I stepped on my tiptoes and gently kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much, Asher. You're too sweet," I said before running up to Maddox. His gray hooded sweatshirt and denim jeans made him stand out against the vibrant shades of orange surrounding us.
My burgundy red, long-sleeved tee and mustard yellow sweater had me blending in with the scenery, which was exactly what I'd wanted. Asher, who was in a black sweater and light-colored jeans, looked so out of place, it was almost funny. His midnight black hair made him look like someone more fitting in a scene from a gothic movie, rather than at an upbeat family-friendly pumpkin farm.
I stopped next to Maddox. "Find anything yet?" I asked.
"Nope. What about you and Asher?" Maddox asked. I could tell he was trying to hide the disdain he was feeling.
"I wanted to look with you," I said, smiling up at him.
His shoulders relaxed, and the tension faded away from his eyes as he looked down on me. "Let's start looking," he said, trying to hide the smile forming on his lips.
We walked silently for a while; our eyes focused on the ground below us as we sorted through several rows of pumpkins. For us, pumpkin selection was a science. The pumpkin needed to be just round enough to look like a pumpkin but have a flat enough front so we could carve an image. We always set the pumpkins out on my front porch and waited for the few trick or treaters who'd ventured out to our houses on Halloween. The stem needed to be long enough to use as a handle, but not too long that it looked silly.
After an hour, we'd finally found the perfect pumpkin. Maddox lifted it in his arms and carried it like he was carrying a baby. Asher chuckled as he watched us approach.
"Looks like you all found a great pumpkin," he said.
"Yes, it's perfect!" I beamed.
After having ridden the tractor back to the festivities area, we all purchased warm apple cider, enjoyed some delicious fried and sweet treats, and spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing. For once, Maddox and Asher looked happy to be around each other. I knew I needed to relish the moment because like everything else in my life, that, too, would end.
Chapter 20
The week of the Fall Homecoming Dance couldn't have come at a worse time.
While I was ecstatic that Asher had asked me to go with him, I was still reeling with an intense urgency I couldn't understand. Halloween had come and gone without incident. Maddox and Asher had even been getting along better, but something was still off. I'd been anxious-more anxious than usual-and it was starting to make me paranoid. I wasn't sure why I felt like I was constantly being watched or why the hairs on the back of my neck rose each time the wind blew, but I was sure something was of£ I needed to do something, but I wasn't sure what. I knew I had to act, but how or when still baffled me.
Asher, Maddox, and I walked into my living room, laughing over Melanie. She'd been shopping every day after school, trying to find the perfect dress to wear to go to the dance with Isaac Cooper, the soccer team's captain and senior dream god. She'd sent me about a million texts with pictures of her in a number of dresses. I'd shown the guys one of her in a pink dress that made her look like a bottle of Pepto Bismol.
Our laughter faded when we saw my dad's grave face. He was sitting in his reclining chair, and Maddox's dad was standing next to him. A few other guys from the pack surrounded him.
The dance was the following night. I knew whatever it was they were there for was what I wanted but didn't need just then; our town was in danger, our pack was up against our biggest enemy, and I was worried about how my hair would look at the dance. My priorities were way off, but I didn't know how to go about fixing it.
The next morning, I woke up early and my mom fixed my hair and helped me put on my makeup. We spent the day preparing for my evening out with Asher. Maddox had decided not to go with one date, having promised to go with the entire cheerleading squad instead.
As I waited for Asher to pick me up, I glanced at myself in my floor length mirror. My lavender dress fit perfectly against my curves. My hair was swept up in an up-do with soft curls hanging around my face. I was determined to enjoy my last night of solitude before I had to figure out a way to help my pack and free us all from the hunters.
I heard the tires crumbling the gravel of my driveway beneath them, and my heart began to race; Asher had arrived.
I raced down the stairs to find my parents standing at the door, greeting a very handsome and dashing Asher. He was wearing a navy-blue suit with a cream-colored tie. His black hair was slicked back, and his blue eyes were more dazzling than I'd ever seen them.
My breath faltered as I took him in. "Wow," I whispered to myself, as I descended the stairs.
"Elle, you look wonderful," my mom said, wiping a tear away from her eye.
"You look beautiful,” my dad said, nodding his head in approval. Asher stared at me. He didn't speak for what felt like an eternity. His wide smile and spark in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. "You look perfect," Asher said with a smile.
"Thank you," I said, and I took his hand.
We took a few pictures with my parents and then Asher led me out to his truck. We drove to the school dance holding hands.
I walked into the school gym, assaulted by the sound of Rhianna playing too loudly over the speakers. Orange and yellow floral decorations lined the walls and tables that had been placed around the space. Kids danced and laughed while teachers and chaperones looked on. Ever since the wolf had been killed, the town had been on high alert. We had a mandatory curfew and police and parents were constantly monitoring the schools and local hangouts. I knew the hunters were trying to instill fear in everyone.
Asher led me by my hand to a table where Melanie and Isaac were sitting. She'd selected a gold dress, and I had happily approved. Maddox was dancing in a circle with three girls, I sat down next to Melanie and smiled and waved. He nodded my way as he continued to dance.
"You look great," Melanie said, hugging me.
"Thanks." I smiled back. "So, do you."
The guys caught up on sports, and Melanie and I sat, laughing at some of the girls and the provocative dresses they were wearing. The night was going well and I'd allowed myself to relax a bit.
"Do you want to dance?" Asher asked, extending his hand.
I gladly accepted and followed him to the dance floor. As a slow song began to play, and Asher pulled me to him, his hands lingering on my hips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and swayed back and forth as the music carried us away. At that moment, we were just two teenagers in love. We were happy and safe. We weren't worried about murderous hunters or a forest that hid my wildest nightmares. We weren't hiding my alter-identity as a shifter. We were just Elle and Asher.
Even when the song had ended, Asher and I continued to dance slowly, as though we were the only two people in the room.
'Tm so glad I moved here," Asher whispered into my ear.
The feel of his breath against my cheek sent chills down my spine. I smiled and looked up at him. “I’m forever grateful that I found you. I don't know what I would've done if I hadn't found you," I said. I placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
Maddox suddenly appeared, his cheerleaders in tow, and cut in. "Can I dance with my best friend?" he asked. A genuine smile appeared on his face, and I knew he wasn't trying to be rude or play some sort of game he just wanted to dance with me.
Asher looked at me and hesitated before releasing his hold on me. "I'll just wait over at the table," he said. He placed a kiss on my lips and then slowly walked away.
Maddox took my hand in his, wrapped one arm around my waist and
took my hand in the other. I placed one hand on his shoulder and let him hold my hand. We swayed back and forth to the music, but our dancing was different than it had been with Asher. Maddox and I weren't connected and close. We danced at a distance so we could talk.
"You look really pretty," Maddox said shyly.
"Thanks," I said.
"Are you having fun with your groupies?"
I giggled, as I nodded at the cheerleaders who were watching us with hateful glares.
"Yeah, they're fun, but, I bet Asher's having more fun with you," Maddox said sweetly.
"That was really nice," I beamed as I hugged him.
We continued to twirl around the dancefloor, and I couldn't help but feel Asher's gaze on us, watching us from a distance. With his arms folded tightly against his chest, his features were torn when he locked eyes with me. I knew it was killing him, but I appreciated him letting me have the moment with Maddox.
Having noticed Asher watching us, Maddox pulled me closer to him. I knew it was just an attempt to upset Asher, but a part of me liked being so close to Maddox. He was my best friend, and we'd been spending less time together than we ever had before. I missed his closeness and how comfortable we were with each other. With Asher in my life, things had changed between Maddox and me. Everything was just different now.
"Look, Elle, I want to tell you something," Maddox began. His voice shook, and he looked around the room nervously.
Suddenly, the lights in the gym turned on, and we were almost blinded by the brightness. The music stopped, and everyone began to look around for an answer as to why the dance had ended. "Attention, students," a voice rang from the stage. It was Principal Hastings. He stood there with a worried look on his wrinkled face. "There's been an incident. We need you all to leave immediately. Please, go straight home. The local authorities are putting a new curfew in place." He wiped at his brow.
The doors burst open, and parents piled in, looking for their children. Asher rushed to my side as the commotion had turned into a crazed chaos. Everyone around us was either shrieking or running. Mobs of colors and shapes seemed to flash before me.
"We need to get home," Maddox said, as Asher grabbed my hand. "Let's go," I said, and headed for the doors.
We ran out into the cold night air, and I smacked into the back of a parent who was standing there as if paralyzed. Onlookers were gasping and pointing to something in the parking lot. As I pushed my way through the crowd, I saw what I'd feared the most.
A dead wolf was lying on the cold pavement, illuminated by the glowing, yellow streetlights. A large blade had been used to pin the animal to the blood-stained ground around it. Horror struck when I realized this wasn't just a killing-it was a sign, a warning.
"Elle, we need to get home now," Maddox said, through gritted teeth. His grip on my arm tightened as he dragged me away from the crowd and toward Asher's truck.
'I’ll drive us home," Asher yelled.
"Elle, what's going on?" Melanie cried, as she saw us and began running our way. Isaac was beside her, looking just as afraid as she did.
I ran to meet Melanie, grabbing her by her hands. "Go home. We're not safe," I cried out.
Isaac nodded his head and reached into his pocket to retrieve his keys. I led her away, promising to call her soon. Once I knew she was safe, I turned back toward Maddox and Asher.
"This is too much. The hunters are killing us off, one by one," I cried
out.
"I knew they'd come for us. We're growing too large. We're a threat to them now," Maddox said as he helped me into Asher's truck.
Asher rushed around, jumped inside, turned the key in the ignition, and sped out of the parking lot, away from the school and crowds. I closed my eyes and refused to open them again until we were home, the sight of the dead shifter still locked in my mind.
By the time I'd arrived home, my parents had already learned about the news. The wolf was, as expected, another shifter from our pack. He was a close friend of my dad's, named Tom.
"From now on, none of you are allowed to leave without protection," my dad ordered. "Asher, I need to speak with your parents immediately."
I watched Asher tense. Something about the way he'd reacted to my dad's statement had caused me concern, but I didn't have time to worry about that now.
"Elle, go up to bed," my mom stated, hugging me tightly. "This has been a very eventful night."
After saying my goodbyes to Asher and Maddox, I retreated up to my room, even though I had no intention of sleeping that night.
Chapter 21
I ran until the sky turned black and the moon settled high in the quiet sky. The night was my favorite time. It was during the night that creatures lurked, unafraid to be seen. I loved the solitude, the tranquility, and the peace.
I didn't take my usual running route. Instead, I ran a different route, one that Asher and Maddox wouldn't think to take until hours after tracking my normal route. If they even came after me, that is. They knew I was upset, and I had every right to be.
I slowed my pace having decided to stop down by a small pond at the end of the hill at a quiet spot, hidden behind a row of trees and bushes. As I sat next to the cold water, I thought about the trouble I was more than likely in.
Just as I was about to get up and make my way back home, I heard a noise coming from across the pond. At first, I thought it might be Maddox or Asher. It would be just like the both of them to sneak around and follow me, knowing I wouldn't be able to sleep or rest after what had happened. Instead, I saw two legs clad in thick blue jeans and heavy brown boots that made loud steps.
My fight or flight instinct kicked in and for a moment, I thought about quickly retreating into the woods before I could be seen. That was all I needed, for some guy to see a wolf out of the woods-he'd have every human hunter searching those woods in no time.
Instead, I watched the man approach with a curious fear. I crouched down and tried to conceal myself amongst the large weeds in the water, waving in the light wind. My nerves were rattled-something was wrong.
The man made his way out of the clearing, and I heard him call to someone else. Two more men stepped out from behind the shadows and into the bright moonlight, illuminating their presence. All three of the men wore red and black plaid shirts, untucked and tight against their muscular arms and wide chests. Their faces were covered with thick beards, and their eyes seemed to gleam with an evil spark that took my breath away the moment I looked into them.
Oh, no! It was him! The man from the coffee shop. The man that had fired at Maddox.
"I heard there've been wolf sightings around here," the first man said.
"Plus, our scout told us that several of the packs had made their way to Kentucky, trying to hide out in the small towns covered with woods like these."
Something shiny poking out beneath his shirt reflected off the gleaming sun, and I spotted a gun. The first man turned, and I saw he was wearing a black strap across his back, holding two more large rifles. From their attire and the way their bodies and presence had my fur standing on end, I knew one thing: these men were hunters. And not just any hunters. No, these were the shifter hunters who'd been searching for people just like my family and me. I had to get to my family and tell them that the hunters were indeed, here. I needed to warn everyone.
The magnitude of the moment wasn't lost on me as I crept slowly back into the woods. Once I was sure I was far enough into the shadows that it was safe to start running, my legs started to sprint. As I ran home, all I could think about was what this might all mean for me. Would we have to move? Would we have to go into hiding? The more I thought about it, the harder I pushed myself to go faster.
By the time I'd reached the clearing that led to my yard, a new set of emotions hit me, making my stomach queasy, and I stopped as soon as my paws hit the grass in my yard. I sensed tension and sadness emanating from my house.
I rushed to the side of my house, shifted back into my human form, and changed into my clothes. As soon as I had my shirt over my head, I darted through my front door. My hair was still a wild mess, poking out every which way. My eyes were wild with need, the need to know what was happening. I'd wanted so desperately to escape, but now I just wanted to get to my family.
"Elle," my mom shouted, as I came stumbling through the door. Her voice was full of worry and anger as she rushed toward me. Her long
legs reached me in seconds, and she grabbed my shoulders as if she were afraid I'd run away again.
"Where have you been?" my dad asked, running into the room.
Everyone was still stationed at my house, and it was clear they were all angry. You could have cut the air with a knife; it was so thick with emotions running rampant.
I raised my hands in an attempt to calm them. I knew they were angry with me for running, but I had to. "I know you're upset, but I can explain. I just needed to get away. I-"
"Elle, this time you really messed up," my dad said, cutting me of£ He shook his head. His disappointment in me caused my heart to drop all the way down to my stomach. "You've put us all in danger."
I took the opportunity to cut in when he opened his mouth to speak again.
"Dad, I know I hurt you all, and I'm very sorry. This is all a lot for me to handle, but I saw something in the woods, and I need to tell you," I said.
"What did you see?" Asher asked, stepping forward.
I glanced at his face and saw the worry staining his beautiful features. I had so many people to apologize to, and he was at the top of my list. I glanced around the room, but I didn't see Maddox anywhere. He was probably over at his house, sulking like a baby.
All eyes were on me as I spoke. "I needed to run to clear my head. I should've stayed and listened to you all, but I have to figure a lot of this out for myself Anyway, while I was out, I walked down to the pond on the other side of the clearing, the farthest from town. Three men were there, and it was the man that had chased Maddox, the same one I'd seen at the coffee shop-I'd know that voice and those evil, cold eyes anywhere-they're shifter hunters," I stopped talking to let my words sink in with everyone.
Gasps went up around the room as everyone looked around, talking or shouting.
"Are you sure?" my dad asked. The worry made him look years older, and I hated that I was partially to blame for that stress.
"I think so," I added, nodding my head.
My dad and the other men ran to our kitchen. I could hear them talking, but I knew better than to join them. This was one time that I needed to really listen and let the grownups lead the way and make the decisions.
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