Chapter 19 The Hunter or The Hunted?
Vanessa
Asshole!
That. Fucking...
My wetness continues to trail down my thighs as I trudge into the bathroom. A flood of embarrassment fills me but I continue with my head on high.
It's not like I was the only one affected.
My mind flashes back to that moment, as we moaned and ground against each other - I force myself not to clench again at the memory.
I knew that look as soon as it appeared on his face. It was regret.
Well, it was never meant to happen. I don't like him like that anyway, I was just carried away by his unusual kindness and took it for something else. Something that sane me would've never even dreamed off.
So yeah, it was a mistake.
I reach to pull my panties off, but it keeps slipping from my fingers due to my distracted mind. When I finally manage to yank it off, it is so fucking soaked, one would think it was taken fresh out of a body of water.
What the fuck? That definitely didn't come from me.
But the slickness of the content says otherwise...
With a groan, I bunch the material up in my hands, trying to decide whether it's worth keeping or not.
I decide the former and take care of it. There's no valid reason and, I'd hate to throw away a thing with such a beautiful make.
Showering quickly, I change into a beautiful, blue nightgown that's so soft and feels like silk in my hands, pairing it with a a thick woolen sweater to keep me warm from the cold.
The softness of the bed encases my body and soon enough, I'm pulled into a dreamless sleep.
The sound of leaves crunching under my boots echo in the dead silence of the night. The day has been pretty much uneventful - thankfully - and I haven't caught sight of Xander either - not like I want to.
The Vale forest is...strange to say the least.
It's a wide, dense area at the edge of the pack's borders, surrounded by trees of imposing heights that isn't even normal for those known by humans. But that wasn't the only reason I call it 'strange'. There's a feeling, an odd eerie sensation, like a thousand creepy eyes are following your every moment - or that's just me overthinking as usual.
Guards are stationed at different angles but the good thing is, they'll take their intermittent breaks shortly.
I've studied them and combed this whole place out for long time now.
I shiver a little at the feel of the cool night air as it flutters over my skin like a gentle caress, leaving goosebumps on its way.
Leaning against a tree at the sound of a guard's oncoming footsteps, I see a reflection in the shadows that definitely doesn't look like it belongs...
The guard signals for the others to come with him, and together, they exit, one after the other.
I let out a sigh of relief but it doesn't last long as a strong arm clamps down on my neck in a chokehold. My eyes widen, pulse spiking as the scent isn't the familiar musky scent I'm used to, but a dark scent that smells more...muddy, rotten to put it at best. My hand reaches up to pry it away from me, tapping it repeatedly but it only seems to tighten with each attempt.
Then I do the only thing I can, I raise the heel of my boots and ram it backwards into his crotch. He staggers backward and I run away from him, massaging my neck to ease off some of the pain.
What the fuck is this sick joke?
"Who the fuck are you?" I demand trying to regain some of my breathing.
As soon as I lift my head up, I freeze. Him? What is he doing here?
The dark cloaked figure, whom I've found out to be a man raises his head, his cloaked head cocked as he seems to study me for a moment, then he lunges. I jump out of the way but wasn't quick enough as he grabs me and we both tumble onto the snow-covered ground.
Then we're rolling and kicking, snow flying every which way and there's no one to call for help at this time.
A critical blow to my face draws out a cry of pain and I draw out my dagger, piercing through his chest in one go, he doesn't even grunt which infuriates me further.
"What do you want?!" I cry, slashing through air.
Then he comes up to me, pinning my arms by my side and whispers in a chilling voice, "You will be the very reason they all die and their blood will be on your hands, Vanessa."
Then he disappears, leaving me shaking and desperately in need of something - anything to stop me from spinning.
Footsteps approach and even while still on my knees, I draw out my arrows, setting the end against the bow, and crouch lower. I can hardly hear a thing with all the rush of blood in my veins and the erratic beating of my heart. But I force myself to concentrate, wanting to be prepared and not be caught unaware in case he shows up again.
As soon as I see a flash of black, leather boots, I stagger to my feet, shaking off the dizzy feeling that overcomes me.
Then the footsteps stop, the light of the moonlight casting a soft glow on no other than Xander.
Shit, he's found out now.
His face holds no look of surprise which makes me wonder if he had known or is really that good at masking his feelings.
My hands tighten on the arrow and I think for a moment on what the consequences will be if I decide to spear the future Alpha King.
Xander takes a step forward and I instinctively take one back. "Don't move," I warn, watching him closely. "How did you know to find me here?"
"Your scent gave you away immediately."
I almost laugh. That's impossible, I know for a fact that other supernaturals have a hard time distinguishing my smell.
"What do I smell like then?"
"Lavender."
My eyebrows shoot up into my head and I momentarily forget what the current task is.
I don't say anything, only stare at him for a long time, arrows in hand and ready to shoot.
Then suddenly, the ground slips from under me and I stagger backwards, shaking my head, to rid it of the dizziness but it only seems to make it worse as I find myself falling sideways, only saved by muscular arms encircling my waist as the world fades into black.