HUNTED

Aila looked at the golden-haired man. A man who changed his perception of the creatures and pushed past the years of hate drilled into his mind and helped Aila escape a life of misery. She knew it was no easy feat, but to see him now standing alone without his dad whispering evil words in his ears made her feel emotional. Like the others in the luxurious suite, Chase had been there from the start of her agonising journey to becoming a werewolf.

"Chase." Her brows rose in surprise before her eyes assessed his features and body. He seems to be glowing, freshly showered, with no cuts or bruising on his handsome face.. He didn't seem harmed at all.. But she remembered from the video call..

"Aila." His deep voice broke her from her reverie. She walked around the couch and threw her arms around him; his stiff body relaxed, and he pulled her closer to him.

Aila's smile dropped from her face, and she pulled away from him, resting her hands on his forearms. "What the hell happened to you? I thought you were leaving the Hunters Association?"

This caused the others, except Gabriel, to turn their heads in their direction. The topic was obviously a touchy subject and one that needed to clear the air between the creatures in the room. Chase pulled away from her and stood next to the window, his arms crossed, his face brooding as he gazed at the city lights. 

Aila glanced at the guys and suppressed a smile, "Hey, stop with all the brooding.. I swear that's all you ever did at the compound.."

She saw from the window's reflection, one side of his lips twitch up.

"I am just thinking, Aila.."

"That's called brooding.." She replied and crossed her arms, wanting to talk more to her friend. She knew a lot had changed in both their lives over the last few weeks, but they needed to have a catch-up. Maybe away from the others? Aila glanced at them and wondered if that was the issue.

"Aila, eat something. You can try luring a conversation out of your.. HUNTER friend after," Gabriel spoke up as he walked towards a door, opening it just in time for a waitress dressed in a red midi skirt, white blouse and stiletto heels to step through the door pushing a trolley into the large room.

"Over there," Gabriel ordered calmly. His gaze followed the redhead who left the trolley of silver cloches next to a long black glass dining table with golden finishing touches.

Finn and Ajax instantly went to the food, but Aila watched the small interaction between the vampire and the human. "Come back later," He whispered, but his words still floated over to her ears. He placed a handful of cash as a tip to the girl in her hands. She blushed after staring into his eyes before nodding and slipping back out into the hallway, closing the door quietly behind her.

Aila found it bizarre, but it seemed to be the norm from the stony looks on Ajax and Finn's faces. 

"Did you forget I am a vampire, Aila?" Gabriel's voice tingled at the edge of her mind. She didn't reply. "Unless you wish me to feed on you tonight?"

Aila glanced back at Gabriel in shock and shook her head when he faced her with a smirk. But his attention snapped to Finn and Ajax. In a flash, the vampire was next to Ajax, slapping his hand away from one of the covered dishes. 

He clicked his tongue, "Chivalry really is dead. Do I really need to teach you, boys, how to treat a lady?" He arched his brow at them. Chase turned away from his brooding and watched in amusement at the creatures.

"What? Aila doesn't care.." Finn replied, then looked at her sheepishly, second-guessing his words.

Aila smiled gently. "Gabriel, it's fine.. They have lived with me for weeks now.."

"Still, it is courtesy for the lady to eat first," He replied sharply and gestured for her to sit down, pulling the chair out at the head of the table. Aila sat down and glanced back at the others. Finn and Ajax strolled over on her silent command and sat down at the table as well, bringing the food and setting it up.

Aila sat on one end of the table with Ajax and Finn flanking her sides while Gabriel sat at the opposite end, sitting back as though he was on a throne, his leg crossed over his ankle with his hand resting on a large glass of red wine. It was odd seeing Gabriel sitting with them. For her, Finn and Ajax saw each other every day, had breakfast and occasionally dinner together. Now, they sat comfortably at a table having food, similar to how they had their dinner with the pack leaders.

Aila found herself smiling subtly at the atmosphere. It was comforting and warmed her chest. After days (apparently) of being on the run, she could relax and rest for a bit. Her smile slipped. Couldn't she?

Her eyes glanced up to Gabriel's who she knew had been watching her. He raised his glass at her, "You are safe. For now, rest and relax. You can get back to saving the world tomorrow," He said softly before smirking and taking a sip of his wine.

The guys looked at him, unaware that Gabriel was answering her near spiralling thoughts. Aila cleared her throat and spoke over her shoulder, "Chase, come join us."

"Yeah, stop brooding and join the gang!" Ajax waved the hunter over and even moved over to the next seat so he could be on Aila's left side. Her brows rose in surprise; she didn't realise the shifter and hunter had bonded.

Chase flopped down and she saw his demeanour relax, and a cocky smile pulled on his lips, "Does this mean I'm part of your 'prisoner's club' now?"

Aila couldn't help but giggle and watch as Ajax narrowed his eyes at him. "I told you before, its members only. You have to go through a certain checklist to get in.. Oh, wait!" He clasped his hands together excitedly, "You technically became their prisoner after your dad found out you helped us and became a traitor."

Ajax' eyes were twinkling as he looked at Chase. Aila stilled her fork and observed the hunter. She could see the conflict on his face. A flash of hurt crossed his gaze, but it went quickly.

"Welcome to the prisoner's club, Chase. You're part of the gang now! Should we do a blood oath or something? Something to seal the deal.." Ajax began rambling. Aila shook her head and met Chase's widened eyes. She nodded to his questionable gaze.

Yes, Ajax was serious. No, we will not be doing that.