Wicked Game

Chapter 11

I slowly look up at Derek. His eyes were wide, and staring at my foot. I look down, spotting my foot over a very ready bear trap, shrouded by leaves. As soon as I would take my foot away from that lever...

"Don't move a muscle until I say so," Derek crouches by my feet carefully. He presses down on the edges of the bear trap, still watching my leg, "Now."

I gently lift my foot, holding my breath. I watch Derek's arms flex as the pressure removed from the trap made it want to give. Derek held it open until I was completely clear of it. It snapped shut fiercely as soon as he jolted away from it. My heart beat wildly in my chest.

"Someone's been through here," he peers around our trail, as if expecting another trap right here close.

I rub my leg where the teeth of the metal would have cut clean through. I exchange glances with Derek, and he adds, "We need to get out of this area, now. Just in case."

We cut through the woods, finding our way back to one of the trails. Derek kept checking on me, glancing back to make sure I was still behind him. I kept up though, watching the ground for anything unusual as I follow close behind Derek's run. It seems like every aspect of my life has got a new surprise each time around now.

My mind put two and two together in my head, and I suddenly had a new question.

"Are there people that hunt us?"

Derek was silent for a moment before saying to me, "Yeah, there are. You don't want to get wrapped up with them."

"Is it that bad?" I ask him, and almost face plant when my foot catches on a broken foot. Derek broke my fall, hand gripping my arm.

"Sometimes," he says subtly, helping me regain my balance. He lets his hand slide from my arm. He takes the lead again, glancing at the ground before continuing forward.

Derek keeps a sharp eye on our surroundings, and I try to also, watching the ground carefully as I walk.

Before I could think of what I was asking, the words spilled out of my mouth, "Why was Peter there on my first full moon?"

Derek glances back at me, the cold back in his expression. His sharp green eyes pierce through me. He slowly looks back to the path ahead before saying, "Peter really wants you to be apart of his pack. He was right about you being a strong wolf. We all saw it that night, including Peter. I... threatened him to stay away."

"Oh," I furrow my eyebrows. I chuckle, "I don't know if I should be sorry or thankful."

"You don't have to be either," he smirks at my comment. "My uncle is a monster."

I remain quiet after that, jogging steadily behind him. As we reached the outskirts of town, I felt my phone vibrate again, and I knew it had to be Louie. I hadn't answered him after what almost happened back there. I slow down, and Derek mimicks me.

"I have to go talk to my older brother, so I'll see you tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yeah, I'll see you then," Derek said slowly, and he almost seemed off guard.

I nod, "Okay, bye Derek."

I take off, jogging down another road to make my way to the diner. I could feel his stare for a moment, and then it lifted.

By the time I make it to the diner, the heat had gotten to me. I flutter the bottom of my shirt to cool off, catching my breath at the same time. Sweat soaked my shirt and I could feel it in my shoes. I'll have to leave this pair on the porch for the rest of the day.

I construct the story in my head, trying to think of all the things the twins might have told Louie, and trying to think of ways to disregard them. I wipe my sweaty palms on my thighs, and step into the diner.