My Little Rabbit

Chapter 25
From the window of her room above, Karina saw Karyan and Nalani talking.

Her sharp wolf eyes clearly saw how Karyan guided Nalani out of the garden and into the castle.

Karyan had never been so attentive to her, even when they were kids.

The only closeness they ever shared was one night when they made love. A union that Karyan regretted.

Karina’s fingers clenched around the window ledge, the sharp sting of her nails biting into her palms.

She remembered how Karyan had looked at her that night-so different from the way he looked at Nalani now.

There was a fire in his eyes then, an immense longing that she believed to be love.

But the next morning, he was cold and distant. He had left her bed without a word, without a promise.

He saw Nalani disappear into the shadows of the castle with Karyan. The jealousy that welled up inside her was harsh and painful. Nalani, with her stubbornness and extraordinary abilities, had managed to capture a side of Karyan that Karina had never seen.

“Why her?” she whispered to the empty room. “What does she have that I don’t?”

The moonlight cast a silver glow over her hair, reflecting her eyes like a mirror. She could still feel the ghost of Karyan’s touch on her skin, the memory of his lips on hers.

But it was all just a memory – a fleeting moment that was never real.

Karina turned away from the window, her heart felt heavy. She had always been second fiddle, always overlooked.

Even in her own pack, she was just Karina-a she-wolf who could never be matched.

And now, with Nalani here, she felt even more pushed into the shadows.

She walked over to her bed and sat down, her mind was trying to fight every possibility of Karyan not belonging to her.

If Karyan couldn’t see her worth, then she had to make him see it. She had to find a way to stand out, to prove that she was just as strong, just as capable, just as valuable as Nalani.

A knock at the door. Reluctantly, Karina called out to the knocker to open it herself.

The door creaked open, revealing a man standing in the doorway.

“Why are you just standing there?” Karina snapped. “Come in and tell me what you found.”

The man, a handsome werewolf, though not as handsome as Karyan, stepped inside. He was tall and lean with perfectly sculpted muscles. His hair was as black as coal, with a striking white streak at the top of his head.

Thad, she thought with annoyance and curiosity. “Did you find what you were looking for in the forest?” she asked.

Thad closed the door behind him and shook his head. “I found some faint tracks, but I don’t know who they belong to. That thing is elusive, it knows how to cover its tracks well.”

Karina frowned, frustration bubbled up inside her. “That’s not enough, Thad. I want to find its lair and I can talk to it.”

“He’s... too wild. It’s impossible to talk to him.”

“Is that what you think?” Karina laughed sarcastically. “Do you know who he used to be, Thad?”

Thad shook his head. “I don’t want to find out. To me he’s a cursed creature.”

“I see.” Karina’s lips formed a mocking smile. “So what are you going to do next, Thad? Actually, I’d understand if you’d give up.”

“Give up? No.” Thad’s eyes flashed angrily. “I’ll keep looking. There must be a way to track it down.”

“Well, tell me the details.”

Thad leaned closer. He revealed the details of his search, the faint traces and the mysterious nature of the creature.

Thad’s report was exhaustive, but it doesn’t provide the certainty Karina wants.

She needed answers, and she needed immediately.

“Is there anything else?” she asked, her voice softer now, showing fatigue.

Thad hesitated. “No, that’s all for now. I’ll return to the forest at daybreak.”

He turned to leave, but something inside Karina was attracted. “Wait,” Karina called out, whispering.

Thad stopped, turning to her with a questioning look.

Wordlessly, she closed the distance between them. Her hand reached out, her fingers touching his chest before pulling him close.

There was a flash of surprise in Thad’s eyes, which was quickly replaced by a burning intensity.

Karina’s lips find his, and for a moment, the world outside their embrace disappears.
***

As the full moon rose, Mond wolves upheld the tradition of communal hunting.

The men would race to bring home the biggest game, while the women and children would gather in a central clearing, light a bonfire and wait for the hunters to return with their kill.

Karina, who was walking out of the castle, intended to join the other she-wolves. As she walked, she crossed paths with Nalani and Mita, who had not originally planned to join the celebration.

However, Karina’s mocking sneer changed their minds.

“Too scared to join us?” Karina taunted, her eyes twinkling with challenge. “Or maybe you’re too weak?”

Nalani’s eyes narrowed. “Fine,” she snapped, grabbing Mita’s arm. “Let’s go.”

Karina watched the two. Mita seemed to follow Nalani.

Together they joined the circle of women around the campfire.

The flames danced, creating shadows on the ground, while laughter and chatter filled the air.

Children played nearby, chasing around and rolling on the ground.

Hours passed, and as dawn approached, the sound of shuffling feet echoed through the forest.

The men returned in groups, each proudly displaying their game.

Wild boar and deer hung from their saddles, a proof to their hunting prowess.

Karyan led the procession, as always.

The first light of dawn shone on his figure, highlighting the stag draped over his horse.

His antlers were the crown of victory, marking him once again as the victor.

The assembled crowd murmured in awe.

Karina’s eyes sparkled with pride as she watched Karyan dismount from his horse.

The other hunters gathered around, their catches incomparable.

“Impressive, as always,” Karina murmured, stepping forward to greet him.

Karyan nodded. “Good hunting,” he said simply.

Karina was still standing near Karyan when she saw Nalani standing at the edge of the circle, watching it all with an expressionless face.

She couldn’t prevent Karyan, now free from the burden of the hunt, from approaching Nalani. “You decided to join us.”

Nalani looked up, giving Karyan a sharp look. “I didn’t have much choice,” she said.

Karyan smiled, a rare and fleeting expression was seen on her face. “Good. I’m glad you did.”

One of the werewolves reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a small white rabbit, offering it to his little boy.

The boy’s face lit up with joy as he hugged the soft creature to his chest.

Out of nowhere, Nalani approached the man, her eyes seemed to be focused on the rabbit. “May I have it?” she asked, her voice soft yet insistent.

She reached for the gold locket hanging around her neck. “I’ll trade you this.”

The man’s son hugged the rabbit tighter, shaking his head. “No, it’s mine.”

Nalani’s face fell with disappointment. Her eyes lowered and the corner’s of her lips bent down.

Well, Karina thought cynically. If she likes rabbits, she should hunt for one herself.

Karina half-expected Nalani to beg when Karyan stepped up to them. “How about we make a deal?” he said with an authoritative tone.

He pulled an antler from the stag and handed it to the child. “This antler for your rabbit.”

The boy’s eyes widened with wonder, and his grip on the rabbit loosened.

He looked up at his father, who nodded.

Eventually, the boy handed the rabbit to Karyan and took the antler.

Karyan turned to Nalani, placing the rabbit gently in her hands. “Here,” he said, his eyes meeting hers. “It’s yours.”

Nalani hugged the rabbit, her eyes closed with emotion. “Thank you,” she said. Even Karina could hear the emotion in her voice.

Karyan watched her with furrowed eyebrows. “I thought you would cook it.”

Nalani shook her head, a gentle smile played on her lips. “No,” she said firmly. “I will keep it. This little one is special.”

Karyan raised an eyebrow. “Special? It’s just a rabbit.”

“To you, perhaps,” Nalani replied, her fingers gently stroking the rabbit’s fur. “But it reminds me of... someone important.”

Karyan’s expression softened slightly, though he remained skeptical. “If you say so,” he said, his tone respectful. “Just don’t let it get in the way.”

Karina scoffed at the scene. A rabbit, she thought.

The creature was better eaten alive. Why is Karyan involved with this useless girl? She stomped her foot in frustration.
***