Chapter 34: The Hunt
Later that evening, after her run with Magnus, Meredith found herself wandering towards the area where Xavier usually spent his time alone. He had a tendency to be quieter, more elusive, but tonight she felt drawn to him.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the pack lands. Meredith's feet crunched softly on the path as she approached the small clearing where she knew Xavier often trained. She could already sense his presence before she saw him.
She saw Xavier seated on a large rock, his back to her, seemingly lost in thought as he gazed at the stars. He looked almost otherworldly under the moonlight, his sharp features illuminated in silver light.
“Xavier?” Meredith called softly, not wanting to startle him.
He turned slightly, his deep blue eyes catching hers in the dim light. “Hey,” he greeted her. There was a hint of warmth in it that made her feel welcome.
She approached him cautiously, sensing that he had been deep in thought. “Mind if I join you?”
Xavier gestured to the spot beside him, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Of course.”
Meredith sat down next to him, feeling the stillness of the night settle around them. For a while, neither of them spoke, simply enjoying the quiet and the distant sound of the forest. But eventually, her curiosity got the best of her.
“What were you thinking about?” she asked, breaking the silence.
Xavier sighed softly. His gaze was still fixed on the sky as he said, “Just... everything. The pack, the responsibilities that come with leading it, the dangers we're facing.”
Meredith nodded slowly. “It seems like there's always something threatening the pack.”
Xavier turned his head slightly, looking at her more directly. “That's the life we live. Being part of a pack means constant vigilance. And Damien and I... we've trained our whole lives for this.”
Meredith could hear the quiet determination in his voice, but also weariness. “Do you ever get tired of it?”
Xavier chuckled, but it was a dry, humorless sound. “Of course. Who wouldn't? But it's not something you can just walk away from. This is my family.”
Meredith could tell Xavier wasn't one to complain or show weakness, but there was a loneliness in his tone that gripped her heart. “I've seen how much you and Damien do for everyone,” she said gently. “The pack is lucky to have leaders like you two.”
Xavier glanced at her and his expression softened. “We're lucky to have you too, Meredith. You've handled all of this... everything that's been thrown at you, with more strength than most could manage.”
She looked down, feeling a little self-conscious at the compliment. “I'm just trying to keep up. It still feels like I'm learning every day.”
Xavier smiled slightly. “That's all any of us are doing. Learning, adapting. You've already come so far.”
They sat in silence again for a moment, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
“Do you ever miss... before?” Meredith asked suddenly. “Before all the responsibilities? Before the constant threats?”
Xavier considered her question. “Maybe sometimes,” he admitted. “There are moments when I think about what life might have been like if things had been different. But it doesn't matter. We can't change the past.”
Meredith nodded. “I guess not. But... do you ever wish you could?”
“There are things I would change, yes. But regret isn't something I allow myself to dwell on.”
Meredith reached out and placed a hand on his arm, offering him a quiet comfort. He glanced down at her hand, then back up at her, his gaze softer now.
“You don't have to carry everything alone, you know,” she said gently. “You have the pack, your parents, Damien, and Magnus.” She sighed. “Me…”
Xavier's expression shifted. “I know,” he said quietly. “But it's not always easy to remember that.”
“Well, if you ever forget, I'll be here to remind you.”
For a moment, they simply looked at each other. Xavier was someone she had come to trust deeply.
After a while, he shifted slightly. “You know,” he said, “I was planning on heading back soon, but since you're here... how about we spar a little? I haven't seen you much in action yet.”
Meredith laughed, shaking her head. “Spar? With you? I don't think that's a good idea. You might kill me.”
Xavier groaned. “Come on, I'll go easy on you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Fine,” she said, standing up and brushing off her pants. “But don't blame me if I surprise you.”
Xavier chuckled as he stood up as well, taking a fighting stance. “I'm looking forward to it...”
After their sparring session, which ended in endless laughter, they walked back together toward the pack house. But as they approached the clearing, the atmosphere shifted.
Damien was silently waiting for them.
“What's going on?” Meredith's throat tightened.
Damien's expression was unreadable. “There's been an incident,” he said. “A scouting party near the eastern border was attacked.”
“Attacked?” Xavier asked, clenching his jaw. “By whom?”
“We're not sure yet,” Damien said. “There were signs of rogue activity, but the pack members who were sent to investigate didn't make it back.”
Meredith felt a chill run down her spine. She looked at Xavier, who had grown serious beside her.
“We need to assess the situation immediately,” Xavier's voice was surprisingly calm. “How many were lost?”
“Three,” Damien replied. “The scouts found traces of a struggle, but there wasn't enough left behind to tell us much about the attackers. We'll need to send out a stronger team to secure the area and recover what we can.”
Meredith watched the exchange between them. Xavier and Damien were both experienced leaders, but even they seemed a bit tense in a way she hadn't seen before.
“I want to go with you,” Meredith said.
Both men turned to her. Their eyes darkened.
“No,” Damien said flatly. “It's too dangerous.”
“I'm not asking for permission,” she shot back, meeting his gaze head-on. “I've trained. I'm ready to help.”
Xavier exchanged a glance with Damien, as if weighing her words. After a moment, he stepped closer to her.
“Meredith, we understand you well. But… this isn't like the training sessions you've had. This is real, and the risks are much higher.”
“I know.” Her eyes were resolute.
Damien's brow furrowed, clearly not liking the idea. “You don't know what you're getting into. This is war, Meredith. Not a game.”
“I know what's at stake, Damien. And I'm part of this pack now. You both said I wasn't alone, remember? That we were in this together? So why…”
Xavier's expression softened slightly. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw before nodding. “She has a point. If we leave her behind, it could put her at more risk. The pack needs all the strength we can muster.”
Damien growled low in his throat, clearly not happy with the decision, but he didn't argue further. “Fine. But stay close, and do exactly what we tell you. No reckless moves.”
Meredith nodded. This was her chance to prove herself. To show that she was more than just someone they needed to protect. She could stand beside them, as an equal, and defend her new home.
The hunt was on now.