The Hunted - The Hunt #2

1. Finally!

It had been the best and the worst birthday ever. Daniel couldn't wait to leave the party. Dylan was talking to some of the younger pack members, the people he was going to lead in the near future, with his mate, Melody, by his side. They were a cute couple, always stuck to each other. Well, when beta Mick was around, they tried to not be too "cute". It almost never worked.

Daniel was bored. As usual, the pack paid him almost no attention. He was the future alpha's twin brother, but he was also not quite as werewolf as the rest of them. His vampire side was way more dominant and he couldn't partake in the pack activities because of it. His parents had supported him, loved him as if nothing was different when it came to him, but he knew. He was the odd wolf in the pack. That's probably why Dylan had never offered him the future beta position. Melody had no siblings and she would be luna, there wasn't another option for the position, but Dylan knew it wasn't something Daniel wanted or could handle. He had no authority over the pack, no wolf to command them.

Daniel and Dylan were celebrating their twentieth birthday, a very special occasion, as their father was stepping down as alpha to hand the reins over to Dylan. Daniel had no plans for his future. He hadn't met his mate, yet, and he had no obligations to look forward to. All he really wanted was to get out of dodge and have some fun for once. And he was finally going to get it. Their mother had forbidden all sorts of wild adventures until their twentieth birthday, knowing full well Dylan would be too busy now for any of it. She might have also hoped that Daniel wouldn't be interested in going out into the world without his mate, but she was wrong. The urge to have some fun, finally some fun, was too strong. His vampire side was itching to get away from the werewolves. Daniel loved his family and his pack as they had taken care of him, never bullied or used his situation against him, but they were wolves. Vampires don't really mix with wolves, Daniel's mother being the exception. Then again, she had found his dad before her turn, so that didn't really count.

All Daniel wanted, was to see the world. They were sheltered here in the pack. It was boring, the last time any excitement happened was years ago, when his grandparents tried to wage war against the pack. Oh, and when his sister was born. That little minx was a thorn in everyone's eye and behind. Father had wanted another kid, but even he had to admit he'd gotten more than he bargained for with Elise. She was half-and-half. Cut her in the middle and one side is werewolf and the other a vampire. Dylan was 75% werewolf and Daniel was 85% vampire. Elise was weird to even their odd family. But everyone loved the crazy Monreau family's youngest member.

Daniel looked at his brother, how calm and comfortable he seemed to be, surrounded by werewolves on all sides, sleeping with one every night. Dylan had claimed and mated with Melody in secret when they were just 16 years old, but they had declared their relationship status when Melody turned 18. Beta Mick had almost combusted with rage, he never really accepted the matebond between his little darling daughter and the alpha's hybrid son. Nothing could change his view, not even the fact that Dylan was the perfect son, brother, member of the pack and future alpha. He did everything right. Daniel on the other hand was always a little bit in trouble. Not enough to anger his mother, but enough to earn a slight scolding from his dad. Alpha Dorian was the best dad in the world. He had accepted his sons without a second though and been in their everyday life since then. He'd always had time for them, never too busy. He had taught them everything about being in a pack and how to lead one, sharing the information with both his sons, knowing full well one of them would never lead a pack. Knowing one of them would never be taking part in any leading of any pack.

Daniel was done. He'd had his drink, he'd spoken to some people and received his congratulations from them. He wanted to leave, go to his room and finish packing his bag, as the next day signalled his life outside of the pack. Unfortunately, Daniel caught his mother's vary gaze and knew he couldn't just sneak away. The luna knew about his departure and was doing everything she could to postpone it. She was worried, it was endearing and heartwarming, but totally unwanted and unneeded. Daniel was mostly vampire, he would be fine on his own. Growing up with the pack, he'd trained with werewolves and knew how to take care of himself. He understood his mother's vampire instincts were a bit crazy, but it annoyed him.

Daniel still managed to smile towards his mother, who was standing close to his father and the older pack members. They had separated themselves from the next generation of pack rulers. Daniel stood by himself, not interested in forcing himself into either of the groups. He'd always been the odd man out and it suited him just fine.

***

After another hour or so of baring through the festivities, Daniel sneaked out of the pack house. He dashed to his room, once belonging to both of the twins, and sighed. Finally alone. He looked at his almost packed bag and smiled. He was leaving in the morning. It made him happy, being able to finally start his own life. He did a mental check, to make sure he had everything he needed. Only some clothes needed adding, he'd packed his money and documents. He'd also made sure to pack the spray that hid his scent. He hadn't used it in years, ever since they'd arrived in the pack when he was three, but now, on the road, he would need it to keep himself safe. Mirelda had sent him plenty of cans to last a whole year. He took his phone from his back pocket and stared at it. He was tempted to pack it, but knew his mother would use it to stalk him if he did. He'd convinced her to let him check in once in a while. He turned his phone off and put it in one of the drawers of his desk. Goodbye childhood.

After Daniel had finished with the packing, he took a shower and got in bed. He was tired of being social and excited to leave. The sooner he went to sleep, the faster morning would arrive and he could start his life.

Daniel's last thought was how lucky he was. He'd had a wonderful childhood, he had an amazing family and he was about to have the one thing he'd so desperately needed - his adventure.