Chapter 39

The Hunt

Clarissa.

After my accident, I pushed aside the reactions and the plans for the new pack I had envisioned and focused on taking care of myself. Elijah had managed to find a temporary caretaker for Grandma Carter; her name was Judy, and she was twenty, human, and soft-spoken. She needed some money she would use to shop for college, and she was so happy with the pay that she worked hard for it. Grandma Carter had given up her mean countenance, so she had no maltreatment or scorn to handle. Judy was a very bright and beautiful young girl.

It was a new week, and my week off. Nolle, Cisca, Jason, and I were going hunting. The day before the morning of the hunt, Jason went to perform the full moon ritual, while we went to our usual spot (the uncompleted building). And we gave our thanks to the goddess, howling away our tough lungs as the moon drowned us in her light. Everything was so surreal and beautiful. I was also looking forward to seeing Jason the next day.

As the sun rose on the next orphic morning, I felt a sense of exhilaration running through my veins. My accident was behind me, and I was finally able to enjoy the thrill of the hunt with my friends and daughter. Nolle, Cisca, Jason, and I set out into the wilderness, our senses keen and our spirits high. The environment reminded me of a hunting morning with Clyde, with the bright yellow flowers.

Cisca proved to be a skilled and agile hunter, and she quickly caught a deer. Watching her devour it with pride made us all brim with joy. Her instincts and finesse were truly admirable. Her father’s genes were rubbing off on her; Clyde was always a honed hunter, and his swiftness remained unmatched throughout my stay in the pack.

However, Jason’s adeptness was glorious; in less than a few minutes, he had located a herd of wide bulls, and we chased after them discretely, catching mighty bulls for ourselves. With one swift strike, Jason had cut down his first bull, devoured it, and went on to the next. We had to eat to our fills because hunting in the city was impractical and we had to hike up to the wilderness, where all the wild game were. For that, we needed enough energy to last a month or two before our next hunting trip. One who lived with humans had to live their whole life on tiptoes.

After the feast, we sat by a babbling brook, quenching our thirst with the fresh, cool water. The gentle sound of flowing water mixed with the songs of birds created a soothing melody that reverberated through the forest, making the moment even more beautiful. Cisca was on her best behavior and acted like a full-blown wolf already, doing things she was supposed to do when she was supposed to do them. Sometimes I wondered how I gave birth to an adult when I still acted like a child.

Jason.

When I suggested the group hunt, I had not thought of the outcome; I was just eager to get Clarissa to agree to take a week or two off. However, there were no regrets—the hunt had been breathtaking, and I couldn’t be prouder of them all, particularly the little Cisca, who showcased her hunting prowess. If she had been born in a pack, the girl was Beta quality. Cisca’s skillful takedown of the deer was the ignition we needed to further spark the hunting spirit. Clarissa, Nolle, and I were inspired by Cisca, a hunter as fast as the wind, sending a herd of wild bulls to their immediate annihilation.

As we sat by the brook, the bonds between us felt stronger than ever. It felt like I was in a family, and I was sincerely happy and glad that I had suggested something as beautiful as how it turned out. I carried Cisca in my arms, feeling her warmth against my chest as we let our feet wade in the water. Clarissa and Nolle sat on the other side of the brook, talking and hitting their legs in the brook that gave up tiny splashes.

Nolle.

Okay, okay, something was definitely going on between these two (Clarissa and Jason); the air between them was unmistakably intense, and they have both subtly avoided coming into close contact with each other throughout the hunt. Jason, on his part, tried to seem so preoccupied with giving Cisca all his attention while he stole abrupt glances at Clarissa. By the goddess! He was smitten like a schoolboy; I had noticed his affections spilling out on the morning of Clarissa’s accident. I wondered if they had had sex or anything of the sort, and I was going to ask them to give me all the details. To think that I had been so busy with work that I skipped something as juicy as Clarissa falling in love.

After our eventful hunt, we all got dressed and headed out of the wilderness and towards the city again. Jason still carried Cisca, and they seemed to be having the time of their lives ahead of us. I took my chance to pry the story out of Clarissa.

“Clarissa, may I ask you something?” I inquired, trying to keep my tone casual.

She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with a mix of happiness and curiosity. “Sure, Nolle, what’s on your mind?”

“Well, I couldn’t help but notice the incredible chemistry between you and Jason,” I said carefully. “Is there perhaps something more between you two?”

Clarissa blushed slightly, glancing over at Jason before turning her attention back to me. “We’ve grown really close over time,” she admitted. “But I’m sure if there’s anything more than that between us, I mean, we’ve never discussed it, and of course he does not love me.”

C’mon, don’t fool yourself; you should see the way he looks at you when you’re not watching, like a puppy pining for a bone.” I teased her, and she blushed furiously at that.

“Shush Nolle! Don’t say silly things like that; he might hear you.”

She said that, and we walked home, saying nothing of the matter anymore.