Chapter 12 Luca
I didn’t bother going home after school. My dad would just be waiting with another lecture about responsibility, discipline, and how an Alpha-blood shouldn’t spend half the day looking distracted. I already knew the speech by heart, and wasn’t in the mood to repeat it in my head. Instead, I cut across the parking lot, ignored three girls calling my name, and headed toward the back field where the woods started. It was easier to breathe out here with no coaches, no pack expectations, and no eyes watching for weakness.
I slowed when I reached the first line of trees. The scent still lingered, faint and threaded with adrenaline. It wasn't a wolf. No, this scent was more pronounced. It was a hunter and had been there for two nights now. The strangest part was how close it clung to our street. I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled through my teeth. Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe some hiker carried a weird mix of metal and silver polish. But every instinct in me rejected that excuse. Last night, the trail led almost directly to the Morgans’ fence before turning toward the slope behind the houses.
I didn’t plan on involving anyone, but I also wasn’t stupid enough to walk right in alone. So I pulled out my phone and texted one of the only wolves his age who didn’t run his mouth—Drew Callahan. Drew played forward on the basketball team. He was quiet and serious enough to be trusted.
Me: Need eyes behind the Morgans’ place. Come alone.
The three dots blinked.
Drew: That near? Thought your dad called off patrols in the residential blocks.
I pocketed the phone and started walking deeper into the woods. I didn’t care what my father said. The Alpha’s tone yesterday had been clear—stop snooping and drawing attention. Humans were smart particularly Aria. She could tell Silverpine wasn't exactly what it is and this was since the first day he’d seen her move in.
Another scent pulled me off-trail—Mason’s. My cousin had been here thirty minutes ago. He was probably doing what he always did: following orders, reporting everything, and pretending loyalty fixed the world. I respected him, sure but Mason didn’t understand what it felt like to know something was wrong and be told to sit and wait. A twig snapped behind me, and Drew stepped into view. He was really lanky with sandy blond hair and wearing a hoodie.
“You sure we’re not jumping at shadows?” Drew asked.
I shook my head. “Smell for yourself.”
Drew inhaled, slow and steady. “That’s not a hiker.”
“No.”
“And your dad doesn’t know?”
“I’m not asking permission.”
Drew didn’t smile, but something like approval flickered there. “So what’s the plan?”
I walked ahead, keeping my voice low. “Track it. Figure out where it’s coming from. If someone’s targeting this town, we know first. Not my father and the council.”
“And if it’s just…nothing?”
“Then I wasted an evening.”
We moved quietly through the pathway. I didn’t look toward Aria’s window even though I knew exactly which one belonged to her. I tried not to think about her staring into the trees like she did the other night, curious and afraid. A twig snapped somewhere ahead. Drew froze and I crouched, breathing in. The scent sharpened bearing silver oil, weapon polish, and human adrenaline. Swallowing hard, I knew someone trained was out here. Someone who knew werewolves existed.
Drew edged forward. “Could be targeting the Alpha.”
“No. Look where the trail runs.” I pointed toward the backyard fence line. Aria’s house was just beyond it. “Hunters don’t waste time on houses unless something’s inside or someone.”
Drew’s gaze cut toward me. “You think the new girl is involved?”
“No,” I replied. “But somebody is interested in her. And I’m not letting them get close.”
Drew didn’t call me out on the way I sounded, irrational, and personal. He just nodded and kept moving trusting my instincts.
“What if she knows the hunter?” Drew suggested.
“I certainly hope not,” I muttered under my breath.
“Or maybe the hunter means no harm towards her.”
“Dude, you never know. This town hasn't seen hunters in decades. According to my dad, the last generation of hunters were wiped off a long time.”
He glanced at me looking serious now. “If hunters are back,” I continued, “the reason isn't good no matter who's involved.”
We followed the trail until it curved south toward the creek. It faded near the water and the scent was washed clean. Whoever it was knew what they were doing.
Drew straightened. “We need to tell someone.”
I stared at the river and shook my head. “No. If the council hears about hunters, they’ll lock down the pack neighbourhood. Families will panic, people will ask questions and humans will notice. I’m checking it myself first.”
“That’s not how a pack works.”
“I’m not bound to decisions I don’t agree with.” I could feel my temper rising.
I didn’t say that I didn’t want Aria to be dragged into anything. That if anyone thought a hunter had interest in a human girl, she’d be interrogated, tracked, and maybe forced out for her safety, scared or gone. Hell! I wasn't even entirely sure what I wanted.
The scent faded completely, and the sky darkened. Drew shoved his hands into his pockets. “So we wait?”
“For now.”
“And you’re not telling Mason?”
I gave a humorless chuckle. “Mason would sprint to my father before I finished the sentence.”
Drew didn’t disagree and we headed back through the woods, shadows stretching long across the ground. I kept breathing in, searching for even the faintest trace and sniffing the air occasionally. Whatever hunter crossed through here was careful, patient, and intelligent. And probably still close.
“You know this could have been easier if we were in wolf form,” Drew started.
“Yeah,” I agreed, “but it’s too risky and we don't want to draw human attention.”
My pulse kicked up with brutal knowledge. This was someone planning something, watching someone, and filtering werewolf ability from a distance until they decided to strike. Whoever it was wasn't an amateur and they knew how to conceal their scent really well.
“Maybe it's someone from school,” Drew said, doubting the statement himself.
“I think we would have known if it were,” I supplied.
I knew exactly whose yard they kept circling. “They’re not getting near her,” I whispered and kept walking.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
My, my isn’t Luca quite the man😉. Always so protective of Aria. Alright, my lovelies, drop your thoughts below, cause I'm LITERALLY dying to hear them, lol😂.