Roman
In wolf form, I was the fastest thing around. So the time I took me to reach the Natives took an hour and a half running. Waiting around the outskirts of the village, I sniffed around hoping to catch Adam's scent. My ears perked up at the mention of the hunters. I decided to listen in.
"What if we don't get answers this time?" one man said.
"Eventually we will get answers. We have been waiting far to long for our fight with the wolf-man." The other said. This voice was for an much older man, his speech was slower.
"Why can't we just attack?"
"Because, the wolf-man people are not only many, they are strong. Only by capturing one, can we get our answers on how to weaken them. Only then, will we attack."
"I suppose that makes sense. How are you so sure we will get answers going this time?"
"A few years ago, I sent one of our people to look for other tribes that have also dealt with the wolf-man. When he came back, he brought knowledge, to help wipe out their kind. One tribe said the built a special cage from the earth. When you hold them in it, they become a man. Our hunters have laid a trap in the East to capture the wolf-man."
With that I had all the information I needed. I was heading East. The special cage made from the Earth only meant one thing. It was made of silver. It explains why he hasn't come home, and why he can't mind link Ellen.
The thing about mind-linking, is its different between your mate and your Alpha. Because our mates are our other half, there is no distance that can break the mind link. However, with our Alphas, after about 25 kilometers, our mind link connection starts to get quieter. After 30kilometers, we can't hear anything.
Quickly I ran East, following the hunters scent. It only took me 10 minutes to catch up with them. I knew that I was here to find Adam and I had the perfect opportunity to head East ahead of the hunters, but something was nagging at me. Stopping I watched them from a distance. There were 5 men, and one woman on horseback. Shifting my eyes to each one, two men upfront side by side whispering. Using my wolf hearing I could hear their conversation.
"This plant is going to be helpful?"
"Yes, my scout says it prevents them from healing so fast."
"Then what is the cage used for other than containment?"
"The cage is made of a combination of iron and silver. There is only enough silver to prevent them from communicating with each other and prevent their transformation. In high doses, it kills them."
"Ah. That's why the interrogation did go so well last time."
"Yes, we have the advantage now."
As I was listening to the conversation, the wind shifted. Drawing the hunters scent towards me. That's when it hit me. The most intoxicating smell of lavender and vanilla. A unusual combination, but it was just right. Breathing in deeply, the beast in me chanted one word in my head. Mate.
I have waited my entire life for this moment. I've spent over a century, waiting for my mate. Here she was. With the enemy. How was this possible? Our kind can only mate with others of our kind. This didn't make any sense. She is obviously a Native by her skin color and state of dress. My eyes wondered to her graceful form on the magnificent beast she rode on. She was, for a lack of a better word, perfect. Never in my years, have I seen anyone so beautiful. Mine. My beast growled in my head. Yes. I agreed. This bronze skinned beauty, was mine.
Reality came flooding back, when I noticed one of the horses from the front of the group, stop long enough to be side by side with my mate. Growling, I took off running. She's with her tribe, she will be safe for now. Right now, my priority was to find Adam.
Onawa
We had rode until it was nearly sunset, and I was exhausted. Had I not had spent a lot of time riding, I would be so sore and stiff that I couldn't walk for a week. Well, maybe not a week but for a couple days. The guys had to set up camp, and I had to cook dinner.
After dismounting, I tied my horse next to Tarak's horse. As usual, while the hunters set up everyone's tents, I went to fill our canteens with water at the nearest stream, and gather sticks and some brush for our fire. Upon my way back to camp, I heard a twig snap. Stopping, I cautiously looked behind me, only to see nothing. My heart increased, as I pulled my knife from its sheath. Turning around, I continued to trudge on. I could feel eyes on my as my foot took one step after another. I tightened the hilt of my knife, fearing I might accidently drop it, if I didn't have a good grip. Listening to the forest around me, I kept my pace.
Taking another couple steps, I then heard the very faintest of footsteps as they approached me from behind. I continued walking, willing myself not to run, or turn around too soon. I could feel myself beginning to perspire as I waited for the footsteps would get just a bit closer. When they were almost within range to touch me, I dropped the wood I had under my arm and spun around with my knife and pressed it to my stalkers throat.
"Jesus Christ, Onawa! It's just me!" Tarak exclaimed with a waver in his voice.
"What the hell were you doing, Tarak? I could have killed you!" I breathed a sigh of relief as I sheathed my knife.
"I just wanted to keep an eye on you." Tarak replied.
"Since when did I need a babysitter?" I asked sarcastically as I picked up the wood I dropped.
"Not a baby sitter, a protector." He said obviously offended.
"I don't need protecting Tarak. I think I just proved that, and since when did you decide that I need to be 'protected', I mean it's not like I haven't been doing this the past 3 years by myself." I said as Tarak followed in step with me back to camp.
"I don't want anything to happen to you. Your my best friend." He said.
"We have been best friends since we were children. You can't use that as the excuse. What's really going on Tarak?" I asked as I eyed him suspiciously.
"I can't tell you. I just ask that you trust me." Tarak whispered.
I wondered if this had anything to do with the odd request that his father gave me. What was happening that I was making a strange herb, and I needed to be protected away from camp? There have never been secrets between us before, so what is so bad that I can't be trusted? How far does this go? For the first time, I am questioning who I can trust.
I nodded in understanding as we continued walking to camp. While my thoughts are going a million miles an hour about how bizarre things are starting to seem, I continued following routine. I set up the campfire, passed out the waters, then I needed to start cooking our dinner.
As I lit the fire, using some tallow, kindling, and flint rocks, Bodaway approached from my left. He handed me some salted meat preserves for me to cook, and then walled away without saying a word. Preparing the meat to put on to cook, I kept a sharp eye out for anything unusual between the hunters. The sun was shining from the west, kissing the ground as the hunters continued to set up our tents.
While I waited for the meat to cook, I decided to work on restocking some of my herbs. After I got all my tools, I ground up the lavender I collected to put in a glass bottle. Putting the bottle in my bag, I grabbed the mysterious herb that Bodaway gave me. I would have to wait till after eating to do it. It was going to take a while to make what he wanted.
I spent the next few hours using various methods to find the herbs most effective use. Bodaway said he would figure out which one is most suited to his needs. I just wish I knew what it was and what they were planning on doing with it. What if I am just being paranoid? What if Bodaway is sick and he's trying herbs to either cure him or ease his symptoms? What if it isn't for Bodaway, but for Taza? Maybe that's why they were whispering? I have so many questions, but Bodaway made it clear I shouldn't ask. I will just have to find another way to get answers.
Finally after three and a half hours, I was done with the herb Bodaway gave me. I stood up and stretched as I looked around for Bodaway. When I spotted him, he was feeding the horses their dinner. Carrying the various methods of the herb, I walked over to him, stopping just a few feet from him.
"I did as you asked. Here they are." I said as I held out the multiple bottles.
"Thank you. Remember what I said. You know nothing about this." Bodaway said with a stern look on his face.
"I understand." I replied as I turned and walked away. I sat back down by the fire as I watched Bodaway take the bottles I gave him and head straight to Taza's tent.
A few moments later, I watched Bodaway leave the tent and go to Kuruk's tent and whisper to him. Kuruk nodded and I noticed that while Bodaway went to untie the horses, Kuruk went and spoke to both Elan and Tarak. Afterwards, Tarak came and sat beside me while the other hunters, including Taza, mounted their horses and left. I was about to ask what was going on when Tarak spoke.
"Just keep your head low and don't ask questions." He said in a low voice. I have never seen him so serious before. Whatever is going on, it certainly isn't good.
"Is it because I am not a hunter or because I'm a woman?" I asked him with a hard voice. A few moments past and I thought he wasn't going to answered me when he opened his mouth.
"Both and neither. Don't ask anymore questions, please Onawa." He said with a pained look that begged for me to listen.
"Whatever it is, does Chief Delshay know?" I asked him and he nodded slightly while looking off in the direction the others went.