Becoming the Hunted

Adelaide drew in a breath as he told her this was her decision. She looked back to Vivian with curious eyes. “Can it be controlled?” She asked. “Truly controlled? Even in the full moon like tonight? I….” She pressed her lips together. “I don’t even remember getting off of my bed...” She glanced to Henry then. She remembered staring to her ceiling and then the next thing she knew she woke here in this strange place. “And...what information do you want? Where your daughter is?”

Vivian smiled as she watched the two. She lifted her hand and took the drink from Oliver as he returned. She watched as he handed a glass to her. His eyes gazed over Adelaide a moment before he went to lean against the fireplace once again. “It’s quite possible yes. It’s just...a different control than you’re used to. So, it may take some practice. But I have taught plenty of new Roux-ga-Roux.” She smiled. “At least you aren’t a lycan mutt.” She chuckled lightly before she took a long drink from her glass. She drew in a breath. “Boy do you make it strong Oliver.” She commented and then smirked. “I would need all the information you have and I want you to take me to the warlock. You know where Lily is? Exactly where she is? Can you get her out while we fight the pack?” Her eyes watched Adelaide closely then.

Adelaide took in a breath as she watched the woman. She’d taken her glass and sniffed it, it was a stiff drink. Plenty of alcohol in it. Though, she wasn’t against a bit of alcohol in that moment. She took a sip. It had just the right amount of sweet to it. “I know exactly where she is, yes.” She spoke. She then looked to Henry and bit her lip slightly, her hand held his knee again as she processed the question for action. “If that is what it takes for me to learn to control this...then yes...I’ll do whatever it takes. I cannot have the coven find out what I have been turned into...” She lowered her eyes slightly. “It would be a war...I would have to run...” She looked to Henry her eyes worried.

“No need to run then darling.” Vivian spoke before she took another drink of your glass. “Henry, drink up. We have plenty of liquor. Enjoy yourself.” She smirked then. “You may not trust me, but none of my pack will harm you. In fact I’m certain most are more curious than anything.” She laughed lightly. Vivian then looked back to Adelaide. “Alright dear. I’m going to get you something. It’s a suppressant. Something that we often give to young Roux-ga-Roux...it’ll keep you in check. Would you like that?” She asked then.

Adelaide glanced to Henry once again. Would taking a drug truly help? She bit her lip slightly. “Whatever it takes...” She spoke as she looked back to the alpha. For some reason the woman made her feel a sense of calm. She wasn’t afraid of her and oddly enough...she trusted her. Was it because she was the pack alpha? Was that a thing? It certainly wasn’t a thing within the coven. Even if a leader was caring and kind...fear was easily instilled. Just the thought that a vampire was a coven leader was enough to cause uneasy feelings. But this woman before her. She was calm. The room was calm. The other Lycans moved about freely. They lived together as one...it was strange, that was one word for it.

Vivian grinned, “Good. Shall we venture to the warlocks home tomorrow evening?” She asked as she tilted her head.

Adelaide shook her head. “No...um...” She looked to Henry. “We can’t...we...have a thing...already planned with the coven that we cannot miss...”

Vivian frowned slightly. “I’m certain it is not more important than my daughter’s life.” She spoke with a bit of a scoff.

Adelaide bit her lip slightly. “It is the difference between war and no war within my coven….so yes.” She felt extremely uncomfortable talking back to the woman like that. “If the night ends early...we could...go...but the sun...I can walk in the sun?” She questioned then, it seemed her mind had finally wrapped itself around the idea.

Vivian chuckled and grinned. “In a few hours I’ll show you. There’s nothing to worry about dear. Drink.” She took a drink from her glass. “Tomorrow evening then. After your little vampire gathering.” She wrinkled her nose.

Adelaide took a long drink from her glass as Vivian had instructed. She was only halfway through the glass and she could already feel it within her system. Though, it felt good. It felt amazing to finally get a bit of relaxation. “So long as we have enough time.” She spoke and then glance to Henry. She couldn’t disagree with the woman. It was an odd feeling. “I’m sure we can shorten the evening...it usually isn’t too long.” She spoke and took another long drink.

Vivian grinned, “Wonderful.” She replied and lifted her glass. “Oliver.” She spoke. “Get Henry another as well, make it nice and strong.” She smirked before she looked to him. “Tell me, how much experience do you have with gargoyles?” She asked then as she relaxed more into her chair. Adelaide finished off her glass then as she leaned against Henry. “Another for both of our guests son.” Vivian watched as Oliver stood from the wall. He reached forward and took Adelaide’s glass from her hands, his fingers brushed over hers as his eyes gazed over her once again. He offered a warm inviting smile before he stepped away and grabbed his mother’s glass to make another drink.

Adelaide drew in a breath and shook her head slightly. She could feel the alcohol spread through her system. She let out a soft laugh as she leaned against Henry. “If it’s close to daylight...we need to get home...” She looked back to Vivian.

The alpha let out a long breath, “Well, you have to finish your second drink. However I think it would be best if you stay at this hour. Wouldn’t want Henry getting burned up by the sun...” She smirked to them.

Adelaide watched the woman, she drew her brows together. As she went to speak Oliver placed her glass into her hands. He then handed Henry his and finally he gave the last glass to Vivian. “I made it extra special.” He smirked to Vivian before he moved to lean against the stone again. Vivian looked back to him with a smirk as she took a drink.

Adelaide shook her head, “I don’t want Henry to get injured, I think it’s best that we leave soon so that we do not risk it.” She drank from her glass. Though that was when the female lycan spoke to Henry directly. It caused Adelaide’s breath to catch in her chest. Her lips parted to speak but she was cut off.

“Ah yes, and I’ll give you a tour of the world with the sun up.” Oliver spoke up, “That sounds like quite a good time. Doesn’t it?” His eyes locked on hers. “I’ll show you what it’s like to walk among the living.” He grinned then his eyes flicked to Henry and he smirked.

Adelaide took in a quick breath. “No.” She spoke, her voice a growl. She lifted her eyes to look to him. “I know what you’re trying to do.” Her voice was full of frustration as she stood and moved to stand in front of him. Vivian merely watched from where she sat with a smile upon her lips. “We aren’t interested.” She looked to the lycan that was trying to move in on Henry.

Oliver grinned to her, “Spunky.” He replied. “You’ve got a lot of spirit, Adelaide.” He licked his lips slightly. “A shame.”

Adelaide stared into his eyes as he spoke, the silvery blue was almost entrancing. She hated it. She hated the way he looked at her. She drew in a breath and growled slightly to his remarks. “Why don’t you sit down?” Vivian spoke up finally. “No need for a fight. He was only complimenting you, Adelaide.” She smirked then.

Adelaide clinched her jaw slightly. She sat down and lifted her glass once again. “I’m finishing this and then we are leaving.” She spoke as she lifted her glass to her lips. She placed her hand back on Henry’s leg and gave a slight squeeze. She sat as close to him as she possibly could.

“By all means.” Vivian spoke with a chuckle. “Then tomorrow night we will see you, ready for the hunt.” She had finished her glass, it was almost as if the drinks did not have any effect upon her. Then again, the pack members always seemed rather particular which glass they gave to her as if her drink was prepared differently. “Let me grab that suppressant for you.” She cleared her throat slightly as she walked from the room.

Adelaide took in deep breaths as she leaned against Henry. This drink was much stronger than the last. She was nearly finished with it. Her cheeks had even become a rosy color. Oliver chuckled as he watched her. “Ah see? You can loosen up a bit. I’ve heard that noble vampires were snooty but I hadn’t realized just how bad it was.” He grinned as he watched the alcohol take its effects upon her. “Why don’t you finish that drink, hm?” He smirked as he watched her.

Adelaide let out a giggle then after a moment. “You think you’re sly.” She replied to him with another laugh.

Vivian came back and handed a small film canister to Adelaide. “One now, one at night when you first get up and another before bed. There is enough to last you until I see you tomorrow evening.” She walked back over to her chair and took a seat.

Adelaide opened it and looked to the capsules. She pulled one out and inspected it a moment. She had to put some form of trust in the woman...that was all she could do in this moment. Trust or no trust, she had to depend on this pack to keep her coven from discovering her secret. She popped a pill into her mouth and downed the rest of her drink. She held the empty glass up. “We can go now.” She then giggled and leaned heavily against Henry.

“Are you going to be able to make it home like that?” Vivian smirked.

“Why wouldn’t we?” Adelaide shot back, another giggle. “I know how to walk you know?”

Oliver took her glass and brushed his fingertips against her arm as he walked around the couch. “But can you?” He leaned down and asked in her ear. “You look a little intoxicated if you ask me. Maybe the drinks were too strong?” He chuckled, his fingertips gave a squeeze upon her shoulder.

Adelaide drew her brows together. He was most likely right. But she wouldn’t give that to them. She stood and stumbled slightly, the room spun. “Henry...” She collapsed back down onto the couch next to him. She glanced to him with glassy eyes, a giggle came over her lips.

Vivian chuckled as she watched the two. “Well, whatever you decide. We have the guest room, you’re more than welcome to it.” She grinned as she stood and made her way into the kitchen where she smirked at Oliver.

Adelaide leaned back against the couch as Henry stood. She looked up to him as the room spun. She placed her hand upon his leg as he sat back down, a giggle came over her lips and she leaned against him. She looked to him with a warm smile upon her lips as she wrapped her arm around his to hugged herself to him. “Grandfather will understand.” She spoke with a laugh. “It’ll be fine.” She waved a hand and then giggled again.

Vivian smirked as she watched the girl, “You poured her drink a tad strong, Oliver.” She raised a brow and then grinned. “Why don’t you join Adelaide and relax Henry? It would be good for you. It seems that you don’t know how to relax.” She chuckled then, though she remained in her chair. “Now, when would be the best time to go into the house of this warlock?” She questioned curiously.

Adelaide looked to the woman, the smile still upon her lips. “Just after dark.” She spoke. “I came up with a lovely plan. Didn’t I Henry?” She was so talkative when she had enough alcohol in her, there was nothing to hold information back. No walls. No cares in the world. “I’ll get inside, tell him I came for another injection, Henry can come with me.” She kissed along his jaw then and the hummed to herself. “Then...once he gets me down the stairs I can save her while you...and the pack stop the gargoyle...” She grinned at the end. “Though...Henry...you weren’t very nice to him last time...should I go alone?” She pondered the thought and then giggled again as she snuggled against him.

Oliver watched her, his eyes still tracked her every movement. He looked over her body and then his eyes moved to Henry. “The warlock would be less suspecting if you chose to go to him alone. He wouldn’t suspect an attack in the least.” He nodded then, “What do you think mother?”

Vivian seemed to ponder the idea for a long moment before she too nodded. “Yes, if Henry has burned his bridge with the warlock perhaps he should stay back with us. Adelaide should be quite capable to getting inside the home and getting to Lily.” She grinned then.

Oliver shifted slightly and looked to the window. “Ah Henry.” He spoke with a smirk, his eyes tracked to the female lycan, he smirked and then looked back to Henry. “It’s time for you to turn in for the evening. The sun is nearly creeping up over the horizon.” He stepped forward and grinned as he reached his hands forward. “Adelaide, wouldn’t you enjoy to see the sun?” He asked as he held his hands toward her. “Come on, I can keep you safe.” Adelaide looked up into his eyes, a giggle came over her lips. She hesitated before he took her hands and stood her up. He wrapped his arm around her waist and then grinned to Henry. “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to keep her plenty safe.” He spoke as he led her toward the front door.

“Oliver darling.” Vivian spoke up, “Don’t keep her out too late, we have plenty to do this evening.” She winked then as she stood. “You’ll like the guest room downstairs.” She turned her attention to Henry. “He’ll have her back just as soon as she gets to witness the sun rise. We have a nearly perfect spoke to do so, there’s a waterfall a cliff. You’d like it.” She chuckled as she watched Oliver lead Adelaide out the front door.

Adelaide leaned against Oliver as he walked her along in the crisp morning air. The sun was beginning to filter up over the horizon. She was having a hard time focusing on anything though. Her eyes looked about the forest as he led her up a trail. “You’re um...the first hybrid that I’ve met besides myself.” He spoke and gave a chuckle. “I’m sure it’s strange...especially because you were not born with the affliction.” He continued to walk.

“I want you to take me back...” She breathed, “I want to be with Henry...I’m not a toy or a play thing.” She snapped, though she didn’t fight against him. She couldn’t with how intoxicated she was.

Oliver chuckled and shook his head. “You’ll thank me when you see the sun for the first time. It’s a beautiful thing. The sunrise and sunset. The colors are just gorgeous.” As they came to the top of a trail there was a stone bench beneath a huge oak tree that stood on top of the hill that overlooked the valley, even the cabin was in view. “See?” He spoke as he moved and sat her upon the bench. He held her shoulders and gazed into her eyes, a smirk curved up his lips once again. “You’d have more fun if you left the vampire behind.” He chuckled and sat next to her, his arm snaked around her waist once again.

Adelaide shook her head as she tried to shake the fog from her mind. “I have plenty...” She spoke as she furrowed her brows.

“Oh?” Oliver questioned. “Do you?” He chuckled then before he fell quiet once more for a long moment. “He can’t take you into the sunshine.” He spoke as the sun peeked up over the horizon.

Adelaide watched as the colors filled the sky. Oranges and pinks, purples, deep blue. She stared in amazement. It was better than any image she had ever seen. Her jaw loosened as she sat forward slightly. Oliver had to catch her as she lost her balance. “It’s….amazing...” She breathed.

As silence settled over them Oliver smiled as he watched the astonishment fill her expression. She tilted her head back slightly and closed her eyes as she felt the warmth of the suns rays upon her skin. She looked to her hands as she expected to burn to a crisp, a laugh came over her lips. “There are a lot of amazing things that you miss out on as a vampire.” He spoke, he was uncomfortably close...but the level of alcohol in her system didn’t allow her to push him away. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You’ll see. As my mother works with you. You’ll see how much better life with us would be.”

Adelaide opened her eyes after his lips had pressed against her cheek. “I’m not leaving the coven.” She spoke, she laughed then. “You...think I could leave all my responsibilities behind? I am to marry Henry.” She looked to him as she pushed against him. “How dare you think that you could drive yourself between us.” She scoffed.

“Marry him?” Oliver chuckled and shook his head. “Alright, alright. Truce.” He held his hands up and then quickly grasped her to steady her. “I’ll just let you see on your own.” He smirked as he stood and lifted her to her feet. He held her there, his hands upon her hips as he gazed into her eyes. “It won’t take long before you see things our way.” He smiled to her before he slipped his arm around her waist. “Let’s get you back then. Hm?” He spoke as he walked her along. Adelaide didn’t speak to him, she looked away from him and focused on things that caught her attention, such as the morning blue jays...the suns rays as it reached into the forest.

Soon enough they arrived back at the cabin. The pack seemed to be watching the two as they entered. Oliver glanced to his mother and shook his head, Vivian smirked to him. She knew that Adelaide wouldn’t be quite that easy to crack. He led her down the stairs and to the guest room. “Good night.” He spoke with a smile as he finally released her.

Adelaide looked to him as she reached for the door handle. She stared to him a long moment, her expression almost torn. “Good night.” She spoke as she then pushed the door open to enter the room.

Adelaide looked to the woman, she’d nearly run into her. When she made the remark and winked to her Adelaide shook her head. Though, she did notice red marks around the woman’s neck from Henry holding her back. However, Adelaide didn’t know why the marks were there. She was far too intoxicated for this detective work. She stepped forward slowly, careful of her balance. “Henry...” She breathed as she came and stood before him. She looked to his posture a moment, her eyes worried. “I...I’m okay...just...we just saw the sun...” She smiled weakly. The woman still played in her mind. Why was she here? What had she done? What did she mean by he was all hers? Jealousy was something that Adelaide had never felt before. She’d never had a reason to feel it. She’d never truly been interested in a suitor for one...and for two the coven didn’t touch a man that they knew had his sights on Adelaide. That was strictly forbidden. So...she’d never had the pain of jealousy.

“Why...was she here?” She finally asked after a long moment. Her expression almost seemed to show the pain that she felt as her mind began to stitch together possible ideas as to why the woman was in the room with Henry. She reached forward and cupped his cheek. “Henry...I...” She bit her lip slightly and shook her head as her hand fell away from him. She stood there, her eyes looking him over, she was at a loss for words. She didn’t know what to say. Her mind was playing all the tricks on her that the pack wanted it to. A little nudge here and there. That was all the pack had to do to cause a snowball effect with Adelaide.

Adelaide looked down to him, her arms were crossed loosely over her body as she listened to him speak. Though when he reached forward and his arms wrapped around her waist a soft smile curved up her lips. She dropped her arms and placed her hands upon his shoulders to rest. As he spoke her fears and the demons within her mind began to melt away. “I don’t want to lose you either, Henry.” She spoke was she ran her fingertips through his hair. A smile curved up her lips now. “I was so afraid...and...I was unable to pull away...I could barely stand...” She spoke as she thought about her moments with Oliver.

She looked down to him, “Come on then.” She helped him to his feet. “Can’t sleep with these on, I can’t snuggle you.” She kissed his cheek as she began to carefully disarm him. She knew where every weapon was on his body. She set the weapons on the bedside table and then she pulled his shirt from his body. Adelaide hugged herself against him for a long moment. “I don’t want to leave your side Henry.” She whispered. She looked up to him then and smiled. “I won’t allow it again. I promise.” She whispered before she helped him to lay on the bed. She pulled the blankets up around him, albeit she stumbled slightly. She then climbed into the bed next to him and hugged her body against him. Adelaide drew in a deep breath as she pressed her face into the nap of his neck. She kissed along his jaw and let out a soft content sigh. “I never want to leave this spot.” She gave a soft laugh with a smile as she kissed along his jaw slowly once again. Her fingertips played through his hair as she snuggled a bit closer to him.

Adelaide hummed when he told her not to leave his side. Then when his lips caught hers it was like an explosion. She found herself breathless as he kissed her. She’d moved her body and cupped his cheek as she returned the same level of kiss. When he pulled back she stayed where she was, her eyes searched his. His words were like silk, a smile upon her lips curved up and she gave a giggle. She kissed his cheek as she shook any thoughts from her mind. She was beginning to sober up and she realized just how much she’d just thrown herself at him.

Adelaide shook the thoughts from her mind as she pulled the blankets up to her chin as she snuggled against him once more. “I never thought that it was possible for me to feel joy.” She whispered after a long moment of silence. She kissed his neck once again as her fingertips traced along his chest. “I...always thought that I would end up paired with a man that I didn’t even want to look at...much less...” Her words trailed off and she gave a chuckle before she kissed the bend of his jaw again. She then pulled herself in and pressed her nose against his neck. “I now...I can’t imagine my life any other way...” She gave a small laugh, “I know...that sounds horribly cliché.” She muttered as she continued to trace over his chest. “But...it’s the truth.” She kissed his neck again.