The Hunter’s Mate

Chapter One

Chapter One - 

I have always felt at peace in the forest, the beautiful sound of the autumn leaves crunching as I step onto them, the vibrant colours of yellows, oranges, and deep red autumn leaves like natures carpet beneath my bare feet bring back childhood memories, of a time long ago when I lived in such a place, hidden from society, with my family. 

That was before, so many moons ago, a time when I did not value human life, where I followed the teachings of my father, the feared Eclipse pack Alpha Cain Blackheart, his teachings were that all humans are just prey, to be slaughtered at will, during the full moon, they were nothing more than insects to him and those wolves whom he had created.

I was a true pure-bred werewolf, never bitten, but born, to pure bred werewolf parents, some thought I would be the first female Alpha of the pack, Alpha Elizabeth Blackheart, but that was long ago, and I chose a different path.  A path to live in peace, to respect mankind and accept them as people, not prey and embrace my own humanity in the process.

I remember all to vividly when that day came, it still haunts me, always will.   I saw the fear of the small young girl no more than 8 years old as my father ripped her limb from limb, it was my awakening, my conscious mind never let that image go, the horror we had bestowed on that little girl and her family.    The very next day I left my home, the pack, the beautiful forest, and that life behind me.

Tonight, was again a full moon, so I was heading out into the forest, to my den, ready to lock myself away with the pure silver chains that would burn my skin and keep me from shifting into my wolf form.  My wolf had been known as a beauty, her fur long shinney and jet black, like my hair, her eyes a piercing light blue, reflecting my own, she had been something to behold, but had never made an appearance for over five years. Each lunar month, she was hidden, chained and unable to appear. It was excruciatingly painful, but I knew the person I was, and to be a cold-blooded killer of innocent men, woman and children was not who I am despite my family connections.

I entered the wooden doors, closing them behind me, and locking them from the inside, then made my way down the darken corridor, to my chains.  I take a deep breath, then place the silver hand cuffs around my ankles, the burn is instant against my skin, then I put my neck into the pure silver collar again the instant flames from the touch cause me to cry out, then my hands I shackle them.  Only when this moon is over will the pain subside enough for me to free myself from my self-induced torture and captivity.

Richards point of view

Another full moon is upon us, my first in England, I do not know the territory, but that will not stop me.  I wait for nightfall, then pick up my pure silver sabre, that had killed so many of those terrifying beasts. 

Dressed in black cargo pants, black jumper, and black balaclava, I head out into the forest near where I was staying.  The hunter of those who hunt, looking for the signs of werewolf activity.  I came across a tree, with markings on it, to a human it would look like the bark of the tree had been removed by some wild animal, but I knew this was a territory marking, the sign made by the beasts to lay claim to the land.  I moved forward, my hairs bristling as I shifted into high alert looking to the ground for the change from human footprints to the four wolf paw prints. I could feel I was near, my training enabling me to have a sixth sense, and as I peered into the thick undergrowth, two hazel eyes returned my stare. 

The wolf lunged forward to me, its lips back in a snarl as I see the canine teeth that wanted nothing more than to pierce my skin, to rip me apart, and kill me without thought, rhyme or reason. As the beast pounced, I crouched down, giving it a false sense of superiority then as it made for its attack, I wield my pure sliver sword, and the beast cried out from the pain and burn of the sliver. It slumped to the ground, whimpering, like the wounded animal it was, and I stabbed it through the heart, and watched as the light left its eyes.  The beast shifted then, back to its human form, a man, no more than 20 years of age, he was thin, two thin, obviously an omega of the pack. 

I scanned the woodland area again, when screams reached my ears. The sounds of humans crying out for their lives, then silence, only growling and tearing of flesh could be heard. I head off into the direction of the noise, and see two wolves, feasting on human flesh. They were so engrossed in devouring there kill, they did not see me coming, and in one swift action I pieced my sword though their sides one against the other, sandwiching them together through there hearts. As I removed the sword they too changed into human form, a girl and boy around 18 years of age, lay at my feet, the love knot bracelet told me they had been mates.  But they were gone, unable  to hurt anymore humans.  Satisfied with my work, I returned to my hunt.