The Hunt

I reached home in record time to gather supplies for the hunt/picnic. Upon entering, I saw mum, sitting on the rocking chair in the lounge, reading some kind of magazine.

''Good afternoon mum, what are you doing?''. I asked as I sat down on the sofa beside her.

''Nothing just reading some celebrity gossip, why are you home so soon?''.

'I ditched my classes, why else?'

''My classes ended early. Do you know where the camping equipment is stored?''

''In the storeroom. where else, Are you going camping with your friends?'' Mum inquired.

''Yeah, We plan on camping in the forest near Chloe's territory.''

''When are you coming back?''

''By tomorrow, I am taking Dad's jeep. where are the keys?''

''They are probably in Layla's room. what about your classes tomorrow?''

'Ditching classes tomorrow as well.'

''I will probably be back by then. I am going to get my stuff.'' I got up from the sofa and headed towards the storeroom. I took all the necessary supplies out of the storeroom and placed them by the door. My next destination was the kitchen. where I gathered some edibles and beverages for the trip and packed everything. I found the keys sitting on the dressing table in Layla's room. I took all the stuff with me and went to the garage and deposited all the supplies in dad's jeep, Then headed to my room to take a shower. I blow-dried my wet hair and tied them in a ponytail. I put on my black tank top and dark green cargo shorts with my black sneakers.

''Mum, I am going bye.''

''Be careful on your way,'' Mum replied.

''Ok, mum love you'', I said smilingly, Then I started the jeep and drove to Ashley's house first, to pick her up and then we both headed to the Midnight pack's territory.

The midnight pack was located near the mountains surrounded by acres of lush forest. Most shifter territories were built like towns deep within the forests. Midnight packs territory was the same; there was only one wide road leading in and out of the territory that ended right at the gates of the Pack territory, where two shifters guards were posted. We were considered VIP guests due to Chloe's pack princess status. So we weren't stopped for identification. After entering the territory, I parked the jeep outside Chloe's house, where she was waiting for us.

We collected our various supplies and headed toward the forest. The forest was vast and mostly unclaimed due to it being located right next to the Pack. So people rarely came here. We found ourselves a spot close to the river bank and started planting our tents. By the time we were finished, it was already gloaming.

''Lena do you know any illuming spells? It's about to get dark and the lamps are not that bright.'' Ashley pointed at the sun spreading the last vestiges of its light.

''I remember one. Layla taught me for emergencies. I will try it.''

I chanted the spell and It finally worked on my 5th try. Little swallows made of white light emerged and illuminated the area around us as they swarmed on top of us.

''Wow! it's so pretty they look like real birds made of light look they are even making, little chirping sounds. Elena, why don't you do more spells like this?'' Chloe remarked as she looked up.

''Yeah,'' Ashley exclaimed as well.

''They take time to practice and besides, I only know this one spell because Layla created it and was adamant about teaching me.''

''Why don't you ask Layla to teach you more spell she will gladly do it.''

''These days she is very busy dad is practically teaching her everything he knows. I think he is training her to be the next head of the family. I don't want to disturb her unless I have to.''

''You don't mind being overlooked?'' Chloe asked.

''Why would I mind? she deserves it and besides dad, only Layla is fit to be the next head of the family. she has worked very hard for this and she has my full support.''

''I wish I had a sister like you.'' Ashley chimed in

''You do have a sister.'' I reminded her.

''Yeah, but she is nothing like you and she always competes with me over every little thing. You both don't know how lucky you are.''

''Lucky, have you met my brother? his narcissism is unparalleled.''

''I don't agree. Elena has to be the most narcissistic person we know.'' Ashley drolled.

''Right, of course, how could I forget?'' Chloe replied in mock seriousness.

''Oh hush! both of you, besides its not narcissism, if it's true.'' I added condescendingly and we all laughed as sounds of mirth filled the air.

*************************

"What's that sound?''

Aaron telepathically asked his companions Who were scouting the land with him?

"I don't know. This area is supposed to be unoccupied." Marcus Ashcroft replied in confusion.

"Maybe rogues are trying to reconnoitre the territory, checking for weak points to infiltrate. We should check it out."

"I don't think it's rogues. Darius. It's very close to our territory. Rogues would never come this close to such a populated area, maybe it's someone from the pack."

"Why would someone from your pack come here? Half the forest is included in your territory." Darius pointed out.

"Let's check it out first."

Upon Aaron's suggestion, the werewolves headed towards the aforementioned direction, as they got close they saw the whole area illuminated by little birds and heard very prominent sounds of feminine laughter.

"Someone is camping here." Marcus pointed out.

"There is a mage present," Darius observed the bird lights and commented.

As the werewolves stealthily got closer they could hear the feminine voices chatter about unaware of their presence.

"Ah damn it! It's my sister and her friends. They must be camping here." Marcus conveyed telepathically to both the werewolves.

"We should leave then, there is no danger here. we should not disturb them," Aaron suggested.

"No, Let's change back. I am going to tell them to leave, they should not be here at this time." Marcus declared.

"We should get our clothes first then." Darius proposed and they went back to the truck where they had spare clothes.

**********************

"Come on Chloe, there has to be a guy that you have a crush on?" Ashley asked mischievously.

"No there is not and I plan to keep it that way. I am waiting for my predestined mate to come and sweep me up off my feet."

"Sweep you off your feet, what are you? Cinderella."

Ashley mocked.

"Oh come on, not you too, I just don't get the whole mate thing. What if he was an old balding guy? What then? huh."

I commented, at her reply.

"Don't curse me, Lena, he will be charming and handsome and sophisticated like your Aaron."

"Hmm, he is not my Aaron."

'At least not yet.'

"So you are not planning on making him yours?" Chloe asked just as impishly.

"No comment and why are you leaving out Ashley. she is just as single as the both of us."

"Why are you targeting me now? Chloe, we should focus on Lena. She is sidetracking our conversation."

"No, Ashley, you are deflecting and Why are we always talking about boys? We are three independent, smart, beautiful, and almost educated, respected ladies of high society. Surely we have more interesting things going on in our life that we can discuss."

I stated with self-righteous indignation to which my friends replied in a very serious tone;

"We don't."

"We really, don't."

'Ah!' I sighed inwardly.

'Ahem' sound of someone clearing their throat startled us and we all came into defensive positions, by all of us, I mean Chloe and Ashley. I just stood up but to my very surprise. I found Aaron standing there yet again smiling at me.

"What are you doing here Chloe? don't you know this is an unclaimed territory? Rogues could be lurking here." Marcus rebuked.

"We are here because it is an unclaimed territory and rogues never attack populated areas. Even a baby shifter knows that!" Chloe replied in an irked tone.

"That's not the point! It is dangerous here, pack up, all of you are leaving." Marcus pointed at us while barking orders.

"If it's so dangerous, what are you doing here? and don't say it's okay for you and not me, cause if you do. I swear to God I will break your face."

"So will I."

"Me too." Ashley and I added.

"Okay, it's not dangerous for both of you, but what about her?" he pointed his finger at me.

"She can't defend herself." He added on.

"I am very much capable of defending myself. I have pepper spray." My words brought all their stupefied gazes on me.

'Jeez, can't they take a joke?'

"Okay I have an automated crossbow and you can't single me out because I am a celestial that's racial discrimination."

"I am not singling you out because you are a celestial. I am singling you out because you can't cast a spell to save your life." Marcus clarified.

"Ah-ha! lookup, where do you think the swallows came from, The seventh heaven?" I asked sarcastically.

"You conjured them?" He asked, astounded.

"Yes," I replied haughtily.

"Conjure another spell and I will let you all stay." Marcus seemed to have regained his composure, at a most inopportune moment.

"I am not taking requests at the moment and besides, you can't order us because we are not in your territory." I pointed out.

"No, you are in mine," said Darius.

"Since when?! It was unclaimed last I checked?" Chloe asked curiously.

"We were exploring the land because we intend to buy it as a secondary base for pack operations." Aaron clarified.

"Have you signed the deed?" I asked.

"No not yet, but it is a done deal," Darius replied as if aware of what I was about to say.

"Well, that means the land is not yours yet and we are not going anywhere. we have plans."

"what plans?" Aaron asked me.

"Hunting," I replied.

"In the dark?" Marcus asked stupidly.

"Of course not. In the morning. only an idiot would want to hunt in the dark." Ashley commented.

"What about you, they will be using their claws, what will you be using?" Marcus continued his incessant questioning.

"My superior intellect and sharp wits, along with my crossbow. The one I told you about earlier."

"Why don't we join them? We brought our camping equipment with us. You both very eagerly pointed out the dangers of leaving them alone. We could accompany them. Besides, we also had plans of going hunting tomorrow, they can join us." Aaron suggested to their utter dismay but they agreed nonetheless.

"Wonderful, here goes our perfectly planned trip down the drain," Chloe whispered.

"You know, we can hear you," Marcus told his sister.

"We can still have fun, besides the more the merrier right." Ashley tried pacifying Chloe.

"We will go get our equipment." Darius notified.

"Why don't I stay here, you know to guard them," Aaron suggested casually.

"Fine," Darius grumbled and left with Marcus.