Hunters: Moonlit Shadows

Liam leaned against a tree, catching his breath; his golden eyes scanned the horizon for any sign of movement. His wolf companion, padded over to him, its fur matted with some blood, some of its own. The creature let out a low grumbling howl before shifting to its human form. Its amber eyes met with Liam's as if to say, what now?.

Liam wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and sighed. "I don't know," he admitted.

Liam stared at the clearing.

"Are you still thinking of that hunter?" his companion said slumping beside him.

"Hunters like her don't just walk away" he said giving an intense groan "They keep on coming back till their prey is dead or till they are"

"I don't get what you see in her, she gives off an uneasy vibe to me"

"Yeah, I could definitely see that" Liam chuckled.

"So what do you plan on doing with her?" his companion asked as he stood up

Liam remained silent.

"Korrin, do you smell that?"

Korrin sniffed the air "I smell copper and decay" he gave an intense growl "Vampires"

Liam's gaze darkened, his mind already racing. Vampires didn't stray into werewolf territory and the timing of their presence wasn't a coincidence. Someone had sent them.

"Korrin," he said sharply, pushing off the tree. "We're moving."

Korrin shifted to his wolf form, he followed Liam's steps as quick as he could.

They ran towards the moonlight, rushing and maneuvering their way through the trees. The path became wider revealing a network of caves hidden deep within the forest, the moon was high overhead. The tension in the air was palpable as they entered, his pack-mates turning to greet him with wary eyes.

"You look like hell" one of them said.

"Feels about right," Liam replied. "Where's Faye?"

The one who spoke walked closer to Liam "You come back and you can't even brief me on what had happened, tell me why I'm your second in command"

"Ronan, I don't have time for your silly comments" Liam replied with an intense growl "Where's Faye?"

"She's in the back," Ronan said gesturing toward the largest cave. "Tending to the injured."

Liam nodded and strode past him. He found Faye hunched over one of the wounded, her hands glowing faintly.

"Liam," she said without looking up. "You're late."

"Ran into some old friends" he said leaning against the wall.

Faye glanced up, her sharp green eyes narrowing. "Alaric?"

Liam nodded. "And his pack. They're still sniffing around our borders."

"Lovely," she muttered, returning her focus on the injured wolf. "What's the plan?"

"First, we deal with a bigger problem"

Faye's hands stilled and she looked up to him, her expression wary. "What kind of problem?"

"Vampires," Liam said flatly.

The word hung in the air, and ominous.

"Wait vampires?" Ronan burst in disrupting the tension in the air "What in the world would they want with us?"

Faye threw a boulder at Ronan, who dodged yelping like a puppy.

"Don't eavesdrop what if we were doing something else?" Faye yelled.

"Huhuhu" Ronan held his arm over his mouth "Like what Faye? Making cubs for the pack"

Faye's cheeks flushed red "Wha…what are you talking about?" she stammered yanking another boulder to haul at him.

Liam faked a cough, interrupting them.

"I'm glad that we can still joke around but we've got a crisis in our territory" Liam said his face expressionless.

Faye swore under her breath. "Are you sure about what you just said?"

"I caught their scent on the way back," he said. "They're moving fast, and I don't think they're here for us."

Ronan brow furrowed. "If they're not here for us, then who-"

"Elena," Liam interrupted.

Ronan and Faye exchanged a look.

"Phew I was beginning to think that we were in danger." Ronan sighed, making his way to the door.

"We have to save her"

Ronan stopped in his tracks "The hunter?" His tone was incredulous "You want us to save a hunter? You must be insane to say that"

"Well…."

"I agree with Ronan" Faye said interrupting Liam.

She rose to her feet, her expression skeptical. "Why do you care? She's a hunter, Liam. Not exactly a friend of our kind."

Liam met her gaze, his expression unyielding. "Because if they kill her, they'll come for us next. Hunters don't die easily and her death will bring more of them to our doorstep."

"She's not our responsibility," Ronan said, crossing his arm.

"No, but she's mine" Liam snapped, his voice sharp.

The room fell silent.

Liam took a step forward, his tone softening though firm. "She's in over her head, and she doesn't even know it. If we don't stop this now, it's going to spiral into something none of us control."

Faye's gaze lingered on Liam for a long moment before nodding. "What do you need?"

"Find out who sent the vampires," Liam said. "And make sure the pack is ready for a fight, I'll take care of Elena."

Ronan frowned. "You're going alone?"

Liam smirked. "I'm faster in my own. And if I'm right, she doesn't have much time."

Liam paused staring at Ronan's left arm side.

"Korrin lets go"

The air shifted beside Ronan, Korrin appearing at his side. Ronan yelped taking a leap backward.

"I hate when he does that" Ronan spat. "How long has he been there Liam?"

Without waiting for a response, Liam turned and headed for the exit, Korrin falling into step behind him.