Page 4 of Huntress and the Thorn Court
The door to the vault swung open saving me from answering. “I just heard.” Reed barged in wrapping his arms around me causing me to cringe. I glared at my father over Reed’s shoulder, as he struggled to hide his amusement. He knew Reed repulsed me. I didn’t care how good-looking he was with his golden blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. His features were sharp and defined from his face to his body, that I heard him claim was only eight percent body fat. He was a social climber. His family was number two in the Order. Mine was number one. The only way they’d ever move up was if we were all killed. If that happened and even a hint of our deaths led back to the Hauptman family, they’d never lead, otherwise they’d have to marry into our family. I was next in line to rule, which meant I was constantly being bombarded with suitors. Reed just happened to be the most persistent and the one with the least chance of succeeding.
“You offered yourself up as a prisoner? What were you thinking, Izzy?”
“Why?” I wrenched myself out of his grasp. “Did you want to go in my stead? I think the Alpha’s still here. Maybe we can ask?” His face heated and he stood there silently tensing his jaw. “No? Well then I guess I’ll just have to go.”
I shoved past both men heading back to the assembly room. Gideon had left two werewolves on the premises to make sure nothing shady happened. They stood outside the door waiting. As I moved through the halls, they trailed behind me like twin shadows refusing to let me out of their sights without first investigating the area for potential escapes. The vault had been a windowless room. They felt the risk was low leaving me unattended even in a room of weapons. If they were killed, we’d be at war, not something I was willing to risk and they knew it. Now, if I managed to escape, the hunters could claim they had no control over my own cowardice, which meant keeping me from escaping was much more important than preventing me from getting access to the weapons.
Reed followed after me. “Come now, Isabel, surely you can see how ludicrous this is. You are next in line to lead. You can’t willing give yourself as a hostage.”
“Hostage? I’m serving the time demanded by the Alpha. What would you rather I do?”
“Send someone else in your stead.”
I whirled on him unable to hide the disgust off my face. “You can’t be serious.”
“You are too important to risk.”
“So you’d rather I hand over someone innocent to serve my time? God, Reed, you sound like a tyrant.”
“I may sound like one, but I’m not naïve enough to risk a valued hunter.”
“Glad it’s not your decision.” I turned heading back to the assembly chamber.
“You can’t seriously be letting her do this?” Reed spat at my father.
My father was not one to be spoken to without respect. He’d tolerated it from Gideon because he considered him his equal as a fellow ruler, but he wouldn’t from a subordinate. I couldn’t help but smirk since neither of them would see it. Reed didn’t know that his comment just moved my dad onto my side. If he’d only kept his mouth shut, he might have had an ally. “I will not have you questioning my decision, Reed. I still rule this clan.”
“But—”
“Another word and you’ll find yourself in the pit.”
I entered the assembly chamber and saw the squad I’d arrived with still huddled together awaiting debriefing.
“Eric,” I called out, not approaching. I glanced at the two wolves behind me. Taking the hint, they paused allowing me to put a few paces between us giving me some semblance of privacy as Eric made his way to me.
“You’re really leaving?” Eric’s interest was nothing more than that of a trusted partner, even though other hunters assumed there was something more between us. We simply worked well together.
“I am and please don’t try to convince me otherwise.”
“Why would I? What you’re doing is incredibly honorable. When the time comes you will be a leader I will be proud to follow.”
My lips tugged up in the corners feeling relieved that someone understood. “Keep an eye on Reed. I have a feeling he’ll use my absence for some kind of advantage.”
“Like what?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know but you know Reed.”
“I know how all the Hauptman are. You need not worry.”
In an out of character move, Eric reached out, pulling me into his arms. I tensed before returning the hug. It was the first time he’d ever touched me when it hadn’t been completely necessary.
The energy in the room shifted flaring violently. I didn’t need to turn to know that Gideon was back.
“You’re punctual,” I stated, turning to face the Alpha wolf. The way his energy radiated off him had me worrying my lip nervously. This was the right decision, I told myself no matter how much his presence affected me.
“Have you said your goodbyes?”
Eric reached forward giving my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. I nodded stepping away from my friend.
