The Hunter: Book Two In The Hunted Trilogy

Chapter seven

The groups charged toward the road. The sound of galloping hooves, that were not those of his pack, caused Domonic to come to an abrupt halt. The smell of silver bullets burned Domonics nose making him curse.

"Hoods up," Domonic ordered, pulling up his own, "hunters! And Sampsons with them!"

Quickly the group pulled their hoods over their eyes and looked down going at a slow trot. Domonic saw Ace go pale as he road beside him. Looking to Ace threw his hood Domonic mouthed, 'keep you head down.' as Sampson called out:

"Halt travelers!" Sampson pulled his hand up cause the hunters to stop, "I am Jack Sampson-"

"We know who you are!" Luke growled causing him to get a giant glare from Domonic.

"How," Sampsons sneer caused every hair on Domonics neck to stand on end, "I know you are not from Bacau!"

"We-" Domonic stammered as the hunters rose their pistols, "we saw your face on the bored for schools at the train station!" Domonics heart pounded with fear, he didn't care if he died but he had promised Sharren he would protect Josh! And he wouldn't let the pack suffer for his slip!

"Oh," Sampson sneered again still not having his hunters lower his pistols, "Menark JR."

"Yes sir," a small black haired boy came up.

"Is there an add for my school at the station?"

"Yes sir," Menark replied and faded back again.

"Alright," Sampson said, clearly disappointed, "I do apologize good sir. Our town has had, monster, trouble lately and one can never be too careful."

"Agreed," Domonic said, forcing back a sneer, "Its fine sir." Each word of the lie came with a foul taste.

"Well sir," Sampson continued, "There is an inn here in Bacau if you want to sleep in a dry place."

"Oh no sir," Domonic replied, "We have not a lue to our names!"

"Alright sir," Sampson began to turn away, "Watch yourselves."

"We will," Domonic nearly growled as Sampson and his hunters disappeared into the south wood. Domonic prayed that they weren't heading for Little Wolf but knew that he couldn't go back.

"What now?" Josh asked.

"Set up camp," Domonic watched in the direction of the village worriedly, "we can do nothing right now."

The five began to search for wood and set their saddles on the ground. Domonic tied all the horses to a piece of rope that she had tied between two trees. By the time he got to sit down a nice warm fire had started and Josh was prodding it with a stick. Ace sat on his saddle, still slightly pale, watching the distances.

"Someone should keep watch," Domonic spoke, breaking the silence, "preferably not you Ace."

"Sampson knows your face," Josh said quickly when Ace gave that, "What?!' look, "so do some of the teachers. It would be suicide!"

"Right," Ace growled, face still red with anger, "don't want to put the group in danger."

"I want Sampson as much as you do Ace," Domonic tried to calm him, "but now is not the time. It was almost impossible to not attack him today! He was close enough to touch! But if I had, we would all be dead, or worse!"

"Then let me, scout," Ace howled, now on his feet, "let me be useful!"

"You are Ace!" Domonic replied, "you're the best second an Alpha can have!"

"But how do I help Domonic!?"

"You help by telling us how he'll run things!"

"Domonic! I'm 43 now! My time is almost over! I will be useless when I can't shift anymore! Let me be useful now!"

Silence filled the clearing as the other five stared open-mouthed at Ace and Domonic. No one had ever heard Ace speak out against any Alpha. In fact, they hadn't heard anyone anywhere to speak out of turn against an Alpha.

"Calm him!" Lilly witch appeared as Ace began shaking uncontrollably.

"Ace!" Domonic barked, "Calm down, NOW!"

"Right, calm," Ace breathed, "I'm sorry Domonic, I just really want to find Janace and the others."

"That's not why I came out here," Domonic said, "I came out here to learn about my Mothers and Father, nothing more."

"We will find them," Josh said, causing the others to jump as they all had forgotten Josh was there, "at some point. Even if it means getting captured."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Ace let his head fall, "I heard Mandy die once, I don't think I could hear it again and know I was wrong."

"We should all get some sleep," Josh said, "I'll take the first watch,"

"All right," Luke yawned, "you coming to Marrium?"

"In a minute Josh," Marrium replied, "I have to put some things away."

"Well get some sleep, all of you," Domonic said, looking off toward Little Wolf, "we have to get back to Little Wolf tomorrow, let's just hope we aren't too late."