4

~Hunter

I stare down at the plate in front of me, trying not to grimace.

I've been propped up on a stiff chair at a table adorned with food I can't bear to stomach right now.

There is an insistent, stabbing pain in my back, but I've been told this dinner is an honour for me to attend, as I am in the presence of Alpha royalty.

The two straight-backed, stern-faced people in front of me are the parents of Kaan and Taysa, and the previous Alpha and Luna.

Tay told me as she helped me stumble my way downstairs that they relinquished their title to Kaan, but not their control.

They look so much like two as well.

The father has cold green eyes like Kaan, although slightly more narrowed. The mother is much more like Taysa, with warmer eyes and softer features.

"Thank you for joining us for dinner," the man says. Cyrus is his name, I believe.

Allira, the previous Luna, gives me a long look. "I want to apologise on behalf of my son. I understand he did not mean to shoot you, he was just concerned for his people."

I would roll my eyes if I weren't fighting so hard not to crumple down into my seat in pain.

"I don't want to-"

"Thankfully it seems like you are going to make a full recovery, Hunter," Cyrus says, his tone gratingly polite. "It will take a few weeks, according to the healer, but you will not have to be here forever."

My eyes widen.

"A few weeks..."

"Kaan is being especially generous, allowing you to recover within the palace's walls, to say sorry for his actions." Allira's tone seems to be slipping in friendliness with every word that comes out of her mouth.

I swallow down my panic. If I let how desperate I am to get out of here slip, they will dig deeper to find out why.

But weeks...I can't be here that long.

"Well, he shot me in the first place, so some may argue it's the bare minimum," I say through gritted teeth.

I understand these people are powerful, but I've lost any reason to care.

"We want to make it clear that we reside here with the purpose of helping and protecting our son. We want to ensure that news of this incident will not get out to the public," she says.

I raise my brows. So they are threatening me. I figured this wasn't a show of good faith.

"Trust me, the public will not learn that I was ever here," I assure them.

It's not because I am actually threatened by them, nor is it because I've taken a liking to anyone here. I would happily leave and spread the word about their Alpha who is inclined to shoot people in the back.

Cyrus narrows his eyes. "We would also like to know what your intentions were, on that particular land?"

I open my mouth to respond, although shut it quickly as Kaan enters the room.

The air in the room chills even more than it was before. He has a darkness in his eyes that his parents don't share, causing me to forget entirely about the pain in my back, focusing instead on every move he makes.

I shift my attention back to his parents.

"I'm not from here, so I didn't know the law," I admit. I'm "I won't be making that mistake again. In fact, I will be leaving promptly, as soon as I can."

Technically I'm not lying.

"Where are you from?" Cyrus asks.

I shift uncomfortably as Kaan's gaze pins me, even from the end of the table. "I would rather not say."

"Hunter is just being shy," Tay says suddenly from beside me. "She's from Lucene, mother. Her parents are both dressmakers."

My attention shifts to Tay, who gives her parents an awkward smile.

Lucene? That Pack is a neighbour to this one, I believe, and one I would have crossed through next if I was able to continue my journey.

"Why did you run away?" Allira questions.

I blink, quickly trying to formulate a backstory in my head. I have no idea why Tay is making a backstory for me, but I could kiss her feet for it. It's exactly what I need but didn't think of to ensure they don't go looking into my real life.

"I didn't want their life. But I've realised now a life on the run is not worth it. I will go back, as soon as I'm better," I assure them calmly, carefully spooning some boiled potatoes onto my plate that I don't intend on eating.

I'm not sure what herbs I'm being fed by the healers but they make me constantly nauseous.

Cyrus exchanges a look with his wife. "We can sort out transport to bring you back home."

"No!" Tay cuts in. "Mother, Hunter is not wealthy. She cannot afford the healers we have. It will take her months to walk again, and even then, she will not fully recover."

I glance at Kaan, who is observing the conversation quietly.

As much as I don't want to be here, if I agree to be escorted home by them, they will quickly become aware that I don't actually have one...

"I appreciate your generosity. Please allow me to stay," I ask softly.

Now I don't want to look at Kaan. I doubt he will be impressed, and as Alpha he can order for me to be removed from this home. But he too knows how dangerous it would be for him if I spread the word about what happened to me.

And I have plenty of evidence...

"Of course you can stay, as long as this information stays within these walls," Cyrus reiterates, looking at his son.

Tay claps her hands together, nearly knocking her plate off the table. "Yay, I'm so excited-"

"You can't seriously allow her to stay here," Kaan cuts in. "She is a danger to the girls."

I scowl at him. Danger? I have a serious back injury that is stopping me from jumping up from the chair and throttling him with it.

Plus, as irritating as Tay may be, I wouldn't hurt her. Or this other sister who apparently doesn't attend dinners...

"I'm sure you will be here to keep her in check," Cyrus comments dismissively.

I almost laugh. He wishes.

"I'm not babysitting," he mutters.

"You are Alpha, Kaan," Cyrus growls, turning his body to face his ton. "Maybe you can help her get back on her feet, since you're more invested in your physical pursuits than your education."

A muscle in the Alpha's jaw ticks as he stares his father down.

There is something going on in the cracks of their relationship. Kaan is the Alpha and yet he still regards his father as an authority figure.

Most importantly, it's a weakness. One I can exploit to keep him from ripping my throat out before I can get out of here.

"I'm perfectly educated, father," Kaan grumbles.

"As you've told me on multiple occasions." Cyrus shakes his head. "If training can get Hunter here back on her feet quicker, then you shall aid her in it...Unless you want her here longer?"

I risk a look at the Alpha.

He is staring at me now, his gaze unreadable. He seems to be surveying me, weighing up my worth. What is more probable is that he is wondering what the consequences of killing me would be and whether it's worth it.

"No. I'll do it," he eventually concedes.

Mercifully the conversation shifted away from me, allowing me to bow my head and wait until Tay finishes.

The moment she does, I give her a look. She nods in understanding, helping me up.

The worst part of this injury isn't that I'm struggling to walk. It's the pain, which feels similar to being stabbed over and over in the back.

We make it out the door, Kaan brushing past us.

"Hey, stop," I demand.

He sighs, reluctantly turning to face me. "What do you want?"

I realise I'm not intimidating like this, but I need him to take me seriously if I want a chance of surviving here.

"Why do you let them decide everything for you? Aren't you meant to be Alpha?" I question, nodding back into the dining room where his parents linger.

I feel Tay stiffen next to me, her arm wrapped tightly around my waist. Without her standing there I would be crawling around on the floor right now.

"Don't speak about something you don't know," he mumbles darkly.

"Seriously, I want to know," I press.

He sighs through his nose, reaching for me. At first I flinch, although it's pointless to try to get away. He sweeps his arm around my waist, encouraging me to lean against him.

"Thanks Kaan, my arm is killing me," Tay mutters, letting go at me.

I gape at her, betrayed. I have no other choice but to bear my weight against Kaan, my legs threatening to give out.

"If only my injury was fatal," I grumble as he starts helping me back up the stairs.

Unlike Tay, I barely have to carry any of my weight. Irritatingly enough, Kaan is wonderfully strong, his body taut against me.

"You are a bright ray of sunshine, aren't you Hunter?" he muses, smirking down at me.

"That's rich coming from you," I snap back.

Much to my surprise, he delivers me straight to my room. I thought he may have pushed me down the stairs.

He doesn't let me go until I'm sitting on the bed in a rare display of tenderness.

"Stay out of my way," he warns me coldly before walking out through the door.

Well. Never mind then.

"I hate him," I tell Tay, who comes to my side immediately, helping me under the covers again.

"I swear he's a good guy. He's just wary of you," she murmurs, smoothing the duvet down.

For her sake, I hold back my snort of indignation. There doesn't seem to be anything redeeming about her brother, although I will concede that I don't know him like she does.

Clearly there is a side to him that I won't get to see.

It doesn't matter. I won't be here for long. Hopefully.