The Prey

For a week, Sheera didn't get to see the Alpha. Not even from a distance.

Considering how she had doted on him the first time saw him, Sheera never thought she'd be so relieved to not see him.

Although, she couldn't deny it was a little surprising that he hadn't bothered to see her at all, considering she had been brought all the way to the Fortress for him. It was just as if she didn't matter, or he didn't care enough.

However, her fortune of not seeing him was finally about to end as that morning, she was in the room, nervously getting ready to go hunting with the royal family.

It was the previous night when Tabitha had come up to her with the information, informing her she needed to be present.

Sheera had tried asking if the Alpha had been the one that requested her presence, but Tabitha told her it wasn't the Alpha and didn't know who it was.

Now, that morning, she was there in her room, wondering if she looked good enough. She didn't have much clothes. And unfortunately for her, there was no mirror in her room to check how she looked.

She took in several deep breaths, trying to reassure herself that it was all going to be fine. She was ready for it.

Prepared, she exited the room.

...

Sheera didn't exactly know where to go. She just kept walking until she saw a herd of horses with some Keepers and servants around. Then, she spotted Mistress Odessa . That was definitely it.

She gathered the courage she could and went in that direction. As she walked, the few people she came across couldn't stop staring at her, especially the men. They continuously gave her that lustful look.

Getting to where the horses were gathered, she noticed Prince Malkar was there as well, arranging his horse. He flashed a bright smile upon seeing her.

"What are you doing here?" Odessa snapped, passing her a stare of ridicule.

Sheera had to force her eyes to the ground. "Greetings, Mistress. I was told I'd be going hunting."

"Truly?" Odessa scoffed. "By who exactly? You are not supposed to be here."

"I invited her, Odessa. Snap out of it," Malkar chipped in.

Sheera's jaw dropped, as did Odessa's. It was him?

Odessa whirled on Malkar, her nostrils flaring in indignation. "And why would you do such a thing? This is the royal hunt! She has no place here."

Malkar met her gaze with an unyielding defiance. "I am a Prince, am I not? Extending an invitation seems well within my rights. Perhaps you should focus on preparing for the hunt and leave the guest list to me."

"But..."

"What are you so afraid of, Odessa?" The second lady suddenly said.

That was the first time Sheera was noticing her. She was dressed nobly and had been trying to fix her horse as well.

Her complexion was remarkably smooth, her eyes shone with vivacity and her hair was arranged gracefully upon one shoulder.

She was beautiful. Very.

"Are you afraid the young maiden will end up stealing the Alpha's attention? Do you feel intimidated by her beauty?" She completed.

Odessa balled her hands into fists as she turned to her rival. She forced a smile up her lips.

"And what makes you think I should be the frightened one, Thessaly? I am and will always be the Alpha's favorite. It is you who would have to fight for the little attention you never get from him with this new thing," she cast a disdainful look at Sheera's way.

Sheera was amused to discover that was Thessaly, the second mistress of the Alpha.

"Then, leave it to me to complain. Stop grumbling if you have nothing to be afraid of." Thessaly smirked.

They went mute instantly, like something cold had spilled on them. Sheera was equally confused and just watched them, not until Odessa spoke up.

"Alpha!" She exclaimed, running into his arms.

Alpha Keegan had been arriving with Kalaril and some Keepers, and as soon as the Mistress approached him, he opened his arms to her.

The contact lasted for three seconds before she pulled away.

"Good morning, Alpha. I am glad you are here at last," Her cheeks had crimsoned.

"How was your night?" He trailed a finger down her cheek.

"Oh! It was great."

"Greetings, Alpha," the rest of the people around paid homage.

Sheera was trying so hard to keep breathing. She could hear her heart pounding steadily in her chest as she stared at the Alpha from a close range. Dear Selene, he was a wonder!

The mere sight of him was like a gust of wind, causing her legs to tremble and her heart to flutter. Never before had she beheld a man so strikingly handsome, his presence akin to a masterpiece carved by the hands of time itself. 

How lucky Odessa was to have such a man care for her.

However, aside his charms, all Sheera saw was a man that had beheaded another without blinking.

When Odessa moved away from Keegan, he was able to catch sight of Sheera for the first time. Cleft lines creased his brows as he glanced at her.

Sheera dropped her gaze to the ground instantly, afraid he might ask her to go back. Maybe that wouldn't be much of a bad idea.

However, he walked away to his big white horse.

"May I ride with you, Alpha?" Odessa asked, her voice soft and cute.

Nodding, Keegan helped her get on. Thessaly scoffed and rolled her eyes, then climbed onto hers.

****†****†****†****†

They rode for sometime before getting to the woods and commencing hunting.

The hunt wasn't going so well for them. They'd been walking in the woods for long minutes but were yet to see a prey.

Alpha Keegan always enjoyed hunting on the third day of the week because he believed it came with a lot of luck. But on that day, that luck was being limited.

Kalaril and two head Keepers - Eamon and Wulfric - were behind him. Not like Keegan needed them. 

Eamon and Wulfric were one of the head Keepers of the pack and closest to Kalaril. They were within the same age range and had become acquainted with him when they fortunately joined the Pack Force three years ago. 

They were one of the strongest Fighters, and due to some similarities, they became Kalaril's closest associates. Although, they had the small privilege of being 'closer' to the Alpha since they became close to Kalaril, it was nothing compared to the bond Kalaril shared with Keegan. 

No matter how much Keegan craved his distance from them, he couldn't have it as it was Kalaril's duty to ensure he was protected at all times.

 He stopped walking, so did the others.

"We should spread out now. We cannot have a fruitless hunt today." Keegan announced and began walking away to the opposite direction.

Kalaril and the two Keepers followed him. Odessa made a pout. She hated the fact that she would have to be away from him.

Sheera felt her heart beating softly as she watched the Alpha go. 

Dropping her gaze, she took the other direction. But she wasn't the only one who did. She realized that when prince Malkar caught up with her.

"Hey." He tipped his head, his bow and arrow being held carelessly.

Sheera became a little nervous.

"Greetings, my prince." She bowed, still walking.

Malkar smiled. "How are you enjoying the hunt? Certainly, you should be glad I brought you along."

"I... I appreciate the act, my prince. Thank you."

"Oh! It's nothing. Since you'd refused having tea with me yesterday, I figured I could make use of the hunt. So, tell me, is this your first time hunting?"

Sheera stopped walking and spun around to face him.

"I am truly sorry, my prince, if you have no negative intentions. I am simply trying to be careful to avoid getting into trouble with the Alpha. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love for us to seize this communication. It is inappropriate, considering the fact that I am here for a specific purpose." She dropped her head even lower. "I do hope you understand."

Malkar felt a kind of anger and rejection. He chuckled and tried saying something but was cut off by Sheera walking away.

He grunted lowly. To rot with fate! 

Of all things, why did she have to be there as his brother's toy? Why hadn't she come as a servant or anything else? What was it about her that got him so restless?

....

Sheera hunted alone in her own part of the woods. It wasn't her first time going hunting.

Her mother was a hunter, and most mornings, she had accompanied her to the woods. She learnt a lot of skills and secrets from hunting. Hence, she was very experienced. 

She walked quietly through the woods, her bow and arrow ready and pointing in a direction. She listened for the slightest sound, the faintest pant. And soon, she got it.

Sheera could not explain if it happened to everyone else, or just her. But she seemed to have a heightened sense of sight and hearing - more heightened than every other wolf. It was part of the reason her mother always preferred going hunting with her. 

There had never been a day Sheera went hunting without catching a prey.

Sheera was alert. She looked keenly, her eyesight reaching far.

Then, the deer came into sight.

It stood from afar, facing the other direction.

Sheera got herself ready to shoot. She couldn't afford to miss.

She aimed, waited for the perfect time and angle, then pulled the string.

The arrow raced through the air and found it's mark on the deer's skin, right into its back. The deer wheezed and crashed to the ground instantly.

Sheera gasped. She lowered her bow as a triumphant smile shadowed her face. 

She did it!

Excitement bubbled within her. Thoughts of how everyone would be proud filled her head. Oh! Thank the moon!

She was about running to her catch when Odessa showed up, standing in front of the deer. Sheera halted her strides.

Odessa looked at the dead deer on the ground, then shifted her surprised gaze to Sheera. 

Sheera saw how shocked she looked. She obviously didn't expect someone like her to be so good at hunting.

Suddenly, the surprise vanished from Odessa's face, getting replaced with a faux smile.

"Alpha! I got a deer!" She called out.

Sheera was flummoxed. She sucked in air as she watched the Mistress lift the deer onto her shoulders and began scurrying away. What!!!?

Odessa hurried with the deer until she met the Alpha and the others. Keegan gave her an impressive look.

"You killed this?" He asked as she set it down on the ground.

"Yes, Alpha. I guess our hunt will not be fruitless anymore." Odessa exclaimed with delight. 

"That is not true!" Sheera showed up, panting. "I killed the deer, not her!"