the games, Huntress.” He asks as he lights up a cigarette and looks out over the same view.

“What brings us all here. A place to belong.” I admit, and Max scoffs at the admission.

“More like someone to belong to. Especially for a prize such as you.” He says callously, and it kinda pisses me off.

“Please..” and it’s my turn to scoff “.. anyone in there who thinks he can “own” me has a rude awakening coming.”

Max chuckles and when he blows the smoke out a familiar smell tickles the back of my throat. Huh, why is a wolf smoking something with wolfsbane in it? Is he trying to kill himself?

“I believe you may be right, it’ll be interesting watching all of them trip over you tonight. Tell me, do you have any warm tingly feelings in the pit of your stomach right now? Any chance I’m lucky enough to have such a woman as a mate?” He jests, only the arousal in his eyes is very real. And suddenly I’m extremely uncomfortable, because stupidly there’s only one man who’s lustful intentions I want to see. And it isn’t this Knight that my Wolf wants.

“No dice, Max. Have a good evening.” As I go to walk away he grabs my arm, and instinct kicks in immediately. Before I know it I have his arm twisted behind his back and him pushed face down against the edge of the balcony. And his response to that is to chuckle, which only infuriates me more. So I twist a little harder, until his wrist is about to snap as he squirms against my hold.

“Holy f**k, gorgeous. Chill, you just surprised me is all. I was just stopping you to ask you something.” He says quickly, and his steadily building pulse tells me he’s probably telling the truth. So I reluctantly back away and release his wrist.

“What were you gonna ask?” I demand, and he smiles down at me as he leans against the rail again, added bonus to me is he’s clearly flustered as he rubs his pained wrist.

“Damn, that was impressive. I was just curious how you knew my name?”

“What are you smoking? I know your name the same way you know mine, or at least almost knew mine. From the stats after the Run.”

“Oh right, to be honest I thought there was a chance I wouldn’t be on there.” He shrugs.

“Why? You came in second place.”

“You never know, with us bastards the Alpha’s like to play it hot and cold. I wouldn’t be surprised if daddy dearest found me at some point tonight and told me not to come to tomorrow’s event, even with how well I did at the Run. He can’t really seem to decide if he wants to kill me or keep me around.”

“I’m sorry, that’s.. well, that’s shit.” I say genuinely and for a split second Max’s lazy playboy mask slips, and all I see is a scared little boy who’s in a great deal of pain.

“Don’t be sorry, gorgeous. You’ll know what I mean soon enough, something tells me we’re cut from the same cloth.”

“Excuse me?”

“You beat out my sister and Elsa Bailor today, there’s no way you do that unless you got Alpha blood in you..” he gets a little closer, and the smell of that mintynscent and wolfsbane all the sudden make my stomach churn “.. you are definitely somebody’s bastard.” He says gleefully.

And I don’t have anything for that, because he’s probably right. So I just turn and walk away. That’s one miserable wolf, and if it’s any indication of what the Nightshade Pack will be like I’m gonna be in for one rough f*****g ride.

Oh well, strangely enough I already feel connected to that mess out there. And to Anna too. I guess there’s nothing left to do but to meet the man of the hour.

My Mate.