Chapter One

The sound of frantic breaths disturbed the quiet night. Crunching leaves and panicked grunts told the tale of a hurried flight through the moon-lit forest. The reason for this panic became obvious in the next sounds: the growls of a maddened beast.  

The hunt was on.

The human figure who was running, suddenly came to a stop and dove behind a tree, narrowly dodging the massive hunk of snarling teeth and fur which barrelled past it.

Reaching into its pocket, the human retrieved a walkie-talkie and a voice one would call sweet on any other occasion said “The package is here… It had better be ready”

“Roger… It is right where you requested it” the answer came from the device.

Full pink lips stretched into a smirk.  

Five minutes later, the woman stood proudly, looking down at the bound form of the beast which had pursued her. Covered in a net and drenched in blood, the creature which weighed more than an adult grizzly bear was not something one would expect an ordinary human to ever be able to face alone, yet here she was.

She stepped into the light, revealing a tall woman with strong, athletic features and light brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail. 

“Base, this is Ariana” She spoke once more into the walkie-talkie “The target is down”

Yes the hunt was on… and Ariana was the Huntress.

George Jordan did not see himself as a prideful man. None of his academic or militaristic achievements put much of a smile on his face, but one thing he will always boast about, is his daughter Ariana.

He watched, a massive grin stretching his lips, as she dragged in the unmoving form of her latest quarry into the association compound. The fellow hunters around them now already numbed to the crazy amount of success she had always had didn’t even bother stopping to stare.  

It was practically unheard of for a hunter to take down a fully grown beast on their own, but for Ariana, it was a common occurrence by now.  

He stepped up to her and not minding the blood that covered her tired form, gave her a warm hug.

“You look totally exhausted” he said to her, his smile having reduced and looking at her with a concerned glint in his eye.

“Don’t worry dad” she reassured him “This one…” She kicked the body at her feet “Just proved a little more cunning and powerful, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle”

“That is excellent. Tonight, we will have a feast to celebrate your twentieth successful hunt” his smile briefly coming back full force before dimming once more, a frown came on his face “but there is a development. We have a new mission for you.”

“I am here to serve”

He led her away to his private office to give her the details. They left behind the body, which had shed its earlier beast-like form, leaving behind a tall man, brown of hair, whose eyes stared blankly as he was carried by attendants into a cold room, awaiting processing.  

His story, now forever ended.

Liam Ortega was not a patient man.  

Broad of shoulder and standing at an impressive 6’11”, his very presence commanded respect. His demeanour demanded obedience, and his deep, rumbling voice ensured you listened when he spoke.

Tirian, although taller and more muscular, couldn’t help but feel like an ant as he stood before his Alpha’s desk.

“Repeat once more, what you just said” Liam’s controlled tone spelt trouble and Tirian knew it.

Nevertheless, he had to report to his Alpha.

“The supply caravan was attacked on the way to Orlando” Tirian repeated to him “We managed to drive them off, but there were some casualties and injuries”

Liam’s fingers rolled on his desk as he regarded his Beta. He could smell the nervousness emanating from him. He was right to be nervous.  

The supply was necessary for the upcoming ceremony and the normal needs a group of werewolves living in a city would need. They had contacts within several farms and manufacturing firms on the outskirts of the city. Such an amount of supplies would be difficult to get on a short notice once more.

In a fraction of a second, Liam flashed before Tirian and struck. His hit blew the massive werewolf out the wall and into the street. Liam slowly walked out into the sunlight.

He stepped up to the cowering Tirian and put his foot on his chest.  

“I put you in charge of the supplies for our pack and this is what I get?” putting pressure on his foot “incompetence…” 

He kicked away the cowering man, who cradled a broken hand.

“Get out of my sight. Go and conduct the appropriate funeral rites for the dead.” Liam instructed him “Make sure the injured are properly taken care of until they are completely healed… 

And Tirian” Liam spoke to him with a sharp look in his eye “Do not fail me again”

Tirian scurried off to do as he was told. Liam sighed and regarded his people, most of which hadn’t even bothered to stop and stare at the altercation. They were used to such things, they only stopped to pay their respects to him as their Alpha and then went upon their duties.

Liam turned and headed for the hospital, Tirian knew better than to go seeking medical help before completing the orders he had been given. Liam had to make sure the people who had gotten hurt in the process of service to him were ok and properly taken care off.

When he got there, he was informed that they had accidentally brought back a few humans who had been accompanying the supply truck for a little while and who had gotten injured in the cross fire.

He spoke to the healers and instructed them to stabilize the humans and move them blindfolded back to town to be with their families. The head doctor though told him there was a problem with that.

“She doesn’t appear to remember who she is or where she comes from” the doctor informed the Alpha “And all the ID on her seemed to have been destroyed in the fighting. We could only recover part of a driver’s licence which had a little bit of her name”

Liam considered this, dropping her off in a random place when she is in this state of mind would be extremely dangerous for her.

“Let me see her”

He was taken to a separate room where he saw her. An angel in white. The morning sun seemed to frame her straight hair, the colour of wheat growing in an abundant field. It gave off a halo, framing her angular face, her features, what one would consider aggressive on any other person, were balanced on her in such a way as to give her a valiant beauty. She was tall for a woman, he would guess around 6’1” at least, her body graced of a lean and compact musculature that perfectly complemented her womanly curves. Hers was the beauty of a Valkyrie, or an Amazonian Queen, one which lesser women would bow to.

Liam stood for a moment stunned. He then schooled his expression, making sure his thoughts weren’t plain to see and stepped into the room next to her.

“My name is Liam” he gave out his hand offering a handshake.

“… I believe I am called Ana” she took it.

“Welcome to the Ortega sanctuary”