HUNTED

Running footsteps echoed down the alleyway, the sound of the boots splashing through puddles in haste and the ragged breaths and pounding hearts of the hunters made the hunt all the more thrilling. The hunters' plan to attack the Green Rock pack didn't go the way they'd hoped. As soon as they were in position, hiding in between the housing estate, Aila and Davian turned up, and the men's screams woke the neighbourhood with a start. All that had been left behind was the blood splattered across the pavement and walls. 

The only issue was that the other hunters were aware that their plan was ruined and started to retreat. They were deep within the pack territory, so they were trying to make a quick escape. Aila watched from the top of a building, her head tilted to the side as she watched them flee. 

"Don't you want to catch them?" Davian asked. He was against this plan until she agreed he could come along with her, and Cassius would watch from a distance unless they needed his help. 

"I do..." She smirked. "But it's quite funny seeing them run away believing they are free without any consequences."

Davian frowned at her and the way her eyes were cold and distant as she watched the hunters. Aila ignored the concern growing on his features and started to jog across the rooftops, keeping their 'prey' in sight. "Aila.." Davian began as he fell into step beside her. "Do you really want to be hunting humans right now?"

"They aren't just humans.. They are hunters," Aila snapped back before she jumped from the rooftop and landed gracefully in front of the men, stopping them from climbing into the van behind her. They scattered to hide behind the dumpsters and pointed their guns and crossbows at her. 

Aila rolled her eyes and raised her hands in mock surrender. "You know you really shouldn't kill me.. I'm Aila Cross." Their aim faltered, and Aila heard a few sharp inhales. She could already see a few gears turning behind their eyes. But that distraction was all she needed to run forwards and smack the gun out of the first man's hands, knock him out and shoot the others in the head. 

After hearing a crunching sound, Aila whipped her head back and blinked when she realised Davian had taken out the driver who tried to sneak up on her. Davian had shifted into his wolf form, and she stopped to admire his fur. He was a large silver wolf with blue eyes; the colouring was dazzling even under the guise of night. His snout had splotches of black on, but besides that, he was ultimately silver and a little bloodied around the mouth. 

Davian hopped back up onto the rooftop and returned with his jeans hanging low, a black t-shirt in his hand as he scowled at her, pulling the shirt over his muscular frame, hiding another tattoo just above his left hip. Aila turned back to the hunter she left alive and nudged his foot to wake up. 

"When did you start thinking all hunters were the same?" Davian asked with a slight growl as he grabbed her arm to stop her from slapping the man awake. Aila looked back at him, her brows drawing together, she parted her lips, but then she felt the tingling sensation on her back, indicating Cassius was close. Close enough to hear their conversation.

"Don't get in the way of my revenge-"

"This is pointless killing," Davian snapped and grabbed her by the biceps, his claws digging into her skin. "Why are you doing this?" He searched her eyes and his grip loosened on her arms, she was looking at him desperately, pleading with him through her eyes, but she couldn't say anything. 

"I didn't kill this one," She replied coolly, and just in time, the man started to groan. "Why don't you get rid of the bodies while I have a little word with this one."

Davian sighed and released her, turning his back to her and started to drag the bodies away towards the van. Aila squatted down and smiled at the man who didn't look that much older than her; now that she was closer to him, she could see his short-cropped brown hair and light green eyes. Everything else was hidden under a mask and hat. 

"What's your name?" Aila asked while unsheathing the large knife on his thigh. She raised a brow at him, wondering if he was meant to be a butcher of some kind. She threw the blade across the dirtied back alley floor and patted him down further, removing hidden knives and pistols. 

The man was unfazed by it all and watched Davian carrying the other hunters to the van. Aila snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Look.. You answer my questions, and I'll let you go," She added, regaining his attention. 

The man stared at her, and he scoffed, "Yeah, right. Why do you want my name?"

Aila looked over his face for a while before answering slowly. "Hmm.. You remind me of someone. I can't exactly call you green eyes now. It's up to you, though." She shrugged in nonchalance. "That's not what I am here."

Aila grabbed him by the front of his jacket and pulled him up to standing, pushing him against the wall before releasing him. He was taller than her and built similar to all the male werewolves. "Everett," He murmured though he seemed to act as though his head injury was making him clumsy; by holding onto the dumpster's edge, Aila could tell from his bright green eyes how alert he really was. Everett was only acting. 

"Everett," She nodded. "Do you know a hunter by the name of Clint?"

Everett's eyes snapped back to her, his lips thinning. "I do.." He replied slowly, his eyes wandering her features as her mouth twitched slightly. "But I don't know where he is."

Aila's face fell; he'd already asked her next question. "Are you a friend of his?" She asked, wondering if he was a friend of the psychopath. 

"That sicko? No. I worked with him on a few occasions and then asked to be reassigned," Everett replied earnestly. Aila studied him for a moment, then sighed, realising he was telling the truth and that this hunter didn't seem to have any issues with her being so close to him. 

Usually, they'd look at her in disgust or breathe as little as possible as though she was infecting the air. Aila was right to assume he was similar to Chase, someone that might be helpful to him. But she wasn't here to help Chase; she didn't know Everett nor who he was in the hunter's community. 

"Are you done here? I'm getting hungry, and you know how I get when I am hungry."