The First Hunter Novels & Stories

Why had they stopped? A figure walked from the center of the hunters, a red cloak blowing behind it. Something glinted in the moonlight as it approached. Whoever it was, was small and petite. A gust of wind ripped the hood from its head and pale hair spilled out. "The Huntress," Rashida hissed, the venom in her voice causing the pack to wince. "No mercy, whatever it takes. We will wipe them from this place. Now!" She howled a blood-curdling shriek. The pack joined, their voices intertwining to create one eerie low that echoed through the night.

The moment the witch left me alone. "Prideful hunters, branding their insignia on every damned thing they own." As she said that with clear disdain, it finally occurred to me with sinking dread that my gun carried the distinctive hunter insignia etched prominently into its side. When I'd aimed at the lizard lady earlier, I'd basically announced loudly who and what I was to everyone watching. How could I possibly make such a rookie mistake? I was better than this. "Fine. I'll go with you." "You didn't have much of a choice, hunter."

INTRODUCTION My name is Kacela. I am twenty-one years old, and I am a werewolf hunter. And I have a secret. I am a werewolf. I was raised in a family of werewolf hunters. My father, mother and older brother are all werewolf hunters, and I made my first kill when I was twelve years old. I am trained in weaponry and hand to hand combat as well as other skills that I use in the field, like tracking. I’m also exceptionally good at finding werewolves who don’t want to be found using a variety of techniques, but mostly common sense and computer skills. It’s a family business and it keeps us well employed and financially stable. We move around a lot because of it.

“Yes, how do you think hunters came about?” I shrug my shoulders, it wasn’t something that I had given much thought too. “The very first hunter was one of us, only they had no hybrid?” “They were a Royal?” She bobs her head, “Many years before I came along, but yes. He detested everything about our kind because he was basically human, he had no abilities, no extra senses” “Why?” “No one knew, the Moon Goddess did say that we could not go unchallenged forever”

Everyone was dead, but me. Turning back, I finally put a face to the voice. Her skin was covered in freckles and her hair was a wild brown, like she had stuck her finger in a socket. She was carrying a gun in her hands, but what stood out to me was her outfit. I’d seen it once before, in school. It was the Hunter’s uniform. The patch on her arm confirming it. Hunter’s were mercenaries for hire. Killers for hire, really. The non-magical in the supernatural world. They once were on a death march against all supernaturals, but now they were just raised on how to kill them and were sold to the highest bidder.

It’s my favorite thing to do. “My mother taught me how to hunt. The moment I was steady enough on my feet, I had a bow in my hand. Knife work came next. I was maybe ten when I went on my first real hunt with her, the only person in the group unable to shift. I got a deer. It was my first kill. My dad walked around with me on his shoulders that night while the pack blessed me and celebrated the moment. I feel like that moment made it clear who I’d be in the future.”

Magic and silver laced the air—a deadly combination. The hunters were creating something. It looked like a survivor. I clenched my dagger. "We stop this. Now." Kael nodded. "On my mark." I took a breath. Then we struck. I moved first, my dagger finding its mark in the nearest hunter’s throat. Blood sprayed as he crumpled, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud. Kael was a force of nature, claws tearing through flesh as he brought another man down. A third hunter turned, raising his gun—

A male voice, that I didn’t know, asked. Looking up, I saw a male player, standing a few feet away. His character was a vampire, but he was wearing the armor of a Hunter. Hunters in this game were players that found pleasure in attacking other players for their gold pieces and items. Granted, only common items could be looted.

With my arms and hands stretched out in front of me, I darted into him and grabbed his neck and twisted it in one quick motion. I heard a deep roar and as I was taking down another hunter, I looked over to see Talon fighting with the leader and several other hunters. My first instinct was to help him, when I then saw at the corner of my eye, Kiko on her knees with her arms held out either side of her by four hunters as another stood in front of her raising his gun. He brought the gun up to his eyeline and his finger went to the trigger. I dropped the hunter who was limp in my hands and darted over as quickly as I could.

I glanced at him, my eyes wide with curiosity and confusion, and he swiftly enlightened me. “As a symbol of my being a hunter, I offer each member of the family a weapon they are better accustomed to wielding. Even though you may not consider yourself a hunter ‘officially’, you undoubtedly are one to others. Because being a Cadwell will instantly label you as one.” He added as I continued to stare at the gun in front of me. Although I feel confident using this weapon, I still find it hard to accept that Grandpa will ever hand one to me. So I’m a hunter, huh? I am not an official member, but since I am also a Cadwell, I am still considered as one.