Chapter 6

That incident put Luke on edge, he dropped me off at home that night with stern instructions not to go out alone anywhere without him. Noctis was fast approaching and whatever this new threat was they needed to curb it by the festival. Having werewolf hunters lurking around when the wolves were most active in giving info their primal instincts did not seem like a good idea. 

Luke had informed his father and brother about what we saw that night, as well as other important pack members. From what he told me, they were keeping the information within the inner circle first in order to not cause a mass panic. So far, trackers were already sent out to figure out whose blood it was, and word was sent to neighboring pack to find any missing person and tell them to be on high alert. 

People in town were not yet aware of these dangerous predators in their midst and Cillian was taking great measures to keep it that way for the time being. 

My parents and I have noticed tighter protection around the enclave and us. With a member of the pack coming to put traps and wards around our cottage for our protection.

As you might guess Luke’s been a bit busy since then, which is working in my favor because there was no way I wanted to face him after what happened the other night. Not the blood trail but what could’ve happened had we not been interrupted. 

My feelings for Luke are clear as day. He is my friend, my best friend and nothing more could happen besides that. The small hiccup of me being his designated soul mate and fated life partner was just a minor thing. If you really think about it, it didn’t even make sense, him and I. It doesn’t help that he is not bad looking, sweet, kind and supportive. The fact that we’re friends will serve as a great foundation for a relationship and I know what a great partner he could be. But all that was besides the point. Did my heart race for him? No, that night was a small glitch in the matrix, stuff like that almost never happened. Except… when it did, and I have to stuff whatever faux feeling my mind is trying to concoct. His life was here, his destiny with the pack. Godforbid if anything happened to Callum or Cillian he’d be expected to lead. He couldn’t leave his people, just like I couldn’t walk away from my dreams. My destiny can’t be here, I don’t think. I need to travel, see the world, without the restrictions of being responsible for an entire people. Besides, Luke needs a strong werewolf mate, not me, I’m just a human. No superhuman strength or physical ability to set me apart or make me special. Alas, I’m utterly gut wrenchingly normal.

The phone rings. “Hey stranger.” It’s Luke.

He chuckles, “I know I’ve been MIA of recent,” 

That’s an understatement, we’ve barely seen since … the other night. Despite everything, I miss him. I wonder how I’m going to survive being apart when I move.

“Are you there?” He asks.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I have a bit of free time, wanna hang?”

I roll my eyes, smiling even though he can’t see me. I hope he feels it through the phone. 

“Yes, your majesty.” I reply mock teasing him. “When?”

“How about now? Look out your window.”

I immediately move to peer out of my window to meet those hauntingly beautiful dark green eyes looking back at me. He has black baggy cargo pants with a black hoodie on and a leather jacket over it. My breath hitches taking him in, I can swear I hear my heart beat in my ears. For a split second all I can do is stare, there was just something so attractive about him. I can’t pinpoint it, usually I should be able to fixate and pick it apart till it becomes unattractive. But I don’t know with Luke, whether it was the way he was standing with his head cocked to the side, leaning on one foot, or just his natural aura. 

He notices me staring or maybe he could hear how fast my heart was beating out of my chest, a slow smile spreads across his lips. 

“How about we go get a drink?”

I quickly shake myself out of my reverie, kicking myself. Pull yourself together Cher, you've had hard years of practice. You’re almost there, don’t jeopardize this.

“I have to get ready.” I say in the most normal voice I can muster.

Without missing a beat, his eyes locked on mine he says. “You already are stunning.”

I quickly turn around already feeling myself blushing, the butterflies gathering in my stomach. What's wrong with me lately?

I quickly pull out the first outfit I can find which is chocolate brown faux leather shorts and a matching chocolate brown zip up faux leather jacket. Grabbing my lip gloss and phone, I quickly stuff both items into my pocket and rush out the door.

•••

The place is crowded as usual, it’s the only trendy singles bar in town. People were not going to get sick of this place easily. 

The humans and wolves are quite cordial but there are still people that hold disdain for the other. Wolves not accepting humans and otherwise. That is why the prospect of these hunters lurking around is dangerous. It threatens the fragile balance being maintained by both parties in the town. Though there’s things like that, this world has come a long way, for both species to coexist. 

“One Prosecco and a vodka martini.” Luke calls to the bartender who replies a swift coming right up.

“This way Cher,” he guides me as we walk towards an empty booth.

It’s very crowded here today. This place is a popular hot spot for young people but except there’s a holiday or special occasion. There’s really no reason for it to be this crowded today.

The energy is a bit off but either Luke doesn’t notice or he just chooses to ignore it.

“How’s preparation for this big love my little flight attendant?”

“Going pretty smooth. There really isn’t so much to do, I don’t need to get an apartment or anything. I don’t really need to pack anything and I’ll be back here whenever I can.”

Luke’s eyes dart around his demeanor immediately shifting as I speak. If you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t notice it. But I do, the slight squaring of the shoulders and straightening of his back. His eyes focused on me but face emotionless, a clear indicator he was listening to something else.

I don’t know if it’s years of watching him, but I began to mirror him unconsciously, which I’m sure I am doing right now. Feeling myself sitting up a bit more. My hearing is not nearly as good as his but I try to sift through the noise and pinpoint what conversation has caught his attention.

It’s faint, but in the distance I hear it, after a while. All the years of copying Luke finally paid off.

“… wolves, a lot of them. Barbaric creatures that they are…. First we let them into our town and slowly after that they start thinking it’s their home, like they have a right to this place.”

“…. They take our lands, jobs and now even our women. Preying on the innocent weak links… the women don’t know any better,”

“…. I don’t know Mark. Being with creatures like that does something to ya, maybe it’s the thrill of the forbidden. They actually lay with these creatures and by the time they’ve realized it it's too late to leave. Animals they are.” The first man replies.

“Yammering on about mates and fate. Like these women belong to them.” 

“You know they hunt them. They don’t know how to treat a lady… covered in fur, I reckon they do it like animals.” A third man chimes into the conversation of the other two men.

“Doggy style.” A loud woman hoots from another end of the room, and they all erupt in laughter.

In focusing on the conversation I didn’t realize that the bar had gotten quieter or the conversation much louder it was easier to eavesdrop on what they were saying. If that’s what it could even be called, at this point the conversation was so loud it felt as though they wanted everyone to hear.

“… on the dirt covered in mud… probably pee on ‘em…”

Laughter erupts again from that table.

I shake off my disgust and try to come back to my conversation. His eyes are trained on me, no longer listening to the disrespectful interaction.

“Luke…”

“Cher,” he shakes his head. “Keep talking, I want to listen to you.”

Butterflies engulf my belly again as I feel warm all over. I try to hide my sheepish smile and continue on with the conversation.

“You there!” A loud voice yells approaching our table. He points drunkenly at Luke coming closer. I see the immediate shift as Luke’s body language shifts into defense mode and I instantly get anxious. I know I am safe no matter what with Luke around, but I’m not looking forward to him engaging in a brawl with a drunken miserable bar goer.

“You’re one of them aren’t ya! I can see through you. Leave our women alone, go back to the zoo.”

Luke immediately checks to make sir I am okay, once he is satisfied he turns to the man repeating on and on again.

“We don’t want any problems, mister. We’re just here for a drink.”

The man seems to not listen as he gets even more agitated. Onlookers are starting to watch as the altercation is garnering attention.

The man draws closer, before he gets too close Luke immediately gets up to protect me which seems to agitate the man a bit more.

“Disgusting animal, you can’t have her. You hear me? You can’t have her.”

By now it’s looking as though it may turn into a full physical confrontation. When another man steps in, pushing the drunk man back.

“Cher, let’s go.” Luke refuses to take the bait from all the insults being hurled at him.

I quickly got up. As we’re about to step away he throws one particularly in my direction due to his outrage.

“Werewolf fucker! It’s called animal beastiality you slu—“

Within a split second before the man is about to complete his statement Luke’s fist is connecting with his jaw. There is an audible crunch as the man falls like a log to the ground.

“No one! Speaks to her like that.” He growls under his breath.

I walk out thinking to myself. The amount of head this man would have gotten tonight if only they were together.