Mating Games: The Huntress

Episode 2

RESSA POV

We pulled ourselves together and then headed inside, straight to Senna’s office to update her and give a report in person. A requirement after a hunt.

We take the elevator up to the third floor, walk all the way to the end of the hall and wave at few hunters on the way. Then we knock on her door.

“Enter.” Her voice is calm and forceful at the same time, I’m not sure how she does that, but it’s an effective tool in her Arsenal. When Mia and I walk inside Senna’s eyes slowly move up from her desk, and she nods as a welcome.

No “Hello”, no “I’m glad you’re safe and back in one piece”, and certainly no “I’m happy to see you” or “I love you”. If Senna Ribisi said any of those things I’d assume she’d hit her head while I was gone, or somehow got possessed.

“Same as the last four.” I say as Mia and I stand before her, and with steel straight spines, and our hands held behind our backs. At attention in military submission, just another subordinate speaking to her commander. Not a daughter speaking to her mother.

“Yes, I saw the pictures. You erased them and destroyed the burner?” She asks, and it takes all my self-control not to roll my eyes. She knows damn well I did.

“Of course. Does the council have any idea what’s happened to these rogues?” I ask.

“Yeah..” Mia interjects “.. they seem more rabid than usual.”

Senna interlocks her hands across her stomach, leans back in her chair and shrugs.

“I haven’t been updated to any irregularities. The council will inform me if there is a true concern. Perhaps it’s a natural dilemma, maybe they’re going mad. It’s important for a Wolf to belong to something. I may despise the packs, but at least they keep the beasts on a leash.” She says bitterly and I don’t miss the raised eyebrow, or the antagonizing tone.

I swear sometimes it feels like she can see inside my head or read my thoughts. Who knows, maybe she does.

“Report.” She adds, getting right to the point so she can get rid of us.

I quickly recount our whereabouts from start to finish and explain how we tracked and executed the rogue. It’s never easy when it’s wolves. A vampire, a bear shifter, or even a witch is easier. But wolves are never easy.

“Well done..” Senna says easily enough after I finish, and then she looks back down at the papers on her desk before she continues “.. No further assignments as of right now, but you are on call. You’re Dismissed.”

She doesn’t look up or say another word as we leave the office, not that I expected her to. Mia and I don’t speak again until we’re back in the elevator and headed down to the underground levels where our dorms are.

As soon as the doors close it’s like I can breathe again, Senna definitely knows how to command a room, it’s as if she hoards all the oxygen so you can’t actually breathe. It’s an effective tactic for sure, you can’t think clearly around her.

“I swear, she’s the only human that scares the s**t out of me.” Mia disrupts the silence first.

“Agreed.” I add and Mia snorts and chuckles.

By the time we’re off the elevator and at our doors, which are directly across from each other, I’m exhausted. It’s bone deep and a soak sounds heavenly right about now.

“I’ll catch up with you tomorrow morning, huntress.” Mia jokes and I roll my eyes at her nickname for me.

“Liar! I bet you don’t roll out of bed till noon. I’d also bet my 16th century Japanese tiger cleaver that you’ve already texted Wes and that he’s in your room waiting for you.” I tease back.

Mia’s eyes widen for a split second and then she smirks, completely unashamed. I admire that about her, she’s so unapologetically herself.

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.” She says sweetly.

As if on cue, her door opens up behind her and a shirtless Wes, in nothing but his boxer briefs, steps forward and wraps his arms around Mia’s waist. He’s gigantic compared to her. My tiny little blonde pixie.

“Finally..” Wes growls, then he pulls her back into his chest and walks them both back into the room as she giggles. And then he starts nibbling on her neck “.. say bye to Ressa, baby.” He adds, and I swear I throw up a little in my mouth.

I don’t much like Wes, I don’t know what it is. He comes off as a nice guy and he is a skilled hunter. I guess I just don’t trust him, and I don’t particularly like his possessiveness over Mia.

“Bye, Ressa.” She squeals out before the door slams shut.

“Dear, Lord..” I grumble to myself as I unlock my door and step inside.

I close the door and take a deep cleansing breath. This is my sanctuary, my safe space. The blues and silvers I decorated it with calm me, the muted scent of jasmine from the last time I burned incense helps to slow down my racing thoughts, and the picture by my bed makes me smile.

It was taken when I was nine, a week after my birthday. It’s Nana Toma and I sitting in a hammock and cuddling. Nana is snuggling and kissing the side of my face and I have a big goofy, and slightly toothless, grin on my face. I was really happy in that moment, that’s why I have it framed and beside my bed.

To remind me that I felt normal once, and so I don’t forget that someone in my family loves me and doesn’t care that I’m different.

A few hours later, after a long bath and some hot food I’m laying in bed and listening to some music to help drown out the slightly disturbing sounds coming from across the hall. The music is mellow and reminds me of happier times. Nana Toma always said: When in doubt Buffy Saint-Marie will pull you out.

The music does pull me away and into myself, unfortunately, right now that only highlights how lonely and pathetic I feel. Because that conversation with Mia earlier revealed a little too much. Like I’m a total fraud and I’ve been lying to myself.

I do want to find my mate, my other half. I want to belong, to be able to have children, and I want them to be accepted and to grow up knowing that they’re loved. I don’t want them to be considered abominations because of me, and I don’t want to have to hide a part of myself anymore. But I’m pretty sure that’s not possible.

And I can’t dismiss the fact that I also want to be a hunter. It feels good to protect others and to prove to Senna, and to myself, that the the Wolf within is more than a beast. So much more.

I am so much more, I’m sure of it.