Amelia and Cedar had rushed Amber to the hospital, leaving me with a few guards. Cloud had left to search for any sign of the hunter that was likely roaming the forests. The werewolf hunter. The werewolf hunter that shot Amber with a wolfsbane arrow while he was out practicing his shifting.

“Do you think Amber’s going to be okay?” I softly asked the guard that had been ordered to keep an eye on me.

“The arrow was in his arm,” she said. “They may have to amputate.”

“A-amputate?!” I sat up, eyes wide. “I know wolfsbane is poisonous, especially to weaker werewolves, but isn’t there a cure? Or at least some sort of medicine to lessen the effects and help the body heal?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t always work,” the guard replied.

“But… will he be okay?” I whispered, frightened.

“...I don’t know,” she admitted. “Amber is… much weaker than most other werewolves. But I doubt that Alpha Rose will let him die. Besides, werewolves can heal and regenerate over time. If they do have to amputate his arm, it’ll grow back… eventually.”

I felt sick. I needed to lay down. I stood up from the table and slowly walked upstairs. I forced myself to take deep breaths as I climbed the stairs.

When I entered my room, I was met with frozen air.

“You okay?” Cloud closed the window.

“How long have you been here?” I asked.

“Just got in,” he shrugged.

“They might have to amputate Amber’s arm,” I breathed, flopping down on the bed. I buried my face in the pillows. Cloud sat next to me and set his hand on my back in a comforting gesture. I turned my head and looked up at him. “Did you find anything out there?”

“There’s definitely a hunter,” he told me. “Singular human, male, probably in his late 40s, maybe early 50s. Barely knows about hygiene from the smell of it.” He wrinkled his nose and curled his lip in disgust, and I managed a little laugh/scoff. “His scent is all over the woods; we think he’s been circling the town. Can’t figure out where he’s camping, though. Probably moving around.”

I thought for a moment. Unhygienic male, 40s, werewolf hunter….

I sat up, eyes wide. “I…. I think I know who it is.”

Cloud shifted, a concerned expression on his face. “Who?”

I sat crossed-legged on the bed, “Well, I-I’m not entirely positive but….” I wrapped my arms around a pillow, lowering my head. “One of my… customers was a guy named…,” it took me more than a moment to say it. “His name is…,” I almost gagged, “George Hendrick. He’s paranoid, and loves hunting. He always thought that creatures like… vampires--” I was reminded of Abraham and Mika, “--and werewolves--” my mind drifted to Amber, a vivid image of him with only one arm, “--were out there, killing people and being, well, monsters. He’s obsessed. With hunting…. And… with me.” I curled up tighter, bringing my legs to my chest and clinging the pillow so tight I thought it would rip at the seams.

Cloud stayed silent, gently setting his hand on my knee.

I shook my head, taking a deep breath, “If it is him, he’ll be camping out in his truck and trailer, probably about a mile outside of town. H-he’s… pretty strong,” my grip around myself tightened, and I rubbed my arms.

“Raine, look at me,” Cloud whispered. “Don’t worry about this, okay? Just stay here and stay safe. I will take care of him. He will never hurt you, or anyone else, ever again.”

“No killing?” I softly asked.

He didn’t reply.

I raised my voice a little bit, “Cloud, promise no killing.”

He let out a breath, “I can’t. I can’t promise that. After what he did to you, and now hunting the people in my town…. I don’t think I could ever let a man like that, a pedophile and a poacher, walk free, even with punishment.”

“I… I know,” I managed to whisper.

He gently took my face in both hands. “I have to kill him.”

I nodded and repeated, “I know.”

Cloud gently smiled, “Stay here, stay safe. I’ll come to you when it’s done. In the meantime, just stay here, okay? Don’t leave this house.”

“You’re putting me on house arrest?”

“I’m trying to keep you safe. Please don’t leave the house.”

“...Okay. I’ll stay inside.”

“Thank you,” he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine. His skin was warm. I could hear him breathing. A single tear fell. I uncurled and slowly wrapped my arms around him, moving to bury my face in his shoulder.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I-I think…. I think you’re…. I think you saved my life, Cloud. If it wasn’t for you and those stupid dreams, I probably would’ve gone back to my hometown. Thank you… for… for saving me.”

“Anytime,” he breathed. He slowly pulled away, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek before standing up. “Don’t worry, if I get hit with wolfsbane, it won’t do much.”

“‘Cause you’re a god,” I smiled and nodded.

“‘Cause I’m not a werewolf.” Cloud opened the window and disappeared into the snowy woods.