<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">The Hunter Immediately made his way North as soon as he pulled away from The Diner, completely controlled by muscle memory alone, eyes focused on the road ahead hidden behind dark sunglasses as he began to follow the signs back home to Alexandria. His phone placed nearby sitting up in the cup holder of the center console, occasionally reaching over to change the song playing but always focused on the date just below the time. It was an extremely dangerous game he had begun to play, millions of thoughts screaming at him all at once before suddenly being silenced the moment the screen turned black again. Who knew one single moment at the "beginning" of his day would complete fuck him for the rest of it. Tired from keeping that smile on his face while he spoke to the kind stranger who had given him a bed for the night, at this point not quite sure if it was for them, simply trying to maintain appearances or to try fool himself into thinking he was still that man. He hadn't much gone over the events of the previous night, spiraling down deeper and deeper into that familiar pit whenever he thought about how he may or may not have been so close to finally getting his revenge.<br/>
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. . . .Yet it wouldn't change what was already done. Glance cast to the empty passenger seat beside him, and the necklace that hung from the mirror. Here they came again, those screaming voices and maddening thoughts that had been trying to dig their way into the black matter of his brain for all these years. Maybe it was the isolation, or the obsession for violence, constantly day dreaming of when he would finally put down That Blue Eyed Devil, or maybe it was simply the tainted blood that ran in his veins driving him further down that dark path. For all the time Wes had spent learning about their kind he still truly knew nothing about what made them tick, their reasoning if they had any, only focusing on the physical change and ignoring the mental one. Through it all the only thing he knew was he was in pain, and no amount of blood he spilled seemed to be able to bring him any bit of comfort. At least not when this day drew closer and closer ever since the change.<br/>
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Hours passed by quickly and soon enough he found himself slowing down as he cruised down that familiar street after a quick stop at the local store. Returning back to a simple, quiet neighborhood tucked in the far rural areas of town. The occasional jogger making their way down the sidewalk with their pets for their morning run after dropping off the kids. Green grass and the occasional tire swing or hammock decorating front lawns, eventually crawling to a stop just outside a small white two story home, For Sale sign still proudly displayed on the front lawn by the mail box. Like a Moth to Flame Wes exited the truck, shutting the door behind him and staring forward to the empty property, he wasn't surprised the home still remained unoccupied. The story spread through the little community like wild fire, the previous occupying couple disappearing without a trace one night, but the home left in ruins, blood and glass spread throughout, evidence of the violent struggle that occurred inside yet no sign of the perpetrators or The Couple was ever found. Stories began to circulate that their spirits still haunted the home, chasing away any and all to protect them from the curse the house supposedly held. It was an amusing thought, at least a lot less darker than the true story. With a quick glance to his surroundings Wes began to make his way around the side, easily hopping over the chain link fence to the backyard before testing his grip on a nearby low hanging branch.<br/>
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Slowly but surely, making his way up, cautious to make sure his grip was tight and his footing was sure before finally coming up roof level, giving a slow exhale and a huff as he leaped from the tree, making a rather loud thud as he landed but paying it no mind, eventually going to work on the Second Floor window, left unlocked as it always had been and pushing upwards to allow himself entry. The Hunter found himself in a small room, the walls lazily painted up with primer and the carpeting removed, a thin layer of dust resting on the floor, turning himself to shut the window lightly behind him before taking it all in. He was back in the nursery, from the open door he could see the hallway and the master bedroom that lay just across from it, bringing a small broken smile to his face. Eventually giving a heavy sigh before sitting himself down, back resting against the wall as he pulled out his phone, and unravelled the cheap plastic bag he carried up with him. It was a bit messy now considering the movement it had been subjected to but none the less the tiny cupcake was still at least in one piece, along with a pack of candles. Wes surveyed it for a few moments, holding the container gently in his fingertips before laying it on the ground in front of him.<br/>
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<i>"I know it's been a while since we talked....Dad's just been busy with a lot of things, I'm so sorry."</i><br/>
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Immediately he closed his eyes, head falling back with a gentle bump against the wall, hand rubbing his forehead and fingers pushing into his eyes for a moment or two before he continued on.<br/>
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<i>"I figured. . .last year I told you a little bit about Mommy, and how much she loved you the moment she saw you into that picture. So I figured this year I'd tell you about how we met."<br/>
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Reaching into his pocket Wes pulled his phone out, fingertips running thoughtfully over the black screen before finally unlocking it, opening up the music library and beginning to scroll down until he hit <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FIPzNdVw72wU&amp;hash=d3609d8ee7a0a02ee20d193293168961" href="https://youtu.be/IPzNdVw72wU" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">play</a><br/>
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<i>"This band was playing down in San Antonio, Dad was a huge fan so of course he wasn't going to miss the show. Opening band wasn't too good but hey, they tried. Right?" <br/>
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A small smile tugged at his cheeks as the memories of that night played perfectly in his head.<br/>
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<i>"So about halfway through...This song starts playing, and I feel someone getting pushed into me. I turn around and. . . That music stopped, as soon as I saw those eyes. Of course, Mom starts to apologize but I don't hear a word she says. . . . she's the most beautiful person your Dad had ever seen. She's trying to find her necklace, says her mother gave it to her before she. . .had to go away, and I can see Mommy had been crying. . .I spent the rest of that night crawling on the floor helping her find it. Got trampelled to heck and back but finally, we found it."<br/>
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Tears began to find their way down his face again, but a smile and a laugh was also given as he told the story to nobody, inside an empty room all alone. If he tried he could still hear the muffled noise of the band playing on stage, thick smell of smoke and alcohol in the air from the crowd, and their frantic search as they crawled between what seemed to be miles and miles of strangers legs.<br/>
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<i>"We come to find out we both went to the same college at the time and. . .it's just magic every time your Daddy sees her. I remember we talked that entire night away in The Dorm parking lots. . .I know I know that lovey dovey stuff is gross and icky but! If it weren't for that gross icky lovey dovey stuff we wouldn't. . .have had you. . ."<br/>
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The last few words absolutely broke him, head hanging down in defeat as he stared at the cupcake, sniffling up and choking back a sob as best he could, wiping his face on his sleeve before clearing his throat and finally opening up the container, gently sticking a candle into the frosting before reaching into his jacket pocket and finding his lighter, giving a few failed flicks before flame finally was achieved and he lit the lone candle. The song playing on the phone coming to an end as he stared into the lone flame that decorated the candle, wax slowly beginning to melt downward. Wes reached out to his phone, pulling up the lone saved voice mail, holding the phone in his hand and pressing the speaker button, eyes closed and letting his head back as it began to play. That familiar voice coming forward after a moment.<br/>
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"What's the point of having a phone if you <u><b>neeeever</b></u> answer it?" A small playful laugh given after the voice spoke, soft and enchanting even over the phone. Afterwards, beginning to sing beautifully, a simple rendition of "Happy Birthday" but absolutely enchanting, at least to Wes as he began to break down, unable to maintain and hold back flooding emotions that had been building up for several weeks now. The message continued on further after she had finished, another playful laugh given, and about to speak but Wes simply ended the playback, cutting off Elyses next words as he let the phone clatter to the ground afterwards. Collapsing off to his side as he curled up and hid his face under his hands, his choking sobs echoing off the empty walls as he let it all go. Finally bringing his attention back to the lone cupcake, the candle burning low, wax melted all over the frosting before finally the flame finally gave out, leaving tiny whisk of smoke trailing upwards.<br/>
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<i>"Daddy loves you. . .Happy Birthday sweet love."<br/>
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"Alright, who'd you <b>piss </b>off this time? Actually, You know what? Don't. Lord knows we'll be here forever if we bring up that list."<br/>
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The <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2F66.media.tumblr.com%2F9920130889ae45b89a4448b518c6eaa4%2Ftumblr_p6ribp9KEa1rcz6r6o1_400.jpg&amp;hash=d22ca1581e3b7a3c52aad22476b0927a" href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/9920130889ae45b89a4448b518c6eaa4/tumblr_p6ribp9KEa1rcz6r6o1_400.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Man's</a> comment brought a sly smile to Dresdens face, arms crossed over his chest as the smack of club meeting tee echoed out over the range, watching the ball soar beautifully against the blue skies, a laugh of satisfaction coming from the man who hit the shot. "I know you didn't just come here to have a friendly chat, Dresden. I am hurt though I mean, you never write, never call, and just decide to show up out of the blue whenever you want."<br/>
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The Man gave a grin as he walked back to his cart, holding out his club to the caddy and turning to face Dresden as began to remove his gloves. "So....to what do I owe this charming little visit?"<br/>
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"<i>Same thing as always, Luke. You love money and I enjoy giving it to you, after you take care of a tiny problem."<br/>
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"There's no such thing as a<b> "Tiny" </b>problem when it comes to you, cut the shit." Luke smiled widely and chuckled, reaching a hand out to pat Dresdens shoulder as they began to stroll across the green. "Let me guess, troubles on the homefront? I noticed that hot little fireball you waltzed in here with on your arm. Gotta say I thought you'd be able to take care of that, must be losing your touch." Luke gave a hearty laugh, giving another pat to Dresdens shoulder as he chuckled in return and shook his head. "<i>I've had a few guys go missing over the last few months, didn't think anything of it they probably got their shit blown in by their own stupidity. Two Hunters wiped out a Den of Shifters last night, one of em ignored em all completely and tried to fire off an arrow in my direction. Only people that knew I was coming were The Alpha, his men and two of my contacts between the other branches, one of whom just went missing as well. You do the math there."<br/>
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"So someone is tracking you, not a surprise. Big fuckin' deal you have enough guys to protect you or go out looking for him. What's that got to do with me?" Luke gave a curious raise of the brow, stopping as Dresden did, The Blue Eyed Devil removing his sunglasses and spreading his arms out with a shrug.<br/>
<i>"He's one of us."<br/>
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".....</i>Really now? You're sure about that? You know I'm gonna have to charge extra for that kind of job." There was an eerie calmness in Luke's voice, rubbing his hands together thoughtfully as he surveyed Dresden. It wasn't the threat presented with the Job that began to get him excited, it was the concept of finally getting to hunt something that would put up a decent fight, make for a good chase and an even better kill, nearly salivating and licking his chops just thinking about it. "Understand not wanting to get your hands dirty but why aren't you taking care of this yourself?"<br/>
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<i>"I've got an important gathering coming up soon. Don't have the time to hunt down some stupid stray, besides, gotta keep this face nice and pretty for all those hot shots don't I?" </i>Dresden gave a bit of a smirk as he dug into his pocket, pulling out a broken piece of the grip of the hunting bow, serial number still clearly engraved in it, handing it over to Luke. <i>"Ain't much but I'm sure you'll make it work. I've told a few of my guys to keep their eyes open, keep their marks easily viewable. If he's tracking them specifically it's only gonna be a matter of time before he shows up again. Guys predictable if anything....The Hunter he was with was a human as well, might help looking for her if he goes back underground for too long." </i>Reaching into his pocket once more and pulling out a small folded piece of paper, scribbled directions back to the Shifter Den and the area it rested in. It all made that smile on Luke's face widen more and more, taking the offerings, glancing to the broken piece of bow and giving a few test sniffs before running a thumb gently over the serial number, nodding a few times before extending a hand outwards for Dresden to shake.<br/>
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"Consider it done, old friend."<br/>
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