by DJ DeSmyter
I wasn’t afraid of Alex or the fact that he was a werewolf. I was afraid of what he was capable of doing. After all, he was part wolf, a natural predator. In an instant, he could tear me to pieces if he wanted to, but I knew he never would even think of doing so. Still, the thought was terrifying.
But other wolves might, I thought. The memory of the night of the dance replayed in my mind. The wolves’ snarls echoed in my mind.
Then my mind shifted from me being hurt to Alex being hurt by the hunter. Horrible, bloodstained images filled my head of everything the hunter could do to Alex, and his family. Next to Dad, they were the closest thing I had to a family and I couldn’t even bear the harmless thought of the hunter killing them.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I finally said, breaking the silence.
“You should be,” he mumbled.
“Why? I have never felt threatened by you personally, so why should I start now?” I challenged.
“Because I could hurt you much worse than I did today,” he said quietly, his voice paper-thin. “I should’ve considered this all before.”
“Before what? Before you told me you loved me? Do you not love me anymore because you think you’re a monster or something?”
When his gaze fell upon me, he looked so tortured and hurt that I could have sworn a part of me broke. “Of course I still love you. I honestly don’t think I could ever stop.”
“Good. Because I love you, even though you’re furry and have very sharp teeth.”
Alex turned away and stared out the window. He held his arm to the glass and rested his forehead on it. My attempt to ease the tension that suffocated the room failed.
I scooted to the end of my bed and dangled my feet over the edge. “Alex, I’m not afraid of you. I may be afraid of what you’re capable of doing, what any werewolf is capable of. What if another wolf attacks me, thinking Dad’s the hunter and that I must be one too, and instead of gripping my wrist too tightly, they tear my whole hand off?”
Alex whirled around. “I would never let anything like that happen to you. Ever.”
“Exactly and that’s why I’m not afraid of you. What happened at the café scared me, but I know you didn’t mean to do what you did. And I’m not just making excuses for you. You make me feel safe, Alex, and if I thought for one second that you were truly dangerous, I would have Dad shoot you before you could even try to hurt me.”
He chuckled, a low, rich sound. “You probably would shoot me yourself.”
“You’re right.” And just like that, all our worries faded. Like dandelion seeds they floated away from us, but somewhere in our minds and possibly our hearts, I knew they fell and planted themselves, ready to take root and grow again.
“So, is your dad back yet?” I asked. The change of topic cooled the room and the heat of tension no longer closed us in.
Sighing, Alex walked over to me, sat on the floor, and leaned his head against my knee. “Not yet. Mom doesn’t know when he’ll be back.”
I reached down and wove my fingers through his hair. “Do you know where he went?”
He shook his head and the simple gesture told me heavy thoughts still clouded his mind.
“What are you thinking about right now?”
“I still feel terrible for hurting you,” he admitted. All his usual confidence had seemingly been drained from his voice.
“You shouldn’t. Really, Alex, I’m fine. It just freaked me out a little, but I’m okay now.” I sighed and wished things could go back to how they were before the incident at the café. Back to when I only knew the beauty of his canine nature, not the dark side.
But what good would that do? I asked myself pointedly. Where there’s light, there’s always dark.
“Like I said, I’m not afraid of you,” I reminded him. “I’m afraid of the other wolves, the ones who aren’t like you and your family.”
“Like the wolves that attacked you and your dad?”
“Yes and you’re far from being like them. You saved my dad and me. You’re no monster, so don’t make me have to tell you that every day.”
He turned around and brought his face close to mine. His woodsy scent and warmth gave me comfort and sent tingles down my spine. “I love you so much,” he said, his sweet breath further warming my cheeks. Cupping my face in his hand, he closed the small distance and our lips met. His kisses weren’t urgent and crazed like in the movies I’d seen. No, they were tender and sweet, full of emotion that poured into me and reinforced his feelings for me. I prayed my kisses conveyed the same emotion.
“I love you, too,” I said when we pulled away and caught our breath. The first time I had told him I loved him, my words carried a hint of uncertainty, even though I knew it to be true. This time, I made sure all my confidence and happiness formed the words. Judging by the light that reflected in his eyes and his warm smile, I succeeded.
“Besides,” I continued, “I’m entitled to a few freak outs, right? I mean, there’s no ‘Guide To Dating a Werewolf’ so I’m going in blind.”
“Maybe you should write one,” he commented.
I laughed, “It’ll be a bestseller.”
Q
After our little worry session and a few more kisses, we decided not to let a chance encounter ruin our date night. Since the nearest movie theatre was a good fifteen minutes away, Dad let Alex borrow his truck.
“How about I go and buy the popcorn?” I suggested, already moving away from the ticket line.
Alex nodded. “Good idea.” He reached into his wallet and handed me a ten-dollar bill.
“Nope. The food is on me.”
Knowing I’d put up a fight, he put his money away, grinning.
I bounced over to the concession lines and waited rather impatiently for my turn. Once I had our popcorn, I turned to join Alex. To my surprise, I ran into someone and the bag of buttery goodness slipped from my hands.
“I’m so sorry, sir,” I said to the man I had blindly ran into. He looked to be the same age as Dad and was wearing a flannel shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. He bent down and picked up the bag.
“It’s my fault, Miss. I should have been watching where I was going. It’s been a long week,” he said with a weary smile.
“It’s fine. It’s just popcorn, right?” I took the bag from him and moved to throw it away. Before I could, the man stopped me, his hand on my arm. His touch sent a chill through entire body. His friendly smile betrayed my reaction.
“Can I buy you another thing of popcorn?” he asked.
“Oh, no, that’s okay. I can get it, but thanks.”
“No, please, let me.” He released his grip and headed towards the concessions. In a matter of minutes, he returned with another bag of popcorn.
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to do that.”
He waved me off and glanced at his own movie ticket. “It wasn’t a problem. Hope you enjoy your movie.” Flashing another smile and bowing his head, he walked away and disappeared down one of the halls.
Suddenly, Alex was by my side. “Did something happen?” He was eyeing the spilled popcorn.
“Oh, I ran into someone and spilled our popcorn. But he bought me another one. People say strangers are creepy, but he seemed nice enough.” I shrugged and headed toward our theatre.
Alex merely nodded and walked stiffly beside me. It was only when I took his hand once we were seated that he relaxed.
“Are you okay?” I whispered while the trailers played.
“Yeah, everything’s fine.”
The cold air made me shiver. “Okay.” I didn’t believe him and even though I enjoyed the movie, I couldn’t quit thinking about Alex’s mood during the whole thing.
“Liar,” I said to him as the lights came up and we made our way back to the lobby.
He sighed, looking defeated. “I know, I’m sorry. I ruined our date.”
I took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. “No, I actually had a good time, I just wish you had, too. What’s
bothering you?”
“You know that man who bought you popcorn?”
I froze and simply stared at Alex. “That was the hunter?”
“In the flesh.”
The hunter— Alex’s shooter— had stood only inches from me. I frantically looked around the lobby in the hopes of spotting him. I wished I had stolen a glance at him at the café. Then I would have known and…What would I have done? I couldn’t have just attacked him right there in the theatre’s lobby and I certainly couldn’t have drawn his attention to Alex.
“He’s not nearby,” Alex stated. “He either went home or he’s still watching a movie.”
“That’s two encounters in one day, Alex. What if he’s following us?” My skin itched where the hunter had touched me. He had been kind and generous— characteristics I did not associate with a killer.
Alex didn’t say anything, but his eyes were full of anger and concern. “Let’s go in case he comes back.”
To say we left in a hurry would be an understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever walked as fast as I did and my heart and mind only began to calm down once we were inside the truck with the doors locked. The engine started with a roar and we were on the road in no time.
“Today wasn’t all that fun, huh?” Alex said lightly with the slightest hint of a grin.
“For the most part, no.” I chuckled. “I just can’t believe I actually spoke and accepted popcorn from him! And he grabbed my arm! Drive fast; I need to shower.”
“You couldn’t have known it was him.”
“I know, but still—”
“Would you like to try and salvage what’s left of the evening?” he suggested. “Or try to, at least.”
“Sure,” I said with a dramatic sigh. “Why not? Though, with our luck, he’ll show up again. Third time’s the charm.” It wasn’t until after I spoke them that I realized the severity of my words.
“Maybe, we should just go home.” Alex suggested and I could hardly disagree.
When we got home, Dad was lounging on the couch mindlessly watching an old black and white movie. He jumped up as soon as he heard us come into the room.
“Did you guys have fun?” He asked, his hands folded across his chest.
Alex spoke first. “Lily ran into the hunter. Literally.”
Dad’s eyes zeroed in on me.
“I bumped into him and spilled my popcorn. He bought me another one, though. He seemed friendly— ”
“You don’t think he was following you do you?” Dad asked, his voice laced with concern.
Alex collapsed onto the couch. “I’m not sure. We saw him at a café earlier, too.”
“What!” Dad shouted.
“He didn’t see us, though, Dad.” The last thing I needed was for Dad to go off the handle and freak out. “It could all just be an awful coincidence.”
Agreeing with me, Alex suggested the hunter may have wanted to have a relaxing day and a fun time at the movies.
Dad smirked. “Cause he doesn’t have enough fun killing people?”
“Apparently not,” I added. How could anyone have fun killing people? Or anything for that matter?
Yawning, Dad stretched his arms up to the ceiling and rubbed his eyes. “The important thing is that you two are okay. Why don’t we just discuss it in the morning? Alex, I’ll call your folks and have them come over for breakfast. We can’t do anything about this right now.”
“Sounds good,” Alex replied with a curt nod.
“Okay, well, I’m gonna head upstairs so you guys can have some privacy,” Dad said. “But don’t abuse it,” he added, half-serious half-joking.
“Thanks, Dad.” I gave him a quick kiss before he went up. As soon as he was gone, I plopped down next to Alex and he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close. He picked up the remote and flicked through the channels. He settled on a late night show and we both watched it in silence. I’m not sure, though, if he was really paying attention to it. I know I wasn’t. Closing my eyes and matching my breaths to match Alex’s slow and even pattern, I let my mind unwind and before I knew it, I was asleep.
37. Alex
For some strange reason, having Lily asleep in my arms brought me the sweet feelings of relief and comfort. She seemed to fit perfectly in the crook of my arms, like I was made to hold her. I gently stroked her hair and closed my eyes. I wasn’t tired, but I needed to clear my head.
Today was hell, I thought as a mental replay took place. First the hunter was at the same café as us, then I hurt Lily, and then we see him at the movies. All in one day. I took a deep breath, hopping I didn’t stir Lily, and knew we would all figure out the next step in the morning. I just hope tomorrow isn’t a repeat of today.
Gazing down at Lily, I smiled. Somehow, nestled in my arms, she looked comfortable, peaceful. She should be upstairs in her bed. I didn’t want to wake her, so I carefully slid out from under her and lifted her in my arms. Taking slow steps, I brought her upstairs and laid her on her bed. A slur of words came out of her mouth as she rolled over.
“Goodnight, Lily,” I whispered as I bent down and kissed her cheek.
Too wired for sleep, I sat on the floor with my back against the side of her bed. Her blinds were open and in the unclouded night sky, I could see the moon hanging brightly.
I couldn’t help but think about the hunter. Where was he? Was he at home cooking a late meal, or was he out in the woods looking for possible werewolves? It made me sick knowing he killed innocent wolves with the hopes of them being weres. There weren’t many wolves in Victor Hills and soon he’d run out of victims. What if he was stalking the neighboring woods too?
No, he wouldn’t want to spread his attention to far. He could miss a chance to kill a werewolf too easily if he was focusing on more than one area.
Snapping me out of my thoughts, I heard footsteps outside. Rising to my feet, I walked over to the window and scanned the tree line and the area around the house. I cracked the window open and took a whiff. I didn’t see the hunter, nor could I smell him. Must be someone taking a late night walk. The familiarity of the thought worried me, though. Every so often, I would feel as though someone was outside, watching, spying on us, but when I looked, listened, and smelled, the hunter was nowhere to be found.
Shaking my head in an attempt to clear it of any thought, I closed the window and sat back down. Night quickly passed and before I knew it, sunlight bled across the open sky. Once the sun was in its place, a light, calm, blue colored the open space.
I heard John take a shower and go downstairs. The beeping of the phone as he dialed my parent’s apartment rung in my ears and as soon as the conversation was over, I snuck out of Lily’s room and took a shower. Thankfully, I still had a few spare outfits in the guest room.
“Hey,” John said as I entered the kitchen. “Your family should be here soon.”
“Okay.” I slid the morning paper towards me and leaned against the counter reading it.
“Was Lily shaken up yesterday?”
I nodded. I didn’t have the heart to tell him about hurting her wrist. I had yet to forgive myself. “I think she’s just overwhelmed. A lot has happened.”
“Yeah, and with school starting in a few days, she’s probably hanging by a thread.”
“She’s tough, though,” I added.
John chuckled. “You’re right about that.”
A soft knock came from the front of the house. I went to answer the door and when I did, I was greeted with a hug from Mom and smiles from Summer and James.
“Sorry we’re a little late,” Mom apologized. “I wanted to stop and get these.” She held up a bag and the delicious and sugary scents of scones filled the air.
“They’re pretty good, too,” James said. Leave it to him to be too impatient to wait.
Mom rolled her eyes with a grin. “Where’s Lily?”
“She’s still asleep,” I said.
Summer disagreed. “No, she’s just getting up.”
Pausing, I lis
tened intently and sure enough I could hear the rustling of her sheets as she sat up. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.”
The four of us moved to the kitchen and sat at the table. John poured drinks and warmed the scones in the toaster oven.
“Dad’s still not back yet?” I asked Mom after taking a sip of my coffee.
“No, but he called and said he expected to be back in a few days, right before school begins.”
“Did he say where he was this time?”
“Minnesota,” James answered. “But he didn’t say why.”
A soft smile spread across John’s face. “Maybe he went looking for help.”
Mom mumbled in agreement. I looked at her, questioning her with my eyes, but she didn’t respond.
Suddenly, the smell of strawberry shampoo wafted through the air and Lily strolled into the kitchen.
“Good morning.” She grabbed a glass and filled it with juice. “How are you guys?”
“Good,” everyone answered.
“Sounds like you and Alex had an eventful day yesterday,” Mom said.
Lily nodded and sat next to her dad. “I still can’t believe I talked to the hunter!!”
“The good thing is that nothing bad happened,” John said, rubbing Lily’s back.
“So what do we do know?” James asked before chomping into a scone.
Mom sighed. “I don’t know. I wish your father were here. He always knows what to do.”
James devoured the scone in a matter of seconds and reached for another. “Well, I say we start hunting him. I’m tired of waiting around and being cooped up inside.” I couldn’t tell if he meant his wolf-self being cooped up inside or in terms of being indoors in general. Probably both.
“Same here. I’m afraid I’ll forget how to change,” Summer said, smiling.
