The Lycan's Prey

Chapter 4

I continue my walk through town looking behind me as if my bounty hunter of a mate would jump out of nowhere and take me with him. The holiday rush fades away as I tune my senses into listening for his heartbeat. I can't hear it and I assumed he'd left the city already or at least was on the outskirts. My inner wolf whines with the need of being close to her mate. I sigh. We both should know that getting near him mate or not would be dangerous him being a bounty hunter and all.

"Alaina?" I hear a voice call to me, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I reply looking up to the red head that looks like Cara as a younger woman.

"Hi, I'm Caroline, Cara's niece." I smile as their scents matched each other perfectly. Pastries and coffee.

"It's nice to meet you." I say to Caroline and she takes my extended hand with excited radiating off her.

"My aunt told me to take you out." She says a wide smile gracing her lips.

"We're already out." I reply confusing making its way through my features.

"She basically meant for me to show you what's fun to do around here." She says pulling me down the street and towards a nicer looking truck to Dutch's and we both hop in.

She takes off barreling down the streets almost knocking into a couple other vehicles that sound their horns at us. I grab my seat as the wind tosses my hair in my face.

"So, you've been here for a day, what do you think?" She says taking me onto a ranch. We drive for at least two miles until we see a cozy looking barn nestled against the backdrop of nature. I take in the serene surroundings, the warmth of the barn radiating a welcoming glow. The scent of hay and horses fills the air as we come to a screeching stop.

"It's beautiful." I say my eyes wide with awe as I see how truly large and magnificent the barn is up close. Caroline beams at my response, enthusiasm radiating off her in waves.

"I'm glad you like it. This is where the teenagers and some people in their twenties got to hang out."

We both step out of the truck, and I follow Caroline to the barn which has country music blasting from it. She smiles as she hooks her arm with mine urging me forward and towards the lively music.

As we approached the entrance, the barn door swings open and out pops one of the girls from the cafe. She had blonde hair and a pink sweater on, with jeans, making her long legs look even better.

"Caroline!" She shouts as her other friend also pops her head out of the barn. She is a real red head, with stunning green eyes and a grey sweater and a skirt. I wondered if she was cold but was afraid to even ask.

"Alaina meet, Lola and Abigail my best friends." She says pointing to the blonde then to the red head. I wave as then engulf me into a hug.

"A friend of Caroline is a friend of ours." Lola says still hugging me. She seemed slightly intoxicated because no one was that bubbly.

We stepped inside and immediately I understood why Abigail was only in a skirt as the heat from the barn hit me. The smell of sweat fills my nostrils and I try not to cringe at the smell.

The smell aside, the place seems transformed from a barn would look like. There's a makeshift dance floor made of wood slabs. Fairy lights are hung all over. Laughter and chatter floods through the air as teenagers and young adults gather around barrels converted to makeshift tables. The air is filled with the aroma of barbecue. Caroline wastes no time introducing me to her other friends and neighbors. I finally get to see who Lynx, the potential wood chopping champion.

"Here drink this." Abigail says and I glance at the cup she hands me wearily. I take a sniff and confirm that it's just alcohol and take a sip, cringing at the satisfying burn as it slips down my throat. Caroline pulls me towards the dance floor and twirls me while Lola grinds against me. I laugh as Caroline shows off her dance moves. It would have been embarrassing if she wasn't doing each step with oblivious confidence.