Chapter Forty-Three: Prepare

"Your aim isn't steady. If you're going to shoot, then shoot to kill." Miqella lectured.

We were both in the middle of the forest, and it was strange looking out at another pack that was blissfully unaware of our existence. Everything looked peaceful enough, but we smelt the residue of gunpowder in their barrels, along with the soldiers who carried swords and spears.

Alpha Morax had briefed us, or I'm assuming me, on his ongoing feud with the Alpha of the Clearwater pack. Right now, tensions were running high. And we were only going to make them worse. Provisions were running slim, a harsh consequence of Morax's bad position in the council's favor.

And so, we were sent to 'fix it'.

It brought the looming truth of death much closer to home.

"I'll focus more next time." I amended. Spotting the sack of flour I had narrowly missed sitting innocently above a guard. I was lucky he was fast asleep, or else my misguided arrow would have ended very badly.

"Hmph." That was all he said.

B