Hunt

Chapter 41: The Belly of the Beast

I look around the still and quiet neighborhood. The early morning air a misleading attempt to reassure me that I was alone out here. There was no way I wasn't already being tailed or at least reported to the others.

Reyna's neighborhood was a large loop, exiting out onto the main road at two points. I had two options ahead of me. Continue on and leave at the further exit, or turn back towards the closer exit. As I stand in the middle of the road I ponder the two options before me. Neither one sounding all that appealing. I knew turning around would get me caught for sure, but they could have an ambush set at the far exit...

After much debate I decide to keep going. Maybe I somehow haven't been spotted and I was just being overly paranoid. Maybe it wasn't that big of a deal...

"Excuse me?" A man's voice from behind causes me to freeze, sending my anxiety into overdrive. "Are you alright? You've been standing there in the road for quite awhile."

I turn quickly, on edge until I can see the man who had snuck up on me. He looked middle aged, graying hair that's slicked back. He wore casual attire, a pair of wireframe glasses rest upon his nose.

"I-I'm alright. Sorry I was just getting my bearings." I say in response.

The man tilts his head, "Are you lost?"

I shake my head. Trying to place why this man seems familiar. I've definitely seen him before, "No I'm not lost, I know where I am."

The man smiles kindly, "I see. If that's the case Mr. Parker, I'd love to have a little chat if you have the time." He turns back towards a very familiar house.

My blood suddenly runs cold. A chill running down my spine causes me to stand up straighter. "H-how do you know my name?" I call after him.

The man stops, not turning back towards me. "Well, my daughter has told me all about you. You are her boyfriend after all. Please, follow me."

Beginning to grind my teeth I take one last glance around the neighborhood. That's why he looked familiar. This was Reyna's father, the man I saw in all the hunting photos in her house. The Alpha.

Slowly following after him my mind goes through a multitude of escape plans. All of which wouldn't end well if my hunch that this neighborhood was constantly under surveillance was true. The man who has yet to introduce himself motions for me to follow him inside.

"Please." He says kindly, "Come in."

His request wasn't negotiable despite his pleasant demeanor. He had posed it like I had a choice, but I know it's just a facade he's playing very well. I was like a mouse that had just waltzed into the wolf's den. Good going dumbass, you just trapped yourself...

The house was as I remember from my one other time having been inside. The early morning light was beginning to shine through the windows, illuminating the interior with a soft golden glow. He motions for me to sit, to which I wordlessly obey.

"A lovely home you have sir." I say as I try to relax in chair I sat down in, finally breaking the silence.

"Please. There's no need for such formalities." The man says quickly, waving his hand dismissively. "Call me David. You've caused quite a stir around here recently Kyle."

I try not to squirm. "I've caused a stir? I would be surprised if I've caused a bigger stir than your family."

He sighs, "I guess you're right about that. But that's not what I'm talking about." As if on cue footsteps begin to descend down the stairs behind him.

"Dad! Have you seen my..." Reyna's familiar voice calls, stopping as she gets to the bottom of the stairs. "Kyle? What're you doing here?"

"Reyna tells me you haven't taken everything well. That there have been some trust issues." David says before Reyna can say anything more.