Golden (Book 1 of the Golden Series)

Chapter 41

After a little while I'd managed to pull myself away from Trent and forced us to go outside with the others. As much as I would have happily stayed wrapped in his arms for as long as possible, I knew Cam was on edge and wasn't comfortable here or around the boys that stayed here, and I'd never seen him so tense before, it was all so new to me and I didn't know what exactly was going to set him off.

We all sat and spoke about Ben and what we knew about him. It turns out that Cam and he had been meeting for months, Cameron was helping him adjust to the shift and what was going to happen to him. Ben was a rogue as well and none of his family were wolves – it was clear that his mother must have had an affair that no one knew of and it just so happened to be with a wolf.

Pretty bad luck on her part.

"So, what actually happened today?" I ask, not able to contain the worry that slips into my voice.

Cam sighs, a pained expression overtaking his features and I can see the distraught that's behind his eyes.

"We met up like usual in our free period out in the woods, the usual clearing that we always go to," his eyes glance at Trent hesitantly, "We always make sure we're not followed and try to cover up our scents and go pretty far in so no wolves from the pack can hear us going."

I see Cole snort in a laugh at his words and I shoot him a glare, not enjoying the way that Cam shrinks slightly at the tone. Cole stops when his eyes connect with mine and he clears his throat, nodding at Cam to continue.

I feel pretty proud of myself for being able to make him listen – he seemed to be worried that he'd upset me.

Or maybe upset Trent.

"We were training like usual, talking about control and shifts and then suddenly we both heard something," Cam's voice shakes as he clasps his hands on the table and squeezes his eyes shut.

"I told him to stay put and I went and looked for what it was... I should have just told him to leave, to get out of there but I thought it was just going to be some kids or something. I thought they'd be harmless... but they weren't."

Cam's body moves in a way I've never seen it before, clenching until it looks as though it may shatter, and his fingers are vibrating against the table, the knocking sound stretching out between us. I take them in mine and intertwine them, trying to push all the comfort I have through my body and into him, any way to stop the terrified expression that he wears.

He looks at me gratefully, squeezing my hand back and he stills a little, managing to take deep breaths.

"What was it Cam?"

"Hunters. Professional hunters, and a lot of them at that."

The fear that settles over me makes my blood run cold and my stomach jump into my throat.

There were hunters. Real life, terrifying hunters who went out of their way to kill.

To kill werewolves.

To kill Cam.

To kill Trent.

"How did they not get you?" I ask, trying to think of ways to understand exactly how I was meant to go outside my door and survive knowing what was happening out there.

"I got really lucky," Cam explains, "The noise I'd heard was out of the clearing and turned out to just be a rabbit. By the time I went to turn back they'd already moved in on him and didn't realise I was there."

"You say there were professionals, yet you walked right past them... that sounds convenient," Trent states, his voice low and almost accusing. I stare at him in shock not believing that he's about to try and blame Cam for this.