23. Hunter
I stand at the sternof the ship, the wind whipping through my hair, and I’ve never felt so alive.
We actually made it to sea.
Ylfa and Paddy have been acting like a pair of children, pointing at everything. When a pod of dolphins swam up beside our ship, they were completely ecstatic.
I’m a little more laid-back. I’ve sailed on a boat plenty of times. But only on a lake, never at sea. The sea air has a unique quality. Salty, yet wonderful.
If only my grandfather could be here with me. I worry about him. I know he’s the top dog back at the pack, but he’s the only father figure I care about.
I didn’t like the way Alpha Graeme looked at him before we left. He’d been challenging, almost murderous. Of course, now I know what the man is truly capable of. He raped a young, helpless woman, then left her alone to bear his child, and I hope for my mate’s sake that he doesn’t turn out to be her father.
I know Grandpa can handle himself against the likes of Alpha Graeme, especially with the support of his colleagues. But I know the alpha is amassing a following himself. And they do not like the way the elders handle things.
I shiver.
It’s not worth thinking about. What’s important now is focusing on the current mission. We’ve been at sea for several days, and I’m starting to feel a little seasick.
I snort when Ylfa shuffles up behind me, her skin the color of her green eyes. Looks like someone isn’t coping so well at sea.
The boat sways as it rides over the waves, and she holds onto her stomach, throwing her hand across her mouth. “God... no one said sea sickness would be this bad...”
I chuckle. I guess I’m faring a little better since I used to go out on the lake with my family, but I suppose the sea is a whole different ballgame.
It’s dangerous out here. The weather can change in an instant, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be caught in a storm.
“How’s Paddy holding up?” I ask.
Ylfa sighs, rising fully as she takes my side by the stern. “Not good. He’s throwing up in our cabin.”
I laugh yet again, and Ylfa eyes me evilly. “Why is that funny? The guy is in pain. I thought you were his friend...”
“I am. It’s just typical Paddy...”
She glares at me now, and I finally realize the error of my ways. I guess out of the two of us, Paddy will always come first. She would push me off a cliff if it meant saving her lovable bookworm. It’s fine, though. I’ve come to accept that I’m a third wheel.
I don’t mean to make out that Paddy is a weakling of any kind. I myself want to throw up my innards over the starboard side, but I don’t let it show.
I stammer like a nervous school boy. “Paddy has many strengths... but a strong stomach isn’t one of them.”
Yeah, I’m about to go overboard. I bet she will make me walk the plank like some hot, sassy pirate, and now I’m dreaming of some sexy pirate roleplay.
Ylfa groans, slapping my right shoulder. “It’s fine. Relax, Hunter. I know you didn’t mean it as an insult. Let’s just make the most of this. We’re getting closer to our goal. Can you feel it?”
She climbs up onto the stern and sniffs, and I follow her example. I actually can feel it. Sooner or later, Ylfa will reunite with Raven, and then the both of them can strive for peace.
Maybe it won’t have to come to war, and maybe our pack won’t have to lose more lives. And just maybe we can stop the alpha before he does something stupid.
I just have a feeling that something bad is about to happen. If only I could speak with my grandfather and warn him. But I have faith in him. He has been an elder for decades and can handle himself against the likes of Alpha Graeme.
I don’t tell my mate about my anxieties. I keep the perilous thoughts to myself as I take her hand, and now we both gaze at sea.
There’s no need to worry her after all.
We’re silent for a while. Seagulls cry above as we stand side by side, and I can’t help glancing her way.
She looks so beautiful. The sea brings out the green of her eyes, and I squeeze her hand.