by Elisha Bugg
“I learnt a few tricks from the healers before I was captured.”
“They want you to join them, don't they?” the man asked when silence fell between them. That haunted look back in his eyes.
“What do you mean? What are they?”
“Hunters,” he growled, springing to his feet to resume his pacing.
“They search out anyone and anything different. Capturing and killing them.”
“L-like you?”
“Others like me. Only Richard has another use for me.”
Richard.
She knew there was something about him that unnerved her, but to think he was a killer.
Then there was Hugh and Keri. What was their role in all of this?
The Keri she knew would never go along with murder.
“They're monsters,” she whispered, narrowing her eyes as she stared hard at the ground.
“You're so much like your mother, in body and spirit.”
“Y-you knew my mum?” she choked, trying not to let her tears fall.
How was it possible for this man to know her mother when she could barely remember her?
Whenever she tried, all she could see was an image that looked so much like herself, she doubted it was even real.
“Yes. She was a remarkable woman.”
Unshed tears gathered in his eyes once more, a faint whimper escaping his throat as he hurried to look away.
When he looked back to her, he smiled, eyes twinkling, taking her breath away.
“You've inherited your father's eyes though, along with the name he chose for you.”
Anya gasped, unable to contain the tears as they left hot streaks down her face.
He knew them both.
She never had a chance to know them.
All she remembered was being taken from her mother as a child, by strange men whose faces still haunted her dreams.
The man opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by the loud groan of the stone door at the top of the stairs, the sounds of voices echoing all around the room.
Anya jumped back, swiping at her eyes, hoping the limited light would be enough to conceal her blotchy face.
Who knew what these, hunters, would do to either of them.
“Move back to where the boy left you,” the man instructed, his face etched with concern as he pointed to a worn spot on the ground.
“Richard will punish us both if he sees you close to me.”
Chapter Eight
“Wait!”
Richard turned to her, eyebrows raised in query as she stepped in front of him and Hugh, halting their advance on the man behind bars.
She spotted Richard pulling a dagger from his jacket pocket the moment he'd taken the last step into the room.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, holding her hands out in front of her.
Richard may terrify her, but she couldn't just stand there and let him attack this man for no reason.
“He refuses to make this easier on himself. This is for persuasion,” Richard sneered, spinning the dagger between his thumb and forefinger.
“Besides, these beasts heal fast, it's what makes them so difficult to kill. It won't even scar unless I cut deep enough.”
She wanted to argue, only she was powerless to stop him.
“Maybe she could reason with him?” Hugh suggested, giving her a faint grin when she looked up at the sound of his voice. “You wanted to test her too, did you not?”
Richard looked to him and snarled, concealing the small blade back inside his jacket, huffing as he stomped to the back of the dark room and leaned against the grimy wall.
“Ask him to prove what he is,” Hugh advised her, lowering his voice to a whisper as he stepped beside her, “Just don't get too close. Richard's begging for an excuse to use that knife.”
“Thank you,” she whispered back, holding her head high as she turned toward the bars. Richard wouldn't have the satisfaction of knowing she was afraid.
The man, both Hugh and Richard had called Lucas came closer on the other side, mirroring her every move.
“I don't understand what it is they want you to show me, but I do know that I can't stand here and let them hurt you.”
“I'm a little rusty, and you may not like what you see. The change, it's not always pleasant to watch. Especially like this.”
Without a word, Anya took a step back and waited for whatever was about to happen; except nothing could prepare her for this.
Lucas sat back on the filthy floor, and closed his eyes. His broad chest rising and falling quickly as his body began to contort and bend. The bones and muscles rearranging themselves under his skin.
Anya gasped, holding a hand over her mouth as she watched on in disbelief. Unable to tear her eyes away even as he roared in pain. The bones in his arms and legs moved against the shackles still confining him, cutting into skin that rapidly sprouted a beautiful caramel fur, his ragged clothes disintegrating into pieces around him.
In a matter of minutes, there was no longer a man sitting before her, but a large wolf that looked exactly like the one from her dream all those weeks ago; just as big, and powerful.
Watching him in silence, she could feel tears well in her eyes, and her throat turn dry.
She'd never seen anything like it.
How was it possible for such creatures to exist?
Yet, even though she felt intimidated by the large beast in front of her, nothing terrified her more than the menacing grin that stretched across Richard's face.
This man was no monster, despite what they were telling her.
Yes he was different, his ability to change into such a large and fearsome animal unnerving, but she knew from her time alone with him how gentle and caring he was.
The only monsters here were those standing behind her. They'd captured and trapped this man, torturing him for years.
“Why are you here?” she mumbled to herself, rubbing her hands up and down the tops of her arms.
“Other than being inhuman and taking a human mate, nothing.”
Anya stumbled backward, catching herself before she fell.
She'd never expected an answer from him. Nor did she think she'd be able to understand him. Especially when neither Hugh, nor Richard seemed to respond to the words Lucas spoke.
“Impressive,” Richard commented, pushing away from his leaning space, that same wicked smile on his face making her blood run cold.
“A little too impressive actually.”
“In fact, if I didn't know better I’d say you knew about these beasts already. Maybe even in league with them.”
“Of course, she doesn't,” Hugh argued, pulling her toward him with a gentle tug on her shoulder. “You saw her face when she saw him change. That wasn't the look of someone who'd seen it before.”
She may have never seen someone change in front of her the way Lucas had, but she had to wonder whether the wolf from her dream was linked some way.It seemed like too much of a coincidence to have such a vivid dream after what she'd just seen.
“Then bring her upstairs so we can begin.”
“What, so you can brainwash me?” Anya snapped, shrugging out of Hugh's hold and backing away from him, appalled that he'd been touching her.
Hunters.
Just how many people had they killed or captured? How many innocent lives lost due to their ridiculous belief?
“This man is no monster. You are.”
Without warning Richard sped toward her, taking hold of her shoulder and squeezing down hard enough she felt it pop. She winced, biting down on her lip as he dug his fingers deep into the muscle and leaned in close to her ear, his hot breath fanning over her face.
“I'll show you monsters,” he smirked. That same evil grin contorting his features.
Lucas jumped to his feet, roaring loudly as he lunged at the bars, biting down on heavy metal with his powerful jaws. The noise sickening as he tried to protect her.
Her heart clenched as
she watched, helpless to do anything to make it stop.
Richard huffed and turned to watch Lucas pace inside the cell. His thin lips curving up at the sides. A wicked gleam in his deathly stare as he turned to her before stomping from the room, leaving her alone with Hugh and the wolf once more.
Anya turned to Lucas and made a silent promise to herself.
She would not give up. There had to be a way to free him.
Chapter Nine
Anya couldn’t sleep. Whenever she closed her eyes, Lucas’s face was there; his green eyes glowing like orbs in the darkness.
The moment she’d stepped foot out of that place, she’d gone to the police and told them what had happened, and despite them insisting they’d look into it, nobody moved a muscle. For several hours she’d waited outside the station, but not one cop had emerged.
What the hell was wrong with them? Didn’t they care?
Kicking her legs over the side of her bed Anya groaned in frustration. It seemed like the only time she got a decent night’s sleep anymore was when she fainted.
Sighing, she threw on some clothes and headed outside.
Maybe a run might tire her enough to sleep peacefully.
Once outside, the crisp night air hit her, forcing the air from her lungs as her breath misted in front of her.
The windows surrounding her fogged with condensation.
The grass crunching under her feet as she stood on freshly settled frost. Shivering, she rubbed her hands up and down her arms, attempting to warm her skin beneath her thin shirt, but nothing seemed to fight the chill.
Anya increased her pace, walking briskly as she pulled her music player from her trouser pocket, tucking the buds in her ears. She needed something to take her mind off of Lucas, and those eyes that held so much emotion.
Jogging now, Anya stepped onto the field behind her home, the run beginning to warm her frozen skin and stretch her over energised muscles. It wouldn’t be long until she grew tired; or so she hoped.
In the middle of the empty field, that unmistakable feeling of being watched crept over her, rooting her feet to the ground.
She spun around looking for signs of movement, hoping whatever it was meant her no harm.
Removing the buds from her ears, she listened carefully.
A loud growl sounded to her left, drawing her attention. Those same blue orbs greeted her from what she had assumed was a dream.
Anya continued to stare at the wolf in the distance, waiting to see what he would do.
She didn’t have to wait long. He moved toward her, his black coat shimmering black-blue in the moonlight.
“I-I wasn’t dreaming the first time I saw you was I? What do you want from me?”
Sniffing at the air, he continued to pad toward her, closer and closer, making her heart race, but she didn’t move, didn’t run or scream. She was too curious to leave now.
His chest rose and fell quickly as he panted, stopping close enough that she could touch, if she just stretched her hand toward him. But she was afraid. What if he didn't want her to touch him?
Last time she'd seen this wolf, he'd growled a warning at her. Why would this time be any different? Only, she couldn't help herself. She had to know what he felt like.
The wolf darted his head toward her, peeling his lips back as he stared at her, a low grumble sounding from his chest.
Anya dropped her hand immediately, but stood her ground, refusing to back down to the beast, knowing it would be pointless to run.
Each passing second he watched her seemed like a lifetime, just waiting for him to attack, or flee.
To her surprise, the wolf moved closer, nudging at her hand with his strong muzzle, sliding it up over his head. She gasped and smiled wide as her fingers glided through his thick fur.
“It’s so soft,” she breathed, continuing to pet him.
The wolf closed his eyes as her hand skimmed over his back, intensifying her smile.
She’d never been this close to such a large animal, even if this one was more human than she had first thought.
Since the first moment she'd seen this wolf, she'd wanted to touch him, her love for animals overpowering her fear.
She also wanted to touch Lucas when he changed, curious how that beautiful caramel fur would feel beneath her fingers.
Would they feel the same?
The wolf's chest rumbled beneath her fingers, an unmistakable sound of pleasure.
She inched closer, her leg brushing against his.
His eyes snapped open, glowing a shocking sapphire blue, locking with her own. They were beautiful, taking her breath away with their intensity. She tilted her head studying them closer, noticing the faintest speckles of green when he licked her face, making her gasp before she giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck before she could stop herself.
He paused and stiffened, before hesitantly laying his large head on her shoulder, accepting her affections.
“Why am I so comfortable around you. Logically I should be terrified, but I’m not. This feels, right.”
She lifted her head and studied his face, her brows knitted in confusion.
Why wasn't he responding to her like Lucas? Had she imagined it all like she feared, or was this wolf not like him?
One day, she hoped she would find out.
They sat under the twinkling stars for what felt like hours. Her arms wrapped around him tightly, her head resting on his shoulders. It was like holding a large teddy bear, just as warm and comforting.
She could feel her eyelids growing heavy and her limbs loosening as sleep finally got the better of her.
That’s when that eerie feeling crept over her skin for a second time that night, meaning it hadn’t been just the wolf watching her, but something else.
She darted up, looking around them, noticing the wolf did the same.
“You feel it too?” she whispered, cuddling up closer to him for protection.
“Shh,” he snapped, startling her.
She hadn’t expected to hear him talk, and he clearly hadn’t expected her to hear him by the way he watched her, tilting his head from one side to the other.
Shaking it off, he continued to look around them, searching and sniffing at the air.
Maybe he was like Lucas after all.
His head snapped to the right, staring into the trees. He jumped to his feet and growled loudly, the hackles across his back rising in warning at whatever threat was coming closer to them.
“Run,” he demanded, not daring to take his eyes off whatever he had spotted in the distance.
Anya didn’t hesitate, pushing to her feet and sprinting back toward her house. Her legs and chest protesting with each step, burning from her earlier run, but she knew she couldn’t stop, couldn’t look back.
Suddenly the wolf was beside her, still glancing over his shoulder to see if whatever was behind them gave chase.
Obviously not pleased with whatever he saw, he jumped in front of her, making her skid to a halt before she collided into him.
“Get on,” he commanded, crouching down low to the ground to assist her.
“What?”
“There’s no time,” he growled, flashing her his sharp canines. “Get on. Now!"
She rushed, her hands trembling and fumbling as she straddled his powerful back.
He didn’t wait before he started moving again, running much faster than she could ever have dreamed of, forcing her to hold on tight. Happy with her strong hold, he ran faster still.
Everything around them blurred as they zoomed past.
Incredible. The rush she felt. The wind blowing through her hair.She felt alive and exhilarated.
It didn't seem possible that anything could move this quickly and still be so agile.
She wanted to enjoy the feel of this powerful creature beneath her, enjoy the adrenaline coursing through her veins, but how could she when she feared what was behind them.
What if whoever it was caught up with them? What i
f it was one of the hunters?
Surely they wouldn’t be able to catch up, would they?
She couldn’t let them take or kill him, but what could she possibly do to stop them? The police wouldn’t help her, and she was weak. Pathetic really. Scared of the hunters, worrying what they could do.
She'd left Lucas alone when she should have fought harder for him.
All of a sudden, the wolf below her jumped, causing her to slip and pull at his fur. He roared loudly, but didn't say a word as he slowed, allowing her to get a better grip. She ducked her head low, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, rubbing her face against his thick fur. He didn’t seem to mind as he increased his pace once more.
She couldn't understand why he was protecting her. Possibly even risking his own life in the process.Lucas had done the same when Hugh or Richard got too close, but why?
Slowly the wolf below her came to a stop, his heartbeat racing against her ear.
"Has it gone?" she whispered, lifting her head so she could peek behind her. "What was it?”
He looked over his shoulder as he slowly padded around, searching and sniffing the air to see if they were alone.
“I’m not sure,” he replied at last, taking one last glance over his shoulder before lowering himself to the ground.
A mixture of different emotions flowed through her when she noticed they were back outside her house. Relief, fear, happiness, disappointment and confusion.
She didn't want to climb down off of him, didn't want to be alone again. She wanted to know who this incredible creature was and why he was here.
What could these shifters possibly want from her? Could they know about her past? Maybe even Edwin knew who they were.She'd seen so many different people when she was living with Edwin. Some friendly. Some not so much.
Glimpses of glowing eyes and long canines flashed before her eyes. She grew nauseated and her head pounded as she tried to focus on the images, pulling her memories forward. Why had she repressed these memories? Had something bad happened?
She shook her head. Edwin couldn't have known about this. He would never keep something this huge a secret.
Maybe she was just trying to make everything fit; letting her imagination run away with her. But she wasn't imagining the creatures she'd seen recently. Nothing could explain them.