Prey Cove

The snap of a twig sounds behind me and I freeze in place as I listen. I will my heart beat to calm itself down before it gets us caught. Sweat trickles down the back of my neck but I ignore it and close my eyes as I slow my breathing right down. Once feeling calmer I open my eyes and glance around the tree trunk again, I cannot see anyone there. After starring at the dense forest for another moment I turn and continue running. My bare feet find every soft landing available as I leap between trees and around bushes. The forest is eerily quiet now, the chirper birds fled at the sound of the cannon signalling the start of this archaic nonsense. A scream rips through the air to my right but I will myself not to look that direction. If the girl is screaming, then she is already caught. I cannot help her. I can barely help my damn self in this situation. We were all forced to be here because tradition dictated it. I see a clearing up ahead and decide this is the right place. I stop at the edge and glance around to check no one is in sight. After being sure I dart from the tree line and run at break neck speed across the space, as I reach the other side I turn and run a different direction across the clearing. I repeat this five times before darting for the tree line I appeared from and climbing up the tree. I make my way to the higher, more full branches and find a place to perch for a while. I pull the backpack from my shoulders and open it to find my water. Then I pull out the stink bombs out and smash one against the tree trunk next to me. I pull my T-shirt over my nose at the smell hits me. Then I drop a few off different branches going down the tree and finally one to the ground. Hopefully the stench of the stink bombs will mask my scent a little. Having completed that task I then settle into a perch against the tree trunk and wait. It is not long before a blonde head of hair appears in the opposite side of the clearing to me. She nervously peeks out at the clearing before deciding to run for it. She makes it across and disappears again. Thirty seconds later a guy appears where she stood and watches her disappear again. He smirks like the arrogant bastard he is before following after her, he does not even bother running. He disappears into the forest below me after the girl and I shake my head with a sigh. I understand that the elders think tradition is mandate but there must come a time for change. Making females of age run through the forest so their mate can chase them down is just demeaning. Females end up with no choice in the matter of course. We are not told when the hunts are going to happen, they just round us up once we’re of age and they want to hold a hunt. Then they take us to an unknown location and tell us to run. You can either accept your fate and stay near the starting area. Or you can attempt to f*****g outrun your fate and make it difficult for your mate. My plan you may ask, is to outrun my mate for a while and when the time is right, I will reject the fucker. I have no time for a possessive, overbearing, jackass to be telling me what to do. Seriously, female werewolves are expecting to give up their whole lives and move to the pack of their mate. What about my family, my friends, my life? I should have a say in it too. Not that my parents really want me around anyway, they have always tried to silence my opinions. They would be delighted if I mated with someone from another pack and had to leave. They would play the doting parents waving off their only daughter. It’s outrageous. “No! No! No!” A voice carries to me before a redheaded girl bursts into the clearing and whirls toward the trees with a broken piece of bark in her hand, fashioned like a dagger. “Do not come any closer.” A man slowly steps out of the tree line with a feline smile as he stalks his prey. “Come on now pretty, this could be very straight forward.” He holds a hand out toward the girl, “just take my hand.” She shakes her head and steps back again, I have to admire her bravery. “No.” The man takes a deep breath, as though the interaction is boring him. I blink once and he has the girl around the neck, her make shift dagger on the ground. His eyes flash silver as his wolf comes to the surface and inhales. “Mate.” The man’s teeth elongate before sinking into the mating spot in the girls neck. Her eyes flutter closed as she faints. The man’s lifts her into his arms and stalks back into the trees. I feel bad for the girl but I am unable to help her, I will soon be faced with that same situation. Another half an hour or so pass by, two more girls attempt the clearing. Both are caught and marked before my eyes, their mates carrying them off. I catch a scent below and know that my fated mate has found me. He steps into the clearing, following my trail and I look him over. He is huge, solid muscles upon more layers of muscles. He has a dark head of tousled hair and dark stubble on his face. He is handsome. I watch him with curiosity, how long will it take him to figure out. He stops in the centre of the clearing before turning back this direction. He hesitates a moment before his gaze rises and clashes with my own. I push myself to remain still, I just stare back at him. Time seems to stand still as we stare at each other with curiosity and contempt. He finally breaks the silent stare off and begins walking towards the tree I am perched on, never taking his eyes off mine. He reaches the base of the tree and starts climbing up. He finally sits next to me and offers a soft smile as he holds his hand out to me. “My name is Benny.” I slide my hand into his and shake softly, “Cove.” His eyebrows pull up in surprise, “is that short for something?” “Yes,” I finally break a small smile at him. I had planned to reject him straight away but considering he is yet to lunge for my neck then I may hear him out. “I imagine Benny is short for something too.” His smile widens as he nods in confirmation. “So,” he says with intent. “Would you join me to the ground?” I look him over, assessing my next move. My plan was to reject my mate and go home, live my life as planned. Travel and explore new lands, new people and cultures. I had not planned to be this intrigued with my mate. I should stick to my original plan, I should just reject him. I open my mouth to say the phrase but words seem to escape me, I cough and clear my throat before trying again. The whole time he just watches me, waiting for my response. He asked me a question right, maybe I could just answer that first. I shake my head and try again. “Yes, let’s get back on the ground.” I move and begin to start climbing down.