Chapter 5 - The Beginning

Emma Grey

A swift of a woody, musky lavender lingered in my senses as we ran passed through the man. It unconsciously calmed my muscles as we moved farther from the scene. 

What just happened?

Before I could register it, my legs had unknowingly led me to my section along with Lina. Most of them had shot us sympathetic glances which I couldn't bring myself to care about. 

Not when I was struggling for the limited air that I had to force down my lungs. It undoubtedly caused by all the commotion I had involuntarily involved in and all the running I have earlier. 

I reached my hand out for Lina’s arm as I felt my legs noodle away to hold myself. Her hand was already on her knees, bending over herself. Sweats start forming on my forehead and in between my lips and nose which I wipe it, uncomfortable for it to be there any longer. 

As I recollect myself, my mind travels back to the scent. I couldn't even bring myself to describe how comforting it was. I had never experienced something as magical as this before. 

Surely the closest people that had been familiarly soothing to me were Lina and Elena. But even Elena had a distressing scent released by her from time to time, as if she was in discomfort with me being close to her. 

I shake my head, letting the thought disperse out from my head. She had been there for me since then, I shouldn't– No, I forbid myself from having any bad thoughts towards her.

My eyes find their way to the man with the coal black hair earlier. His locks were slicked back neatly on his head. His lean back facing me with his black shirt rustled on his skin showing a glimpse of his sturdy build as he shifts on his feet. 

He seems to have annoyed Thomas, seeing how riled up he was before they walk away with another two men trailing behind their back. 

I pursed my lips at the sight of the two men. I hadn't realized they had been there, I wonder where they are heading to.

‘However, it would be welcomed if you leave them alone.’

My heart suddenly fluttered, reminiscing his tender voice. I had never known one could be so polite yet stern enough to set people off their ground. 

From here, I can see clearer confirming the questions I had in mind as I stand steadier than before. He was taller than Thomas which means he was even taller than me. 

Out of nowhere, I imagined myself standing on his side. Having our heights prominently vary from each other had caused butterflies dancing inside my chest. 

My eyes widened, disbelieving what I had fantasized. On a stranger, with a face I hadn't known yet. 

What had gotten into me? My mind had been acting strange since the oh so lovely musky lavender had greeted my body. 

I shook my head as I diverted my focus on the stage instead, preventing the baffling thought dwells in my brain further than it already is.

–

The heaving on my chest has calmed itself by now as I can feel myself breathing in the air easier now. That, except for the ache on both of my legs from all the running since this morning with Elena. 

I shifted my legs to the side, not wanting to put more pressure on it. I needed to reserve at least some of my stamina for hunting later or it would surely create an unwanted hassle afterwards. 

Lina seems to be regaining herself as well, pushing her long auburn hair back along with the lost strands on her face.

“Are you alright?” I started, breaking the silence between us. Her eyes scanned through my face, as if disbelief in my choice of words.

“I can't believe you asked that before I did. Of course I am alright. Are you?” She let out an exasperated sigh, displaying her concern. Her fingers traced on the wound on my cheek which I winced at.

“Sorry.” She quickly said with frown tugging on her lips. Her hand moved, trying to wipe on the dried blood instead. 

“It's fine. It didn't hurt the slightest bit.” I lied through my teeth resulting in her arching her eyebrows at me. 

“Sure. Sounds convincing.” Her eyes rolled, retorting to me with derision laced in her voice. I cackled towards her sarcasm, hand replacing her, feeling the wound slowly dried from the blood. 

“We should find a river or something later and clean that. We don't even know what nasty thing the fool might have touched before wounding you.” That had my eyes bulging out from my socket. She, however, broke into a fit of laughter when I grimaced, rubbing the cut more while ignoring the pain.

“Stop it. That’s gross.” I scowled, aware that my action wouldn't clean the cut any better.

Her hand suddenly caught mine, preventing me from touching it further. “Hey, that would leave a scar. Leave it be for now.” 

My skin was already full with scars, as if one tiny cut would change anything. Though, I keep the thoughts to myself.

“Attention! Attention, everyone!” A loud voice suddenly blares through the field coming from the stage, gaining the attention of everyone. I guess the hunting was about to start.

—

“Remember, the hunting will not be done until you hear the siren. Only then, you can return to the camp.” The man observes the crowds to ensure that everyone has grasped the information given. 

He was apparently satisfied, looking at the way he nodded his head approvingly. “As usual, there will be three parts of the forest for each section. The inner part will be done by the Omega section and the Alpha section will cover the middle part.” 

The man, then, turned to face our section with distaste before continuing his speech. “ And you, the Beta section, will be on the outer part near the border. Now, everyone lines up according to your section.” 

I held back the snort that was about to come out. I never seem to comprehend why they thought it was a great idea for Beta to hunt on the border of the territory. It was not as if they had trained us enough. Let alone to even protect ourselves. 

They had always focused more on the Alphas and Omegas. The Alpha because they are known to be a protector and the Omega for them to not be born with as much strength as the other. 

I kind of get the gist for the Omega section to hunt the inner part of the forest, however, the Alphas? Not so much. 

I thought they were the 'protector', at least that was what everyone had been telling me. Instead, all I could see was them cowardly hidden behind the title, when the Betas were continuously abandoned.

The number of Beta in the pack had also been declining following the hunting event, as though they were purposely trying to take our lives. Unless–

“Come on. Move your legs! Faster! You Betas, what are you waiting for? Get in the line!” The man raised his tone.  

He stood with his hand on his back, waiting for us to line up in front of him. We all hurriedly scurried on, not wanting to be on his bad side. Three lines of each section instantly form in front of him, which he huffed, probably cursing under his breath.

“We are already in line. What is his problem?” Lina mumbled which I shushed hastily. I wouldn't want to attract more attention than we already had. It was enough as it was.

“Hey, have you heard? Last night, someone saw a rogue near the border. Luckily they manage to hide.” The whispers coming from the line on my side, the Alpha section, instantly caught my attention.

“Really? Well, good thing those good-for-nothing have to hunt the border. The least they could do was to sacrifice themselves. At least then some of us can actually benefit the pack.” One of them sneered, voice loud enough for most of us to hear. A group of snickers came aiming at us.

Most of the people in my line had our faces pale, anxious about the information. That had me almost forget the anger I had towards them, replacing it with fear. 

As I had told earlier, we all had lacked the skills and training. Honestly, if I ever encountered any danger in the woods, I wouldn't even know how to defend myself. 

Looking over to Lina who already had her eyes on me with her mirroring my expression was enough for me to feel the dryness in my throat.

Just freaking great.

–

It was nearly dusk and we were utterly lost.

I walked along the trail with Lina holding onto my arms tightly. It has been like this ever since we were separated from the group deep into the forest. Now, only the crunch of dried leaves accompanied our journey. 

I am grateful she held onto me or it would be the other way around if she hadn't grabbed on to me first. Really, why would one even think it was such a good idea to let an untrained Beta hunt on the outer part? 

No wonder most of them had not returned. It was either they ran away or were dead. I had even heard there was a woman who died eight years ago around this area. 

I felt my stomach twisted like an old rug at the thoughts. 

No, no. Good thoughts only.

The sound of a broken twig had both of us jump. It was still a suprise how I had survived all the hunts I have gone through since I was nineteen. Truly astounding. 

We only had to endure until dusk when the sirens usually go off. I wished it would end soon as it was the most chilling in the night time. And not with how the forest seems eerie with darkness and silence. 

“We should search for a river or some sort to clean my cut.” I offered, distracting myself from the ongoing fears crawling through my chest. 

Lina only nodded, difficult to find it in herself to speak. Why was it that those fools had to even talk about the rogue. Haven't they heard that ignorance is bliss.

 A whistle of wind slipping through the leaves startled both of us further. 

“Remind me why I hate going on a hunt.” She scowled, not the slightest bit focusing on finding the river. 

“Should we just settle in anywhere until we hear the siren?” I proposed, not having in me to walk deeper into the woods by how unalive it felt. It was as though no living being ever walked on the route. 

Are we even in the right place? I couldn't recall being here before which definitely made it even unsafe for us to wander around aimlessly.

“Please. Yes.” She pleaded, turning her head towards me quickly. 

This was all my fault. I should have just stuck with the others instead of trying to find the river and dragging Lina with me. She even stood for me over Thomas. 

The guilt creeped its way through my chest. Now we were both lost in the woods. I could have waited until we were home to clean the wound. 

Lina must have noticed the grim look on my features as she shook her head.

“No, I am sorry. It is me who suggested we should find the river.” She suddenly muttered, as if she was reading my mind. Her eyes suddenly brimmed with tears of regret. 

“No, I am the one who insisted on it earlier with the others. When we should just go with them instead. The wound has started to feel itchy, so I thought it would be better for me to clean it.”  I opposed her. 

It was the truth. She did want to hunt with the others after the news about the rogue, but the blood on my face was too uncomfortable for me to let it be. The itchiness had me thinking it was the best option during that time. 

If only I had endured it, then things would certainly be different. 

Lina was ready to argue when the leaves in the bushes a couple of feet from us rustled violently, hinting that we were no longer alone. The sound halted me on my track, freezing whatever there was in my body.

There was no way this was happening.