A Hunter's Keep - #1 of "The Hunter's Series"

Lizzy’s POV

So… this was a rather--- unnormal situation. Awkward. Funny and totally strange.

I was baby feeding, while four huge ass werewolves were surrounding me. One of them in nothing but a T-shirt and boxers. Guess that’s what you get for shifting while in the only pair of clothes you brought with you.

“What’s your name?” The alpha asked. I glanced over at him. It had taken them forever and a day to get me off the ground and into the car willingly. Only after promising a million times that they weren’t going to hurt the baby – or take her away from me – and me, I finally agreed to go with them.

“Lizzy,” I answered, seeing no point in lying. My name held no significance.

“Lizzy,” the alpha repeated, as if to test it on his lips. I looked back at the girl in my arms, happily unaware of the awkwardness that was happening around her.

“What’s her name?”

“Sif,” I said and I couldn’t help the little smile of pride that crossed my lips. I’d given her the name myself. Came up with it and everything.

“How do you know about us?”

This time it was Luca asking. I suspected him being a Beta or Third; but he could also be a worrier, the way he was built. Not that I’d ever seen a real live high-ranking wolf. I’d only seen the ones that were used for training back home. But by what we were told, there was no doubt in my mind, that I was in a car with some of the most powerful creatures on the planet.

“None of your business,” I muttered, apparently having a death wish, insulting those said powerful creatures.

Sif was slowly going back to sleep, but not before doing some of her business. I was used to it, so it didn’t bother me, but I had to bite my lips, seeing the faces these werewolves made, when they smelled it.

The smell got worse and one of them even rolled the window down. I protested, pointing out she could get cold. Reluctantly he complied.

“She needs to be changed,” I said, turning to the alpha. It didn’t need much convincing.

“Stop at the next diner,” he said, almost blue from holding his breath. “We’ll use the toilet there.”

It was rather hilarious to see grown men cringe at the sight of baby-poo. Ok, not that I hadn’t had that face the first time around, but I’d gotten used to it. I grinned.

“You can tolerate the stench and gore of blood and death, but not shit?” I felt brave enough – or just stupid enough – to tease them. “What kind of werewolves are you?”

There was no reply other than a grunt and a snort.

“Wussies!” I muttered, knowing they heard every word. Sif seemed to like it. Her little hands reached up into my hair and pulled. It hurt, but not enough for me to want to pull away. Seeing how much she loved it, made me giggle.

“Hey, that hurts, you little brat,” I laughed, until I realized, that there was no escaping this death trap. “Let me go, you little octopus.”

“Need a hand?” the alpha asked from the door. I glanced over, noticing him smiling at the scene. My heart skipped a beat. He looked good when he smiled. Young and not threatening.

“How about a scissor?” I asked feeling a hell of a lot more comfortable around this side to the alpha than the growling and angry side. Without a word he came over hand helped me get untangled.

“Thanks,” I muttered, rubbing my sore scalp. He smiled again. And then he looked to Sif. Fear suddenly overwhelmed me and I grabbed her, clinging her close to me.

Shocked he looked at me, before he breathed out and relaxed again.

“Come on,” he said warmly, holding a hand out for me. I didn’t protest, but followed him out into the warm cafeteria again.

“I need more hot water,” I said, eyeing the warm pots and steam from behind the counter. The alpha looked at me, confusion written all over his face.

“For the baby-formula,” I explained shortly, and he nodded. I handed him the thermos I always carried around. For a second he seemed surprised. I only had a small backpack, but I’d managed to fit all the essentials into it. Pluss a change of cloths for myself. I was rather proud of myself…

“Will it be enough?” he asked, handing me the flask again.

“Depends,” I answered, shrugging, trying to get into a comfortable position with Sif slowly falling asleep in my arms. “How far are we from your territory?”

“About 4 hours.”

“Yeah,” I said, nodding as I double checked my backpack. “I mean, I have everything I need for about another 4 hours, but I’ll need some more supply sooner or later.”

“Let’s first get home,” the alpha grinned, apparently surprised at my ‘motherly’ reply. “And then worry about more supplies.”

I smiled and nodded. Perhaps being here wasn’t the worst that could have happened.