Chapter 21 First Hunt
Chapter 21 First Hunt
** warning: this chapter may be hard for some readers. **
Evodin bolted after the scent that clung to the wind. Sara wanted to yell in delight. The wind whipped at her fur. The scent of earth invaded her nose. She felt the earth give under her paws only to be crushed and packed under her weight.
The invisible cord that connected to her stomach now seemed attached to her chest. She felt it tug but ignored it to investigate the tantalizing scent that Evodin followed.
She wanted to inhale the scent and Evodin did so. She wanted to slow the pace they ran at, Evodin did that too.
Suddenly they froze. The scent was so strong now that it made Sara shiver.
Catch. Bite. Crush. Eat. The thought was Evodin's but Sara longed to do the same. On some level the thought disgusted her but Evodin definitely felt the opposit. Her desire infected Sara.
Her new wolf body crouched down and took a silent step forward. Within five steps she heard a tiny pounding. It took less then a second to realize that the fast erratic sound was the heartbeat of the creature they hunted.
She crouched even lower as she pinpointed the location of the animal. The scent and heartbeat gave it away.
Sara had hunted before, albeit not with jaws but with bow, knife, snares, or rocks. She knew the creature scenced her. But seemed to believe if it remained silent and still it wouldn't be found.
To bad for it that she could hear it, smell it, and wanted it. Hunger gnawed at her. She stalked forward. Eight feet from the bush she sprang into action.
Her paws dug into the earth, her muscles tensed, her tendons flexed and she launched into the animals poor quality shelter.
The furry thing bolted. Sara was surprised at its speed.
For a moment she feared it would escape but she swept out a paw. The rabbit panicked. It's heart rate tripled. She tilted her head as she closed her jaws. She felt the rabbits' fur give, muscles tensed, bones crushed. Blood spilled over her tongue. Hot, coppery, thick, blood.
The animal kicked but it was too late. The nerves continued to enforce the rabbits' last thought a few seconds after its death.
Sara relaxed her grip but didn't let go. She drug the rabbit out from under the bush.
I admit I'm impressed. A strange voice said in her head. She whined in alarm. Her jaws tightened on the rabbit.
It's okay, Sara. That was Gabriel. It's how we communicate in wolf form. He can't hear your thoughts unless you want him too. The Luna told her through the mind link.
Okay, Sara, since you've proven to be a good hunter would you like a real hunt? The Alpha asked. The tone of his mental voice conveyed ammusment.
Sara had no idea how to 'talk' like they were. She dropped the rabbit. Evodin stepped over it, protecting it.
Just think of who you want to direct the words too, me, all of us, the pack. Then simply think the words. The Luna said.
A real hunt? Sara asked thinking of the four people - wolves around her.
There's a herd of deer on the other side of the lake. Care for a chance to hunt with the pack? The Alpha asked.
Sara had never hunted with anyone. So despite her urge to agree and jump at the chance she told them honestly, I don't know how to do that. I only hunted alone before. And never like this. She added thinking of the wolf body she stood in.
This is your first pack hunt. We don't expect to bring down a deer. It's practice. Valerie said softly in Saras' head.
We all have a first hunt, Sara. It seldom leads to meat on the table but you'll still learn a lot. The Alpha added.
OK. If your sure I won't get in the way. Sara told them. She was thankful they couldn't read her mind.
We'll explain as we trek the lake. Gabriel told her.
Sara followed as they walked slowly out of the clearing and entered a well traveled trail a few yards from the lake.
First of all, Gabriel is the insurance policy. He won't move to the open unless needed. I'll be lead. You do what I tell you, when I tell you. When we find the herd the Luna and Victoria will spread out to the left and right. Sara you'll take center. It's your job to try to take down the animal I select. Usually that job falls to the lead but this hunt is for you, so you'll do it this time. The Alpha said as they moved along the trail.
This isn't like small game hunting or hunting in human form. Deer are powerful. They can hurt you or kill you. Be aware of their hooves. They can bruise you, gash you, break bones. Their teeth are a possible danger too but they will use their hooves. Gabriel said. His tone left her in no doubt he meant every word.
Sara didn't know how long it took to find the herd. But it took only a minor few minutes for everyone to get in place.
There was only one large male. He didn't have antlers as the ones in photos or videos. She wondered why it was concitered such a prize. The meat was the same either way.
She had learned years before that they shed them every year. Now she was learning that they had a smell that was different from the female herd members. It was deeper more musky and metallic. She had never know this. Despite her strong sense of smell this new body, this wolf body, had even stronger senses.
The whole herd looked larger then the ones by her Hide. There was one male, five females, and two adolescents.
The Alpha sent her a mental image of the smaller adult female. It startled her. She didn't know you could send more than words.
In order to keep the population thriving we take the weakest. She's smaller then the others. She has no offspring depending on her.
He told them what to do. The Luna and Victoria were the first to move. Sara quickly did her part.
It was much easier to crouch down in this body then the human one. She was sturdier on four legs then two. She was able to get into smaller places. The thick pads on the bottom of her feet absorbed the small amount of sound she made as she moved closer to the herd.
She had moved east so she was closer to the female the Alpha had declared the target. She knew where the others were. They kept a silent monologue going. The wind blew the scent of the deer to them.
Don't move till I tell you too. The Alpha said when everyone was in position.
Sara's heart pounded in her chest. Evodine felt like a bundle of vibrating nerves in the back of her head. She kept urging Sara to move. She wanted to sink her teath into the deer. She wanted action. She hated waiting. She tried to take control of the body but Sara mentally challenged her and pushed her back.
Evodine mentally trembled in anticipation. In all honesty Sara didn't blame her. This was thrilling and exciting. No hunt had ever made her feel like this.
Luna, Victoria - move. The Alpha said.
Sara watched in amazement as first the Luna and nanoseconds later Victoria stalked out of the bush. At first they moved slowly. They kept their bodies low.
The male jerked his head up, his nostrils flared, his ears twitched and he gave a call of alarm. The herd moved. They were amazingly fast.
The Luna and Victoria abandoned stealth and converged on a path to the chosen female. Victoria shifted as she ran. Cutting off the female's path. The female shifted and turned only to find her new path blocked by the Luna.
The Luna and Victoria had left the female no choice but the path that took her close to Sara.
When the order came, Sara, move. Sara couldn't be sure who truly followed the command. Her or Evodine. At that moment they were so in sync it was impossible to tell where either of them began or either of them ended.
Sara burst from cover. The female spotted her. Shifted her course but not enough to avoid Sara.
The Luna and Victoria were right on the females heels.
The rest of the herd were gone through the brush on the other side of the clearing.
The Luna leapt and closed her jaws on the females hind leg. The female staggered but kicked out causing the Luna to release her.
Sara dug her paws into the earth and leapt. She closed her jaws. Her teeth sank into flesh and muscle just behind her front leg. The female jerked and ripped her way free.
She changed course only to receive a bite from Victoria on the other side of her body.
Sara couldn't help the wave of compassion she felt. This has to stop. She thought. She changed her own course slightly with a burst of speed.
When changed her speed again the female had nowhere to go. The Luna was at her left flank and Victoria was to her right.
This time when Sara lunged and closed her jaws she felt the animals throat give as her teeth locked in place.
The female was not ready or willing to accept death and lashed out with her hooves.
Sara felt the impact but not the pain. The female staggered but lashed out again. But the weight of three female wolves, lack of oxygen and blood pooling in her lungs was too much.
Sara didn't let go as the female fell. She felt part of her body being crushed under the females weight. She could also feel the animals heart beating between her jaws. She refused to prolong the animals suffering by letting go and giving a measure of oxygen to prolong her life.
It took less then a minute for her heart to stop. But that minute lasted an infinity amount of time to Sara. She hated this. Hated death. The chase was a thrill. The hunt was a rush. But death sucked.
Good. The Alpha said softly in her head.
Sara couldn't explain what she felt. Get out of my head.
We're not in it. You were projecting. Gabriel said kindly.
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