The Hunter: Book Two In The Hunted Trilogy

Chapter eight

The next morning found Domonic leaning against the tree Josh had been on the night before. During the night, the guard had switched twice, first was at 3 in the morning when Luke took the post. Then at 6 when Domonic took over. It was now 8:30, Ace was beginning to wake.

"Morning Ace," Domonic hummed, not even looking in the camps direction, "sleep well?"

"As well as can be expected from sleeping on the ground," Ace chuckled, "sorry about last night, I just lost it. I was planning on asking Janace to marry me, I'm just so worried I won't get the chance!"

"I understand," Domonic replied as he turned to face Ace, "that's why I didn't retaliate. But don't do that in front of the pack or ill have to punish you."

"No kidding," Ace laughed throwing his saddle over his horse.

"My dad still cries for Sally at night," Domonic said suddenly, "he misses her so much!"

"After all these years," Ace nodded, "I do too. She was like a big sister to me. Every day I wish I had listened to her. Then maybe Eric would never have been caught and Sally might still be alive!"

"It wasn't your fault Ace," Domonic said, "trust me, she doesn't blame you!"

Talk stopped as Josh and the others stretched up from their places on the ground. The camp was being picked up when they all noticed a black smoke rising in the distance. The group threw everything into bags and mounted up. They all charged to the road, praying that the smoke wasn't rising from Little Wolf. However, once they got to the road they discovered they wore sadly mistaken.

"Get to the village!" Domonic cried to the others and kicked the sides of his horse causing it to charge toward their home.

Flames lead the fives way, trees would fall causing the horses to bolt away. Smoke began blinding them with its blackness causing them to slow as not to hit a tree or each other. Slowly they approached the gate that lead to their home to find the gate in rubble at their feet. The sight of the town made them all freeze. Buildings lay in ruin, bodies of their fellow werewolves lay strewn across the pavement. As they walked they found mothers holding babies as if to protect them from the horrible attack. They began Pushing beams off of the bodies they found and lining the middle of town where the fountain lay in rubble.

"How many so far?" Domonic asked, fearing the answer.

"Well," Ace began, "as far as I can tell all the adult pack members are dead, all but you father, Suzan, and Sharren."

"Look for survivors!" Domonic said, his heart was racing. Josh began running toward his home and Domonic toward his.

As Domonic approached he saw that his home was in ruins like the rest of the town. He searched the rubble for any sign that his father escaped alive, pulling boulders of stone and brick away as well as giant banisters. As he pulled one away he fell to his knees, Erics body lay face first on the floor that used to be their living room, his back charcoal black. Domonic turned him over and saw his face was untouched by the flame, he wrapped Eric in his arms and cried out into the sky. He didn't even realize Ace was running up as he began shaking and dropped Eric. His blood boiled and hot anger flowed through his vain. Domonics clothes were reduced to shreds as he became a giant wolf.

"Domonic-" Ace froze in place his eyes filled with hurt, "Eric! Domonic... Sampson will pay for this! I promise you, one day he will pay! But right now we need you, we found some survivors! Including Suzan!"

Domonic turned his head toward Ace, his eyes filled with relief. Ace bent down and closed Erics eyes well he picked him up to put with the other dead. Ace lead the way, only to stop for a moment and lay Eric in line with the others. Domonics heart fell as he saw that another body had been added before Eric. Sharren lay on the street her eyes closed and motionless. Ace kept walking and Domonic followed, his anger growing. Ace rounded the corner to face where Suzan's house once stood, Josh sat cradling Emma who was crying into his shirt as Luke and Marrium helped the people who were in the cellar out. Domonic saw Suzan counting the heads of young children that surrounded her. He barked for a blanket and began shifting as Ace threw a blanket from his horses saddle bag at Domonic. Once in human form Domonic ran at Suzan who wrapped him in her arms.

"Oh Grandma," Domonic pulled Suzan away, "Dad didn't make it."

"I know," Suzan nodded.

All talk stopped when Josh suddenly began to shake. Josh looked quickly at Domonic, and as clear as if he shouted his eyes screamed one name, 'Emma!' Domonic bolted for Emma but was thrown back as Josh turned into a huge wolf. Emmas scream pierced the air as Josh jaws clamped down on her left arm. Josh dropped her arm and backed away from Emma as she began to softly cry. Josh looked once more at Emma before darting away into the woods behind Little Wolf.