The Lycaetos

Chapter 2: The Uncomfortable Drive Home

Hunter had his hand on mine while he was driving us home. The car smelled like fresh leather and wax. He must have had it cleaned recently. The radio blared loudly and he seemed to be in an overall less stern mood this evening. Using my stronger sense of smell, I covertly prepared to take in a whiff of his aroma, moving my head to the side and relaxing my body. Sometimes I do that to people, cause I'm weird and all, and the urge calls me sort of. Like this random need to be aware of my surroundings. So at the same time I breathed in some air, I also breathed in the scent.

The fir essential oil he had dabbed on hid most of it, but I could still smell the underlying scent of salt water and desert air that I recognized as his. He had be covering it more and more, with various essential oils and soaps. If I hadn't the desire to explain my unnatural ability to notice this, I would ask him about it. 

But saying, 'Hey my magical wolfy senses are tingling, why you covering up Hunter?!', wasn't exactly something I could do.

 His hand felt warm and gentle, nothing like how he usually is. It reminded me of how he was before, when I first moved in to the house. He used to take care of me then, protecting me, holding me as we slept so I wouldn't get nightmares. At one point, he got more guarded, more angry, specifically at me. Next thing I knew, I was getting in trouble with him, punished, for even the littlest of things. Always looking at me with a strong glare. Except sometimes, like now, when we are alone.

Now might be a good time to see if I can get out of any cleaning punishments he may have planned. If I had to clean this late, I won't be able to sneak out to do my usual night 'search and fly' in the city. Of course I can't say that either. Watching his facial expressions, which currently is blank, I lightly push my hand further into his.

I say my words carefully, "Hunter, I promise I won't be late anymore. I've got a fullproof plan for waking up on time! Is that okay?" A small smile traces on my lips. Nonthreatening, friendly smile. He glances in my direction for a moment before turning his eyes back on the road.

"Fine."

My smile turns into a grin. 'Fine' was a good sign. That was practically a get out jail free card kind of phrase for him.  Last time he said 'fine' like that was after I accidently machine dried his six hundred dollar sweater. It shrunk to the size of a toddler's shirt. I tried to re-stretch it out by wearing it, nearly suffocating in the process. Then too, I got off scotch free.

As we continued to drive down the road, I could hear him lightly humming to the music. He made a turn for our street, away from the city walls that bordered us, and in to the forest dense acreage which hid home.  It'd be a good few minutes before we got there, having to drive a bit slower than on the main road. Our street, a privately owned road by Hunter and his parents, wasn't exactly meant for cars to drive on. I was personally always surprised Hunter would drive such an expensive car on this road, but he did have it converted to a four wheel drive and had tires so tough they could probably drive on nails. No, I don't know where he got the tires and I wont ask. Not wasting my chit points on that.

Hunter stopped humming. We were silent for a bit. Then, as we ran over what I hope was someone else's broken tire tread and not anything else, it got awkwardly quiet. I covertly sniffed around again, checking for the smell of fresh blood, and was relieved when the air was clear of such a scent. Suddenly Hunter spoke.

"You should go into the forest more Ara. We've got guards surrounding the whole area, so no one can intrude. No one would see you run around." I turned toward him, my eyebrow raised in confusion. I guess my movements implied some sort of curiosity? Though it was kind of still strange to mention that. It was nice to offer though, but I wouldn't dare run in the forest they own. Since yeah strangers can't be there, but he can. Don't know how he'd take seeing a girl turn into a giant ass winged wolf creature. Or just seeing one in general, not like I'm supposed to exist... A sigh escapes my lips. I cringe at the realization.

Hunter comments further, "The forest is much safer than the city." I jolted back, my hand slipping away from his finally. Instead it now rests against my thigh.

I immediately shoot back, "I don't go in either, so I don't think it matters." My words came off way too sharp and irritated. Internally I curse myself and curse at Kirsa just for the hell of it. Hoping she subconsciously feels my stress and sends me some good vibes. It must have worked, because my phone dings indicating I got a message from her.

'Don't forget not to piss off Hunter foo-- night'

I'll subjectively view this as good vibes. Yep.

I dropped the phone down in my lap. My arms laying to my side helplessly. Waiting for what ever strong response or judging look was going to be thrown my way. Luckily I already had that get out of jail activation, and I doubt over my snippy response that he'd go back on it. Though maybe he'll make up a new punishment. Crap.

Time went on. We were almost home. Still nothing had happened. We'd just sat in tense silence. I could tell just by looking over at him that his was irritated. Even though he had yet to glare at me, he'd been staring at the road like he'd wanted a meteor to hit it. His scowl was that intense.

After a few moments, I felt Hunter's hand back to holding my own again. I don't know when he managed to move it to do such. I hadn't seen the action. Yet now it was there.  It made the drive all the more uncomfortable, as it mixed poorly with the sour look on his face. Finally we reached home.

As soon as his hand left mine, I practically jumped out the seat. Accidently using some of my power to super speed unbuckle and swing open the car door, before getting the hell out of there. I ran to my room avoiding the stares of my house mates and of Hunter's parents then shut myself inside. I couldn't lock the door since I wasn't allowed to have one, but luckily no one came up. Assuming Hunter didn't notice and hopefully got over it, I reminded myself to be more careful.

About three hours later, I prepared for my night adventure. I guess all is good, as everyone should be asleep by now.

Time for the City.