HUNTED

Aila closed the front door behind her. She had spent most of the afternoon with Hollie's parents, going through what happened to her as stated by the police and reminiscing about memories. Aila felt better knowing that her parents did not expect Hollie to be alive. All the evidence that was 'found' showed that she was dead, but the body missing. It was horrible, but Hollie's parents could now grieve properly for their daughter.

She took a few steps towards the car and stopped to release her breath and letting her shoulders sag as she looked up at the dreary sky. Dark clouds began to form in the sky, bringing with it the threat of rain to go with her mournful thoughts.  With her eyes downcast once more, she continued towards the black SUV, and although she was feeling down, she was still vigilant of her surroundings. With Hollie's death, along with some of her pack member's deaths, she was wary of any hunters lurking nearby.

The guys suddenly popped out from their positions. Aila blinked a few times when she saw Ajax climbing out of a bush. There was a question lingering on the tip of her tongue, but she was in no mood to make jokes.

Finn arrived by her side and opened the car door for Aila without saying a word. As soon as she climbed in and leaned her head against the cushioned seat, the weight of everything was once again pushing down on her shoulders, overwhelming her, and she found herself utterly exhausted once more. 

"Luna?" 

Her name rang through her ears. Aila knew this was not the first time they must have called her or asked her a question. Ajax rubbed her shoulder gently, and she met his concerned gaze. 

"I'm sorry, what?" She asked nobody in particular. Aila was not aware of who spoke.

"Did you want to go back to the packhouse?" It was Tommy in the driver's seat who asked; his navy-blue eyes watched her through the rearview mirror.

"Can you take me to The Occult bookstore, please? It's in the town centre," Aila replied as she pulled her phone out of her leather jacket pocket. She pressed speed dial before placing the phone against her ear.

Damon immediately picked up. "Is everything okay?" There was concern laced in his voice, but his voice alone soothed her aching heart. 

"Yeah, we are just leaving Hollie's parents now. I want to go see my mum, but I will be back after. Has any protection been added to my parent's shop and home?" She replied while closing her eyes. 

"The pack runs there as well. But I will get more guards to set up closer to them," Damon replied as he seemed to be walking around. 

"Thank you, I'll see you when I'm home," She whispered into the phone. She did not do it on purpose; the men in the car can hear their conversation, but she was so tired, she felt her voice weak.

"Come back soon, angel."

Aila hung up and placed her phone in her lap. Her eyes were still closed even as the car engine roared to life, and she felt the vibrations of the car moving. She was happily tuning everything out and found herself dosing off. The next time she opened her eyes was to Ajax' singsong voice, "We are here!"

Aila's brows drew together in annoyance, but her eyes widened when she realised she fell asleep on Ajax' shoulder. "Sorry," She mumbled and pulled back.

"No worries, gal. As long as you haven't dribbled on my shirt.." Ajax glanced down at his shoulders and smiled when there was no drool on his shirt. 

The three in the backseat climbed out from the car, Ajax and Finn went ahead, walking through the entrance excitedly. Aila couldn't help but shake her head at Ajax; the last time he was there, he was a massive scaredy-cat at the idea of a spell to link the trio together. Now, he and Finn were strolling in like they were regulars. Her lips curled into a small smile when she heard Ajax greeting her mum again, most likely hugging her and annoying her dad. 

She rolled her eyes before tapping on the driver's window. Tommy slid down the window, revealing his fiery hair. "Are you guys okay to keep guard outside the shop?" Tommy nodded before opening his door and casually leaned against the vehicle. "There should be more guards soon. Can you let me know when they arrive?"

"Of course, Luna," Tommy bared his neck at her. She glanced around anxiously, but the streets were quiet.

"Please, don't say and do that in public.." She whisper-shouted. 

Tommy frowned as though what he did was perfectly normal. "It will attract attention to us," She explained. 

Understanding filled his features, and he nodded his head, "Sorry.. Aila." Her name was almost forced out, as though it was hard to call her by her actual name and not her title.

"Thank you," She patted his shoulder before turning and going into the shop.

Aila glanced around the shop, making sure it was safe, although she was sure it was considering Finn and Ajax were there talking to her mum. As soon as her eyes landed on her, she rushed forwards and clung onto her, hiding her face in her embrace.

Finn and Ajax removed themselves, muttering how they needed a new book to read and going among the aisles to scan. Although they went together and Aila could still hear them whispering animatedly, like children. Aila pulled back and sighed. Luckily the shop was not busy, and so Mandy closed it for the rest of the day so they could catch up comfortably on one of the couches in the coffee shop. 

Aila sat down on one of the dark blue leather couches with Finn by her side, while Ajax had one to himself where he sprawled out on his back, which seemed to be his go-to position. By now, her parents were sitting comfortably on their own sofa with everyone's newly made hot drinks placed on the coffee table made out of crates between them. This coffee shop was her favourite, not just because it was her parents, but the vibe it had set was quite 'hipster', the décor was artsy, with darker lighting than the rest of the shop on the ground floor. 

The spot they chose to sit at overlooked the rest of the shop from behind some dark wooden railings with fairy lights dangling down them. In fact, there were fairy lights scattered almost everywhere, along with a neon coffee sign that went against the rustic look, but it all worked somehow.

Tommy and Zeke came inside the shop once guards set up a perimeter around the surrounding area. This alerted Mandy and Andy more so to the situation at hand. Aila told them what happened to Hollie, and they burst into tears. Andy held his wife in his arms as she wailed about the loss of her friend. Like Hollie's parents being her second family, Mandy and Andy were like Hollie's second family also.

Aila now had her boots off, and her feet tucked to the side on the couch while she held onto her drink. Finn also relaxed his usual stiff posture and crossed his ankle over his knee while he drank from his coffee. 

"So," Her mum sniffled after blowing her nose and slouching into the side of her dad on the sofa. Her eyes were now on Aila's chest. "How long have you and Damon been official?"

Aila's face flushed red. Her mum and dad knew what 'making it official' entailed, and she would have been fine if it weren't so recent. "Hmm, two days ago?"

Mandy giggled, "Well, no wonder your skin is glowing!"

"Mum!" Aila exclaimed with wide eyes. She dare not look at her dad, so instead, she started putting her boots on. 

"Oh, come on! You don't have to go.. I just wanted to know how recent! You only came in the other day, and you didn't have that mark on your collarbone!" Her mum continued. Aila kept her gaze on her second boot before rising up.

"Look, it's nothing to do with that. I have to get back anyway.. I have to.." She stopped in her tracks as she looked at her parents. Was she really going to tell them about the werewolf locked up in her basement? 

Aila sighed and raked her hand through her hair, "There are still a lot of pack matters to deal with. I just wanted to tell you in person about Hollie," She muttered and glanced at Ajax, who was still chilling on the couch. "Ajax, get up. We are going," She mind-linked him. 

The small group left the shop and climbed into the car quietly. Aila immediately felt better after getting more protection for her parents. The hunters taught her that nobody was truly safe, and unfortunately, her parent's choice to live away from the comforts of the pack's estate also meant less protection. Her thoughts swirled around at what else needed to be done, but as they got closer to her home, she began to think more and more about a certain someone she was still unsure about.

The SUV pulled up in front of the mansion, and Aila, Finn and Ajax climbed out before it continued to the garage. Aila led the way through the double doors and went towards the basement. She could already sense her getting closer to her mate, and when she finally walked down the stairs to the cells, her eyes widened at what she saw before her.

Damon's face had blood splattered on it, along with the blood trickling on his shirt, arms and hands. He closed the cell door behind him and ignored Aila's presence by running his hands under the running water of the tap. The sound of the water, the dripping of pipes and her heeled steps were the only things heard as she approached the silver cell to see Darren, a bloodied mess on the floor.

Her features hardened from the sight before her.