The Hunting

Chapter 31

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I need to talk to Arden before she leaves. I looked up at the sky, the moon was at it's highest point. Currently, Calum, Don, and I are awake. We told Pietra to go to sleep because she started drooling on Calum's shoulder. After Arden and Jaiver leave, the rest of us are going to take turns resting. It's been a long couple of days. 

Calum started whispering, "We will need to wake Jaiver and Arden up soon so they can get on their way. We'll let them get up, I need to talk to Jaiver alone before they leave. Nate, I'm guessing you want to speak with Arden?"

I chuckled lightly, "Sometimes Calum, I'm afraid you can read minds."

He nodded knowingly, "Get to it then."

I nodded in response as I walked over to walk up to where Arden and Jaiver were sleeping. When I reached her I looked down at her breathing gently. I sighed sadly. I really hope nothing happens to her. I leaned down and gently tapped on her, "Arden, it is time to get up."

She mumbled and started to move her body. She reached up and started to rub her eyes. She looked up at me and spoke in the cutest, most tired voice, "What do you want Nate?"

I helped her stand up, "Soon, you and Jaiver will need to leave. I want to talk to you if you don't mind."

"If you minded, you would've let me sleep a little bit longer." She groaned.

I smiled as we started to walk away from the group, "Yeah I know, but I couldn't help it."

I stopped as soon as I could tell that we were far enough away from everyone. I took a deep breath as I sighed. I looked at Arden, she was looking up at me. She was tired, that much was obvious. She let out a big yawn as she stretched. She is so cute. We were silent for a moment until she spoke, "What do you want?"

I put my hand on her shoulder, "I wanted to talk about you before you left on your journey. I'm – I'm... Arden, I'm worried. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

She rubbed her eyes, "Nate, I'll be fine. We are just trying to find information, we won't do any fighting."

I tilted her head up to look at me, "Arden, that's not what I'm saying. Jaiver is desperate for revenge. I'm worried that he is going to focus on that and not on getting information."

She brushed my hand off her shoulder, "Again, I'll be fine. I understand that you're worried. I'll be back before you know it."

I raised my eyebrows, "Are you sure? Are you not worried, or scared?"

She looked down at the ground, "Of course I'm scared. I don't know what to expect, I don't know anything about this landscape. I just am trying to keep it together."

After a little silence, I pulled her into a hug. I felt her body go stiff for a second and then she hugged me back and rested her head on my chest. We didn't say anything while we hugged. I looked up towards the hunters and I saw Jaiver looking at us. Looks like Calum is done talking to him... I need to talk to him too.

I patted Arden on the back, she stepped back and nodded at me. "Please be careful."

She whispered a quick alright as I brushed past her and walked towards Jaiver. He watched me walk up to him. I asked, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

He didn't bother to argue with me and without a word spoken we walked away from the rest of the group. When we were far enough away he looked at me, "What?"

I gritted my teeth. This dude is a real ass. I sighed, "I want you to promise me something."

He raised his eyebrow, "Promise what?"

I didn't take a breath, "That you will protect Arden. That you won't be so absorbed in getting revenge that you fail to remember that people's lives are at stake. That your actions can kill someone and if it ends up being Arden that dies because of you..." I gritted my teeth, "I will fucking kill you. Arden does not deserve to die just because your greedy ass wants to kill people."

Jaiver didn't respond for a couple of minutes. As I was standing there waiting for him to respond I had to hold myself back from yelling at him. If anything happens to Arden because of him... I don't want to even think about it. I don't know what I would do.

Jaiver drew me out of my thoughts, "Alright. I promise."

I raised my eyebrows, "That's it? That's all you have to say?"

He shook his head, "I understand that you care for Arden and want her safe. However, what you fail to realize in that dense brain of yours is that I care about her too. I don't want anything to harm her."

I frowned, "I know that idiot. I don't like the fact that you two have to go in there together, but I have to accept it. All I can do is make sure that you're going into the canyons with your head on straight."

Jaiver nodded, "I will. I want those scavengers dead more than anything, but I care for everyone else too. Whether I admit it or not, I would die for anyone if I needed to."

"Good to know. You might have to."

"I promise to."

Without another word, we both turned and walkedback to the group.