Chapter Fifteen

Arthur gathered his Hunters into the conference table first. There were only 35 of them left, after being killed off by their Half-Moon attackers. That paltry number included him and Alexia. However, in their clan, there were other non-hunters; people who don’t have the Hunter gene in them. They stayed behind since they were not the targets. Their numbers dwindled every time they were attacked and they’ve reduced from 120 to 35 since the attacks began almost a year ago.

“I gathered you all here today, because the Clan leaders—me included—have made a very important decision, due to the attacks we have been facing for the past 11 months. This decision may seem drastic, but know that it is in the best interest of the Hunter clan, and to ensure the continuity of our existence, and the existence of the other clans.”

“Why are we being attacked in the first place? Shouldn’t you have found that out?” asked a member of the Council of Hunters, Theodore Glenn.

“We have, but that is not for you to know just yet,” Arthur replied, “What you should know is that not all of us are going back home today.”

Shocked gasps rented the air as all the hunters glanced at each other before fixing their gazes back on their leader.
He continued, “We have concluded that having a member of each clan in every clan is going to increase our chances of resisting attacks and losing more members. Therefore, some of you will be staying back here in the werewolf clan, while some of you will be going to the vampire and wizard clans.”

“But we have very few Hunters left. Won’t that be stretching our resources thin?” enquired another Hunter.

“I am aware of that. However, the non-hunters can always be trained to fight and defend themselves. What they may not be capable of is advanced speed, or extreme agility, or the Hunters’ Sixth Sense,” Arthur reasoned.

Everyone murmured in agreement.

“So, without further ado, I am going to announce the names of those that will be staying back here, in the werewolf clan. Adrian Glenn and Sean Brown, please step out,” instructed Arthur.

Two young men stepped out. One of them was slightly taller than the other one, with blond hair and brown eyes, while the other was black, with blue eyes. His dark curly hair was cropped close to his scalp.

“Together with my daughter, Alexia, you are the ones that are going to stay here in the Werewolf clan,” he pronounced. The two men nodded stiffly and stepped behind him.

“Connor and Carl Jackson, please step out,” Arthur continued. This time, a pair of identical twins stepped out. They were quite young, only 19 years old. However, they were one of the best Hunters in the clan, ranked after Arthur and Alexia. They were tall and handsome with black hair and sea-green eyes. However, they had grim expressions on their faces, “You two will be going to the Wizards’ clan.”

They nodded and went to stand beside Sean and Adrian.

“And finally, Pedro Sanchez and Damian White,” A Hispanic man and another white man stepped out, “You will be going to the Vampire clan,” Arthur concluded.

“The rest of us will be returning home with the appointed members from the other clans. Dismissed!” All the Hunters trooped out of the conference room. Just when Sean and Adrian were about to leave, he called them back.

“Sean, Adrian, wait.” They turned and walked back into the conference room.

“I need you two to help me with something,” he began.

“What is it, sir?” Sean prompted.

“I need you to keep an eye on my daughter. It doesn’t matter whatever arrangement or agreement I have made with the other clans; she is still in hostile territory. Please stand by her, be her family. She might be a Huntress, but she is still my little girl. Promise you will do that for me,” he addressed them solemnly.

Both of them shared a glance, and looked at Arthur again, “Yes sir. It’s a promise,” they vowed.

Arthur smiled gratefully, “Thank you very much, both of you. I am indebted to you.”

They returned his smile before leaving the conference room. Arthur exhaled loudly and ran his hand through his hair before leaving the conference room.

***

“Let us go to my office,” Hayden offered.

“Lead the way, Alpha,” Clara said. Hayden climbed up the stairs and Clara followed.

When they got to the entrance of his office, Hayden opened the door, “After you.”

She said her thanks and entered. She took a seat in front of the Alpha’s desk, and Hayden passed around her to sit on his chair.

He leaned forward, “Clara, we can’t see each other anymore. All that existed between us…has to stop.”

“Why? Is it because of that Hunter-Girl?” she exploded in anger, “Do you really believe she is your mate? Hayden, your mate died. She died 3 years ago. Wolves don’t get two mates and you know that. This is probably a ploy by her and her stupid father to take over the pack and bring it down. They’re probably working with the Wizards, that’s how they charmed you into believing that…”

“ENOUGH!” Hayden yelled, enraged. His face was flushed red with anger as veins popped in his neck. His blue eyes flashed gold at intervals. His wolf was trying to take over. Clara wisely stopped talking and bowed her head, although she was not truly repentant.

“I will condone everything from you, Clara, but I will not accept you laying false accusations and insulting my mate and her father. Is that understood?” he barked.

“Yes, Alpha,” Clara said meekly. Then she raised her head, and Hayden saw that tears shone in them. He softened and reached for her.

“Clara…” he trailed off guiltily when she started sobbing.

“Or are you just deceiving me?” she asked through tears, “Am I not good enough for you anymore? You just saw that…that she was prettier than me, and you decided to go for her, right?”

Hayden looked regretful, “It’s not like that, Clara. The circumstances are beyond me…they’re beyond us, any of us. There’s nothing I can do to stop it.”

“What are those circumstances, Alpha. Tell me,” she sniffled, wiping her tears, “Maybe we can do something about it, because you cannot dump me like this for someone that you met three days ago. I’ve been with you through thick and thin ever since you lost your mate and this is how you want to reward me?”

“Stop crying, Clara. Please. I know all that you have done for me, and I appreciate it, but it has to end now. I have a mate now. Just pray you find yours, so that you can understand how I feel,” he pleaded.

Clara stopped crying and wiped her tears. She lowered her voice and started to bat her eyelids flirtatiously at Hayden. She started sashaying towards him.

“But what can she do for you? What does she have to offer you that I have never given you, huh?” she asked huskily.

Hayden shook his head and smiled wryly, “It’s not about what she can offer me, or what she does for me, Clara. It’s about what I feel for her, and what she feels for me. The mate bond exists between Alexia and I; we both feel it. I like her, Clara. I really do. I’m sorry things turned out this way, Clara.”

Clara moved even closer, bypassing the huge desk and standing directly in front of Hayden, “Really? And you don’t think you’ll miss what we had?” she asked, discreetly loosening one of the buttons on her shirt.

“Miss is not the word, Clara. I cherish it, and I am grateful; but it can no longer continue,” he affirmed.

Clara moved closer still, and bent down, exposing her cleavage to Hayden. She drew her finger from the column of his neck down to his chest before he snatched her finger.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Nothing, just teasing,” she replied.

“Well stop it,” he warned and released her finger. She retracted it and then went down on her knees. She started to fumble with the buckle of his belt.

Hayden screamed in outrage and he leapt to his feet, “What the hell is the meaning of this, Clara? Did you not hear everything I said?”

“I just thought maybe you needed a little…persuasion. You know, to help you change your mind,” she drawled and reached for his belt buckle again.

Hayden slapped her hand away and moved back a few feet, “I don’t need any persuasion, Clara. I have a mate, and I’m sticking with her. There’s no need for any kind of convincing. Now leave my office,” he growled.

Clara took a few steps back like she was going to adhere to his instructions. But, in a flash, she skipped forward and forcefully placed her lips on Hayden’s.

His eyes widened in shock and he tried to push her away without hurting her, but he held on to him tightly.

Over the top of her head, he saw Alexia in the doorway of his office, staring at them with disbelief and hurt reflected in her hazel-green eyes.