The Hunted

Lost Hope

                                                                                       2024

        Two hundred and eighteen years have passed since that meeting. 218 hunts and thoughts of war had become a thing of the past. Where family trees burned down in blood-like anguish, others sprouted beautifully. The Alphas humbled themselves for their mates, betas grew kind, gammas less bitter, but all the fight that was left drew toward the king's pack lands. Rogues fought to take the king's land and quickly found that the lands they were so eager to take, their lives were much easier to grasp.

The king's land grew cold and lifeless as the bodies slowly pilled up at the borders. Rogues often begged for their lives once they realized that the king and his men had nothing left to lose. Their land was the agreement, no pack mates, no warriors, healers, children, mothers, or friends stayed in the lavish houses the king's mother tried so hard to turn into homes. Empty houses slowly turned into rubble as time took its toll on each neighborhood.

Packs changed with the modern life that normal humans have evolved the world into. Normal electricity, running water, heating, and other daily life equipment made pack life flourish for all but the king's pack. Yet in the time of modern life and all its good qualities, the castle that the king laid his head in stood tall and proud. Vines scaled the sides of most of the castle and the stained glass windows that told stories of the kingdom stayed intact. Only the roads that surrounded the kingdom had large cracks and overgrown weeds sprung up at every place one could look. Bushes that once had been trimmed every week into wild and ugly shrubs.

Deep into the castle sat the king in his office. Stressed for the hunt that was going to take place on his land, he ran his hands through his shaggy unkempt hair. His office design sat like a soft square, where his back faced the circle window that showed the front of his pack house. Two large chairs faced each other and at the far end, there was a couch loveseat. Beside the couch were two desks that had golden candelabras on them. The walls that surrounded the seating arrangement were lined with dust-filled books that were unarranged and sloppy.

"You need to cut it." His gamma said suddenly, bursting into his office.

"Tobias, you haven't made an appearance in a month and the first thing you say to me is that I need to cut it. Cut what?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for being absent my king but the list of the unmated has just come in and I wanted to be sure the smell had been dispatched. Also, your hair looks atrocious." The king grunted in reply. Many alphas existed. Many wanted the chance to host the hunt, but the king agreed to be at the end of that list for the sake of another argument an alpha would surely make a fuss about. He had only been able to host two since then, this would be his third time hosting the hunt.

The beta made his way into the king's office with joyous glee, making himself comfortable in the chair that sat next to his majesty's desk. The only time the king found himself relaxed was when his beta came around. His only friend stayed through the death of his mother, the crowning that made him king, the assignment of gamma Tobias, and the start of the war that made his people turn against him at such a young age.

"You do. Of all the things we need to worry about my dear friend I don't think your hair should be one of them. When was the last time you ordered the maids to bathe you? As viceroy of this kingdom and your best friend-"

"Hey, I'm his best friend too!" The gamma cut in with a whine.

"Stuff it Leon. Anyways, as your best friend you need to present yourself once the newest alphas step foot onto the pack grounds." Tobias continued.

"What is the point? The alphas think of me as a thorn in their sides, and the chance of finding a mate has become slim to none. The moon goddess' presence faded after the vision and I feel like the prayers for a luna have fallen on deaf ears."

"You forget that the packs surrounding us still wait for you to take back your rightful place as the leader of all wolves. Those who still think of you as a thorn in their sides do not realize your greatness. If only your fath-" 

"You will NOT speak of that man!" The king roared, abruptly standing in his spot. Books rattled in their spots and the dust fell after years of collecting in their spots. Leon flinched in his spot. Having not been used to the king's ear-splitting anger in so long. Tobias only blinked in shock, suddenly at a loss for words.

"Leon, ready the tents and make sure there are neighboring packs willing to offer healers for the women and men attending that will be hunted."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will see to it is done." Leon stiffly left the room, closing the door gently behind him."

"Tobias, the new pack members have wanted to join this hunt once they heard we will be hosting it. Make sure that the ratio of hunted and hunters is spot on."

"Yes, my king. It will get done." Tobias stood and began to walk away with a slump in his shoulders. The king sighed.

"Todias?" The beta turned, waiting for another angry fit from his king.

"Ask the maids to ready a bath for my quarters, and for the modiste." The king spoke in defeat. Tobias grinned in triumph before speaking, "Of course your majesty!" And he turned away while practically skipping out of the room.

A stressful time indeed for the king.