It Starts At The Tree

Emma's POV

I swung the door open with a bang as I stormed into my father’s office.  How could he?

“Hello to you too” my father’s monotone voice echoed as he looked up from the paperwork that he was reading.

“Why” I snapped flipping my Raven curls over my shoulder.  Rage simmering inside me as I looked at the old man with ash coloured hair and wrinkled face. His iron coloured eyes held no emotion and his face was unshaven. He looked old, tried and sad.

“For your own good” he snapped not even looking up to look at his only child. “To keep you safe” he muttered the last part, remembering.

“Keeping my trapped here is not going to keep me safe” I stormed out and turned left towards my room passing guards as I went. I ran my pale, small hands over the grey stone work of the compound walls.

It was hard for me to keep from screaming at the unfairness that my father had washed upon me. I had turned 20 a few months ago and should have been going on my first hunt but no my father put his foot down being the leader and all. I exhaled deeply as I stormed into my room. I threw myself on my bed and screamed into the soft white pillow. Thiss was my safe haven.

“Emma” a voice broke me out of my daydreams a few hours later, I looked up to see Chris my best friend with chestnut floppy hair at the door to my blue room.

“Are you coming on the hunt?” he asked in his normal, bitter monotone voice.

“I can’t” I said scaling towards him

“Are you coming?” he raised his eyebrow, I smiled ran towards him and gave him a bone crushing hug.

Thirty minutes later I was sneaking out of my father’s compound in the middle of the woods and night dressed in my black skinny jeans and leather jacket, gun in hand. My hair tied in a side pony and my knee high boots contained a sliver knife.

“Right you go north towards this pack house and I’ll go around the east boarder. Ray you go west and Sam you going south.” Chris ordered and we followed his instructions; he was the only one here that had ever gone of a werewolf hunt before.

I went off to towards a pack house we knew of; about a year ago a few (inexperienced) hunters had captured a young werewolf girl that had not shifted but managed to get killed by a lone wolf, let’s just say my father was not best happy.

My father was trying to find a cure for these mutated humans that were unnatural and dangerous to all of human kind. They killed humans without a second thought; well that is what I have heard anyway. I had never even seen a werewolf before apart from the ones in the cells at the compound.

We kept around 40 or so and tested on them to see weaknesses and how to stop the shift. Wolfsbane in the right dose would kill a werewolf but can also knock them out. Moonseeds make them shift. Silver was also, kill them and mercury in bullet form causes them masses of pain and suffering.

I held my gun lightly in my hand, listening as I crept towards a clearing I had heard of. This clearing use to have a girl sitting in a tree reading, people called her the Alone girl but she disappeared about a year ago. Dead I think but father thinks not. I sighed but stilled when I heard the soft and hunting sound of a guitar. Who would be playing guitar at night in the woods? There was a small little town that sat towards the north of the woods but no one would venture out this late just play guitar, would they?

I edged slowly and soundlessly towards the music and that is when I saw him: sitting at the base of a large willow tree, on a rock by the crystal like stream, playing his guitar. He hands were a master of this art like I was the master of a gun; his hands touched the nest like an old friend touches you. I was transfixed by this angelic and godforsaken boy with his sandy hair and pale stature, bent over his wooden friend.

I lurked in the shadows watching him for some time, watching. If you listened ever so closely you could hear him sing softly to himself. I felt a tear slip down my cheek at the song he was singing. A grief-stricken song about the rejection of his soul mate, I felt a bubble of jealous form in my throat as I listened to him singing about his love for this woman who rejected him. Why? I didn’t know but I knew what I had to do! He was a werewolf that I could tell but I could find myself to pull the triggered and ends this wistful man’s life. I wanted to fix him and I couldn’t place why!

I sighed silently to myself as I began to disappear away when I placed my foot of a twig and snapped it. I stilled. The music stopped and a voice soon followed.

“Who’s out there? I can smell you” the voice shouted out into the quite woodland.

“Shit” I whispered to myself, contemplating whether to run for it or not

“Don’t bother running; I am much faster and stronger than you” he shouted out in his hauntingly beautiful voice, I shivered in July.  Crap what was I to do? He was going to kill me for sure!

“Stay where you are” He said he voice getting closer and for some odd and disturbing reason I did. I puzzled, questioning rushing around in my head when his dazzling face came into view a few feet away from me.

I studied him under my lashes: his face was square in shape with a strong jaw line like it had been chiselled from stone and deep-set eyes. His eyes were an icy blue and thick eyebrows framed them. His nose was long and looked as if that been broken a few times. His lips were a pale pink and pump, kissable came to mind as I studied them closely. His hair was a honey-wheat in colour and was messy and un-kept from endlessly running of his large hands through it. He dressed simple, black jeans and a blue denim button down shirt which showed his athletic body off; he muscular and tall with a long neck and slender fingers.  I then noted the tattoo on his well- built arms and a scar on his left cheek.

I blushed as I saw a smirk form on his pale lips; I had been staring at him and he knew it.

“Who are you and what are you doing on this land?” He said after some time.

“I... err...” he stepped towards me as I stepped back.

“Who are you?” he asked softly almost puzzlingly.

“Emma” I said not knowing why I was telling this stranger, this werewolf my name.

“Emma” he repeated. I liked the way his lips formed my name.

“Yes, Emma” I said

“Well Emma what are you doing on the Blood Moon pack’s land?” He said raising one of his eyebrows at me.

“I...err...I” stuttered trying to think of a good reason to be here but none came to mind. I was doomed.

“Emma I think I know why” he said as he watched me fidget under his crystal gaze. “You’re a hunter and not a very good one that that” he said and I frowned. How dare he say that! Hurt flashed in my eyes and a frown plastered on to his face.

“I...”

“I can smell hunter on you and the gun is a good indication” he chuckled as I tried to say I wasn’t.

“Fine” I muttered accepting defeat in some way gracefully. “What are you going to do with me?” I sighed as he stepped closer to me, his figure towering over me, my heart rating picking up as he watched me.

 Why was he affecting me like this? I was scared for the new feeling towards this strange, this werewolf that I should have shot as soon as I saw him. I was in so much trouble that not even disobeying my father seemed better than standing in this clearing with a werewolf that made my heart skip a beat.

“You’re different” he stated looking down at me, I gulped.

“How so” I questioned looking the forest floor that was carpeted with dirt.

“I don’t know” he smiled and my breath hitched in my throat as my heart skipped a beat. I want to see him smile again. I wanted to make him smile. This was not good!

“What are you going to do with me?” I whispered not daring to speak any louder in fear that my voice would fail me.

“Well I am going to take you back with me.” He said. I went to step back but he grabbed my small arm in his large hand and that is when it happened... as soon as our skin touched a spark ran up my arm and found its way to my heart. What was happening? I felt myself falling and the world stopping as I met the man’s eyes crystal blue eyes. Nothing mattered anymore apart from me and him. I had no idea what was happening but it felt right.

“I been looking for you” he whispered softly was he looked into my royal blue eyes.  His hand found its way to my cheek and caressed it lightly with his thumb. My heart beat became faster as I closed my eyes, enjoying the touch of a man.

“You’re just as beautiful as I thought” he said softly as I opened my eyes to meet his again. They filled with happiness, longing and something else.

“What’s happening?” I asked searching his face for answers but found none.

“Sweet Emma” he smiled softly taking my chin in his large hands “you don’t need to worry about that for now” he said softly I nodded trusting him.

“What is your name?” I asked looking away from him.

“My name is Turlough” he said taking my hand and pulled me up; we had somehow ended on the dirt floor of the woods. “Will you come back with me Emma?” he asked looking in my eyes. Would he give me a choice or would he not?

I found myself nodding and a large small broke over his once saddened face. Why was I agreeing to come back with this werewolf, I was a hunter for god sake? But I found myself ignoring my questioning brain and found myself walking with Turlough.

“How old are you Emma?” Turlough broke the silences that had wash over us.

“20” I said taking in my surrounding area: a dirt track that was lined with ferns and oak trees. The night air was crisp and cool on my skin. The aroma of sun shine on the grass and pine filled my airway. I puzzled; why would there this smell be here? I inhaled the intoxicating scent to find it was in fact coming from Turlough who was staring at me like I was a freak. I hung my head in shame as I blushed looking anywhere but the man beside me.

“Can I ask a question?” he said suddenly.

“You just did” I smiled to myself.

“Ha ha very funny can I ask you another one then?” he asked as I chuckled to myself.

“You just did”

“Funny” he said scaling playfully at me.

“Go ahead” I smiled at him.

“Why are you a hunter?” He puzzled at me.

“I was born to be one just like you are born to be a werewolf” I sighed not liking the feeling I could trust him.

“No one is born to kill, it is a choice you make when the time comes to do so” he said looking away from me.

“Well I haven’t killed anyone” I said wanting him not to think badly of me.

“Oh” He looked at me “so you’re not a hunter” he said smiling to himself.

“Not officially. I have to kill my first werewolf for my ‘inner hunter’ to show its self but if my father had anything to do with it I will never become a hunter” I sighed with frustration.

“Why do you hate us so much?”

“Werewolves killed my mother” I said in a bitter tone.

“Not all are bad just like not all humans are good” he sighed as we came into another clearing. The dirt track shifted into gravel. A gentle wind rustled the nearby trees as I took in my surroundings. The moon light washed over the house in front of me, making it look more like a shadow than anything else. I couldn’t take in the details; it was too dark for that but I noted three floors with warm, glowing and almost welcoming lights from the windows of a few rooms.  I noted a few cars parked on the drive way and a large door that led inside.

“This is the pack house” He said smiling down at me as he took my hand in his to pull me towards the stairs that led to the large door. We entered a large hallway with doors leading to different room and a staircase that led to the upstairs bedrooms.

Turlough removed my jacket and placed in on a hook as I took in the hallway. Pictures of smiling faces shone out at me beaming happiness but I saw none of Turlough only one: a photo of Turlough with two girls, one with bright pink hair and the other with brown hair. A man stood next to him grinning down at me but no smile showed on Turlough’s face.

“Come on” he took my hand and led me away from the odd picture and up the stairs to a door with a white door. He knocked and waited.

“Yes” a man with a deep and booming voice answered.

“It’s me can I come in?” Turlough asked and when the man answered he opened the door and led me in.

Two people were in the cream and office like room. I studied the man first: The man had a square face and strong jaw-line much like Turlough’s. He had high cheek bones and deep–set eyes that where jade green and black eyebrows framed them. The man’s hair was raven-black that I thought needed a hair cut as it fell into his pale-green eyes. His lips a rosy red and formed a frown at this moment. His strong and muscular arms crossed on the wooden desk he sat at and his well built shoulders lent forwards as he took me in and Turlough in, lingering on our hands as Turlough hadn’t let go.

The girl that was in the room got up from the chair she was sitting in to stand next to the man, her left hand made its way to his shoulder and I saw him relax. The girl had a heart-shaped face with a wide forehead and pointed chin. She had high cheek bones that where angled and well defined. She had wide-set eyes that were amber in colour and was lined with long black eyelashes. This girl had high-arched eyebrows and a cute little button nose. Her lips were rosy and full with a slight smile forming as she took me and Turlough in. Her hair was platinum blond and cascaded in waves to touch just below her small shoulders. She was small in stature and was lean; the word petite came to mind as I took her in. She wore a simple pink summer dress and no shoes.  Her skin was creamy white.

“Good evening Turlough” the man spoke “and?” he turned her gaze onto me.

“Emma” Turlough spoke for me

“May I ask why you have brought a hunter into our home?” he questioned

“Can you not see Ryan?” the Girl spoke up with a smile of her face as she turned to the man. “Does she know yet?” The girl asked Turlough.

“No she doesn’t Avery” Turlough smiled as Avery beamed at my puzzled face. What was going on? What did they know that I didn’t? I was so confused and I wanted to go back to the compound now but I found I didn’t want to leave Turlough here.

“Well Emma I would you to remove any weapons you are hiding and place them on my desk” Ryan ordered me. Why should I do this?

“Please” Turlough whispered in my ear and I found myself doing what the guy, Ryan said. I was in such deep shit. I sighed as I placed my guns, bullets and my sliver knife on the table in front of me.

“Right now we have that sorted, I am Ryan Alpha of the Blood Moon pack and this is Avery Luna of this pack and my mate. Turlough is the beta if you didn’t know” He said smiling warmly at me. Theses werewolves were so friendly maybe some of the things my father had been telling where wrong and what is a mate?

“Come on” Turlough said after a few moments of small talk mainly between Ryan and Turlough. He led me again out of the room and up a second flight of stair to another white door but this time he didn’t knock.

He switched the light on and the room was flooded with light so once again I took in my surrounding. The room was a pale blue with a double bed in the middle and its own bathroom.

“Here you can have one of my t-shirts.” He handed me a black t-shirt “the bathroom is over there, you can shower and stuff” He said smiling down at me.

“Err... Turlough” I said I didn’t really want to sleep in the same bed as him I had only just meant him. It was bad enough that I came back with him. “Don’t worry we’re not sleeping in the same bed” he smiled as if he was reading my thoughts.

I showered and got changed into the t-shirt and a pair of boxers he gave me before re-entering the room to find Turlough in nothing but a pair of boxer.  I could help myself look over his bare chest and to note the eight-pack. This man was just made of muscular. His smirk became apparent that he had noticed me checking him out and I couldn’t stop the blood rushing to my once pale cheeks.

“Turlough” I asked after some time of sitting of the bed together (away from each other) in silence.

“Yeah” he warmly smiled facing me.

“What is a mate?” I asked puzzled over why Ryan had called the girl Avery his mate; they were not mates they were lovers or boyfriend and girlfriend. I could see the ring on her finger and the way Ryan looked at her.

“A mate is what we call soul mates” He explained “they make you feel safe, protected, loved and they trust each other more than anything.” He smiled to himself.

“Do all where werewolves have mates?” I asked

“You don’t know much about werewolves, do you?” I shook my head “yes all werewolves have mates, they are the opposite of you and when you mate and mark them you become one again like the triple goddess wanted to happen.”

“Oh so it just like a religious thing”

“No when you meet your mate you know they are yours, you feel protected and you trust them and you don’t know why. You feel sparks and you just know that you never want to leave that person.”

“Have you found yours?” I couldn’t help but ask dread filled me up at the thought of me having to give up this man to someone else.   

“Why are you jealous?” he smiled as I punched him “Yes I have” he sobered up from him laughing fit. Sadness filled my insides.

“When did you meet her?” I asked quietly not looking him the eye for some reason I had got inside my head that me and Turlough were going to fall in love with each other. Maybe I had a bit of a crush on him?  

“Two years ago in London at Kings Cross station. I smelt her but found she had someone else.” He said as a little bit of happiness filled my insides again.

“Oh...I was in London two years ago” I smiled and mirrored me.

“Really” I nodded.

“What happened when a mate rejects the other? I am sure that not all werewolves want a mate”

“Well they go mad with loss or sink into a lifelong depression if they only just meant them. If they mark and mate with each other then they die from the loss. “

“Which one are you?” I asked

“A bit of both” he smiled sadly. I wanted to take the pain away but I was not right for him. He will always love that girl in London. I was nothing and never will be but I can’t bring myself to leave him? I didn’t want to be second best! My heart was breaking! I had only just meant this strange, lovely, handsome man and I wanted to give up my life to be with him.

“Emma” I nodded feeling fear and sadness wash over me as my heart was breaking. “Emma I want to tell you something” he took my face in his hands, my heart rate speed up. What was he doing to me? The spark erupted across my cheek to my heart again sending delight shivers down my shine as his sky blue eyes gazed into my royal ones.

“Emma you were in London the same time as me” I nodded what was he getting at? “Well Emma the girl smelt of honey and lemons, like you” He said and I gave him a blank stare. So what does that mean? “Emma I am trying to tell you I am your soul mate... you’re my mate Emma”

So my lovely reader this is what I have got so far? Like it, Love it, Hate it? TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.

Sorry for any mistakes!! It is late and I can’t be bothered to re-read it for simple mistakes!!

Thanks for reading and

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