My Alpha Mate's Christmas Gift novel Chapter 104

　　Hunters

　　“N-No…” Roxanne muttered.

　　She was so close. Just a second more, no… Maybe even less and she would have gotten him.

　　“You couldn’t land your hit, that's too bad..” Damien said, turning to face her.

　　Roxanne glared at him with caution. Did he already anticipate this? Was that why he didn’t make any moves while she wanted to attack? She had felt like things were going too well for her, but could it be that he was just playing along because of the time.

　　“You should have taken time into account when you were formulating your plan” Damien commented.

　　“I have to admit though… You're not bad”

　　What did this mean? Did he finally acknowledge her?

　　“Rita, what do you think?” Damien turned to their timekeeper.

　　“Roxy, you did great… Better than most on their first try. I was low-key rooting for you, but I knew you wouldn’t have landed that hit on Damien. You could tell, right? His speed is out of this world.” Rita said.

　　“Y-Yeah, I noticed,” Roxanne admitted.

　　“I can’t believe I thought I could actually beat this guy in the past. Even with werewolf powers boosting me, I still can't do anything," Roxanne thought to herself.

　　“Don’t be so down, you passed the test after all” Damien said, slightly nudging her shoulder.

　　Roxanne smiled and nodded. Yes, she admitted she didn’t win the match, but she had gotten recognition from this man in front of her… That was not enough for her, but it was a start.

　　"I'll make you eat your words one day though," She said to him with a determined smile.

　　“I await the day, sweetheart.” He laughed.

　　Since they were done with the test, they all ventured inside. Not long after, Dax arrived. He looked surprised and happy to see Damien, and they both went out after greetings to talk about whatever Damien had to report.

　　“How old is he anyway, Damien I mean…” Roxanne thought aloud after the two men had left.

　　“Hmmn, 37, why are you asking?”

　　“Wh-Whaoh… He’s younger than my mom, but she has always looked way younger than her actual age, still… He looks so young!” Roxanne commented.

　　“Pfft, that he does. You should have seen him 10 years ago. Haha, everyone thought he was a teenager ” Rita smiled.

　　“Somehow I can picture that in my head”

　　“I’m still surprised he and mom hooked up, though," Roxanne replied.

　　“What do you mean? Your mom is such a hottie, you know?”

　　“Hey, you don’t have to tell me that. I’m just surprised. He seems like one of those cool jocks in high school, while my mom is like the shy bookworm. See the difference? It’s just hard to place the both of them together” Roxanne explained.

　　“Well, you have a point, but then look at you and Asher. Do you two look anything alike?” Rita pointed out.

　　Roxanne thought of it and found out Rita was right on the mark.

　　“Fate has a funny way of dealing with us. I’m so very distinct from Dax. The same goes for you and Asher, and Miss Melissa and Damien. Do you see? It's never predictable, but that's what makes it fun!" Rita said.

　　“They do say that opposites attract… But I believe it is not necessarily true. Something pushes them together, the force of destiny is the binding force that brings two together… And in time you find out that the force is never wrong”

　　Roxanne wondered about it and considered her recent feelings for Asher. It felt so unreal, yet she could feel it ringing true. She brushed it aside before Rita would notice. She had to switch subjects before the subject for discussion would get to that of her and Asher.

　　“Rita, what are the ‘Hunters’ that Damien mentioned?” Roxanne asked.

　　As soon as Roxanne heard this, Rita's face clouded up. She was no longer smiling, but a stern and grim look replaced her usual demeanour.

　　“… The Hunters, uh? Well, I suppose you deserve to know…” She began.

　　“Being a werewolf isn’t just fun and games, you know? I did tell you about the wars that happened between the packs of this region in the past, right?”