Two weeks had slipped by since the castle crumbled to ash. Valiant and Zara had been navigating the wild, depending on their instincts and skills to survive. Whispers of other survivors reached their ears, yet they chose to remain isolated.
As they settled by the fire for the night, Zara's thoughts wandered to her former life. "If only I hadn't chased that unicorn," she murmured, her words lost in the hum of the flames.
Valiant looked over, concern shadowing her gaze. "You okay?"
Zara forced a smile as she shook her head. "Just mulling over... everything."
Valiant nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "We'll sort it out, Zara. We always do."
Meanwhile, La prowled through the forest, her feline form gliding silently among the trees. Weeks had passed since she lost Kael's trail, but she felt certain he would return. Her stomach growled hungrily as a tantalizing scent wafted through the air—food was nearby.
Aria, the young alpha hunter, crouched low behind a tree, her bowstring pulled taut. She had been tracking a wild boar, but the creature that just entered her sights was far more intriguing. Fixating on La, she grinned, believing she had stumbled upon a more valuable target.
"Perfect," she whispered, lining up her shot.
Unaware of Aria's presence, La charged forward. Aria sprang into motion, laughter replaced by determination—this was now a game of life and death. She led La on a frenzied chase, weaving through trees and vaulting over gnarled roots—a territory she knew well.
Aria pivoted, bow in hand, and aimed directly at La. "You're mine!"
La's fierce red eyes locked onto the arrow, and with a swift, instinctive move, she evaded it at the last moment. She lunged, claws bared.
Aria drew a dagger, her gaze intense. "Come on, then!"
The two met in a whirlwind of claws and steel, each driven by raw hunger and adrenaline, one fueled by desperation, the other by the thrill of the hunt.
La stumbled, fatigue etched in her form. Days of hunting had drained her, and Aria's speed was proving too much. Breathing heavily, Aria regarded La with a blend of intrigue and caution.
"You're... not a boar," she said softly.
La let out a low growl, glancing up with wearied red eyes.
Aria took a cautious step closer, her brow furrowing. "Wait... you're an Omega? In... that form?"
La didn't respond; she simply panted, her exhaustion palpable.
Aria's face fell in realization. "Crap. I was hunting an Omega. What the…"
Disgust rippled through her, and she kicked the dirt in frustration. "Wasted my time. Now I have to find actual food. What am I going to have for dinner tonight?"
Back miles away, Valiant and Zara wrapped up a task for a nearby village, having repaired a bridge. The grateful villagers offered them coin and provisions in return.
As they began to walk away, Valiant's demeanor shifted—seriousness etched across her features. "Zara, there's something you need to know."
Zara looked up, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
Valiant sighed heavily. "I'm next in line for the throne. If I don't return, the kingdom will descend into chaos. But after everything that's happened…"
Zara's eyes widened in shock. "You mean the attack?"
Valiant nodded solemnly. "I don't know if I can just show up. What if they're hunting for me? What if I endanger everyone?"
She placed a reassuring hand on Valiant's arm. "You have to think of your people, Valiant. They need you."
Valiant turned away, jaw tight. She knew deep down that Zara was right.
As darkness enveloped the forest, Aria's mood remained sour over her "catch." She glanced at La, now peacefully curled up and asleep. "Guess you're not dinner," she grumbled.
La's ears twitched in her slumber, lost in dreams of Kael.
Aria huffed, pulling some cold food from her pack and biting into it. She eyed La again, still asleep. "Should've been dinner," she muttered.
Suddenly, La's eyes flew open. In an instant, she was on her feet, scanning the surroundings for threats. Aria's hand instinctively gripped her knife.
When La's gaze landed on Aria, she relaxed a fraction. Aria let out a slow exhale, tension easing.
"Morning," Aria said with a neutral tone.
La remained silent, still in her animal form, making it hard to decipher her emotions. But then her stomach let out a growl.
Aria raised an eyebrow, echoing a half-smile. "Guess we're both a little hungry, huh?"