Hunted

Erin’s POV:

I fell asleep beside Lily. I was comforting her earlier. She misses her father so much. We both do. I went to the kitchen to make myself some tea. Ophelia was eating a snack when I got there.

“Erin. Do you need anything? I'll brew some tea.”

“It’s okay, Ophelia. I’ll do it myself. Thanks,” I took the pot and poured some water in, “Is Axel asleep? Did he eat dinner? He always missed dinner when preoccupied.”

“You didn’t see him?” Ophelia looked puzzled.

“No, why?”

“I thought you knew. He left with his men, Erin. They were in a hurry,” Ophelia took a huge bite of her sandwich. 

“What?” I rushed into father’s office and saw his weapon room open, “Axel!”

I checked inside, but he was not there, and the silver weapons were missing too.

“Oh, shit!” I blurted out, running outside when suddenly, Axel’s car came in and collided with my car, “What the heck!”

Axel was inside and unconscious. I broke the window and dragged him out. He was bleeding.

“Ophelia! Call the doctor now!” I carried Axel to the office and laid him on the couch. I tore off his shirt and saw his deep wounds over his shoulder, “Oh my God!”

I cleaned him and pressed a towel on his wound until the doctor arrived. I told Ophelia to get him some clothes and watch over Lily, not to get inside the office.

When the doctor arrives, he insists on taking Axel to the hospital. I know it’s not a good idea, but he’s losing too much blood. I’m afraid he won’t be able to make it, so I agree. 

The doctor performed immediate surgery for his wounds and suggested a blood transfusion. Luckily, Axel and I have the same blood type. I could donate some, while the rest came from the blood bank.

After a few hours of waiting, Axel was transferred to the recovery room. 

"How is he, doc?” Axel was in a deep sleep because of the anesthesia. 

“He’s actually well. His vitals are pretty impressive. I guess his body was shocked after the incident, but there's nothing to worry about.” 

“Thank you, doc.” 

My worries are gone. Axel is a tough guy. He’s going to get through and be able to go home with Lily in no time. I stayed in the hospital to watch over him. Then I remembered if Axel attacked Alpha Ezekiel, he would retaliate.

“Oh, no, Lily,” I went home as fast as possible. Ophelia met me in the living room and told me that Lily was asking for Axel and me.

"Pack your things, Ophelia. Now!" Ophelia hurried to her room, startled. While I went to Lily's room and also packed her clothes

I gave Ophelia some money and told her to go on vacation to her hometown and bring Lily. I cannot face Alpha Ezekiel with Axel in the hospital and Lily around here. It was too risky, and I couldn't concentrate. We already lost father, and I'm not going to lose them either. I will explain everything to Axel when he wakes up.

“Ophelia, do not come back unless I tell you. Or I will be the one to get Lily. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Erin.” 

“Erin, why do I have to go?” Lily asked, on the verge of crying.

“To keep you safe, angel. Just for a while. I promise, Axel and I will take you home soon, okay?”

Lily nodded. It was heartbreaking to see her cry and leave. But it is for her own good. I cannot forgive myself if something happens to her. Suddenly, my phone rang, and it was Alejandro. 

“Alejandro. Axel is in the hospi….”

“Ezekiel is dead! Romano’s men are in the house he rented. They are all dead. Where is Axel?”

“What? He's dead? If he’s dead, then….” I ended the call and hurtled back to the hospital. I remembered what the doctor said. Axel’s vitals are impressive, and his wounds are healing fast. If he wakes up, he’ll be confused and gets aggressive. That means….

I heard a roar as I entered the hospital premises and dashed to Axel’s room. He’s awake and grabs the nurse by the neck, lifting him off the ground. His eyes are glaring, and his breathing rapidly.

“Axel! Stop it!” I whack his arm, but Axel pushes me vigorously. My back hit the wall.

“Erin, I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it,” he stared into his hands, shocked by his incredible strength. The nurse ran away, terrified of Axel, “What happened to me, Erin?”

“You’ve been bitten by a werewolf.”

“Ezekiel! He’s a werewolf! I…I killed him. He attacked me!” Axel checked his wound, but it was covered with bandages. He ripped this off and saw his wounds healed.

“Now, your curse,” I whimpered.

“What do you mean curse?” I saw the fear in Axel’s eyes.

“You will turn into a werewolf by the next full moon.”

“No.”

"Yes, you are. Now get your ass up! We're going home," I paid the hospital without the doctor's dismissal order and left the place instantly.

Now that Axel is cursed, I must take him away from Lily and other humans. Werewolves cannot control themselves on their first transformation. They are wild and very dangerous. I must teach him how to control his wolf and prepare him for the transformation. It’s going to be fatal. He needs to condition his body, mind, and soul.

Axel couldn’t understand why he needed to leave. I told him the possibilities, but he was in denial. It was hard to accept his situation, but we got to clear our heads and stay focused. As far as I know, since Axel is not born with werewolf blood, the curse can be lifted as long as it is done after his first transformation. We just need to find a witch that can help us with the cure.

“I need to see my sister.”

“Axel, I told you she is safe with Ophelia. Lily is no longer safe with you unless you learn to control your wolf.”

“How can you be so sure, Erin? How do you know all this?”

“Because I’m….”

The house shook as the explosion blasted off the wall to the office. It caught us off guard, knocking me down on the ground. I heard the roars and the growls. Werewolves. They’re here! I tried to get up, but I was dizzy. The room was covered with smoke. I couldn’t find Axel.

“Erin, are you okay?” Axel, lift me.

“Axel…run...werewolves,” I mumbled, trying to regain my balance.

“What did you say?”

A thunderous roar astounds us. I crawled, pulling Axel inside the weapon room. I rested a bit, blinking my eyes and shaking my head. 

“Erin, are you okay? What’s happening?” Axel palms my cheeks, shaking me. I nodded, but I was struggling to focus.

“Axel!” a roar brings a chill to my bones. He’s here. We’re dead. It instantly clears my head. I took the silver weapons and gave some to Axel.

“Who the hell is that?” Axel asked, loading his gun with silver bullets.

“That is Nicolai. He’s here to kill you!”

“What!”