The Hunters Mark

T A S T E R

Here is a quick taster of a new book I'm writing, The Hunter's Mark! x

-✧ S T A R T  O F  T A S T E R ✧-

D O D G I N G  past hawthorn bushes, curving past the towering oak trees, Cora scrambled to the edge of their territory, pushing herself faster. Her bow rattled against the arrows, the loud clinking of metal ringing in Cora's ears. Not daring to steal a peek behind her, Cora instead looked ahead, noticing the familiar opening of branches that was the edge of the silva.
She was almost there.
It was then when she heard a deafening howl that, quite literally, shook the trees. Cora took a sharp intake of breath as her heart pounded against her chest. She felt her limbs growing weaker as she used whatever energy she had to sprint towards the opening.
Cora felt as if she had left her body as she was running. She was in her own world, without the wolves and without hunters and without any of this. She imagined that she would be happy. Cora shook her head as she was pulled back into reality by the familiar stench of fresh blood and the monstrous creatures yapping at her sides.
Cora spotted a larger wolf sprint ahead of her and watched as it skidded around and growled, bearing its yellow canines. Cora came to a halt as the four predators circled around her. The larger one, which she assumed was the alpha, menacingly approached her, snapping and barking. Cora slowly reached for her bow.
It was almost in her hands.
To the wolves surprise, Cora pulled out her bow and aimed it at the head of the wolf to her left, making a clean shot. The wolf looked shocked, it's eyes rolled to the top of its head as it collapsed onto the floor, thick blood oozing out of the gaping hole in its head. The wolf then began to shake and bloody froth spewed out of its mouth as it shifted back into its human form.
Cora shivered.
She always felt so bad when they shifted. It wasn't hard to shoot an arrow into the head of a snarling beast fully prepared to rip your head from your neck, but when she saw their lifeless bodies crumpled on the floor it felt as if she'd lost a little more of her sanity.
The alpha cried in pain and looked at the other two whimpering wolves. The smaller two, which looked like normal pack wolves beared their teeth at her and went to collect their packmate, leaving Cora and the alpha. Even from this distance, Cora could see its burning yellow eyes and pertruding veins across its body. Knowing that the alpha could easily dodge her shots, Cora grabbed the dagger in her belt and growled at the alpha. The act of disobedience and disrespect she showed was enough to anger the alpha so that it was running at her full charge.
Cora breathed.
She could do this. She had taken down alphas before. This is what she was born to do. She knew what to do.
Not letting her eyes drift off the target, Cora began charging towards the wolf. She was at an unbelievable disadvantage. Even at her height of 5"10 the alpha easily towered over her.
Cora and the alpha were only meters apart.
The creature growled once more as it leaped up into the air, seconds from crushing Cora.
Unlike most humans, who would stand glued to the spot if a wolf came at them, Cora sprinted even faster so she was under the wolf's stomach. She jumped, dagger facing up. As it pierced the alpha's flesh, he let out a yelp of pain and kicked its front leg backwards. The wolf's paw scraped painfully against Cora's torso and propelled her forward, and with doing so, the dagger lodged in its chest was also dragged across the wolf's lower stomach.
Cora was thrown onto the hard ground and she screamed in pain. The wolf landed in a pile, and although it tried to get up, it's head fell against the floor in defeat. She heard the familiar sound of bones cracking as the wolf began to shift back and she relaxed a little, knowing the wolf was dead.
Cora's head was spinning. She concentrated on the exit and began to wobble over to it, clutching onto her shoulder. She drew her hand back and was distraught when she found her hand dripping in a dark red. Cora's vision began to blur but she was so close.
She had to get out.
She had to get out.
Finally reaching the edge of the silva, Cora exhaled in exhaustion and pushed herself out into the bright sun, hissing slightly in the sudden change of light. She felt a hand reach out and grab her injured shoulder and she flinched back, cowering away from the person.
"Shh,shh Cora. You did so good. Rest." the person said. It was soothing, motherly in fact and Cora closed her eyes in the comfort of their arms, letting herself slip out of consciousness.

-✧ E N D  O F  T A S T E R ✧-

So, this is what the book will be like! Obviously the first few chapters will be getting to know the characters so they won't be as action-packed as this but patience!
I hope you want to continue reading,
much love
Izzy xxx