Chapter One: Where it all started.

Chapter One

Maya POV

“You’re the only one I can trust to keep me alive.”

My name is Maya Kristoff and if the man standing opposite me doesn’t help me, i would be dead.

Lets back date a little.

A MONTH AGO.

The air smelled like ash and cider and the clouds around the tall oxford mansion didn’t make it any better, i brushed an invisible strand of hair away from my face, I tapped my neatly packed bun and cleared my throat as i inhaled sharply, there was nothing to do.

I couldn’t go back, even if i wanted, the camera’s had picked me up the instant i walked through the huge brass gates and Harriet would’ve seen me also.

“You seem hesitant to go inside Maya.” I turned slowly to meet the side profile of my squad mate, John.

“No, i’m not.” I answered calmly facing the old building again, “I’m just taking in the sight before me, its bring back a lot of memories, don’t you think?” I added tucking my hands behind me.

“Well, i would say you need it because i heard some pretty interesting news today.” It was hard for my curiosity to stay briddled so i let it get the best of me.

“Would you mind sharing?” I asked and John smiled at me,

“I’m afraid it would spoil the fun, you should go in, you will get all the news you can get.” he said and with one last glance at me John walked towards the front doors.

He may be an annoying guy but at least he was honest enough to keep me prepared. With one last swing at the air i walked towards the giant oaks doors. The doors parted revealing the face of the person i didn’t want to see.

“Maya.” The cold voice called out my name. Stray hazel eyes stared at me and black neatly trimmed bangs framed the face of my platoon leader. Sergeant. Serg, as i called her.

“Serg.” I replied in a stiff tone, from the background i noticed the stares in my direction, hard curious stares. It was obvious that the news of what i had done had spread in the association.

“Follow me.” She said and walked away without waiting for my response. I followed, my heeled boots silently grazing the wooden floors, i kept my shoulders squared and my chin tucked up, i would not forgive myself if i walked like one that has been defeated.

I followed her up the stairs and when we reached the third floor and headed towards the room in the last corner, i knew that there was no escaping. Sergeant entered the room before me giving me milli seconds to prepare myself for what was coming.

I pushed the door open and the aura that enveloped the space was enough to push me down but i managed to step inside without the need to run away.

The board room was large and house a large curved desk behind which the twelve leaderes of the hunters council sat, each presenting a province. Sergeant had just taken her seat at the far left and the scowl she had on her face was replicated through at least six of them.

“Maya Kristoff of the platoon 9a, you have been summoned to the council for a reason, are you aware of this?” The lead captain, Captain Luke Graham, a man in his late sixties, white hair and neatly trimmed bears which covered up the small scare just above his lips.

“No, i am not aware of why i was summoned.” I answered, my voice came out in a soft echo. The council didn’t seem too happy with my response and i could feel hot striking glare on the top of my head.

“It seems your memory needs some reboot, let’s jog it up shall we?” He said and raised a file in front of him while his eyes skimmed through the words.

“On the fifteenth of September, during the red moon, a hunter was seen in the midst of a werewolf brawl. Not only did you help them to capture the great white but you left them alone without doing your job as a hunter.”

I remained quiet thinking on my words carefully.

“Don’t you have something to say?”

“I’m not sure i know what you mean.” I answered instead which was a wrong move for me.

“Maya, this is not a joke.” Sergeant said harshly and i turned to look at her. Her eyes blazed in unhinged flames but it wasn’t enough to send me to my knees.

“The girl clearly doesn’t see the implication of her actions and this is your fault, sergeant. You baby her too much.” One of the men stated and i resisted the urge to throw the pocket knife strap to my pants towards his head. If only he knew that she’ll rather have a knife to her throat than ‘pamper’ me.

“I want to know where your source is from because that would make them at fault for not doing anything, hence making them fall in the same position of failing in their duties.” I said boldly.

“We managed to capture one of the werewolf who crossed our path- Sergeant captured him and he mentioned that you were there during the red moon.”

“Hmm- i see.” I answered. “So i’m getting pernalized for not annihilating about fifty werewolf, even the mega Alphas that is way classified at the same ranking as you?” I asked with my brows tucked up.

“I have been trained in this place to not act impulsively and should not jepordize my identity in critical situations and thats exactly what i did.” I responded firmly.

“I was amongst the werewolf- as an insider- doing my assignment, i was directed to get information on the white wolf and the pack in those areas, i didn’t have enough time to get anything get backup without being pointed out as a suspect.” I explained calmly breaking away other information.

“Now thats not adding up, they would know if you weren’t one of them in one glance- they can smell our kind, they know a threat when they see one.” One of the men with gray hair said and i dug my nails into my palms.

“Thats because i made a deal with their leader, i didn’t have to mingle with the others and they all respected the decision of their leader.” I replied.

“What then did you gain when you got the information you needed? You still let the whitewolf go, and i heard that you two are relate-”

“I am not related to that thing.” My response came out sharply and a little bit agreessive.

“Watch your tone Maya.” Sergeant said and i inhaled slowly, exhaling out the budding aggression.

“The white wolf is discovered to be your foster sister, but thats not the point. What else did you find during your mission?” Something about this question was threatening and majorly inquistive, my brows creased and my mind raced- they must’ve figured out that i had another motive being among the wolves.

“I found a rare gem stone, its my personal finding-” I finally said.

“And you don’t think its beneficial to the association?” one of the council memeber asked.

“I mean nobody mentioned it so i didn't think it was anybody’s business.” i replied calmly.

“Well we will like to bring to your attention that that gem stone is not of any kind and will aid in the progression of the association. We would need you to submit that piece.” Serg said firmly and i tilted my head to the side.

“Oh, and what if i don’t?” I smelled foul play and I watched displeasure cross Serg’s face.

“Then-”

“Its fine. Its all fine,” my eyes widened at the response, it wasn't expected and it was too calm. “If the girl went out of her way to find the gem for herself then i don't see the problem and it shows that we can trust her with the rest of the mission.” the head of the council said and Serg shared my shock but she quickly adjusted herself.

“Mission?” I asked with my brow up. “What mission?”

“You think we were not aware of your little finding?” They had know from the beginning, they had let me find the gem but why was Serg surprised with this? Shouldn’t she know?

“That gem stone, Maya, we’ve been trying to find it for a while now and every hunter we sent out failed at finding it, yet you found the first piece.” The first piece? There was more?

“There is more?” the question slipped out and I watched as the lips of the head of the council slip into a small smile.

“Oh Maya, you didn’t know? Of course there is more.” he replied. “That's why we are offering you the mission to find the rest of them.”

“What’s the catch? What is my reward.”

“You get what every hunter ever dreams of, the crowning of the highest ranking.”