I yawn, stretch, and smoothen out the covers of my cot. Today, I find a fresh pale blue tunic sitting between the bars of my cell. I welcome clean fabric against my skin, fitting for the chilly day. I join Chery to make breakfast before I start for the chore board for the day.
"Miss Jade," I hear my name on his lips. I feel my heart pounding, and my blood runs cold. I turn, my eyes on the floor.
"Yes, sir?"
"I'd like you to come with while I hunt. Bring the leather bag," Hunter decides. I follow along with him, leaving the house behind us as we head out into the woods. Hunter rolls his neck, joins popping. He flexes his fingers out, claws lengthening as he wiggles his fingers. I watch him, as the wolves do before a hunt, lift their noses, and taste the air. I can't imagine all the different scents they must be able to distinguish. He sets forward, looking determined but distracted.
"How's your ankle?" Hunter asks.
"Hm?" I blurt out. He's talking to me? Why is Hunter troubling himself with me?
"I'm just wondering how your ankle was. It seemed to be bothering you the other day," Hunter explains.
"Better," I mumble.
"Good, that's good," Hunter sighs as if relieved. What does he care about? I am but a human, a pitiful human. I keep my distance from him. Suddenly he dashes on ahead. I do my best to keep up with him. The young alpha is quite fast and agile. I watch him disappear on ahead. The crunching of branches and some critter squeak guides me to him. Finally, he comes back with some creature, a mess of fur and blood to bring back in the bag.
"Is this too heavy?" he questions, but I shake my head.
"Can you speak?" Hunter chuckles, offering me a smile like he's trying to be friendly. I bite my lip, nodding again. Hunter sighs with a worrisome frown wrinkling across his face. He approaches, his feverish hand brushing mine, and he takes the bag away. His green eyes flicker to me. I avert my gaze. Hunter circles around me, like he's trying to meet my gaze, but I keep away.
"Hey, look, I'm not going to hurt you. I promise you, I really won't hurt you," Hunter begins, sounding most sincere; it's almost believable. He runs a hand back through his thick brown hair, averting his eyes, "I was just hoping that maybe... you and I could talk?" he questions. What the hell is there for us to talk about?
"Did I do something wrong?" I murmur after some silence.
"N-no!" Hunter stammers, ears going red. Oh, this is most awkward. "You've been at the castle for quite some time now, and I hardly know you," Hunter explains, now completely unable to look at me. I can't begin to describe the embarrassment of watching him trying to make polite conversation. Whatever game he's pulling, trying to make me think he's nice and honest, I am not about to fall for it. However, what choice do I have other than to play along?
"What's there to know?" I ask him.
"What was your home like?" he asks. Easy question.
"Home?" I begin, thinking back the little shack I called home, a sorry excuse for a home. "I lived out in the country with five older siblings. I ran away from home when I was fourteen," I tell him.
"Really?" Hunter blurts out, "That must be quite the story," he encourages me to keep going.
"I suppose. I made it to the city, picked up small little jobs here and there," I tell him, "It wasn't much, but it kept food in my stomach," I add.
"Why'd you run away?" Hunter inquires.
"There wasn't much food at home, and being the youngest, I wasn't a priority," I explain, "I stole and bargained here and there. I was pretty good at it," shaking my head at my memories. Some of them shouldn't be funny, but looking back, it makes me smile. Oh, how I could run with my little bare feet down the dirt roads. "It was quite a different life," I add. Hunter moves closer, now by my side, listening with true interest as I talk.
"How did you come to live with the barbarians?" Hunter wonders, "The rebel human village?"
"They attacked the village," I explain, and he raises a curious brow. At last, the house is finally in sight.
"Is there anything else I may help with here?" I wonder.
"Oh, uh, I know, can you uh-," Hunter stalls, thinking hard about something for me to do, "Just take this to the kitchen so it can be washed up," he decides and follows me in for the kitchen. "Well, I hope you're getting enough to eat here," Hunter comments. Honestly, that's probably the one good thing here is that they put out plenty of food for everyone.
"Thank you," I blurt out. Hunter offers me a faint smile, his eyes gleaming on me. Under his smoldering gaze, I feel myself blushing. Goodness, why is he looking at me like this?
"Hmm, oh- I- you're dismissed," Hunter decides. I nod all too eager to get away from Hunter. I bolt for the basement, and with of all rotten luck, I trip. I yelp, going forward down the stairs. An arm secures me. I'm stunned, my breath shaking and eyes blowing up wide.
"Careful," I hear his voice in my ear. I'm lifted to my feet. I nod, breathless in his arms, him gazing into my eyes.
Hunter:
I feel our hands just lightly touch, but it was only for barely even a second. I found myself wanting that slight touch to last a bit longer. What hurts the most was the way she refuses to look at me and steps away from me. What have I done? I've been so monstrous that she's so afraid she can't even look or be near me. And not just myself, but what have we done? So, I dismiss her from my side. She needs space from me. Even if it pains me to see her bolting from the stairs when she trips. How can I not grab her, I can't resist protecting her? I hold onto her in my arms. To have her warmth so close, within reach of my lips, I'm losing my mind.
"Careful," I whisper beside her ear. I pick her up gently, careful not to hurt her. Her eyes gaze into the distant stars. Her body shakes, breathlessly stunned. Jade simply nods and disappears downstairs. I back off once more to give her space. It hurts, watching her fear me.
"Hunter, my boy," Vincent calls.
"Yes, father?" I inquire, "What do we need to talk about now?"
"Alright," I say, gazing around the room.
"Upstairs," Vincent directs me. I nod, staring for an answer, but he turns for the living room. My brows furrow together. I turn for the stairs, heading for Lilly's room, pausing at my bedroom.
"Lilly?" I start.
"Hunter, come in, my little Hunter on the prowl," she calls from the edge of my bed. Her clothes lie folded on my dresser on the other side of the room.
"Come here," she whines, gesturing for me.
"Um... I-... I-," I stutter like an idiot. She crawls off the bed to greet me. I press my back to the door. I avert my eyes. Her lips trace down my neck to my shoulder as she leans into me. A delicate hand trails up my arm to my chest. I can't do this.
"Lilly," I complain, and she whines at me.
"I really don't feel comfortable with this," I begin.
"Then let's lay down," Lilly breathes, trying to pull me toward the bed, but I won't budge.
"I don't feel well, please, not now," I beg. I feel sweat bead on my brow from the heat of the room heated by the candles. The room is sweltering, reeking of too many scented candles.
"Don't do this to me," Lilly pleads, "I'm your mate, I've been waiting so long," she exaggerates. Irritation starts to bubble up.
"I can't do this," I push her off, "I need air," I whisper, and I leave her where she stands. I start for the kitchen for a fresh glass of water. I grab a pitcher and fill it straight from the water jar and start to chug. Someone enters the kitchen. I don't need to find his scent to know it's my father. Everyone knows those heavy footsteps.
"Well that was quick," Vincent comments, "You two make a fine pair,"
"Yeah... right," I agree, forcing a nervous chuckle.
"So, I take it Lilly's happy?" Eladia questions, "Her happiness will win us favor with the Brooks," she adds.
"Yeah, very happy. We c-c-couldn't b-be happier," I stammer. My nerves, I'm losing my composure.
"Hunter, son. What's wrong. You look like you're going to be ill," father starts, coming to my side. I feel his hand land on my shoulder.
"Do-don't touch me," I snap without meaning to. I take in a deep breath, but the fever is rising.
"Tell me, son, what is the matter with you. I would think you'd be in a better mood after you two bonded," Vincent starts, confusion crossing his face.
"Vincent? Hunter- Hunter, what's the matter?" Eladia comes in, hearing the commotion, "Where's Lilly?"
"She is not my mate. My wolf rejects her," I declare.
"You've been trying to force her on me, but she's not my true mate," I start, "Jade is. My wolf, I want Jade," I admit. Oh, I've done it now. There's no going back. I take off from the room, heading outside for the yard. The door opens again. Now, who is it? Eric or Lilly.
"I knew it, my sister was not your true mate," Suzah states. I stopped walking, my heart pounding. I feel someone's hand on my shoulder.
"It's me," Suzah suggests.
"I beg your pardon?" I scoff at her.
"Make me your Luna, make me the next Alpha," Suzah begs.
"Piss off, all you want is dominance," I sneer, "You want to be alpha, challenge your sister, but I want nothing to do with you,"
"So maybe I'll tell her?" Suzah suggests.
"You will do no such thing," I snap at her.
"Oh, and give me a reason why I should hold my tongue," she shoots. I gripped the front of her shirt, and slam her back against the nearest wall.
"Because you will remember your place and stay out of our affairs," I snarl at her.
"You can't keep secrets for long. So enjoy your safe little fantasy, little Hunter, but soon the truth will spill, and your world will come crumbling down," Suzah warns. I turn my back on her leaving her laughing to haunt me.