Shut Up and Kiss Me

Chapter 2: On the Prowl

  Hunters.

  They have a distinct smell since they are descended from one wolf and one human. We werewolves recognize the scent of each other. So naturally, when the werewolf scent mixed with that of a human, it garnered a scent that we've come to refer to as "Vaara" or dangerous. Lucky for us, they can't smell out werewolves. But they do have enhanced senses.

  It won't take them very long to figure out what we are, especially if they are looking for it. Without turning, I counted five of them. Even being werewolves, the group outnumbered us five to two. Ben and I wouldn't stand a chance if they started anything. Hunters don't usually go looking for trouble with the werewolves, but that doesn't mean they resent us any less.

  They have their name for a reason. However, unlike the werewolf stories teens read about these days, the hunters we know don't seek us out...unless they want something. Being part of the "tainted" bloodline means they have all our heightened senses without the change. No fur or pointy teeth means no werewolf...it means hunter. We're stronger, they're more cunning.

  We bite and scratch...

  They kill.

  Most hunters are good natured and choose to live their lives as normal as possible alongside the humans or alongside us. Sometimes both. Others have taken their resentment for us and used it to fuel the fire. We can tell when a hunter is friendly or not. These ones didn't feel friendly and something about their scent seemed off. Almost as if they were masking it somehow. I hadn't smelled it until they entered the building and gotten close to us, yet Ben and I had seen them across the street when we'd gotten out of the car.

  These were the killing kind.

  Ben and I would have to be careful if we were going to fool them. They were close enough now to feel any fear or hostility if we didn't stay calm. I gave Ben's shoulder one final encouraging squeeze, then dropped my arm. Dink came back to the front counter and I caught his suspicious eye-twitch when he glanced at the newcomers. He smiled at Ben and me, handing us our mugs of Creamy Vanilla Hot Chocolate.

  I moved to pull out my wallet, but Dink held up a hand and said, "On the house."

  For a second, I wondered if he's noticed my hand shaking, but I didn't have time to think about it. So instead I said, "Thanks," and shuffled Ben over to a booth as close to the door as possible so we could make a quick getaway if need be.

  I knew Dink cared about us, but he never gave us drinks on the house. He never gave anyone drink's on the house. The only explanation seemed to be that he knew what we were and consequently the danger of the newcomers. But that didn't make any sense. Dink's Coffee House is twenty-minutes from our house--well out of the known werewolf area. Few humans were privy to our secrets.

  "Should we call home?" Ben suggested quietly, calmly pretending we were having a normal teenage conversation.

  "No, they won't be up anyway." I replied. It was my way of saying the hunters could be listening and we should just drink our hot chocolate and act normal. Leaving too soon after we got our drinks or calling anyone would act just like an alarm.

  I glanced at the group again. They didn't look at all like their aura felt. Their attire matched the cold weather of early morning with gloves and warm coats. None looked hostile, but three guys made up the majority of the group. The other two were women and it would be difficult to tell their intentions with just a look. I wondered why Dink was suddenly so suspicious of them. 

  I surveyed our surroundings. The only other people in the coffee house was a couple and they appeared to be almost done. I sipped from my mug. Ben drummed his gloved fingers against the table-top nervously. I begged him with my eyes to stop.