Mated

Twenty-One

James was in my dreams again. This time, we sat on the hood of his car and watched the stars. He pointed the brightest ones out to me and traced them with his finger, stopping at the North Star. His lips were crooked, he was almost smiling. He sat up on one arm and lowered his face to me.

"Wake up," he whispered. I didn't want to. I wanted to stay in this utopia with him with no one else around like I was his entire world. It was the only other dream I had of him other than the one that left moisture between my legs in the fabric of my panties. "It's okay, Lia. Wake up."

I blinked at tan walls. The sun was bright behind the thick fabric of the tent. I bolted upright, muttering a curse as the wolfsbane coated chains around my ankles seared on my bare skin where the leg of my pants had risen in my sleep.

The Hunter wasn't there. I stilled, listening to the world outside of the tent. It was quiet except for the roaring of the river below and the occasional chirping of birds in trees. I noticed his backpack still lying on the ground where he'd slept.

Crawling on my hands and knees over the cold ground, I strained not to make any noise when the poisoned chains dug into my skin and peered inside the pack. Weapons laid at awkward angles inside consisting of small guns, a crossbow, knives, and silver bullets bigger than the one that had been in my shoulder. I looked around for the map from last night but it wasn't in any of the pockets.

My chest tightened when I felt the presence of a wolf nearing. Within seconds, it was just outside. I almost smiled, the pack had found me. Only, it didn't smell like the boys and the creature released a low, predatory growl as it circled the tent. I looked around, limited to my human form as the coated chains wouldn't permit me to shift and I couldn't retreat any further.

I reached for one of the knives from inside the Hunter's bag. The lone Rogue knew I was there just as I had sensed it. It's prowling silhouette took form in front of me, through the fabric. I braced myself for its attack when its head turned sharply to the side. The wolf let out a vicious growl and I sensed the Hunter stood outside with it. I watched from where I sat as its shadow assessed the newcomer.

What happened next happened quickly. A shot rang out, its power rocking through me. The wolf leaped side to side, blocking each shot as the Hunter released his barrel at it, barely letting it recoil. He ran out of bullets and I heard him pull out another gun as the wolf's shadow lunged.

"Argh!" He yelled. The wolf's snarls and snapping teeth were enough to let me know he'd had the Hunter trapped against a tree or on the ground. I fumbled my way over to the sword he'd used to root my chains to the ground and yanked on it. I gasped when the wolfsbane laced sword burned the palms of my hand and the metal didn't budge. Scrambling on the ground toward the opening of the tent, I peered out.

"Hey!" I yelled. I didn't exactly know what I was doing, but I figured I stood a better chance than my captor. The Rogue was on top of him, who was struggling to keep his gun between him and the Rogue as it attempted to bite at his neck.

"What are you doing? Stop!" The Hunter shouted at me. The snarling stopped and I quickly pushed my feet at the ground in front of me, backing away as the wolf turned and swooshed through the air, leaving the Hunter for me instead. Its face emerged through the slit just as I was on my feet. It smelled strongly of rotted flesh and its pulled back mouth revealed stained scissor teeth. It licked its mouth as the first half of its body slowly came through, calculating. I gripped the knife in my hand. The blade was short. I would have to wait for it to lunge to be able to strike it. Then, it's deadly visage contorted and a look of pure terror flashed across its face. It's large shoulders were drawn back through the flap in quick jerks and it was gone.