Hunter ❁ N. Sorrentino

ii.

Cami strolled through the darkening street after exiting the quaint diner to collect the three meals she'd ordered in shortly before. Apart from the few locals she'd spotted at the petrol garage across the street, Bear Valley was desolate. Everyone knew everything about their neighbours, and being newcomers, Cami and her brothers were hot topics for the residents in the small town.

Her mind wondered to Malcolm's business in such a uninteresting place. Perhaps he was lying low, yet wouldn't it be smarter to hide in a bigger city? His reputation exceeded himself amongst hunters all across the world. The Barnes siblings had heard many tales of encounters with the most ruthless of all. The beast that left many with nightmares and paranoia. A homicidal monster that had escaped the clutches of the world's best for too long.

The brunette slipped down an alleyway, altering her route back to the room the siblings had rented for the time being. Caution ran in the family, but she'd always singling herself out to easy way to catch a stalker.

Yet, no footsteps followed. Ironically, she was alone, in a black shaded alleyway with the boogieman nearby.

She relaxed once she dubbed herself safe and continued down the straight path until she reached the road on which the motel laid. Her eyes fell on the rickety building and she tightened her grip on the plastic bag enclosing the food.

As she rounded the corner, Camille's body connected with something rock solid and she staggered backwards. She unconsciously reached for the blade in her waistband, readying herself for what would to come. A taller man with light washed eyes stood before her, eyeing the girl as though she inconvenienced him. Their gaze met and his expression changed. The man's eyes trailed down Cami's petite form and she clutched her knife tightly.

"Sorry," The brunette girl sighed, holding back the scolding she'd formulated in her brain.

Her hand fell from the blade handle, convincing herself that the man was no more than a womanizer, having a look. Maybe in a different life she would have worried, but clad with two knives and Glock 43 strapped to her ankle, one lustful man was the least of her worries.

He nodded as she moved past, giving herself enough space from his muscular form. But still, his hand grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. Cami retaliated by pulling her blade, angling it directly at his carotid artery. His grip released and he pulled his hand defensively in front of his chest.

"Woah, woah- I mean no harm," He spoke calmly, his gaze interacting with hers once again.

The girl's gaze narrowed as she retracted the knife. She didn't want for any passing eyes to witness the scene. Right now she would just be a tourist chatting to a local.

"I didn't mean to come off that way. It's just- most girls around here don't arm themselves." He spoke as his eyes travelled down to the bulge at the leg of her jeans. Only a trained eye would spot an ankle holster and he was neither a hunter nor a cop.

"And?" Cami shrugged, her lone hand strategically perched on her hip, "What makes you think any woman, armed or not wants to be grabbed by some strange man?"

"I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry if I startled you," The taller man said, extending his hand toward the girl, "I'll start over. I'm Nick."

Cami pitied the man. He genuinely wanted to resolve the conflict they'd ran into. She grasped his hand firmly, "Camille."

"Nice to meet you," Nick flashed a grin after releasing the smaller girl's hand. Cami hummed in agreement, sending him a small smile.

She glanced down at the plastic bag in her hands. She'd be surprised if the food inside wasn't tossed about and spilling from the containers after the ordeal.

"Well, I better get going," The brunette girl motioned to the bag before smiling sweetly once more. She moved off, ready to leave the man on the corner of the street.

Cami glanced across the street at the rustic motel building, preparing herself to cross the empty road until his voice cut the silence of the air around them.

"Wait!" Nick called out, causing the girl to whip towards him. Her long, chocolate brown hair fluttered over her shoulder as a light breeze pelted her in the face. Nick gazed at her in awe as the sun hit her face. She was stunning and he would be stupid to let her get away.

Cami watched the man advance towards her. She perked her chest displaying the 'no nonsense' attitude. She'd had enough of the cocky player.

"Would you like to get a drink with me?" He asked, trying to read the brunette's neutral expression. Her eyes shot to the ground briefly before returning to his. She simply smiled and lightly shook her head.

"Bye, Nick."

Cami spun on her heel and trotted across the road. She didn't have time to worry over her personal life or the lack thereof and tall boys with blue eyes were nothing but a distraction. Her legs carried her to the entrance of the motel and she shoved the door open. She caught a glimpse of Nick's muscular back across the street. He'd never been rejected by a woman before, they'd usually swoon over his looks and charm.

She shrugged the encounter off and continued to the small room the three siblings were to share for the next few days. Not that the size mattered. They worked best together and none of them really slept anymore.

Standing before the olive green door, she fumbled for the key, knocking twice before unlocking the door. It swung open revealing her two brothers hard at work and disinterested in her arrival.

Cami tossed the bag of food onto the wooden table shoved against the wall. Oliver glanced over at his younger sister eager to tell her what he'd learnt in the few hours they'd been in Bear Valley.

"Malcolm has a son," He smirked, knowing that werewolf blood ran down the male linage. Cami smirked. They'd found a lead. Once step closer to bring Malcolm Danvers to an end.

"And he lives here."