Hunted

Chapter 32

Important note: I feel like there should be Chapter titles. I've been thinking it for a while now but could never be bothered to go back and come up with 31 different titles. Care to help me? If you go to the chapter of your suggestion and comment the title you think would fit, I'll use them if I think they go. Please help me! There are so many! o.O

----> Amias on the side :D

Chapter 32-Amias' POV

We all stood in our battle formation, which consisted of different lines of attack. There were three lines in total. The first line, led by Daniel, consisted mostly of the brawny men in our pack. This often intimidated the enemy, we found, and made them more reluctant to fight. It was hard not to be scared when about ten beefy guys were all charging towards you with murder in their eyes.

                The second line was made up of those who were more skilled at fighting. After the first line was sent out, the second line would wait until the right moment to strike, so that the enemy felt bombarded under our assault. Our pack was known not only for its violence but its sheer size. Those numbers came in handy in fights.

                Then there was the third ‘line’. This was basically just Dobry, Azula and I. We stood in the centre of the clearing, huddled together in solemn silence as we watched the enemy approach. They couldn’t have been more than a fifteen minute run away now.

My men were tense and ready for battle, only waiting on my command. I could smell their fear, their anxiety. Their increased heartbeats sounded loud to my ears. But not one of them backed out; I couldn’t have been more grateful for their loyalty, a loyalty that I hadn’t earned but received anyway.

I tried not to show it, but they weren’t the only ones that were terrified. My mind kept conjuring up images of Azula, bloody and broken, Roark looming over her. My fists clenched but my brain wouldn’t relent, throwing picture after picture at me until I was practically shaking with fury.

Knowing that I needed to calm down, I looked to Azula and blinked. She couldn’t have looked more serene. It was almost as if she was used to this, like she’d been preparing for this her entire life.

Her stance was obviously defensive, her legs grounded and shifted apart. She cradled her wooden bow to her chest like one would a child, stroking it. Her blue eyes were assessing and cold as they took in the world around her.

“How good are you with that bow?” I asked, curious. I almost winced at how loud my voice sounded, but managed to keep my face impassive.

She shot me a scathing look. “Any target you ask, I could hit no problem.” Pride blossomed in my chest at her confidence.

“So if two wolves were fighting, one of ours and one of theirs, you’d be able to take out their wolf no problem?”

She scoffed. “In. My. Sleep,” she said, emphasising her words. I grinned.

“Well that’ll come in handy,” I replied, winking at her before I grew serious. “When they’re within range, I want you to fire at as many of the enemy as you can.” Azula nodded, her gaze returning to the oncoming pack, who were about a third of the way up the hill now. “But Azula, once I send in the first wave, I want you to stop shooting.” She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it when I held up a hand. “You should conserve your arrows and only shoot if you see one of ours losing in their one on ones.” Her blue eyes lit up with understanding. She nodded once more.

Thunder rumbled in the sky, making us both glance up as the first few raindrops began to fall. Even though it was only late afternoon, a heavy darkness clung to the forest, like the sky knew of the deaths that were about to occur and was already mourning. Lightning flashed threateningly as the rain fell harder.