Hunting Ceremony

Kill.

The competition ceremony is about how many you can kill. It doesn't have to be any creature other than wolves, you can even kill among within your pack, it doesn't really matter. You're free to have a feast on whatever creature you like, as long as those creatures are in the ceremony. Any time of weapons, any type of legal or illegal transformation is allowed. Team making is prohibited, only one person can win the contest and they will be rewarded by some great things, which is decided by the lead Alpha. 

It includes cannibalism. 

Growing up in a family of lead Alpha, hunting never really bothered me or made me sick or anything. I always thought it was normal, you gotta go by your instincts and nature, establish the habits that your species hold. But what I'm seeing right now is on a different level. 

"Are you alright?" Nyx looks at me with worried eyes, we're on disguise right now, wearing commoner's outfit. 

"Yeah, I'm fine," I nod, though it's kind of shocking, but it's not enough to make me not alright. "Do you guys do this kind of ceremony every month?" 

"Yes, it starts before the full moon, then continues for a week," she lowers her voice since there are more people now, all eyes on the participants. A huge gray wolf is on the winning streak, hungry beasty look on its red eyes. The venue is guarded by barrier, but all the cheers, howls, scream, noise are making the environment crazier. 

"Are you sure it's okay to be here?" I whisper, staring at a guard team few feet away from us. The guards don't seem too weary though, rather they're enjoying the hunting, cheering and screaming along with the crowd. 

"We'll leave soon," Nyx utters from under the hood. "I just needed to check since most of the wolves have gathered here to watch the hunt. I have some business left at the central building, but you shouldn't go there because it's too risky. What about I lead you to the valley and you go back to your pack?" 

I'm kinda taken aback, I have to leave now? Last night I even couldn't sleep properly for an hour, I was excited, kinda flustered, such an unknown  environment, unfamiliar room and there was Nyx. I have known her for so little time, but why is there already an aching feeling in my heart? 

"Alpha Lorenzo?" she calls my name softly. 

Yeah, she's right. I should leave now. 

~ 

   Maybe I'm not like my nature. I overthink and misraad things often, also I don't have much experience about the world. The only good thing about that might be that I don't express what's on my mind. I hate that feeling sometimes though, when you want to get better and you don't seem to. I mean the people around me aren't wrong, right? I should be more like my nature, speedy and aggressive. 

Suddenly I get noticeably quiet. 

A splendid looking carriage is passing us speedily, making a whirl of dust in the road. I wonder for a moment who is in there, until I catch a glimpse of a familiar yet terrifying face. 

"It's Noah!" I utter under breath, taken aback. 

Apparently he's changed a lot, at least physically. He seemed skinny and weak when he was young, but now he's bursting with a blessing of trained, toned physique. His facial expressions have gotten a lot colder, dead eyes staring into me for a moment with distant memories. He'd not recognise me to be honest, with this disguise on. 

"Walk faster," Nyx hurries me, on the way to the valley, behind the shrieks of hurt, dying wolves. The ceremony is still continuing on full speed. 

~ 

    When we reached the valley, I wanted to ask her about Noah, what his business here might be. But I stopped after I noticed her gloomy expression, she wouldn't like me asking about him I guess. She hands me a bag, of food probably, to use it on the way back. I notice how she avoids my gaze when our hands slightly touch and she lets out a sigh. I understand it now, this is farewell. Why would she need me anyway, she's getting betrothed to Charles just tomorrow. Despite of how courageous and intelligent she seems, she still doesn't have the power and allies to go against the decision of her father. I guess I'd still be seeing her when she's married to my brother, since she has to move to our pack. I haven't been anything to her except being a burden, yet she kept me safe when I should have taken the responsibility. Maybe she thought I could be her ally that's why she proposed to me, but that doesn't mean anything anymore. I know, I understand it overall, but why does this aching feeling still continue? 

She suddenly hugs me. 

I freeze, taking a few moment to process the situation. Floral, soft scent of her hair hits my senses, I feel how her hands are gripping my shoulders. I learned somewhere that when two persons hug each other, their hearts come the closest in that moment. There I feel it, the rhythmic thumping, a song of unsaid emotions. 

I hug her back.