Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
It wasn’t lost to him that all of Hendrickson’s boys were participating in this year’s hunt as well and he had a feeling they weren’t looking to catch rabbits. He could already feel the heat of the eldest boys’ eyes on him, waiting for a chance to catch him at a vulnerable moment. Not only would he have to get to his target before one of those bastards did, he’d have to fight for his very survival.
He looked to his left where his brothers stood and signaled for their attention with a slight wave of his hand.
Colt pointed toward an unoccupied spot. They nodded in understanding and separated from the crowd as they followed him.
When they were far enough away from the other participants, Colt whispered. “We can’t let our guards down tonight. I’m almost certain Rolf’s sons are gunning for us.”
Leland’s eyes glowed dark red. “So he wants revenge for Darren? It was a fair challenge. All the witnesses said so.”
“Most fathers would be upset over the loss of a son but it’s more than that. He’s using what happened to his son as an excuse. He’s had it out for us for a long time and tonight he’s going to take that chance,” Colt warned his brothers.
Leland spat on the ground and curled his lips in disgust. “Yet, he wasn’t man enough to join the hunt himself and sent his sons to do his bidding.”
“Just promise me you’ll be careful. They may try to get to us by killing our mates before we can get to them. Rolf knows we’re on borrowed time and tonight is most likely our last hunt.”
“It will be.” Zeke growled with a low rumble. His jaws had widened and his mouth could barely close from all the sharp teeth that had extended. He was in near feral mode. His eyes were a deep red and tufts of thick black hair grew from his cheeks and all over his upper body. His muscles were more pronounced than usual.
Colt’s own beast was so close to breaking free that it was making him anxious for the hunt to begin.
Leland lifted his head and sniffed the air. “He’s right. This will be the last hunt for me as well because I can smell her. She’s here.”
“You’re certain it’s a she?” Colt asked wishing the injections hadn’t dulled his senses to more human level.
Leland grinned reveling his lengthen canines. “Oh, absolutely. And she smells amazing.”
“Want…now.” Zeke replied.
For the first time it occurred to Colt that he and his brothers might be interested in the same prey. Would they be willing to share? He’d been so worried about the Hendrickson’s that he didn’t think of his own brothers as possible threats.
He didn’t have much time to dwell on this thought because just then, the second siren blared, louder than the first, assaulting his eardrums with its cry.
The hunt had officially begun.
A siren blasted, sending Kaliah into panic mode. “What’s happening? She asked.
“Sounds like it’s starting.” Gary pointed to a cloaked figure standing by the cage.
Where had they come from? Had this person always been there?
“As the game warden, I’d like to personally welcome you all to the Annual Serenity Falls Halloween Hunt. I’d personally like to thank you all for your sacrifice. When I open this cage, you will be hunted. So my suggestion to you all is to run as fast as you can.” The cloaked man chuckled as if he’d told a hilarious joke.
“Hunted? What the fuck? Hunted for what? I didn’t volunteer for shit!” Peter yelled. His eyes were wide, and lines of terror etched his face. He was on the verge of losing it and Kaliah empathized because she was slowly starting to unravel as well.
“We are a sporting group. There are opportunities to evade capture such as the numerous hiding places in the forest and around town. If you manage to get out of Serenity Falls by dawn, then consider yourselves free.”
“So, we only have to survive the night?” Kaliah asked tentatively.
“Of course. You have my word.”
“How do we know we can trust you?” Peter demanded.
“Because you have no other choice,” the man in the cloak replied, retrieving a set of keys from his pocket and unlocking the cage. “The hunters are approximately two miles out from the cage which should give you a nice head start. I suggest you little rabbits start running.”
He pulled the cage door open and stepped back.
No one moved right away.
Kaliah worried about her chances. Her limp made it difficult to run so she wouldn’t be very fast. Her only hope was to find a decent hiding space and hope no one found her until the morning.
“Well, fuck all of you, I’m out of here.” Peter shouted before running off.
Gary shook his head and headed out the cage. “Well, I don’t see any point in waiting around for whatever is out there to come get me. I wish you all luck.”