Thornblakes

Chapter 2: Encounter

I finally got my cast off two weeks ago and everything has calmed down. It took everything I had to convince Ryder to let me and Kylie go into town. In the end she is glued to my side, by both their choices, and there are about four warriors outside. We were inside a small café.

It wasn't much, but I hadn't been out side in over half a year, asides the thirty or so minutes my fight lasted. This felt like freedom. How sad. Me the famous hunter who ran about in the night, essentially doing what I wanted, when I wanted, where I wanted considered this freedom.

Getting up I walked to the counter, waiting for the barista only to catch a nearby conversation exchanged in hushed tones.

"I don't believe it. I've seen Red's kills before. They were her bullets, but they weren't her style." He muttered to his companion.

"It does seem to have a few different styles lately, but it is the right gear." The other man retaliated.

"Her activity stopped for months, so why suddenly appear again? There's too much activity and too much movement." Damn right. I haven't been active at all, so who the hell had been using my stuff?

"Well the Council tracked most activity back to this area. They think she's taken up residence in town and word has it they're sending Erik after her." Shit. Shit. Shit. And who the hell is Erik?

The other man scoffed. "Now that's a pairing. You think they have an ulterior motive there?"

There was no audible response and I dared not turn around. Thank god my hair was wet, there for darker, almost blackish looking and up in a tight bun. Grabbing Kylie's coffee and mine I nodded to her to follow me and she did so, wordlessly as we exited unnoticed.

Immediately the warriors were ready and we got in the car with them. "That was fast." One chuckled. Rolling my eyes I took a sip of my coffee. Kylie stayed silent watching me on the way home.

Once we pulled in Ryder was at my side. His arms pulled me to him gently, reassuring himself that I was alive while I rolled my eyes. "I hate it when you leave." He mumbled into my hair.

"I know." I reminded and he gave a small growl in response. "Do you mind if Kylie and I go watch movies upstairs?"

He gave me as small smile and a peck on my forehead. "Of course not love." He looked back at Kylie and nodded. "I'll see you for dinner." This time he placed a small kiss on my lips before heading off to attend to pack business.

Watching him walk away, Kylie came up beside me, throwing her arm around my shoulders as we walked. She waited until the movie had started playing and no one would hear us to ask. "Red what did we hear in the café today?" I looked at her, before shifting my gaze out the window.

"I'm not sure Kylie. What I do know is we can't let the pack move outside our territory right now."

Kylie nodded. "I hate to say it, but I think we need to tell Ryder. And by 'we' I mean you." Saw that one coming.

She was right regardless. I'd have to tell him why too, and that's why I was nervous. He would not like it. We fell into a long thought filled silence before she spoke again.

"Red who is Erik?" My head shook and she frowned. "Why were those people following you and what do they mean by the 'Council'?" There was obvious confusion and worry in her voice.

It took me a minute to compile my thoughts into a decent answer. "They follow me, most likely, because it's the job the Council gave them . . . the Council itself is in simple terms a governed society of hunters." I didn't elaborate any more than that and she didn't ask.

That was one thing about those months we spent together. Kylie stopped asking most of the time.

An hour later I found myself sighing. It was time to go fight my mother in law for my son. Ryder's mother still has not accepted me, but she does accept her grandson. In fact she has tried twice to take him from me. I don't think it helped that he looked exactly like Ryder and was named after John.

Kylie gave me a sympathetic look as I rose, but she by no means wanted to accompany me.

Julia sat downstairs in the living room. John was asleep in her arms as she rocked quietly in the corner. There were a few pack members about and I was thankful for that. She was much less likely to cause a scene.

Hearing my approach her glare latched onto me. "He's sleeping." I could tell.

"I'll put him to bed then." I held out my arms.

Her eyes glanced behind me where I had no doubt the pack members were watching her expectantly as well. Slowly she passed him to me, a look of resentment in her eyes. "You don't deserve them." The words were not spoken out loud, but mouthed so no one else would know.

Refusing to give her satisfaction, I gave her a sweet smile instead. "Thank you for watching my son Julia. It means a lot." There was an audible 'aww' behind us and I knew I'd won.

Turning I found myself giving the pack members a genuine smile. "Evening everyone." Receiving a chorus of responses made me smile brighter. I did feel loved and safe here, no matter what anyone said or did.

The door opened and Ryder walked in. He received a small welcoming. Some of the pack were still mad and hadn't forgiven him for everything that had happened since his father's passing. It didn't bother him much.

In all honesty he didn't even glance at them as he met me by the stairs, a gentle, loving look in his eyes. That's not all that was there though. Guilt is still haunting Ryder. I wake up some nights to find his grip incredibly tight and whispering desperate sentiments. He has nightmares about my leaving him, and the fight. The fight haunts me as well, but not like it does him.

I've never seen anything haunt a person like those months haunt him. It has forced a guilt onto me. He is like this because of me. I know I shouldn't feel guilty, it's not rational, but love isn't rational.

Once we were upstairs I knew I had to tell him. "Ryder." His arms wrapped around me and John and I was as ready as I would ever be. "There's something I have to tell you." His grip tightened protectively but I just continued. "Today at the coffee shop there were two hunters." A growl echoed through his chest and for a moment I worried he could wake John, but he didn't. "They didn't notice us and I didn't want to tell you until you already knew we were both safe, but I want you to warn the pack, keep everyone in the forest." Slowly he nodded.

Ryder looked over my face and turned me around twice before seeming to agree I was alright and he pulled me in for another hug, pressing his lips to my forehead. "I love you Red." He whispered in my ear.

"I love you too Ryder."