The Hunting Party Novels & Stories

He heard footsteps from the passage outside—quicker than before, landing on the concrete in a dry, rapid sequence. The door pushed open. Adrian squeezed sideways through the gap. He stood in the frame, looked at Lane's position, then turned and closed the door. Dust clung to his coat, a thin scrape along the shoulder fabric—like he'd passed close to something at speed. He walked to the table and relit the lamp. When the flame jumped, his face was lit for a moment—his expression was much the same as usual, but his fingers had struck the match twice before it caught. "The hunting party has entered the pipe system." He set the lamp in the center of the table. "I

They were scared, and Samoa didn’t see why they shouldn’t be. “If I may interject, Village Head Fan,” Frowning Tiger suddenly spoke. Unlike Samoa, he had the authority to address the Village Head by his name. “You may,” Village Head Fan nodded his head at Frowning Tiger and gave him the permission to speak. “Thank you, Village Head. The Enchanted Forest Scouting Party is made up of 5 individuals. All these individuals are Thrashers, with one of them being a top level Thrasher almost at the level of a Wild Cat.”

“First do Vampires drink animal blood?” “Some do in a pinch. What are you thinking Cass?” BoldR replied. “Well we get a hunting party together. The vampires feast on the blood of the animals. Field dress the bounty of the hunt and we feed the rest. Duncan you and BoldR lead up the hunting party, I and Ogra will head up a harvesting party with those who are well enough to help.“ Cassia looked at everyone hoping for approval.

*** "Greetings, my fellow Marquis and Barons! We gather here today because you all know what will take place in two days." Everyone looks at each other before facing me and nodding yes. “Very good. Let's begin, shall we?” “This year we will have four of our members participate in The Game of Hunting. Two of those four members will be the Marquis and me. I need two Baron volunteers to come forward.” Everyone starts to raise their hands. I smile, knowing that my plan will be executed, and everyone wants to be a part of this extraordinary event. I look around the room and choose two other men. Now that we have decided who will be the hunters, we will talk about the prey!

Marcos said. “Thank you,” before I went out to the mansion. I saw the old truck parking in front. I sat in the passenger seat. In the mirror I saw Darius placing the trays of egg in the back of the truck before we go. We're silent on the trip until he breaks the silence when he asks me. “Do you want to join the Hunting Party?” I looked at him while my brow arched, “what hunting party?” “It’s a festival every year that everyone can join to this down, to the five days of festival their so-called hunting party which all of the members of the party will be gathered in the forest at night with weapons and everything. A hunting party is like hunting a wolf.”

They’ll want to check the wreckage to confirm I’m not inside. Keeping low to the ground, I hurried away from the crash as the hunters pulled up, hooting and hollering like the demented Americans they are. Now I don’t mean to say all Americans are demented. But the American hunters are an uncouth sort that takes a weird joy in killing, things being on fire, and vehicles getting into accidents. Whatever the case, their joyful hoots and hollers that I might be dead and arguments about who gets to take credit gave me time to get away. I hurried to the nearest neighborhood to search for a car to take.

"I won't let anyone harm you." The music changed to something more energetic, and other couples filled the dance floor. Leo guided me through the crowd, keeping me close as we navigated the increasingly rowdy celebration. "The hunt will begin at midnight," he explained. "After the ceremonial howl, the warriors will depart to track the marked prey. It's an honor bestowed only on our strongest fighters." "Will you participate?" I asked. "As Alpha, I lead the primary hunting party. It's tradition." His eyes searched mine. "Will you be alright for those few hours without me?"

It was the largest hunting party Lexi had ever seen. Hundreds of hunters. Rows of archers. Scouts. Trap specialists. Every one of them prepared for war. Harlan Dawson mounted his horse and looked over the assembled force. "Move out!" The massive gates creaked open. One by one, the hunters disappeared into the forest. Standing near the front, Gretonia watched them leave with quiet satisfaction. His gloved hands rested atop his cane as a slow smile spread across his face. "The pieces are finally moving..." He murmured softly enough that only he could hear.

Hard, desperate, like he's trying to memorize the taste of me. When he pulls back, his eyes are gold. "Let's go hunting." The hunting party gathers at dawn. Twelve wolves. Representatives from six different packs. Some I recognize. Most I don't. None of them look happy to be following me. Good. I don't need them happy. I need them focused. "Elena is smart," I say. "She won't be hiding where we expect. She'll have wolves watching every approach. Every exit." "Then how do we find her?" one of the hunters asks.

We both still as we catch sight of the hunting party. The scene looks like something out of the first chapter of our shifter history textbook at Moon Lake. The sunset hasn’t quite faded, but the burnt oranges and reds don’t give off any light. The clearing is illuminated by dozens of small fires and the torches that some of the males carry. They’ve cleared a path through the gathering for the returning males. The wolves have pushed forward, forming a kind of aisle. Justus and Khalil come first, an elk hanging by its bound hooves from a thick branch that rests on their shoulders. The elk’s antlers scrape the ground as they walk. It’s a huge bull, big enough to