The Hunter

Chapter 4

I was demanded to go to Dark Night territory. I was followed by two guards on foot in case I had any ideas to run. I figure it would be easy to ditch the two guards. I did make a living by being guileful, but I could feel the eyes on me behind the trees. I was being watched on two feet and four.

I finally made it into the territory and was directed to a large building and behind the door sat the three most powerful wolves in this region. All their eyes were on me, even my dads, I guess I unintentionally got his attention now.

“what the hell was that?” the shadow asked, with all his glorified creepiness. He was pale and sweaty, his long dull black hair sticking to the skin.

“I believe they call that an attack,” the enforcer said obviously.

“This is what I’m saying, this is the reason that these murderous wolves, these rouge, these hunters need to be put in their place” The shadow bellowed

I stepped forward clearly being ignored for the most part “with all due respect your grace, that rouge was not a hunter”

“he was wearing black, he had knives like the rest of you,” he said pointing his accusing eyes at me.

“so I’m guessing if he was wearing a nice shirt and kakis you would think he was a pack wolf?”

“no my dear,” he said standing up planting his hands firmly on the table “if he had a brand then he would be a pack wolf”

“We have our brand”

he laughs “where?”

“on the back of our shoulders,” I said turning around to let them see all my small wolf tattoos scattered over my shoulders.

“it's for the number of a successful mission,” I turning back around “the number of legitimate kills,” I said looking into everyone’s faces.

“we brand to know whose is the best”

“that absurd” the shadow said getting on my nerves.

“no that is proof, proof he is not a hunter. search his body. hell ill do it myself”

“no you will not” the enforcer and my father said at the same time.

I looked at each of them like they had two heads. I steady my voice trying to stay calm because losing my shit was not going to help me get anywhere “listen, you taking away the hunters would not be good for anyone. This is how we feed ourselves, this is how we survive. Despite how much packs hate to call on us, we do things that certain wolves cant do and as you can see tonight you need us”

“oh forget tonight,” the shadow yelled “how do we know that was not planned to seem like we need you”

“are you serious?” I said incredulously.

“It is mighty convenient that he came right when the enforcer was telling everyone that he was dismantling the hunters”

“and what would be his rewards, death? A pack could have made that arrangement themselves. Not everyone is happy with an outside enforcer, not to mention we did not know his position on hunters yet”

"you’re telling me you made that throw from almost a mile away and hit dead center. it had to be set up”

“interesting ” my father mumbled.

my eyes flash to him. they showed the briefest moment of hurt before they set to determination.

I back away slowly, all the way to the door before I took out my knives.

“now wait,” the enforcers said. I put one knife to my lip making the shush sound, but still, he process slowly to me, unsure what was going to do.

The first knife flew out of my hand, slicing between the enforcer's head and the shadows, before embedding itself into the opposite wall.

“that’s enough” but my second knife flew out of my hand. That one flew the opposite way, around the enforcer's head and embedded right next to the first. The last I flick my wrist further, this time it slice in between my father and the shadow, curving just a bit before hitting the spot under the first two knives.

I walked swiftly back to my spot in front of them and looked squarely in my dad's face, forgetting the enforcer and the shadow at that moment.

“With all due respect to your graces, I do not need a fucking decoy to hit the mark, I always hit my marks.”

“that is it, young lady,” the shadow said “you do not know your place or to whom you speak, you will be punished for your insolence”

“punish? for saving your life?” my eyes looked at the enforcer but he did not look at me.

“punish for your insolence and your disrespect” clarified the shadow. I rolled my eyes, too mad to see the gravity of the situation. “guards” he yelled “take her to the dungeon”

The eyes of the enforcer and my dad widened “that is not necessary”

“oh really enforcer, you don’t think the dungeon is the appropriate place for a misguided rouge?” the shadow eyes were dancing with excitement.

“no, I don't think it's a place for a high-ranking wolf” the enforcer clarified

he laughs “high ranking?”

“yes high-ranking” my dad stood up deciding to join the discussion. we all looked at him confused “she is my daughter” “mate” both my father and the enforcer said in union.

The room was quiet for the moment as they decided my faith and I was boiling

“well I see,” the shadow said finally “under these circumstances may be we can overl...”

“bullshit” I yell

“Charlestein” my father cautioned.

“no fuck you, ” I said facing him and then swung to the enforcer “and fuck you too, I am not his daughter. He made that clear years ago and I am not his mate, we have not mated. Treat me like a fucking hunter because honestly, I will rather be that than be a part of your cock-sucking club!”

The face of shock and anger was well around me, but honestly, I was not sure which was which. The shadow was the first to speak “guards take her to the dungeon. far far below.”

The guards came and threw me on the ground. I did not struggle, there was no use. That didn’t stop them from slamming my face to the floor causing my lip to split. They slammed silver on my wrist so tight that I could not feel my fingers, before ripping me up off the ground.

“make sure you take her weapons, she can be sneaky,” The shadow said eyeing me “see child,” he said walking further up “they may not know, but it's my job to know about you. Your so skilled but no pack will take you because in truth who would want a wolfless warrior. I think it would be better to have you locked up”

His eyes reminded me of the last kill I had. They held importance as if to tell me he was more than me, look at what he would do. I stared straight into his eyes and smile just like before “good luck with that” I whispered before I was hauled off.

I did not look at my father or my so call mate as they dragged me away. I didn't want them to think I needed their help, that I wanted their help, because I didn’t.