Page 17

Chapter 17

NATE

My eyes remain fixed on the moon, captivated by its stunning beauty. It's not quite the perfect shape of a full moon, so its transformation wouldn't feel nearly as satisfying.

Still, there's a soothing presence that keeps me at peace. Unfortunately, my tranquility is interrupted when I feel vibration in my pocket. I see Graham's name flashing on the screen before I answer.

“Nate,” he greets me, “I just got some info. There's a rumor of another hunter attack from some of the packs north of the city. They say it will probably be minor, but we should be on the lookout for it.”

“Alright, thanks for letting me know.”

“Are those cars? Where are you?”

“I'm on a walk.”

Graham laughs for half a minute. “No you aren't.”

“I'm literally on the street. You just said you could hear the cars.”

“I believe you're on the street, but this has nothing to do with fitness. What are you really doing there?”

I sigh, missing when I didn't have people who knew me this well. “I'm looking for hunters.”

“What? Did you get a lead? That's not cool, you're supposed to share your—”

“No, I'm just out here looking. There's no lead.”

A pause follows. “Let me get this straight,” Graham says. “You're just out there on the street, randomly looking for hunters?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

Another pause. “Nate, how are you supposed to know when you find a hunter? We don't even know what they look like.”

I roll my eyes. “Look, I know that, Graham. I'm not crazy, but I'd rather walk around than sit at home and feel like I'm not doing anything.”

“This feels like a distraction from Madeline.”

“What if it is?”

It's Graham's turn to sigh. “I can't say I fully approve, but I'm not going to stop you. What's the plan?”

“Well, we know the hunters smell like gunpowder, yes?”

I feel Graham nodding on his end. “Yes, but that's not much to go on.”

“Definitely, but apparently the hunters that attacked Madeline's former pack smelled like gasoline as well. It's not a common combination, but if I can pick up on a scent like that, then it will be something to work with.”

“That's true,” Graham agrees. “Good luck then.”

The call ends, and I resume walking. The closest I get to anything that smells like the hunters is when I pass a gas station. This helps ground me a bit, making me focus on what truly matters.

“I should check on Madeline,” I say out loud for extra motivation. I call her, waiting patiently for her to answer while I stand by the side of the road. It takes a bit, but eventually, she picks up.

“Nate?” Madeline asks, concerned.

“Yeah, it's me.”

“Is something wrong? Is there work to do?”

I let out a small sigh. “No, nothing like that. I just … I just wanted to check in on you.” Silence on the other end, so I follow with, “Hello? Are you there?”

“Yes, yes. Sorry, I'm just a little surprised.”

“What are you doing right now?” I ask, trying to make out the noise in the background.

“I'm about to head home. I was out with a friend, but she just got a cab.”

I wrack my brain, trying to think about what friend she’s referring to. There's still so much I don't know about my mate. “I'm on Downey street right now. Are you close?”

“Actually, I'm just a street away. Do you wanna meet up?”

“Yes,” I respond without hesitation. “I'll walk you home.”

“Okay, meet me in front of the Town Kick restaurant.”

“Sure thing.”

After my call, I feel much lighter. The prospect of seeing Madeline makes me feel warm inside, even though I try to hide it.

Anticipation builds the closer I get to the restaurant. All my hope of watching my surroundings for clues disappears when my eyes rest on my mate.

She doesn't spot me immediately, allowing me some time to take in her beauty. I stare at how her hair bounces off her shoulders to rest gracefully.

Her face seems brighter than every star above us in the sky. She casually turns her head and sees me.

She waves me over as I cross the street to meet her. I stop just in front of her and we stand there, looking at each other for a second.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi,” I return. “How was your date?”

She chuckles. “Someone's jealous. It wasn't a date. I met this girl at the supply store and we sort of hit it off. It was nice hanging out with someone not from the office.”

“Yeah, I can't really relate to that.”

“You don't hang out with anyone,” Madeline says, “not even with me anymore.” There's a hint of sadness in her voice, but she masks it with a smile. Seeing her like this makes my heart break, but there's not much I can do to help.

“We're together now. I'll walk you home.”

“Wait, you were serious about that?” she chuckles. I thought you were just coming over because you wanted to make sure I was actually here.”

“Huh? No, I want to walk you home.”

“Ah, I see. You're trying to figure out where I live,” she says, playfully pushing my shoulder. “Come on, then.”

We walk silently for a block and then another one before I speak again. “What's on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on. You always have something to say. You don't anymore?”

She shrugs. “This is the first time we're spending time together when we don't have to. I'm just taking it in. I know it won't last.”

“Are you sure that's what this is about?”

Madeline turns with a frown. “Of course, what else would it be?”

“That's what I'm trying to figure out,” I admit. “You don't talk a lot about your time with the pack and I'm starting to think there's stuff you aren't telling me.”

Her frown gets even deeper. “It's not like you care. You're the one who abandoned me with them in the first place. Am I supposed to believe that you want to know more when all you've done is try to send me away?”

“So there is more. Does this have anything to do with a certain particular smell?”

Her eyes double in size. “W—what are you talking about?”

“Madeline, you need to—” My eyes suddenly mirror hers. “Come with me.”

I grab her hand and start running in the opposite direction. It's dark out now with very few people outside. Still, I managed to spot the car that has been haunting us for a while now. Its lights flash and the vehicle begins to barrel down the street.

“What's going on?”

“That car that's been following us, it's here!”

We turn and head down another street. This is a bad move because it's a smaller path with no people in sight.

I pull her along as we run past buildings with very little light in them. The car makes the turn, illuminating the entire area.

“Here!” I drag her into an alleyway. The car makes the turn and hits the building by the alley because it's too wide to fit through. Madeline and I run into a dead end.

I sniff the air immediately, expecting the smell of gasoline. Instead, I'm hit by the vague smell of cologne. A guy in a thick coat gets out of the car.

He slams the door so hard you can hear it break, but judging from the smoke coming out of the hood, a broken door is the least of his problems.

“Get away from her,” he threatens in a labored voice.

I turn to Madeline, clearly confused. “Do you know this guy?”

"No!" she replies, exasperated. "Do you think he's a hunter?" There's no fear in her voice, just analytical assessment of the threat. The Madeline I once knew would have been terrified, but this version of her is already thinking strategically.

“He's not,” I reply, with conviction.

The man vaults over the car and enters the alley. He stops and stares at us—Madeline, mostly. “I've been watching you since you arrived in town,” he says hoarsely. “That day you smiled at me at the bookstore. Do you even remember that? Our eyes met, and yours were so beautiful. And the way you looked at me—”

“What book store? I don’t even recognize this guy.”

“I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you. I followed you. I learned your name—Madeline. I learned who you hung out with. I learned about him …” He slices a vicious look at me and brings out a knife from his coat. “You should be with me, not him.”

So, he's a crazy stalker?

He brandishes a knife, waving it at both of us. My initial confusion diminishes and I move Madeline behind me. “Stay here.”

"Nate, be careful," she says firmly. I feel her shift behind me, positioning herself to act if needed. She isn't a damsel waiting to be saved; she's a partner allowing me to take point.

“Don't worry, this will be over quickly.” I take a step forward, watching the crazy man smile. “You don't deserve her.”

“I know,” I reply. “No one does.”

He lunges at me and I step to the side as his knife scraps my side, so superficial it heals instantly. The man twists before looking up with a smile on his face. His smile falters when he sees mine.

“What the fuck?” he says, as he looks at the knife. A small trail of blood on it. He lunges towards me again and I sidestep him and he misses completely.

“Enough of this,” I growl. I grip his hand with force, making him drop the knife. Fear fills his eyes as I gradually transform, letting my claws and fangs show.

“What the hell are you?”

“Someone you should never fuck around with.” I close a fist and punch him square in the face. He falls down, fully knocked out. I pull the knife from my body and drop it beside the unconscious man.

Madeline rushes to hug me, making sure I'm uninjured. The wound on my torso are already closed. up. "I'm so glad you're okay," she says.

She checks my injury with a practiced eye, her movements efficient rather than panicked.

"Next time, maybe dodge the knife," she says, her voice steady despite what just happened. "Being stab-proof doesn't mean you should test it."

“He's no match for me,” I reply. “He's just a crazy fan of yours, but he won't bother us again. Call the police.”

Madeline brings her phone out and does as I ask. Minutes later, they arrive at the scene.