PLAYING WITH HUNTERS 

"And that's my story." Tessa shrugged, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, yet shining with defiance, "What's it to you, princess?"

What's it to me? Even though I was the one who asked for it, I didn't know how to respond immediately. The entire time she told her story, I had been riveted.

"What happens next?" I had to know. How could it end just like that? What happened to the Jack guy? Did they ever capture the rogue vamp who attacked Rhonda? And where the heck were all the rogue vamps popping out from?

Tessa gave me a strange look, and then she pointed her staff at me, "What was SUPPOSED to happen was that we bait out the rogue vamp before he rampages Winderhill High, sell him to the highest bidder, and get the hell out of here."

Tessa talked so tough. So cool.

Suddenly, the red stone on top of her magic stick glowed.

EJ's wolf was immediately in front of me. Hellsing was immediately in front of Tessa. The two faced off.

I immediately switched places with EJ, holding out both hands to the two bloodthirsty idiots. Like seriously! EJ had a blood wolf. I looked to Hellsing. What was his excuse?

"Who's there?" Tessa and the other hunters were on the alert, "Show yourself."

"Oh." I realized belatedly. Tessa's stone was reacting to that weak spell around us, "Chill, Tess. It's just my guys. It's cool. Your prey isn't all that near yet."

"How would you know?" Hellsing finally looked away from EJ to ask me, "What or where our target is?"

Boo found Hellsing very amusing, "It's in my blood, sweetie. I guess you can say I know things."

Hellsing started growling again, "Don't call me sweetie."

Which only amused Boo more, really. I could barely stop the grin on my face. So fun.

Hellsing had a weird growl. It wasn't a wolf growl. I've never heard a human make such a sound although I suppose it was entirely possible. Did vampires growl?

He smelled weird too, but all the hunters smelled like a hundred strange things - including silver, and yes... At least one of them had a wolfbane product on their persons.

I had never met hunters before. This was all very exciting for me.

"We're surrounded, Tess." The man called Mor informed everyone. The hunters lifted their hands and stepped closer together, but their weapons were still slung on their bodies and they were really just tightening their formation.

Fluffy and the other guys stepped out. Mor was right, they were surrounded.

"Took you long enough." EJ's wolf growled and joined the outer ring.

Fluffy smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "What a pleasant surprise. I was certain we'd find a bloodbath."

Ki stepped up by my side in beta position, "Apologies for the delay, goddess. It took us longer than expected to track your location."

I beamed, taking that as the highest compliment, "That's because EJ and I did such a good job at hiding our tracks!"

To his credit, Ki didn't throw his hands in the air or fuss about his goddess hanging out with hunters. Instead, he smiled and addressed the hunters with his steely capisce tone, "Suddenly, the hunters become the hunted."

The hunters tightened their circle around Tessa.

Ki's smile didn't falter, "Give me one good reason we shouldn't have you captured and turned in to the authorities?"

He took out his phone and took a photo of the hunters and the two students in the silver cage. The hunters stood there looking like deer caught in headlights.

Tessa stepped out, "Look, we're licensed hunters and have all our papers. We're not looking for trouble..."

When Ki didn't look convinced in the slightest, Tess sighed and tried again, "Look, We received a tip-off that a rogue vampire would rampage Winderhill High today. My party and I have taken great pains to intercept its plans by offering as bait the wolf students who had killed its spawn."

I had to admit, Ki's capisce worked a lot better than my story spell.

"Wait," I narrowed my eyes at Daisy's cousins, "They killed the rogue vamp's spawn? Are you sure? Like THESE TWO?"

The two of them shook their heads at me. Yeah, I didn't think so, cos you know, they were really weak wolves, even for rogue wolves. I mean, Daisy's cute and all, but her family were really very weak wolves.

"I thought you knew things, sweetie?" Hellsing teased.

Grrr... Boo was no longer amused.

"So a rogue vampire is out for revenge for his dead spawn. You hunters decide to play hero and sacrifice a couple of rogue wolves for the safety of the rest of the school?" Ki summarized.

"No. Not sacrifice. Bait." Tess answered.

"Forgive me if I fail to see the difference." Ki's steely tone made his gentle smile quite scary.

"We weren't going to let the vamp get the students. They were just bait." Tess explained, "When the vamp shows up, we'll capture him."

"Ah, yes. Because you're respectable hunters just doing your jobs." Ki made it sound like he didn't believe them at all.

"Look, you don't get to judge us." The younger man named Dan spoke up now, "You don't understand anything."

"Yes, of course." Ki smiled mildly, "Wolves should be more understanding to hunters."

"That's enough, Dan." The hunter named Gar huffed. I think he had enough, "Look, wolf. We're not here to hunt wolves, and you're not here to hunt us. If you were, we'd be dead by now."

"You'd be dead the moment that redhead showed himself." Ki clarified, "But yes, we are only here to retrieve our Alpha Princess."

"So you got her." Gar said, "But you're not leaving. What do you want? Name your price."

"I want to help." I said.

"Oh s***, no." Hellsing said, "This isn't a place for princesses, sweetie."

Ah, s***. He realized I hated that nickname.

"My help will come at a price." I decided since Gar did say to name our price.

"I told you we don't want your help, sweetie." Hellsing snapped.

"Release the brother and sister." I pointed to the cage, "I'll help you deal with the vamp, but I don't want to involve innocent students."

And then, just so they don't reject my kind offer, or Dan feel judged and get defensive again, I added, "If you say no, my beta will post your photo on his social media channel."

"That's... that's blackmail!" Dan accused.

"You don't get to judge me. You don't understand anything!" I mimicked, and then I added, "That's free publicity. Heroes like you should get the credit you deserve."

"Release them, Mor." Gar decided.

"But Gar..." Dan argued, "We worked out butts off to set this up!"

"And the school! There are humans in the school!" Tess sounded truly torn.

"Yes, and wolves too! Think of the poor wolves!" I decided to join in, "You guys aren't giving up, right? I thought you were pros."

"What?" The hunters turned to me.

"You've got everything in the bag. Just take one or two of my wolves as bait." I grinned, "I don't want a rogue vamp getting into Winderhill either."

"Wait, do you mean us, Pretty Alpha?" Fluffy asked.

My master strategist looked so incredulous, I laughed, "Yeah, you're the only two in uniform. Come on, it'll be fun."

"You realize you're exchanging two of your own wolves for two rogues, right, sweetie?" Hellsing asked me.

Well, when he put it like that, it did sound kind of dumb. I shrugged, determined not to let him get under my skin, "Trust me. Even if you guys mess up, the moment the vamp gets to the cage, he's going to wish he could stay dead."

I tilted my head towards EJ, "This guy will wipe the floor with him."

EJ's wolf grinned, "With pleasure, Alpha."

"Fine." Tessa agreed, "But we won't mess up."

"Don't double-cross us either." Ki smiled gently, "Or else."

Tess looked at Ki, and then walked away to the other side of the cage without another word. Ki only shrug, his smile never flickering.

Barry left with Daisy's cousins, and the hunters let EJ and Fluffy in their cage.

"I can't believe we're working with wolves." Gar grumbled.

"If only all your targets were pretty and cooperative like us." Fluffy smiled back.

"I'm just going to attach the lock, but it isn't locked." Mor showed Fluffy gruffly.

"Don't worry." Fluffy smiled, "I don't intend to leave the cage till it's over."

"Speak for yourself, Fluff." EJ crossed his arms. The both of them sat on the cage floor as if the silver didn't bother them. This did not escape the hunters' notice.

"S***." Hellsing muttered, "What kind of monsters are these?"

"Mine." I told him, "Wolves of a feather, flock together."

I misquoted, I know. You should have seen the humans' faces. Hahaha.

"There's just one thing, Pretty Alpha." Fluffy raised his hand, "We're supposed to be at rehearsal in half an hour."

{Vampire approaches}

Lucky. Looks like we'll be in time for rehearsal.

"Okay." I nodded agreeably, "Our prey's coming. Medium flame, no biggie. Everyone in position."

"How..." Hellsing started.

"I know things, sweetie." I smiled as I walked past him. To the other hunters, I said, "If I have to come out, you've messed up."

I didn't think they'd mess up. It was just fun to add to the tension.

My wolves obediently followed me into the trees. We positioned ourselves behind the hunters. Ki gave me a boost up the tree of my choice and then positioned himself behind the next tree.

Mor and Dan took their positions, only to find themselves parked next to the giant, Torque. But Torque's presence was best hidden behind them anyway.

Cobra made himself disappear, I don't think the hunters even realized the missing wolf.

They were lucky Tessa had such a good story.