Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Aaliyah
The next morning, I was woken up by a knock on the door. As my eyes slowly adjusted to my surroundings, the knocking grew louder.
Wondering who it was, I rose from the bed to open the door and found Piper standing there.
"Good morning," she said, stepping inside.
"Morning," I said, yawning.
"His grace wants you to get ready for the hunt today," she said.
"Hunting?" My eyes widened in excitement. I remembered when I was at the Dhùgak pack, and Tristan would refuse to take me hunting because I didn't have my wolf. Hearing that I was invited to hunt with the Lycans today, I felt incredibly excited.
"Yes," she said. "I'll pack your clothes while you prepare."
I quickly stepped into the bathroom and undressed. I took a hot shower, dressed in tight blue jeans and a coat since the weather was cold. Piper had already packed some of my clothes in a large suitcase. Sitting down at the mirror, I put my hair into a bun.
The only time I went hunting was when my father was still alive. He had taught us how to hunt and trained us as little warriors. But as we grew up, Tristan and I became distant.
The door opened, and I saw Hayley walk in with a woman. I stared at the woman, recognizing her as Sarah, whom I had met the first day Tristan brought me here.
"Good morning," Hayley said, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder. "This is Sarah, a witch and a good friend of mine. She'll be coming hunting with us."
Sarah smiled as she walked closer, extending her hand for a handshake.
"I think we've met," she said.
"Yes," I nodded, glancing at my reflection in the mirror before leaving with them.
I looked down the hall, expecting to see Tristan, but the corridor was empty. Where was he?
"You girls look beautiful," Noah said. He was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers.
"Thank you," Hayley said, and I noticed the blush that formed on her cheeks when he smiled at her. Does she have something with him? I hope not, because I wouldn't want Tristan murdering another of her lovers, especially if it's Noah.
Noah stared at Hayley for a moment before walking with us. My heart raced as we descended the stairs. I shouldn't be feeling this way about wanting to be near him. It shouldn't matter if he was coming with us or not.
"Where is Tristan?" the words slipped from my mouth.
"He had to meet with an Elder," Noah answered. "I'm sure we'll see him outside."
I felt the heaviness lift from my chest. I took a deep breath.
We made our way to the foyer to meet Sarah's husband, Ryan, and two other men. They were all coming with us for the hunt.
"Come with me," Hayley said as she led me to a black car. "Sarah will be taking the van with her husband and the others."
"What about Tristan?" I asked.
"He'll be here soon."
Just then, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I couldn't explain the feeling, but I sensed his presence nearby. My stomach churned with excitement.
Tristan.
He was here. I turned around, my pulse quickening at the sight of him. He was dressed in a black jacket and trousers. His lips drew my attention, and I swallowed softly. A few strands of hair fell on his forehead. As always, he looked mesmerizing, as if he had just stepped out of a painting.
"Tristan," I said.
The corner of his lips lifted into a smile. "You look… breathtaking."
"Thank you," I smiled. "You too."
"Did I cause any delay?" he asked.
"No," Hayley replied. "Where is Lucian?"
"I'm right here, sister," Lucian said. "Miss me already?"
Hayley frowned. "Just get in."
"I'll drive us."
"The keys are with me," Hayley said, flaunting them. "I'm driving."
"Then perhaps I'll take my own car," Lucian said, turning around.
"Lucian," Tristan said. "Can you, for once, behave normally? We are going hunting, and you think we'll take every car with us?"
Lucian's jaw hardened. "You do not make decisions for me."
"I am the King," Tristan snapped. "It's a command. We'll manage with one car."
Hayley smiled, turning around to open the door, but Lucian grabbed the keys from her and smiled, quickly getting inside.
Once they were both in the car, I turned to Tristan.
"Aren't you ready to leave yet?" I asked.
He smiled, leaning closer, and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. My stomach churned with excitement as I touched the spot he'd kissed. We both got into the car, and Lucian drove us out of the estate.
When we parked, I craned my neck to see the van. People were already setting up tents everywhere. Excitement thrummed through me, knowing I would experience hunting again after so long.
I got out of the car, stretching my limbs as I took in the sight of the forest around the camp. I still didn't know what we were hunting. Do Lycans hunt deer and other animals in the forest, just like werewolves do?
"Come with me, Aaliyah," Tristan said, leading me into the forest.
The cold morning air greeted us as we walked deeper into the woods. The scent of leaves and rich damp soil drifted into my nostrils. I thought of the times my father would shift into his massive wolf and lead the pack on a hunt.
"What are we hunting?" I asked. "Deer? Bears?"
Tristan laughed, and my expression turned serious. I didn't find what I said funny.
"I don't see anything funny."
"We are not werewolves, little mouse. Do you think we would drive four hours just to hunt animals?"
"Then why are we here?"
"We hunt vampires," he said. "We kill every single one of them in these forests where they hide from sunlight. If we don't, they would invade the city, killing my people."
My eyes widened slightly. I hadn't thought there would be vampires around. In Dhùgak, we were never attacked by vampires. Our pack was known for being peaceful, and my father never went to war during his reign.
I wondered what vampires looked like in real life. I had only seen them online. People often said they had cold skin because of the deathly smell that lingered around them.
Hearing a twig snap, I looked around to find a woman standing near a tree. She had bloodstains on her gown. My brows furrowed as I looked closer, recognizing her as one of the women from the painting I had seen in the gallery.