Chapter 2 - The Hunt

**Year 753**

"War. The never-ending cycle that devours nations and lives. We stand at the precipice, torn between our desire for peace and the fear that peace, once achieved, will be nothing but a fragile illusion, shattered by the same hands that sought it. Humanity has shown time and again that its heart is divided: We wage war on what we fear, destroy what we do not understand. But ask yourselves, is the enemy truly out there? Or is it in the mirror, staring back, unwilling to change? We are not born for this. We are born to unite, to live, to prosper together. Yet we have allowed our differences to divide us. And when the dust settles, when the last sword is swung, what remains? Another war. Another generation caught in the cycle. So tell me, who will be the last to die in this endless requiem? Who will end this madness, once and for all?"

A shadowed figure closes the book with a soft thud, the echo lingering in the still air. Silence falls, heavy and absolute, as if the very world holds its breath.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

**Year 660**

"I know you're reading this, Mark. So read every word carefully, because in the end I, your mother, Ella, am about to reveal a secret we've hidden from the world. But before I do, you need to hear my story --- so you'll understand why it's not just a secret, but the truth that could change everything. So, Read this book very carefully....."

To me, this world was full of darkness. I was drowning deep inside an ocean of shadows until I found the light that saved me. For so long, I wandered lost, unable to find my way out. But everything changed when I met him—when I met Jason. It was as if he was the missing piece of me I never knew was gone. Our love ignited quickly, burning hot and bright like the stars above us.

Lying next to him, tangled in each other's arms, I often wondered if this was all just a dream. Could I have truly found someone who loved and accepted me for who I was? Had I really found happiness?

No. It wasn't a dream. It was my reality.

I was 24 when it happened—when I found the light in my darkness. When I found him.

Jason's warmth pressed against me in the small, cozy cottage we called our own. The quiet afterglow of our love filled the space, a gentle reminder of the bond we'd forged. His eyes, a shade of fierce determination softened by tenderness, met mine, and in that moment, I knew—this was my soul mate.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice a fragile thread in the still night.

His eyes sparkled, reflecting both the flicker of candlelight and the depth of his feelings. Our love shone brighter than the stars scattered across the midnight sky. The night air carried the distant hoot of owls, a soft serenade beneath the canopy of the dark forest surrounding us. Wrapped in that warmth, I realized I'd given my heart and soul to him. Jason wasn't just the love of my life—he was the beacon that pulled me from the abyss.

But peace is a fragile thing.

Suddenly, the gentle hum of the night fractured. The owls' songs shifted from whispers of love to mournful cries, as if nature itself sensed the change.

Then it came—a primal, guttural scream that tore through the night, sharp and chilling.

"Aoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Suddenly, the realization hit me like a ton of bricks when my ears sensed the footsteps of 6 werewolves coming from three kilometers away, racing toward our cottage. That running... I realized they were coming for us. But why?

Then it struck me, a horrifying clarity seizing my mind. They were coming for him. The meaning behind the howl—it was a warning. We werewolves always give that warning howl before hunting down a human. And I knew who the only human was in this area.

It was my light. It was Jason.

Panic surged through me. I jumped out of bed, completely naked, my instincts taking over as I transformed into my werewolf form. I already sensed what was about to unfold.

I darted over to Jason, urgency dripping from every word as I yelled, "Hide, Jason! Hide! They're coming. I can hear their footsteps getting closer, and I can smell their anger. They're very angry."

Jason's face twisted with confusion, bombarding me with questions. "Who is coming? What are you talking about? Why should I hide?"

But there was no time to explain. The only thing I knew for certain was that he had to get out of here—and fast.

Jason looked confused.

I let out a desperate howl, "I can smell him—he's near! Jason, hide, now!"

Jason scrambled out of bed, tossing aside the blanket. For a fleeting moment, despite the panic and the serious environment, my heart skipped as I saw him—my six-foot man, shirtless, his muscular physique taut in nothing but his underwear. I blushed involuntarily. What woman wouldn't, seeing such a sexy man like that? Anyways, Jason quickly dove into the closet.

Fully transformed, I positioned myself watching the door, my senses heightened. Mathew was closing in, his team right behind him. A heavy silence blanketed the cottage, broken only by the pounding of my heart. My claws extended, sharp and ready.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a deafening crash as Mathew kicked it, splintering off its hinges and slamming against the bed—the same bed where Jason and I were having sex moments ago was destroyed when that door hit that bed. The force of the impact vibrated through the floorboards, reaching Jason hidden in the closet left side of the bed. He must have felt it—the rage, the raw energy of the werewolves.

From the darkness outside, a figure stepped into the dimly lit room. It was a 6 feet 8 inches long werewolf with a goddamn physique. His eyes were glittering yellow same as me that made me realize that he was in his Elite form. But his presence didn't unnerve me—it was the five shadows circling the cottage that sent a chill down my spine. Their movements were unmistakable—the patterns, the silent signals that cleared me that they were here to hunt Jason.

"Well, well, my beautiful friend Ella. Long time no see," Mathew greeted with a grin, as if this was a casual reunion. "It's been Six months since you left the pack"

I didn't waste time on pleasantries. "What are you here for?" I growled, my voice low and threatening.

Mathew's smile twisted into something darker. "Oh, me? Just checking in on an old friend," he said with mock sweetness, then dropped the facade. "But you already know, don't you? It's written all over your face. We're here for the human—the traitor who betrayed us. The one who killed our comrade, our team leader."

"I'm not going to let you take him," I said, my voice strong and unwavering.

Mathew replied angrily, his face twisted with confusion. "What are you talking about, Ella?! Weren't you there when they betrayed and killed our friend? Wasn't Mark your friend too? And who told you we came here to take him? We came here to kill him!"

I felt confused and said, "Hey, Mathew, let's talk," I said, trying to diffuse the situation. "Looks like someone has manipulated you. Mark wasn't killed by Jason."

"Oh, Jason. Interesting name, haha?" Mathew sneered. "They were right. These humans can never be our allies. They've been our enemies from the start. And wait a minute, why are you defending this disgusting human?"

My eyes filled with rage, and I roared, "Don't you dare ever call him 'disgusting.' You'll see my anger."

Mathew's expression darkened as he sniffed the air, his senses catching something. "Ella, Ella, Ella. No, no, no! Don't tell me you've had sex with this... this disgusted human! Our pack will never forgive you for that."

A flash of fury surged through me. I was the leader of Team 1, one of the most respected pack members and a skilled soldier. Why would they hate me for the bond I was sent here to form with humans?

"Don't you dare question my loyalty to our pack," I growled. "And don't you ever call him 'disgusting' again."

Mathew looked taken aback by my ferocity. He knew better than anyone what I was capable of. But I couldn't let my guard down now, not when Jason's life was on the line.

"Give me that human," Mathew threatened.

"He's not here," I replied.

"Do I look like an idiot to you? I know he's here, hiding somewhere. I can smell him. He's near, really near," Mathew snapped.

Suddenly, silence engulfed the room. Jason knew there was no point in hiding. Slowly, he opened the closet's door, the faint creak shattering the stillness. He stepped out, dressed only in his underwear. He picked up his shirt from the floor, put it on, and began buttoning it. Mathew's claws extended menacingly, his ears perked up, growling low in his throat. Jason met Mathew's furious gaze with calm defiance and stood beside me.

I stepped forward, blocking Mathew's path toward Jason. "Don't you dare touch him," I warned, my voice low and threatening. I felt Jason's gratitude, but I knew he could handle himself if needed. Still, I wouldn't take any chances with his safety, especially since he didn't have his Hunter gear.

Jason grabbed his pants from the floor and pulled them on quickly. "What's the problem, Gentlewolf?" he asked Mathew, his tone steady.

Mathew's response was sharp and venomous. "You're the leader of the Peace Talk from the hunters' side, Mr. Alexander. Or should I say, Mr. Jason Alexander? Am I right?"

Jason straightened his shoulders, his expression firm. "Yes, I'm the respected leader of Hunter's Team 3 Division and the human representative in the Peace Talk. Do you have a problem with me?"

Mathew clenched his fists, trembling with rage. "I don't have a problem with you. You are the problem!" he roared. Jason tried to reason with him. "Let's talk," he suggested, but Mathew was beyond reasoning. "There's nothing left to talk about, Jason," he growled, his voice dripping with malice.

Suddenly, a small object flew through the window, shattering the glass. It was an 'O'-shaped bomb—a Wolfsbane bomb which hunters use to weaken werewolves. My instincts kicked in, and I dodged it, but the bomb released a thick, toxic smoke. Jason's eyes widened in horror as he recognized the deadly substance.

"Ella, don't breathe it in!" he shouted desperately. "It will make you weak!"

But it was too late. The smoke filled the room, and I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air, coughing uncontrollably. My body involuntarily shifted back into human form. My vision blurred, and every breath felt like fire. Mathew stood just outside the smoke's reach, watching me struggle with a twisted sense of satisfaction.

I remembered feeling like I was dying at that moment. My vision blurred, shadows and shapes merging into an indistinguishable haze. The suffocating scent of Wolfsbane filled my lungs, choking me, burning me from the inside out. Wolfsbane? Why had I never heard of it before? Or… had I? My mind raced, tangled with fragmented memories buried beneath layers of fear and time. Panic clawed at my chest as darkness crept closer, whispering secrets I wasn't ready to face.

Through the fog of my weakening consciousness, a distant voice echoed, soft yet sharp enough to pierce the haze. "Hey, come here, candy," a man's voice said, unfamiliar yet hauntingly known. Suddenly, I wasn't in the suffocating cottage anymore. I was a little girl again, playing in the sun-dappled garden inside of Emma's house, my childhood friend. We giggled, sharing MeatAndy, the savory candy every pup in the pack adored.

Suddenly, Emma left me and ran. I watched her run into his arms, shouting, "Daddyyyyyyyyyy!" He lifted her high, spinning her around, his laughter blending with hers.

Then, I saw him.

My dad. Strong, kind eyes filled with warmth as he approached. "Ella," he called, and I ran into his embrace, feeling the safety of his arms around me. He thanked Emma's mom for watching over me, ruffled my hair, and hoisted me onto his back. Emma waved, her voice a distant echo, "Bye, Ella!"

Wait… that little girl is me.

The memory sharpened, the colors vivid now, pulling me deeper into the past. I remember the rhythmic sway of my father's footsteps as we walked down the forest path, surrounded by towering trees and the distant call of birds. "Daddy, who would I marry?" I asked, my innocent curiosity painting a smile on his face.

"Hmm, probably a prince, my dear," he replied, his voice a melody I longed to hear again.

My eyes sparkled with excitement. "Who would that prince be, Daddy?"

He chuckled softly, his warmth seeping into my heart. "I don't know, my love, but I'm sure he'll be handsome and brave."

I giggled, pondering his words. "Can I marry you, Daddy?"

"No, my sweet Ella, that wouldn't be possible.", He replied sweetly.

As we neared home, the peaceful rhythm shattered. A sudden disturbance—an unnatural shift in the air. My father froze, his senses alert. Then, without warning, a small, metallic object landed before us with a faint clink.

A Wolfsbane bomb.

His eyes filled with horror as he jumped into the forest side and shoved me into the bushes with trembling urgency. "Ella, hide here. Don't come out until I say, okay?" He kissed my forehead, his warmth lingering as he transformed into a werewolf, his protective form towering above me.

I remember clutching my MeatAndy, my heart racing, listening to the chaos unfold beyond the leaves. The growls, the snarls, the deafening silence between every blow. I was terrified, but I believed he'd come back.

All I remembered after that were the fighting voices echoing through the dense woods—shouts like, "Hunt him! Hunt him!" I had waited there with MeatAndy, clutching it tightly, listening to the sounds of the intense fight. I had been scared, but I always believed that my dad would come back for me.

Or will he?

To be continued....