The Hunting

Chapter 16

Author's Note: I apologize for being so slow on updating. For the few of you who do enjoy and read my story, I'm trying to at least post one or two chapters a week. Sometimes though, it is hard to sit down and write. I greatly appreciate any comments you might have for my story as it is near and dear to my heart. I have had this idea in the back of my head for about five to six years now, so it is nice to finally start sharing it with others. I will try regularly update, but I am a college student so I can only work with the time that I have. Thanks again and enjoy chapter 16!

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I sighed loudly as I picked berries. This is so boring! I wish I could be hunting with Arden right now. About 30 minutes ago Arden, Calum, and the other guy left to go hunting. During this time, I have been stuck with Don and Pietra. For a while, we were picking berries but now we are done and we're waiting in the opening where they left us. I'm okay with hanging out with Don, but Pietra on the other hand... "When are they going to get back?" Pietra groaned.

Don, being the good brother that he was, he was reassuring her, "They will be back soon, their efforts are what is going to get us through the prairie."

Pietra sighed, "I know, but I can't help but worry. What about if something happens?"

This is the side of Pietra that Arden is never going to see. The first time when Arden and the boys left, she was a pacing, fuming mess until they came back.

Don spoke, "Nothing will happen. There are three of them. They are all skilled archers."

Pietra raised her eyebrow at her brother, " Don't you mean two of them?"

It was Don's turn to groan. "Pietra, I know you are too stubborn to accept this, but these people aren't bad and you know it."

Pietra mumbled, "I know that, but I can't help to worry. She's intelligent and a really good archer. I respect her." Ah, another thing that Arden will never know. "The only way I will trust her is if she shoves one of her arrows down a scavengers throat." Oh, she'll never do that.

Tired of being ignored, I opened my mouth, "Arden is very skilled when it comes to hunting and she's a great shot, but I don't think she has the capacity to hurt someone."

Pietra rolled her eyes and looked at me, "I am living proof that she has the capacity to hurt someone."

Don and I chuckled. I responded, "I know that. I just don't think she could ever kill someone. It's not in her nature. She kills animals because she accepts that their death is to serve a greater purpose. She's ethical and spiritual in that way. Arden wouldn't kill someone, she would rather talk them out of it. She fought you because she knew that's what she had to do to prove herself to you and frankly everyone else here. To be honest with the two of you, if she decided to be a bad person we would all be dead by now. Calum is strong, Javier is resourceful, Pietra you're a fighter, and Don you're quick. I am strong and quick-witted. Arden, on the other hand, is all of us combined. She is the strongest, smartest, quickest, and stubbornest person I know. She is all of those things even if she is short. We should consider ourselves damn lucky that she is on our side."

We were all silent for a moment. I think Pietra and Don were coming to terms with what I said. Back when we were younger, all young teens had to practice self-defense. Arden was the smallest, but she used that to her advantage. For the boys that didn't know her, they would go easy. They ended up with their asses on the ground. I know that personally because my ass was one of the many to hit the ground because of her. When she and Pietra got into a fight, I was more worried for Pietra. Granted, it is rare for Arden to fight. My thoughts got interrupted by Don, "If she was here, I would consider that a confession of love."

Pietra started busting out laughing, "I know that she could kick our asses stupid, that's why I respect her. I would never say that to her face though."

"Say what to my face?"

All of snapped our heads to curious Arden, carrying a large branch with one rabbit and two squirrels tied to it. I stood up and walked over to her. As I took the branch from her, I tried to distract her from Pietra, "Where are the boys?"

She looked behind her. Giddiness was coming off her in waves. "They aren't too far behind me, they just are a little slow." She said almost smugly.

I raised my eyebrow at her, "What did you do?"

My question was answered as Calum and the other guy dragged a large buck into camp. I looked at Arden as she looked from the buck to me with the biggest smile I have seen on her face since the Burrow. She spoke, "I got a buck."

Damn... this woman.