Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 248 - Be my escort?

Hunter's POV, The next morning. Iraq capital.

The capital had such a different feel. Everyone was all smiles and polite. It was like no one was concerned with the war still raging on. Was this all because Raptor was back? I had to ask myself as I easily was allowed inside the courtyard from the main gate. Barely anyone had weapons and as I got closer to the main building I began to notice that the main lobby was housing barely any guards. Everything was so relaxed and I questioned what was happening as I looked to the top of the stairs to Raptor's office door wide open. Outside stood that wolf from yesterday. AK-47 on his side with both arms crossed. I couldn't see his eyes but it was clear that the second he saw me coming for the stairs. That mask was locked onto me and as I climbed to the top, I stopped to look inside the office. Raptor was sitting in his chair talking to an almost identical wolf to the one standing just next to me, however my ears went up as Raptor turned his focus out to me. The other wolf had a mask too, but it was blue. In confusion I stared at him and after a moment or two Raptor called out to me with a calm voice.

"Come on in Hunter."

"Okay." I replied as I took another look at the person standing next to me. Not a word came from him as I entered the office to look at the other. Raptor caught my attention being focused on his friends and urged me while pointing to one of the seats in front of him.

"Sit. I promise your fine. Ignore them."

I tried to do just that as I slowly managed to take a seat. However the wolves were now both in the room and looking right at me. The door still opened as I found enough of my voice to ask Raptor in concern.

"Who are they?"

Raptor let out a sigh to the question, so I went on to say.

"I know shit isn't in a straight line anymore with you Raptor so I just want to understand what happened. Did I do something? Why did you leave that night? I'm not mad you broke a promise to me. It's childish to have that mindset over in this world we're in. So I just want to know what was going on with you up till you left. Where did you go? I heard rumors you left the country."

Raptor took a second to look over to the orange masked wolf. From there I began to watch the way they walked. The person behind the mask couldn't be a man. I could make out a much shorter tail than someone like Drake Linnen. My head followed the figure to watch as they shut the door at last. Once it had been closed I turned back around to look at Raptor who had his focus on me; bluntly staring me down as the wolf came back around to my side.

"I want this made clear to you Hunter. I did not do this because of you. I got held up by my own needs to see the men who killed my wife and son, dead by my own hands. It was a solely selfish reason for why I had to abdonon you guys like I did; and I know I can't apologize enough for it. If I would have stayed, we probably wouldn't have this issue with Archer like we do now."

"Archer's a dranaged animal Raptor. He was going to do something bad and it was only a matter of time after we lost Wreak. You can't blame yourself for what happened when it came to him cracking." I tried to tell him as he shook his head once to reply.

"Regardless Hunter, I put everything down and turned away from my duties. Only a handful of you knew I left for my selfish reasons. And take a look around you. Who is left to say I left for that besides you? Everyone understands why I did what I did and I'm doing all I can to fix things. Starting with this war. Do you understand why I asked for G.U.N intervention?"

The room was cold. I had no idea why. The wolves were keeping their eyes locked on me as I gulped and replied to my friend.

"I have my issues with it. But…...it's not like there isn't much of an option left for us right? It's either this or what? We fight everyone? G.U.N included?"

"During my time away from this position I came to realize a lot. Some of it I can't tell you. It would take too long to explain."

"We have the time Raptor." I told him as he shut his mouth and went silent.

Pushing the matter further, I sat up and begged him.

"I don't know what's happened to you since you left. But I want to know and I want you to understand that you can trust me with whatever it is. I'm not going to turn on you. You had your reasons and I may not agree with some of them, but I still care enough about you to accept them and try my best to see it all from your eyes."

The blue wolf nearest Raptor for some reason now was completely focused on me. She even took a step forward as my eyes looked to him to state.

"I don't know who these two are that are with you, but I can guess that they have a reason for being here. Same as me. Except my reason is because I still love you."

Raptor lost his stone cold glare and leaned back into his chair as my intentions were made about as clear as I could make them. After what felt like an eternity, I added on to my last bold statement.

"I know you told me to stop with all that gooey bullshit, but I'm sorry. I do care about you that much. Enough to stand alongside you. I'm not a traitor and I'm not about to turn away. No matter what you may have to say. I just want to understand it all. Starting with what happened the night you left the capital. We have the time and if you feel like we don't you can surely make it. Everyone in this fucking place is so relaxed and laid back; it's hard to picture a war going on outside the borders. So please Raptor…...just trust me and give me that chance. I'm begging you for a chance."

The man began to tap his fingers on his desk. His eyes locked on me as the wolf closest to me had me on lock. For a second he looked at her to order.

"Step off. Let me handle this. She's made her point."

The blue wolf took a long minute to obey, but stepped a foot back giving us space. Raptor then took more time to come up with a response for me. I was worried he was still going to turn me away, but in time he replied to me.

"Okay. I have some things I wanted to go do today. Now you clearly see that these two are very close to my sides. That's because they are my bodyguards Hunter. They aren't rebellion. They're freelance mercenaries. How they came to be is a story of its own, but I'm willing to take the time and explain it to you, but not here in my office. How about instead you accompany me as my escort? I doubt there is going to be any issues, but I know both of them would feel a little better if I still had someone with me while I handled business. Would that work for you?"

I nodded my head as fast as I could. Raptor began to nod back and after such he ordered me softly.

"Go to the armory and get yourself a vest and your sidearm back. You won't need anything else, but your legs after you got that all together. Come back here when you're ready and we'll head out."

Raptor's POV.

"Okay. I'll be back then. Thank you Raptor."

"Mhmm." I groaned as she stood up from her seat to head back outside the office. I was left with Zeta and Pepper and I knew for a damn fact Zeta was ready to slam her for what she said about loving me. In fact it was made obvious when she said to me.

"Who the hell does she think she is?"

"She doesn't know anything yet. Cut her some slack."

"I'll cut her tongue." She replied as I stood up to beg her.

"You won't do a fucking thing. I need this to go smooth. If all goes well I can get her to see reason. I just need you to trust me and relax. You two are going to head out back home and continue working on whatever it is you were doing last night. Consider this a night off and relax."

Zeta was not having it, but Pepper managed to keep her head on to ask.

"What are you going to do?"

Looking at her I replied.

"I'm just gonna go out for a walk. Maybe stop by some local places and just show the people living out there that I'm a normal person too. It'll be easy enough to keep her relaxed and at the same time I can get some good done."

"You just plan on bullshitting it till you get to the part where you had her friend killed?"

I began to softly growl. Pepper quickly tagged on seeing my reaction.

"All I'm saying is Raptor, is that if you get to that part; there is no guarantee she'll just be cool with the reason why. She could hurt you. Go off on you. That can't happen in public."

"She won't. Just trust me on this you two. I know what I'm doing and Hunter is the only person I know that's made it this far based off of her urge just to understand why. She'll listen and at the end of it all she's going to be okay. If she's not, then I'll handle it right, but don't interfere. I want to give her every chance."

"She lays a fucking claw on you and I'll personally rip her apart." Zeta told me directly as I nodded and informed her.

"She's not going to. I won't let that happen. I told her before I made a mistake. Nothings changed and it's going to stay that way. I promise you."

The wolf was growling a bit too, but after some time Hunter came back to the room with a small bulletproof vest on and her desert eagle tucked in the front of her pants. The girls took notice to that instantly and with Hunter widening her eyes at them staring she questioned.

"What?"

Clicking my lips I replied.

"It's nothing. Are you ready to go?"

Nodding Hunter replied.

"Always. Are you?"

I nodded next and got up as my eyes crossed with Zeta who was more than questioning her urge to jump on the girl nearly five feet away. Fixing my belt and stretching out my sides, I began to walk out from behind my desk. The whole time Pepper and Zeta were staring at me, so when I reached Hunter; I grabbed her by the wrist and decided to yank her back towards the exit. Once out of the office she asked me.

"What are we doing first?"

Doing my best not to think about I replied.

"Let's just walk a little. This trip isn't anything serious by the way. So take some time and just relax as we go. This way at least we can talk in peace about what's happened since we last saw one another."

"Okay." Hunter said softly as we were soon outside in the courtyard.

Hunter's POV.

People were staring at us as we were leaving. Raptor has grown so much in his popularity among the people living in the middle east ever since his actions in Afghanistan and coming back to help stop Archer. Everyone I knew of was thankful for him. As far as I knew he wasn't planning to return. Based on the events leading to his withdrawal from office only a few weeks back. I guess nothings set in stone if he's back now like this. But the rebellion basically disbanded; the soldiers were now considered nothing more than a police force when compared to a military now. If you ask me though we're still an army. Just the rebellion army.

As we reached the main gate the men there let us through without any problem. Then we were on our way towards wherever Raptor had planned for us. I had no clue what to expect, but the way he walked was slow and paced. He wasn't rushing so I was easily able to keep up as I caught his eyes looking from building to building with a small smile on his face. I didn't know how long it would take for him to start talking to me, so I figured I'd just start it off by asking him.

"How long has it been since you just walked around like this?"

Beginning to cross over towards the other side of the road, Raptor replied as we were cleared of the capital and it's guarded walls.

"Ahhhh let me think. It hasn't been that long. I used to try and go out with Alicia before all this happened. We just enjoyed being able to walk around and take in the sights. We spent so much of our lives either inside the capital or fighting in the desert; that we forget sometimes what the city has going on with it. I can't even begin to tell you how much of the city I still don't know or haven't seen once in my life. And I grew up here Hunter. Iraq is my home."

"Where did you live back then?" I asked him as we were now basically far enough away from the capital to consider ourselves officially outside on our own. People were walking around as normal and not to my surprise some noticed Raptor almost instantly from his appearance alone. Thankfully most of those people were on the other side of the street, but I still noticed them looking. A few even stopped to watch us as Raptor finally replied.

"Well I can just show you. We're not too far from the old place now. It's probably half a mile from here. We just keep following the road and we'll be there in no time."

I took the answer for what it was and kept myself close as he asked me.

"Where do you live?"

Taking a moment to fix my hair, I replied as we passed by a few more people who were shocked to see him in public.

"I have an apartment on forty eighth street. But when I was younger I lived with my mother in a small condo on Rosen boulevarde. She passed away a few years back, so I just kept myself comfortable. I like the small size my place offers. I never really liked a big open house. It would just be lonely having it all to myself."

"I feel that." Raptor replied as we kept on moving forward.

For a few moments Raptor and I went silent. We were passing by so much it was crazy. The city itself was getting back on its feet thanks to what he did with giving everyone some money needed to reopen places. I know damages can't all be covered, but it was a huge help doing what he did. I still don't understand how he had the money in the first place. The rebellion couldn't have had that much stockpiled, but I don't think I had a place to ask him the hows and whys. It just mattered that he did it at all. Anyone else would have just pocketed the money and used it on the government. I think that's another reason why everyone felt so strongly about him taking over as the leader for the whole middle east. Not just here in Iraq.

As we kept walking down the street I began to take notice to the Raptor I missed. He was completely different in body alone. The new color, the eyes, the just general shape he was in. It was intense. He looked twenty years younger and to be honest with myself he looked like my ex boyfriend who was a cage fighter back when that was a thing around town going on. He was in better shape than he actually was. It was insane and the girl part of me wanted to jump on him because I knew from experience he was easily the most attractive man around the middle east. I've never seen anyone his age that looked like they could be on the cover of a hot military magazine.

He was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans. Tight enough to allow me and anyone looking to picture his frame underneath and trust me he wasn't skin and bones. For a hedgehog he had more muscle then he knew what to do with, yet it wasn't to the point where it made him unattractive. It was very toned and above that he had on nothing from what I could tell. Just his vest and that also looked different for some reason. I couldn't place it off the top of my head, but I'd figured I'd ask as we were nearing an intersection.

"Did you get a new harness?"

We came to a stop at the end and at that moment Raptor looked confused for a second, but looked down at himself to reply.

"Yeah. It's not mine. I left that at home."

"Who's is it?" I then asked as he looked right at me to reply.

"Shadow's."

My eyes widened and he took notice instantly to inform me.

"I found it after so long. I have most of his gear from when he passed away. The vest itself took me a long time to track down. Now that I have it I just wanted to show some respect for a day and wear it in his memory."

Using my hands, I gently reached out to turn him my way completely. I wanted to look it over and I noticed all the patches and wear and tear. Then I saw blood. It was aged into the fabric and Raptor who let me examine him quickly told me.

"It's his. You don't know half of what this thing has been through."

"It adds a vintage quality to it if you ask me. It's just wild thinking that this was his blood. Are you okay?"

Nodding with a smile, he replied back as some people were coming towards us to cross the road.

"I'm good. Let's go this way. I wanted to see something since we're on the way to my old place."

"Okay." I said back with a smile as we began to cross the street along with some other people who were just going about their days. However as we reached the other side we were quickly met face to face with another small group who was waiting to now cross back over to where we were. At first no one really noticed Raptor, but it didn't take long for that to kick in.

As we made it to the curb, another set of hedgehogs like us asked Raptor with shocked but happy voices.

"Are you Commander Voltz?"

Raptor nodded with his own smile as the next question came.

"Can I get a picture with you sir? It'd be an honor."

"Yeah of course." Raptor replied as now everyone was lining up with their phones. I chuckled and just stepped a foot back as it became all about him. I had no concerns with it of course. It was bound to happen sooner or later. And once Raptor had finished taking photos a very small girl emerged from the gathering crowd to say to him softly.

"Commander Voltz? Sir?"

Raptor took his attention off of what he was doing to look at the girl. Instantly I saw her eyes widen as it was made obvious she was a fan. She began to shake as she went forward to tell him.

"I…..I just wanted….I wanted to thank you. For what you've done. For what you're doing. It's….It's admirable and I hope people tell you that enough because you deserve it. You're an inspiration and I hope you know that. You're my hero."

This girl had to be in her single digits if I had to wager. So as she said that it made my heart warm. In fact it made everyone around say.

"Awwww."

Raptor got down on a knee to level himself out with her. She was this tiny little white wolf with two mixed eyes. One was blue and the other was brown. She was wearing a beautiful yellow and black striped sundress and flip flops. She was barely able to hold herself up as Raptor replied in a voice that made me equally as warm inside.

"You know I've been told a lot of things about myself, but nothing has ever been as sweet as what you just said. What's your name hun?"

"Maggie." She replied still in starstruck awe as he went on to ask.

"Are you out here all by yourself Maggie? Where's your parents?"

Maggie went to answer that but was quickly caught off guard by a sudden voice cracking off maybe a few meters away from behind the crowd we had gathered.

"Maggie!? Are you….?!" The small crowd opened up and in came this guy that was a perfect example of a full grown version of the little girl standing eye to eye with Raptor. The second he saw Maggie; his attention went to her as he asked in concern.

"What are you doing? I told you not to leave my side baby."

Maggie again wanted to say something back to who I can only assume to be her dad, but all that changed when he took notice of Raptor who stood back up. Immediately the wolf lost all color in his face and his eyes opened wider than any wolf I've ever seen attempt before. His voice was cut as Raptor kindly told him.

"She's okay sir. Your daughter is a sweetheart."

The wolf was starstruck much like his daughter, but he was at least able to question.

"Commander Voltz? Raptor Voltz?"

Raptor chuckled and stuck out his hand to reply.

"Unfortunately."

I shook my head at Raptor's idea of a joke. It got some people to laugh but the focus was on the man in front now who questioned.

"I'm so sorry sir. You must be out for important business. My daughter…...she well…..much like a lot of us we've been following you as you've led the country and well she's young sir. She looks up to you. I just….I'm just embarrassed. Are you sure it is okay? She didn't say anything bad did she?"

"Not at all. She said quite the contrary. It was a pleasure actually to hear what she said just now. It was breathtaking and honestly you shouldn't be embarrassed of having such a smart and brave girl. It took a lot of courage I'd be willing to bet. Nothing to be ashamed of."

The wolf let out a sigh of relief as Raptor went on to say.

"And no this is actually a personal trip for me. I haven't had the time to just enjoy the city I grew up in. It's been years actually since I just relaxed and have taken a walk around. And I had a feeling I'd enjoy myself by doing so and you Maggie were the reason it happened."

The father must have felt like a million bucks hearing that because he was nothing but smiles now as Raptor knelt back down to Maggie to urge her.

"Never lose that spark you got hun. The middle east is your home and you have every right to be whatever you want to be. You understand?"

Maggie nodded as Raptor went on to say.

"When I was your age I barely had a chance at being a kid. Barely had the chance to be myself. I had to go through a great deal to get where I am now and that required a lot of loss. How many people do you think I have lossed Maggie?"

"A lot?" She replied as we were all just listening. Raptor nodded and replied.

"A lot. That's a good way to put it. I lost a lot to get here. Family, friends, people I loved. But you know what? No matter how bad things got and no matter how many people left me; to be here now and to be able to help give your generation a chance at being something more, to be something better than I? It was worth it."

Maggie was listening with wide eyes as Raptor put his hand on top of her head to gently pat her.

"When you grow up you're going to be what drives this place forward. Your generation is going to be the one that changes and shapes the middle east as a whole. You don't know it yet, but trust me Maggie. Your future is bright and hopefully after I get done fixing things, you'll be able to grow up without anything holding you back. Maybe just your imagination, but that's a different thing to worry about hun. Now you stick close and listen to your dad there. He's a good man. I can tell. Okay?"

"Yes sir. Can I….can I hug you before I have to go?"

Again the crowd and myself began to awe because our hearts were melting again. Raptor gave the small girl a tiny chuckle, but looked to her dad who was more than ok with it. He nodded his head really fast and with Raptor's focus going back down to Maggie he replied.

"Of course you can. I'd like that."

Raptor then opened up his arms and she went to jump into his chest almost instantly. She barely stayed on the ground as Raptor hugged back so softly. I could see it in his face. His eyes were closed as he did it and after a few seconds the embrace broke and Raptor managed to pray Maggie off him to ask her.

"Now remember what I said, Maggie. You listen to your dad. Okay?"

"I will. Thank you sir."

I patted Raptor's back as he stood back up to look at the dad. With Raptor ready to go he said.

"We're gonna get going. Sorry for the delay."

"It's perfectly ok sir. You just made her year, if not her life. That's all I can really ever hope for right now with things the way they are. But you're doing your best and I know things are just about to get better with you back here with us. We appreciate everything you've done and we'll pray every night for your safety like we have been. Right Maggie?"

"Right!" She replied as they shook hands one more time.

Once that was over Raptor managed to get out from the crowd with me. We started our walk towards his old house and as we got maybe ten meters away or so from where we just were I whispered to him with a smile on my face.

"That was so nice of you. That little girl loved you. Her dad too. Actually everyone there did. You're doing the right thing out here Raptor. I've been trying to tell you, but I can't say anything better when the proof was right there just now."

Raptor was all heart as he replied with a happy face spread across his mug.

"That's why I wanted to do this. I needed that kind of motivation. It just makes the world easier to be in. It eases my mind to know there are people like that just waiting to explode out into the world. Maggie is gonna be a great person when she gets older. No matter what she decides she wants to do, she'll be what this country needs. I can die happy knowing that."

mT Shadow.