I wrote this book out of pure boredom. ALSO! I have been reading a lot of werewolf books. And by a lot, I mean A LOT! Which brought on... my new book Moonlight! Yay...
Enjoy! :D
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Zoe's P.O.V
“Philip!” I exclaim gleefully. I race towards him, taking him off guard as I tackle him in a huge hug. He does not hesitate to wrap his arms around me, pulling me close against his warm body. Though his touch is moist with sweat and dirt, I do not care. “I did not think you were returning! I was so worried!” My best friend chuckles beneath me before removing his arms from around me.
All around families reunite as the hunters return home from their journey. I would give anything to be a hunter, anything in the whole wide world. Unfortunately, women are not considered fit to be one. Men seem to be stronger, but Philip would beg to differ when it comes to me. His cheeky grin wrinkles the corners of his eyes, his facial stubble now visible after nearly a month of next to no cleanliness. Not that it matters, especially after years ago when we had a contest to see who could not bathe for the longest.
“Are you calling me weak?” He acts, humor sprinkling his words.
“Yeah,” I poke his chest, which is harder now than before.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” I bounce on the balls of my feet, which are covered by the baggy pants I wear that belonged to my father. I do not agree with the rule of women dressing head to toe in dresses and floral clothing.
Just then I am pushed aside as his parents come to greet him, though his mother refuses to hug him before he cleans himself up. I stick my tongue out at him, and he furrows his eyebrows together. “It does seem as though you have broken the rules already,” he points out to me.
“I did not know we were playing that again,” I shrug with a smile. “Besides, it is not fair if we cannot keep track of each other,” I point out as he chuckles, and I am surprised to find his laugh lower than before. He has changed a lot.
My mother spots us easily once we have exited the large crowd. It seems as though the entire village has come to congratulate the hunters on their kill of the wolf. Its head is mounted and placed within the town center’s building, staring us down with its glazed over eyes. Although many may categorize me as one to kill the wolf, I would never do such a thing. As crazy as I am, I do not murder animals like Philip might. They show no mercy, even if the wolf may have just been protecting its family. I would do the same.
“Earth to Zoe…” Philip waves a hand in front of my face, bringing me back to reality. “My parents have invited your family to come for dinner tonight. Are you coming with?” I realize then that I stopped in front of my house, which is a simple log cabin resembling the rest of the village. I turn to face him, staring up into his dazzling brown eyes.
“Yes, why would I not?” I grin, and he responds with his usual cocky smirk as we start after our families down the road. His older brother, by three years, hangs back from the family to catch up with Philip and I. He slings an arm over my shoulder and flashes me an arrogant grin, much more smug than Philip’s. Except I know that Philip’s is fake.
“So, what did you do while we were off saving the village from certain danger?” He asks, his masculine tone seeming to fit with his hard body. It feels as though a brick wall is hugging me.
“The usual.”
“Being bored while picking berries for your dear mother?” He corrects me.
“Noah,” Philip snaps at him, quickly yanking me towards him so I do not have to be under his brother's incredibly grimy arm. I look between the two of them, noting the new similarity in their looks. Sure, Noah has always been heavily built with the broad shoulders and semi-curly blonde hair, but now it seems as though Philip has acquired that same look, too, but he is much more lean and agile. He is the perfect hunter, I presume. “Stop bugging Zoe. I am sure she does not appreciate it.”
