Gilbert definitely had not been born with a natural gift for knitting. Hansel had made it look so easy yet whenever Gilbert tried he seemed to fail to get anything that even remotely resembled what Hansel had demonstrated. Nevertheless, the wolf had spent the last two days attempting to knit Hansel a scarf. There had been MANY times when he had wanted to give up but he just kept thinking about what Hansel’s face would look like when he gave it to him. Of course, the scarf would need a LOT of work until that day could come. Right now all his hours of hard work had resulted in something that looked like a three year old had made it.

Gilbert’s attempt at knitting was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. The wolf shot up, quickly shoving his knitting under the pillow. What was Hansel doing here? Hadn’t Gilbert told him to stay away from him? He could go into heat any day now. He couldn’t imagine anything more horrible than accidently hurting Hansel. He grabbed his crutches from the side of the bed and hobbled to the door. He would tell him to leave and hopefully he would listen. Cautiously the wolf reached for the door knob, pulling it open.

“Listen, Hansel,” he said slowly, “I really don’t think it’s safe for you to be-”

And that’s when his eyes widened. The person at the door was most certainly not Hansel. But that should be impossible, right? Hansel had told him no one else knew about the cottage. Yet here, standing there was a man. He was tall and painfully handsome with scarlet hair and piercing eyes the color of violets. The most extraordinary thing about this man however was the fact that he was having absolutely no reaction to Gilbert being a wolf.

The man’s gaze raked over him now. “Oh my goodness,” he said, his voice smooth as marble, “I didn’t realize Hansel had a guest. Is he here?”

“He’s out right now. How do you know Hansel?” Glibert asked slowly. Something about this person made his skin crawl.

The man smirked. “Oh, he and I are old friends. We go way back.”

“And what do you want to see him for?”

The man chuckled under his breath. “My, aren’t you inquisitive. I just needed to speak with him about a payment he owes me. I was going to try and collect it today but...I see he’s out.” He smirked. “I’m surprised to see he has a guest here, especially a wolf at that.” He took a little step forward and Gilbert tensed. “Let me give you some advice little wolf,” he said, his gaze never leaving Gilbert, “don’t get too close to Hansel. He’s dangerous.”

Gilbert glared back at the man. “I don’t think you know Hansel as well as you think you do. He would never hurt anyone.”

The man laughed dryly and it made Gilbert squirm despite himself. “Oh contraire, I think I know better than anyone how dangerous Hansel can really be,” The man practically purred, taking yet another step closer. “And do you know why my sweet little wolf?” The man held Gilbert’s gaze, his eyes unblinking. “It’s because I made him that way.” Something dark and malicious crept across his expression. “If you have any grand delusion that you actually know him or understand him you’re even dumber than you look. Hansel only has room for one person in his life and it’s me.” He leaned forward, his lips only a breath away from Gilbert’s. “I own him.”

Gilbert’s hand curled into fists, his nails biting into the palm of his hand and as he tried to keep his temper under control and bite back the wave of anger flaring up in his chest. “You’re a liar,” he growled through gritted teeth. “Why the hell do you think I would ever believe someone like you?”

The man shrugged. “Believe whatever you want. But, if you need any evidence that you should keep your distance from him, I assure you that you you can find it in the top left drawer next to the bed in there.” He gestured towards the inside of the cottage.

Gilbert glared at him. “What kind of evidence?”

“You just said you didn’t trust me. Wouldn’t it be better for you to simply see for yourself.” And with that the man turned on his heels, beginning to make his way back towards the woods. He called out to him as he continued walking. “When Hansel comes back could you please tell him I’m looking for him. He seriously needs to pay up.”

When the man was finally gone Gilbert slowly made his way back inside. That man was lying, he had to be. His gaze now fell to the drawer next to the bed. Hansel had never specifically told him not to go through his things, right? What harm could it do to check. Cautiously he approached the drawer. He hated how fast his heart was pounding. It should be no big deal, right? There was probably nothing there.

So why was he so nervous and reluctant to open it?

Gilbert took a deep breath before he reached forward and yanked open the drawer.

What he was inside made his heart nearly jump out of his chest. His chest felt tight and his breathing quickening as a wave of nervous nausea swept over him. This couldn’t be real. There was no way. He didn’t want to believe it.

Inside was a only a single object, a thin silver badge. There was a raven engraved on it, the bird clutching a bloodied heart in its talons. It was a badge Gilbert knew well. He had come to recognize it fairly quickly as the symbol worn by the people who mercilessly killed and slaughtered his comrades. Only one kind of person would have a badge like this and the realization made a wave of pure, cold, terror sweep over Gilbert.

Hansel was a wolf hunter.