The Hunt

Chapter 28

Humans are to never know of the existence of werewolves. Many generations of hunters have gone into taking such a real threat and turning it into myth and lore. The people of this world are better off not knowing of their existence, and under no circumstances should hunters divulge that information. No matter the dangers the human may face, the situation should be handled with care so as not bring awareness or suspicion that anything may be wrong. If a human should ever be found with the knowledge of supernatural existence then they should be handled accordingly. 

Hunter’s Codex, Hunter’s code of conduct pg. 798

The door had just clicked shut before I was bombarded with questions. I knew she was holding back all day today, I just didn’t realize that the majority of why she was keeping to herself was the massive amount of questions she had for me. 
She started off by asking questions about our community, how there could be an entire town of werewolves and no one knew about us. That moved into questions about what it’s like to be a wolf, what we ate, if the movies were right, could you become a werewolf through a bite. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at a few of them. That got me in trouble with Michelle getting onto me saying that the only education she has on werewolves is what they put in the movies.
Finally she went quiet next to me on the couch. She had just finished the sandwich I made her and placed the plate on the end table. The click of the glass touching the wood was the only sound aside from the fire. 
We had both relaxed considerably during the course of her questioning. Even though I knew she still wasn’t sure about all of this, I think it’s safe to assume she’s at least accepted this part of me. 
She cleared her throat and fiddled with her hands in her lap, “So. This soulmate thing. What’s that exactly?” A slight blush was beginning to creep up her neck.
“It’s a type of bond that happens when we see our perfect half. An imprint happens that’s so strong we can’t physically be separated for long.” I watched her reaction as my words settled in. If I scared her away now then it really would be over. 
Her brows furrowed in confusion as she glanced up at me. “You said earlier that I was your soulmate, right?”
“Yeah.” I couldn’t help the small smile that crossed my face as I heard her ask about our bond.
“But we’ve been physically separate since I’ve met you. Is it possible that maybe you’re mistaken and didn’t form this bond with me?”
My head was shaking before the words finished leaving her mouth. “No, not possible.” I leaned back into the seat, sighing and stretching my legs out across the floor. “I know you noticed how tired you’ve been lately. Sleepless nights, no energy, can’t eat. That’s the bond. It’s fighting against the distance, trying to force us together.” 
She stared, not saying anything as she listened to me explain our bond.
“I don’t think you felt it quite as hard as I did, but I know you felt something. It’s why you fell asleep so easily while on the phone with me. Besides, we weren’t actually that far apart.” I scratched at the stubble that had grown in and needed to be shaved.
“What do you mean we weren’t that far apart?” she asked. 
The scratching on my facial hair froze. I may have said too much. “Just that, physically, there wasn’t much distance between us.”
She studied my face for a moment before recognition lit it up. Her mouth formed a small ‘o’ as she stood and backed away. “You watched me change!” Her voice rose an octave as she stared accusingly at me.
“Only once!” I stood and put my hands up in defense, trying my best to save face.
“Only once?” She yelled. “You were stalking me!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.” 
She stalked towards me, and I felt true fear in that moment that she would hurt me. I stepped back, keeping distance between us.
“Please, Michelle, just believe me when I say that I really couldn't do anything else.” I tried to coax her to calm down.
“So you resorted to watching me change and stalking me?” 
“No! I mean, yes it ended up being that way, but I promise I didn’t mean for it to end up like that.” I stepped back again as she took a step towards me. 
“Explain.” 
So I did. “It’s strong, the pull, as I was saying earlier, we can’t physically be apart. It takes its toll on our bodies and makes us weak. I stayed away that first week after seeing you in town and it was hard, the longer I went the weaker I got and the less I ate. I didn’t know what else to do.”
She continued to glare, not convinced by my words.
“I think after the attack in the woods it put a strain on the bond. I wasn’t there to keep you safe and after that I couldn’t stay away. No matter how hard I tried. I wasn’t myself when we were apart.”
I don’t know if it was something I said or maybe the look she saw cross my face, but she stopped and looked at me. Her voice was quiet when she finally responded, “Are you okay, Will?” The way she asked me the question, she realized what would have happened if we stayed apart.
   Stepping forward, I reached out and pushed some of her hair behind her ear. “Yeah, I’m okay.” 
   She nodded and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. I held her back, it finally setting in that she was here, with me, and knows what I am and what she is to me. That the hard part is over and once we can get the hunters off our backs then everything should be fine. Everything will be okay. 
  “Will?” Her voice was muffled against my chest.
   “Yes?” I leaned into her and nuzzled against the top of her head, soaking in her warmth.
   “Is it normal for soulmates to be human?” 
   She looked up towards me as she felt me tense. “No.”
   Her eyes searched my face. “Is there more you need to explain?”
   I pulled her back in and nestled into her hair once again. “Yeah.”
She grunted in response.
   “Alice seems to think you may be part werewolf and that’s why you're my mate.” 
   A laugh wasn’t the reaction I was expecting, but that’s what she gave me. “That’s ridiculous. I think I would know if I was a werewolf.”
   I chuckled in response. “You would think so, but the thing is the hunters have done some crazy studies and apparently hybrids exist. They’re practically humans in every respect except they can have mates. Just like us.” I used Caden’s term hybrid, abomination just didn’t sit right.
This time she didn’t laugh, she was quiet.
   “There’s no need to worry about it though, it’s late and you have a lot to think about.” I said.
She leaned back and stared up at me, giving me a short nod. “Where am I sleeping?”
   I gave her hand a gentle tug and led her down the hallway to the only bedroom in the house. The door was slightly cracked so a gentle push was all it took to swing the door open wide. The inside of my room was like the rest of my place, full of books, things I’ve collected and had the occasional plant scattered here and there. “My room, I’ll sleep on the couch.” 
She stared into my room and took a step inside. Eyeing my collection of stones on one of the many shelves. Everytime I would come across a cool or interesting stone while out on the trails I couldn’t help but grab them. Over time a nice selection was left on display. 
“If you get hungry or thirsty the kitchen is all yours. The bathroom is the door across the hallway and I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.” 
I watched her make her way to a Christmas cactus that was getting close to blooming.
“Goodnight, Michelle.” I turn and head down the hallway.
Her voice calls out from the doorway, catching my attention. I turn and see her peeking around the edge of the doorframe. “Stay with me?”