Hunters, Hunted (Wolfblood Fanfiction)

Epilogue

Epilogue

Rhydian

“Cheers!” There is a small cacophony as glass after glass is clinked together, laughter mingling with the sound. All of us are flying high on our delight this afternoon because, after all this time, the ordeal is over. Dr Whitewood’s trial was first thing this morning and she pleaded guilty and was sentenced and it’s over. At first I was worried about what would happen when she got out of jail, but Kai assured me he’ll handle that when the time comes and it’ll be ok. If most adults said that I’d snort in their faces, but then again, this is Kai. In so many ways he’s remained a mystery to us – a desire I respect – but if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that I can trust him with both my and Maddy’s lives. Shannon tried to persuade him to come to Bernie’s with us, an offer he artfully refused. Even I can see she has a hopeless crush on him which makes the poor guy feel pretty awkward. He simply smiled and pushed his big glasses back up his nose, reminded us to call him when we finish college and melted off back to his enigmatic life.

            Instead, only the pack is sat around our favourite corner table with oversized milkshakes freezing off our tongues. I remember a time when four sat here felt like a lot for me to handle, and yet now we’ve crammed in seven. Despite all we owe him I’ve found it strange having Liam accepted into the pack…still, it’s been a surprise how well you actually get along – and it was the right thing to do after everything. I’ve warned Bryn that he can’t always hang out with us, especially when he starts at school, but I’m also not sure I’ll ever be able to turn him away. If only because Maddy’s practically adopted him.

            We don’t stay for long after the drinks are finished because, as the others know, tonight is officially my first date with Maddy. In a way I feel bad because Jana goes back to the wild with her father tomorrow and perhaps we should be spending tonight with her, but the two of us agreed we would do the whole date thing as soon as the court case was closed, and it is, and this has definitely been long enough in the waiting.

            Our goodbyes to the others are more stilted than usual and desperately embarrassing, though I can’t help but laugh at the massive wink that Tom gives me over Maddy’s shoulder. Then I slip my hand into hers and we head our separate ways, the raucous noise of the pack fading off into the night as they head in the opposite direction down the road. We, too, are awkward tonight. Not awkward awkward, but quieter than usual, less sure of where we stand. Perhaps it seems silly after all this time and all that’s happened. It’s just that tonight is something new, and my body hums with it.

            I’ve booked a table at a little Italian restaurant in the next village, feeling as much of a fake adult as I did in that hotel in Cumbria. What name would you like it under, sir? What time? How many?

            And all the while my head was asking, When did you grow up?

            To get there we have to cut through the woods, which was part of my plan. We don’t run, not tonight. We’re in no hurry to get there and I know that Maddy is savouring every second of this, as I am. Our walk, our silence, the constant rustle of the forest is comfortable and calm and perfect.

            I knew we weren’t taking the most direct route but only when I see the river do I realise where our feet have led us. Maddy laughs and lets go of my hand, leaping onto a stepping stone of the pool where we talked on that fateful day we met. I watch her gazing up at the treetops, her face illuminated by the moonlight and her eyes glowing in its reflection. She’s strange here, a strange and wonderful creature of the forest, so beautiful it hurts. I love you, I love you, I love you…

            “What are you looking at?” she asks cheekily, the corner of her mouth working to avoid a smile.

            “Nothing,” I stammer, abashed at being caught staring. She hops back on to dry land.

            “Go on,” she says, voice low and amused, head cocked. I shrug to try and pass off how profound the conversation has got so quickly, inexplicably nervous.

            “No, it’s just…” Then I stop myself. I have almost lost this girl so many times since I’ve known her, and each time has only made me want her more. I remember the dream I used to have in the month she was away, the intensity of my joy when she was beside me. But that dream was nothing compared to the reality of looking at her now. And I realise, in this moonlit moment, that life’s too short to be nervous with Maddy. “I love you,” I admit, gazing straight into her bright, dark eyes, “I always have. And…I think I always will.”

            Her smile is a tiny thing on lips, and yet I’ve never seen her look happier. She takes a step forwards and tilts her head to where our breath twists together. We hang there, barely a millimetre apart, my heart thrumming in my ears and every inch of me tingling. When I think I can’t bear it anymore, she kisses me – once, twice – the kind of kiss that makes me hungry for more.

            And in this moment, with her, I am so, so alive.

 THE END.