Chapter 2: The Hunt Never Ends

"Do you have any idea who he could be?"

Elena's voice cut through the quiet of my apartment, her words laced with curiosity and just a hint of amusement. She sat cross-legged on my couch, swirling a bottle of beer in her hand, watching me with sharp, expectant eyes.

I exhaled, shaking my head. "No. And the worst part? I couldn't even see his face."

Elena scoffed, leaning back. "I know New Orleans is like the city for weirdos, but this is a whole new level. Who the hell follows a woman into an alley, watches her fight a literal monster, and then claps like it's some kind of Broadway performance?" She paused, eyes widening. "Oh my God. If he clapped right after you killed that werewolf, that means-"

"He was watching the whole time," I finished for her, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it too. A normal person would scream, run, maybe even call the cops. But he just... stood there, watching. And the way he looked at me-like he admired me-it made my skin crawl." I shuddered at the memory. "Who the hell is he? And what kind of cryptic bullshit is you'll find out soon enough? Hell, I don't want to find out!"

Elena smirked. "Uh-huh. Sounds like a secret admirer to me."

I shot her a flat look.

"Oh, come on, don't glare at me like that!" She threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Look, when people have a crush, they do weird things. If I were a guy, I'd totally be into you-so don't blame the man for having taste."

"Elena, please." I groaned, rubbing my temples. "This isn't a joke. I have no idea who he is, and it's seriously getting on my nerves."

"Alright, alright, chill. If he's important, he'll show up again. Guys like that never just disappear for good. You'll find out who he is-whether you want to or not."

I huffed, rolling my shoulders. "Screw it. I'm done thinking about him. Let's go to the bar and have a drink."

Elena gasped dramatically. "You? Want to have a drink? With me? Oh my God, what's happening?" She clutched her chest. "I can't even remember the last time you willingly hung out. It's been werewolf hunt after werewolf hunt. And now, suddenly, you wanna go to the bar? Damn, I should buy a lottery ticket."

"Shut up," I muttered, pulling on my jacket.

She smirked. "Wait-don't tell me. You're not actually here for the drinks, are you?" She narrowed her eyes. "You're tracking a werewolf, aren't you?"

I hesitated for a fraction of a second, and that was enough.

Elena cackled. "Oh my God. I knew it! You just wanted an excuse to drag me along. You never just want to drink."

I sighed. "Fine, you got me. There's a werewolf I've been hunting for a while now. I'm trying to track him down."

Elena laughed, shaking her head. "And let me guess—he just so happens to be at the bar we're going to?"

"...Maybe."

"I knew it! Damn, I should start betting on you, Rox. I'd be rich by now."

I smirked. "I promise-one day, I'll take you for a real drink. No werewolves, no hunts. Just us. I swear."

Elena snorted. "Yeah, yeah. I'll believe it when I see it. But hey, at least I still get to drink tonight. Let's go."

The bar was loud, buzzing with drunken laughter and jazz music that thrummed through the air. The dim lighting cast golden hues over the room, making it feel warm despite the shadows lingering in the corners.

Elena and I sat at the bar, drinks in hand, chatting between sips. She tilted her head toward me. "Did you tell Jackson about this new werewolf you're after?"

I nodded. "Yeah. He was the one who gave me the lead."

Elena hummed, swirling the liquid in her glass. "Huh."

I narrowed my eyes. "What?"

She sighed, setting her drink down. "I don't know, Rox. Sometimes, I think Jackson is just using you for his own agenda."

I stiffened. "That's not true."

"Isn't it?" Elena raised a brow. "He took you in when you were a kid. Trained you. Molded you into the perfect werewolf hunter. And now, every hunt you go on? It's for his missions. Ever wonder if he's the one pulling the strings?"

I gritted my teeth. "Jackson didn't make me do this. I chose this life. I want to hunt werewolves. I need to." My fingers clenched around my glass. "This is my mission, my purpose. It's not about Jackson."

Elena held up her hands. "Okay, okay,

damn. I get it. Relax."

Before I could say more, a loud commotion broke out across the bar. My head snapped toward the source of the noise.

A man had his hand around a young woman's throat, gripping her tightly as she struggled. "Bitch, listen to me," he growled. "When I want something, I take it."

The girl clawed at his arm, gasping for breath. "L-let me go-"

My blood ran cold.

I knew that man.

I'd been hunting him for weeks.

"That's him," I murmured, setting my drink down. "That's the werewolf."

Elena swore under her breath. "Oh, shit."

I rose from my seat, shoulders squaring as I strode toward them. Elena grabbed my wrist. "Be careful."

I didn't look back.

"Let her go," I ordered, voice calm but firm.

The man turned, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Who the fuck are you?"

I cocked my head. "I said, let her go."

He grinned, but something dark lurked behind his expression. "Or what?"

I smirked. "You really wanna find out?"

Something flickered in his eyes- annoyance, intrigue. He released the girl, and she stumbled back, gasping for air. He turned to me, tilting his head. "You offering yourself up instead?"

I smiled. "Have at it."

His grin widened. "You have no idea what you're asking for."

I chuckled. "Oh my God, you stole my line. That's what I was gonna say."

His expression darkened, and he lunged.

I moved first.

A hard punch to the gut sent him staggering, blood sputtering from his lips. Before he could react, I grabbed his shirt and yanked him toward the alley.

The crowd erupted in cheers, but I didn't pay them any mind. Not like I didn't understand them though, I definitely did a good thing defending a girl that was being sexually harassed by a piece of shit but right now all that didn't matter finishing off this monster was all I could think of.

Dragging him into the darkness, I slammed him against the wall. He snarled. "You have no idea who you're messing with."

I smirked. "Same here."

Then he changed.

Bones cracked, his skin rippling as fur sprouted. His face twisted, shifting into something monstrous.

I sighed. "Finally showing your true colors? Took you long enough."

He lunged. I dodged. The fight began.

Blows were exchanged, claws slicing through the air. But I was faster. Stronger. Within minutes, he lay on the ground-bleeding, defeated.

I wiped my blade clean. "And that's that."

Then-

A slow clap echoed in the alley.

I stiffened.

"I like your spirit," a voice drawled. "Damn, you're even better than I imagined."

I turned sharply.

It was him.

The man from before.

"You again," I said coldly.

He smirked. "Caught me."

"Why exactly do you clap at a scene" I replied angrily "like this like it's some sort of performance or TV show this is real life in case you didn't know."

His expression darkened "I do know" he said turning to leave but I held his arm back ain't no way I'm letting him leave just like that.

I narrowed my eyes. "Who are you?"

He stepped closer, gaze flickering with amusement. "You really want to know?"

"Yes," I growled.

He leaned in, his voice low.

"My name is Aidan Thorne."