the real world are where the monsters are at

rick riordan

Chapter Twelve:

The sun was shinning down at the group of hunters. They sat near their tents, chatting around the dead fire. They laughed and scream as they mention their stories, their tactics, their want to kill, their need to kill.

Gem sat silently on the rock, hearing foul words being thrown at her kind. She surprised her wolf, telling her it was to save her kind. They needed an inside man — or woman — and they needed them to ride to the top of the chain. Their only hope was to survive long enough till a wolf takes over the hunter society, putting an end to their harsh and evil justice.

"Gem," the woman  willed around when she heard him calling her name. She smiled as he wolf puffed out her chest, hoping her mate would notice. "I need to talk to you."

Gem nodded, slowly rising. Her mate was wearing a white t-shirt, and she loved the way it highlighted his muscle. She smile, walking towards the delicious smell.

"What is it? Do you need me to hunt again?" Hunter shook his head, but he loved the way she was always ready.

"I need to demote you." Gem opened her mouth, but not even a whine left her lips. Hunter gave her a pity smile, but that didn't fix the pain starting to go through her body.

Is he rejecting us? Gem nodded her head before fast waking into the woods, the silent cries of her wolf hitting the trees.

"Gem!" He ran after her, catching Paige and Sage's attentions. They quickly followed.

"Gem, get back here!" He called out.

"Stay away," she cried. She clutched her chest.

Sage nearly laughed. Dramatic much?

"Gem," Hunter whisper. He stated to feel the pain in his gut. "I," he yelped. "What's happening?"

Gem spat, "Rejection."

Hunter shook his head, trying to clear the pain. "Rejection?"

Gem nodded her head, sinking to the ground. "You don't want me, do you? I'll always be some apprentice to you."

Paige shook her head. The creatures in her head growling.

Anger binds.

"Fuck Gem," Hunter shook his head. "Get over here."

Gem looked at him. He wants me near him. Slowly the pain started to sub-sighed. She crawled over to him, the pain still ever lasting till he whispers the words in her ears.

Gem wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing her face closer to his. He's so damn, so fucking hot, and he's mine. "Please don't let go," she whimpered. Her wolf struggle to stay in. She loved the idea of having her mate in her arms.

Hunter heard her purr, and he didn't let go as he stared at her funny. "This whole fucking time."

Gem whimpered, "I'm sorry, Hunter. Please."

"You're a wolf." Gem's heart broke when she heard his voice. It's full of disgust.

"Hunter," she begged. "I was going to tell you. I swear!" Tears fell from her eyes, rolling down her cheeks till it fell off of her chin. Human bonds will never save me. "I just needed a way!"

Hunter didn't move. He stared at her face. He was raised and trained to kill wolves, the very same beasts that destroyed his race and murdered his parents. He stared into her eyes, always lovely watching the life drain from the terrible creatures' eyes, yet, he couldn't with her. What is happening?

Gem smiled softly. "I know you think I'm a... a monster," she whispered, "but not all of us are like that."

Hunter shook his head. He needed to put a blade through her chest. It would be very easy. He has killed Alphas with his bare hands, but this she-wolf left had him on his knees.

Destroy her. Kill him. They are only a block in your way, Human. Show them who the Alpha is.

"I know that you're scared, Hunter, but, Goddess, let me explain."

Paige held back a growl. She didn't need this snake ruining her chances. Sacrifice and Purity hated her. Even though there was a weak bond between human and monsters, they still control each other with emotions.

"Hunter, you're my mate."

Paige came from the trees. Her snarl catching the two off guard. Gem quickly positioned herself in front of her mate, acting like a shield for her future.

"I suggest you get away from my brother," Paige's eyes glowed brown, the strength she felt was multiplying. This is power.

Power means control, and control means domination.

She didn't budge. Instead, she puffed out her chest, her fangs coming from the gums of her mouth. "Never get between mates, Paige. You will lose every time."

Paige bursted into laughter, evil fits of giggles. "We have killed thousands of your kind, mutt. Do you really think all of them didn't have mates?"

"Paige," Hunter held his hand up, gaining his little sister's attention. He waved his hand around trying to get the words out, and wondering why. "Just... just don't."

Sage bursted from the tree line, a hard glare aimed at the two mates. Choosing a mutt over his own sister, disgusting. "How dare you!" She started to march towards them, ready to beat Gem to death. She wasn't going to let another wolf ruin what was left of the Kills, even if Gem was the only hope they had.

"By law of the Council, you have to kill her, Hunter!" Hunter bawled his fist, glaring at Sage as she yelled as him.

Sage and Hunter graduated from the academy together, top class. They worked together, proving their family names. The Kills are known to be the best hunting family to ever walk the face of this corrupted Earth. Sage Clever's father refused to kill a vampire child, and got his name thrown in the mud. He lost his wife and daughter that day.

Always make the kill. Just one can save a village. Sage squared up Gem, staring into the depths of her eyes. She was shock to see some sort of emotion and intelligence, but then this brat has been training and living with hunters.

You touch her Sage," Hunter threatened, stepping in front of his mate. The bond between human male and female wolf was growing stronger, and the fact left Gem wanting to touch him. "I will take you out, family or not."

Sage took a step back, shocked. He's gone rogue. She gulped before regaining her composer. "Hunter, my father lost everything because he couldn't make a damn kill." She stared at him, whispering, "Do not make the same mistake. Remember everything they did."

Hunter didn't show any emotion. He was like a wall, a wall slowly crumbling under the pressure of what he was supposed to do.

"They killed your parents, made you and Paige orphans."

"They beat me, Hunter." Hunter snapped his eyes to his sister, his baby sister, his sister with those betrayal eyes staring into his soul. "They ruin the woman I always wanted to be."

She was weak. She couldn't kill every wolf. She pushed back the chuckle in her head. "They left unforgiving scars on my body. They hurt me in ways no man should.

"I fucking died that night, and you, you Hunter, the one person left in the family, you are going to let her live."

Go for the neck. Cut it like you did yourself, but don't let her heal. Let her blood soak the dirty ground.

Dominance. Get your dominance.