CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE.

(MELIORA'S POV)

It had been two days since the raucous mating ceremony took place. I had just finished my simple breakfast that morning when I decided some laundry and bath would do me good.

Gathering up my small bundle of dirty clothes, I headed out toward the river for washing.

The walk was peaceful and unhurried, as it allowed me to simply enjoy the gentle and warm spring breeze and the melodic chirping of songbirds in the trees above.

Upon reaching the riverbank, I quickly set about doing my laundry, giving the worn garments a vigorous scrubbing against the flat rocks on the water's edge.

Once I had washed and spread my clothes to dry, I was ready to bathe. Stripping out of my clothing, I waded in the water, letting the refreshing liquid lap soothingly against my tired muscles.

I don't know how long I lingered there, body submerged up to my shoulders, as my mind began to drift into a light, meditative state.

The gentle burbling of the current and the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees created a tranquil ambiance that I needed in a while.

But just then, I heard some noises from the nearby bush, and I strained my eyes to see. Alas! It was a deer. I breathed in relief.

But just as I was about to turn away then, I caught a glimpse of a man aiming an arrow. And it pointed at me, if I was not mistaken.

"Oh my God!" I couldn't stop the startled shriek from ripping out of me.

Instantly abandoning all modesty, I thrashed wildly on my feet and exploded out of the river in a panicked state.

My ungraceful commotion clearly startled the deer, causing it to whirl around and take off in a burst of speed back in the direction it had come from.

Alas, before it escaped, the archer's arrow found its mark in the poor creature's flank.

With a sickening grunt of pain, the deer's forelegs buckled as it fell to the ground.

I whipped around the bank, trying to hide behind a thick trunk of an oak tree from the armed man - who I could now see retrieving another arrow from the quiver on his back.

"Please, don't hurt me!" I cried out desperately, voice trembling in both fear and embarrassment over my fully unclothed, vulnerable state.

The gruff figure straightened up, lowering his bow but keeping a firm grip on it. "Calm yourself, girl - I'm only a hunter," he replied in a deep, reassuring baritone. "And it's the deer I'm after, not a harmless maid. I've no interest in bothering you."

My breathing slowly steadied as his words and easygoing demeanor began to register. Through the dappled shadows, I could just make out a wry half-smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Name's Brian," he added by way of introduction. "Sorry for spooking you like that with my hunt."

A sudden flash of recognition jolted through me at the mention of his name. I hurriedly groped for my discarded clothing, yanking on the bare minimum before daring to emerge from behind the sheltering tree trunk.

"You must be Martha's mate, then," I stated more than asked, cheeks still flushing hotly.

The man's grin widened a hair as he gave a confirmatory nod. "Yes, that'd be me. Are you a friend of my lovely wife's?"

"We've been acquainted with her for a few months now," I replied, suddenly feeling terribly silly over my earlier hysterics in the face of his rugged charm and affability.

Cautiously closing the remaining distance to where the lifeless deer lay, I felt a mounting curiosity rising in my breast.

Up close, I could see just how impressive Brian's archery skills appeared to be - the solitary arrow had struck the animal in what had to be an instantly lethal point.

More importantly though, the easy confidence and capability with which he carried himself struck an undeniable chord of admiration within me.

As Brian bent to retrieve his kill, I cleared my throat to get his attention once more.

"To tell you the truth, your, um...skill in hunting has rather piqued my interest," I began, a touch sheepishly. Brian's eyebrows queried inquisitively, silently inviting me to continue.

"What I mean is, self-defense and fighting abilities are things I've been wanting to acquire myself, to bolster my own survivability as a weak wolf," I expounded carefully.

"And it occurs to me that learning a few essential hunting techniques could fit that need quite nicely. I'd be glad if you and the others would teach me a few things." I asked politely.

A long, considering silence stretched between us as Brian processed my request. Then, a slow grin found its way back onto his weathered features.

"Well now, isn't this an intriguing little proposition we've got here," he drawled at last. "Tell you what, my friend - I'll talk to the Luna first about this. If she gives us the go-ahead, then we'll gladly take you under our wing for a few hunting' lessons, okay?"

Unable to stop the relieved smile from blooming across my own face, I gave an enthusiastic nod of agreement.

With that, Brian hefted his kill up onto one broad shoulder and turned to head back in the direction of the village, sparing me one last roguish wink and chuckle.

"See you around, little wildflower."

Watching him disappear into the treeline, I allowed myself an exhilarated giggle despite my lingering flusteredness from the whole encounter.


I spent the next couple of hours simply basking in peaceful contentment upon the riverbank, awaiting my laundered items to finish drying so I could gather them up and return to the village commons myself.

No sooner had I deposited my tidy bundle back in my cabin quarters, however, than a timid rapping came at my door.

Cracking it open revealed a young maidservant, all doe-eyed trepidation as she passed along a simple yet momentous message:

"Good afternoon. Are you Liora? The Luna has summoned your presence at the packhouse."

Then, without awaiting a response, the girl turned and scurried away. I could only stare after her retreating form, mouth agape and mind whirling.

Summoned by the pack's alpha female herself? What in the world could I have done to warrant such an audience with her highness?

A gnawing sense of dread coiled itself insidiously around my stomach as all manner of unpleasant scenarios began flitting through my consciousness.

What if she'd discovered my torrid encounter with Prince Luther the other night? Or worse - somehow found about my encounter with the alpha?

Terror clawed its way up my throat as I wavered on the precipice of bolting for the trees right then and there.

But pragmatism won out - with my lack of supplies and resources, fleeing unprepared would be tantamount to a death sentence.

No, I would have to brave whatever judgment awaited at the packhouse with a steady hand. Perhaps it was nothing so dire, and I was simply allowing my guilty mind to run rampant with its own febrile anxiety.

Drawing in a fortifying breath, I squared my shoulders and strode out into the warm spring air, making my way toward the very heart of the wolf pack's domain with as much false bravado as I could muster thrumming through my veins.