Hunter of Deception: The Eclipse Saga, #1

By Bria Lexor

Velzy Wick is a Vampire Hunter. Her ex-childhood best friend Rhydian Riddick is the alpha of The Bane Omega Pack. Their worlds collide when Rhydian must protect Velzy from an attack by another werewolf. Will they be able to stay alive long enough to find out who ordered the attack? Or will, they will kill her before he can fulfill his duty as her guardian?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bria Lexor
• Release date: Jan 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201498399

Bria Lexor

Bria Lexor is the author of popular Paranormal Romance books. She lives in Colorado and works on her books full-time.

Book preview

ONE

The hunters will kill me if they found out I had cooperated with a werewolf. The yellow crescent moon tattoo on my neck throbbed like hell. I instinctively placed my hand over it. They required all vampire hunters to have it before becoming a certified hunter. I received mine at the tender age of four. They dipped the ink in silver and the ashes of bullets to protect us from all vampire bites. It was after midnight; I was standing in Freedom Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing Strigoi.

My name is Velzy Wick. Today is my Seventeenth Birthday. I have long white-blonde hair, green eyes, short but athletic body frame. I'm pretty, but to conceal my hunter status, I dress like a nerd at school. And nobody suspects a thing.

Tonight, I agreed to meet with the alpha of the Bane Omega pack to collect intel on the recent spike of mundane deaths around the city. I heard someone approaching from behind me. I spun around and pointed my weapon at them. It was Rhydian Riddick. My childhood ex-best friend. He goes to my high school. He’s the quarterback of the football team. Rhydian has short dark hair, turquoise blue eyes, he’s tall, 6’1", very muscular and the sexiest man I’ve ever seen walk the face of the earth.

Velzy Wick, he smirked as he stood before me. Have you seen a vampire hunter around here, by chance?

Rhydian Riddick, I spoke. Please tell me you aren't the alpha of the Bane Omega pack?

His smirk grew wider. "You are my contact from the Hunter Administration, aren't you?"

I groaned. Look, I sighed in annoyance. Do you have intel for me or not?

Word going around is the Strigoi Queen Chandra is looking for a specific mundane, he started. A hybrid.

A hybrid? I asked. Why would a hybrid be on her agenda?

Your guess is about as good as mine, Vel, he shrugged. But I'm searching for this Werepire as well.

Werepire? I arched an eyebrow.

It’s a werewolf term. He replied. I made it up.

The side of my neck throbbed, and I made a sound of annoyance as I stroked it. Thanks, I sighed as I turned to leave. I'll give the info to my superior-

What's wrong with your neck? he asked, cutting me off mid-sentence.

It's nothing, I replied. Probably need a retouching on my tattoo.

His eyes suddenly glowed a neon blue in the darkness. You need me to give you a lift home?

No thanks, I replied. I don't live far from here.

See you tomorrow at school, he spoke. Vampire Hunter. There was something about the way he said it that sounded protective. I glanced over my shoulder, but he was already in his car and pulled away from the curb.

I shook the thought away and trotted the three blocks home. I stopped and walked up the steps. I noticed the lights were off and there was a crack in the front door. Alarm bells sounded in my head. I pulled out my cell and pressed the distress button, alerting the hunters that I was in danger. They would arrive in less than ten minutes. We took care of our own people. We are a vast family. I placed it back in my pocket and pulled out my weapon. I kicked the door in and it creaked open. I cautiously stepped inside. The house was silently eerie. I heard a strange sound coming from the floor. I flicked on the light, illuminating the room in a bright fluorescent glow. A woman stood as I took in the scene with my eyes. My mother lay motionless in a chair. Dark scarlet blood covered her entire body and the chair she was sitting in. My father was dead on the hardwood floor. Dark blood oozed out of his neck onto the floor. The woman had drained the rest of his blood into her mouth. Her eyes were red. She was gorgeous, and she was a Strigoi.

Hey witch, I growled as I aimed my gun at her. Eat this!

I fired a shot and struck her in the right shoulder. She hissed and leapt towards me, knocking me hard onto the ground on my back. The back of my head hit the ground hard, making white spots float in my vision. I quickly blinked them away as the throbbing started in my skull. She straddled me and pulled out a pocketknife. Velzy, she sneered down at me as I struggled to push her off of me. Happy Birthday!

I flinched just as the knife plunged into my chest. I heard a deep growl coming from the doorway. She hissed as she leapt off me and ran past the male. He walked towards me and cradled my head in his lap. You're a hot mess, Vel, he whispered as he gazed down at me with pity in his eyes. Drink my blood.

What? I asked as I lost consciousness due to blood loss. The wound was deep, and the silver was burning the hell out of my skin.

"Your alpha commands you to drink my blood, Werepire! Without hesitation, I reached up and drew his neck towards me. I licked the side of his neck before I sunk my sharp fangs into his soft skin. I tasted him. I heard him growl protectively as I retracted my fangs. He moved his face closer towards mine and he kissed me. Unsure of what to do, I returned his kiss before he broke it. The Hunters are on their way, he whispered as he gently placed my head down on the cold, hard floor. The neon blue of his eyes glowed. Happy Birthday Vel."

That was the last thing I remembered before blacking out into total darkness.

MY EYES SHOT OPEN, and I didn't recognize my surroundings. I started freaking out and tried to rip out the IV sticking out of my arm. Velzy, a familiar female voice spoke from beside me. It's okay, you're safe. It confused me as I tried to remember who she was. A Strigoi attacked you in your parents’ house.

She killed them, I whispered as the memories came flooding back. That vampire killed them.

You were the only survivor.

Give me the order, I replied as I blinked the tears away that stung the back of my eyes. I couldn't allow myself to show weakness in front of Tork. I want her head.

We reviewed the footage, she went on. Why did Queen Chandra attack you?

How am I supposed to know? I spat. I’m going to school.

You need to rest.

Rest is for the weak, I groaned. I'm getting out of here.

You're lucky your wound wasn't as severe as we thought, she sighed. She only grazed your skin with the knife.

Grazed? I was on the brink of death.

I'll get your discharge papers, she gave me a sad smile. Happy Birthday Velzy.

Thanks, I mumbled. Happy Birthday to me.

TWO

Iarrived at school , and everyone heard what happened. The police said it was a home invasion gone wrong. I was the sole survivor. I walked into my math class and went to my seat at the back. I set my violin case down and removed my backpack. I placed it behind my seat and sat down. A moment later, Rhydian and a few members of his pack entered the classroom. That's when the stench of wet dog hit my nostrils. It disgusted me as I unzipped my backpack and took out my math book, a notebook, and a purple pen.

Rhydian was standing beside me, then crouched down. I hadn't heard him approach me since it lost me in my thoughts. You should be home resting, he whispered. Your wound is still bleeding.

I'm fine, I replied. Did you forget to shower this morning? You stink.

He smirked. I am a werewolf, He joked. I didn't smile. And I'm your alpha. I shrugged, not understanding what the hell he was talking about. I want you to join my pack.

No thanks, I replied. Not interested.