Hunted: A Shifter's Magic Series

by Maggie Bandy

  I tried to contain the laugh that escaped my lips, but Crystal heard me. “Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side!” she said taking the back seat. I waved good-bye at Carter and Cole and got in the car. I started it up and back down the driveway. I swear I saw a blur of grey in the woods but when I look again nothing was there. I shake it off, maybe I was wrong. When I keep driving and don’t see anything else, the tension eases up.

  We drove out a couple of towns over and headed to the mall. It was an hour drive- a long ass drive with Ty. “Ohh, ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall. Ninety-nine bottles of beer take one down pass it around, ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall-” Ty sang annoyingly. “Ty! Shut up!” Crystal yells exasperated. “Ninety-” Ty started but I cut him off. “I will pull this car over and toss you out if you don’t stop,” I threaten, and he laughs.

  “Such sass kitten,” he laughs. “Fine, let’s play a game, shall we?” he says rubbing his hands together mischievously. “Uh, no thanks,” Crystal says turning to look out the window. “I have a game for you- lets play the quiet game. First one to talk loses- starting now,” I say smiling triumphantly. Ty sighs, crossing his arms over his chest and sinks back into his seat beside me. I had to fight to keep from laughing at his pouting. He really doesn’t like to be quiet, I bet he’s the first to cave.

  I turned the radio up as smells like teen spirit by Nirvana came on. “I love this song!” Crystal squeals. Ty turns around in his seat and yells, “You lose!” Crystal rolls her eyes. “I guess you lose too, you just talked,” she says sticking out her tongue. I shake my head at them laughing. “Well, that didn’t long at all.”

  We finally pulled up to the mall. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting it to be this big,” I say shocked that it was two stories tall. “That’s what she said,” Ty snickered. I playfully shoved him in the arm. “Really Ty?” I said rolling my eyes. “What? That was the perfect opportunity to say it,” he defended shrugging his shoulders. Boys. “Eww, Ty. I so do not want to hear that coming out of my brother’s mouth,” Crystal said scrunching up her nose at his comment.

  I ignored their bickering and headed towards the mall. “Hey, wait for us!” they shouted trying to catch up. They ran to try to catch up and fell into step beside me. Crystal looping her arm with mine and Ty throwing his arm over my shoulder. I tried to shrug his arm off, but he didn’t budge.

  “Sorry beautiful, I have to keep you close. Carter’s orders,” he said gripping tighter.

  “I doubt he meant to keep your arms around me,” I said sarcastically. “Well, this is the easiest way to keep you close- unless you want to hold my hand?” he said batting his lashes at me. “No thanks,” I said dryly. He laughed and tried to kiss me on the cheek, but I moved so he ended up kissing my ear instead. “Gross, Ty,” I complained earning another chuckle from him.

  “Let’s go look in Debs,” Crystal said pulling me towards one of the shopping centers. We looked around and we both picked out a couple of dresses to try on. I had a red one in my hand and Crystal had a baby blue one. “Here, try this one on too,” she said handing me an emerald green one, while grabbing another one for her. Ty practically stood in front of my dressing room door like a prison warden. I nearly ran into him when I came out. “Ty, do you have to stand so close?” I say annoyed.

  His witty come back was halted on his lips when he took in the red dress I was wearing. It was an A-line strapless sweet-heart dress. Hugging my waist, it flowed out from there, stopping just above my knee. It had this cute little silver belt that went with it. “Soph, you look- you look beautiful,” he stuttered. I wasn’t expecting to see him so choked up or serious. I figured he would make some kind of sarcastic remark. Crystal came out at that moment and said, “Damn girl, that is your dress. You have to get it.” Hers was a baby blue high neck, two-piece halter top dress. It was beautiful. The bottom came a few inches above her knees and flared out.

  “Only if you get that one, because it looks great on you girl,” I said in return. She turned to Ty, “What I don’t get a ‘You look beautiful?’” she laughed. He flipped her off and laughed. “I guess you look ok,” he said ruffling her hair. She shoved him in his shoulder, knocking him into me. “My bad Soph, I didn’t mean to shove him that hard,” she said laughing.

  Ty had knocked me down and was laying with his back across my chest. “You can get up now, you’re squishing me,” I said panting, pushing him off. With his weight finally off my chest I could breathe again. After he got up, he held his hand out for me to help me up and I took it. I tried to straighten my dress and Crystal laughed. “That was so not funny,” I said cutting her a look. That made her laugh even harder. Holding a hand to her stomach to try to stop laughing she says, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be laughing but you should have seen your face. It was priceless!” I gave in and laughed too.

  My laugh was cut short when I saw who was standing outside the store. All the blood drained from my face when I saw the guy from the hospital standing there staring at me. When he noticed me staring back, he motioned for me to come out. I gasped when Ty came up behind me and said, “What’s wrong?” He growled when he saw where I was looking.

  “Time to go,” he said grabbing hold of me and Crystal. “He’s kind of blocking the exit…” I point out. Ty points to the back door leading outside. I shake my head. “The alarm will go off if we open that door,” I point out. “Not if I disable it,” he said snapping some wires. Well ok then… He pushed us out the door and held his hand out. “Keys,” he barked.

  “You are not driving my car- no way!” I say refusing to hand over my keys. “Look, we don’t have time to argue Sophie. Give me your keys!” he yells. I sigh and hand over my keys, getting in the front seat. Crystal hops in the back. Ty floors it out of the parking lot Only to have to stop when someone is standing in front of the car.

  Ty and Crystal both growl in warning. “Move out of the way. I have no problem running you over asshole,” Ty says in a menacingly calm and low voice. “She promised to meet me tonight- yet you all take off with her out here,” he drawls. I scoffed. “I didn’t promise anything. You assumed I’d meet you tonight,” I shot back.

  “I told you he wouldn’t ask nicely again- are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” he says almost as if he’s trying to warn me. He almost looks upset, but then his calm mask falls back in place. “If not, we can always do this the hard way. But I can guarantee you won’t like that,” he says looking over at me. I shiver at the meaning behind his thinly veiled threat. He would bring me by force if necessary.

  “I’ll see you tonight,” he warns and takes off. Ty grips the steering wheel roughly causing it to bend. “Ty!” I scream. He loosens his grip but doesn’t calm down. “Ty!” I say again trying to get his attention. “You’re going to rip it off, calm the fuck down!” I say placing my hand on his. He doesn’t react at first but then he takes my hand in his, releasing the steering wheel.

  “I’m sorry, Soph. I’ll get it replaced,” he said softly. I just nod my head. He keeps my hand in his and starts the car. We drive like that for a while in silence before Crystal breaks it. “So, I’m lost. Who is that guy?” she asks looking over at me. Ty tenses up, holding my hand tighter and I give him a reassuring squeeze.

  “He’s the wolf who’s been hunting me… And also, the guy who tried to kill me at the hospital with whatever was in that syringe,” I say before she cuts me off. “He what now? Oh, hell no!” she says angrily. “Yeah, he’s also the one that showed up in my bedroom demanding I meet his alpha. Claiming he had a change of heart and doesn’t want me dead now,” I say heavy on the sarcasm. I didn’t believe this guy, not after he tried to kill me on more than one occasion.

  “Well, I don’t care what this asshole says. You aren’t going anywhere with him,” Ty growls. Crystal nods her head in agreement. “Looks like I don’t have a choice in the matter. You heard what he said,” I said dejected. “He can come over there and try to take you if he has a death wish. B
ut I can promise you, no one is going to get to you. They have to go through me first,” he says squeezing my hand reassuringly and looking over at me.

  “And me too,” Crystal says putting her hand on my shoulder. “We may not have known each other long but you’re my friend. That and I think both of my brothers would kill me if I let anything happen to you,” she says looking over at Tyler. I sink into the seat holding my arm around my knees, laying my head on my knees. Ty takes his hand that’s in mine and runs his fingers across my arm. “Hey, it’s going to be ok,” he says softly.

  ◆◆◆

  I fell asleep the rest of the trip and woke up to Ty carrying me. “What time is it?” I say groggily. “Shh, go back to sleep, beautiful,” he says laying me in an unfamiliar bed and tucking me in. “Where are we?” I ask looking around. “You’re at my house. Carter thought it best if I took you here instead of your house. He would be looking for you at your house. But he wouldn’t know to look here,” he said pulling up a chair and sitting beside the bed.

  “Where’s Carter and Cole?” I ask wondering why they wouldn’t be here after what happened. He looked over at me almost sadly and said, “They are out hunting him. They still haven’t found him yet. He’s good at giving false leads. They won’t be back until late.” My shoulders sagged at his words. I figured they would at least come and check on me before taking off… I guess not.

  I rolled over and pulled the covers over my face. Ty sighed. “I told them you would be upset they didn’t come and check in,” he said pulling the covers back. “Scoot over,” he said laying in next to me. I moved over and he pulled me onto his chest. It had become part of our routine. Ty and I had a weird relationship. He could be annoying and could be really immature at times, but he had a softer side. A side it seemed he only showed to me.

  Ty was quickly becoming a good friend, one that I could seek comfort in- not romantically. It was more of a strong friendship that we had. He always understood what I needed and never hesitated to be there for me. Knowing I was safe with Ty, I quickly fell asleep.

  I woke up to the sound of hushed voices. I sat up and stretched- realizing I was still laying on Ty’s chest. I looked over to see an angry Carter and a tense Cole. Ty just cockily grinned at them pulling me back into his chest. “Hey now beautiful, you don’t have to get up just because grumpy pants over there is giving me the death stare.” Carter’s fists balled up in tight balls, but he didn’t react other-wise. Waiting for my response. Cole just looked hurt but didn’t say anything either.

  I sighed pushing out of Ty’s arms. He pouted but perked up when I leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Ty,” I said smiling at him. Carter pulled me away from Ty and into his arms. “We didn’t find him, but we did find out some information on his pack. You may want to sit down for this, angel,” Cole said looking worried.

  I sat down on the edge of the bed with Carter behind me for support.

  “Their pack are the ones who killed your parents…” Cole said softly.

  I didn’t hear the rest- because after that little bit of life-altering information I fainted.

  Chapter Eight

  Family Ties

  I wake up to everyone standing over me anxiously. There’s new faces in the room that I don’t recognize. I look down realizing I’m in Cole’s arms this time and smile. He tightens his arms protectively around me, sensing my tension. He must be scared I’m going to faint again. Honestly, I’m not so sure that I won’t. I feel sick to my stomach thinking about what happened to my parents. Knowing who did it makes me see red. I wanted to make them pay for taking my parents away from me. And I vowed right then and there that I would, no matter what anyone else said.

  “Are you ok dear?” an unfamiliar voice says. I look up to see an older version of Crystal looking at me. She must be her mom. “You gave us all a fright,” said a husky voice from behind her. From the way he has his arms wrapped possessively around her, he must be Carter’s dad. Carter stepped out from behind his parents and pulled me in for a hug. Cole reluctantly let me go. Afterwards, I settled back into Cole, sitting in his lap with my head on his shoulder.

  “Tell me about my parents,” I say readying myself for the worst. “Are you sure you’re ready, angel?” Cole says reluctantly. “Yes,” I say fiercely. “I want to know who the asshole was that gave the order for my parent’s death- for my death. And I want to make him pay.” I growl. Cole squeezes my hand. “I know, and he will. I’ll make him pay,” he promises. “No! I will be the one who makes him pay. I want my face to be the last one he sees before I end his life. He made this personal- and I will be the one to end him,” I growl louder this time.

  Cole looks taken aback for a moment. “You can’t take him on by yourself angel. Let us help you-” he says before I cut in. “No! I have to do this. I can’t hide behind you guys all the time. Teach me to fight- let me take him down on my own,” I plead. Carter and Cole don’t seem to be on board with me fighting but Ty steps forward. “I’ll teach you. If you want to learn to defend yourself, I’ll teach you. But on one condition- you aren’t doing this alone. Let us come with you when you take this guy down. You can’t take on his whole pack by yourself. I’ll make sure you’re the one who gets to take down the alpha-” he says looking towards the guys who look severely pissed off right now. They were staring daggers at him right now.

  “No.” Cole says cutting him off. “But-” I start to say before he holds up a hand for me to let him finish. “Let me finish, angel. I will teach you to fight- but you’re not taking down the alpha by yourself. It’s too dangerous and I will not risk your life for revenge. It’s not worth your life,” he says cupping my chin and leveling me a look that meant he wasn’t budging on the topic. “We will start tomorrow,” he says and then asks everyone to leave so he can talk to me alone.

  Carter leans in and kisses me before walking out and Ty gives me a quick hug and leaves. Everyone else just waves on the way out. Cole pats the bed and motions for me to sit next to him. I crawl into bed and instead sit on his lap wrapping my arms around his neck. He smiles and shakes his head. “Angel, I know you’re upset about what you learned today about your parents. But you can’t just act on impulse, it’ll get you killed. And I couldn’t stand if anything happened to you,” he said cupping my face in his hands.

  “I know but this is something I have to do for me. I can’t let that asshole get away with killing my parents. They would have killed me too if it wasn’t for you,” I say looking up at him. “You saved me, but now it’s time for me to save me. I need to stand on my own a little. I appreciate everything you guys do for me, but you can’t always protect me,” I say hoping he understands what I’m saying.

  Cole sighs. “I may not always be able to protect you from everything but that won’t stop me from trying, angel,” he said softly. So softly that I wasn’t sure if he meant for me to hear him. My phone rings and I look at the caller i.d. It was Tabby. I quickly answered it before she hung up.

  “I’m sorry-” we both said at the same time. “No, I’m sorry-” we both say again. We laugh and I say, “Please let me go first. I’m so sorry I snapped at you and that you had to hear about everything from aunt Linda instead of me. Things have just been so crazy around here lately. But I should always make time for my best friend,” I say softly. “Apology accepted, Soph. For the record- I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have gotten snappy either. I was just so upset that you got hurt and I had to find out from someone else. With you being so far away and all I guess I felt like I was already losing you,” she said quietly.

  “You’ll never lose me Tabs- you’re not just my best friend you’re like my sister. I’m not going anywhere,” I said tearily. I missed her and I hated fighting with her. It lifted a weight off my chest knowing she wasn’t mad at me anymore. “When things settle down here you should com visit. Then we can catch up,” I said hopefully. “I would like that,” she said. And I could hear the smile in her voice.

  Cole smil
ed over at me, apparently happy as well that we made up. Me and Tabs caught up for a bit. She told me about a guy Jason she had been seeing and I told her about the complicated relationship with Carter and Cole- leaving out the supernatural part of it all of course. She would think I was crazy. Besides I wouldn’t betray the guys’ secrets. Not even to my best friend.

  After a while we got off the phone and promised to call each other later. Cole wrapped his arms around me from behind. “So, angel- how about that date?” he asked coyly reminding me we hadn’t had our date yet. The date I had with Carter had been interrupted by the grey wolf, hopefully ours would go better. But knowing this town and my bad luck- I doubt it.

  ◆◆◆

  “Where are we going?” I asked as he helped me out of the car. “It’s a surprise,” he said making sure the blind-fold was still securely in place. “When can I take this thing off?” I asked impatient. I didn’t like surprises. Ok, well I do. Just not ones where I have to wear blind-folds. It was annoying not being able to see, but I trusted Cole.

  “You’ll see soon enough, angel. Calm down, we’re almost there,” he said laughing at my impatience. He led me down what felt like a dirt pathway and stopped. He reached up and gently took off the blind fold and what I saw was breath taking. We were standing in front of a big waterfall and a lake that it flowed into. It’s water was crystal clear, and you could see all the way down to the bottom. The field around the lake was full of sun-flowers. He had set up a blanket and a basket for us under an oak tree close by. “It’s beautiful,” I say softly, the words barely coming out.

  “How did you find this place?” I ask him curiously. He looked at me for a moment before smiling. “I found it when I was out hunting last night. I knew you would love it,” he said pulling me towards the blanket. He pulled out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Pouring us each a glass and handing me one. Then he pulled out a spread of food setting out plates and silver-ware.