Mating Games: The Huntress

Episode 5

***

The plan is in motion on Mia’s end, her job is to pack everything and to purchase the quickest flights she can find to the Oregon coast using a bogus card she keeps for emergencies. It’s under a different name and can’t be traced by the hunters.

She’s also supposed to convince Wes to act as a decoy for Mia’s whereabouts for twenty-four hours. I don’t want to know what she’s gonna say to him or how she gets him to do it, I just hope it works.

And now I’m standing in front of Senna’s door again and it’s taking every ounce of will power I have to stay calm. To hide my disgust and my hurt feelings.

But I do it. And then I knock twice and wait.

“Enter.” She says.

I open the door and walk inside. Just as yesterday she slowly looks up from her desk. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she composed herself, but I can tell she’s confused. Wondering why I’m here. We don’t have the kind of relationship where I just pop in to chat and catch up.

“Andressa?” Is all she says.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to put a request in for leave for a few days. Starting now.” I say.

“Why? Has something happened?” She inquires and her lips purse with suspicion.

“No, nothing’s happened. I want to visit Nana Toma, I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“Is Mia requesting leave as well? She sometimes goes with you.” She asks as she leans back and interlocks her hands on her stomach. Her suspicions are taking her mind exactly where I thought they would.

“No, not this time. She..” I clear my throat and attempt to sound uncomfortable about discussing Mia’s extracurricular activities “.. she’s busy with her friend, Wes.” I add.

“I see. Well, I don’t have a problem with the request. But you are still on call, so if a case comes up for you and Mia you’ll have to cut your trip short. How long will you be gone?” She asks.

“No more than three days.”

“Alright. Your request is approved.”

She doesn’t say more just looks back down at her desk, and I’ve officially been dismissed. I go to leave but as soon as I grab the door handle Senna stops me.

“Andressa..” I turn around slowly and wait for her to speak, my heart is racing and for a split second I’m positive that she’s somehow figured out I’m lying “.. do you have a friend? In the same capacity as Mia, I mean.”

My stomach drops at the reminder of what their plans for us are, I don’t know why I’m surprised. Senna is efficient, she’s not keen on beating around the bush or waisting time.

“I don’t.” I say honestly, though she already knows that.

“Are you disinterested in the men around here, or..” she clears her throat, clearly uncomfortable with asking me a personal question “.. are you not interested in men at all?”

“To be honest I haven’t given anyone around here much thought, I guess I’m disinterested because it feels like there are more important things to busy myself with.” I put on a mask of confusion, even though I know why she’s bringing this up.

“I see. I’ll admit I had concerns that the Wolf in you was adamant about that Mate none-sense, especially with the games approaching. I won’t lie, there’s been inquiries into your personal life due to Mia’s request to attend the games this year. Tell me, Andressa..” she leans forward and watches me closely “.. do you have an agenda in this matter? Are you wanting to find your Mate?” She asks outright.

And I’m pretty sure my heart stopped beating for a second.

Jesus, she says the word Mate with so much disgust it almost makes me cringe, and I’m really beginning to pity her. She has so much resentment and pain coursing through her. I don’t know what happened between my her and my father, but it definitely ended badly.

“Of course I do..” I say honestly and she doesn’t even attempt to hide her surprise “.. but I also know it’s extremely unlikely that I will find this person, due to my profession. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that mating in the way of the Wolf isn’t an option for me. But I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been waiting to meet my destined.” I figured the closer I can stay to the truth the better my chances are of not giving myself away.

I wanted to add that its not just my Wolf that wants our Mate, but it’s me, the human part who wants my destined as well. But that would only reinforce her current concerns, and I don’t need that kind of scrutiny.

“I see. I appreciate your honesty in this personal matter. Perhaps it would do you some good to consider your next steps while you’re gone. I suggest you try harder to accept this life. Show us that you’re open to the options you have here. It’s something to keep in mind. You may go.”

And with that I’ve been dismissed, again, and in more ways than one. I don’t say anything, she doesn’t expect me to. She expects her subordinate to do as she’s been told. To not only accept a human lover, but to actively try and find one when I return.

Too bad for her I won’t be returning. No matter what happens, at this point I’d rather be a rogue than a hunter.

As the elevator doors close I feel resolute in my decision. I know there’s no turning back and I accept that.

Let the Games begin.