Just in case some of you miss the date, I'm giving you the heads up that this is going back into the past, BEFORE Gen was all set to die, but escaped, etc. etc. Also, I'm sorry if I slip and write something in present tense. It's the tense I'm used to writing in, and I'm attempting to change that. Happy reading, and I hope I don't disappoint.
Chapter Two
June 6. 2008
Mackenzie Mountains
Before the judgement
The hunt consumed me. It consumed all of us. We ran, not having to resist the urge to yip for fear of frightening the game away anymore; the Pack was close to its query. I could smell the sweat of the elk as he ran. I could picture his wide brown eyes full of terror.
We had begun the hunt with our howls, warning all other Pack members away. Then my cousins and I roamed through our territory, until we found the herd of grazing elk. It was small this year; hunters beyond Mackenzie had done their work. We quickly picked out the elk standing apart from its herd, clearly sick and dying. Odd that it wasn’t among the herd, as the weak usually are.
We moved in on it from upwind, to prevent it from knowing our approach. But at the very last moment, Alyssa sneezed, and the herd bolted. We broke into a run, and the chase began.
My sharp ears could now hear the sound of the elk’s pounding feet against the hard, frozen ground. Hunger overwhelmed me at the image of tearing into that hide.
My cousins and I moved rhythmically, each knowing where the other was and where they needed to be. The wind blew in my face and I revered in the feel of freedom.
The elk was in sight now, its run feeble because of its illness. I picked up speed, baring my teeth in a wolf smile. We split up, two wolves on the left and right, and ran alongside the elk. Its eyes rolled and attempted to keep each of us in its vision.
Jeffery attacked first, darting at the elk’s side. Then Keith went next, jumping at the rump. Alyssa and I followed, nipping and biting the animal wherever we could to weaken it. We all stayed away from the elk’s swinging horns.
The sick animal was staggering. Encouraged, we renewed our efforts with more fervor. When Jeff was certain that the elk wouldn’t pierce him with its rack, he lunged at the throat. The bronze wolf tore into it violently, shaking his head from side to side, and hanging on despite the elk’s frantic bellowing and tossing. Finally, with a great moan, the elk slumped to the ground in defeat.
Jeff hung on for a few more moments, to be sure that the animal was truly dead, and then yelped triumphantly. Unable to resist the call of blood, we instantly began to gorge. The remains would be left for any of the other Pack members that wanted it.
* * * * *
I lay with my back on a bed of leaves, and stared up at the canopy of trees above. The sun managed to shine through in some areas, and little spots of light dotted our forest bed. Birds called to each other, and the air smelled sweet and fresh.
I could feel Jeff staring at me. We’d been lying there for hours, without speaking, and I resented the interruption.
“What?” I asked impatiently, turning my head to meet his clear gaze.
He shrugged. “Just thinking.”
I turned my back to him, my eyes fluttering shut. “About what?”
His fingers trailed over my bare skin, making patterns. For a moment he didn't answer, as if he was debating on saying anything. Then, “About why you keep saying no.”
A frown instantly overpowered the corners of my mouth, and I sighed. “We’ve been through this, Jeff. I’m not ready.” I was tired of him asking, was tired of the very topic.
Jeff took his hand away, and I missed his gentle touch. “Gen,” he said in a tight voice, “we both know that that’s not it. You’re holding back for some reason that you think you can hide from me. I’m not stupid.”
I glared at the bush in front of me. “And what do you think I’m hiding from you?”
He paused. “I have no idea. Another guy?”
I still didn’t turn to face him, but I laughed harshly. “You’ve found me out.”
Now his hand gripped my shoulder, turning me towards him. I resisted for an instant, but the pressure of his hand pained me. “Stop,” I snapped, when I was forced to roll back over. I crossed my arms over my bare chest.
Jeff’s eyes were hard and solemn, and he touched my pendant. “Don’t treat me like a pup, Gen. Stop toying with me.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“I’m not an idiot,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken, “and I’ve seen the way you look at Mark Williams.”
I sputtered. “You are too an idiot if you think I even like that—”
“I won’t wait much longer, Genny. If you’re ready to commit the act of mating, then you’re certainly ready to have a mate. I want a family. I want you. But if you keep pulling away, I’ll find someone else.”
The idea of losing Jeff frightened me. Him and I had been together for three winters. And if I was honest, I had to admit that I had been holding back, and kept him waiting. I could have mated two years ago. And I did love Jeff…
But how could he think that I was attracted to Mark? He was a… a… there was no word to describe that… that…
Jeff couldn’t be more wrong. I hated Mark Williams.
What a triangle we have here.
