Chapter 3: Hunter

"Thank you, Dottie. I'll look into it," I hang up the phone with an aggravated sigh.

I do not need this today. It's burger day at Dottie's, which makes it much more disappointing that she called and informed me I would be missing out on my favorite meal. Now, there's an issue I have to attend to immediately.

"What was that about?" my younger sister Ginger asks innocently from where she sits across from me.

Her legs are crossed nonchalantly, and her ridiculously impractical heels sway with the light bobbing of her foot. Normally, she doesn't bother me during lunch, especially on Burger Day. But for some reason, she decided to just ‘pop in to say hello.'

Ginger does a lot of work for the town through my office, but most of it is remote from her home office. She doesn't need to physically come into the office for any reason. I think she's doing it just to annoy me. It must be my lucky day because now I have two things annoying me: my sister and the report of a suspicious male elf checking into the motel.

We don't get many elves in town, especially now that Vincent has failed to get me to sell my land to him; elves are unwelcome visitors. Truthfully, they're never really welcomed in Snowberry but more tolerated.

Elves are the scum of the non-human world, sticking mostly to large cities where they can swindle and steal to their heart's content. Most don't bother us here in our small, quiet town in the woods. There are a few in residence, but they don't partake in the crooked ways of their brethren. We still tend to closely watch them after they settle here, but those here have been for years.

This newcomer staying in the motel is undoubtedly one of Vincent's crew. Here to scout out new tactics to force me to sell or cause mayhem. I don't know why he has become so interested in our town and my property lately, but he'll never get an acre.

Whoever the mayor is always has their name on the deed to the land the majority of the town sits on. But I also happen to own the hundreds of acres bordering the town. The land has been in my family for generations, even before the town was built and established. We used it as a retreat for training our young to shift and hunt. As a place to escape the cities and return to our true form during the full moon and lunar eclipse. With so much of the world being modernized and developed, we thought it best to keep a piece untouched and hidden, just for us.

As time went on, though, it became clear we weren't the only species of non-humans who wished this, so the town was built here to become home to those who prefer a bit more freedom to be their true selves away from busy modern society.

I will defend this town and its residents with every breath in my body until the day I die. Neither I nor anyone in my family will ever sell our land to an elf. Especially one known for his illegal drug business.

I refocus on my sister while still waiting for a response. I weigh the pros and cons of telling her about the elf. It could cause gossip and concern around town, but if I don't tell her, the gossip will be astronomical, and I'll have to listen to one of Ginger's rants about keeping her informed. She's the resident hacker and know-it-all, so if anyone should know the elf is here, it should be her. Hell, she might already know about him.

"Dottie reported seeing a male elf check in to the motel. Someone she's never seen before and is concerned."

"Oh. Are you going to go over there and see what it's all about?"

Why does she sound so pleased with the idea? And why isn't she giving me the third degree right now? I raise an eyebrow at her, but she doesn't flinch; she just smiles at me in a way that I can't read. It could be genuine, but it could be a front. I can never tell.

"Yes. At least to get a name. Maybe introduce myself and welcome him to town. You know, just being the hospitable mayor."

I give my sister my best mayoral smile. She chuckles and fiddles with the rings on her fingers.

"Sure. Cause we all know how hospitable you can be," she says sarcastically.

Ginger knows exactly how I feel about unexpected newcomers in town. I hate them. I like to know when non-human and human visitors arrive. Most unexpected arrivals are passing through, lost, or looking for a place to hide.

Usually, Ginger knows before anyone when there'll be new people in town, with her constant searching and sweeping of the internet. All non-human residents also know to inform her or the mayor's office when they have family and friends visiting. The only time we have an influx of unknown people is during the lunar eclipse when shifters somehow find their way to us and just show up for the week or weekend. Spending just enough time to shift and run and usually fuck.

"I don't know why there's an elf sniffing around town, but I'm going to find out. And then make him leave. We don't need any of their nonsense, only weeks away from the blood moon."

"I heard that. Last time wasn't so great."

I cringe a little at the reminder. She's referring to a few years ago, not long after I became mayor. We weren't exactly prepared for all the horny unruly shifters to flood the town, and things got a bit out of hand. We had to dust all the humans in town and alter their memories so none of them would call The Inquirer or FBI to report monstrous wolf creatures taking over the town.

I've been mayor of Snowberry for just over five years now, and although I've settled into a nice rhythm, it still feels a little unreal. I'm the alpha shifter, leader of all the shifters in town, and responsible for the safety and security of all non-humans—and by default, humans—under my care as mayor. As it has been the responsibility of all alpha shifters throughout history.

Being mayor just makes it easier for humans to accept the alpha's presence and involvement everywhere. However, dealing with all the other day-to-day responsibilities of being mayor isn't the most desirable.

At twenty-five, I was a bit young to be a mayor, but no age is too young to be an Alpha. It all depends on when a new alpha is needed, and the abilities and markers appear in that shifter. The last alpha had held the position for almost sixty years. Although he still had plenty of life left in him, his time in command was over.

Most people thought my older brother Ryder would become alpha since he is the oldest and far more mature, but he never developed the alpha power. Now, he's my beta and second in command, as well as the town sheriff. It suits him and his stern personality.

Our jobs and responsibilities have changed drastically over the centuries, but one thing will always remain. We are charged with keeping any and all non-humans in our pack safe. And now, in this new world where we are hidden from humans, it is also to protect our non-human identities.

"Well, I suppose you better get a move on then. Don't want to leave our new visitor unattended and wandering town alone. Who knows what kind of trouble he could get into."

Ginger stands, and I mirror the act, standing behind my large desk filled with files and papers and my overworked laptop, rounding it to follow my sister from my office. An office that, even after half a decade, doesn't feel like mine. Even though I've filled it with family photos and hung my college degree in business on the wall. I didn't choose the furniture or wallpaper, and it's all a bit old-fashioned for my taste. Maybe I'll update it this year and make it more modern.

As we leave, I trail closely behind Ginger, hoping to get a whiff of her emotions to find out what she's up to. I don't get much since she's become an expert at hiding them from me. I sniff the air behind her, but all I smell is a whiff of sickly-sweet anticipation. That could mean anything with Ginger. Especially with an unidentified elf making mischief in town.

We exit my office and cross into the lobby, where my two assistants sit at opposite desks on either side of my office door.

Donna sits to one side and Levi to the other. Donna has been here since the town's inception in the early nineteen twenties, knows everything about everyone, and is best friends with Dottie—the other town gossip queen. So, it doesn't surprise me when she asks about the elf. I'm sure Dottie texted her before calling me.

"Are you leaving to see about that elf at the motel?"

"Yeah. Best to get it straightened out now rather than wait for him to cause problems."

Donna nods, pinching her lips together. Although Donna is pushing two hundred years old, she doesn't look a day over forty. Non-humans tend to age a lot slower than humans, creating a few problems in this technological world with all the cameras and records, but we manage.

Donna is a Mere, and much like us shifters, she has more than one form and can shift from one to the other as she likes. Replacing all of her mere attributes with human features. Light brown hair is pinned up in a neat and tidy bun on top of her head, and her matching soft brown eyes, which I know in her mere form, are pale lavender watch Ginger. Knowing there's always good gossip where she's concerned.

"Hopefully, it shouldn't take too long, so I should be back for my meeting with Mr. Peters this afternoon."

If I reschedule on him again, he's going to get suspicious, and I don't need a nosey human with too much time on their hands snooping around in non-human business. We already have to dust them with fairy magic more frequently than most since we live in such a small town. I don't want to dust him more than necessary and create more lies I'll have to keep track of.

Fairy dust is one of my most useful tools when trying to run a small, secluded town filled mostly with non-humans but also has a small population of humans who have no idea our world even exists. It comes from the wings of a fairy and is exactly what it sounds like: dust. More like a fine powdered glitter. Thankfully, it doesn't leave a glittery residue, or the entire town would shimmer like a disco ball in the sun.

Speaking of fairies, my other assistant, Levi, a fairy, flutters his wings and flitters over to stop in front of me. No one who isn't a non-human can see his true form, with his glittering translucent fairy wings, pointed ears, pearlescent cerulean skin, and pale white hair. To us, we see his true form, but to every human without the sight, they just see a regular human male, impeccably dressed with perfectly styled blonde hair and inhumanly bright blue eyes.

Non-humans can see the glamours others wear with just a shift of our eyes. It's like one of those pictures that changes to something else when you move just the right way, allowing us to see what humans see. Most of the time, we don't require it here in town, but it can be necessary at times.

"Here you go, boss. Messages from this morning."

"Thanks, Levi."

I shuffle through the stack of small papers, quickly scanning the neatly scrawled messages. Nothing that requires my immediate attention, and I can't wait till later. I return them to Levi as I don't want to lose them while out of the office.

"Put these on my desk, please? I'll handle them when I return."

"Sure thing."

He grins and takes the messages, re-straightening them into a perfectly neat stack while hovering just off the ground as he makes his way into my office.

Donna and Dottie have taken him under their wing lately and are teaching him the subtle art of professional gossiping. I despise gossip, but it is a helpful tool for keeping me informed about what's really going on in town. I don't care much about human gossip as long as it isn't anything violent. It's the non-human gossip I am most interested in.

Levi returns in a blur of blue shimmer skittering to a halt in front of his desk.

"I'm heading out now, too. Got my own errands to run, so I'll catch ya later. K?" Ginger says from where she stands with her back to the main entrance, one foot already out the door, ready to turn and run. I'm still not sure why she stopped by today. Usually, she either wants something or is delivering bad news, but today, she seemed to have no discernable purpose and is more than ready to run out the moment something interesting happens. Very unlike her, indeed.

"Sure, I'll walk out with you."

I say a quick goodbye to my two assistants and head out with Ginger. She turns towards her neon blue convertible Mini Cooper. It's an impractical car for the area, but she loves it. Plus, it's easy to spot from a long distance.

I grip her by the elbow to stop her before she can run away. Her scent spikes with a sour tinge of surprise before she quickly settles back into a calm neutral.

"Is there something going on Ginger? You never told me why you stopped by."

"No, nothing's going on. I just wanted to check in and see how you are doing. Nothing specific."

"Why do I not believe you?" I ask sardonically. It's never nothing with Ginger; there has to be an ulterior motive to today's visit.

"Believe me or not, Hunter," she shrugs noncommittally. "There doesn't always have to be a reason for things. I gotta go. See ya later, alright? Maybe we can go for a run this weekend?"

It has been a long time since we shifted and went for a run together, and I could really use the time to quiet my mind and reset. I nod in agreement.

"Yeah, that sounds great. Maybe we can even convince Ryder to join us."

Ginger snorts, "Good luck with that. I don't think he's run with anyone in decades. Man likes his alone time."

Ryder is an extremely dedicated pack member and brother, but he tends to be more solitary at times, especially when he shifts and runs. We all participate, but Ryder always keeps his distance from the larger groups and to the furthest outskirts of our property. He has his reasons, I know, but I wish he would trust more in his pack, in me, to help him deal with his difficulties. Whatever they may be. I've tried to get him to speak about it in the past with no success. Unlikely that'll change any time soon. He's as set in his ways as I am.

Ginger gives me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before heading to her car. Waving over her shoulder, she picks up her pace, hopping over the door frame and sliding into her seat without opening it. Like many shifters, she's tall, and her movements are graceful and swift. When she first bought the car, I questioned her comfort in such a compact vehicle, but she didn't seem to have any problems with it.

I turn to walk down the street towards the ten-room motel only a block away. Snowberry is small, and all the shops and businesses line the four main streets, which form a circle, or square, to be specific, around a small park. Keeping everything neatly accessible within a two-block walking radius. As a wolf shifter, I'm particular to walking and running, so the short distance isn't of any concern.

I pass by my father's photography and art store, SnapShot , the only grocery store in town, and the famous Dottie's Drive-In Diner . I sigh in mourning for the loss of my burger and fries but keep walking to the motel catty-corner from the drive-up restaurant. Maybe this will be a quick in and out, and I can stop and pick up a burger to-go on my way back to the office.

The Vacancy sign flickers as I enter the motel lobby, where I'm instantly greeted by the twenty-year-old front desk attendant, Amanda. She's a human with dark brown hair and tanned skin that I've known most of her life. She knows about the non-human world, her stepfather is a mere, and she has a half-breed younger brother. So she knows what I am and how things work around here.

"Hello, Mayor Evans. What can I do for you today?" she asks with a flirtatious bat of her lashes and a faint blush.

She's ten years younger than me, which isn't an issue considering how long we live in the non-human world, but she's still a kid, just barely out of high school. I try to make my features more mature and professional, so she doesn't think I'm interested. Leaning one elbow on the counter, I give her the most cordial smile I can muster.

"Hi, Amanda. I heard an elf checked in recently and was hoping to get some information on him."

"Of course," she chirps happily and pulls up his information on her computer screen. "He checked in about an hour ago under the name Roman, and he's in room three."

"Did he say what he was in town for or how long he was staying?"

She clicks on her computer again before answering. "He's booked for the next two weeks. Didn't say why he was here."

Two weeks is a long time for an elf to be in town. Putting him here through the blood moon. I hoped she would tell me it was just for the night, and he was passing through nothing more. Many times, non-humans seek out areas or towns with larger non-human populations to stay in when traveling. No such luck with this one. It's obvious he's here on Vincent's behalf.

Amanda turns to face me again. Perched on her tall stool, she sits straight and pulls her shoulders back, giving me a huge, wide smile.

I clear my throat and straighten my tie to give my hands something to do. Today, I chose a blue-patterned tie my mother gave me when I became mayor, which she says makes my ice-blue eyes pop. It's not required for the mayor to wear a suit and tie every day, especially considering how casual and laid-back our town is, but I like it. Makes me feel authoritative, as if I deserve the position and might be doing it right.

"Thank you, Amanda. Is he in his room now?"

She nods animatedly. "Yes. Hasn't left since he checked in."

"Great. Thanks a bunch."

I give her an appreciative nod, exiting the lobby without saying another word.

The motel is set up in one long line of single-story rooms down the side of the road, with parking spaces lined up in front of each door. There are a couple of cars in the lot. One is a black SUV that I know the elves favor, and it is parked right in front of room number three.

Now comes the hard part. Trying to be cordial without losing my temper and imposing my alpha power on the elf. Even not being a shifter, all non-human species feel our alpha power. It's something embedded in all our DNA. Shifters have always been the protectors, guardians, and militia. The alpha having the ability to push others mentally to bend to our will is sometimes necessary to ensure our pack's safety. Forcing the shocked, scared, and stubborn to do as we command to keep them out of the line of fire and out of harm's way.

I take a few deep breaths to calm my natural instinct to command and bark out alpha orders before knocking on the door as gently as possible.

The male elf answers immediately, no doubt expecting my visit. He smirks, licks the pointed tip of one fang, and props a shoulder against the door frame, leaning to the side without a care. He's so relaxed that he doesn't even bother with a glamour. His pale gray skin and long, pointed ears lined with silver studs on full display. The black sclera of his eyes, drastically different from the white of humans.

He might be able to get away with his true form in the city thanks to cosplay and modern-day body modifications. But here? Here, the humans would freak out and stare. Another annoyance I don't need to deal with since donning a glamour is as easy as a thought.

"Well, hello, Alpha—sorry , Mr. Mayor . I was wondering when you would show up. I didn't think it would be this soon, but it saves me time."

The male crosses his arms over his chest, his fingers lined with silver rings that glint in the light. Again, he grins at me, all cocky malice. Fucking elves, thinking they can do whatever the hell they want.

"How about you save me the time and headache and just leave now?" I suggest with just as cocky a smile.

He scoffs a laugh and shakes his head, his long black hair swaying with the movement. Tisking, he focuses his yellow irises on me with a faux look of contrition.

"Sorry, Sparky, no can do. I have business in town that I just can't neglect."

"And what business would that be?"

He ignores my question, tapping his fingers against his bicep.

"You and I know you can't make me leave just to be here. Why don't you scurry along, little pup, and go play house with the humans? If I need you, I'll make sure to whistle."

A deep growl reverberates in my chest, a warning to the impertinent elf. I can feel my body reacting to his blatant disrespect, nails hardening and sharpening into claws, canines elongating into fangs. Clenching my teeth, my lips curl back, flashing my fangs threateningly.

"Watch it, elf. If I feel my pack is threatened in any way, I can and will remove you from this town with force."

"Woah, down, Spot. I'm not threatening anyone. I'm just stating my right to be here." He raises his arms in a defensive position, acting all innocent.

I'm getting tired of the dog comments, but technically, he's right. We don't completely follow the laws of the human world, but we do have our own rules. One is that all non-humans are welcome until proven untrustworthy or dangerous. Until he does something against my pack and town he's allowed to be here.

No matter how much I want to kick him out right now, I don't have the right. And if I start ignoring the rules of our world and making my own, my pack will be unwelcome in other territories.

"Fine. But make sure you wear your glamour at all times. The humans here aren't used to such outlandish appearances. You won't blend in here in your true form." With even more false apology, he furrows his brow mockingly.

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't want to startle the poor, simple-minded humans." Finally, standing from his casual lean against the doorframe, he seamlessly transitions into his glamour, which isn't far off from his true form. His hair remains long and black, the silver earrings and rings remain, the gray pallor of his skin shifts tones to a pale tan, the fangs, claws, and ears all round out, and the bottomless black of his sclera fades away to generic human white while his irises shift from yellow to brown.

Even though I can always see his true form, I can also view his glamour when I choose. How else would I know he's wearing one or what he looks like for when humans describe him to me as a menace? Which they no doubt eventually will.

"Good. Keep it that way," I growl out between clenched teeth.

I want to impose my alpha power on him but hold back. He may be a cocky asshole, but he is abiding by our rules.

"I'm keeping my eye on you. So, watch yourself." Roman, if that even is his real name, lumbers a few steps back into the room and starts to pull the door shut. Before it can close completely, I stop it with my foot, halting its progress, leaving plenty of space to glare once more at the elf.

"Tell Vincent that no matter what he does, he's not getting my land."

Roman widens his eyes innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Sure, you don't. Just deliver the message." He doesn't argue or deny my insinuation that he works for Vincent; he just shuts the door without another word. Once the door latches, I roll my neck, cracking the stiffness there. I may need a run before the weekend to relieve the growing stress from this new development.