Chapter2
1347 Words
Meredith’s POV
The air was knocked out of me, and I couldn't breathe. A slave? To anyone who claimed me?
I felt a cold sweat break out on my skin as Vernon's words echoed in my mind.
Vernon continued, “Let's make this training a bit more... interesting."
Vernon's smile grew wider as he spoke up. Instead of just a survival challenge, let's make it a real hunt. The volunteers will have to survive the night in the forest, but with a twist."
Alpha Thane raised an eyebrow. "Go on, Vernon."
"The volunteers will be hunted by our pack's best warriors. If they can survive the night without being caught, they'll be deemed worthy to participate in the Shadowmoon Hunt."
The room fell silent, and I felt a chill run down my spine. This was not what I had signed up for. Alpha Thane nodded thoughtfully. "Very well, Vernon. Let's see how our volunteers fare in this trial." And with that, the meeting was adjourned, and we were sent off to begin our survival challenge.
I nodded, scanning the area until I saw Lyra. She stood tall, with a strong body and clear features. What surprised me was how she looked—she had the build of a man, but her bright green eyes and strong jawline showed a feminine beauty. Lyra’s eyes met mine, and her face showed that she was curious. She was one of the pack's best warriors, and I knew she was the one assigned to hunt me down.
We were told to start, and immediately I sprinted, my heart pounding with fear. I had to survive the night no matter what. I couldn’t bear Vernon’s torment. As I ran, I hadn't even gotten too far. I could already hear Lyra’s footsteps behind me. She was gaining on me, and I knew I couldn’t outrun her forever; she was too fast. Just when I thought all hope was lost, a rogue wolf burst out of nowhere, its eyes blazing with blood and lust.
Lyra’s eye flicked to the rogue, and for a moment I thought she would attack me even while distracted. But instead. She launched into action, tackling the rogue to the ground. I took advantage of the distraction to put some distance between myself and Lyra. I ran uphill as fast as I could, the rogue werewolf right behind me. It’s heavy breathing, and growling got louder with each step. Just when I thought I was finished, Lyra suddenly showed up, tackling the werewolf to the ground and still giving me a chance to run away.
But the loose gravel made it hard to move, and I slipped, letting the rogue break free and pin me down with its paws. Its sharp claws dug deep into my shoulders, and I screamed in pain. Lyra's knife shone in the moonlight as she struck the rogue's side, making it howl and release me. I scrambled to my feet, but my legs buckled beneath me, and Lyra caught me, her grip iron-tight. I shook my head, still trying to process what was happening.
“Why was Lyra saving me instead of killing me?” "Keep moving, Meredith," she growled, her voice low and urgent, as we stumbled upward, the rogue closing in with every step. A branch snagged my hair, yanking me backward, but Lyra spun, her knife slicing through the branch with deadly precision. But it was too late. The rogue's claws slashed across my chest, ripping my jacket and cutting my skin. I felt intense pain.
I lost my balance and rolled down the hill, stopping with a thud on the other side. Disoriented and confused, I struggled to breathe. Lyra’s eyes blazed with fury when she saw me fall. She quickly dropped Ed her knife and howled, transforming into her wolf form. His whole body changed, muscles bulging as she grew taller and mightier. With a growl, Lyra’s wolf slammed into the rogue, sending them tumbling down the hill too.
The rogue struggled to defend itself against Lyra's fierce attack. To protect me, Lyra's jaws locked around the rogue's throat. She bit down with crushing force. The rogue screamed and broke free, fleeing into the darkness and disappearing into the night. My world went dark. Lyra's voice echoed in my mind, distant and worried.
“Meredith, hold on!" I felt myself being lifted, Lyra's strong arms cradling me. Her footsteps pounded against the earth, carrying me back home. My consciousness slipped away, leaving only Lyra's gentle whispers: "You're safe now, Meredith. I've got you."
~~~~
I woke up in the dark, my body aching all over. The room I was in felt like it was spinning. I tried my best to sit up. Holding my sore shoulder and chest. I got out of bed as I stumbled to the door and opened it. The long hallway stretched out in front of me. With old wooden beams and flickering lights. I walked down the hallway limping, passing closed doors until I reached the big hall.
The high ceiling and big windows made the room feel more open, but my worries made me feel trapped. Vernon and Lyra stood by the living room. Lyra's concerned expression filled the room.
"Vernon, Meredith isn't ready for the hunt. She's still injured."
Vernon's expression remained unreadable. "She's been training. She'll manage."
Lyra's voice took on an urgent tone. "You know she's not fully healed. If she participates, she'll only get hurt worse."
Vernon shrugged. "That's her risk to take." Lyra's eyes flashed with frustration.
“You're putting her life in danger for nothing." With a final glance, Lyra stood and left.
Vernon's gaze shifted, locking onto me where I stood in the doorway. "Meredith," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You'll participate in the hunt, no matter what. Do you understand?"
My heart sank, but I nodded silently. Vernon's smile twisted. "Good. You know what's at stake." I felt an icy certainty: by participating in the hunt, I was walking willingly into my own death trap.
~~~~
It was the day of the hunt, and the Shadowmoon festival’s grandeur enveloped me, the air thick with anticipation. Vernon's stern expression softened slightly as I descended the stairs, my black gown shimmering in the torchlight.
"Acceptable," he said, offering a critical nod. "Let's proceed."
We navigated the crowded gathering court, where packs converged to witness the hunt's spectacle. The night air vibrated with tension, the scent of wet earth and ozone hanging heavy. All the volunteers were called forward and given weapons for the hunt. I stepped forward, my heart pounding in anticipation. As I grasped the spear handed to me, its weight felt familiar in my hands. But something else stirred within me—a strange tingling sensation that left my senses on high alert.
My heart started racing faster, and my instincts screamed warning, as if I was missing something crucial. Just then the crowd's roar was deafening as Malcolm, Willowdale Pack's Alpha, emerged from the shadows. His presence was a tidal wave, commanding attention. Eyes locked onto him, drawn by an aura of unyielding power. His gaze swept the room, locking onto mine with electric intensity.
Time suspended. Malcolm's sharp jawline and piercing eyes seemed chiselled from the night itself. His silver hair fell across his forehead, framing a smile that hinted at secrets. As he approached, the space between us crackled. The mate bond ignited, a spark that refused to be extinguished.
And for the first time I heard my inner wolf scream, Mate! Mate! Mate! As Malcolm drew closer, my heart galloped like a wild stallion, threatening to burst free from my chest. The very air seemed to vibrate with tension, suffocating me. "No, no, no," my mind raced, denial clawing at my sanity. "This can't be happening. Alpha Malcolm can't be...my mate."
As Malcolm's gaze locked onto mine, I felt a sudden jolt. And then, I heard his voice, low and rough, echoing in my mind.
"You're impressive, little one," he said. "But let's be real... you're not exactly... mate material."
- Writer
