It was chilly but I didn’t mind. My body was scantily clad as usual. I wore a leather bound plate over my chest but it ended just before my belly button. My pants consisted of cloth that reached my knees, leather plating surrounding my hips. My boots met the cloth, transforming into more brown leather with two silver spikes on the tips.
I had thought about finding warmer clothes for winter, knowing that in these I stuck out like a sore thumb among the human villages. None of that mattered where I was now. Not the leather that protected my heart or the cloth covering my legs. All that mattered was the direction of the wind and how well I shot a bow.
Sitting on branches in trees was a talent I had mastered as a kit. It was one that came in handy for my jobs more often than not. I was an assassin and I had a target, the princess of the Baines family. It would take three breaths at most to get my arrow through the center of her chest. And I could do it in one.
I pulled the bow to my lap, reaching to my quiver for an arrow. They were simple. The point was made of silver and upon impact, for a werewolf, it was deadly. Along the shaft, I had rubbed liquid silver across it to ensure that my victim would not survive to retaliate. It had worked before and I was sure it would work again. Soon, the wedding would commence and I would again test my skills, proving that I was the best there was.
Nocking the bow, I let it rest on my legs as I watched the wolves below. They were oblivious. My eyes coasted over them, stopping on the blonde walking to the altar. Her hair was curly, lilies gracing the strawberry streaks with nature. She was beautiful. I could already imagine her white dress running red with her blood. The single rose she held would fall from her hands and the treaty would become moot. And I would be to blame.
Lifting my bow, I held the arrow still, my senses honing in on the words spoken. The priest standing between them spoke up, his words ringing throughout the crowd. The whispering ceased.
“Today we gather to celebrate the mating ceremony of Prince Galanar Wells and Lady Trinity Baines. They unite today in accordance to the territory and peace treaty formed between the Baines and the Wells families. The alphas have formally agreed to link these two packs in marriage.”
Maybe I should shoot him as well. His voice was cocky, far too cocky for my tastes. He was a priest though I sensed he had done many things that would revoke that privilege from him. Lost in thought, my hands loosened on my bow and it began to fall forward. On instinct, I tightened my knees on the branch and swung down to catch it. It wasn’t wholly noticeable but several birds were sent flying in different directions. Cachu. My eyes instantly looked back to the wolves. They seemed more wary but otherwise unfazed.
I pulled myself back up, holding my bow in a better grip than before. I needed to do this now before I messed up again. Back in my position, I lifted the bow and pulled back the string. Closing one eye, I pinpointed the princess’s head and exhaled. My fingers released the string and the arrow flew through the air. I inhaled and opened both eyes, the arrow firmly planted in her chest.
Blood soaked the dress in a circle, slowly growing bigger and bigger. I watched the world convulse in pain as she collapsed. I knew that right now the poison was spreading and that her death would be excruciating. Around her, chaos broke out. The groom jumped backwards, look at the woman dying before him. I wanted him to go to her, to comfort her, but my wants did not matter. The only reason she lay there dying was because of me.
With my job done, I gave one last look to the scattering crown before jumping down from the tree, landing a few feet away from my horse. His saddle was comfortable as I jumped onto his back, placing the bow over my neck. The quiver rattled but I paid no attention. I needed to flee quickly before the kings sent a patrol out. If they examined the arrow closely enough, they would know what and maybe who had done this.
