Chapter 11 The Hunt

• 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.