Hunt

Chapter 68: Etched in Stone

"Kyle are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"No. I... I just need to be alone for a while."

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The service we held for Vince was rushed and short. Only us hunters were in attendance, which only made the experience all the more gloomy and depressing. The events of that night are still fresh on all our minds as we gather at Vince's now empty house. I had tried to give a eulogy speech but couldn't get past the opening remarks before I broke down into tears. My body simply shutting down. Julie ended up giving my speech on my behalf.

We were in no shape on the next night to patrol during the full moon. Julie and I decided it would be best to skip town entirely, to spend the night out of range of the lycans that we knew were going to be out for our blood. From what I heard, Paul and the others did something similar, cutting their losses and keeping their heads low. Everyone had been dealt blows that night, both physical and emotional.

"Kyle... Just talk to me. Say anything, please. You've been staring at that steering wheel for an hour now..." Julie pleads to me from the passenger seat.

We had pulled off to the side of the road, shutting down the engine just as the setting sun hits the horizon. I wasn't in the mood to talk, I hadn't been since I pulled the trigger. We all knew something like this could happen. We all knew the risks we faced. So why did it feel like such a surprise to me?

Julie sighs. Leaning back and slumping down in the seat. "Okay... changing the subject then... Any word from the others? Reyna? Or Nyx?"

I shake my head, building up enough strength to utter one word. "No."

Reyna and Nyx had both vanished shortly after that night. Probably doing something similar to us and keeping a low profile until the heat dies down. If it ever does die down... They've most definitely been labeled traitors to the pack, and I'm sure David would be more than happy to get his hands on those two. It's not like they could just waltz back to the pack like nothing ever happened.

Something in me shifted that night. It had been gnawing at me since I had granted Vince's final request. I did exactly what David wanted me to do. I chose. Maybe with some heavy guidance but I still chose who to pull the trigger on.

Maybe my future is set in stone like he said... maybe I'm destined to succeed him...

Julie leans forward, turning the radio on. She cranks the volume on some pop station before leaning back in her seat.

"Let's change the subject Kyle. Something other than hunting for a while..."

~~~~~~~~~Two Weeks Later~~~~~~~~~

Summer was in full swing now. The days having grown longer with unbearable heat. The shorter nights only provide a slight reprieve from the oppressive sun of the day. On a positive note, things had seemingly calmed down with the Silverlock pack as time continued on. No sightings or altercations having been reported for weeks, and talk had been circulating amongst us hunters that maybe they simply uprooted and left the area. But I think we all know deep down that it couldn't be that convenient. I can't shake the feeling deep down that they're still out there. Waiting. Watching. Scheming...

It's on one of these hot summer nights that I find myself pulled from my familiar nightmares into a familiar foggy forest. It had been so long since I had last been caught up in this familiar spell, I had almost forgotten Reyna was capable of bringing me here. Opening my eyes I'm staring up into the fog-filled canopy. I shield my eyes from the white light that stings my eyes. Sitting up I blink away the confusion as I gather my bearings.