Chapter 36

Laura's POV

I took a deep breath and adjusted my grip on the rifle, which still felt entirely too foreign in my hands. The weight was awkward, the barrel long and unfamiliar, and the idea of actually pulling the trigger sent a nervous shiver down my spine.

Kelvin’s uncle watched me expectantly, his expression carrying the same level of patience as a wolf waiting for its prey to make a wrong move.

“Go on, then,” he said, gesturing toward a branch where another unsuspecting bird perched. “Let’s see if you’ve got any natural talent.”

I exhaled sharply and lifted the gun, squinting through the sight. The bird shifted slightly, as if sensing impending doom. My finger hovered over the trigger.

I fired.

The recoil slammed into my shoulder with surprising force, nearly making me stumble back. The sound was deafening, the sharp scent of gunpowder burning my nose.

And the bird?

Still very much alive.

“Damn it!” I hissed, lowering the rifle.

Kelvin’s uncle let out a loud bark of laughter. “Missed by a mile.”

“I noticed,” I muttered, rubbing my sore shoulder.

Kelvin, to his credit, didn’t mock me outright, but there was definitely amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Try again,” he said.

I grumbled under my breath and reset my stance, taking aim at another target. This time, I focused, steadying my breathing, trying to ignore the pressure of their gazes.

I fired again.

Another miss.

The old man shook his head. “You shoot like a blindfolded toddler.”

I shot him a glare. “Maybe if someone actually taught me instead of throwing a rifle at me and saying ‘figure it out,’ I wouldn’t be so terrible.”

He smirked but didn’t argue. “Fair enough. But you’re not gonna learn by whining.”

I clenched my jaw, frustration burning through me. I tried again. And again. Every shot either hit the dirt, clipped a branch, or sent another poor animal scurrying away unharmed.

After the fifth failed attempt, I was officially done.

“This is useless,” I muttered, lowering the rifle. “I’m not cut out for this.”

Kelvin’s uncle studied me for a moment, then shook his head. “Nah. You’ve got it in you. You’re just thinking too much.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, sure. Let me just switch off my brain and magically turn into an expert hunter.”

“Not an expert. Just good enough to survive.”

I rolled my eyes and frowned, but before I could argue, something rustled in the underbrush.

We all turned as a deer emerged from the trees, its large, dark eyes scanning the clearing. It was a beautiful creature, its coat a mix of brown and gold, its movements cautious yet graceful.

My breath caught.

This was different from shooting a bird. The sheer size of it, the way it stood tall with its ears on alert. I didn't want to kill something so full of life.

Kelvin’s uncle nudged me. “Go on. Take the shot.”

I hesitated.

Something in me screamed that I couldn’t do it. That I shouldn’t.

But before I could talk myself out of it, my body moved.

As if on instinct, I lifted the rifle and adjusted my stance. My heartbeat slowed, my grip tightened, and the world around me faded.

I could hear nothing but the soft inhale of the deer, see nothing but the steady rise and fall of its chest and its beady dark eyes staring at me.

‘Rest in peace’. I whispered in my head. Then…

“Bang!”

The deer jolted, stumbled, then collapsed.

Dead.

For a second, I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

My hands shook slightly as I lowered the gun, my mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

Kelvin’s uncle let out a low whistle. “Well, well. Looks like the girl’s got some instincts after all.”

I stared at the rifle in my hands.

What the hell just happened?

Kelvin stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “That was… impressive.”

I swallowed, my throat dry. I hadn’t thought. I hadn’t planned. It had just…happened.

A strange, unfamiliar sensation stirred in my chest.

Pride? No.

I was…happy?

No! I would be crazy if I felt that way.

From the shadows of the trees, several men emerged, dressed in simple hunting gear. They moved quickly and approached the fallen deer. Without a word, they began to lift it, handling the carcass with practiced ease.

I stood frozen, watching as they secured the animal and carried it away as if this was just another part of their daily routine. It probably was.

Kelvin’s uncle let out a deep, rumbling laugh, the kind that sent an odd mix of amusement and approval through the air. Then, before I could react, he clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder.

“Not bad, girl,” he said, giving me a firm pat. “Not bad at all.”

The weight of his hand lingered, and for some reason, that simple gesture sent a strange warmth through my chest. It wasn’t just praise. It was an acknowledgment.

I glanced at him warily. “So, what? I’m officially part of the club now?”

Killian smirked. “Something like that.”

I frowned, still thrown off by the entire situation. “Why do I get the feeling that it was some kind of test?”

Kelvin, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke. “Because it was.”

I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. “And did I pass?”

Kelvin’s lips twitched slightly, the closest thing to a smile I had seen from him all night. “Looks like it.”

I exhaled, unsure whether to feel relieved or more concerned.

Kelvin's uncle removed his hand from my shoulder and crossed his arms. “You’ve got good instincts,” he said, his sharp gaze assessing me. “You just don’t trust them yet.”

I frowned. “And what exactly does that mean?”

He let out another chuckle, shaking his head as he turned toward the trail. “You’ll find out soon enough, girl. But for now, you can call me Uncle Killian.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden offer of familiarity.

Uncle?

This man, who had nearly shot my head off and spent the last hour mocking my shooting skills, was now giving me a title of endearment?

It was probably the strangest form of acceptance I had ever received.

Kelvin tilted his head slightly, watching me silently.

I exhaled, rolling my eyes. “Fine,” I muttered. “Uncle Killian it is.”

He grinned, clearly pleased. “Good. Now, let’s head back before something else in these woods decides it wants us as dinner.”

I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, but I wasn’t about to stick around to find out.

With one last glance at the now-empty clearing, I adjusted my grip on the rifle and followed them back to the house.