Lydia looked at the man in disbelief as she stood up. She dropped the heart to the ground and looked straight into Ryan’s eyes.“What do you mean? Didn’t you hear what he said?”“Does it really matter?”“Ryan, he was a terrible person! He deserved it, not only because of what he had done to Caleigh! For all the women he had hurt! Would I have let him just walk away, he would be already with someone else, using her, in addition, right under his wife’s nose!”“You don’t understand! We can’t interfere with human business! Caleigh knew this, too!”“Caleigh fell in love with this scum and he used her! What did you hear exactly?”“Not much, honestly, but killing him? Lydia, you…”“I didn’t lose my mind!” she growled “This man used and raped women! Do you still think he had the right to live and continue this?”“I don’t. But you didn’t have to kill him, Lydia.” he shook his head “Nature could have taken care of it. Scavenger birds are in the area, including crows and ravens! Being eaten aliv
Lydia breathed a sad sigh and sat down on the ground. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t look into the huntress’ eyes. And for some reason, she couldn’t just blurt out what happened. She took a deep breath but before she could have said anything Caleigh whispered.“You killed him.”“I lost it…” she cried.“I know you had a good reason. I trusted you when I told you about him and I trust you know.”“Caleigh… He wasn’t a good man.” she sniffled.“What do you mean?”“He confessed everything. He used you. And many others. And sometimes he didn’t just use them. But raped them.”“No wonder you lost it. Question is, how much?”“Completely. I think Ryan was disappointed in me. He tried to stop me but I just didn’t want to. I couldn’t. On top of all that he had a wife!”“Oh, that scumbag!” she punched her bed “I can’t believe I fell for him! I wasted way too much time on him! He didn’t even deserve it! And when I didn’t want to have sex with him he just threw me away like a dirty rag!
Caleigh breathed a sigh.“What is it now? Is it related to the big secret? I don’t think I could take any more bad news for the day.”“My father received a message from Otis. He’s coming home. He’s only two days away.”“And now, this…” the huntress grumbled “Well, we have two days to enjoy. Sit down, and grab a bite. We will start worrying it about tomorrow.”“We need a strategy.” Lydia started “Otis is back in two days and I have four more chains to break. If I give my best, I can break two in two days. But that is going to be difficult, maybe even painful.” she shook her head “My wolf is ready but my body is not.”“We need more intense trainings then.” Ryan mused “But then I will be no match for you.”“Maybe, but you can still help me!”“Only one chain is broken and we still couldn’t find your limits.” he shook his head “What we are about to do is dangerous.”“Okay, you two!” Caleigh had enough “Can’t we just forget all the problems only for tonight? Please? I know, you are getting
Ryan woke Lydia early in the following day. The sun was barely visible on the horizon.“We need to go.” he whispered, “Before anybody realizes why we’re gone.”The girl nodded sleepily but got out of bed. She couldn’t completely wake up until they reached the outskirts of the pack’s territory. Ryan shook her a little by her shoulders.“Come on, wake up, we really need to go! Race you there?”“Race you!” she grinned and bolted.She looked behind after several minutes and couldn’t see the man at all. Sometimes she still forgot how much stronger she was. She trotted back to Ryan and looked at him apologizingly. He was huffing and puffing and was already sweaty.“I need my wolf as soon as possible now.” he panted “But I guess that wouldn’t make much of a change for me. Especially if you break the rest of the chains.”“You will awaken him soon, I’m sure. You will find the witch, no matter what. Isn’t that your destiny?”“I have no idea what my destiny is anymore.” he shook his head “What e
Ryan stretched as they returned.“We probably shouldn’t skip breakfast. Let’s grab Caleigh and eat a little before we start our swordsman training.”By the time they got to the entrance of the cave Valory was there and she was taking care of the huntress. She smiled when she saw the pair. The Omega applied some herbs to the wound and patched her up again.“So, what are my chances?” the huntress asked.“You’re healing just fine. I still can’t understand how this could happen.”“I heard a noise, that’s all.” Caleigh shrugged.“You should be able to walk on your own in some days. And next time, please be more careful.”“I promise.” she smiled as Valory walked out.“Okay, let’s get you out of bed!” Ryan sent her a warm smile “I guess you’re in a better mood now that you received some good news.”“Yes! But for the time being, help me out of bed!”The pair supported Caleigh to a table. As they started eating Ryan sent the huntress a warm smile.“Do you want to come and watch our training? Y
Lydia saw the wolf immediately. It was unusually calm. When the girl reached the animal, she raised her head and looked at her.“Now what?” she chuckled “No snarling? No growling?”The wolf just lay back down and yawned lazily.“Oh, do you think I’m not strong enough for you? Do you miss the excitement? Unfortunately, I have a feeling we will get more fighting than I really want soon. Way too soon.” she sighed “Will we ever talk? I thought we were supposed to talk.” she sat in front of the wolf.The animal raised her head and pushed it against the girl’s hand. After the surprise, she petted the head of her wolf.“So you’re in a good mood, I’m happy to see that. I know it won’t last forever though.” she sighed “Otis is coming back soon.”The animal growled when she heard the name and Lydia chuckled at her reaction.“Let’s just try not to kill him for now, alright? Once we get back to our tribe, we will have to fight, I know. Just be patient for now.” she stroked the wolf’s head gently
The girl took her chance, grabbed an arrow, bent the bow, and grinned.“Just you watch!”She slowed her breathing, closed one eye, and focused on the target. She imagined the arrow penetrating the middle of the target. She released the string and watched as the arrow ended up in the target. Still not in the middle but she didn’t feel disappointed about it. She finally started to hit the target after all!“Okay, so you finally learned something!” the huntress nodded in acknowledgment “That was good! Question is, can you hit the middle?”“With time and practice, I’m sure I can!”“Okay, that sounds good. There is one thing you always seem to forget about.”“What is that?”“The wind, silly!” she chuckled “That’s why we have fletchings. Try to pay attention to the wind as well. And as I can see, aim a little higher, okay?”“Sure, let’s give it a try!”Lydia bent the bow again. She concentrated on the wind as Caleigh advised and she felt a light breeze coming from her right side. So she als
The huntress gently boxed into the man’s shoulder.“Sure, we forgive you! Just stop being oversensitive!”“Fine, fine!” Ryan mumbled “I’m just helpless! I have no idea what to do, okay?”“So what? We have no idea either? Just relax a little bit, go with things, everything is going to be fine! You would never believe what Lydia did at the shooting range!”“What?”“She finally hit the middle!”“Did you really?” he looked at her.“I got some tips from Caleigh and I could finally do it!” she smiled humbly “I don’t know if I could do it ever again, really. I think I just got lucky.”“That’s what you’re saying now but you were so proud just before we left!” the huntress chuckled.“Well, I’m getting better at archery, but I could improve my swordsmanship.” she sent a suggestive look to Ryan.“Okay!” he sighed “I got it. I may never be stronger than you but I can still teach you some techniques. Understood. Just try not to cut me.” he smiled.“I hope I’m not that clumsy!” she laughed “We coul