A Hunter's Keep - #1 of "The Hunter's Series"

Lizzy’s POV

My eyes almost rolled out of their sockets then I saw all the guns that were rolled into the backs of the black SUV’s.

“You can transform into huge ass wolves but have enough weapons to start a small war?” I muttered, glancing up at Jack and Kevin, who as usual had been assigned as my bodyguards.

“We like to be prepared,” Kevin smirked and winked, helping Rick and Lucas to load the ammo, while Jack kept me from being run down. “We still haven’t figured out how to be bulletproof.”

“Neat,” I muttered sarcastic and nervously shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I didn’t like guns and as if Jack sensed it, he moved me into one of the smaller cars, that – hilariously enough – contained bags and bags of extra cloths and shoes. I guess being werewolves took preparation to a whole new level.

I looked out the window, watching Derik in full alpha mode. Just like the time, when the rogues attacked. It was amazing to see, who they could go from not knowing a single thing about the Hunters to be ready in an full out attack on their base within only minutes.

I guess in some sense Dad was right about them. They weren’t part of the natural order. They were the next evolution…

Suddenly Derik sat next to me. He smiled, asking if I was ok. I nodded. I lied. I was scared to go back. To have to face my Dad. To let him see, what had been done to his kind. What I’d left behind. The people I’d left behind…

“You did the right thing,” Derik suddenly whispered close to my ear, as if he’d sensed my thoughts. Subconsciously I’d moved closer to him; listing to his heartbeat soothed my fears. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I’d fallen asleep. It wasn’t until the car stopped moving again, that I woke up.

I got out of the car and from afar I could see the lights of the base. The sun was setting painting the wally below us a beautiful orange color. Had it been another situation – another life, I’d say it was like watching a living masterpiece.

“Stay close to Kevin,” Derik suddenly said, pulling me back to the present. “They’ll lead the second wave.”

I nodded. I didn’t have any problem not seeing any action. Shit, I still didn’t understand why I’d ask to come. Didn’t I promise myself that I’d never return? I didn’t like guns, I didn’t like the sight of blood and violence of any kind, made me nauseous. I knew how to fight, but I was not one of those girls who went out looking for danger or felt they had something to prove. I may have resorted to violence if I expected to be attacked, but strangely, I didn’t really consider myself as a violent person.

I sighed and watched them all disappear into the darkness. A knot formed in my hear and a unfamiliar fear filled my chest. Thoughts about Derik filled my head and mind with all the tings I’d seen Dad do to his kind. And what he’d do to Derik, if he was caught. I was scared. I tried to tell myself that Derik was man enough to take a monster like my Dad down. And as I tried to calm myself with thought like that, I also realized one thing: I was still in love with Alpha Derik…

It wasn’t until I heard an grunt that my attention was pulled to the seasoned warrior by my side, who was probably pissed at missing all the action.

“Sorry,” I muttered, barely catching Kevin’s movements in the dark.

“For what?” Kevin asked sounding confused.

“You’re missing all the action because of me,” I said sheepishly.

“Yeah, you suck,” he said, sarcasm dripping of every word. I could hear him grin, as he continued: “But I’m glad you’re on our side.”

Somehow that made me smile.

Kevin waved me over, and together we sat down and watched a movie on his phone. He gave me quick updates from time to time on things, that came through the mind-link. My heart always seemed to have a mind of its own whenever he mentioned Alpha Derik. It was either in the pit of my stomach or ready to jump out of my chest. I still couldn’t believe that after everything that had happened, I was still in love with him. But then again, I can’t imagine a girl that wouldn’t. He was good looking, kind and a fair leader. His pack respected him, not because he inspired fear but awe.

Perhaps when all this was over, I could ask him to get Sif back? Perhaps we could both join his pack? I knew I wasn’t a wolf, but he wasn’t going to kick us out now, was he? He’d promise he’d protect us…

But what if he found his mate again? Then what?

“They need us,” Kevin’s voice pulled me out of my daze. I nodded shortly and got up. I didn’t know why but somehow, I was sure that they wouldn’t send for us, if they were still fighting. I wasn’t scared. In fact, I was looking forward to seeing Derik again…

Kevin shifted into his huge, brown wolf and I climbed on top of him. Within a few minutes we reached the compound. And I was right. The fighting was over. There were some dead bodies lying around, but Kevin quickly shifted his body, so his huge frame was shielding me from the sight. I murmured a short ‘thanks’ and the wolf gave me a wolfish grin.

“We can’t find the prisoners,” a familiar voice said, and my heart skipped a beat. Seeing Derik safe and sound made tears form in my eyes. The painful knot in my stomach released and the fear in the back of my head vanished. He was right there! And without a scratch…

I was just about to jump into his arms, when I saw them. My heart sank and I suddenly felt sick. It was Dad and the other Hunters. The wolves were gathering them in the center of the compound. Surrounding them and forcing them on their knees.

For a second I met Dad’s eyes. The way he looked at me made my skin crawl. I gulped and he spit on the ground. My heart clenched. As much as I simply wanted to hate him, he was still my dad. But I was no daughter of his. I knew the consequences by running away. But somehow knowing that I now was responsible for his death, made it all even more real.

I wasn’t a Hunter anymore.

“Lizzy?” Derik asked quietly, following my gaze. “Is something the matter?” He walked over and sensing his presence next to me had an calming effect on me.

“No,” I said, shaking my head and focused on what was important. I pulled my eyes away from the people in the center and pointed the wolves to the main office.

“It’s this way!”

I walked away. The sound of guns and screams filling the air.