A Hunter's Chance - #2 of "The Hunter's Series"

I don’t know how or why it started, but ever since I found this Starbucks close to campus, I’d been coming here regularly…

It had been six months, yet every time the door bel rang, I looked up and more or less expected Xyen to walk through the door. At first it was disappointing, but I got used to it. Xyen was several states away and he was an alpha. They didn’t exactly get holydays…

I sighed, scratching my head for the assignment that was due on Friday. I’d finally gone back to school--- and right now having a love-hate relationship with that decision. I loved the feeling of having a future to look forward to, the people in class and the new friends I made. But damn these assignments! They could really test a person’s sanity…

For a while I considered seeing a shrink but decided against it. I don’t really think it would be easy to talk about my past trauma without compromising Derik and Xyen. And oh--- the rest of the werewolf world! So for now, I’d been writing down everything down. It wasn’t much, but it helped me put things into perspective…

The doorbell rang and by reflex, I looked up---

My heart dropped when a pair of electric blue eyes locked with mine. A smug smirk spread across his features, making him look even more devilishly handsome, than he already was.

Xyen!

Without looking elsewhere, he walked straight for me. His eyes gleaming with mischief and happiness. His long strides didn’t stop, until he was standing right in front of me. Crossed arms, as if I’d offended him.

“That’s my spot,” he said with a dark and husky voice. Making my heart race. Was this real? Was he really here or was I hallucinating?!

“Xyen,” I exclaimed, too confused to process what he was saying. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

“Well, I just moved into the neighborhood and this happen to be my favorite Starbucks,” he replied, gesturing to me again. “And you’re in my seat.”

I grinned, remembering our idyllic meeting. Yep! Only the real-life Xyen had ‘smug’ and ‘arrogant’ down to a tooth like that! I smirked, putting on a oblivious persona.

“Well, good sir,” I countered, keeping my tone and voice formal. “I was here first. You must simply wait your turn.”

He laughed and sat down in front of me, picking up one of the books on the table.

“Chemistry?” he questioned, eyeing me from

“I have an assignment due on Friday,” I explained, feeling a hard blush appear on my cheeks. “I-I went back to school. I’m studding to become a forensic scientist.” I nervously bit my lips. I don’t know why, but I was dying to his approval. It literally made no sense, but with him sitting right in front of me--- it seemed so right! Like a missing piece of me was finally put back together.

“I knew you had smarts,” he grinned, nodding in approval. And sending my heart soaring. “It’s good to see you again,” he continued in his usual deep voice. His blue eyes catching mine in a sincerity that left my mouth dry.

I gulped.

Oh boy! This man…

“You too,” I tired to act normal, scanning my brain for his reasons for being here. “But what are you doing here?”

“I gave up the Alpha post,” he replied; and my jaw dropped. WHAT?! He was joking right? But he just smiled and shook his head. His eyes holding nothing but truth. “I’m officially a rogue now, but I---,” he continued and shrugged. “I don’t regret it.” He looked up and his dark eyes caught mine. “You were right about that. When I finally opend my eyes to it, the pack was in bad shape. They lacked leadership – real leadership – and although my wolf is a dominant one, we don’t care about the pack like we used to.” He scoffed dryly. “Not that I blame him, seeing they though he killed his mate…” He took a deep breath and continued: “So I did what needed to be done. Wyatt is the alpha now and Otis and Yamir are the Betas.”

“About time you gave them a promotion,” I found myself smirking and although I still couldn’t fully grasp that he’d given up being alpha. I mean--- this guy…!

Xyen grinned slyly at that, looking at me with a smile that now reached his eyes. I had to cower my mouth not to gasp out loud. He looked--- happy! So happy… I didn’t know what to think. Here was Alpha Xyen – the most ruthless and dangerous Feral Alpha around – and now he was a rogue?! There were so many questions in my mind…

“Why?” I asked, as the only thing that could out of my mouth.

“I needed to get away from it all and start somewhere fresh,” Xyen confessed without a second hesitation. “Seeing how Bass and you could do it, why not me too?” he asked, but didn’t demand an answer. Honestly? The only thing I felt, was happiness! He finally looked happy and that--- that wasn’t something a lot of people had. If he was happy, so was I…

“How are you?” his question pulled me out of my trance.

“Good,” I replied, almost too quickly which was why I hurriedly added: “I needed some changes and I-I changed. I got into a local collage and I live on campus with my roommate, Sara. She’s studding law, so we’re practically ‘Law and Order’,” I joked and Xyen flashed his million-dollar smile at me.

“Good,” he murmured and for the first time ever, I saw him biting his lips. I frowned. Was he--- Nervous?! And as if sensing my thoughts, a smile found its way to the corner of his lips and a low chuckle rumbled in his chest. He took a deep breath and glanced at me:

“So,” he asked hesitating with the question he’d been dying to ask. His eyes almost pleating with me.

“Can I buy you a coffee?”

That one question! And I realized…! The reason he came--- My heart skipped a beat and a hard blush crept across my cheeks. Finally, I understood…

He came for me!

“Coffee sounds amazing,” I replied, unable to stop smiling. A wide smile spread across his lips – like he just won the lottery – and he breathed out a breath of air, I doubt he knew he was holding. I couldn’t help but laugh, feeling embarrassed and shy, like a schoolgirl with her firs crush. He grinned, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips. Instantly those sparks I’d been secretly missing were back, making my stomach flutter like it had been invaded with a heard of butterflies.

“I’ve missed you too, my love,” Xyen sighed, into my skin, kissing it gently. His eyes caught mine, holding nothing but love and respect. I was so happy I could literally cry!

He nodded understandingly, as he kissed my hand again, before standing and getting us coffee. I leaned over the table, looking at the man I could call mine without any hesitation or doubt.

Another grin found its way across my lips.

I was ready to embrace this new chapter in my life.

THE END