Decisions

Chapter Seven

Hunter’s POV

Leaving the training field, I felt the weight of my thoughts pressing still on me, making it hard to breathe. Faelen’s face flashed in my mind again, that damn girl, and I cursed under my breath.

I needed a distraction, something to drown out this irritating pull I couldn’t shake. Drinking had always been a good way to forget, and maybe, if I was lucky, I’d find some pretty girl to occupy my mind and my bed with.

Yes. That should do the trick.

I made my way to the bar, the one I frequently visited when I needed to unwind. The place was small but classy, with low sounds of conversations and the clinking of glasses filling the air.

As soon as I walked in, a few heads turned, but I ignored them, heading straight for the bar. I ordered a drink, something strong, whiskey, and downed it in one go, feeling the burn as it slid down my throat.

It didn’t take long for Caleb to catch up to me. He walked in with that easy, confident stride of his, still feeling good from our little bet. I could see the smirk on his face as he approached, and I braced myself for more teasing.

“Couldn’t stay away, huh?” I muttered as he pulled up a stool beside me.

Caleb chuckled, waving to the bartender for a drink. “I figured I’d give you some company, and perhaps get my price. After all, it’s not every day I get to see you miss a shot. Might as well enjoy the moment.” He said, settling down beside me. 

I grunted, taking another sip of my drink. “Enjoy it while you can. It won’t happen again.” I replied. 

“I’m sure it won’t,” Caleb said, his tone light, but there was another tone under, the one of amusement.

He leaned in a little closer, dropping the playful banter. “But seriously, Hunter, what’s going on? You don’t miss unless something’s eating at you. So, what is it?” he questioned.

Just then, the bartender brought Caleb’s drink and he snatched it from the table. I stiffened at his question, trying to keep my expression neutral. Caleb knew me too well, could read me like a damn book, and I hated it.

I didn’t want to admit what was really bothering me, didn’t want to admit that a lowly servant girl had somehow gotten under my skin.

The idea of Caleb laughing at me, the mighty Alpha, thinking about a girl like her, it would be embarrassing.

“There’s nothing,” I said calmly, hoping to shut down the conversation. “Just an off day, that’s all.”

“Bullshit,” Caleb shot back, not missing a beat. “I’ve seen you have off days, but this is different. You’ve been on edge ever since you came to the field. And I know you, Hunter. You don’t let things slide like that even if it’s something small. So, what is it?” he asked in a more serious tone. 

I clenched my jaw, my frustration boiling just under the surface. I didn’t want to talk about it, didn’t want to admit that the reason I was so distracted was because of Faelen.

But Caleb wasn’t going to let it go, not until I gave him something. “It’s nothing, Caleb,” I repeated, more forcefully this time. “Just…pack stuff. Running a pack like ours isn’t exactly a walk in the park, you know that.”

Caleb studied me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. I could tell he didn’t believe me, but he wasn’t going to push it, not here, not now.

“Alright,” he finally said, leaning back in his seat. “But if you ever want to talk, you know where to find me.” He said. 

I nodded, relieved that he was letting it drop, at least for the time being. But the unease was still there, pricking at me. I finished my drink and signaled the bartender for another.

Caleb stayed beside me, drinking in silence, and I was grateful for that. Maybe he could sense that I needed to work through whatever this was on my own, or maybe he was just giving me space.

The bar filled up as the evening went on, and I scanned the room, looking for any woman who might catch my eye. But no matter how many pretty faces I saw, none of them held my genuine interest.

None of this could erase the image of Faelen from my mind. Damn it. What was wrong with me?

I slammed my glass down on the bar, harder than I intended, and a few heads turned in my direction. I ignored them, my mood darkening with each passing second.

The alcohol wasn’t helping too, and the idea of taking some random girl to bed suddenly seemed empty, pointless.

“Maybe I’ll head out,” Caleb suddenly said, reading my mood. He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Take it easy, alright? And remember, I’m here if you need anything.” He said placing a hand on my shoulder. 

“Yeah, I know,” I muttered, not looking at him. I didn’t need him to see the trouble in my eyes.

Caleb gave me one last look before he stood up and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I finished my drink and relaxed on the counter, letting the alcohol go through my system.

But the distraction wasn’t working. If anything, it had only made things worse. After Caleb left, I couldn’t just sit there with my thoughts any longer.

I needed to find someone to keep me company, someone to help me forget the mess in my head. I scanned the bar, eyes narrowing as I searched for a real distraction.

It didn’t take long before I noticed a girl at the far end of the bar. She was younger, probably early twenties, with dark, wavy hair that made her face shaped well. 

She was seated with another woman, someone a bit older, maybe a friend. They were deep in conversation, the younger one all smiles and laughter, unaware of my predatory eyes on her.

She looked happy, like she didn’t have a worry in the world. And I wanted to shatter that. I wanted to bring her into my world, just for a night, to take the edge off the frustration in me.

I drained the last of my drink and was about to get up, to walk over and make my move. But then, I hesitated. I was the Alpha of the Howle Wulf pack, the strongest and most powerful. I didn’t chase women.

They were supposed to come to me, to fall at my feet, begging for a piece of my attention. Why should this girl be any different?

Quickly, I decided on a different approach. I signaled the bartender over and leaned in close, my voice low. “Send a bottle to the girls at the end of the bar,” I instructed. 

The bartender gave me a quick nod and headed off to do as I’d asked. I leaned back in my seat, a smirk playing at the corner of my lips as I watched the scene.

This was how it should be, I thought. I was in control. I didn’t need to chase after anyone. I drained the last of the whiskey in my glass once more, my eyes fixed on the girls as the bartender approached their table.

He placed the bottle down with a quiet nod towards me, and both women turned to look in my direction. The younger one’s smile faded slightly, but she quickly recovered, her curiosity piqued.

She leaned over to her friend, whispering something, and they both glanced back at me. I wondered if they’d recognized me, I was the most famous man in the pack after all.

I held the young girls gaze, not bothering to hide the fact that I was watching her. I saw the slight blush on her cheeks, the way she bit her lip as she considered her next move.

I knew what was going through her head… knowing who I was, why I was interested in her, and what would happen next.

She looked down at the bottle, then back at me, and finally, she lifted her glass in a silent toast. I raised mine in return, acknowledging her without a word.

There it was. The first step had been taken. She was already impressed, already hooked. It was only a matter of time before she came over, I knew, curious to know more about the man who had sent them the drink.

I settled back into my seat, feeling a sense of satisfaction. This was what I needed. A real distraction, something to take my mind of the edge and drown out the thoughts of that damn servant girl.

Faelen’s face tried to push its way back into my mind, but I shoved it aside, focusing instead on the woman at the end of the bar. She was still watching me, still trying to decide what to do next.

I could see the decision slowly forming in her eyes, the moment she decided to make her move. I didn’t rush her. I didn’t need to.

She would come to me when she was ready, and when she did, I’d make sure to forget everything else that was bothering me.