Jaded Anchor: The Hunter

Chapter Four - Theo

A fraction of the men they left with had made it back that night. Theo wouldn’t call it a victory in any way shape or form but apparently his dad viewed the entire night differently. Richard considered it a victory simply because they had killed the Alpha male of the pack. He had been leading a toast to their victory when Theo walked out of his dad’s place and walked to his own. He wasn’t in the mood to celebrate. He had lost friends in the fight. He almost lost his own life. He still couldn’t believe that the wolf had spared him. Would he have done the same if the roles had been reversed? Could he have defied his dad and let a wolf live if he had it cornered?

Theo walked into his apartment and instantly went to shower. He needed to wash away the dirt and blood. He needed to forget the whole damn night. The thing was that no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t forget. He saw those yellow eyes every time he closed his own. The way the wolf had stopped when he said please. The way she stepped on his gun, she was powerful, could have easily killed him, but she spared his life. Why? He was sure he wasn’t the only person to have ever said ‘Please’ to her.

Theo didn’t know why he was taking this attack so differently than the countless others, he had been involved with. Possibly because he was at an age now that he was thinking for himself. He knew he didn’t like killing, he had always justified it before with the fact that wolves were dangerous to humans. It was their job as hunters to keep the naïve humans safe from the dangers that lurked in the night, but he had been watching these wolves in Silverport for almost a year and not one single human was harmed by them. They seemed to keep to themselves, minding their own business. They were so different than the monsters he grew up believing they were. The fact that one of the wolves spared his life had him questioning his entire existence.

…

It had been almost two months since their attack on the WestBeach Pack. Two months and Theo was still dreaming about those yellow eyes and razor sharp teeth. He just couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that the wolf, who he was sure had been one of the Blakesley women, had spared his life when he was trapped in the corner. He had seen enough wolves to know that the wolf who cornered him had been female. They were smaller in size but still as deadly. He only assumed that it was a Blakesley wolf because the wolf had been in the Alpha’s house. It could have been the female alpha Nora, the Jaded Anchor alpha Alexandra, the daughter of the alpha Adira, or the youngest son’s wife. When the informant, Carter, first brought his father the information no mention of Coen’s wife was made. Her name was unknown at the moment.

Against his better judgment Theo was currently getting ready to go to the Jaded Anchor Bar. He knew the only wolf who would recognize him would be the one who spared him his life. He also knew from a year of observations that most of the Blakesley clan visited the bar frequently. Theo had this crazy idea that he could find her and thank her for not killing him. It was stupid, but he had to try. He felt like he owed her some type of thanks. He had this notion that if he thanked her and met her face to human face that he could get her yellow eyes out of his head. The only problem was he didn’t know who ‘her’ was.

His plan was to walk in the bar pretending to be nothing more than a normal human and wait until someone recognized him. When he was recognized he only hoped that whoever she was wouldn’t regret her decision and kill him on the spot. It was risky, stupid, and probably his worst idea ever, but he had to try. He needed to know why she spared his life and he needed to properly thank her. He finished buttoning up his black shirt and stole one last glance in the mirror before heading out to what could potentially be his death.

The Jaded Anchor was packed. He hadn’t been expecting that, but it probably worked to his advantage. He knew he wasn’t the only human there, that would help keep him under the radar. Had he walked into a bar full of wolves he would have been snuffed out instantly. He pushed his way towards the bar trying his best to blend in. At 6’3 it wasn’t necessarily an easy thing to accomplish.

Once he reached the bar he ordered a beer. The drink was more for show. He was supposed to be blending in. Sitting at the bar with no drink would have given off the wrong vibes. He let his eyes search the crowd. He, of course, had no idea who he was looking for but he hoped to possibly catch the eyed of the right wolf. The longer he stood at the bar the more women approached him. He knew right away each time a woman would come up that she wasn’t ‘her’. She wouldn’t come up slurring her words or hitting on him.

Theo had politely turned them down one by one. He had no interest in hooking up with random women in a bar. He had no interest in hooking up with anyone in fact. He was simply here to thank the wolf who spared his life then get back to his place before someone seen him here. Someone mainly being his father. His father would probably murder him with his own hands if he knew what Theo was planning. To lower himself enough to apologize to a wolf would have him disowned by Richard Bryant.

While he was lost in thought he didn’t notice that a female had moved up behind him from behind the bar. It wasn’t until he felt her eyes staring holes in the back of his head that he turned. Who he saw standing there wasn’t who he expected. It was a familiar face, one he had seen in photographs and several times over the past six months from afar. It was Adira Blakesley, and she looked pissed.

“What the f**k are you doing here?” He could almost hear the growl behind her words, yep she was pissed.

“It was you.” Theo whispered leaning in so the other wolves wouldn’t overhear.

“What the f**k are you doing here?” Adira repeated herself not seeming too pleased to find Theo in the bar.

“I wanted to say thank you. You know for not killing me.” Theo couldn’t look away from her. She was even more beautiful in person than in the pictures he had been studying for over a year now. He was slightly taken back by the power and beauty she projected.

“Whatever do not mention it. Seriously, don’t ever mention it to anyone. Ever.” He watched her eyes dart around the bar looking to see if anyone had noticed them. He knew they wouldn’t. No one besides Adira would have recognized him.

“Oh don’t be like that. I’m serious. You could have killed me, but you didn’t. I’m indebted to you, Adira. Let me buy you a drink at least.” Theo offered, his offer was genuine. He wanted to make it right. So she would stop haunting his dreams.

“How do you know my name?” Her eyes narrowed at him. She had the prettiest eyes he had ever seen. How were they so blue? Wait f**k. Focus, asshole.

“Doesn’t matter.” Theo shrugged not wanting to get into the details, knowing she wouldn’t take that information well.

“Nevermind. The less I know about you, the better.” Adira searched the room again. It was almost as if she was looking for someone in particular.

“I’m Theo.’ He told her suddenly wanting her to know his name. He had a feeling she was about to kick him out. He wanted her to know his name in case she ever wanted to find him. Stupid.

“I said I didn’t want to know anything about you.” Adira told him. Theo couldn’t help but think she looked sexy when she was mad. Get a f*****g grip mate. He scolded himself.

“Can you just accept my apology?” He urged knowing that’s what he needed.

“Accept your apology? Are you saying sorry now? I thought you were just saying thank you.” Adira turned those eyes back on him and he sighed. He hadn’t meant to say an apology.

“I meant… well yeah I guess I am sorry about the whole thing.” He had never wanted to be a part of that night in the first place.

“Sorry isn’t going to bring my dad back. You need to leave now.” Adira sat up straighter her eyes tuned to someone who was approaching.

“Go now.” She urged once more before putting a smile on her lips. Theo couldn’t help but notice that the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Luca, babe…” Who the f**k was Luca? More importantly why the hell did I care?