Hunter's Bond

Chapter 7

The four days passed by without any unexpected events to speak of. Claire was now avoiding me altogether and the rumors circulating around the student body continued to grow wilder. The only one I found humorous was the one where I was supposedly a werewolf seeking to court a mate. My anger in regards to the recent events in my life subsided as time put the events behind me, partly due to David. His friendship was the only constant that kept me from feeling that my life was completely destroyed. He denounced the rumors wherever he could, but they never really stopped.

Soon enough the time came for me to give an answer to Phaal regarding the bond. She would destroy it if I desired it gone or let me keep it. It was a question that had no right answer, or I at least felt like it had no right answer. Sure I now had no obligations preventing me from keeping the bond, but events surrounding how I got it put me in this position in the first place. It had its perks, but I never did ask for it.

I waited at the clearing's edge for Phaal to arrive. Leaves drifted from their branches along the billowing wind passing through the forestry above. The few minutes left before our rendezvous did nothing but add to my already mounting stress. The scratchiness continued to pester the back of my mouth. Crisp water cascaded down my parched throat. I hadn't actually decided what I wanted to do. I was torn in equal parts over my choices. A heavy sigh passed my lips, a more frequent occurrence, as I sealed my water bottle. There was more I needed to say to Phaal besides just yes or no.

A soft rustling from the foliage behind me noted the arrival of another. The creature skirting the perimeter bore the scents of grass and fear. It wasn't Phaal, maybe a rabbit. I can't say I've had rabbit before. Perhaps I could make a decent stew out of it, but I'd need a brace of them to have enough meat. It wasn't worth the trouble and I'd already eaten. Another creature disturbed the brush, sending the rabbit fleeing for its life. An aroma of earth and sweat signified Phaal's arrival. The wolf emerged from behind me, lying down next to me. "Have you reached a decision?" Phaal asked as she rested her head on the cold grass.

"Not yet," I shook my head. "But I have something I want to tell you." The wolf picked up her head.

"And that is?" A heavy sigh preceded my words.

"I'm sorry. I blamed you for being dumped."

"You do not need to apologize to me," Phaal said. "Though I sense you have more to say."

"I think," I sighed, again. "I think this break up was a long time coming. The farther away I get from the event the more I can see the preceding events that may have signaled her lack of interest. Even if our bond somehow influenced her decision," I laid my head back against the tree behind me, "then it only hastened what was inevitable. Which means," I ran an unsteady hand over her fur. Phaal made no motion to object, letting me pet her. "I should have said thank you." I received what must have amounted to an incredulous look from the wolf.

"You want to thank me?" Phaal asked.

"No matter how much this hurts," I could feel the tears trying to break through the dam. "You've spared me from dealing with a worse break up in the future. So, thank you." The wolf said nothing for a time, her gaze locked on my face.

"You are in a lot of pain," Phall said. She rose to her feet, walking with slow, deliberate steps to meet me face to face. The wolf stopped only when our faces were a hairsbreadth apart. "You can let it out."

"I'll be fine," I shook my head. "I can get through this."

"Just because you can get by on your own does not mean you are better off that way," Phaal chided. "A pack is not an individual. We cooperate to survive," gray eyes with streaks of emerald gazed into mine. Her eyes belonged to someone hardened by the wilds, but held only concern for the well being of another. Me. "It's important for you to not to bottle up your problems in some box deep inside you. Let it go."