I asked, “What are you doing here?” He answered, “Paige called. She was very worried, so I had my child that retained hershimmering power bring me here.” I whispered, “For me?” He cupped my face, “My dear, I would do anything for you.”
I replied, “You are a good friend.” He chuckled, “I don’t think anyone has called me that in a long time.” I questioned, “Friend?” He hummed, “Yes. One did once upon a time. He is now a King.” I surmised, “King Arthur.”
He laughed, “Yes. Do you see how the world needs you? You figured that out so quickly.” I sobbed, “I just wanted to meet Kai.” He said, “Then you will make it so one day. Think of this, who would protect that young babe if you died?” I jolted, “The pack would…”
He cut me off, “The same pack that has done this to you? So, they’d protect him unless he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time like you were. They could blame him for something and he could become the new scapegoat they have as you are. Would you want him to be all alone? Or would you want to be able to bring him to the pack you, Caine, and Dax plan to change?”
I admitted, “I’d want him with me, but they wouldn’t do that to him.” He snorted, “They clearly would.” He stayed with me until I fell asleep. I dreamed of my life, but Kai was living it instead. Booker was going to whip him when I woke up screaming, “NO!” Caine grabbed me, “It’s ok. We are here.”
I panted, “You guys are supposed to be…” Paige cut me off, “No one has left. Look, your asshole family can fall off a cliff. You get to stay with us.” I whispered, “Ok.” Dax demanded, “Promise us you’ll never think about this again.”
I snorted, “I mean… thinking… and having a loaded gun in my lap are very different.” Caine growled, “Then don’t ever do that again.” I felt my tears fall. Sierra wiped them away. I cried, “They’ll never let me meet him. I have a nephew.”
Addison hugged me saying, “And that’s great. When he’s older we’ll just find a way to meet him. Ok?” I shook my head,“He will hate me.” Dax said, “Buck said they told you he’d never know about you. Just meet Kai as Ashley.” Buck heard that whole demeaning call?
Caine said, “He did and I’ve never seen him look so disgusted with anyone before. Being a good brother is his one redeeming quality.” He was disgusted with Jason? He wasn’t disgusted with me? That was new.
Caine growled, “My dad wants to see us.” Great. That was going to be good. We went to the pack where everyone was gathered, including pups. Edward announced, “It’s time for the hunt.” That sounded bad. I asked, “What hunt?” He grinned, “First, you need to meet Dante at Nate’s building. We will prepare for the Hunt here.”
I repeated, “What’s the hunt?” Aunt Stephanie sneered, “Where we hunt the wolf less.” I stared at her. She snarled, “You. We are hunting you.” I snorted, “For what purpose?” Trevor snarled, “To show you your place.” I glared at him, “And if I show you yours? Then what? I get punished, I’m guessing? That’s definitely it.”
Booker shouted, “We will defeat you.” I nodded, “Sure, ok… that’s a thing you’ll do.” Jean sighed, “You’re a bad liar, but we will hunt you down.” I shrugged, “Sure, Jean… I think I showed you all your place the other day.” They growled at me, but it wasn’t their wolves.
I called them out, “Those are weak human growls. Your wolves don’t like the hunt, do they? No, they wouldn’t… except Booker’s. His totally would… and Trevor’s… so…” Caine interrupted, “Dad, she’s the Female Lead Warrior. You can’t do this.”
I laughed, “Let them try… this will be fun.” All my friends looked worried, but I wasn’t. Trevor winked, “And you can’t wear a shirt. Everyone will see my masterpiece.” I replied, “Imean art is… subjective… but it makes you look like a sycophant deviant so…by all means…advertise that.” He snarled at me.
Edward ordered, “Leave. Go meet up with Dante then come back.” I left the pack grounds and saw Paige waiting. I asked, “Are you coming with me?” She replied, “I’m driving you.” I hugged her. I whispered, “Thanks for calling Charles.” She punched me in the tit. I shouted, “OW!” She pointed at me, “Don’t you ever lock me out of any place you are in ever again or I will hex you.”
I laughed and got in the car. We drove to the local Hunters base. Paige said, “I don’t like this. The air feels charged with evil.” I agreed, “It does.” I got out and told her, “Stay out here.” I walked inside. Dante flicked on a flashlight in front of his face.
I asked, “Is this supposed to be scary? Because you’ll have to work on it. I’m not sure how close you and Edward are but… Trevor stole the scary corner market going all evil psychotic…” Dante cut me off, “Tonight you join the Hunters.” I asked, “Uhh what? Umm…. no… so…”
He said, “We were going to give you our mark but that was overruled. Harshly.” I reasoned, “Because it’s a choice…. so…” Anastasia had probably tried to call me. I checked my watch and noted she’d contacted me several times, but I was busy feeling sorry for myself… so I missed it.
He asked, “Do you, Melanie McAlister, swear to the Hunter oaths?” I replied, “That’s a no.” He continued, “Do you pledge to follow me and…?” I interrupted, “Double no… very much no.” A few people snickered. He acted like I wasn’t talking, “Do you accept your position in the Hunters?” I hummed, “I think you have a hearing problem.”
He clicked on a screen. I shouted, “STOP!” There was a sniper rifle trained on Paige. He demanded, “Accept or she gets shot.” I agreed, “Fine.” He hummed, “It’s lackluster but here’s youroutfit, Huntress McAlister.” I grabbed it in a huff. Honestly, it was pretty cute.
He snapped his fingers, “Do her hair.” They did it pretty fast and I stood. He ordered, “Put on the outfit.” I sighed and went to the bathroom and changed. It was a black pleather one piece with a brown corset that had a pouch on one side for notes and amor cuffs on the sleeves with a place for a Huntress dagger. I put the hood up and walked out.
He took my picture smirking at me. He waved, “Go back for your hunt.” I hummed, “I thought they were hunting me because I’m wolf less… Am I supposed to be hunting them? Since you all having me join? Which… is so dumb… by the way.” Several people looked like they agreed.
The amount of access I had now as opposed to before I walked in was immense. They were going to pay for pointing a gun at Paige. I needed to get my head back in the game. Dante was never going to take me by surprise again. I was here. I didn’t die and I was going to do right by Mom, Dad, and Tristan.
Dante said, “No, you’re being hunted and this is the best move we’ve made in a long time.” I repeated, “Worst idea ever. You’re such a hypocrite it’s not even funny. Plus, you have no morals which is why you send Nate away when you do this crap. Everyone knows you’re not leader.” I turned and left while he sputtered indignantly behind me.
I stalked outside and Paige’s jaw dropped. She got out demanding, “Did they make you join?” I answered, “Yes… but it’s fine.” She blinked realizing, “You’re not freaking out.” I agreed, “Nope. I need you to take me to my parents and T.” She nodded and drove us to the spot I’d had commemorated for them.
I got out and touched the stones. I whispered, “I’m sorry I almost gave up. I’ll never quit on getting you justice again. I’m going to keep making the world my dance floor. I’m going todo this hunt and show them… I will show them the mistakes they just made. I promise.” I got up and played some music and began to dance.
When I stopped Paige was crying and clapping. I walked back over. She hugged me, “That was so hauntingly beautiful.” I nodded without saying anything. She asked, “Why aren’t you freaking out about being forced to join the Hunters?”
I answered, “I’m going to make them pay. As a Huntress I have more access than I did before. I’ll get this hunt done then have a password to their network.” She snorted, “Oh lord… they really did just mess up big time.”
I agreed, “They did, and I will MAKE them pay for it. They don’t get to threaten the people I love. This is my stand… now it’s time to show them they can’t hunt me. T taught me about hiding in the wild. They don’t train… I’m going to make them wish they’d never uttered the word hunt.”
I added, “I need you to monitor everything. This clearly should’ve been done after my non-shift… or before now. Something is going to go down they don’t want me to find out about… so… I need to find out.” She snorted, “I’m not you, but I will do my best.” I added, “It’s weird they didn’t mention Slade being my dad as why I didn’t have to join.”
