Chapter 49
Chapter 49
The bags felt like a heavy burden that I couldn’t escape, pressing down on my shoulders and making each movement more difficult. With a satisfying grunt, I released the burdensome weight, instantly feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I stretched out my cramped muscles. My back screamed in agony from the strain of carrying them for what felt like an eternity, and I found myself instinctively kneading the tight knots, desperately seeking relief.
As I looked around, a feeling of awe washed over me, captivated by the breathtaking beauty of Blackacre’s territory. As we gazed ahead, the forest sprawled out before us, its verdant beauty accentuated by the soft, ethereal glow of the moon. Despite the darkness that surrounded us, there was a sense of peace in the air, a feeling of tranquility that seemed to permeate the very essence of the forest.
“What can I do to help?”
My voice barely above a whisper, I asked, turning to face my companions, the weight of the question lingering. Axton, with a gentle yet firm expression,
was the first to come up to me.
“Chesnut, you’re our esteemed guests here, Softly, he spoke as he moved behind me, his hands gently kneading my shoulders. Moving closer to the contact, I couldn’t help but sigh, which made Axton emit a low growl. “It’s not your place to do the work. As the hosts, we are here to take care of all of
you.”
Refusing to accept his words, I shook my head stubbornly, my defiance clear,
“I have working legs and arms,“Tinsisted. “I can help.”
The night was calm and quiet, but Axton’s gentle chuckle cut through the silence, bringing a sense of comfort.
“I know you want to help, Maya,” he said. “But right now, you need to rest. You’ve been walking and lugging around heavy bags for quite some time now, and it’s high time you treat yourself to some well–deserved relaxation. Don’t you think?”
Just as I was about to voice my objections, Axel came forward with an earnest expression, her suggestion hanging in the air. With a load of logs in her arms, she gestured towards the clearing’s center, where a growing pile of logs and rocks stood.
“Mind lending a hand with the bonfire?”
Grinning from ear to ear, i I could hear a sigh escaping Axton’s lips from behind me.
“Sure, I can do that.”
As I walked around the clearing, I carefully examined the ground for any potential logs or rocks that could be gathered for the bonfire. The night was eerily quiet, and the darkness descended upon me like a cold, oppressive blanket. But despite the biting cold that seeped into my bones, I pressed on, resolute in my determination to contribute.
It took me a few minutes of searching, but eventually, I managed to gather a handful of logs and rocks that emitted an earthy scent as I picked them up. Returning to the center of the clearing, I skillfully assembled a pile of logs and rocks, arranging them in a way that would guarantee a quick and efficient fire. Once set, the flames will transform the darkness into a cozy haven, providing us with both much–needed warmth and a gentle, illuminating glow.
“Maya, what are you doing?”
I was interrupted from my task by Sammy’s voice, breaking the silence that surrounded me. I turned around and found her standing nearby, her eyes filled with curiosity as she observed me working
“I’m helping to make the bonfire.”
Understanding slowly dawned in Sammy’s eyes as she nodded. “Should I help too?”
“if you could gather some dried leaves for kindling, that would be great,” with a smile, Jacknowledged Sammy and then turned my gaze towards Nadia,
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who was already comfortably seated on a mat she had brought along. I watched as she meticulously combed her hair, occasionally pausing to swat away the persistent mosquitoes. “We need all the help we can get, Sammy. Was the drama queen interested in providing any help?”
Sammy snorted, casting a quick glance in Nadia’s direction.
“Nah,” she said with a tired sigh, “She said she’s too drained to do anything.”
“Figures.”
With a few minutes spent arranging the logs and rocks, Axton confidently stepped forward. His hands moved with expertise, skillfully coaxing the flames to flicker and grow. The crackling of the fire engulfed the clearing, its dancing flames casting enchanting shadows on the surrounding trees. The crackling flames emitted a comforting heat that washed over me, dispelling the icy chill that had seeped into my bones.
The fire blazed higher, casting dancing shadows on the faces of our group members as they started to transform into their woll forms. Prowling around the clearing, their sleek fur shimmered in the warm glow of the fire, adding an air of elegance to their presence. I watched them with a mixture of awe and trepidation, marveling at the primal power that flowed through their veins.
“Where are they going?”
With a furrowed brow, I turned to Axton and asked. With excitement shining in his eyes, he observed the wolves moving with elegant grace.
“They’re going hunting,” Axton replied with a wide grin, his face lighting up. “We need to stock up on food for the journey ahead.”
Joining them filled me with an exhilarating rush as adrenaline coursed through my veins. The call of the hunt stirred something primal within me, igniting an exhilaration that had long been dormant. My eyes met Axton’s, sparkling with anticipation.
“Can I come with?”
With eager anticipation, I asked, feeling my heart race. With a widening grin, Axton reached out and effortlessly lifted me into the air, his strong grip on my waist giving me a sense of security. His voice, brimming with laughter, resonated in the air as he spoke.
“About time you asked, Chesnut!”
He let out a triumphant howl and launched himself into the air, taking me along for the exhilarating ride. Laughing uncontrollably, I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and joined him in a howling chorus, throwing my head back. As we approached the border between the trees and the clearing, I could sense the change in terrain beneath me as Axton placed me gently on the soft forest floor.
Shifting into his wolf form, Axton emitted a low, ominous growl, his smooth fur catching the shimmering moonlight. As I looked on, amazed, his body contorted and twisted, the sound of cracking bones filling the air, until he stood before me as a magnificent wolf.
Filled with determination, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the transformative power that consumed me. As 1 embraced the wolf within me, I could feel my bones shifting and my muscles rearranging themselves. And then, with a surge of adrenaline, I opened my eyes to discover myself transformed into a creature with four mighty legs, my senses attuned to every sound and my instincts honed to perfection.
As Axton and exchanged a knowing glance, the excitement in our eyes grew, silently communicating our shared determination to explore the night. Silently, we embarked into the darkness, our pawsteps resonating through the stillness of the forest.
As Auton and I prowled along the edge of the clearing, the moon hung low in the sky, bathing the forest in its silvery glow. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the sounds of the night surrounded us, a symphony of rustling leaves and distant howls.
His ears twitching, Axton paused and inhaled deeply, detecting the subtle scent of prey carried by the wind. Moving silently through the underbrush, I kept my senses on high alert, mirroring his every move. Suddenly, our eyes locked onto our target: a magnificent deer peacefully grazing in a glade illuminated by the moon.
Without hesitation, we sprang into action, our wolf forms moving as one as we closed in on the unsuspecting prey. My muscles tensed with anticipation as I darted forward, closing the distance between myself and the deer. The sound of leaves rustling beneath my feet filled the air. With a swift movement,
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lunged forward, feeling the rush of adrenaline as I sank my powerful jaws into its hind legs.
Simultaneously, Axton lunged forward, his teeth exposed as he aimed for the deer’s jugular. The deer’s startled cry echoed through the woods as we approached, but our pursuit was relentless, In unison, we tackled the fighting creature, our teeth firmly clamping down on its struggling form.
The rush of adrenaline was undeniable as we grappled with our prey, the excitement of the hunt overpowering my senses. With a final burst of energy, Axton’s teeth found their mark, crunching into the deer’s neck and ending its life..
With our prize in his grasp, Axton let out a triumphant growl before turning towards the clearing, determination in his eyes. I followed close behind, my heart pounding in my chest as the adrenaline surged through my veins, matching the rhythm of our racing footsteps through the forest.
Upon entering the clearing, we transformed back into our human forms, our bodies still tingling with the lingering energy of the hunt. With a beaming smile, Sammy stood there, our clothes in her outstretched hands, eagerly waiting for our arrival.
“Looks like you two had a successful hunt.”
“We did indeed,” Axton replied, his voice f holding onto our clothes, Sammy.” NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.
filled with satisfaction, the sound echoing through the forest, as he dropped the deer at our feet. “Thanks for
“Anytime. Now, let’s get this deer cleaned and ready for cooking.” Sammy nodded, her eyes darting back and forth between us, before gesturing towards the clearing where Nadia sat. “Nadia keeps complaining about her hunger, constantly nagging me to find her something to eat.”
“We can’t let Nadia starve,” I said with a playful smirk “If she tells Zeke about that, we’ll have to endure her endless complaints.”
Nodding in agreement, Sammy couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Yeah, we don’t need any y more annoying rants.”
Working together, Sammy and I skillfully began the process of skinning the deer, our hands moving with practiced precision. It felt almost instinctual to us, given the countless hours we had spent working in the kitchen back in Thornholde. With swift and skillful movements, we effortlessly completed the task, our sharp claws effortlessly cutting through the thick hide.
After the deer was skinned, Sammy and I skillfully divided it into portions, our claws effortlessly cutting through the tender meat. It was a skill we had perfected after countless years of practice, and it flowed through us with ease. As we worked, a sense of satisfaction washed over me at the sight of the neatly portioned pieces of meat glistening on the cutting board.
After dividing up the deer, Sammy and I got to work on the rest of the meal preparations. We carefully plucked fragrant herbs and spices from the lush forest, infusing their flavors into the meat. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of meat, causing my stomach to rumble with hunger.
I hear footsteps behind me, followed by the sound of Axton’s voice. He leans in close, resting his chin on my shoulder, his warm breath tickling my ear
he whispers.
“What’s on the menu for tonight’s culinary feast, Chestnut?”
“I’m making stew,” I replied, my voice soft but sure. “I think you’ll like it.”
In response, Axton grinned, his eyes shining with excitement.
“I can’t wait,” Before turning to leave, he said eagerly, his eyes shining with anticipation. “If you need anything, just call for me.”
As soon as Axton was far enough away, Sammy’s voice rang out in a playful tone, breaking the previously quiet atmosphere, “Blackacre’s Alpha has a crush on you, doesn’t he? It’s almost overwhelming how sweet he is”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her remark, fooling the embarrassing heat rush to my cheeks.
“Oh, stop it,” I muttered, trying to hide my embarrassment. “We have work to do.“”
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As Sammy chuckled at my reaction, the sound of her laughter echoed in my ears, intensifying my embarrassment. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts, and returned my attention to the stew. As I stirred it, the enticing smell filled the air, tempting my taste buds.
Traise my hands to my mouth, forming a makeshift megaphone, and shout gleefully, a smile spreading across my face.
“Food’s ready!”
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