Pack Hunter

Clint Price jogged down the large gravel drive on his way to the guardhouse. The morning sun had already started to bathe the beautiful property in its colorful rays. The property he was staying on was magnificent. Clint enjoyed the lush green lawns and wide-open space. The dense forest called out to him, but it wasn’t time for that kind of run yet.

Two guards, Alan and Jody, saw him heading in their direction and opened the side fence so he didn’t have to slow down. He waved in appreciation as he passed, and they laughed, waving back. They were used to his morning routine by now.

It had been over a month since he’d first arrived at the Alpha Council compound in northern California. The group of guys he worked with daily had become great friends. Clint didn’t know how much longer he and his best friend, Kurt Moore, would be staying. They often took jobs in different Packs to help with security. Their years of serving in the military and getting the best training available ensured they had plenty to offer shifters. He enjoyed what he did, for the most part.

Clint had been traveling for so long that when he had to stay in one place, he grew agitated. Kurt was his family, and that was all he needed. Or it had been. This stop in California had actually opened his eyes to another need he thought he’d buried deep. Clint had never wished to settle down. Not in a town or with one woman. But maybe things were changing. He blew out a long, deep breath and picked up his pace.

From the entrance of the compound, he started south toward the town of Lovington, the huge property now at his back.

He never missed his run. Not only did it help keep him in shape, but the freedom of running also kept him from going stir crazy. Every morning, he ran in his human form, and every evening he shifted and ran as his wolf.

The Alpha compound was one of the nicest he had ever been on. Hidden in the northern mountains of California, the compound housed eight wolf Alphas, who served as the Council for the Packs of the United States. While the actual location of the Council compound was only known by a handful of people, the property stayed on constant high alert to keep the Council members safe at all times.

The shifters of the world had revealed their existence not too long ago. While the majority of humans had been shocked, most had taken to the shifters without problems.

But, as with anything, there were some who couldn’t accept the differences in the shifters and had named them evil and threatened them.

Four weeks ago, a Pack close to the Alpha compound had been almost devastated by fires around their community. Five fires in total, but luckily no one had been injured or killed. The Pack had fought back. Kurt, a member of the Pack, and Clint, along with two of their buddies, had gone there to help. With the assistance of the Pack members, they had been able to capture and arrest eight humans and two shifters. Clint and Kurt had escorted the two shifters to the compound for interviewing. Clint hadn’t been involved further, but he knew Kurt remained immersed in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Clint had been asked to remain there as a guard while the Council members tried to find out what threats still remained. He had also been asked to think about accepting a permanent role as head guard. Clint was considering the job offer, but his decision would also depend on Kurt. They’d been friends since they’d first met on the Marine Corps boot camp bus heading to Parris Island.