The Hunt

Chapter 15

After extensive studies and questioning we have found the mate bond to be an extraordinary thing. The physical attraction between the two mates is almost instinctual. They have no control over their bodies once intimacy has been initiated when left to go on instinct alone. Only through thought process can they control this bond. As though the human side is the only thing keeping them in control. We tested this theory through administered drugs reducing thought capabilities to its most basic animal form. 

Hunter’s Codex, Werewolf lifestyles pg. 456

      Two dates. I had gone on two dates with Will since I had my cast removed. Chris and Cassy had been busy the last couple weekends and so I’ve been spending more time with him. I’d already learned quite a bit about him too. 
      His family was part of a local gated village nearby and his father helped run the community center. He was taking a few business and political courses at the college since he planned on taking his dad’s position one day. He enjoyed being outdoors as much as I did, although a bit more comfortable with the cold than me. 
       Our taste in food was a bit different. I loved trying new things when we would go grab something to eat together and he didn’t seem to be a fan of vegetables, offering me his every chance he could get. 
      November was here and the winter weather was in full swing, it had already snowed a couple times and I was freezing to death. Or at least I thought I was. 
      I was in the truck with Will on our way back from the bookstore. He had bought me the second book to a series I had and I was looking forward to reading it tonight. 
      He was holding my hand again, he would every chance he got, and I was enjoying the warmth of it. Everything about him felt right. It felt like home and that scared me more than anything. I’d only known him a couple months now and even though I still pick with him every now and then I don’t think he would ever lay a finger on me if I didn’t want him to. 
      I had talked to mom a few more times but didn’t tell her just how much he was beginning to mean to me. She did know Chris and I decided to stop things before it went further and that I was hanging out with Will more. Just not that I was a little too comfortable with him for such a short amount of time. 
      “What are you thinking about?” Will smiled at me from the driver’s seat, one hand on the wheel, the other held mine, playing with my fingers. 
“Not much, just that it’s getting too cold out.” I said.
      “It’s only going to get colder from here on. This is nothing.” 
      “I know.” I groaned and laid my head on his shoulder. I could feel him laughing quietly at me.  
      “Don’t worry, I can keep you warm. Just say the word and I’ll strip now.” He joked.
      “Dork.” I laughed at him. Even though we had gotten to know each other well I could tell he was still hesitant around me. Almost like he thought I would run away if he pushed too hard. He would joke with me but never actually act on it. Maybe if I made the first move he would be more comfortable.
    I sat back up as we pulled into the driveway of the apartment, Chris and Cassy gone again this weekend on a family trip of some sort. Will came around and opened my door for me, helping me down. 
    I looked up at him when we reached the porch. “Hey.”
    He raised an eyebrow at me, a smile playing on his lips. “Hi.”
    “You're supposed to ask what.” 
    He gave me another of his lopsided grins. “Okay, what is it?”
    I took a breath and smiled at him. “I like y-”
    He covered my mouth with his free hand and shook his head. “Nope. I want to say it first.” He moved his hand and stepped closer. “I like you.”
    “Not fair. You cut me off.” A blush crept up my face and my stomach did flips.
    “Very fair. I would also love it if you did me the honor of being my girlfriend. Not just a date.” He leaned closer, touching my forehead with his.
His arms wrapped around my waist and my body burned everywhere he touched. “Okay.” 
    That must have been all he needed. He leaned in and fireworks went off when his lips touched mine. I leaned into him, my body moving on its own as I wrapped my arms around his neck and parted my lips a bit. He took the invite and our kiss deepened, almost like we craved each other. Like we needed it. It was a slow, deliberate kiss. Full of promises that made my insides tingle with excitement. 
    Will pulled away too soon. “I should go.” 
    I was about to say something when I realized why. “Chris’ car was coming down the road, about to pull in. 
    He turned to walk back down the steps before stopping and looking back at me. “Hey.”
    I laughed. “Hi.” 
    He shook his head, a grin plastered on his face. “I’ll see you later, be safe.” He gave me another kiss, this one just a peck, but enough to make my legs weak. 
    “I will.” 
    I watched as he pulled out of the driveway just as Chris was putting his car in park. This was about to be a conversation I wasn’t looking forward to.
    I turned to head inside when Chris’ door slammed shut.
    “What the hell was that?” Chris yelled across the driveway as he made his way towards me.
    I looked back at him. He was furious, I knew why, but that wasn’t a good enough excuse. “That was called I just got back from a date.” 
    He climbed the steps of the porch, shaking in anger. “I told you to stay away from him”
    “What does it matter to you?” I turned on him, frustrated that he would feel entitled to who I can and can’t date since he agreed we shouldn’t be together. 
    “I don’t care if you go on dates Michelle, just not him.” He was yelling, his fists clenched at his sides. 
    “What do you have against Will? You don’t even know him!” I turned and unlocked the front door. 
    Chris grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me back to face him. His fingers dug in, hurting as I tried to pull away. “Everything. I have everything against him!”
    I freed myself of his grip and tried to back away. My heart was racing from anger and, to my surprise, fear. Chris was scaring me right now. “Why? Because he took me on a date?”
    I managed to get the front door open and went inside, Chris hot on my heels. “It doesn’t matter. Did he touch you?”
    “What are you even doing here? And where’s Cassy?” 
    “I came back to grab a few things she left. She’s still with our aunt.” He tried to follow me up the stairs as I made my way to my room. “You didn’t answer me. Did he touch you?” He was still yelling, getting louder by the second.
    I stopped him before we reached my bedroom door. Looking him in the eye I said, “So what if he did?”
    Chris was fast, he grabbed my face and pushed his mouth against mine, trying to kiss me. I struggled against him pulling at his hands to get them off of me. The feeling of his lips against mine made me sick to my stomach. 
    When he finally let go a loud crack sounds through the hallway. His cheek burned red where I slapped him and disbelief shone in his eyes. I slammed my bedroom door shut in his face and locked it, sliding to the floor holding in the tears that threatened. My throat tightened as I tried not to cry. 
    Chris’s footsteps faded in the distance down the stairs, a slam coming from Cassy’s room as he went to retrieve whatever it was she left behind.
    I pulled out my phone and noticed I had two missed calls from Will. It began to vibrate again as he called a third time. 
    Wiping my face, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and answered the phone. “Hey.”
    “Are you okay?” The worry was evident in Will’s voice. 
    “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” I said.
    “Open your window.”
    “Huh?”
    “Open your window.” He repeated.
    I walked to my window and pulled it open, not even two seconds went by when Will pulled himself up on the sill, climbing in.
    “How did you do that?” I looked down at the distance. There’s no way he just climbed the house.
    “A secret.” He said.
    He pulled me in for a hug and I melted into it. Enjoying the warmth and tingles he put off. He just held me for a moment, his arms wrapped around my shoulders while I buried my face into his chest. 
    He kissed the top of my head and whispered, “I should have stayed.”
I grabbed the back of his shirt and held on tighter. “It wouldn’t have ended well if you did. I don’t know why, but he hates you.” 
    A laugh rumbled in Will’s chest. “Never even met the man.” 
    “That’s what I said.” I laughed a bit, feeling better with Will here. “He’s still downstairs in Cassy’s room.”
    “I know, why do you think I came through the window?” 
    “Maybe because you felt like it?” I pulled away wanting to go wash my face off.
    Will held onto my hand, stopping me. He touched my cheek, wiping at my eyes. “Did he hurt you?” His voice was soft and in that moment I felt like the only thing in the world.
    “Not physically.” 
    He leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss. This time it was harder to hold myself back. I wanted to pull him into me and give him everything. 
    This was dangerous.
    He pulled away and kissed my forehead. “I’ll stay with you for a while if you’d like.”
    “I would love that.” I whispered back.