The Hunt

Chapter 9

After Cole had told me that if I still wanted to leave in six months time when the wolves weakened, he wasn't going to stop me, I nodded, looking at him awkwardly for a few more seconds before heading down the dirt path away from him.

A part of me was disappointed that he had given in so easily, and although I had too, I couldn't help but feel frustrated.

I was offended with my own actions, it being unlike me to act so hypercritical, however, the bond was playing tricks on my mind, my behaviour irrational.

A part of me was tempted to go and visit Saskia in the hospital to see what she would say, but I decided against it, knowing that it would probably end badly for me, my heart most likely ending up on the hospital tiles.

I was relieved to find out that Cole was only with Saskia in the hospital because he was attempting to convince her not to say anything about what happened, not that I would mind anyway.

If people hated me here for what I had done, I would turn a blind eye. Wolves would never see it from my perspective and I was fine with that.

I made my way around the bend leading to my cottage, frowning at the exterior as it came into view, the bricks cracking and the paint patchy and peeling, the overall house looking run-down.

If I was going to be expected to live in there for half a year, it would need to be better insulated, the holey door allowing the bitter wind to enter, freezing me to the bone, even with my new fluffy blankets and layered clothing.

I entered, screaming in fear once I spotted Tirus' face on the other side of the door, Amara laughing at me, shaking her head.

"You humans are always terrified," she stated, annoying me slightly, confirming to me that wolves really did see humans as the weaker species, and although deep down I knew it to be true too, the statement frustrated me.

I knew that no matter what happened here, the wolves were always going to see me as weak and spineless, despite what Cole said about them fearing me.

He had claimed that if people found out about how I had almost killed Saskia, that the elders and children would be fearful of me, even when they hadn't weakened.

I had been slightly offended at the comment, but allowed it to slide, not wanting to argue.

"Are you guys scared of me?" I questioned, plopping down on my small leather armchair at the back of the room, watching as Amara and Tirus gave each other a strange look, their lips quivering before they began to laugh again, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Okay, okay, you can stop laughing now," I mumbled, holding my hands up before folding them against my small chest, sending them both a humorous glare.

"I'm sorry Reya," said Tirus, grinning at me. "It's just, we could snap your neck using our middle toes. We aren't scared of you."

"Very subtle Tirus," Amara scolded him, slapping his dark skin, shaking her head and tutting.

"What about when you weaken? Will you be scared of me then?" I questioned, curious.

Amara sighed, moving over to me, leaning up against the wall as she smiled. "I don't doubt that you're a good fighter using a weapon, but humans aren't really known for their strength and reaction times. If you were unarmed, I don't know if you'd be able to do much."

"Cole said that if everyone found out about what happened between Saskia and I, then people would be worried about me being here, especially older wolves and children."

Tirus shrugged, humming to himself, contemplating something. "I mean, I can see where he's coming from, but the majority of people here know that Saskia is one of the weaker wolves in the pack strength-wise. No offense, but I don't think you could take on stronger beasts, even when we are weakened."