User blog:Roastedman511/A Lone Hunter, Chapter Six

POV: Mara (First Person)

I felt something jabbing my side, making me stir from my sleep. I looked to see it was just one of my packmates, her foot against my side as she slept in her usual awkward position. I looked around to see everyone else still asleep. Well, asleep or with one of the males we had taken over the years.

I myself had never taken my a man for my own husband. None of them had seemed to catch my eye like the others. Being a werewolf it was in our nature to go after men like rabid animals, each getting their own way with him before taking him into the pack. This was different in my case.

There was only one human male that I wanted. One that should've been mine, that could still be mine. I got up on my feet and decided to go for an early hunt. The others should enjoy the time with their husbands. I was the Alpha after all, and even if I was the "leader", I should still look out for the rest of my pack. I stepped out into the snow covered forest and took a whiff of the forest air. Hopefully, a deer would be close by for food. Maybe catch two or three for everyone to enjoy.

I ran on all fours, following a stray scent of deer into the forest. The smell was close as if it was right in front of me. I looked around for the source, and then realized I had stopped at the one place I thought I'd never end up at.

The house had smoke coming out of a stone at the top, and light shone out of it showing someone was home. Then again, being winter I wasn't surprised that the Manhunter would be home. My body burned at the thought of him being alone in that house, weakened and east to snatch up. It was common knowledge that the human would get sick during the winter, but even then he was still formidable and willing to carry on his daily routine. The place smelled of the forest and warm, just like Rain always did. That scent had always haunted my nose since I saw him when he was just a child, while I wasn't that much older either.

"Maybe now will be my time..." I said under my breath, my mind filled with wanting to mount the hunter.

It had been unfair with what happened to him. I hadn't understood humans at the time, but even then I could only imagine losing family. A pack. I had been the one who found the boy as Quilla and the Sahuagin of the lake looked for any signs of life. As they searched the forest and trees, I had found the boy, huddled and sleeping in corner of the house. The runes on his arms bright green and blue, yet not even close to being demonic. There was no demonic energy coming off of him, only spirit energy that made me feel hunger for a human male the first time in my life.

It had been why I wanted the werewolves of my pack to take him in and raise him. Then I'd be able to take him when I saw fit as not a human male, but as a great Alpha for the pack.

My Alpha.

Quilla thought she had better take care of him sadly. His "uncle" or brother of his father, had been married to the Sahuagin. Meaning she had some right to raise him and look after him. She knew my intentions from the start, what I truly wanted him for. What I wanted to do to him.

It hadn't helped that even without training, he had developed the skills of a true hunter. Those runes let him use magic. They made him be able to become a beast and hunt just as well as any animal, Mamono, or even monsters of the previous Demon Lord's reign. The claws and elongated fangs, the striking blue eyes and raven black hair...

He was almost like a male werewolf, a mate worthy of taking for my own and bearing children for. I wanted him.

As I got closer a new, different smell filled my nose. I stopped in my tracks and began to let it fill. It was definitely another Mamono, but who could it be? It wasn't any of the Sahuagin who occupied the lake, or one from those people who visited Rain during the summer or spring. Yet it was fresh. They had definitely just been there. I needed to see for myself who this was. This potential rival.

I got closer to the window, making sure to not step into any of those traps he would set for prey. I then looked in with my eyes to see a little reflection of myself, my brown hair and fur, along with my yellow eyes. I looked in closer until my eyes widened in shock at what I saw.

Standing there was a Jinko, one with long red hair and seemingly cooking something. I kept watching until she seemed to be done and heading to a room where Rain was sitting in his bed, obviously sick from how he coughed. For a while, they seemed to talk as he ate, but what happened next shocked even me.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">The Manhunter took the Jinko by the arm and flipped her onto the bed. He then looked down at her, his body somewhat on top of hers. I looked away and left, already knowing what was going to happen.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I gritted my teeth in anger. He had been seduced by some meager tiger?! I saw a deer in sight and blindly rushed in for the kill. I brought my claws down in its throat, cutting into it until my prey was dead. I looked at the blood stained snow, and then to the sky.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">He will be mine! No matter what! I thought to myself as I took the deer back to my pack, licking the blood on my lips.

<p data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;">POV: Rain (First Person)

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I rolled over to my other side, trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep on. I covered my mouth as another cough came out my mouth, my chest contracting with pain. I opened my eyes to see Serena peacefully asleep, her arms wrapped around me. Seems I had been able to comfort her despite my sickened condition. It had been unknown to me that she too had lost her family in the fire the Order set through the forest those years ago.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Never had I seen the proud Jinko cry like that in her time here. I hadn't even expected me to pull her onto my bed, or any woman for that matter. It was like some kind of instinct took over, telling me to comfort her. I went to get up for a drink, only to be pulled back down by the Jinko.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"No... Rain... You need... Rest..." The muttering faded into light snoring.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I stifled a laugh as she went back to sleep. I ran my hand through her red hair, the soft strands parting as my fingers went down. She brought herself closer as a smile worked its way onto her face. I smiled as well at how at ease she seemed. I looked over at the empty cup on the desk next to my bed, and back at Serena.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I slowly worked my arm out of her grip until I was free to get off the bed and finally get some water. I grabbed the cup and was relieved to finally have my throat no longer dry. I looked outside to see nothing but the white snow as far as I could see.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">It always surprised me how much it snowed in the winter. Sure it was to be expected with the cold but to think that it snowed that much overnight still made my eyes go wide. After getting some more cups of water downed I went back to my bedroom and took off my shirt. Seemed it had gotten much hotter in the house with all the firewood being used. Seems cutting ahead of the season was worth it in the end.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I laid back down and eased myself back into the Jinko's hold as to not make her think I had gotten up. I did appreciate the help, but I felt it wrong to make trouble for her while her leg was still mending. Even if the only thing she had now was a slight limp, it still made me feel bad. It had been my trap she wandered into after all and being the kind of person I was, I took responsibility.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">As I brought the blanket back over myself and got myself comfortable I felt the brushing of fur against my arm. I looked to see Serena moving a bit closer, her emerald eyes staring right into my own blue. Her face had a bit of a blush to it as she then looked down. I smiled and put my arm around her, pulling her in closer for warmth. To this, she buried her head closer into my chest and then shook her head back and forth, muttering something about me being an idiot. At least that's what I thought she was saying knowing her.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Something wrong?" I asked her smugly.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">She gently hit her head against my side. "You're no fair that's what's wrong. What kind of human are you trying to seduce a Mamono?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"What kind of Mamono are you letting a human seduce you?" I shot back while smiling. She puffed up her cheeks and looked away.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Idiot..."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I rested my head as I looked down at my own feet next to her paws. It wasn't a surprise they were slightly bigger than mine. I noticed her tail swaying back and forth not covered by the blanket. I looked back to see her still looking away from me after my retort. In my book, it was a good retort if anything.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I took my hand and let it slowly drift down her shoulder, slowly bringing down the shirt she was wearing exposing her left shoulder. This made her give a small shout of surprise. She turned her head and looked at me with her face bright red, an angry look on her face. It then died down as I just looked at her.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Is it normal for humans to be so... Aroused when in a fever or something?" Serena asked.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I shrugged. "I don't know. Never had a beautiful woman in my bed..." It was then I realized what I had just said, my own face now red. "I think I should shut my mouth before anything else is said I'm going to regret."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Agreed," Serena said before getting back into the bed, night starting to sink in. "It's best you stop talking for now. Just get some rest so you can get back to taking care of the usual stuff. It's strange seeing you like this, and me having to help you."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I nodded as she put my arm around her. She brought herself close like before and rested her head on my shoulder. I let my head rest aginst hers as I closed my eyes to let myself drift off to sleep.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Hey, Rain?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Yes, Serena?" I replied.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Are all humans like you? Are they nice and get along with Mamono?" She asked.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"I don't really know. The only humans I've met have been the Order, my parents, uncle, and Gray. I won't say we're all bad, but some of us are definitely better than others. I'm just raised in a way to respect people."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Even a monster like me or Quilla?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I sighed. "Yes. Just because you might have parts of a monster, doesn't mean you are one. By the definition, yes you are. But all I see is someone that feels. I feel the Demon Lord made Mamono more human like so there could be hope for peace. Maybe when that day comes it will happen. Until then, I'll treat them like another human being. Even if I die." I said before letting out a yawn at the end.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Serena placed a firmer grip on my arm. "I think some of us in the forest would be sad if you did. I heard your like family to Quilla and her daughter. One time I overheard a Lizardman saying how inspiring you are to some of us. How it's comfortable knowing there's at least one human that doesn't hate us."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I took my left hand from around her and placed it on her head, gently rubbing it. "Don't worry. It'll take a lot to kill me. Plus I'd have some business to take care of still."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Like what?" She asked.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Well, it's not really something I want to say, but... I feel a certain redhead would be quite upset."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">There was silence for a few seconds before she spoke up again, her voice slightly breaking. "I think so too..."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">We both laid there for who knows how long. I didn't know how long I had been asleep until I looked out to see it not as dark as it usually was in the night. I got up and sat on my bed as I saw that Serena had probably gotten up to cook some food or prepare more of my medicine.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I stood myself up and headed into the kitchen to see Serena cooking just like I thought. Two plates were placed on the table, only one of them with a cup next to it. I looked in it to see the familiar purple coloring of the medicine I used for my fever. I then noticed my body didn't have an uncomfortable feeling to it anymore. My muscles weren't strained or did I feel cold on the inside.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Serena walked over to the table with the cooked breakfast, rabbit from the smell of it. She set some on my plate and some on hers before sitting down across from me. I could see a smile on her face, yet it seemed almost forced. I sat down as well and began to eat the cooked rabbit. As I put the first piece into my mouth I could tell her cooking had improved. I looked to see her looking down at the rabbit, her expression still dark and gloomy. I put my fork and knife down and looked at her. It took a good five seconds before she looked up at me and back down. I had decided to ask her what was wrong.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Serena, what is it? If it's about last night I apologize for anything I said or did."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">She smiled once again. "No, it's not that, just..."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Just what?" I felt a bit of saliva build up in my throat.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Just... What will we do once my leg is healed and all? I know at first we planned on me simply leaving but with how everything's happened I don't know what it is we should do..."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I pinched the bridge of my nose and thought about it. She was right, we had more or less come to be comfortable around the other. To the point of last night's events happening between the two of us.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Her leg would be fully healed by spring, and that was also when the game would be easier to hunt. There was still the problem of territory and such, and in my case, avoiding Mara's pack during the mating season. Something that was going to be quite the bother if I wanted to get enough food to last myself as I waited it out. That also reminded me of Serena as well. She would be in her mating season and know where I already lived and with how close we were getting as well...

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">It didn't exactly mean the best in my case.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">Yet that same feeling came back right then. It wanted me to let her stay, yet I already knew what that would mean for either of us. We'd either end up in an awkward position or one hurting the other, and I didn't want to hurt anyone, especially Serena.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I can't tell you what you want. If you feel it's best to leave once your leg is healed, okay. Same with if you want to stay a little longer and make sure. I'm sure we'll be able to somehow make it work out."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Do you really think so? I mean in the spring-"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"The spring," I cut her off. "Is still far away. We have plenty of time beforehand to get things sorted out. Like I said, if you feel you need more time, I'm okay with that. I have to admit, it feels nice having another person in this house. It's been empty for a little too long."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">"Do you really mean that Rain? Even if I hurt you because of-"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I put my hand up for her to stop. I gave her a gentle smile. "You won't. It's hard for me to be mad at you with everything you've done. You could've left me while I was at my weakest to fend for myself. Instead, you stayed and helped me get back to a better condition. Now let's finish eating, seeing as I'm now fit, time to get some firewood and food. Would you like to join me?"

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">At first, she still had that saddened look on her face that had been tinged with worry. Now it seemed a light shone in her eyes like last night. "I'd love to, Manhunter."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">We continued eating. Once we were done I got my clothes on and tried to find some for her as well. When I couldn't find any of my mother's winter clothing Serena made the fur on her body cover more of herself for warmth. It was entrancing, watching her become covered in tiger fur. the only thing that wasn't covered was her face, breast, and nether regions. She covered them with the armor I had first seen her in on that night she got caught in my trap.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">I grabbed my axes and bow and quiver, ready to head out. I put on the familiar cloak and prepared to head out along with the Jinko. We walked through the forest, due to her leg still not fit for using the trees. As we walked she'd give me a look here and there, to which I'd smile causing her to laugh. Seemed we were going to be having a bit of fun before we'd have to part ways.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;">'''A/N: A new challenger has arrived! Yes things are gonna be getting interesting now people. Also sorry for the break. Don't worry, I ain't dead or hanging this up to dry. If anything this is just a little peek of what's to come. After all, all is fair in love and war right? '''