Fire Bringer

Chapter 1: Failed Hunt

Chapter 1:  Failed Hunt

 The fresh mountain air was crisp on my brown fur, and the sun shone brightly, illuminating its golden shine. These were the moments I truly enjoyed being part wolf; it all ended as our pack's red-headed slut padded up to me.

Marcie had a way about her that closely compared to nails on a chalk board; though none of the males would ever admit that. Even though my position within the pack was much higher than hers, she still gained brownie points from being an easy hit. Most of the time she just went after the guys to steal them away from someone else, or for her own twisted desires. Either way, the tramp got under my skin, and I didn't take too well to parasites.

This time was no different, she'd come to me for advice; advice on a boy. I had never shown any outward interest of any males in the pack, so I had stayed safe from her scheme, but now I wondered what she was up to.

"Laza, I need to ask you something." She actually seemed kind of embarassed that she had come to me on guy advice; I could see right through her.

"Of course, do you need help with your takedowns? I've been noticing you haven't been as successful as the others." That hit a nerve. Serves her right for spending more time in bed than in the battlefield.

"Actually," she was trying so hard to be nice now, I could see it in her eyes. "I was wondering, oh I can't believe I'm asking you this".

I can, I thought.

 "I was wondering if you knew if Brant was seeing anybody?"

So that's what this was alll about. She knew for a fact that he wasn't, she just wanted to see how I'd react being his best friend. I smiled, I knew Brant would never fall for her fluttering eye lashes and caked on make up.

"Why, I don't believe he is." I said happily. That took her by surprise; smacked her right in the face. She flicked her long red hair out of her eyes as if it was an annoying fly. She walked off stiff legged, as if she hadn't gotten the reaction she wanted. Good, I thought. Serves her right.

I turned back to my spectacular view; phasing in a blink of an eye. I much peferred my wolf self to my human side, it allowed me much more room to release my strength and speed. I could live like this forever.

I closed my eyes as I took in all the smells of the forest. The strong smell of pine, the earthy smell of the soil and its inhabitants, the large prey, rushing rivers, and so many more. Pride and joy filled my heart at being what I was, I was a packmate in one of the finest werewolf packs on the continent.

But still, Marcie's question nagged at the back of my mind. Brant wasn't anything more to me than a friend, but I hadn't even found my mate yet, as my eighteenth birthday was the upcoming week. Who would it be? I asked myself. I didn't have to worry, as soon as I came of age, my heat would finally bring my mate to the surface.

I faced the wind as I leapt off of the rocky ridge; plummeting towards the trees. The ground jolted my shoulders but I didn't slow as I ran to our pack house. Grace and the others would be waiting for me.

Kicking up pine needles, I soared through the dense forest; dodging every tree that blocked my way. Running was my release method; the way I could always unwind. The thundering of paws echoed throughout the mountain-side as I raced to where I heard my friends gathering. I phased mid-stride as I skidded to a hault between Chasson and Raychel.

"Late as always, Laza?" Grace pestered. A sinister smile had made its home on her face, making my own mouth shoot upwards in a deep grin.

"Just because I'm one of the last ones to get here doesn't mean I'm late. It's still early." That got a chuckle from everyone; only Grace and her insane obsession with everything and everyone being timed accordingly would bring friends together in such a frustrating time. For our small group of friends, the mark of our eighteenth year was upon us; and that meant we would finally finding our mates.