Page 5 of Alpha's Runaway Mate
“Had to stop by the archery shop,” he said, pulling up some gear. “If we’re going to be hunting wild boar, we need proper weapons.” He offered me some gear, but I shook my head.
“I don’t need a weapon.” I extended my claws—sharp and dangerous, and added, “Already got one.”
We hiked further into the forest, the dense canopy overhead blocking out most of the sun. When the sound of rustling leaves reached my ear, I knew we had arrived at the perfect spot to set up base. And by base, I meant a rendezvous point should any of us somehow lose track of the others. Though that was unlikely with our heightened senses.
“Rowan, you’re on tree watch,” I ordered.
He grumbled, clearly frustrated that I always put him on tree watch. Amongst the four of us, he was the best climber. He could scale the tallest trees with ease, which afforded us another pair of eyes from above. Plus, he had stellar communication, and he was less impulsive than the rest.
“Jonathan, you take the north. Dominic, you head south. I’ll cover the west. Which means, Rowan, you’ll be climbing a tree east of us.”
They all nodded in understanding.
“You know the drill, you see anything, call for the others. If you can handle it on your own, well…I’m sure the rest of the pack would be thrilled if we brought two wild boars back.”
“That’s if we’re not eaten alive first,” Jonathan muttered to himself, but I caught it and shot him a sharp look.
According to my instructions, we spread out. At first, the forest was eerily quiet—no rustling leaves, no snapping branches, just the faint sound of our footsteps. I began to wonder if I was in the right place.
But the doubt only lasted for all of ten seconds before I heard the unmistakable snap of a branch. My senses sharpened, and I whipped my head in the direction of the sound, peering deeply. I saw nothing. Though the brief sound was enough to tell me that something was there.
Speaking in an undertone, I asked, “Rowan, west of you, do you see anything?”
Five seconds passed then I heard his response, equally in a low voice. “No. But…I just saw something move…”
“Something like a wild boar?”
He was silent for longer. Then he answered. “Actually, I think it’s a…someone.”
“Someone?”
“About three feet tall, whitish blonde hair…it’s a boy.”
“A boy?” I stopped moving. “What would a kid be doing on dangerous grounds?”
“Maybe he is out here hunting, just like us?” Rowan hesitated for a moment. Then the tone of his voice shifted, sharp and panicked. “Scratch that! He’s running, Kaine! He’s running from a boar.”
Alarm shot through me, and I sprinted in the direction, calling for Dominic and Jonathan to head west. My breath hitched when I caught sight of the wild boar. It was feral and massive, tearing through the bushes as it closed in on the boy. Looking ahead, I saw the small figure darting through the woods. I only caught a side glimpse of him, but I could sense his terror as he ran.
“Jonathan, flank it. I’ll cut it off!” I ordered when the boar was in sight. Jonathan followed without hesitation, his movements precise, well-practiced. He had only started going hunting with us early this year, but he was better at it than I could have imagined.
I took out my claws, ready to attack the boar when it was within striking distance, but somehow, the animal leaped, evading my strike as it charged toward the boy, its tusks gleaming in the low light.
The boy took another corner, and the boar followed, but I continued to head straight, calculating that if I stayed on this path, I could intercept them up ahead. And that was exactly what happened. With a snarl, I intercepted, launching myself at the boar. My claws tore through its hide, and with one swift strike, I brought it to the ground. The boar let out a final groan before going still.
Smirking at my flawless victory, I checked to make sure that the boar was completely dead before turning to the boy, who had stopped running as he stared wide-eyed at the dead boar. He was panting heavily and sweating profusely. His shirt and pants were torn in different places, and he was covered in dirt, a testament to his frantic escape. But what struck me the most was his striking features: the whitish blond hair and large, piercing brown eyes reminded me so much of her. And when the boy's eyes connected with mine, I felt an undeniable pull, as if a magnet had drawn me to him.
Extending an arm to him, I asked, my voice softer than usual. “You okay?”
His eyes bounced between my face and my outstretched arm as though he was deliberating whether to trust me. But after a moment, he nodded slowly. His eyes were still full of fear even though his worst nightmare was probably over. But there was something else, too. Determination.
The boy took my arm, and I helped him up.
“I need help,” he said, his voice trembling. “My mother…collapsed in the forest. She’s hurt, and she’s…”
He didn’t say the next words, but I could already hear the unspoken thought.
“Please, you have to help her,” his trembling tone turned desperate.