Page 11

The Hunter

THE HUNTER’S MOON

T onight is the full moon. The Hunter’s Moon.

Tonight, all my waiting and planning will finally pay off, and I’m giddy with excitement.

I’ve been watching my prey through a series of trail cams I set up throughout the park. At first, I was puzzled over the giant red wolf that kept showing up in the images and videos. It wasn’t until I caught it throwing itself at the invisible barrier to realize he was my lycan.

At first, I was furious. If I wanted to hunt a wolf, I could do that anywhere and anytime. But that’s why I’m waiting for the full moon— the Hunter’s Moon . Maybe Hollywood got something right and as soon as the moon rises my lycan will be transformed.

I’ve tried contacting Wizard again, to clarify this is the case, but the little fucker took my money and ghosted me. So, I study the wolf. Learning. Planning.

The day I noticed the unauthorized campers a rage like I’ve never felt washed over me.

Of all the times to have to deal with trespassers.

Lucky for me, my lycan picked up their scent almost immediately and quickly began hunting them.

I expected him to dispatch the campers with swift, if messy, efficiency.

More than happy to let him take care of my little problem so I wouldn’t have to fake the animal attack the authorities will inevitably find.

But he’s been playing with them. Even going so far as to separate one of the girls from the group.

And now I have a half dozen inquiries into the missing woman from the authorities as well as the Army. Because the girl my lycan has taken a liking to turned out to be an Army officer’s brat.

I’ve been holding them off, going so far as to fabricate some of the trail cam footage so it showed the girl leaving the park. That will only buy me so much time before they send out a search party. I just hope I can keep them off until after my hunt.

Leaning back in my chair, a smile spreads across my lips as I imagine the chaos a full-scale search party would cause with a rabid lycan on the loose.

Reaching across my desk, I tap a key and pull up a screenshot from one of the trail cams. I’ve been staring at since I saw it this morning. The girl is curled on her side next to the remnants of a small fire that’s long gone cold. Curled around her back, so she’s tucked against him, is my lycan.

I’m curious as to how this truce between them happened, and furious the lycan would stoop to warming something so inferior to it as this female.

Not that it matters. If the Lycan hasn’t taken care of the girl by the time I take my trophy, I’ll deal with her myself. I already have a statement ready for the authorities and an airtight alibi.

It’s such a shame. A senseless accident. Don’t these kids know there are dangerous wild animals that live in the forest? The bears can be especially dangerous this time of year as they prepare for hibernation.

“What will you think of your pet wolf tonight when the moon rises, and he turns into a blood-thirsty monster?” I snigger under my breath.

If the lore can be believed, as soon as the first rays of the rising moon hit him, he’ll change from wolf to something monstrous and vaguely humanoid.

With sharp fangs and claws. He’ll be crazed, especially after being forced into the shape of a wolf for so long and will likely lash out at the little human, and anything else he comes across.

I hope I’ll catch the moment she first sees him in his true form.

Just thinking of how her pretty features will contort with terror has me shifting in my chair, adjusting my cock.

Maybe there will be time for some fun before I dispatch her.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to let myself truly enjoy some of my more wicked tastes.

I adjust myself once more, then reluctantly turn the screen off.

Perhaps I should go after the girl first. Use her to get my blood pumping for the main event and then get rid of her so the lycan is focused on me, rather than her.

Bracing my elbows on my desk, I steeple my fingertips and let my smile widen into a grin.

Yes. That’s what I’ll do. I’ll bet her body will be soft and responsive when she thinks I’ve come to rescue her.

Her screams will ring sweetly in my ears when she realizes I’m not taking her home.

Just imagining the look of horror and betrayal on her face turns me the fuck on.

I can’t wait to hear her choked breaths as I cut off her air with my hands.

With a push, I roll back from my desk. My weapons are already packed. Guns and ammunition, my knife. Not that I’m planning to use them, they are only for a worst-case scenario. This hunt is for sport, so I’ ll be using my compound bow to take down my prize, rather than high-powered rifles.

Excitement sings through my veins, and there is no sense wasting time waiting for nightfall.

The lycan will be at a disadvantage if I come after his plaything during the day rather than after dark when he’ll be at his full strength.

Besides, it’ll give me something to do instead of anxiously waiting for the moon to rise.