The Huntress

Twelve

Payne:

    The drive to her spare house as she had called it was amazing. She explained the historical meanings behind a lot of things we drove by. She even slowed down to point them out. I love the sound of her voice. She seemed to be happy here. Like she loved everything about her pack. There's so much pride in the way she spoke of everything. I thought the trip would have been silent and awkward but it wasn't. She answered all of my questions with a smile on her face.

     "You're a good teacher," I said as she got out of the car. She came over to open my door. I have no idea how to get out.

    "You're a good student," she smiled as I struggled to get out of her little car. "I have to get a new car,"

    "Why?" I asked. "I don't know anything about cars but I'm sure this is expensive,"

Her car looks like it came in a hot wheels package. One that's never meant to be opened.

      "I'm keeping this one. It's a gift from myself for graduating right on time. She's my princess," she said looking over at her car in admiration. The color seemed to be purple one second and the next blue. "I need one that you fit in. once we get you into shape, you're not going to fit... That's what she said," she whispered the last part and snickered. I smiled completely clueless. "Besides I need to teach you how to drive. Some training exercises are on the other side of our territory where Austin and his mate Nate live,"

     "His mate is a boy?" I asked. She smiled and nodded.

    "Yeah, our beta is gay. Just as the head huntress is a female. Times change huh," I nodded as we walked up to a giant two-story house.

    "This is the spare house?" I asked. She smiled.

    "Yeah, my alpha built it for my Luna. When she gets a little mad at him she tends to run off to get away from him. How it works she comes and stays here around the midnight run alpha comes and they spend the next two days locked in here getting back on track if you know what I mean," I nodded not knowing what she meant. 

    The inside of the house smells of lemon and pine.  Everything is beautifully arranged and detailed. The Luna must like staying here away from her angry mate. It must help her relax. A ring echoed through living room making me jump.

     "It's just the phone," Zulu said picking up an old Victorian like phone. "This is Zulu," she answered. "Yes, sir... Thank you sir... Give us a few days let me help him warm up to everything... Of course, I'll call as soon as we're ready. ..  Yeah, I'll call him and let him know..... Yes, he arrived safely in Manhattan he texted me when he arrived earlier tonight..... It was great speaking to you as well sir, say hi to Luna Winters for me... Bye, sir,"

     "Everything alright?" She frowned as she set down the phone.

     "Yeah, it was former Alpha Winters. He called to congratulate me," she had a guilty expression.

     "You don't seem too happy," she straightened up and sighed.

     "The alpha's of this pack are family. They're happy you're here but, umm...Usually, we find our mates by the time we're sixteen. I went from pack to pack searching for you. I went around three years and as school got harder I came home and I sort of gave up the hunt. I figured if it were meant to be you'd find me. Two more years went by and my wolf gave up and we started to date Jack. We got pretty serious. His mate had died shortly before I had arrived so it kind of worked out for both of us," my wolf didn't like that one bit but there really isn't anything wrong with that. I would have done the same thing in her place. Probably given up much sooner.

     "They treat you as if you were born into this pack," I stated. She smiled a little.

     "Yeah, I was a rogue. I was born into Fire Rose," my heart sped up. "They've done a lot for me but none of it has been free. I worked very hard to get where I am,"

    "What happened? How did you get here?" 

    "My so-called father did something to little brother Richie. He was eleven. I was thirteen when I took him and went on the run. When I was fifteen we accidentally trespassed here. My brother sensed his mate. I kicked the betas and a few fighters butts. They had just been crowned. Alpha was impressed and allowed me to join. They've been my family ever since,"

    "I'm sorry to hear that about your brother. He seems like a great guy,"

    "He is. He's amazing. He got over it and moved on. I'm glad he did,"

    "Have you?"

    "Have I what?"

    "Moved on?" she smiled.

    "You know it's taken a long time but I'm starting to let it go,"

    She gave me a tour of the house. She said she knew it because she helped the Luna furnish it and decorate it when she was her guard. Zuluna seems to love the moments she had spent with the Luna. The way she spoke of her and the smile that made her eyes brighten is beautiful.

      "You can stay in this room. I'll be in the room across. Former Alpha Blake had a few things put in here for you. Feel free to snoop around," 

      "Thank you for answering all my questions Zulu," she smiled and kissed my cheek.

     "Any time Payne. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning," 

     "Good night," she went over to her room without closing the door.

    My body warmed when she gave me that kiss. It made me completely tense. I didn't know what any of it meant but I like how it feels when she touches me. I love the sound of her voice. I want to get stronger. So that I can try and be what she wants.