The Hunter's Daughter

Chapter 8

Monday came as a relief, an end to my Werewolf weekend as I have grown to call it. I got some shut eye Saturday night and had to be up bright and early Sunday to teach Alpha Daniel and his Beta more stuff – needless to say I was craving some normality and dullness and what is more so than school? Absolutely nothing, so it was with a smile that I walked into school that crisp autumn morning.

Taking a breath of fresh air, I savoured the noise of leaves crackling beneath my boots and the unintelligible hum of conversations going on around me. I felt safe here, like I could blend and be normal for a little while and actually believe it.

“Ruby”! I swirled around at the somewhat familiar voice, yet I was still surprised as the friendly blond twin approached me with a grin.

“Hey Austin, what’s up”? I could feel the confusion on my face at him approaching me alone.

“Oh not much, I just thought it would be cool if we got to know each other a little better” he smiled.

I was instantly suspicious. “How come”?

“Ouch, that hurt Ruby" he mock frowned, holding a hand over his heart, "but I’ll let it go if you let me walk you to class”.

I laughed, it would be nice to have some company. “Alright, but won’t Gina mind”?

“No she’s cool”. He smiled down at me and gestured with a hand for me to lead the way to wherever it is I’m supposed to be going.

“Austin, what’s going on”? I asked him as we headed inside the building.

“What do you mean”? His voice was innocent, to innocent.

“Well, it’s not that I don’t like you or anything but, isn’t this a little weird”? I asked gesturing between us.

“No, why would it be weird”? 

“Did Nick put you up to this because –“

“Did I just hear my name”? I spun around to the sound of the beautiful voice and found myself quickly falling into chocolate brown eyes. I went to say something witty but nothing came out of my mouth, I just couldn’t stop staring at him. It’s odd but I almost feel like I’ve missed him, I feel like I should’ve spent the weekend with him and didn’t.

Like he’d heard my thoughts Nick unleashed his smile on me as I carried on staring at him shamelessly. I still have no idea how he does what does to me but I didn’t care much in that second, I just wanted him closer which ironically, made me take a step back.

Nick frowned at this. “Are you ok”?

“Yeah, I’m fine” I assured while he looked concerned.

“Are you sure”?

“Yeah uh, class is going to start soon – I should get going” I stated, starting to make a move past the boys.

“Wait a minute, we’ll go together – we have all the same classes”. Like I needed the reminder but I wasn't going to get out of this, my feet wouldn't let me, glued to the floor.

“Ok”. I watched as Nick said goodbye to Austin and felt my heart thud harder when Nick took my hand and led me down the hall, crammed to the brim with other kids all making their way to the first class of the week.

I hated crowds, mostly because I’m so used to being on my own or at least feeling alone that masses of people creep me out a little. Usually I hide it pretty well, I coast on my bravado but having Nick so close to me made me react differently, like it was ok to be afraid when I was with Nick.

My body certainly thought so anyway because as another crowd came towards us – obviously going to create a clash and a lot of pushing and shoving – I leant into Nick’s side, hiding my face in his arm waiting for the onslaught.