The Wolf Hunt -Book one-

A Child In Battle

"Only a week ago before today, our beloved Prince Henry was killed by the raging savage dogs! All the young prince wanted was to play in peace but these monsters only saw lunch! A few of your sons, brothers, and husbands! Attempted to protect him! With that, those lives were lost as well. I say we burn the opposite side of the forest. Burn it like they burned our alliance, once again! "

"History truly does repeat itself, huh Charlie?" The old man says tapping his elbow against Charlie's shoulder.

"I guess so, old man. Will you join the hunt?"

"You call me an old man, then ask if I want to go out and fight man wolves?" He laughs, "You are funny, Charlie."

"hmph."

"I would if I were able to walk straight. I heard they pay well."

"They do."

"Wait wait wait. Are you sure you're even old enough?? How are you? Fifteen?"

"Seventeen now, it doesn't matter though. They're taking in all ages. If you're able to carry a sword you're in."

"desperate I see."

"Well, I'm off."

"Already?"

"The sooner I am the more I'll get paid. maybe I'll be able to buy you a new cane, see you soon, old man."

"Not if the wolf men kill you."

"You don't have long to go, so, I'll see you soon, either way, old man."

Charlie's pov:

I didn't join the hunt for the revenge of Prince Henry or myself. The old man has been working his ass off since he found me just so I could have a somewhat normal life.

I lost my family to a house fire. I wish I had a memory of them but I had only been a few months. The old man has never met them either, he just happened to be passing by.

My goal is to leave something for him. I have no other way to show him that I'm grateful.

I've never been sure how to thank him.

I arrived at the meeting ground for the hunters. I honestly expected to see ten years and older but it looks like the ages go all the way down to seven. Some look like they don't want to be here, forced by their parents.

"Hey."

I say approaching a small boy.

"How old are you?"

"I'm eight years."

He says while carving lines into the snow.

"So.. today is the first hunt.."

"Yeah, it is.."

"You don't have to worry okay? I'll keep you safe."

He glances at me in mistrust.

"Really?.. thanks."

He says continually bothering the snow.

"What's your name?"

"Alexander, yours?"

"Charlie."

"Hunters, Listen up! Today lives will be lost but not in vain, I suggest you carve your names onto yourself and your clothing to be identified after death. We are heading north it'll lead us straight to the wolves! I recommend you keep your goal at heart! Fight with all you've got! We're off!"

"Remember to stay close Alexander."

"Got it."

It's sad to see so many people given up already. All I hear are cries and prayers. So many men and women, boys and girls preparing themselves to knock on death's door.

But not me. The only thing I'm getting ready for is a well-fought fight.

Maybe I'll even get a cool scar.

There's no telling what Alexander is thinking though. He's one of the few people that hasn't cried.

He's the toughest kid here.

I mean at least it seems that way.

"Hold." The commander says holding up his right hand.

"Werewolf prints, we're close."

We all look around the surrounding woods slowly.

"Move-"

Right before the commander could finish his thought something as fast as wind leaped from beyond the trees heading straight for us.

"He's so fast." someone says.

"I didn't expect them to be so big.."

Another mumbled.

The beast just stared at us.

everyone was frozen but Alexander comes off unfazed as he slowly removes his sword from its case.

The majority of us followed before an older woman with pale skin and white eyes emerged from what used to be a giant white-furred wolf.

"Seriously? this is your army"

She giggles.

"And to think we were going to run from you! It's embarrassing."

Within a blink of an eye, she was back in the form she was before. But this time she was ready for a fight.

She charged straight for the commander leaving him headless before making the rest of us her next target.

Some of the people that planned to die had changed their minds and fought with all they had, some ran, and the rest had stuck with the original plan.

I looked like one of them. I was paralyzed with fear, I couldn't move. so many people were dying. Being crushed right in from of me.

What would the old man think if he could see me right now?

with that thought in the back of my head, the promise I made to Alexander popped up as well.

I shift my eyes over to his direction and see him. He isn't trying to stop the werewolf from killing, he's trying to stop the hunters from being killed.

Is an eight-year-old stronger than I am?

I turn my attention back to the front of me and see the beast coming for me next. Her large paw comes in straight for my face.

All I could do was close my eyes.

It's so painful

so painful that I couldn't even feel it.

"Charlie... Charlie!"

Alexander?

My backside is freezing.

"There's a cabin nearby! I'm taking you there. I won't be able to take care of you yet, alright? I have to go back and help others, okay?

Okay.

Only seconds later everything goes black.

Am I dead?