Hunted Derick

Chapter Ten - Some Truth

★ Derick ★

“We got them!” Candice suddenly shouted out as she burst into my office. I looked up from the spreadsheet on my laptop that I had been working on for the last two hours.

“What?” I asked her, confused.

“We got those rogues!” she said excitedly. I eyed my mate as I nodded slowly. Carter had specifically requested that we not go after the rogues. Yet, here she was almost jumping around in excitement. I wasn’t exactly sure why she was excited though. Did she forget what Carter had said? I tuned back into her ramblings to hear what she had to say. “Apparently these rogues hire themselves out, something similar to assassination but in a group form. And here’s the kicker, not just for wolves but for humans too!” she stopped talking and came further into the room and stopped in front of my desk. “Don’t you see Derick? We can ‘hire’ these rogues and get them cornered!” I nodded again, not really interested in getting any type of revenge or payback. I considered reminding her of Carter’s wishes but then the next words she said had me smiling. “This way we can get the council involved and they can arrest them!”

“Thank the gods,” I shouted out as I jumped up from my seat. I hurried around to her side and we both laughed happily as we embraced.

“What’s happening?” Carter asked as he entered the office and we both turned to face the young boy.

“Candice found the rogues!” I informed him. Immediately the smile on his face fell and he shook his head. I knew why and I quickly explained. “This way we can get the council involved and get those wolves arrested,” Carter nodded and then that wonderful smile of his returned.

“Good, so no violence then?” he asked, seemingly to remind us of his request.

“Exactly, this way, we get some sort of justice and we can do it without killing anyone,” Candice cheered. I glanced over at her and smiled once again. Seeing her this happy, although somewhat odd, was quite nice. Looking between the two siblings, it was quite remarkable just how much they looked alike. They were just a few years apart but they both had that same honey-colored blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. Even the shape of their noses was exactly the same. Carter’s lips were plump but still somewhat smaller than Candice’s. Her lips also had a natural redness to them, whereas Carter’s was the normal soft shade of pink. Candice was lighter skin toned, but they were both pale. I assumed that Carter’s skin tone was a bit darker only because he was outside a lot. He loved being by the river whereas Candice enjoyed being indoors, or if she were outside, she would be in her wolf form. I completely zoned out as I thought about her soft honey blonde hair, so soft and beautiful, her paws weren’t too small, and her tail was long and bushy. Overall, she was a perfect looking wolf. Parker quickly agreed that Candice was in fact, perfect. I rolled my eyes and snapped out from my thoughts to listen in on the conversation between the two siblings.

“Why can’t I have it?” Carter was asking Candice.

“Because, dad gave it to me,” she replied. Yeah, I had definitely missed something, and judging by the way Candice was looking at me, I had a feeling I was meant to be on her side.

“Um, what are you two talking about?” I asked carefully. Two sets of eyes turned to me and I shifted uncomfortably. Neither one of them was impressed with me for asking that question. “Sorry, I was thinking about something else,” I quickly explained apologetically. Carter smiled softly and nodded in understanding, but Candice looked as if she could hit me.

“I was asking Candice if she had anything of our parents, she has a book of dads and won’t let me have it,” Carter explained. I wondered why she wouldn’t want him to have it and I glanced over at her and she quickly shook her head. It wasn’t enough though, I wanted to know why.

“Why can’t he have it? Or borrow it? What is it exactly?” I fired the questions at her, and Carter looked quite smug, so I shot him a disapproving look before looking back over at Candice, causing him to look down, ashamed.

“Well, first of all, it was given to me by our father, and secondly why would it interest you?” she wasn’t looking at me at all, but rather addressing Carter. The curiosity behind this book was quite intriguing but I shook my head and left the two of them to sort it out.

“Wait! Where are you going?” Carter grabbed my wrist to stop me from leaving.

“This is between the two of you, sort it out,” I said as I shook him off and left the room. I didn’t want to be stuck in the middle of those two.

★★★

It was odd having two council members with their warriors sitting in our packhouse sitting room. I glanced between Xander and Dimitry. They looked quite comfortable and were currently discussing the plan of action. They would be ‘meeting’ with the rogues a bit later in the afternoon and the warriors would capture and arrest the rogues in question. Candice had made sure that all the rogues would be at this ‘meeting’ by not only promising a massive cash pay-out but by saying that it was a BIG project. Well, I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing my mate lie with a straight face. I spotted Carter sneaking off upstairs and I already knew what he was doing. He was going to Candice’s bedroom to look for that silly book. I rolled my eyes and caught Candice also watching the staircase. Ah, so she had seen him sneak up too. I wondered if she would go after him, but she surprised me by coming over to me.

“He won’t find it,” she whispered in my ear as she reached my side. I sighed softly as I thought about Carter’s disappointment at not finding the book.

“What is it?” I asked her instead.

“Do you really want to know?” she asked. I looked at her, maintaining eye contact as I nodded.

“Well, it’s a hunters book,” she finally admitted after a few moments of silence. I stared at her in complete and utter shock.

“What do you mean it’s a hunters book?” I curiously questioned her. Candice shrugged and my curiosity went sky high as I thought about this book. I knew for a fact that when I was a hunter, I was given a hunter's book. Was this the same thing? And if so, what did it mean exactly? Or was it a different kind of book. I had my own hunter's book stashed away in my room in a secret place I had installed when the packhouse was built. “Candice,” I pushed, wanting to know more. Everyone else in the room seemed to disappear as I desperately waited for her to explain. My past didn’t often come to bite me in the ass, but I had a feeling it was going too. At some point anyway.

“What Derick? It’s a hunters book that my dad gave me before I left the pack,” she eyed me cautiously. “Do you miss being a hunter?” she suddenly asked me, and I would be lying if I said my heart didn’t just stop.

“Miss being a hunter?” I scoffed loudly and shook my head. “No, I don’t,” I answered truthfully. Being a wolf was more of a life to me than when I was human. In fact, being a wolf was so apart of who I am that I barely remembered my life as a human. Do I remember hunting shifters down? Yes, of course, I did, but I didn’t want too, and I had managed to push it down quite far but now all of a sudden it was as if those things had happened just yesterday. How could I possibly explain it? Guilt overtook me as I looked around the room. Some of the warriors had ventured outside and I glanced over at Dimitry who had stood up.

“Alright, we are going to head out to get in position. Candice, Derick, remember, don’t leave the pack until we tell you too,” Dimitry said and we both nodded. “Make sure everyone stays in their homes, until this whole this other,” he added before leading his team out of the packhouse. I wasn’t too worried; Keith had already ordered that the wolves stay inside until further notice. I glanced back over at Candice, who was watching me.

“What?” I snapped.

“I know you were a hunter, Derick,” she stated, and I nodded. Yes, well, we both knew I had been a hunter.

“So?” I didn't want to fight with her but I was curious to know what she was getting at.

“So? Doesn’t it concern you that wolves, shifters, have knowledge of the so-called hunters book?” she took a step closer to me, almost taunting me in some way. “Doesn’t it concern you that we have a copy of that book?"

“No,” I admitted. If I were being truly honest with myself then I would have to say that not only doesn’t it concern me but that it makes perfect sense. How else would shifters know about hunters if they didn’t have a copy of the book? After all, what was in that book that they didn’t already know?

“Well, don’t you have any questions about the fact that I have one?” she questioned and once again I shook my head. I was not about to admit that yes, I was curious as to why she had one, or more to the point, why did her father give her such a book.

“Why should I? I have a hunters book too,” I said, instead. Candice raised her eyebrows in question, and I smiled sadly at her. “You and I both know that I was a leader of a hunters team,” I pointed out. Candice turned away, but I didn't miss the way she rolled her eyes. “Ah come on Candice, what do you want me to say?” I was getting irritated with the situation and I didn’t really want to continue a conversation that seemed pointless to me.

“I guess, I am just curious as to what you did back when you were a leader of a hunters team,” Candice flipped her hair over her shoulder and headed upstairs. The topic of what I had done in my past was something I knew I would have to discuss with my mate but now most certainly wasn’t the time. She didn’t know anything about my past but then again, I didn’t know much about hers. I was fooling myself already and I would have to start being honest, not just with myself but with Candice, Carter, and every other pack member of The White Howlers.

★ Unknown P.O.V (will be revealed soon ) ★

We watched from our hiding spot as the rogues circled around in the forest. They were obviously waiting for something or even someone. I looked over at my partner and smirked. We were happy to have found out where the traitorous Derick was but we were curious about these rogues. What was going on? Curiosity filled me as I waited for something interesting to happen. My instinct was telling me to attack but I pushed it down, just to see what was going on.

“How much longer?” one of them asked. Ah, so they were waiting for someone.

“Hopefully not much longer,” another one said, I assumed he is the leader since they all seemed to look at him.

“Better be worth it,” one of the other scoffed out. I couldn’t help but to roll my eyes at them.

“Philip?” a man called out as he and two others entered the circle of rogues. I spotted another four hiding and I started to panic. What the hell have we stumbled upon? I glanced back over at my partner and shook my head. We should leave before we get caught up in whatever was about to go down. Suddenly I wasn't so interested in seeing what they were up too.

“Yeah, that’s me,” the leader said with confidence. “Finally, you’ve decided to show up,” the new man, who I also assumed was a wolf, nodded and looked around him.

“Is this your whole team?” he asked. Philip, the leader, nodded with a smile. I counted fifteen rogues in total.

“We lost a few a couple of rogues a few weeks ago, but we can still do whatever job it is you have for us,” he said. Job? Wolves had jobs now? 

“Good,” the man said, and I shuddered as I felt his power. Philip and the other rogues seemed to pick up on it as well as they carefully eyed out the new man. Suddenly there were wolves everywhere, being arrested it seemed like. I took this opportunity to turn around and run. I heard my partner behind me, and I didn’t bother to look back as I wanted to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. Once we reached the clearing, my partner and I breathed out heavily as we leaned against our truck.

“Dude, what the hell was that?” he asked.

“I have no idea, but we better get going,” I ripped open the door on the driver's side and climbed in.

“We have to report this,” he said when he joined me in the truck. I nodded as I started the vehicle.

“We will,” I said as I drove away. “And then we’ll come back for Derick, he will pay,” I stated with a promise to no one but myself.

★ Candice ★

I had walked away from Derick for two reasons. One: I wanted him to talk to me about his past without me pushing him too much. Two: I wanted to talk to my brother. I headed up the stairs and to my room and I leaned against the door frame, watching Carter as he moved around my room, trying to find that book.

“You won’t find it, you know,” I said simply, catching his attention. Carter squealed in fright and turned to face me. He looked guilty for being caught with his flushed cheeks and his panting breath. I giggled softly before pushing off from the door frame and entered my room. Carter wiped his hands on his dark blue denim and tried to avoid my questioning gaze.

“Well…um…”

“Hmm?” I hummed as I sat down on my bed, watching him as he started to inch his way towards the door.

“I…um, sorry Candice, I was just um…” he couldn’t just spit it out and he continued to look around frantically.

“You were looking for?” I asked as I stood up and headed over to my dresser. I closed the draws he had left somewhat open and pulled the last draw out. It had all my underwear in it, and I wasn’t sure if he had searched the draw or not, however, I had to say no, otherwise he would’ve found the book. I pushed aside some panties and pulled the book out. “Close the door, Carter,” I said softly. He did so, his eyes on the book. I went over to the soft pink loveseat and sat down. Carter closed the door and joined me, his eyes never leaving the book. I slowly opened it and showed him what was inside.

To my sweetest Candice,

I hate the fact that you will be leaving us. I know that you’ve been living with Gale but hopefully one day you will understand why. I have asked Gale to give this book to you when you are fifteen. You need to know what kind of dangers are out there.

Remember who you are and where you come from.

I will always love you,

Dad

I read the note with Carter and I smiled. I ran a finger along the page and glanced up at Carter, who was staring at me with wide eyes.

“What does it mean?” he asked me.

“Well, when I turned fifteen, Gale did give me the book. I didn’t understand any of it and she sat me down and told me a little story,” I smiled as I remembered the story. “Would you like to hear it?” I asked him. Carted nodded eagerly and I sat back against the sofa. “Once upon a time, our father was an Alpha. He ran his own pack and he was doing very well for himself. However, he was having quite a bit of a problem with hunters. As time went on, the hunters killed every member of his pack, except him. Our father ran away and came across another pack and he found his mate, our mother. He joined the pack to stay by her side, but it wasn’t until I was born that he truly found out what our mother was,”

“What was she?” Carter asked desperately wanting to know.

“She was…or is, crazy. Now when I say crazy, I mean, she wasn’t completely all there. She struggled to understand reality and our father took great care of her. However, as I said, she seemed alright up until she gave birth to me. Gale said that she thinks that the pregnancy did something to her, but we will never know. Our father couldn’t look after me and our mother at the same time, it was too much work. She is his mate and he put her first. Gale would look after me and then I was eventually sold to Gale. When our mother found out she was pregnant again and this time with twins, things got a lot harder. Our father needed money just to look after her. Gale happily helped out,” I paused my story as I wondered how things would’ve been had our mother not gone crazy. It was sad and difficult for me to think about it especially since no one truly understood what had happened to her.

“Please continue,” Carter pleaded softly.

“Anyway, when you guys were born, she went into a sort of depression. She blamed our father for her condition and ultimately, he did too. Keith and Jody’s mother was the only one prepared to take in you two and Gale took me away. So, you see, Carter, our father lost everything because of hunters and then he found his mate. He was not prepared to lose her too. I don’t know if they are still around or not, but Gale once told me that they are happy wherever they are,” I finished the story and sat forward once again.

“Why do you smile?” he asked.

“I smile because I never thought our parents loved us, I always just assumed they let us go because they didn’t care. But Gale told me just how much our father adored us. Even our mother. So, it makes me smile because as hard as it has been, at least I know they cared,” I explained.

“I suppose so, now this book,” he looked down at the book in my hands and I gently handed it over to him.

“You can’t have it, mostly because of the note dad wrote to me, but you are more than welcome to borrow it. You can read through the pages, understand the hunters and then give it back to me,” I said.

“Ok,” Carter stood up and left my bedroom. I wondered if I should’ve told him that our parents are dead…well, what he doesn’t know can’t harm him.