The Bounty Hunter

Lila's POV

Tobi stood at the front of the hostel holding a brown paper bag so full it looked ready to split at the seams.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d had time to eat,” he said. “Thought I’d bring you something.”

I blinked. “What is it?”

“Couldn’t get Korean, but there’s a noodle place in town. I got… stuff. Chicken, beef, veggies, a few sides. You free for five?”

“Technically I should stay close to the desk,” I said, flipping the little Back in Five sign and walking to one of the nearby bistro tables.

Tobi followed, setting the bag down and unpacking containers like a picnic.

“Wow, very descriptive,” I teased as he listed them by vague food group.

He handed me a pair of chopsticks. I reached for one of the veggie dishes, the scent making my mouth water.

As I took my first bite, I sighed in delight. “This is amazing.”

“You’re not eating?” I asked after a moment, noticing his gaze fixed on me.

He blinked, grabbed the beef noodles, and fumbled with his chopsticks. One noodle made it to his mouth. The rest dropped with a wet splat back into the container. I burst out laughing.

“You’ve never used chopsticks, have you?”

“I didn’t think they’d be this hard.”

“I’ll get you a fork,” I said, rising and heading downstairs to the kitchen.

Tobi's POV

She left the table, her ponytail bouncing with each step. I watched her go, still tasting the air where her laugh had been. There was something about eating with her like this normal, simple, easy. But my pulse hadn’t settled. Not since I saw her. Not since that dream.

I was halfway through a mouthful of noodles when I heard someone approach the desk. A slim, dark-haired guy strolled in, glanced at the front counter, and saw me. He wasn’t a guest. He didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, raised an eyebrow.

Waited.

I knew that look. He was checking me. Judging me. Who’s this guy sitting at the table like he belongs here?

“Lila, where’d you go?” he called out, voice casual, almost teasing.

My head snapped around just as she came up the stairs. She crossed the room with a smile, handed me a fork, and continued past me to the reception counter. He didn’t wait. He reached for her, lifting her off the ground in a hug that made her squeal.

“Henry, put me down!”

My vision tinted red. I clenched my fists under the table, forcing my face to stay neutral. But inside, I was shaking.

He held her like he belonged to her. She laughed like it wasn’t the first time.

I couldn’t stay. I knew myself. Knew how easily that primal rage took over when I felt what was mine being threatened.

I grabbed my jacket and left without a word.

I stormed through the streets back to the apartment, my hands twitching with the urge to shift again to run, to tear something apart, to howl until the sky split open.

Who the hell was Henry?

Had she moved on already? Was I just the guy who brought noodles while her new roommate lifted her off her feet?

I jammed my key into the apartment door.

It didn’t click.

The lock was already undone.

Someone was inside.

I stepped in quietly, nose catching a scent I hadn’t picked up in years. Familiar. Strong. Unmistakably werewolf but not one from my pack.

A reading lamp was on in the corner, casting long shadows across the tiny space. In the chair sat a mountain of a man tall, dark-skinned, broad shouldered, relaxed like he owned the room.

Oscar De Silva, the most dangerous bounty hunter in Aruyios.

“How did you escape prison?” I asked flatly.

He smiled. “Who said I escaped?”

I poured us both a glass of brandy, my hand barely steady. We sat facing each other like old friends, though we were anything but.

“So,” I finally said. “Aren’t you going to tell me what you’re doing here?”

“I’m here to bring you back to Aruyios.”

I scoffed. “My father sent you?”

“Your mother did.”

I blinked. “Mother?”

“She freed me. One condition—I bring you home. But only if you come willingly. I offered to hogtie you, but she said you’d just break free again.”

I shook my head. “She’s right.”

Oscar smiled. “She’s smart. Promised me my freedom and land to start a new life.”

“You could just run. Take the deal and disappear.”

“I don’t want to live on the run. I want peace. A place to breathe.”

“And I don’t?” I snapped. “Why do I get forced back into duty and not you?”

“Because you’re a prince,” he said simply. “You were born for this.”

Silence.

“Well, since I’m clearly not wanted here, know any good places to stay?”

“There’s a hotel down the road,” I said, eyes narrowing.

He smiled, knowing exactly what I feared.

Too close to Lila, too dangerous.

“I’ll pay,” I muttered, pulling out my phone and booking a room on his behalf.

“A week, huh?” he said. “You think you’ll shake me that fast?”

I didn’t answer.

Oscar grabbed his duffel bag and headed for the door.

“I’ll see you around, Prince Tobias.”

I paced the apartment after he left, heart pounding. If he so much as caught a whiff of Lila, he’d use her. Threaten her. Maybe worse. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t even risk seeing her until I had a plan.

I poured another glass of brandy and threw it back as my phone buzzed.

Lila:

Where did you go?

I smiled despite myself, deciding to call her.

She answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Hey. Sorry I had to sneak out. My mother called. Family stuff.”

“Oh no, is everything okay?”

Her concern softened something in my chest.

“Yeah, just some legal stuff about my uncle’s estate. I didn’t want you thinking I’d disappeared again.”

“I’m sorry you’re going through that alone.”

I bit my lip. “When it’s over, how about I take you out for coffee? I still owe you one from the airport.”

“But you paid for dinner!”

“Next Monday, then?”

“It’s a date,” she said.

My heart raced. “Perfect. Cya Monday.”

“Goodnight, Tobi.”

Oscar's POV

I leaned against the wall outside the apartment building, earbuds in, volume turned up. The bug I’d planted under his desk chair picked up every word.

A girl named Lila. He lied to her, no uncle, no lawyers. His voice was soft, too soft. Gentle. Warm. Planning a date. So that was her. The weakness Queen Catherine had hinted at. As I walked toward the hotel, I opened the room’s desk drawer, found the stationery, and began to write.

Lila – who is she?

Where was he before Lenweil?

Where is he hiding her?

If I wanted the prince to come home willingly, I’d need leverage. Lila was the key, and I was going to find her.