8. Gunshot

"In a few days, I will be very busy! So, Fremont will be taking my place for an indefinite period of time!" said Rune in a loud voice. This is something that has never happened during their training. During this time, Rune always took the time to provide training, even when he was sick. Of course, this made the other werewolves have shocked reactions.

***

Alexa has just returned from the village to undergo treatment for a problem with her ear. When she got home, she went straight to Rune's room to meet the man. However, after searching several places, she found a rune in the backyard. She was a bit surprised and surprised at the same time when she saw Rune shooting at the target using a rifle.

Rune had been practicing using weapons for a week. He continued to train with very short breaks to master a skill he had never thought of before quickly. He's getting better day by day. Starting from how to hold a rifle, aim at the target, to shoot it well. Although he often misses, his ability is not so bad for a beginner. It was thanks to his tenacity and discipline in practice.

"Rune!"

Rune turned and saw Alexa waving at her. He approached the woman with a smile. Alexa immediately held out a box decorated with a red ribbon tied above the box. Rune frowned as she received the gift.

"I got it while walking in the village. When I first saw it, I immediately thought of you," said Alexa with a big smile.

Rune was not surprised when she heard Alexa go to the village. The woman was quite capable of holding back her lust as a predatory animal when she was outside the werewolf's control zone. No one in the village ever suspected that woman. For other werewolves, that was hard to do, especially Runes.

"Can I open it now?" asked Rune doubtfully. Alexa shook her head as she grabbed his arm. He was confused about Alexa's attitude.

"I want to spend time with you tonight. Tomorrow, I must return to the village. You can open it when we get home later," Alexa said, then grabbed Rune's hand.

They went to a river around the forest and sat on a large rock. They were looking at the river that seemed to shimmer in the reflection of the stars scattered in the sky. The crescent moon is visible among the stars. Rune and Alexa looked up at the sky in amazement.

Alexa turned to Rune, who was looking up at the sky. Slowly, she touched the palm of Rune's hand until the man turned his head towards her. "You've never enjoyed a view like this before, have you?" she asked after seeing Rune's confused expression.

"I... was too busy hunting," Rune replied, then turned his gaze to the sky. He turned around when the atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Alexa was enjoying the fresh air while closing her eyes. The wind blew, causing Alexa's short hair to sway. "How often do you come to this place just to enjoy the view of the sky?"

Alexa turned her head for a moment, then saw the sky's reflection on the surface of the calm river. "Very often, almost every day. Every time I hunt, I always make time to go to this place. I will look up at the sky while imagining you sitting with me while enjoying all this beauty," replied Alexa.

Alexa smiled when Rune just nodded understandingly without responding to her explanation or looking at her. The sound of rushing water and insects accompanied the silence between them. Their gazes turned to the fireflies that suddenly appeared from behind them. "I never thought that what I had imagined, had now come true. This... makes me very happy," said Alexa, smiling happily at Rune.

Just looking at Alexa's face, that happiness reached Rune's heart. "Thank you, Alexa."

Instantly, the smile on Alexa's lips faded. "Is that all you want to say?"

"I don't know... what to say," replied Rune with her head down in guilt. Seeing that, Alexa immediately chuckled, amused. Rune looked at the woman in confusion.

"I was only joking, Rune. Be casual with me. After all, I am Luna destined to be an Alpha's partner. Shouldn't we look more familiar?" asked Alexa in a cheerful tone. Rune, who had been dumbfounded, immediately smiled.

"I'll try," said Rune. In a short time, Alexa could distract him from all the nasty thoughts that had always filled his head. At that moment, he felt grateful not to refuse Alexa's invitation.

When the atmosphere was very calm, someone cocking a rifle was heard. Just before the gunshots could be heard, Rune pulled Alexa so that they both fell off the rock they were sitting on. He walked over to Alexa, who was wincing in pain because her elbow was bleeding. He immediately growled at the hunter who had just shot them.

Alexa saw the hunter, who immediately fled from there. However, Rune stayed where she was and instead asked her how she was with a worried face. "Don't you want to go after him?" she asked in surprise.

"Leave it. He's not alone when watching us," said Rune. A second later, another gunshot rang out. The bullet pierced his back, causing him to vomit blood.

"No!" Alexa shouted, who was about to stand up. However, Rune pressed her shoulder while shaking her head. Gunshots rang out again, and another bullet pierced Rune's back. Runes gripped the ground, and fresh blood came out of his mouth again.

Alexa sheds tears seeing Rune's current state. A man uses his back as a shield to protect her. She never thought that the same thing would happen again.

Rune looked at Alexa, who was sobbing. It made his heart ache. So, he howled until Alexa gasped. He immediately shot toward the hunter and immediately pounced on the hunter mercilessly. After that, he picked up the rifle lying on the ground, then pointed it at the appeal hunter.