Hello, everyone, I am back with another chapter.

Enjoy!

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"Is your father trying to kill us on our first day here?" Matt grunted as he passed a panting Nicholas.

"I can promise you will live through this camp but the way is unknown to me," Nicholas replied then picked up his pace to catch up with Hunter who wasn't too far ahead of him.

"I see you are getting tired in your old age cousin?" Hunter quipped between large gasps of air.

"You know very well that I have this run under my belt, don't you cousin?" with those words Nicholas took off leaving behind him a smiling Hunter.

"Wow! those boys never get tired," marveled Lillian from the end of the line along with Anna.

"I noticed. We were running for at least three hours straight and they didn't even stop once," Anna let out while trying to control her ragged breath.

"Training with Damian has his perks," remarked Lillian. "Thank goodness Jackson is the one setting the pace because if it was jasper, I am sure we would have collapsed from tiredness."

"You mean I would have collapsed not you. I am aware that I am slowing you down. I am used to running in gym class or cheerleading practices but no one of them is as intense as this exercise," Anna spoke dejectedly.

"You need to understand something, first of all, you are not slowing me because even if you weren't here, I would have stayed at the end of the line and ran with this pace. I know my cousin well and his intentions of this exercise aren't knowing who is the fastest but he needs to know who has the strongest endurance. You can't base your performance level on Nicholas and Hunter's, those two are advanced in training and can do better than what they are showing. Secondly, you are new to this so give yourself a chance, and you will be one of the best in here."

Anna looked at her gratefully and smiled in appreciation. Those words of encouragement were her essence to continue the seemingly endless run.

After the sixth lap around the large compound, jasper blew his whistle declaring the end of the run. He waited for the panting teenagers in front of him to catch their breaths before speaking.

"Well-done everyone. Your performance in this easy practice was as expected."

Jasper ignored the gaps at his use of the word easy and resumed his talking.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour. Take your showers and rest until then. As for right now, you are dismissed."

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Once in the confinement of their bedroom, Lillian rushed to the bathroom to take her shower while Anna sat on the carpeted floor with her back leaning against the arm of the couch that was situated in a corner of the room. For the first time Anna took in her surroundings, two queen-sized beds covered with lavender linens and decorated with different shapes of fluffy pillows took the majority of space. Two cheery wood desks along with two padded chairs that look very comfortable were on the other side of the room.

When Anna was informed about this camp, she didn't imagine this luxury. The first image that came to her mind was tents with rolled beds and a lot of insects that she will be forced to fight all night. She chuckled to herself and shook her head. By this time, she needs to understand that these people don't do things halfway, they go the full way and sometimes beyond.

After their hot baths, Anna and Lillian towel dried their hair and wore some comfortable sweatpants and baggy t-shirts, then they went for dinner. High voices and loud laughs were heard outside the walls of the cafeteria. Lillian smiled widely and pushed the double doors open. The two girls took their trays and started filling them with the wide assortments of the cooked food. When they reached the chef who was an elderly man in his sixties, Lillian's face broke into a delighted smile and she rushed to the man's open arms. He took her in a warm hug and kissed her cheek affectionately. Then he pushed her away gently with his hands remaining on her shoulders.

"You grow up Mija. And in the process, you become a very beautiful lady."

Anna detected a foreign accent in the man's voice that she suspected as Spanish.

"Hey! Don't say that, I am still your little girl and you are my handsome man." Lillian joked with the man.

The man's attention averted to Anna and he bowed his head slightly to her while taking her hand delicately and giving her a brief kiss in a gentlemanly gesture.

"And may I ask who is this beautiful lady?" he asked in a charming tone.

Anna felt strong arms sneak around her waist from behind which made her turn around to see the intruder. To her surprise, she was met with blue eyes that were looking at her intensely.

"This beautiful lady you just met is my girlfriend Nacho," Hunter stated with his voice jokingly, but Anna knew better. She sensed a growl in the back of the boy's throat which he tried hard to hide with the fake smile he plastered on his face.

Nacho raised his hands in surrender while speaking nervously.

"My apologies sir, I didn't know the girl belongs to you."

Anna felt smoke coming from her ears at the word belonging coming from the chef. It felt as if she was someone's property. She turned blazed blue eyes and locked them firmly on Hunter's eyes who matched hers in the fire dancing in their depths. Lillian sensed the tension building between the three of them so she cleared her throat and said cheerfully while grabbing Anna's hand.

"I think we should go to our table and start eating before this delicious food gets cold."

"Then all my hard work to prepare this meal will go in vain," Nacho seconded and hoped they would comply and move from the way because they were making a scene that got peoples' attention.

With a final look in Hunter's direction, Anna walked away and sat on the first empty table she could find. Seconds later, Lillian joined her and they started eating silently until the sound of a chair being pulled interrupted them. Lillian raised an eyebrow in question at her two cousins who took the liberty to sit on their table.

Hunter ignored her questioning looks and introduced:

"Anna, meet my cousin Nicholas. Nicholas this girl is Anna sanders, my girlfriend."

"It is nice meeting you." Anna smiled and extended her hand.

Without a word, Nicholas shook the offered hand and nodded at her then refocused on his plate.

This time, Anna almost smiled ironically. It seemed all men in this family were the same with their dark looks and dangerous aura that surrounded them. They walk with such confidence as if there is nothing that could get in their way and stop them. Even Nicholas looked more mature than his years. He was younger than Hunter but his looks and height could deceive any out lookers.

When Anna's eyes landed on Hunter, it took all her self restraint to hold his gaze. This instant she didn't find his blue eyes beautiful, they were burning with rage and uncontrollable anger and what made it more frightening was the fact that his glare was aimed at her. She couldn't take it anymore so she stood up and held her tray planning to leave the room but before she could make a single step Hunter's deadly voice froze her.

"Eat."

She looked at her half-empty plate then gazed at Hunter.

"I am not hungry anymore."

Hunter's eyes might have grown darker than before. He was daring her to defy his direct order. Anna took a deep breath and sat at the table. She picked her fork and continued eating. All the while, she was feeling his burning stare boring into her but she didn't look up fearing what she would find.

COWARD!!!!! Her subconscious mocked her while sitting on her couch sipping from her hot chocolate cup.

SHUT UP!!!!!!! Anna scolded her. You aren't the one forced to look at his scary blue eyes

Anna shook her head trying to snap back to reality she was sure by the end of this camp she will go crazy. She was already in the path of foolishness by talking and arguing with herself.

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Hunter was watching the girl sitting facing him. She was doing as he ordered her and that pleased him immensely. He would make sure she understands well and clear that his orders are the law and she doesn't have a choice in obeying them.

When her plate was empty and clean, she put her fork down and looked at him defiantly.

"Happy now?"

He couldn't help himself but smirk at her words. The innocent girl before him transformed into a little vixen. This mission is going to be more exciting than he anticipated. He smiled evilly and rose from his chair, without another look he ordered her again.

"Follow me."

Hunter walked out of the cafeteria then sat at a bench outside. He waited a little bit then he heard the sound of feet stomping on the pavement. He smiled internally picturing her little face contorting in anger. He wasn't disappointed when Anna appeared in front of him.

"If you think you can order me around like I am your little slave or something, then you are very mistaken mister," she growled while putting her hands on her slim waist.

Hunter ignored her little outburst and tried hard not to smile at her growl that sounded like a kitten shriek to his ears. He patted the seat next to him and ordered.

"Sit."

He saw her took a deep breath and knew she was fighting hard to control her anger. She closed her eyes for a moment then opened them again. This time the look in her eyes resembled the one of a lioness.

"I am not going to obey every word you say. You have no right to act like you are my boss"

"The moment I announced you, my girl, was the moment you become my responsibility........"

She cut him before he even got the chance to continue his intended words.

"You didn't even take my opinion regarding this relationship. So as long as I am concerned, there is nothing between us," she finished her sentence while defiantly crossing her arms and putting a scowl on her face hoping the block before she will understand her reasoning.

Hunter couldn't hide his smile any longer. He gave her a wide smile and stood up from the bench.

"Okay, if you want me to take your opinion about our relationship into consideration, I will start by asking you to be my girlfriend properly."

Anna wasn't expecting him to say those words. She thought he would dismiss her words and order her once again to do what he wanted.

"Anna sanders, do you want to be my girlfriend?" he asked with his deep voice that she grew to like in a short period of time.

He is mocking you and you are swooning in his deep voice.

She shook her head to clear her mind but apparently, Hunter took it as refusal so with two long strides he was in front of her invading her personal space.

He leaned over and pecked her lips gently. Before she could even register what was happening, Hunter pulled away and stood facing her. Anna was too stunned to move her muscles. She forgot completely why they were standing there in the first place. She was brought from her trance when Hunter spoke again.

"TSK TSK, I think my first method wasn't good enough to convince you about going out with me. I will try harder to convince you this time."

Before Anna could express her protests, she felt his lips crushing hers again. This time, the kiss wasn't a mere peck on the lips. The kiss was possessive and deeper. She felt butterflies coming to life in her stomach. When she thought she couldn't breathe anymore, Hunter broke the kiss and looked at her again waiting for her answer. Anna looked at him dumbly while trying to catch her ragged breaths.

"well well, I think this time I will.............."

Anna returned to her senses faster this time and held her hands up blocking him from coming closer to her.

"Okay okay, you don't need to convince me anymore. I agree to be your girlfriend."

Hunter smiled in victory and tugged her to sit beside him on the bench. Anna found herself sitting too close to him that their legs were touching, she tried to scoot away from him a little bit but he grabbed her hand and shook his head making it clear that he doesn't approve her next actions. She settled down and swallowed any comments she was going to make.

At the moment, she wasn't brave enough to test him. Well, the idea of his lips on hers was very enticing to her but she doesn't think her little poor heart could take any more action.

"Now that we have established our situation, I will tell you something, Anna."

She looked at his beautiful blue eyes anticipating his next words.

"If you want to survive this camp, you need to do as I say. The people around you are wolves and you are their prey. I know you are innocent and don't know shit about this world so take my advice and follow everything I say. It is all for your own good Anna. Am I clear?"

Anna stayed silent for a few seconds then asked weakly.

"Why?"

Hunter looked at her confused by her one-word question.

"what do you mean by your question, Anna?"

"Why do you care about my safety Hunter? I didn't know you existed on this earth until this morning. Suddenly, you announce me your girlfriend and claim that you are interested in my well being. I am confused Hunter, are you good-hearted that you will protect every damsel in distress? I am not dumb hunter. What is your motive?"

Hunter took a deep breath and looked her squarely in the eye.

"You are right. I don't know you that well Anna. Heck, I didn't know about your existence until that morning in my grandfather's mansion. The first time my eyes landed on you, I saw a wasted girl in a sea of strangers. When Brad came and started hitting on you, I felt anger and needed to stand up for you. Once I came closer to you, I saw a pretty girl who needs someone to protect her. I don't have any motives, to answer your other question."

He paused and made sure there was eye contact between them.

"I don't protect every damsel in distress. I only protect the girls I like Anna and quite frankly I like you Ms.Sanders."

Anna was torn between believing his words and listening to the rational part of her mind. In her rule books, no one will like her for her beauty, let alone someone like Hunter who she was sure had girls throwing themselves at his feet. But then why would he put himself through all this trouble protecting her and wasting his time by watching her every move? Anna concluded, only time will tell his true intentions toward her. Against her best judgement and ignoring her brain screaming at her to run away, she nodded her head.

"Okay, I will be your girlfriend Hunter"

Hunter looked at her and gave her his one million dollar smile. His face at the moment made her heart beat rapidly. She was wondering what was wrong with her when Hunter leaned closer and kissed her softly.

"Go to sleep Anna, tomorrow will be a hard day. You need all the rest you can get."

This time, Anna complied happily and started walking to her room with new emotions bubbling to the surface.

Hunter watched her walk away and didn't move his eyes from her body until her shadow disappeared in the darkness. This situation was more complicated than he thought. It was the first time he questioned the DON'S judgment even in his head. His grandfather was a wise man and didn't make rushed decisions but seeing Anna and the innocence in her big blue eyes he was one hundred percent she wasn't the one for the mission and more importantly she would never fit in their deranged world.

"My fortune for a piece of your mind cousin," stated Nicholas while leaning against the wall beside the bench where Hunter was sitting.

When Hunter didn't respond to his cousin's sentence, Nicholas spoke again.

"I am practically seeing the wheels turning in your head. I am pretty sure you are trying to find a way to protect that girl of yours. Let me break it to you cousin, you are shielding her from the wrong people."

At that Hunter looked up at his cousin and looked at him with a look that said: "out with it".

"You see the boys and any male around here as a threat to her but they are not and even if they were, you can scare them away easily but Tatiana is another story, you know she has a crush on you since we were kids. Now, out of nowhere, you claim Anna as your girl. Your action ignited jealousy fire in her chest. For her, Anna is the one who stole you. I saw the daggers she was sending Anna's way when she walked out of the cafeteria. You know the girl is fearless so just a piece of advice Hunter, don't underestimate Tatiana's abilities. She can cause more damage than the other brat De Rossi. Pick your battles right cousin."

With those last words, Nicholas left Hunter to his thinking. He wanted to give him time to analyze his words and organize his mind to decide his next moves correctly.

Hunter was certain he was on the verge of having a headache from all the events of this day. He wasn't expecting the first day of this camp would be that eventful but his life was always a rollercoaster. It never gave him the chance to catch his breath. So with a weary sigh, he stood up from his chair willing to follow his advice and try to get as much sleep as he can because he knew tomorrow will bring new challenges and threw new obstacles in his way.

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So this is chapter 7.

I hope you will enjoy it.

May you my amazing readers answer those questions for me?

-"so far, how do you find the story and the plotting of events"

-"Do you like Hunter's personality? How about Anna? Do you like her?"

-"until now, who is your favorite character"

It will mean a lot to me if you answer those questions.

Thank you all for reading my work.

Vote! And comment!