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Chapter 6: Notice of Participation
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2024-10-29 19:42:56A loud knock woke the four girls the following morning. They had been sleeping peacefully, sprawled across the two beds, hair tangled and mouths open. The festival the night before had been so much fun they collapsed in a heap of exhaustion at the end of the night. The rich food mingled with the exotic scents had been rich and tiring.
They had thought they caught the scent of their mates but they weren't able to find them in the crowds. It was a faint smell, lingering around corners and against tables. That, mixed with the hundreds of other bodies mingling around, made it impossible to track the men in question. It was the game of the Hunt. The days leading up to the Hunt were spent trying to figure out who your mate was, or even if you had a mate there, while the hunt itself was spent evading him for the sake of the chase. Or, in the case of Kate, for the sake of winning. Despite the excitement of the festivities, she was still determined to go home alone with her father th
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The Hunt Chapter 7: Festival of Bacchus
"Ok, Daddy, so we know Katie's mate is Kreil, but are mine and Susanna's Kreil too, or are they friends from separate tribes?" Izzy asked, her eyes implored her father as they walked around the festival tents. Izzy was holding onto her father's arm, allowing him to lead her through the paths as they talked about the mates he had met the prior evening. The village surrounding the castle had set up a giant tent city within the grounds of the castle. Each vendor brought their wares to sell and trade while the castle was overrun with thousands of visitors. The small town outside the castle was intent on capitalizing on the tourism, the shops spent most of the year preparing for the three weeks in June to sell their goods and services. The tribe that lived in this area was well known for its artisans and tradesmen. A tent just ahead of where they walked advertised fortunes with a real-live witch. Another tent had wares set up on tables, they sold stones and gems set in a
The Hunt Chapter 8: Departing for Now
"What do you think?" Izzy held up the skirt she had sewn while Kate and Susanna had napped. "I'm going to make the top with a scoop neck and full sleeves fluttering around the side." "You did all of that while we slept?" Kate asked, a yawn covering her face as she sat up in the bed she shared with Izzy. She covered her mouth with her hand as she let out a loud groan. She was astonished at the progress Izzy had made, despite knowing the excitement that Izzy had for The Hunt and how much work she put into making it perfect. "Oh my goddess, I'm going to need you to help me with mine tomorrow, Iz," Susanna said, yawning after Kate, the sight of one yawn causing a domino effect. "I thought I would wear it tomorrow." Izzy surveyed the skirt as she put it on and tied the ribbons to hold it in place. It flowed gracefully to her feet. It was just the right color to bring out the glow of her blue eyes. "What are you wearing to the feast tonight, Iz?" Susanna a
The Hunt Chapter 9: News of Kate's Mate
Izzy noticed a lady walking toward them in the hall, "Amelia!" she called out in greeting, holding her hands out to Amelia and squeezing them in friendship when they were offered. "We are alone tonight, Amelia, I am sorry to say. You will have to keep us company. Daddy and Uncle Marcus had to leave the castle on council business. I suppose your mate was responsible for that," Izzy teased as she saw Cliff walk up next to Amelia. He joined his mate standing next to Izzy, Kate, and Susanna. "Indeed, I am. I offer my apologies, Izabelle. I wish I could keep them here, but we have business with tribes in the area that can not wait, I'm afraid. I trust you will find the remaining company adequately acceptable replacements for the loss." Cliff teased as he kissed Izzy's cheek and greeted Kate and Susanna with a smile. Susanna watched Cliff closely, noticing the odd way he stepped closer to Izzy, taking the space between Amelia and Izzy and moving Amelia over slightly. He wa
The Hunt Chapter 10: The Feast of the Living
Izzy watched as the first course was brought out to the tables filled with people. The great hall was so large, she almost couldn't see all of the people in attendance. There were thousands present. The first course of the feast was a delicate salad meant to barely wet the palate. She could see the distaste on the faces of the men surrounding her and she let out a small chuckle. The feast would last hours. By the time the last course was served, it would be well past 10. A meal at the Hunt was more than just for refueling, it was meant to be savored and enjoyed, shared amongst new and old friends. Izzy sat next to Ethan and a Kreil warrior named Ben. Across the table, she saw Kate and Susanna talking with their neighbors. As was etiquette, Izzy turned to the left to converse with Ethan for the first course. "So tell me, Ethan, have you found your mate?" Izzy asked, a twinkle in her eyes. "I have actually," Ethan confirmed as he smiled at Izzy. In the past, Et
The Hunt Chapter 11: When Excitement Catches Up
The dinner kept going for hours, and Izzy had several amusing conversations with both Ethan and Ben as she enjoyed each course at the Feast of the Living. As the dinner ended and people were dispersing throughout the castle for dancing, talking, or playing card games, she realized that she was quickly getting drunk. Her wine glass was being refilled as soon as it looked more than half empty.She glanced up and smiled as yet another waiter filled her glass to the brim and nodded kindly before walking off to check on other guests. She glanced at other wine glasses on the table and noted several were empty, but hers was not. She figured the waiter must have had a notion in his head that she was particularly thirsty. Her vision was getting blurred as she surveyed the table. She looked down the row and saw Cliff turned her way. Her eyes were getting blurred so she couldn’t tell if he was looking at her or not so she raised her hand and smiled before glancing back at the peop
The Hunt Chapter 12: A Night Best Forgotten
Author's Note: Trigger warning - this chapter contains scenes of a sexually violent nature. The chapter itself isn't necessary toward understanding the storyline. If you're uncomfortable reading this, please skip this chapter. This particular chapter may not be for everyone. We do not condone violence of any form. ---------------------------------- Izzy looked at the man standing in front of her, fear coursing through her body. She glanced around the room, trying to find an escape. There had to be a way out. The door was blocked by the large man standing much too close. “You won’t get away from me,” Cliff whispered salaciously. He stalked toward her, his eyes lighting up when he realized he had caught her, finally. Her face registered her fear as she realized she was stuck, there was no way to get past him. He watched as her fear turned to desperation and her eyes searched for an escape. He laughed softly as he watched her. She stumble
The Hunt Chapter 13: The Aftermath
It was well past 1 am before Izzy stumbled broken and bleeding down the hall toward her suite. She tried to run down the hall, wrapping her arms around her body, desperate to keep the torn fabric together, covering her broken body. Izzy was trying not to wake anyone up, most of the occupants in this wing of the castle were sleeping, it was the day before the ball which meant only one more day until the Hunt. There was excitement in the air, but the excitement that had encompassed Izzy for the last many weeks was gone. In its place lay despair. She shuddered as she leaned against the wall, her legs weak, her core throbbing in pain. Izzy was trying to be quiet, slowly making her way down the hall toward their suite. Her slippers scuffled as she stumbled along the hall. She looked fearfully behind her, convinced he was following her to pounce on her once more. She was out of tears, there were just none left to be cried. Her eyes were filled with despair, her heart was violated.
The Hunt Chapter 14: The Morning After
Kate looked around the hall anger clouding her face, then despair. They had to get Izzy out of here. They desperately needed to talk to their dad but he wouldn't be back for almost a week. That’s because of Cliff, Kate thought bitterly. He was still traveling around the countryside on council business and Uncle Marcus was with him. Cliff had planned this perfectly. The girls had gone downstairs for breakfast, more as something to pass the time while they figured out what to do than due to hunger. The hall was filled with hundreds of people, participants of the Hunt filed in and out leisurely. They enjoyed breakfast then left through the hall toward the courtyard to participate in various challenges to prepare for the five day Hunt coming up. The ball was tonight and tomorrow was the start of the Hunt. If Izzy joined the Hunt she could be taken away from them and they didn't know what would happen to her then. Kate had to protect her. She needed to figure out how to get out o
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The Hunt Sequel "The Dragon's Treasure"
Hello and Happy Summer to Everyone!! The sequel to "The Hunt" is called "The Dragon's Treasure" and it is being posted one chapter at a time on the web app here on Good Novel! (The first chapter will post this afternoon - June 14, 2022) You won't be able to find the book on the mobile version for a few months yet (it has to go through approval and I don't want to make it pay to read quite yet as I work through the story development and editing phases). The web app version is FREE! It will remain free for the foreseeable future as a thank you for reading this far! You'll want to click on my name to find my other works in progress on the web app and if you click "follow" on the book title you will get notifications when new chapters come online! I'd love to see your comments for anyone following along with the sequel. I enjoy reading them all!! Let me know what you think as the sequel gets posted. Sending lots of love and thanks - M
The Hunt Thank you!
Thank you so much for taking a journey with me through a magical world where dreams and nightmares both really do come true. I hope you've enjoyed the story. It's not the end! There will be a sequel, I’m writing it now! We will take a trip through the other kingdoms and follow Amelia as she tries to solve the mystery of Izzy and Cliff while evading the Dragon King. Will she succeed? Will Cliff continue to haunt so many? Only time will tell... stay tuned and follow me for updates! You can find me on Tw*tter at @michell76640823 I have a few other books in progress, I hope you'll take the time to check those out, too. The Praelia Chronicles: Hope's Despair is set in a dystopian fantasy world. Magical creatures were wiped out in a great war hundreds of years ago. Society has been structured into the upper, middle, and lower classes to keep the citizens in order. Every year, those of the lower classes wait in desperate anticipation hoping to be chosen during the rea
The Hunt Chapter 79: A Long Road Ahead
Amelia looked around the kitchens as she loaded her pack quickly. She knew she would need to make good time to reach the Fae Kingdom before the king was alerted to her absence, if he didn’t already know. She could have sworn he could read her mind when she saw him out the window just minutes before.She had left a letter in her room, she hoped it would be enough to keep the shifters from following her. She needed to escape. This was no life, living in the shadow of an abusive mate. She couldn't endure another overpowering; overwhelming mate and the king would prove to be just such a man.How could she live in the shadow of a man as powerful as the king? She couldn't, and she wouldn't. She would never be weak and helpless again. He gave up the right to a life with her when he left her at The Hunt seven years ago, his chance was gone.She hurried through the halls toward the front doors and jumped when she heard a loud trumpet blast. The army was off,
The Hunt Chapter 78: Home at Last
Izzy looked up into the kind eyes of her mate. How had she ever feared him? He was gazing at her lovingly as she moved back into their room. She turned to face him, aware that it was broad daylight and not caring one bit that the sun shone brightly around the room.She started to unbutton her dress and let it fall gracefully to her feet. Her chest rose and fell with each beat of her heart, her nerves getting the best of her. She stood in her shift and undergarments as she kept her eyes on Nate. He licked his lips, straining to stay in control. She smiled softly as she pulled the shift over her head and walked toward him. Her stomach twisted with nerves, but she kept her resolve. She was not helpless; she would not allow herself to be helpless again."I think it's time," she whispered to her mate. He looked down at her with confused eyes, unsure whether he should grab her and kiss her senselessly or put her clothes back on her. It hadn't been that long ago that sh
The Hunt Chapter 77: A New Course
Cliff found his release and sighed with the temporary relief he felt as he pulled out of the petite barmaid. She trembled as she rolled over onto the bed. The next shifter mounted her, ready to fulfill his darkest need before they had to leave. She froze on the bed and let him push his way into her. His groan filled the air and she pushed the pain away as she felt him fill her.“The shifters should be at the border by now, the Daikon will ride to meet them. They will have no reason to fight once they learn the truth of Izabelle but if all goes as planned, she will be left behind in Daikon. We will find her within the week,” Cliff said as he pulled his pants back on. He was not sated but it was enough to take the edge off and he would be able to ride to Daikon and find Izzy.“You think we will have her by week’s end?” Rikkard asked as he thrust into the barmaid, his hand wrapping around her neck as he held her firm against his brutal assaul
The Hunt Chapter 76: What Just Happened?
Izzy stared after the king, her gaze flickering to Amelia's room in concern."Do you think we should check on her?" Kate asked nervously.Izzy nodded firmly and took a step forward, knocking lightly on the door before opening it. She called out as she stuck her head around the large wooden slab, "Amelia? Are you alright?"Izzy heard a rustling in the room but didn't hear anything else. She could tell someone was moving around quickly in the room."Amelia?" Izzy called out as she walked into the room."Izzy?" Amelia looked up in surprise, her eyes wide as she glanced around at the other shifters that were walking toward her. She was moving about the room, putting things in her pack. It was obvious she intended to go somewhere. She had been muttering to herself as she worked and Izzy sat on the bed, watching Amelia walk around."What are you doing?" Kate asked. Izzy shot her a look."I'm pretty sure that's obvious," Izzy sai
The Hunt Chapter 75: The Memory of a Scent
The king walked through the soldiers. They were lined up to march south. The shifters were making better time than he could have predicted so they were marching out that night. He didn’t want the shifters to get so close to their women and children, they would fight to keep them back.Most of the warriors were men, but several women stood among the ranks. Daikon didn't care so long as you could fight. He came upon Matthias surveying the troops."How are we looking?" the king asked, glancing at Matthias, his brows drawn in question."Not as good as I would like, but we are prepared for battle," Matthias said as he nodded as if to reassure himself, they were sufficient."Make sure we have provisions, we leave as soon as we are ready," the king said as he walked off to talk with Theo.Matthias nodded in submission and walked away to check on the supplies they would bring with them on the march to the mountain pass.The king walked through
The Hunt Chapter 74: Tie Up Loose Ends
Firam was determined to have Emilie. He couldn’t march to war and potential death without letting her know that she was his. She would be his until his dying breath, no matter how long or short his life may be, no matter how desperate she was to leave him. She was his.He stormed up the stairs toward her room. They marched out at dawn and he had no idea what fate lay ahead of him with war looming. He knocked on her door and waited. His heart was racing, he didn’t want to mess this up but he needed her to know. He needed her to understand.The door opened slowly, a small crack. There was just enough room for him to see her wide, terrified eyes looking out at him.“Can I come in?” he asked gently, his heart was in his throat but he somehow managed to keep his voice calm. It was a miracle that she nodded and opened the door, retreating back to the bench in front of the fireplace.Firam opened the door wide and stepped inside, closing
The Hunt Chapter 73: Preparing for War
Amelia could feel the tension in the air. Something was going on, something that she wasn’t privy to. It was an odd feeling not to be in the inner circle, to know firsthand what was happening.The generals had rung the war bell an hour earlier and dragons had descended on the courtyard from all over the kingdom. Word had spread and warriors were accumulating in droves. There were easily a thousand men and women being organized into groups, waiting for orders.Amelia knew something big was happening. The murmurs and dark looks being sent their way made her shift uncomfortably on her seat. She could feel the fury from the dragons. She could feel the lack of welcome. She decided the only option to get information was to seek out those who could tell her. She saw a dark-haired woman walking toward Susanna and Logan. Amelia decided she would listen in on the conversation.“We need shifters to go with us to the border, to stop the war before it even starts
