Blood Hunter | Tales of the Wild #1

Chapter 4

She hated the human realm.

The chatter was endless even more so than those in the supernatural realm. Not only that, but they stare. She was used to being stared at but when she would lift her eyes to meet theirs, they'd turn away in fear of her but the humans had no knowledge of her so they never cowered in meeting her gaze.

The human realm was the safest place she could be right now. While she knew that supernaturals lived everywhere in the realm, most of them were monsters who only wanted peace or wanted somewhere to hide like what she was doing. Either way, any type she may come across to who knows about her would certainly avoid being near her.

With her car parked in the spot in front of her house, she locked doors and was about to walk into the house she has owned for the last three years when she heard someone call her by the name she went by with the humans.

"Aly!"

She turned to see Mina. A woman in her mid-forties, holding up a glass tray with aluminum covered on top. Mina, along with her family, were the typical friendly and respectful neighbors that anyone could ask for. With all the years that she had moved and changed names, she could only count with one hand the number of neighbors she had that were perfect.

While she limited human interactions and would prefer it if Mina would not talk to her for the rest of the time they have in staying here, she was thankful that the woman would save some food whenever she made too much for them.

Even though she was not a woman who smiled a lot, she plastered one for the sake of looking kind. She still remembered getting told that she had what everybody called a "resting bitch face" and it practically scared everyone away. Technically, it was Mina who told her when she ignored her a few times that the woman had come up to her upon learning that she was their new neighbor.

Holding out her hands like a zombie, she ran over to the food and grabbed it out of the woman's hands. "You are sent by the gods," she murmured, leaning over and hugging Mina over the fence that separated them.

She also hated hugging or anyone else touching her but, again, Mina basically wore her down.

The brunette in front of her gave her a grin. "Make sure that Sebastian doesn't eat it all."

Rolling her eyes, she almost laughed at the woman. Still, she matched her smile. "Are you kidding? I'm hiding this in my room immediately!"

A few more pleasantries were exchanged before they separated, allowing Red to go inside the house, kicking it shut behind her. Soon as she placed her keys and the food down on the small glass and round dining table, she was suddenly attacked with a hug.

And this time, there was no pretending of pleasantries or having to suffer being touched by this one. From the scent of fresh grass and rain and the presence alone, it was Sebastien.

Her son.

To the humans, they were siblings. They always assumed Sebastien was older based on how tall he was even though he still looked younger than her physically. They were hundreds of years apart and yet, to Mina and everybody else, they looked as if they were only a year or two apart.

To the supernatural realm, he didn't exist at all.

When they separated, she held his face in her hands—an inspection. It allowed her to look thoroughly for any damages. When she'd scented him, there were no hints of open wounds and looking at his clear dark eyes, unmarked soft brown skin, and untouched dyed light brown hair, it was clear that he was as safe as he could have been while she had been gone for months.

Soon as their eyes met once more, Sebastien nodded and jerked his head away and then pressed a kiss on her cheek. "Welcome back, Ma."

"Hmm," she nodded before pointing at the covered tray on the table. "Mina cooked. Grab some plates. I am starving."