THE HUNTING II
KHAL'S POV
Every walk, my knee was shaking in fear. I had no knowledge of using a bow. This was a traditional instrument of a fighter. There was no bow at High Wood, gun maybe. I had never been an actor of the historical romance genre. That must help if I had.
What should I do now?
I went to the dark cave and leaned my back on the cold wall of it while sitting. I gave myself a minute to study how to handle and use this. I could not hit the one that I desired to target and it would be a threat to my training.
During my whole time of being in this play, I managed to not be a burden to Zarya. I knew I was not born in this world, or probably I did not belong to this magical world of my sister. However, I will still do everything that I can to stay beside her. I was willing to learn even how to kill just to protect her.
"Want help?"
I moved my head up. I was thinking of how would I interact with Cleo Karl. He was the reason why my sister was in trouble again. I could not see anything bad about him, but if Zarya knew I was near him, she would be mad. She wanted us to move away from the chaos, so we could play peacefully.
"Don't worry, I'll not tell your sister. Just want to help you." He sat beside me. I watched him grab my bow and then taught me how to place the arrow. He spent a minute making me study the technique and concentration I should possess.
I found myself under his protection while we were hunting. We should be alert any time, they were a lot of arrows striking anywhere because of competition in hunting. Some were beaten by the arrows, lying on the soil while having blood.
"Be attentive." Cleo Karl reminded me. I was on his back, following him. I was breathing in and out, so I could release the dread to my chest. I was like in a thriller movie, stepping with a shiver running through my spine. I almost forgot to look for Zarya. When I remembered her, I looked around. The male and female were now joining forces to hunt, they walked as partners and allies. Just like me and Cleo.
My eyes widened when there was an arrow that almost hit my back if only Cleo did not push me away. I looked at the woman, sitting on the branch of a tree above the heights.
"What the fuck, Deni!" Cleo Karl madly looked at her. The woman that messed up with my sister.
She raised her hand. "Look what her sister did to my hand!" Sher had a bandage of clothing in there while the blood was dripping.
"I'm sure you did wrong to her again." Cleo Karl helped me to stand up.
I glared at the woman. I would leave Cleo to discipline her ex-lover. It was not my thing to hurt a woman.
Deni Zin's sharp eyes were watching every move I did. "We're gonna see each other again."
It was a warning and could be dangerous. That was my concern now.
*****
Hours had passed, and we had already hunted five deer for Cleo, the problem was my deer. I got nothing, every strike would just slip away. The numbers of my arrow were decreasing.
"Wait for me here. Do not let anyone hurt you. Use what you've learned from me." Cleo talked while he was examining the environment.
"I'm not a kid to be protected by you, but thanks. I would be better next time."
"It's nothing compared to dragging your sister under the spotlight of my ex-lover's rage."
I watch him hunt another deer. I managed to help him by at least releasing the arrow or finding another target. I never failed to study every technique he was doing. Admittedly, he was one of the best targeters when it came to that tool. I could say he was a target shooter.
"Khal! Matilda!" In the middle of the hunting, I heard my sister's voice.
"Zarya! I'm here!"
I heard footsteps running in my direction. She had a sigh of relief when she saw me. She hurried towards me and hugged me so tight. When he viewed Cleo, her emotion changed. She was about to talk when I cut her lines.
"He helps me with everything." I gave her a small smile. "Look." I showed him the ten deers who were now laying under the tree. She kept silent for a moment, dragging all the deers she got.
"One left," Zarya said while looking at his light expression of Cleo. "Can you help me?"
"My pleasure." That was the time he got Zarya's trust and attention. They wrecked together to find another one while I was keeping the deers.
"Khal! Zarya!"
Is that Matilda? She was looking for us also. I looked around before I shouted back. "I'm here!"
A minute later, she found me. "I'm glad you are safe. Where's Zarya?"
"She's with Cleo, looking for another deer. How about you? How many did you already get?"
"Here." She brought down a big sack. I had no idea how she lifted those heavy animals. Perhaps, she was a trained warrior, too.
I bit my lips as the frustration covered my system. I did not get those deers on my own, Cleo caught it for me. He should be the one who would reward for this, not me. But there was no rule in helping. No rule in being united or being with friends.
"What's up with the hottest face?" She settled her body next to me.
"I just wonder… when will I learn how to be a good archer like Cleo?"
"There's time for everything." She winked beautifully.
I heard from my sister that she was a royal. She just wanted to train that was why she was here, meaning it was not in her heart to be a beta because she already had a big name in the Elemental Kingdom. Sometimes, I was wondering, if I was born here, would it be possible that I learned those tricks, too from an early age? This world was wonderful, but Human World was wonderful. In my life there, everyone wanted to chase me, except my dearest ex-girlfriend.
"Before I became known as the royal, I had lots of pain endured." She had a small smile on her lips, with no sign of emotional damage or sadness.
"You must be a hero, then."
"Hero of my own, yeah." She chuckled a little. "Hali… he radiates his life to me. Everybody says he's a mad king, a ruthless, heartless, and so on. For me, he's the hope that everybody needs."
"How can you say so?"
"What you see from Zarya now, is what he dreamt for her. He made sure, she'll be standing in any battle she faces." Her eyes were just straightly staring at the green frog jumping, finding where to hide. "Why do you think he doesn't disagree with you? In fact, you are human. No wolf form. How can you battle the extraordinary power wolves just like us?"
"Don't know. I thought he's supporting me for my decision?"
"That is one… and two… he believes in you. He sees that you can go back to the Elemental Kingdom no matter how hard this battle is." She looked up. I followed him. The birds were flying, and playing in the canopy area. "Because that's him… he trusts his heart over nothing."
I heard that Zarya and Cleo were approaching. I was about to stand up when Matilda cupped my cheek and I was completely shakingly surprised when she pecked on my lips.
"I forgot the taste of lips, pardon me if I tasted yours."
What the…