5. Ylfa
The pack celebratesthat night around a large campfire, which gives us a chance to mingle with other packs.
From what I’ve seen so far, all the packs at the gathering are getting along. But I wonder how long that peace will last.
At most, it’s just a front that everyone’s putting up. I know they all despise each other, and wish to see the other packs squashed in the upcoming games.
May the best pack win and all...
Wolves are naturally competitive. It’s in our DNA, and it won’t be long until some seemingly playful taunts turn into serious threats.
Just as the thought crosses my mind, two wolves clash right in the middle of the campsite, and what a way to kill the mood.
They shift mid-air, sending fur flying everywhere, and some of it wafts my way, along with a splatter of blood.
One wolf has the other by the throat.
What terrifies me the most is how nonchalant I am about it all now. There was a time when blood and violence would have sent me flying. That was because I was defenseless back then, but so not anymore.
Silver stirs at the sight of the carnage, and she wants in on the violence, too. She wants to show the world what she’s made of.
Several enforcers come along then and split the two males up, but it’s not just the men. Women are fighting too and surprise, surprise...
It’s Chelsea Saunders of our pack, fighting with an equally crazy bitch from a rival pack.
Tensions are really high tonight.
The crowd roars and screams, pumping their fists in the air as the two females fight, and I sigh, swigging back my ale.
I’m sat on a circle of stones, not too far away from the main campfire. Patrick sits on a rock beside me, trying to hide the unsavory scene from view, but he needn’t bother. I’m used to it now.
“So, this is the global gathering... nice.”
Patrick titters sheepishly, and he looks as if he regrets coming along too. “Yeah. Who would have thought that a large concentration of wolves would lead to anything other than violence and petty squabbles, hey...?”
“Exactly. What a way to keep the peace between shifters...”
I glance up at the turrets of the fortress. Bitter thoughts run rampant through my mind as I think of the elders all cushy up there, while the rest of us grapple like a pack of wild dogs.
Just as I’m wondering if Hunter’s up there, dining in riches with his Grandpa Floyd, a familiar dark chocolate scent wafts my way, and I glance up.
Well, well, speak of the devil.
It’s Hunter.
I smirk, making sure my eyes flash. “Castle life getting boring? Too manyhors d’oeuvres to stuff your face with? Are you gonna throw up?”
Hunter heaves a sigh, a mock tutting sound escaping his lips. “No, actually. I am not here to throw up, petal. I’m here to pull you away...” He throws a quick glance at Paddy. “Not in a romantic way, just... there’s something I need to show you. Thebothof you...”
Patrick and I exchange odd looks and rise to our feet. I wonder if it will look suspicious that we’ll all leave together, but I’m not sure what Hunter wants to show us.
Besides, no one bothers glancing our way. Everyone is too drunk or too busy watching the next fight.