Chapter-10

After reaching the hunting ground early, Riley and I look for Mom who was knee-deep in the preparations. Mom’s job doesn’t have a particular description but you could say she is the Queen Dowager’s Manager’s assistant. The job might have been not that special but it suited Mom. No matter what Dad thinks, I believe it was the right step for her as well for us as a family. she seems happy after getting this job and I am happy for her.

“Riley, your friends are here. You can go with them and I will join you after finishing this.” I say to Riley who is checking the to-do list. I know she won't say it but her frequent glances at the watch is an clear indication of her excitement. I might be an outcast but my sister is a total rockstar and i love seeing her happy and vibrant. 

“You sure?” she asks with a guilty smile and after I nod, she hugs me and runs out of the managerial unit tent. After she leaves, i pick up her unfinished to-do list and see the stock list for all the events. 

The Annual hunt race is more like a fair than a race. There will be rides, food stalls, and everything. It is an annual event and the whole Wolf’s valley waits for it with excitement and anticipation. The whole town will come and they should too. Aaron has made great changes to the event. For starters, entry is free for mortals and there is no “First-immortal then mortal” rule for the stalls and ride. Everyone will be equal here. 

The race is also open for everyone not like before when only immortals were allowed. The reason people are eager to take part is because of the prize money. It is hefty and we can’t forget the respect winner gets. For wolves, a good hunter is equal to the prime wolf. King can also take part but Aaron has stopped for the past three runs due to increasing responsibilities and other royal duties.

“Baby, you are so sweet to do this, but please go outside and have fun.” My Mom says as she enters the tent. 

“Mom, but it's almost done.” I protest and start collecting the bills.

“Cynthia Michaels! Did you say something?” god! she has her one brow raised. she means business. 

Finally accepting my defeat, I groan but shake my head and leave the bills on the desk.

“Fine! I am leaving but you will call me if you need me at all, understood dear mother?” I sass as she again gives me her signature, one-brow raised look. 

“Fine, Mom!” Mom teases as she gets busy with her work. like i said, she is a boss lady and she definitely loves her work. i hope Dad can see this and get over his mis-placed guilt.

Outside the tent, the whole hunt event is spread out like a fair. On one side there are food stalls and the other is filled with rides and other fun activities. The race point is actually at the back and in the middle is the ground where everyone watching the race will sit and wait for the winner to bring back their prey. The winner will be decided on the merits of how much time they take and how dangerous their prey is. everyone above the age of 16 can take part. 

I was entering the ride side of the event when I heard Cole calling me. I turned to find him walking toward me with Asher in tow. Asher is Cole’s new buddy these days. strangely beside me, Cole is very bad at keeping friends. I never saw anyone with him longer than a year. Asher is the new boy on the island so he is nice to me so that does make things easier for us. 

“Are you staying for the race today?” Cole asks excitedly as he placing his left arm on my shoulder. Cole and I arer still best friends but sometimes i catch him giving me much more intense look that a friend should give to other friend. I know i should tell Cole about Aaron but something is holding me back.

"Hey Cynthia.” Asher greets.

“Hey Asher” I greet back to Asher and for Cole, I first remove his heavy arm around me and then reply in a yes. 

“Great! I am taking part.” He drops this casually and avoids my eyes.

“No, you are not!’’ I say and fold my hands to show him how serious I am. We have even stopped walking now. Asher sensing the situation starts walking ahead of us, leaving us two alone to hash out things. 

“Babes, not this again. I am sixteen and it's high time, I take part. Even Asher will join me.” He pleads like a child and shakes my shoulder.

“No Cole, you know how dangerous this gets. Can’t you wait until eighteen?” I plead and sigh. I don’t like this. Cole is too immature for races this big. He is too eager to prove himself.

“Wow! You really care for me; you didn’t even get annoyed when I called you babes this time, Thia.” Cole says still holding my arms.

“Stop changing the topic,” I break his hold on my arms. With the rogues still out, this is really not the right time for him to experience this and experiment with the race.  

“Fine! I won’t go past the second level.” He bargains at last. 

I am still scared but nods my reply and together we enter the rides section so that I can enjoy at least the start of this day.

.-.-.-.-

The race is about to start and instead of pigging out at the various street-food stalls spread out around me, I have to sit here while my sister is shooting daggers at me with her dark green eyes.

“Seriously Thia?” Riley whines as her friends are busy giggling. They are looking at the line of this year’s hunters. Aaron is here too, talking to the chief of Beta-force. This race can turn quite violent if not taken care of. The rest of the royal family is sitting at the front of the row but I haven’t seen Willa yet so maybe she is missing this year’s event. I hope I am not the reason. After looking once again for Willa, my eyes automatically seek my mate. Aaron! 

Surprisingly when I look in his direction, he also has his eyes on me. He smiles at me which I reply with my own lukewarm smile. Being a wolf, I am sure he could not only see me smile but also can differentiate it from my genuine one. 

“Cole is taking part and I need some moral support.” I finally reply to Riley’s whining. 

“Your friends are slowly turning into my enemies, Cynthia” She points out.

Before I could reply to her dramatic statement, the race starts and I see every hunter on the ground shift. This year, five wolves are taking part and one of them is my best friend, Cole. I really wish Aaron changes the minimum age. sixteen is too young.

On the ground, in front of me, there are two blue eyes wolves and three green eyes wolves. I meet Cole’s beast green eyes and he growls his recognization to me. I smile and sense my mate’s eye on me. When I seek Aaron out, he is looking grimly at me. 

“Damn! That’s Simon Vent there. He’s the last-to-last year’s winner.” Riley’s friend Eva enlightens us. 

“Really? I heard he is ruthless when it comes to winning.” Daisy, Riley another friend adds. 

“Hey you two, stop riling my sister up!” Riley intervenes as I rub my hands in anticipation. The race has started and shifters have taken off. The large screen at the front will show there every move possible. One of the drones will follow their every move and the other will be waiting at the end line.

I am nervous for Cole but more than that my instincts are screaming at me. Like something is really wrong. Like something big is going to happen today. I feel it’s something good but I still feel nervous. Maybe Cole is actually going to win today. 

-.-.-.-.-.

AARON K LANGSTON

“Aaron, we are not prepared for the rogues on the east side yet.” Mr. Sully, the current beta force chief says when Aaron asks him for security details. 

“Is omega force being notified then?” Aaron inquires distractingly. He doesn’t know what’s wrong with him but since this year, he has been finding himself looking for little Cynthia often. Like she is a puzzle he has to solve before time runs out. 

Mr. Sully replies with a yes but Aaron is still looking at Cynthia. He can’t understand this pull. It’s weird and novel to him. When her green pool of eyes meets his blue one, they are sad and sullen. Like they are disappointed in him. He doesn’t understand this girl anymore than this pull. 

  “Keep the guards on high alert. Mother is here and I won’t tolerate any negligence.” He instructs and dismisses his beta in chief. The day has started alright but as it is progressing, his instincts are screaming at him, warning him of upcoming mayhem. It’s the blessing and curse of Langston's blood. His beastly instinct is always one step ahead of the rest of the world. Though he is not anxious but when it comes to his family, he likes to be careful. 

As Aaron enters the sitting box reserved for his family, his mother, and aunt Dora smile at him.

“Is everything alright dear?” Sylvia Langston, his mother asks and drinks her tea with her pinky finger sticking out like a snob. Aaron wants to laugh at that. His mother is not a snob but watching soap operas based on royal is probably getting to her. They are royals indeed but being wolf royalty, they are much more earthy and basic than anyone on those shows.  

“Is Katherine here?” Aaron asks absently. His step-sister is nowhere in sight and that’s rare when she misses such events. She loves public fairs and the excitement in the air. Everyone is cheering for their favorites and the surrounding is filled with music and laughter. Aaron might not be into parties but he agrees with Katherine here, seeing everyone happy and cheering for people they don’t even know is an amazing sight. 

“No dear, she is not! Willa was down with fever and the whole staff was on holiday for today. So, Katherine decided to stay.” His mother informs him as his Aunt Dora hoots for her son on the ground. Her son Nash is taking part in the race today. He’s also aiming for a position in beta force and when Aaron didn’t let him in through nepotism, he bargained for the race. If he wins the race then instead of the hefty cash prize, he will take the position on beta force as his prize. 

“And Cash? I don’t see him either. Where’s the whole family in fact. Why are you here alone?” Aaron frowns. His family might not be very big but it definitely is not limited to his mother and aunt. 

“Son! Calm down. You said everyone has a choice and everyone made their choices. Now you will understand why your father made their attendance compulsory in these events. They wouldn’t come otherwise.” His Mom states with a pity look on her face. 

“Your father knew what he was doing. He wasn’t just a tactless tyrant, you know!” Aunt Dora adds as she wipes her face for sweat. 

“This is better. At least I know what they really want.” Aaron finishes and leaves the sitting box. His mother and aunt call for him but he doesn’t turn.

His step unknowingly takes him in front of the general public box and unconsciously his eyes seek those green pools. His little Cynthia. His? Aaron halts at his thought. What’s wrong with him. How can he think of Seth’s daughter as his? he shakes his head in bewilderment and starts to turn back when he sees her empty seat.

He frowns at the sight and marches there with a purpose. 

“Where’s Cynthia?” he asks the girls sitting on the bench Cynthia was supposed to be on. 

“K-King Aaron.” The two girls stammer and look at him with big wide eyes. 

With people around him cheering for their favorite contenders, Aaron takes a deep sigh and tries to calm his nerves. “Hello ladies, may I please know, where Cynthia Michaels, who was sitting just here with you, is?” 

One of the girls looking flabbergasted points behind him and stammers “She went f-for Cole Murray. O-one of the c-contender who wasn’t showing up on the s-screen.” 

Aaron smiles at her with gratitude and after bidding her goodbye, he follows Cynthia’s possible track. The sky was starting to turn a shade darker and his Langston instinct was driving him hard as well. So that’s why when he heard a painful growl, he didn’t think twice and shifted to ran.