Becoming the Hunted

Adelaide kept on the heels of the pack with ease. Oliver was at her tail. She rushed into the home and snarled as the men fought against Henry. She growled and then whimpered as they carried him down the stairs. Oliver had swiftly changed back into his human form, he was dressed in a pair of shorts. Adelaide went to rush after the pack members but Oliver blocked her. “Adelaide.” He wrapped his arms around her and shut the door to the basement. She snarled at him and bared her teeth. “I’m not moving.”

Vivian looked to the hybrid and shook her head. “Knock her out.” She spoke and waved her hand. She had a robe wrapped around her body as she turned. “Lily...” She breathed as she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her daughter. “Gods...I thought I would never see you again.” She pulled back, her hands upon the girl’s shoulders. “You look weak.” She frowned. “We shall go on a hunt.” She gave a smile then.

Oliver had nodded to one of the other pack members whom pulled a tranquilizer gun. He shot Adelaide and Oliver waited until she fell unconscious before he scooped her into his arms. He felt her body shiver as her muscles loosened. “It’s alright, Adelaide.” He spoke softly as he lifted his eyes to look to his mother.

“I can’t...hunt.” Lily whispered softly.

“What do you mean?” Vivian questioned as she nodded to Oliver whom left the room with Adelaide. “Darling, a hunt is what you need.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“I haven’t been able to turn in months mother. It’s something he did...and...that injection he gave the vampire...” She glanced to the basement door. “It...that was something new...something horrible...” She whispered the last bit as she hugged her arms over her body.

**

Oliver tucked Adelaide away into the bed. “You’ll see.” He whispered as he brushed her hair from her eyes. “Perhaps this injection isn’t a bad thing? Hm? You can stay with us.” He gave a slight chuckle before he stood. “Our pack is much better than the coven...vampires will stab you in the back in a heartbeat...we would rather die for you.” He spoke before he left the room.

**

Adelaide woke with a headache. She groaned as she sat up slowly. As the covers fell from her body she became acutely aware of her lack of clothing. “Henry?” She questioned. Her memory was a blur. She got to her feet as she looked about the room. “Henry?” She asked again, her voice shook slightly this time as she pulled on the clothing at the end of the bed. “Henry where are you?” She asked with a fearful voice as she opened the door to walk into the hallway.

Adelaide looked to the two men that stood posted outside the cellar door. Her brows tucked together. “Permission?” She questioned, her voice full of frustration. She growled as she stepped forward her eyes had turned golden just from the anger that this caused her. She went to peer in through the window and the male pushed her back. “Hey!” She snapped.

“You have to speak to Vivian.” He nodded.

Adelaide stared to the man for a long moment before she turned and rushed down the hallway and up the stairs. The smell of freshly cooked breakfast filled the upstairs. The sun had just come up over the horizon. She had been out for hours it seemed. “Vivian!” Adelaide called out which caused several of the pack members to look to her.

Vivian sat at the head of the table, she took a sip from her coffee cup and raised a brow. “Do you always wake up in a bad mood, Adelaide?” She asked with a concerned tone. “Come. Sit.” She motioned to a seat that was next to Oliver. “Have some food, won’t you?”

“No. What has happened to Henry? Why can’t I see him?” She snapped quickly as she stood at the opposite end of the table.

Vivian looked to her and gave a nod. “He was injected with something. We aren’t certain of what. So we have placed him in the cellar...you aren’t allowed to see him. Not until I decide if he is dangerous or not. Now come eat.” She seemed to order the last sentence.

Adelaide grit her teeth as she stepped forward, her eyes moved to Lily, then back to Vivian as she sat down at the table. “He won’t hurt me.” She spoke.

Vivian smirked as she watched the girl. “You’re so brave, Adelaide.” She chuckled. “You’d make your mother proud.”

Adelaide snarled and slammed her fist upon the table. “What was that?” She snapped.

“Enough.” Vivian growled, “Fine. Go in with him we will lock the door behind you. If he kills you oh well.” She waved her hand as she stood up. “Come.” She walked away from the table then. “Come on, Adelaide.” Adelaide stood quickly and stormed off after the woman. She followed quickly and rushed down the stairs. Vivian stopped before the door. “Let her in, and then lock her in with him.” She glanced to Adelaide then. “Good luck dear.”

Adelaide stepped forward she looked to the man that had blocked her before. Her nerves began to ball up then as she stared to the door. Though she didn’t keep that from allowing her to enter the room. She stepped in slowly, she could feel Vivian’s eyes peer through the window to her. “Henry?” She asked as she heard the locks slide into place. “Henry…? It’s Addie...” She stepped forward as she squinted in the dim light to see him.

Adelaide paused in her steps as she heard the rough sound and her eyes took in the damage to the floor. “Henry...why…?” She asked when he told her not to come where he was. When he started going on about William she let out a soft sigh. Adelaide stayed where she was though, his voice was different. It was a strange distortion that she just couldn’t place. She swallowed slightly as she took in his strange form. In that moment she should have been horrified like the Lycans that stood outside of the door. But beneath all of this it was still Henry. She flinched slightly as he slammed his fist against the floor, a few pieces of rubble tossed up into the air from his strength. “Henry, you did protect me.” She spoke as she stepped forward. She stopped just before him and looked over his stony skin carefully. Adelaide reached a hand forward and cupped his cheek. She gazed into his eyes and gave a soft smile. “We...will get through this.” She placed her other hand on his other cheek and rubbed her thumbs against his stony skin.

Adelaide leaned forward and placed a kiss upon his forehead. “You are alive. That is what matters.” She nodded before she then moved her arms and hugged him. She hugged beneath the protrusions that came from his back. Her face pressed into the nape of his neck. “I’m sorry that I put you in such a position Henry...it was stupid of me to think that William would not do the things that he did...I was his prisoner once...I should have learned from that...” Her voice was muffled against his hard skin. She drew in a deep breath, she was at a loss for words. How could they fix this? Could he be turned back? If she brought Henry home to her grandfather like this….that would be the end of it…

**

Vivian watched through the small window, fascinated. “She’s right. He won’t attack her.” She smirked slightly. She then took a step back and looked to the two. “When she’s ready to come out, she can...but he needs to stay there until we know more.” She clicked her tongue slightly. “I’m going to have to hunt us down a warlock to fix this.” She sighed as she started to walk away. “Otherwise we may have to kill him. He’s dangerous.”

**

“Fran. I need you to tell me where Addie is.” Vincent stood with his arms crossed. They were in the basement of the mansion. “How long until she returns? She doesn’t usually act like this. She knows it is safer for her here.”

“Is it?” Fran asked as she watched him carefully. “She was attacked by Nicholas here. Can you blame her?” She questioned and shook her head. “Get some rest my lord. I will go look for her tonight.” She gave a weak smile before she stepped from the room.

Adelaide was quiet as she listened to him. The growl that came from his chest caused her to flinch slightly. It sounded so much more aggressive than she was used to. “Vivian let me come in here with you.” She stepped back and gazed into his eyes. “She locked you away because she was afraid of what William had injected you with….” Adelaide glanced to the door as he spoke of the danger that they were in. She bit her lip slightly. “I...don’t disagree with you though...she has no reason to help us...especially if she thinks that you will put her pack in danger...but...” She looked back to Henry. “The sun is up...can...can you go into the sun?” She asked with furrowed brows. “I don’t want to lose you Henry.”

“Adelaide.” A voice came from the door, it was familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.

Adelaide turned and let out a long breath. “I...I’ll be back soon Henry...I’ll figure this out...okay?” She kissed his cheek before she walked away from him to the door. She listened to the locks slide from place and the door opened just enough for her to slip through.

Lily stood with her arms wrapped around herself. “I need to talk to you.” She spoke and walked down the hallway to where Adelaide’s room was. She allowed Adelaide into the room and then she closed the door behind her. “I can’t watch someone else become nothing more than a caged animal...” She watched Adelaide. “You...came back for me...” She searched her eyes a moment. Lily had cuts and bruises upon her from William no doubt. She wore a hooded sweater that was a bit large on her, possibly Oliver’s...or another pack member. “My mother is worried about the dangers that he poses to you and to our pack...if she cannot find an answer she plans to kill him.”

“No.” Adelaide spoke up quickly. “No he isn’t dangerous.” She drew her brows together.

“I know that.” Lily gave a soft smile. “There is a back entrance to the cellar that exits outside. It has a shelf covering it. The shelf full of alcohol. It’s hard to miss...I’ll distract the two brutes at the door...okay?” Lily watched Adelaide a moment. “Thank you for saving me from that place...” She sighed softly.

Adelaide took in a breath as she watched the girl. Was this a ploy? Were they planning on killing Henry? Just waiting outside that entrance. She bit her lip slightly. “Thank you Lily...um...” She drew her brows together.

**

Vivian stood at the door to the room her eyes watched Henry in the dim light. She had her arms crossed over her body. She’d never seen anything like him. What William had done was simply horrible. To turn anything into a gargoyle….she shook her head slightly. Then her attention turned to Adelaide and Lily as they came down the hall. “Lily?” She asked her eyes then looked to Adelaide.

“I want to go back in with him. He doesn’t deserve to be locked up like this.” Adelaide spoke.

Vivian drew in a breath as she looked to her daughter. “No.” She then looked back to Adelaide. “I’m not allowing it.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Then let us go.” Adelaide crossed her arms, her brows drew together.

Vivian drew her brows together, “Do not challenge your alpha girl.” She spoke as she turned. “You’re not allowed in there with him. He’s dangerous.” She spoke as she walked off. “Lily!” She snapped as she called her daughter.

Lily lowered her gaze slightly before she followed her mother. “Coming mother...” She spoke softly.

Adelaide grit her teeth, the two pack members blocked her from looking into the room. A low grow came from her chest before she followed the two up the stairs. Henry was right, they were in danger. Vivian had full control over what Adelaide could and could not do. She made it to the top of the stairs and she leaned against the wall as other pack members looked to her curiously. Adelaide glared at Vivian from across the room.

Vivian looked to Adelaide with a smirk upon her lips. “Stop turning me into the villain here.” She spoke as she relaxed into her chair. “Come sit, Miss Bennett.”

Adelaide stepped forward and took a seat upon the couch that she’d sat with Henry on their first night at the cabin. She glanced to the other members of the pack as she’d made her way over to Vivian. She crossed her arms tightly across her chest as she looked to the woman. “He’s not an animal.” She snapped. “You’ve locked him away as if you think he will kill everyone here.”

Vivian sipped on a drink as she watched the girl, though she still held a smirk upon her lips. “Hm, he’s rather angry. I heard him Adelaide. I’d rather not test the waters with him. For now, we are keeping everyone safe. Including you.” She looked up as Oliver approached. “Besides, this gives you more time to learn about yourself. Who you’ve become.” She looked back to her with a smile.

Oliver sat down on the couch next to Adelaide with a drink in his hands. He gave a smile as he sipped from it. “Would you like a drink? It might calm you down a bit. Wouldn’t want you transforming again...” He smirked then.

Adelaide growled as she tightened her arms over her chest. “I don’t want a drink from you. Not after the last ones that you forced down my throat.” She snapped. “If I want to leave with Henry, then we should be allowed to leave.”

Vivian raised a brow slightly. “Oh no no dear, you don’t understand do you?” She let out a chuckle. “You belong to our pack.” She set her empty glass down on the side table.

Adelaide snarled as she moved swiftly. She had her hand wrapped around Vivian’s throat, her knees on either side of her. “I don’t belong to you. Neither does Henry.” She growled. She could feel her muscles tense.

Vivian chuckled as she looked up to her. “It’s alright.” She spoke to the pack member that held a gun pointed at Adelaide’s head. “She won’t hurt me.” She smirked.

“Like hell I won’t.” Adelaide drew her fist back.

“Stop.” Lily grasped her hand. “Just stop.” She watched her carefully, her brows quivered. “Please...”

Adelaide’s expression softened as she looked to Lily. Her grip loosened and Vivian shoved her off. Oliver reached forward and caught Adelaide. “You’re picking a fight that you won’t win.” He whispered in her ear. “Just relax.”

Vivian rubbed her neck as she looked to her son. She then smirked to Lily whom backed away and sat in one of the other chairs. Lily was incredibly docile compared to the rest of the pack. It was in that moment that the pack member had rushed up the stairs. Adelaide broke free from Oliver’s hold and rushed after the lycan quickly. “Henry!” She cried as they rushed into the room. She slid to his side and placed her hand on his chest, worry in her eyes.

Vivian stood at Henry’s feet, her eyes almost judgmental. When he chuckled a smirk curved up her lips. “Of course.” She replied. “You’ve always been a threat, Henry. Even before. Though, I’ve been trying to figure out who I can reach out to in order to fix this mess. You helped free my daughter, after all.” Her arms were crossed over her chest.

"Just relax Henry..." Adelaide spoke, her eyes full of worry. She ran her fingers through his hair. "We can get you a cool shower, hm?" She gave a small smile, tears brimmed in her eyes. "It'll be fine...he's not a threat, Vivian..." She seemed to plead as she looked to the alpha.

Adelaide had to fight back tears as she watched Henry fight to catch his breath. She helped him sit up as she searched over him. She never thought that she would see him again outside of the form that William had cursed him with. The dying breath of the warlock was spent with a curse against the one man that she’d come to adore. Adelaide took in a deep breath as she listened to the words come over his lips. He freely offered his death as if he was trading a trinket. She closed her eyes as she let out a shaken breath, a tear rolled down her cheek as her body trembled slightly. The thought of losing him. Though to her surprise, Vivian agreed to the deal. She lifted her eyes to look to the woman, the alpha of the pack that eyed her. “You’ve a shower in your room that we have provided you. Why don’t you get him cleaned up? I’ll have food prepared for him, you must be hungry.” She smirked slightly before she turned partially. “As you said, not a finger, Henry.” She smiled to him before she walked from the room.

Adelaide moved to stand with Henry as he had. She had her hand upon his back to help steady him if he needed it. She brought her eyes to look to Taylor, the lycan that had spoken up for Henry. “Thank you.” She searched the man’s eyes. “Even if it doesn’t change her mind, you at least saved him from this room.” She then turned her attention back to Henry. “Come on then.” She led him from the room. She was quiet as she walked him into the bedroom. She led him into the bathroom where the shower was and she turned the knobs so that the water cascaded from the shower head at just the right temperature. “Come on.” She carefully led him into the water. She gazed into his eyes as she slipped the tattered clothing from him. “Did it hurt? Changing like that?” She asked as she brushed his hair from his eyes. She squinted slightly as she looked up to him as water splashed over his shoulders. “It...hurts when I change...I can’t explain it...” She whispered after a moment of silence.

Adelaide gazed up into Henry’s eyes as she lifted a loofa and filled it with soap. She carefully massaged it over his skin. Her expression was full of care, and even a bit of worry. “That’s horrible.” She whispered as he explained how it felt to change into such a creature. When he shifted and looked down her cheeks became rather pink. “Um...” She blinked a few times and squinted up to him as she realized just exactly what she had done. Her clothing was already wet. She offered a smile. “I’m alright.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I just want to make sure that you’re alright.” She returned to scrubbing the dirt and grime away from his body.

She reached for the soap and then she worked it into his hair. She had to stand on her tip toes in order to reach the top of his head. She took her time making sure that he was clean before she stepped from the shower. “Take your time, Henry.” She spoke as she pulled the curtain shut. “Take as long as you need.” She wrapped a towel over her dripping wet hair before she looked down to her clothing that clung to her body. Adelaide stepped from the bathroom and peeled her clothing from her body before she wrapped a towel around herself. She searched through the dresser for another set of clothing. She found herself a pair of black pants and a tunic that would work well. She slipped into the clothing and sat on the edge of the bed as she waited for him.