SWNOVELS Chapter 3
They had 89 females in total this year, all ranging from the age of eighteen to the few in their early-mid twenties who have made it through previous Huntings. Kia overhead one of the councilmen saying that there were 120 males participating this year, which meant that there would be a bloodbath.
All the females were set up in groups around the woods, it consisted of a dome like structure, with the woods in the middle, and the camping grounds surrounding it for the males who show up early, the parents who wish to stick around and the curious pack members - the females will enter from 6 different entrance points to assure everyone is spread out, the males will enter from the main door.
Everyone says the Hunting is merely a traditional thing, to ensure that males find mates and that the packs continue to expand and thrive. But this is more than that, this is a way of controlling the packs, it's a way of satisfying bloodlust, of ensuring compliance and obedience. It's said that the council place pack members they have issues with in the Hunting, just to get rid of them, since murder inside these woods are acceptable in light of the greater good.
Once you enter, there are various stations with tables throughout the woods that have backpacks with food and water or weapons or shelter equipment etc. on them. You basically work with what you find.
"Congratulations on making it to the Hunting. You should be honored to be a part of this tradition. You are all of age to be mated and to reproduce, to help in securing the survival of our species." the councilwoman leading the group said, eying the girls slowly.
"You stick with me no matter what." Kia whispered to her sister, giving her a 'Don't argue' look.
"Just until I find my mate." Lay answered stubbornly.
Kia rolled her eyes, her anxiety and irritation growing as she watched the minutes tick by. Finally the doors opened and their group was ordered into the woods.
"May the wolf be in your favor." the councilwoman said as she urged them inside.
"Come on Lay." Kia said, grabbing her arm and pulling her along.
They walked for a few hours before Kia spotted a table in the distance. She made a run for it. On top of it there were various weapons, none of which Kia knew how to use so she grabbed a few knives and started checking the backpacks. Inside them were snacks, water bottles and some necessities like matches and water purifiers. She handed a bag to Lay and started walking again. She wanted to find a spot near water, with loads of trees and bushes to make camouflage easier. She knew they wouldn't be able to shift, since their wolves are golden they would stand out like a sore thumb in these green woods.
"I'm tired Kia, can't we just take a break?" Layana asked her, sucking in deep breaths.
"Almost Lay, I just need to find the right place." Kia assured before walking on again.
They walked around for probably another hour or two before Kia found the perfect hideout, the sun was beginning to set so they had to hurry to get everything set up before nightfall. Even though they could see perfectly in the dark, she knew it would annoy Lay to work in the dark.
Kia sent Lay up into a tree and told her to rest, she stayed to scout out their surroundings. The river was to their far left, trees surrounded them and bushes grew all around their trunks.
This will work. Kia thought as she gathered some mud by the river.
She climbed the tree and settled herself next to Lay.
"Here." she said, handing Lay some mud.
"What's this for?" Lay asked.
"Cover your scent." Kia said, smearing the mud all over her arms and legs.
"Uhm, no. I actually want to be found." Lay said, eying her sister.
"Not while you're with me." Kia said. "Look this place is dangerous, you don't know it yet but just trust me okay? Dad asked me to keep you safe."
Lay smeared the mud on herself reluctantly, obviously very upset with the situation. She couldn't understand why she needed protection. She always saw the good in everything and this was no exception. She couldn't see past her blind trust in love to understand the danger she was in.
"Just get some sleep, okay?" Kia said.
Layana made herself comfortable in a fork in the tree and rolled the sleeping bag up to use as a pillow. Soon she drifted off to sleep and Kia let out a sigh.
"I wish you were here dad." Kia whispered into the night sky, staring at the stars above her.
She decided to get some sleep too, tomorrow the males will be let inside and she knew she'd get no sleep until they walked out of here again.
----
"Do you think they'll be alright, Clay?" Elaine asked her mate.
"Kia's got this, she won't let anything happen to Lay." he said as he kissed her forehead.
"That worries me. What if Layana is the reason Kia dies. Or what if Lay dies and Kia can't forgive herself. Those two are connected in ways we'll never understand, I'm afraid of what will happen to the other if one should die." she sobbed.
Clayton stood there watching his mate cry, he wanted to console her but he knew he couldn't because she was right and he had the same fears she did. He knew the chances of getting them both back, unharmed, was slim. He also knew that at this point Layana was a liability, but he also knew that it wouldn't stop Kia from protecting her, even at the cost of her own life. This was a horrible situation, maybe if Kia was alone in there they would both feel more confident, but they both knew from a very young age that Layana would never be the violent type and that she'd be vulnerable for the rest of her life.
"My love." Clayton said as he stepped closer to wrap his arms around his mate. "We'll have to trust in the Goddess' plans. If one of our daughters should die in this Hunting, we need to be strong for the other and accept the choices the Mood Goddess made."
"It's hard to have faith in someone who is going to take one of your daughters from you. How can I trust that it was what is best? It's not best for me, nor for you and least of all for the sister that gets left behind." she said, giving him a sharp look.
He couldn't argue with her, for he felt the same things she did. He was a loyal follower of the faith but in this situation he was torn. He knew he wouldn't be able to just accept it if he were to lose one of his children. He knew, and his mate knew, that only one of their daughters would be coming back. In what shape she'd be returning, only the Gods knew, but he knew they'd be getting a shell of a person in comparison to what they once knew her to be.
"Be safe my children." he whispered as he held onto his mate tightly.