Chapter 17

I stayed out there for what felt like hours, and it very well could have been. I thought I sensed something else out there, but I heard nothing out of the ordinary once my ears could make out anything besides my muffled crying and my heartbeat pumping too loudly.

I took one final shaky breath, wiping off the remnants of my tears, repaired my mask, collecting the shattered pieces where I had let emotion slip through tonight.

Tomorrow was a new day, and I would be ready for it—I would be ready for battle.

***

The following morning, Alice rushed in and glanced over me with weary eyes. I forced myself to shower the night before, even though the inky black sky was softening by the time I made it back to my room. I was glad that I didn’t run into anyone, so I didn’t have to try to come up with a pathetic explanation.

I hoped the nightmare brothers thought that I just panicked and ran straight to my room.

“You worried me when I didn’t see you after dinner,” Alice’s said, her voice was soft.

“I’m sorry. I- I just needed some time—” I let my voice crack.

“That time of the month?” she asked sympathetically. I set my mouth in a thin line and nodded.

***

I spent days trying to study The Hunter’s movements. I knew he was staying with the warriors in the old part of the pack house, but I never had an in to find out where exactly his room was. I knew the floor, but couldn’t risk being seen there, I had no reason to be and I had been here for far too long to be able to pretend to be lost.

He would just show up places at random times, seeming to wander aimlessly, but I knew he was searching. He didn’t speak to me again, and I had nothing to say to him.

After dinner, he would meet Nolan sometimes in the front hall, or sometimes Nolan would excuse himself early. I was never invited back to training, but I saw enough for now.

I was confident I could secure another invite or show up feigning curiosity and innocence since I was invited once to study them when they had something to show. If anything, my display over holding a weapon only solidified my position as weak and fearful; I hoped The Hunter saw that, too.

***

“May I be excused?” I asked Luna Addison, clutching my stomach and making a face. She gave me a wary glance. “It’s, uh, it’s that time.” I lowered my voice. I don’t know why I hadn’t used this excuse more frequently.

“Oh.” she waved me off. “Go on.”

I nodded to the Alpha; none of the brothers seemed to notice me stand; they were debating the merit of different weapons. Debate was a loose term. They were all yelling over each other about their weapon of choice.

“Enough!” Alpha Raymond’s voice boomed through the room. “Stop fighting about it. You’ll have your proof when the trials start.”

I made my way through the kitchens, checking that Amelia wasn’t there, and set off to find her in the mess hall where the Omegas and warriors ate—a place I rarely stepped in because I never needed to be; most of the gossip happened in the kitchen, and their meal times seemed to be the same as ours, besides the unfortunate Omegas stationed to serve the ranked members.

I stood nervously at the door and wrung my hands while I carefully scanned the room. The Hunter sat in the back, alone and unmoving. He seemed to sense me, but I looked away before his mismatched eyes could pin me.

I finally found Amelia and made eye contact with her. Her brows furrowed and she stood, brushing her hands on her apron, and bustled over to me.

“Miss Simone? Is everything okay?” she asked, looking behind me as if there were some invisible threat I was running from.

“It’s that time of the month, and it’s really bad. I’m so so sorry to interrupt. I was just wondering if you could give me some of that medicine like you did last time?” I averted my gaze to my feet.

“Oh, honey, of course.” She gave me a sympathetic smile, which I was well used to from her now. “Let’s go now.”

“No, finish your meal. I’ll wait in the kitchen. I think I just need to sit,” I offered.

“I was finishing up anyway. I’ll go clear my things. I won’t be a moment; wait here,” she instructed and headed back to her table. I scanned the room aimlessly, but I knew where my prey sat.

The Hunter slowly rose from the table, a bowl and plate in his hand that were black in color and didn’t fit the rest of the plates the others used.

Amelia returned moments later and followed my gaze to The Hunter. “He’s not a threat, honey. I know he’s intimidating, but he’s here to help, not hurt.”

Not help me; he was here to do the exact opposite, actually.

I nodded. “The whole situation, Alpha says it's nothing but...” I shrugged. “They brought in someone we don’t know that lives with us.” My voice was higher pitched but still quiet.

“I’ve talked to him before; he’s quiet, reserved really, but seems genuine,” Amelia responded. “A bit odd, though…” I tilted my head in question. “He refuses to eat our food; he brought his own in and keeps it under lock and key. It’s like he’s trying to punish himself with gruel.” She laughed; it was joyous and filled her face with a warm glow. I loved it; it didn’t happen often enough.

“You mean he misses out on your sourdough?” I asked, with a raised brow, and offered her a smile, which she willingly returned. `

“He does.” She shook her head, still smiling.

I glanced behind her, chewing my lip, trying to mentally calculate any changes that had happened here since the last time I had been here, which was, unfortunately, a few months ago.

“He is odd,” I agreed; my smile was shy and reserved.

“Come.” She wrapped an arm around me. “Let’s get you some medicine, and then you need to get straight into the bath to soothe those cramps.”

“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it.

She gave me more than I hoped to get. I finally had the beginnings of a true plan start to unfurl.

***

I started going for morning walks, waking up a bit earlier each day. If anyone asked, I would have told them I was nervous about getting my wolf, but no one did.

I knew vaguely where the warriors trained; it was always outdoors, which seemed cruel in this weather. Growing up, I trained in every condition and knew how unforgiving the cold could be.

The Hunter sometimes trained with them. He stood out, even amongst warriors. When he wasn’t with the pack warriors, I assumed he was with the other trainers or maybe with Nolan, as the brothers started to skip breakfast occasionally, and it was a relief to have a few more hours of peace.

The warrior’s training lasted around an hour each morning. I stayed far enough away, always walking past at a normal pace, hidden under a long coat, not lingering, not looking.

This would have been so much easier when I got my wolf, but I was at a constant disadvantage against everyone else in the pack. My senses were duller. I think I remember someone once describing it as foggy compared to when you get your wolf, but that was so long ago.

Finally, I figured out enough of a pattern to not have to rely on assumptions. I was as confident as I ever would be. I just had to do this once, and he would feed himself the poison, and then I could move on to the next part.