Chapter 10 Chapter Ten - The Pack Hunt
Xander
'The inverted pentacle is believed by many to signify devil worship. It represents a deliberate rebellion against the natural order, and a disruption of sacred balance.'
It is believed by many.
I run a finger on each paragraph of the texts, as I carefully absorb each and every word.
A soft knock sounds on the door, and Maria's quiet voice floats into the room, "Coffee, your Highness."
Carrying a small tray, she enters quietly, bows, and starts to serve.
"Thank you," I say to her absentmindedly as I pick up the drink and sip slowly.
She bows and turns to leave, but I do not miss the glint of curiosity in her eyes, as she tries to make out the shapes, texts and words written in the book.
I wait for the soft click of the door before I continue.
'Runes are ancient symbols used in communication with forces older than language itself.
Runes do not possess powers on their own, instead they are awakened as a response.
Each rune has meaning, but the clarity of the message depends sorely on the orientation, combination and intent.' I think back to the jagged, asymmetrical lines of those I had seen.
I flip through, page after page, reading one word after the other, but still, I can't find any information on the ones found near the borders.
What would it have possibly meant? What was the intention behind those drawings?
I close the book and place it on the low table in front of me, then I get to my feet. I start to pace around the room, trying and failing to connects the dots. So far nothing is clear, every piece of information is to be drawn up as inconclusive.
The end is near, son of Liora.
Nobody, absolutely no one had ever dared to so much as whisper her name for the past decade. My wolf lets out a quiet whimper, then growls.
I run my hand through my hair, pacing growing more relentless.
Those drawings, although , jagged, didn't look like something that was done out of madness.
The location was targeted, placements were precise, and the intent? If the little knowledge i have acquired serves me right, it didn't look something meant to create chaos, but rather, to bind, to restrain...
A loud knock jolts me out of my thoughts and the door open before I can even process it. An involuntary growl rips from my throat at the intrusion. "I haven't given you permission–"
"Yeesh, what crawled in the prince's ass, died and rotted there?" Max voices, strolling into the room like a runway model, his tall, lean body giving a false impression of his strength.
He walks towards my desk, leans against it with his arms folded and ankles crossed. Once he notices my sour mood, his demeanor changes. "What's up with you? You look like you just got served your worst meal."
I sigh and shake my head slightly. "Nothing. I'm just thinking a lot."
"Or is this about Nessa?"
Nessa?
"No." My response is more curt, but he doesn't take it to heart.
His bright green eyes study me for a few moments, head cocked to the side. Then finally, he nods. "Okay."
Max is many things, but above all, he's like a brother to me. Most people see him to be good-natured and playful, but underneath that exterior is a very smart man, and high emotional intelligence. He knows when to push or when to stop.
He is this radiant ball of energy that balances out my dark side, which has always made us to be a great team.
"Actually, I came here to let you know we're getting ready for the hunt. You didn't forget, or did you?" He raises an eyebrow.
I scoff. "Of course, I did not." I've been so absorbed by my findings I almost did.
His eyes narrow slightly but decided not to push it.
He jerks his head towards the door as he stands. "Come on then, let's go, Alpha."
He opens the door, lets me leave through it first before he shuts it behind him.
The pack hunt is a ritual organized monthly, where the Alpha King, Luna Queen and pack members run together into the Vale forest in groups, under the watchful eye of the full moon to catch unsuspecting prey. The group with the best meat is always rewarded. Then a celebration filled with lots of eating, drinking and laughter ensues.
When we get to the field, it's already packed to the brim with pack members on every side. Some members are getting warmed up with exercises, some are already in their wolf forms, pacing, restless and anticipating.
The aroma of delicious meals being prepared for the celebration waft into my nostrils. I inhale deeply.
"You smell that? That's the smell of victory, baby!" Max says beside me. His body already vibrating with the need to get started already.
When we make our presence known, all eyes fall on us and all heads bow and I acknowledge them all with a small smile on my face.
Everyone, buzzing with excitement, wait with bated breaths on my words.
"Let the hunt, begin!" Everyone cheers loudly, and before the blaring of the air horn goes off, the first group of wolves sprint into the forest with an unnatural speed typical of our kind.
Then the next group follows after a few minutes.
I have counted a total of seven groups before it's finally our turn.
Max and I shift at the same time and I don't miss the awestruck looks of the most of them.
Every normal werewolf has a natural brown fur. A Royal werewolf's fur is a midnight black fur that almost seems to glow under the full moon. We're the biggest, strongest and fastest.
Max's wolf, although with it's white-stripped black fur, is equally as strong and fast.
I'm getting ready to leave when I catch a glimpse of ginger red hair. Her electric blue eyes watch me closely, and I have a feeling she can tell me apart.
My eyes briefly lock with her for a few moments, I still.
"Don't talk back to me, don't disrespect me. You sit when I tell you to, act when I demand you to, do what I tell you to."
The memory slams into me and leaves a dent in its wake, forcing me to tear my eyes away from her.
No. It's better this way.
Right then the air horn gets blown and I'm running, deeper into the forest, and farther away from her.
I loose concentration mid-run and suddenly, my paws slip and I'm tumbling, rolling down a low hill while a shadow looms over me.