Hunting Mate

Chapter Eight

I woke up from a nightmare about my sister's death, I was dripping with sweat down my back and a tear-stained face. I climb out of bed and I get a shower, then leave my house and phase running instantly to Pandora's cabin. I stop at the barrier and just lay down, I could smell Pandora's scent which made me feel better instantly.

I debate whether to howl, I wanted a hug or even just a stroke from her but the people she was with are hunter and may kill me on the spot. Suddenly, a sound come out of my mouth; a cry which causes a light to come on from three of the four cabins, oh no why did I have to start crying again?

The doors of the cabins swing and men come out with gun then I see Pandora behind her dad and I just stare at her "don't fire!" she shouts pushing past her dad then comes over slowly to me with her hand out "hi Coby" I hear her say, I can't believe she's actually named me.

She puts her hand on my head, I let out a quiet little cry and she strokes me, she looks at her dad "please don't kill him" she says, I lay down on my side and I see her look at me-she made sure I was a male-Pandora sits down near to me stroking me still "honey, come away from that wolf, what have you been told about wolves?" I let out another cry this one loud and long, I didn't want her to leave me "dad, he's different" she says.

"Its crying for a reason, should I put it out of his misery?" one of the men ask pointing the gun to me, I growl at him and Pandora strokes me again "it's ok Coby.. Uncle Coop, you are not shooting him, just go back to bed" she snapped, I relax into her hug 'Mate, are you ok? where are you?' I hear Frankie ask 'Laney' was all I could say back 'where are you?' he was worrying 'I'm with Pandora'

I feel a little blinded as the sun shines in my eyes "oh crap that hurts" I say, I rub my eyes as I look around-the cabins-I instantly look down and see Pandora laid on the floor next to me I have my arm over her, luckily, she was still asleep. I phase into my wolf-self, worrying in case she had woke up and saw me there instead of the wolf, especially since I had no clothes on. I tell myself if she knew she wouldn't be asleep next to me and she probably would have woken me up too.

I let my head rest on Pandora's, I hear a click and I look to see the cabin door open, Pandora's father comes out "Pandora" he goes to come over but looks at me and stops "Dora" he say, I stare at him, I wanted to tell her to leave her asleep "Do-" I cut him off with a low growl, he needs to stop and just let her sleep.

Pandora turns so now she is facing me, Coop comes out and looks at me with his niece in his arms "should I shoot?" he asks Pandora's dad who shakes his head "Bill bu-" so that was her dad's name Bill cut him off "you could risk hit Pandora and if you shot it she would be mad at me" he says I wish they would stop calling me 'it'.

I feel Pandora stir in my arm, I look down at her and as soon as she wake up she looks at me and smiles "Coby, you stayed" she said sweetly, I rub my nose against her cheek not knowing what else to do, am I being too obvious that I'm a human?

"Layton?" I hear Frankie calling out loud, Pandora rubs my neck as I shoot my head in the direction that his voice came from "it's ok he won't hurt you" she told me sweetly, Frankie come into view "Frankie, shh, you are upsetting Coby" she says getting up and I get up too Frankie looks at me, I just stare at him then he looks at Pandora "sorry have you seen Layton? We are being immature and playing hide and seek and he's always awesome" he says Pandora shakes her head "Coby and I could help you look" she says "nah, having a wolf will be cheating and he hates cheats"

Frankie shoots me a final look and then head off; it isn't long before I hear a howl. Pandora looks at me, I look where the howl came from then look at Pandora "bye Coby" she says I rub my head against her hand and run 'what are you playing at? They could have killed you' Frankie asks me as soon as I get to him 'Pandora refuses to let them shoot me, you know what it's like I need to be around her' I tell him

We head back to mine and phase back Will hands me clothes "she's named you?" Frankie asked Will and Damien look at me "I guess" I say they all laugh "what's your wolf name then?" Will asked "Coby, it's a nice name" I say. I hear my phone buzz on the top; I grab it and answer the call.

"Hello?" I shrug at the guys as they all ask who it is "hi Layton, it's Pandora" I hear I smile and mouth 'Pandora' to the guys they all smile at me "hey finally" I say she laughs "yeah, my dad has gone out to get food and locked me in the house so I couldn't come a tell you-" I cut her off "wait he's locked you in the house?" I say "that's not important listen you know that cute wolf? He came by last night and I slept outside with him and he didn't leave until the next morning after another wolf howled him back" I could hear the smile in her voice.

I smile "that's amazing, you have a good bond at least you won't get attacked by wolves you are protected" I joke she laughs "yeah and I don't think my family are going to shoot him which is a good thing" she says "definitely, look I don't think wolf hunting is a good thing, I mean the wolf around here stick together just please be careful?" I say "of course, oh my dad mentioned we might be spending Christmas here" she tells me I smile hugely.

I can't believe she is staying that long I think for a moment "when is your birthday?" I ask her "January 2nd" she replies "so you aren't staying for your birthday that sucks, but you are for mine which is good" I said "yup so am I still invited?" I laugh "of course you are but I'm warning you wolves have to be left outside, no animals in my house" I say she laughs "Shepherd was in your house"

"Ah, Shepherd's not an animals, she's family" Pandora giggles "I'm sorry I didn't tell you my age before, but I'm glad it hasn't affected things" she said "of course not we can still be friends just wait until you are 18" she laughs "ok on my 18th, I will come back to find you and you will instantly be my boyfriend so date instantly" I laugh "that's a deal as soon as you turn 18 I will take you out for a date and we can officially be in a relationship" I says.

The lads all raise an eyebrow at me "just over 3 years now, I'm excited" I laugh "same here" I love hearing her giggle it's cute "right I have to go Layton, my dad and that are back, I will definitely message later on" she says "you better future girlfriend" she laughs "ok future boyfriend bye" we hang up and I just smile.

I look at the lads "we are officially dating as soon as she turns 18, it's official" I nod they all laugh "but she is going home after Christmas" I say a little disappointed, they tap my back "Coby can always keep visiting her which will make her constantly remember this place and you" Will says I smile, smart Will just gave me a great idea.