The atmosphere in the pack was full of excitement. The only thing anybody could talk about was 'the hunt'
'The hunt' was a yearly event held in the pack. All the pack members shifted to their original wolf form. They then hunted for wild animals which they ate raw.
'The hunt' was usually held at night when there was a full moon. Hunting under the night sky with the moon shining down on them was a great thrill which the wolves enjoyed a lot.
"I love 'the hunt' so much" Vivian said happily.
Ava looked at her curiously. "why? Are children allowed to join the hunt?" she asked.
"of course not, children aren't allowed to join the hunt" Vivian said.
"So why are you excited about the hunt?" Ava asked in confusion.
"the kids go to the forest and pretend they are adults and hunt, Ryder places toys and goodies on hidden areas for them to find." Helena explained.
"that is so nice of him" Ava said.
"Hmmm! It also keeps the kids busy during the hunt.".Helena replied.
"What did the kids do during the hunt in your former pack?" Vivian asked.
"All those who couldn't participate in the hunt were locked in a basement in the pack house" Ava replied.
"that is so boring. Thank the goddess I wasn't a member of that pack" Vivian said with a shudder.
"I think such a pack would be good for a restless little wolf like you" Helena teased her.
"Helena!" Vivian complained with a pout.
"You will enjoy the hunt here in fireblood pack. It will be a completely new experience than the one in creekwood" Helena told her.
"I won't be going for the hunt" Ava told her.
"why?" Helena asked.
"Ryder's orders"
"But everyone comes out for the hunt even the prisoners who work in the mines" Helena said, she was very confused about why Ryder would make such a decision.
"won't the prisoners escape?" Ava asked.
"I am not supposed to tell you this but I am going to anyway. Fireblood pack has wards which protect the pack and perform other functions such as keeping prisoners in" Helena answered.
"Wow, who made the wards?" Ava asked.
"the witches"
"I have never seen a witch before but I have heard of them" Ava said.
"How do witches look like?" Vivian asked.
"They look normal just like humans except for their bewitching beauty. Both the males and females are known to be very beautiful."
Just then Ryder walked past and Helena called him over.
"Hey ladies" Ryder greeted them as he passed.
"why isn't Ava joining the hunt?" Helena asked him.
"Because she is still recuperating, besides I won't have the time to look after her, it's better she stays home" Ryder said.
"but..." Helena tried to protest.
"and that is final" Ryder said resolutely.
He walked away ignoring Helena's frowning face.
Helena held Ava's hand. "my poor baby, I am so sorry you have to miss the hunt."
"it's okay Helena. I really don't mind at all" Ava told her.
..............................
THE DAY OF THE HUNT
All the pack members had gathered outside, ready to shift and run to the hunting ground.
The kids were already in the forest screaming in excitement as they looked for the toys.
Ryder looked at Ava as they stood in front of the house. Helena and Jayden came out to join them.
"let's go" Jayden said in excitement.
"You guys go ahead, I will join you, I have something to say to Ava." Ryder said.
"okay" Helena said as the two of them walked away.
Ryder turned to look at Ava. "Lock the doors and remain inside, don't go anywhere. Don't go outside Ava"
"I won't go outside" Ava replied.
"not even a step outside and don't even think of sneaking out to join the hunt" Ryder warned.
"I promise, I won't go out of the house" Ava said.
"good, you better abide by your promise" Ryder said.
"I will" Ava said in exasperation.
Ryder looked at her hair, "why are there leaves in your hair?" he asked.
"it must have been when I was raking the leaves in the backyard. The wind must have blown some into my hair". Ava answered.
Ryder stretched his hand and removed the leaves from her hair then his hand slowly inched down and stroked her face. His thumb gently caressed her lips.
"You confuse me Ava." Ryder whispered.
He slowly leaned forward while maintaining eye contact with her. Ava waited in anticipation, she didn't even dare to breath out loud for fear of breaking this magical moment.
Just as Ryder was about to close the distance between their lips and kiss her, they heard Jayden's voice.
"Ryder what are you still doing? The whole pack is waiting for you" he said.
"I am coming" Ryder hollered back at him.
He looked at Ava and they both smiled at each other.
"go inside and lock the door" he told her.
"Yes alpha" she gave a mock salute as she stepped inside and locked the door.
Ryder made sure he heard her locking the door before he left to join Jayden and Helena.
"What took you so long?" Jayden asked.
"I was just giving Ava some last minute instructions, you know how mischievous she can be" Ryder replied.
"why are you smiling so broadly?" Helena asked.
"I am?"
"Yes, you are smiling from ear to ear, it's kind of creepy" Jayden told him.
"I am just excited for the hunt" Ryder said.
"really?" Helena asked doubtfully.
"Yes, come on. Let's go" Ryder said and walked off.
Helena and Jayden looked at each other and shrugged before following him.
They got to where the pack was assembled. Ryder addressed the pack.
"it's time for the annual hunt, tonight we go back to our primal instincts and hunt under the moon to honor the moon goddess. Fireblood pack, are you ready?"
"Yes alpha" the pack roared.
"let's shift" Ryder ordered.
They all stripped and shifted to their wolf form.
Ryder in his wolf form howled and all the wolves echoed after him.
Ava heard their howls from the pack house and shuddered.