Chapter 109

109 The Hunting Game

In order to train the five senses and learn how to track other wolves, it was beneficial to train in the surrounding forest. What better way to conduct the training than turning it into a hunting game?

At 8 PM sharp, the alpha werewolves left the pack house and gathered in a clearing just at the entrance of the thick, dense forest.

Above their heads, the moon was shining brightly as their only source of light. Alice Clearwater gave each of the alpha wolves a blue locket that was tied around their waist and a leather bag that was tied around their neck.

Before the game began, the alpha wolves had fifteen minutes to go and hide anywhere they liked in the forest.

The hunting game itself was to last for an hour only.

The goal was to collect as many lockets as possible from the competing wolves. The ones who lost their lockets were disqualified automatically. They must leave the forest and return to the clearing.

Acting as the referee, Alice Clearwater had some fireworks with her. The first firework was to be shot at the start of the game. The second thirty minutes into the game, and finally the last to conclude the game and call all werewolves to go back.

‘Ah, so refreshing,’ Landon commented as soon as Lucien transformed into his wolf form. He ran around the other alpha werewolves happily. Infected by his energy, the other wolves howled and became restless. They jumped around in euphoria, impatient for the game to begin.

Best

‘Don’t play around too much, remember that this is a training session,’ Lucien reminded him.

.....

‘Oh, geez. This is a hunting game. I will beat them all.’

Lucien was barely able to conceal his smile.

‘Alright, do your best.’

“ATTENTION!!! The fifteen minutes start now!” Alice Clearwater shouted. “THREE... TWO... ONE... GO!!!”

The spectators, mostly consisting of the family members and friends of the competing alphas, cheered loudly for each of the alphas as they ran into the forest.

“NATHAN!!!!! YOU ARE MY HERO!!!! BEAT THEM ALL!!!”

“BRETT!!!! IF YOU WIN THE GAME, YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO ME!!!!”

“THE ONE WHO WINS THIS GAME WILL GET MY DAUGHTER’S HAND IN MARRIAGE!!!!”

Landon gagged as he ran into the woods.

‘What the hell? That was disgusting,’ he commented.

‘If it can provide extra motivation for them to perform, I don’t mind,’ Lucien said with a shrug. ‘Focus on your task.’

‘Yes, yes, Master Lucien,’ Landon said in a mocking tone.

After fifteen minutes, the first firework was shot to signify the start of the game. Landon sniffed into the air and trotted lightly in a direction. He carefully placed his paws, making barely any sound as he stepped on the many twigs and leaves on the forest ground.

His target was not as careful. He was being too obvious.

Landon pulled a grimace when he spotted the alpha wolf just some distance ahead of him. His target was also sniffing the ground and trying to track the others, but he was not sharp enough. And not fast enough.

He emitted a sharp howl when Landon closed the ten-meter distance between him and the wolf and pounced at him violently. The wolf that Landon was pinning to the ground freaked out. He seemed to forget that it was a game. Once Landon bit off the locket from his waist, he quickly escaped, whimpering all the way.

‘That was easy,’ Landon commented. ‘And pretty embarrassing for an alpha wolf, if I may add. I do hope that that one is an exception and not the norm.’

Lucien had to agree.

What would it look like if his pack members started to run from the enemies after the first pounce? The war would end thirty minutes after it started. At the very least, even if he lost his locket, he must fight back.

‘That one was pretty young, right?’

‘Yeah, maybe it’s his first time. Don’t be too hard on him.’

‘Meh. The enemies will not let him off during the war.’

That was unfortunately also true.

Landon casually put the locket inside the leather bag around his neck. He then yawned and lay down in a relaxed manner.

‘What are you doing?’ Lucien asked, puzzled.

‘I don’t want to hunt small fries. Let the big, bold ones come to me.’

‘...’

Lucien was not sure if anyone would show up. Which big, bold alpha wolves would willingly confront Landon? After all, the goal of the game was to get as many lockets as possible. Strategically speaking, hunting small fries was what they needed to do at the moment.

Never mind, Lucien thought to himself. Landon spent seven years running around in the woods. This kind of hunting game must be boring for him. Lame, even. Let the others shine for a little bit. Lucien needed the alphas of his pack to grow some self-confidence as they honed their skills through games like these.

‘If you don’t want to join the game, it is fine. What about we do something else then?’ Lucien suggested.

‘Like what?’ Landon perked up.

‘Playing the hero?’

Landon guffawed. ‘Do I look like a hero to you? Plus, you are talking about saving alpha wolves from alpha wolves here. How degrading. If I find myself requiring some savior, I will stop calling myself an alpha wolf.’

Crack.

The subtle cracking sound caused Landon to whip his head in fright. There was an alpha wolf close by. One with an oppressive aura, one who did not bother to hide himself. He was there for a fight, not a game.

‘Oh, there’s one for you,’ Lucien remarked.

Landon did not need Lucien to tell him that. Excitement ran through his slender body. He was so happy that he got electrifying goosebumps from merely sensing the other wolf’s presence.

It was dark and the wolf was around fifty meters away from Landon, but they noticed each other quickly enough.

Landon assumed an offensive pose, beckoning the other party to come to him. The other party did not shy away from the invitation. He closed the distance between them with a single jump. Despite being prepared for the attack, Landon was still unable to push against the other party.

He was strong.

Very strong.

When his opponent bared his fangs and grazed his neck, for the first time in his life Landon tasted the bone-chilling sensation of fear.