The Hunt

Chapter 27

The modernization of werewolves has been a long and lengthy process. Settlements finally began to be the norm at the onset of the turn of the century. By the 1950’s we managed to get the majority, if not all, wolf packs under surveillance by way of gated communities. This allowed population control and studies to be done in a more convenient and streamlined manner. 

Hunter’s Codex, Pack Dynamics pg. 270

   To say I was nervous was an understatement. I was going to a gated village full of werewolves. To top it off, Alice said I may need to stay there through Thanksgiving break to let the hunters disperse some. I didn’t know where I was going to stay, Will’s I assumed, and that scared me almost more than going into a den full of wolves. 
  Not that I was scared of Will. I wasn’t. I was more scared of what would happen while staying with him and no threat of someone walking in on us. That’s what scared me. When he stayed with me for the week Chris and Cassy were gone it didn’t seem as real. Maybe because I was in the comfort of my own home, I felt more in control. 
  Then again I don’t think that will be a problem any time soon. We were in the backseat of Caden’s car and it being a sports car there wasn’t much room. Still, Will managed to leave a small gap between us. I know I told him not to touch me earlier, but now I don’t know what to do. 
  Once I had calmed down and was able to come to terms with what was going on I realized that a wall was put between us. One that could be taken down with just a few words but I didn’t know what to say. He was being cautious again, like he was when we first met. Maybe more so. 
   Every move I made had him tensing next to me, aware of where I was and moving with me to make sure we didn’t touch. Maybe he didn’t want to scare me more. I hope he wasn’t changing his mind about me, that scared me more than anything. After what he said back at home, though, I wasn’t sure if he could change his mind. 
   Trapped in a small vehicle with two others wasn’t the time to ask him any questions though. Alice and Caden carried on a soft conversation every so often from the front of the vehicle. Caden’s questioning glances in the rearview mirror was the only sign that they were aware of the tension in the backseat. 
   It took some time before we pulled up to a guard shack. The gate attendant came out and took one look at Caden, waving him on in. My nerves sky rocketed again as we passed the gate. Will’s hand moved briefly in my direction before he caught himself so I reached out to him. He tensed for a second as I wrapped my fingers through his, then relaxed. It was as though everyone in the car was tense, waiting to see how I was going to react. 
   Caden cleared his throat as we passed through woods dotted with the occasional house. “So, I thought I would give you heads up, but your parents are most likely at your place right now.” He took another turn at a red light that led into a small town. 
   I watched out the window, the small grocery stores and coffee shops passing by, as Will answered back. “I wouldn’t expect any less from them.” 
   Caden smiled at him in the rearview mirror, “Your dad caught me on my way out. It’s not like I could lie to him and tell him I didn’t know where you were.” 
   “That’s okay. Do they know Michelle is here?” He asked, glancing at me, still watching my reaction. 
   It was almost as though they expected me to jump out of the vehicle and run away. Fortunately for them, I valued my life a little more than my need to act on every urge that crossed my mind.
   Caden shook his head. “I only told him I knew where you were. That I was coming to get you.” 
I was still watching the buildings going by, they began to thin out as we entered a more residential part of town. Houses began to take over along with apartment complexes. They really had a full on town here that they lived in. 
Alice looked over her shoulder to talk to us. “It’s not like we knew she was coming with us anyways.” She smiled at me, “I’m glad you are though. You’ll love it here.”
I smiled back, “I’m sure I will.” 
It took her some time to convince me to come here. When she pulled me to the side at the park the first thing she asked me was how I was doing. Of course that brought on the waterworks that I was trying so hard to hold back. Once I had calmed down some she explained, as quickly as she could, how unsafe it was right now for me to be on my own. 
I didn’t know Alice well, but she had given me her number after our double date and texted me frequently throughout the day. She asked random questions sometimes, like what was my favorite vegetable or what color did I think the sky would be if we lived on a different planet.
She was a strange one, but I liked her and she seemed honest. 
We pulled into the driveway in front of a small duplex. It was a simple one story place made out of brick. Far enough on the edge of the suburbs that It had a yard in the background with trees further back. 
“We’re here.” Caden called from the front. 
Will’s truck was parked in front of the door with a small orange suv parked next to it. “Looks like my parents are too, like you said.” Will answered back. 
We all climbed out, Will only hesitated for a moment before offering a hand to help me step out. He didn’t let go once I was on solid ground, either.
The door that I assumed was Will’s apartment, opened up to an older man stepping onto the small porch. He was a mirror image of Will, or I guess Will was of him. Either way, if this is what I was looking forward to as Will aged, then I was happy. A smile of relief spread across his face at seeing his son, healthy and alive. That was who Will got his lopsided smile from.
“Don’t ever disappear on us again please.” He sounded just like what I would imagine an older Will to sound like too.
    From behind him a sandy haired woman stepped out onto the porch. “Beck, you need to move out of my way.” She gently pushed him to the side and looked up at us with large, warm brown eyes. She was a mother through and through, about my height but rounded out like all moms seemed to be. 
   She looked between me and Will, her eyes landing on our hands before she lit up with excitement. “Beck, move.” She pushed the older man out the way with a bit more force this time and made her way through the snow to us. 
   The man, Beck, grunted at the force she pushed him with and stumbled out of her way, before he realized what made his wife so excited. Relief washed over him as he made his way down the stairs, following Will’s mom.
   I was frozen in place, squeezing Will’s hand and not sure how to react. 
   Sensing how uneasy I was, the woman slowed her steps down and introduced herself. “I’m Lucey, Will’s mom.” She came to stand in front of us, wringing her hands. “The slow one coming this way is his dad, Beck.” She glanced over at her husband who was just now coming off the last step onto the snow. 
She turned and looked back at me. Holding her hands together to stop their movements. “You must be Michelle.” 
   I gave her a smile and nodded. “Yeah.” 
   “We should probably go inside, it’s cold.” Will jumped in, pulling me closer to him.
Four pairs of eyes landed on me, all realizing in that moment that I was human and got cold. Compared to their loose jackets and lack of gloves, I was decked out in one of those fluffy marshmallow coats, a beanie, and some fur lined boots. Yet I was still shivering from the cold. 
“Of course, of course.” His mom hurried out of the way so Will could lead me into the house. I didn’t hesitate either, practically power walking to get into the warmth.
I kicked the snow off my boots and stepped in, getting out of the wind was instant relief from the shivering. Will’s apartment wasn’t anything grand on the inside, but it was cozy. There was a small kitchen area with a breakfast nook, a fireplace on the far end of the living space and a hallway that I assumed led to the bedroom and bathroom. Plants were scattered throughout, giving the space a nice, natural feel. He had bookshelves lining most of the walls, full of books and knick knacks that he must have collected over time. 
When I turned back Will was watching me take it all in as his parents closed the door behind them, Caden and Alice standing in front of them. Will’s mom watched me, waiting for something. What, I wasn’t sure, but she was growing impatient. 
Will’s dad broke the silence, “So, Michelle, where are you from?” He had his hand on Lucey’s shoulder, holding her back by his touch. It made me wonder what this thing was that werewolves had. She was his person, soulmate.That’s what Will called it at least. 
“I’m from Alabama.” 
Lucey’s hand flew up to her mouth as she held back a squeal. Beck’s hand on her shoulder tightened briefly before it was pushed off and hands were on my face squishing my cheeks, and large brown eyes staring into mine. “Say that again!” 
“Mom!” She was pulled away a second later, Beck’s arms wrapped around her waist and Will coming to stand next to me, his arm around my shoulders.
“Sorry. I’m just so excited.” She said. And she really was telling the truth. She watched me like I was the best thing to have happened. It was unnerving but at the same time a nice feeling, knowing that I wouldn’t have to try and prove myself to his family. 
Alice walked to me and reached out to hold my hands. “Caden and I are going to go ahead and leave, will you be okay?” 
Something about Alice made me feel safe. The kind of safety you feel when you're around an adult who cares for you and wants to protect you. I couldn’t say yes, since I was still nervous to be here in the first place. I knew when she left I would feel alone even though Will was here. I just gave her a short nod so that I didn’t give myself a chance to change my mind.
“Call me if you need me.” She gave my hands a quick squeeze before turning to Caden. “Are you ready?” She called out.
Caden realized what Alice meant and quickly turned to the others, “We’ll talk later about what happened.” They waved as they headed out the door shutting us in, the only noise coming from the wood crackling in the fireplace.
Will’s mom continued to watch us. I could tell by the look on her face that she wanted to get in my space again, like she wanted to study me or something. I instinctively inched closer to Will, using him as a shield. 
“I won’t grab you like that again, I’m sorry.” His mom apologized again, moving to sit down on the small loveseat pushed against the wall. 
Beck touched his wife on the arm, and looked down at her. “Maybe we should give them some time alone, Luce. I’m sure she needs some time to adjust.” He talked as though me staying here was permanent.
I opened my mouth to say otherwise but Will beat me to it. “Actually, don’t go just yet.” He turned to look at me, “If you want, you can stay here, there’s only one bedroom, but my parents have a spare room and I can stay there if that would make you more comfortable.” 
“Why would she want that?” His mom spoke out, surprised. 
“Luce, that’s none of our business.” Beck answered. 
I watched the interaction between the two before looking back at Will. “I think I would be more comfortable if you stayed.” 
My words must have eased some of his worries because he visibly relaxed and just gave me a nod.
Beck took his wife’s hand and pulled her towards the door. “I think that’s our cue to go.” Lucey strained to come give us a hug, but Beck held her back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, son.”
Will gave his parents a smile. “Thank you.” 
They left and then we were alone, now I could ask him all of the questions that kept running through my head since we woke up this morning.