Dameon looked down at the little human slumped on the ground in front of him. He hadn't been able to scent her well, something he found interesting. She was a feisty little thing, not afraid of him or his other pack members.
"Is she still alive?" Ben croaked from behind him.
Dameon looked back at the boy with a soft gaze. "Yes. I just knocked her out. I think your father will be interested in her. She's not like the other hunters out there."
Ben snorted. "Tell me about it. That rogue was ready to kill me, but somehow, I sensed her nearby. Even when he drugged me."
Jack and Jaimie walked over to them and looked down at the girl. "She sure is something," Jaimie said softly.
Ben took a step closer to her, but his feet didn't want to help, and he tumbled to the ground, landing over Natasha. They both groaned but Jack quickly grabbed Ben.
"Are you alright?"
Ben looked at him sheepishly. "Yeah, guess I haven't gotten the drug out of my system." He looked down at Natasha closely. "She doesn't look that much younger than me. She must have gone through a lot to be this tough."
Dameon leaned down and picked her up. "We should get back to the compound before she wakes up. Your father is impatient to see you again."
Dameon had closed off the mind link whilst he was racing after Ben. Now, however, the snarling and anger from his alpha had overridden his block and was coursing through him. He winced.
"Right. Jack and Jamie shift into your wolves. Jaimie, carry Ben back. Jack, grab that rogue wolf and drag his ass. I'll shift and take this little hellion back with me. Ben, stay human. You know what the drug will do to your wolf."
Everyone nodded and did as instructed. Dameon looked at the girl in his arms and sighed. This was going to bring a lot of chaos into the pack.
An hour later, they arrived at the pack house. The alpha and his Luna stood at the door waiting impatiently. When Ben stumbled off Jaimie's wolf, his parents rushed him and engulfed him into a huge hug.
Dameon changed back into his human form and smiled as his leaders were reunited with their son. It was like things had been placed back in order. It was how they were meant to be.
"Dameon, thank you so much," Elena gushed tearfully.
He bent his head in respect. "No, it's my honour to bring your son back safely."
Suck up, his wolf muttered. Dameon ignored him.
Elena wiped her face and then noticed the human girl. "Who is she?"
The alpha, Ryan, looked at the girl as well. Dameon answered, "She helped save Ben." Jack held up the rogue. "He's the one who kidnapped your son. According to this girl, he's harmed others beside Ben."
Ryan looked at the rogue, and if looks could kill. The rogue cowed pathetically, even though the wolfsbane going through his system had made him weaker than a human. He sighed. "Take this piece of trash to the cells, and silver cuff him. Take the girl here to a private room. Dameon, I want you to stand guard outside her room. When she awakens, I want you to inform me immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, Alpha."
Elena had an arm around her son and lead him into the pack house. Dameon carried Natasha inside the pack house, ignoring the looks cast his way. He walked up the stairs and placed her inside one of the spare rooms.
Laying her on the bed, he stared at her form. She looked like she was barely eighteen, yet there was a strength about her that spoke beyond her years. Ben had been right, there had to have been hardship in her life to have caused this in her. He brushed her long brown hair off her face. There was a scar that ran from her scalp to her jaw and down her neck, he noticed.
She's pretty…for a human, his wolf said in fascination.
Looking at her, he tried to gather her scent. He caught a small whiff of it when a breeze came through the open window. It was faint but there was something unusual about it. It didn't smell entirely human, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Shaking his head, he walked outside and sat on the chair next to the door. He rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. It had been a long couple of days. Ben being taken and hunting after him. Fighting the urges to slaughter all those who opposed him and got in his way. Ben was like a younger brother to him, and he had seen red when he had heard he had been taken. Being the beta, Dameon was the second strongest in the pack, after the alpha.
Hours passed before he noticed anything changing in the room behind him. Ignoring the eyes and whispered aimed at him, Dameon trained his senses on the girl. At first, she'd just murmured in her sleep, then she'd started tossing and turning. Finally, she came awake with a spring off the bed. He sent a mental link to Ryan to alert him that she as awake.
Dameon smiled to himself as he stood up and knocked on the door. He opened it and looked inside, only to have a small knife thrown at the wall beside his head. He jerked back in surprise and ignored the savage grin she threw at him.
"What the hell!"
She shrugged her shoulders and grabbed another knife from her boot. Holding it by the handle, she asked, "Why am I here? And why the hell did you knock me out?"
It was his turn to shrug. "Because I could. I told you that we were taking you with us. You just made it harder than it needed to be."
She glowered at him. "But I was on another alpha's territory."
Dameon sighed. "I stepped over the border. And that alpha's an idiot anyway. He's not brave enough to go against us. I'm sure even a human like you could take him down."
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."
His wolf laughed. Dameon snorted. "Enough sarcasm. Get cleaned up. The alpha wants to talk to you."
"And if I refuse?"
Dameon walked into the room closer to her. She took a step back, watching him like a predator. "I'll simply throw you over my shoulder, kicking and screaming."
"Don't you dare," she growled.
He smirked at her and took a step closer to her, but she threw her knife at him. It hit him in the shoulder, forcing him back a few steps. He cursed loudly, causing a few people to stick their heads into the room.
Ben popped his head in, saw Dameon pulling the knife out and chuckled. Natasha stared at him. He held a hand up. 'Sorry, Dad wanted to know what was taking so long. I see now you met your match, Dameon."
Natasha blinked at him. "Was that a compliment?"
Ben grinned at her and walked further into the room. "Heck yes. And you saved my life. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
Natasha blushed but shook her head. "No need. It's my duty."
Ben frowned, "Duty? Why is that your duty?"
Natasha glared at him. "It is my duty to offer my arrows, dagger and body as a weapon and shield for those who cannot. It is my duty to be a safe haven to those who need it."
"That's the hunter's creed, isn't it? But how? You're human. As far as I know, the hunter's society has been extinct for over a hundred and fifty years."
She sighed but Dameon stepped in. "I think this is something that should be discussed with your father, Ben. Natasha, if you will." He stepped aside and held an arm out, gesturing towards the door.
After a look, Natasha walked out of the room, snatching her knife from Dameon's hand and stashed it in her boot again. Dameon grumbled, knowing he should have checked her for weapons before he left her alone.
Ben led the way through the pack house, heading to the third level. Up there was where they held all the meetings, and where the alpha's office was. It was sound proofed against their sensitive ears which came in handy.
Dameon pressed the buzzer next to the door of Ryan's office. After announcing themselves, Ryan buzzed them in. When the door opened, Ryan was standing behind his desk.
"Natasha, welcome. Please, have a seat."
Frowning, she did as she was told. Dameon noticed that she sat in a way that allowed her to flee the room whenever the opportunity was needed. He smirked internally. She was a fighter and survivor.
"What do you want from me, alpha?"
Ryan smiled kindly at her. "You helped save my son and captured the one who had taken him. I believe that warrants a thank you and my deepest gratitude."
Natasha sighed and rubbed her face. "Look, I appreciate the thought and all, but I need to go. I have others depending on me and I've been gone too long."
"From all the rumours circulating, we thought you were a loner," Ryan said, sitting in his seat.
"I am, but I have others I look after. They need me and I can't leave them alone." She stood up. "So, if you'll excuse me."
Dameon stepped towards her and grabbed her arm. "Not yet," he said.
Natasha glared daggers at him. "Let me go," she snarled. "I rescued the boy, I got the thanks, I don't want anything else from you lot."
His eyes widened in surprise when he noticed her eyes change colours. They went from her chocolate brown to a vibrant blue. Vampire eyes, his wolf whispered in awe.
Ben cleared his throat. "Can we continue what we were talking about in your room? About the Hunter's society?"
Ryan narrowed his eyes. "Hunter's society?"
Dameon saw Natasha grit her teeth in irritation. "Look, I don't have time for this. Let. Me. Leave." She turned to look at them and he felt their hearts beat faster in shock.
"Your eyes," Ben breathed.
Natasha closed her eyes and let out a breath. A few seconds passed before she opened them again and they were back to normal. "Yes, they do that. Now, I need to leave."
Dameon was about to stop her again, but Ryan shook his head. "Alright, we'll let you leave but know that we will be sending someone with you."
"Why?" Natasha demanded hotly, her body shaking slightly.
"Because you have secrets that could help us with this war that's brewing with the rogues. They've been a thorn in our side for long enough," Ryan growled.
"I don't owe my loyalty to anyone but myself. What makes you think that I'm going to help you?"
"You helped my son when he was in trouble. There's also rumours that you've saved other who have been enslaved. You're a good person who won't let anything bad happen to others with forewarning," Ryan declared. "I'm not going to pressure you, but we may need your help in the future, and I want a way to contact you if that happens. Call this an alliance if you want."
She snorted. "Using my personality against me isn't doing you any favours. But fine. Just know that I do things my own way. I may be human, but I'm no weakling. And I'm not going to bow down to you."
"We wouldn't – "Ben began but Natasha glared him into silence.
"I have people who depend on me. They are my priority. I won't put them at risk for anything – even saving my own hide. Just remember that before you try to use them against me."
Ryan smiled at her and Dameon felt the anger radiate off Natasha. "I wouldn't do that. I'm an alpha, and this pack is my priority. I understand what you're feeling, and I'd never do that. Now, I want Dameon to go with you. He's my beta and I trust him the most."
"But," they exclaimed at the same time.
Ryan shrugged. "I don't care what either of you say. This is what's happening and that's final. Dameon, you have your orders. I want you to return here in a few days. Take what's necessary and then depart."
"Yes, alpha."
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