1: Amira

She gasped, her eyes shooting open as she sat up in her bed. Her alarm flashed the bold numbers:

7:25 AM

She ran a hand over her face, feeling her skin drenched in sweat, her tank top clinging to her body. She kicked the blanket off of her, feeling like it was suffocating her. She pushed her wild hair from her face as she got out of bed, stretching in front of the lit up curtains.

“Amira? You awake?” A deep voice called to her from the other side of her door. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, glancing around the room she stood in. It was a motel room with the standard box TV, box spring mattress and the cliche floral blanket and curtains to match. A knock came this time, a bit aggressive.

“I’m up.” She yelled at the door in annoyance, rubbing her temples. It didn’t help that she had that dream again, let alone going to bed late as well.

“Hurry up. The others are gathering to start setting up hunting grounds.” The voice came again with the same annoyance in his tone. She listened to his fading footsteps before going to the bathroom. She grimaced at the discolored bathtub and mold that coated around the base of the toilet. She looked in the cracked mirror, rubbing her face as she turned on the faucet.

“With all the money we have, you’d think we’d stay in someplace a bit more...” She nearly jumped out of her skin as she watched a cockroach crawl from the vent above her and quickly running back in, “sanitary.” She brushed her teeth quickly before her tiny visitor reappeared, switching out of her clothes to her casual jeans that fit her slightly thicker thighs that went well with her ass, and a crop top that exposed her stomach and curved hips. She wasn’t unaware of her body, she learned overtime to appreciate what she had, but that also meant appreciation from unwanted eyes. She combed her long, white wavy hair, reminding her so much of her mother. She grabbed her leather jacket, throwing it on before grabbing her backpack and leaving the disaster of a room behind.

“There’s sleeping beauty.” A woman spoke up cheerfully as Amira walked into the small lounge of the motel. The woman walked up to her with a cup of coffee from the gas station. Her ash blonde hair stopped at her shoulders, and her jacket matched her own. She wore loose jeans and a white shirt that was a little large for the woman’s small frame. Her hazel eyes were warm, but Amira didn’t want warmth right now.

“Thanks Leyla.” Amira replied, taking the coffee and sipping it, sighing happily as it cascaded down her throat and settled into empty stomach. The woman looked at her face closely, her brows coming together.

“Did you sleep okay? I know staying in a motel isn’t exactly the greatest, but it’s cheap.” She said, taking up her own coffee and took a seat at a table near the group. She sat beside her, ignoring the chatter at the next table.

“Yeah, it was just really hot in my room. The AC wasn’t working.” She lied, taking another sip from the coffee. Leyla nodded, but her eyes gave off that she knew there was something else, but she wasn’t going to press on it.

“Well, it’s our last day here.” She said until everyone started to hush near them and their attention went to the man that stood at the front of the group. He wore a plaid button up sweater with jeans. His salt and peppered hair had grown slightly long over the past couple of years, and his age started to show in the wrinkles beside his eyes. Amira lowered her gaze right away, hoping to avoid a confrontation with him.

“Now that everyone is here,” He turned a gaze toward her, “we can get down to the new rotation schedule for the hunting grounds. I’ll start listing you off with your location.” He took up a small notepad and started going down the list. People were already adding to their GPS and talking amongst themselves.

“I bet you’re getting out on your own finally.” Leyla said to her, but she rolled her eyes.

“Unlikely. I can see myself being trapped with him for another rotation.” Amira grumbled irritably. Leyla rested her hand on hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Amira knew she was trying to ease her mind, but it wasn’t working. Nothing has changed since that day, what would make the difference now?

“Amira, you’ll be heading out to Darlow, Wisconsin.” He finally said, and she looked up at him. He continued down the list, unfazed by her surprised reaction. She looked over to Leyla who gave her a wink as she sipped her coffee. She couldn’t believe it.

“Now that you all have your new grounds, be sure to have all of your weapons and supplies ready to go before moving out. I’ll be calling each of you on a monthly basis for updates about what you come across.” His eyes finally lift from the notepad, “Well?” With that everyone rose out of their seats and started to depart. Amira remained seated however, still trying to wrap her head around what just happened.

“Earth to Amira.” Leyla snapped her fingers in front of her face, causing her to blink and refocus back on her, “You spaced out on me. Are you in shock?” She asked her.

“Sort of. I don’t understand. Is this a prank?” Amira asked doubtfully, staring down at her coffee.

“Would you rather I keep you with me?” The man stepped up to their table, drawing both of the women’s attention.

“I just want to know what changed?” She asked him, lowering her gaze again. She gripped her coffee, feeling an uneasiness in her chest as she felt his hard gaze on her.

“It was pointed out to me that you are at the right age to have your own hunting ground. So, that’s what I did. It’s small, and from what I have been able to gather, supposedly the Rogue Alpha is located there. It’s nothing definitive yet, but you’ll be going there to scout. You will not be taking any further action until it’s confirmed the Alpha lives there. Once confirmed, I’ll come up with back up and finally end this stupid rebellion.” He grumbled, his eyes moving away from her as he scratch his unkempt goatee. Amira took a glance at Leyla again who was sipping her coffee, but the corners of her lips were lifted.

“I can do it.” Amira said firmly, and the man met her gaze. His hard eyes had softened a bit for the first time in a long time.

“I know you can. Your contact will get ahold of you the first night of your arrival. They won’t disclose their name for their own safety. Darlow has a very small community college that I enrolled you in as cover,” He took out a sheet from under the notepad and handed it to her, “This has your schedule. Your books are already with Miss J.”

“Miss J?” She asked, the name was ringing a bell.

“She’s a very old friend of your mother’s,” His face twisted with pain for a mere second before resetting, “She owns a Bookstore in town. Above the bookstore is an apartment that is currently being renovated and furnished for you.” He said, handing over a smaller piece of paper to her. Amira took it, trying her best to disguise the excitement that she was feeling, “Those are the directions to get there. After that you’ll be on your own aside from the monthly updates. Any questions?” He asked her. She looked up at him as she took everything in, unable to hide it anymore. She smiled at him, a habit she didn’t do often.

“Thanks dad.” She said as she got to her feet, taking up her backpack.

“Hold on,” Leyla said to her as she got to her feet next. She dug into her pocket and handed over a set of keys. Amira took it questioningly until she recognized the large key on the chain, “A twenty year old needs her own set of wheels, don’t you think?” She asked her, and Liliana restrained herself from jumping up and down. She nodded as firmly as possible, giving them a small wave and walked briskly out the door. Leyla let out a laugh, taking her seat again as the man joined her, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “You did good, Jax.”

“Was it right to send her off on her own? I don’t think she’s ready. I should send someone else in her place.” He reached for his phone, but Leyla smacked his hand hard.

“Don’t you dare. She’s more than ready.” She let out a sigh as he fumbled with his notepad, “She needs this, Jax. Don’t take it away from her now.” Jax looked over to her, the tension in his shoulders leaving as he rested a hand on hers. He nodded, but the doubt still lingered in his chest.

Amira stared happily at the ’78 Ford F-150 parked just outside the motel. She clenched the keys in her hand as she tossed her backpack in the front seat. She took notice of several suitcases, especially a rather large black one that an instrument usually sits in in the bed of the truck. She ran her fingers along the shining red paint, watching it sparkle in the morning sunlight. It finally begun. The moment she had been waiting for so long. Darlow awaited her.

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The sun beat down with extra intensity, the trees blurring on by. The hot breeze made it hard to breathe, but the freedom that blew with it surpassed the need to roll the window up. She can think freely now. She had discarded her jacket, but the heat still made her uncomfortable. She turned the AC dial on high, but nothing came out.

“Well fuck, a heads up would have been nice.” She grumbled angrily, turning it off as the sign for Darlow appeared around the corner. It had an orange frame, the test in large white letters with a dense forest and a lake carved into it. She looked out at the forest around her as she drove. This was her hunting ground, but it didn’t mean it was hers alone. Other monsters hunted these grounds as well, and she had to tread lightly.

The road curved around a cliff side, several buildings rising in the distance as she slowed her speed entering into town. It was like stepping through a time machine and getting sent back into the fifties. Each building had their own unique twist that attempted to be modern to keep up with the current times, but the brick structures contained their old charm. She drove past a movie theater with the wide board that curved around the front with the movie titles listed and the teller window being beside the front entrance. As she drove on, she admired the old fashion pillars that some of the buildings used. The bank, the library. Amira checked her GPS, taking a turn down a street where multiple shops lined up on both sides and came to a halt in front of a store front. As she turned off the engine, she glanced at the window where the store name was written in white:

THE READING TEMPLE

“That’s a cute name.” She commented as she hopped out of the truck, taking in the building. The brick structure stood tall before her with wide windows on either side of the door. Past those windows she could see book shelf after book shelf with countless titles on them. There were small platforms just before the windows, presenting the newest novels that were just published. She peered up to the windows above her. Her new home. She took a breath, steadying herself before pushing open the door.

A bell chimed above her head as she walked in, looking about with curiosity. The book shelves lined the wall and made several rows. It looked like a place so lost in time as she walked down one of the aisles. She spotted book covers that were faded over time, even the titles on their bindings were nearly gone. As she exited the aisle, she found a table in a corner with a chair and a couch. But the place appeared vacant from what she could see.

“Hello? Miss J?” She called out as she made her way further back to a wooden desk that had a monitor sitting there and a small register. She looked past it to several packages and more books behind a locked gate. A hall way ran alongside of it with another door at the end. “Miss J? It’s Amira.” She called louder. This time there was a small cry coming from the back followed by several small thunks to the ground. A woman stumbled out of the back, her thick coarse hair tied back into a bun, her dark skin complimented her grey eyes beautifully. She wore a purple floral dress with pockets when they met gazes. The woman smiled warmly, a smile she hadn’t seen in years.

“Oh child, is that you?” Her southern accent chirped happily as she hustled to the front and took Amira into her arms. She was so warm and welcoming, Amira found herself hugging her back, “I’m glad you made it here safely.” She squeezed her tight before holding her at arms length, “You are a splitting image of your mom. It took me a moment to realize it was actually you and not her standing before me.” She smiled. Amira lowered her gaze awkwardly. She wasn’t used to this amount of affection from someone, let alone a stranger. Miss J released her shoulders and reached into one of her pockets to pull out a set of keys.

“Let me go ahead and introduce myself in full.” She took Amira's hand and placed the keys in her palm. They were warm from sitting in her pocket, “I am Janice, but everyone calls me Miss J. I suppose you already know that I run this shop. The keys I gave you are to this store and the apartment upstairs. Everything is furnished for you, so whatever you have can just be put away.” She inclined her head at Amira, giving her a soft smile, “Your mother was a dear friend to me. So, when Leyla reached out to me about you getting out on your own finally, I just had to whisk you away.” She giggled and turned to the door when it chimed, “Oh, hello there.” She called to the front door. Amira turned to see a woman slightly taller than her with long black hair, fair skin and dressed in a red tee and jeans, but it was the man behind her that caught her eye more. He stood like a tall, bulky statue behind her, practically filling up the doorway. His hair slightly short that was black as the darkest of nights. He was clean shaved and she could see his deep green eyes. Even though he stood so far away from her, she could smell fresh oil and sweat, but she could also pick up the smell of the forest coming from him.

“Hello Miss J, I came to pick up the book I ordered.” The woman said, her voice like sunshine that broke through dark clouds after a heavy storm. Her eyes were gentle as she approached them and came to a halt when she took in Amira, “My, who is this young lady?” She asked with a smile.

Why does she seem so familiar? Her face isn’t recognizable, but her eyes though...

“Oh, this here is Amira. She will be staying in the apartment upstairs and running this book store for me.” She rested a hand on Amira’s shoulder. Amira looked past the woman to the man again as he walked down one of the aisles, avoiding eye contact. The woman raised a brow at her, glancing over her shoulder and let’s out a soft chuckle.

“That’s my son, Aiden. He’s not much of a people person. He’s a mechanic at the auto shop at the end of town.” She informed her, turning her attention back to Amira. Miss J had gone behind the desk to retrieve one of the packages, “My name is Lymeria. Are you here for school?” She asked Amira.

“Oh, yes. I’ll be taking classes at the community college next week.” She replied, and Lymeria nodded with a smile.

“That’s lovely. We have nice courses, so I know you’ll enjoy them.” she said. Amira stared at her, “Is something on my face?”

“No. I’m sorry for staring. You’re just really beautiful.” She complimented, feeling her face grow hot with embarrassment. Lymeria stared at her for a moment before laughing.

“I’m glad to know I still turn heads after all this time. Too bad my husband doesn’t feel that way.” Her eyes got dark when she mentioned that.

“Well, he’s definitely missing out then.” Amira said firmly, making Lymeria laugh more. It was comforting, like a mother’s laughter. She couldn’t remember how her own mother laugh anymore. Has it truly been that long?

“Here you are, Lymeria. For now on, please direct any further questions to Amira here.” Miss J presented her package to Lymeria and she took it happily. Lymeria seemed to hesitate a moment, looking at Amira's face intently. She returned the gaze, looking deep into her forest green eyes.

Why do they look so familiar?

 Lymeria reached out, taking a lock of her hair and wrapped it around her finger. A look of nostalgia crossed her face and her eyes got distant, “It’s as white as snow and soft as Wolf’s fur.” She spoke softly as the hair spun loose from her finger and rested back with the rest. Amira stared at Lymeria as she smiled sweetly at her, “I’m sure I’ll see you around, Amira. Have a lovely day, ladies.” Lymeria wiggled her fingers in farewell as she made her way to the exit. Aiden stepped out from the aisle he had tucked himself behind as his mother walked over. Amira felt her heart flutter at the sight of him as he followed Lymeria out the door, the chime dinging again.

“Come Amira, let’s get you moved in and trained before your first day tomorrow.” Miss J said cheerfully, linking her arm with her own. Amira could only nod as her mind was busy elsewhere.