Wolf's Huntress

Chapter Ten

Ruth's POV:

“I’m on the top of more supernatural’s kill list than they have members of their pack. Ticking off a few more mongrels won’t be that big of a deal.”

“Ruth, think about our organization. Think about how that could impact us and those we are saving.”

“I am thinking about them, Clover,” I snapped. “I think about you and the others every time I go out, every time I wish to hook up with some random guy, and every time I watch travelers come in and out of this town. My mind is always on this organization that I made and my sister. Every move that I make and every decision that I have made affects everything and everyone here. I can’t be the weak element here because I know that everyone is dead the moment I mess up!” I let out a sigh as I leaned back into my office chair. “So I can’t afford a serious relationship because the moment I drop my guard and let someone in, it’s game over.”

“I’m sorry, Ruth,” she whispered. “Maybe one day we won’t need to do this anymore, and you can finally be happy.” With that, Clover walked away, and I returned to work.

A few days later, Clover and I were out grabbing supplies for those she rescued. With five extra bodies, we were running out of certain items faster than we imagined. I was reading the list one last time as we headed to the store when I nearly walked right into someone. Before I could apologize, they spoke first, and the voice caused me to groan. “Hey there, Ruth. Looking ravishing as always.”

“Who is your friend, Ruth,” asked Clover, and I already knew where this conversation was going to go. I had to get Clover out of the area and fast.

“The name is Alastair Collins. It's great to meet a friend of Ruth’s.” He extended his hand to shake Clover’s, but I smacked Clover’s hand before they could touch. “Sorry, baby girl. Didn’t mean to make you jealous.”

“This is your Alastair,” she asked while wiggling her eyebrows at me.

Alastair started to purr as he leaned in closer to me. “Oh, I like the sounds of that. And yes, I’m hers.”

“So… how many rounds did you two go before you let on that you were a werewolf?”

“You, stop asking questions. And you, don’t answer her,” I threatened the pair.

“We haven’t had the pleasure yet, I’m afraid.” My head snapped in the direction of Clover, glaring at her. I was trying to get her not to ask her next question. Sadly for me, I could never control this witch.

“Alastair, what did you do to piss her off enough that she didn’t jump you right away? I mean, from what I can see at the moment, you check all of her boxes."

“Oh, and what boxes would that be exactly,” he asked while his voice became husky and seductive. Damn it, my body was betraying me.

“Tall, muscular, multiple tattoos, and you are ginger to boot. Honey, she should have been riding you within minutes of meeting you.” I covered my face with my hand to hide my embarrassment. Clover knew me too well, and it was getting me in trouble. That’s when I sensed that Alastair moved closer to whisper into my ear.

“You know where to find me next time you are in need then.”

“That’s what Tinder is for,” I hissed. I then grabbed Clover by the wrist before stomping past the towering werewolf. “Come on, Clover. We need to get this done quickly, remember?”

“Be seeing you around, Ginger,” Clover called out to Alastair as I dragged her down the sidewalk.

“Stop talking to the enemy,” I ordered through gritted teeth.

“Aw, but, captain. He looks so sad now. You should march right back there so you two can kiss and make up.”

That was when I abruptly stopped before whipping around to look at her. “Must I keep repeating myself to you, Clover? I refuse to accept him as my mate; we will never be a couple, and he is the enemy that will ruin everything we have going.”

I noticed that a few people were staring at us, and I caught my reflection in the store’s window. What I looked like at that moment wasn’t pretty. I was angry, but most importantly, I looked like a mad woman. Coughing into my free hand, I let Clover go before composing myself. Even though I was labeled a hero for finding Anita, I still didn’t have the best reputation in town. Despite the town’s population being just over 450,000, I was known far and wide as the crazy chic since high school. I honestly didn’t care what they thought until I started my protection and rehabilitation program. Part of the program was getting those we rescued used to being part of the world again, which meant taking them out into town. I couldn’t have the locals coming up to recovering patients and telling them how awful I was. The big first step was building a bond with them so that they could trust me and the others. One loud mouth could ruin all of that.

“I think you should give Alastair a chance,” she implored with me.

I couldn’t help but sigh before looking at Clover sadly. “If we can make it so that no other humans on this continent are taken against their will and mistreated again, then I’ll think about it.” Clover gave me a heartbroken look, the same one she always gave me whenever we were on the topic of finding me a guy to be with. “Come on, we have things to buy.”

We went to the grocery store to get party food supplies for those who just returned from the mission and those we rescued. I decided to close the nightclub and let everyone let off some steam. After being gone for nearly a month, the witches and my hunters deserved it. Besides, Stephon thought it was a great way to show those women that we didn’t mean any harm to them. Clover and I got everything we needed before returning to the club property. We grabbed chips, dips, pretzels, candy varieties, and sodas. Allowing the women to drink after being rescued was never a good idea. Their mental states were fragile enough; impairing them with alcohol would only worsen things.

So we got to the nightclub and set things up on the main floor before inviting everyone up. Everyone’s favorite way to relax and wind down was to hold lipsync battles. Clover played the DJ, and then Stephon and I were the judges. It was fun and kind of ridiculous, but everyone got into it. I should have been paying more attention at that time. I let my guard down. I should have focused on the nineteen women and not restocking the snack table. If I were doing my job like I was supposed to, what happened next would have never come to pass. It was Charlie’s turn, and just as the song started, one of the younger girls screamed. She held her head and let out a blood-curdling scream before bolting for the door. I tried to go after her along with a few others, but as soon as I saw that the sun had long since set.

“Arm yourselves, everyone, just in case. Witching hour is near!” With that, the other women were escorted back down to the shelter area to be guarded by a few hunters and witches. Stephon, Clover, and the rest followed me out into town to find the poor girl who was in distress. We split up to cover more ground. Just as I was starting to think I picked the wrong path, I heard the girl scream once again, and I ran towards the woods next to the park.