Hunters and Bloodmoon

Elara POV. That afternoon, I was on the move. I went into a general store, bought some basic food, bandages, a bottle of alcohol for wounds, and—most importantly—a small bottle of strong pepper spray. I had made my decision. It was time to leave Ashvale and carry out the plan I'd been preparing for a long time: to kill Kael Draven. I was pretty sure I was being followed, but I hadn't actually run into the Bloodmoon spies yet. They were too neat, too skilled in the shadows. But the Hunter Guild had started acting openly. I could see a few guys watching me from a distance, wearing black robes and hoods. They were like black stains on the cityscape. After paying, I left the tavern and immediately started eating the warm bread I had just bought—the energy I needed for the long journey. I talked to Mr. Rolf this morning. I quit my job. The paycheck I got after this morning's shift was enough to take me away. Not to another city, but to the heart of danger: Bloodmoon City. My steps felt heavy, but I was determined. I knew I couldn't keep running. Playtime was over. I'd head to the monster's lair, meet Kael Draven, and put an end to it. That oath was made with blood, not ink—the blood of my pack. I'd sworn to kill him to get revenge for the past m******e. All I could think about was getting his blood off my face. I was covered in shadows of revenge and burning anger. He took everything—everyone I loved, every inch of life I considered precious—in just one cruel night. It was time for him to pay the price for the destruction he had caused. I feel like the number of my followers is growing, and they're getting pretty close. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for anything that might move. I quickly pull the dagger from the outer pocket of my bag, holding the handle tightly and hiding it behind my sleeve. It all happened so quickly. At first, someone came up to me, staggering like a drunk and accidentally bumping into me in the middle of the busy market. But when his rough hand grabbed my wrist, I knew the ruse was over. Then, as if they were hiding behind the shops, more and more figures in dark cloaks surrounded me. "Catch her, alive or dead!" one of them shouted, his voice hoarse and urgent. "She's worth a lot!" It's the Hunter Guild. My blood was the last of my kind, and the wolf hunters were happy to take it. "Don't block my steps, you bastard!" I shouted, my reflexes taking over. I spun around super fast, using the momentum of the turn to break free from his grip. The guy who grabbed me was surprised. Before he could react, I slammed my elbow into his ribs. He breathed out quickly, like he was trying to get all the air out of his lungs at once. I didn't stop; I used the dagger in my hand to s***h his unprotected forearm. He let out a scream, and now the other Hunters started moving. Three of them went after me at once, blocking my path. They were armed with long knives and spiked chains. I took a breather, kicking a basket of vegetables nearby. The sound of falling objects and the cries of the female vendor created the perfect chaos—the distraction I needed. One Hunter tried to wrap a chain around me. I jumped back, letting the chain hit the wooden wall behind me. In the fraction of a second that the chain bounced back, I lunged forward. I slashed quickly, aiming for the Hunter's groin on my left side. There was blood everywhere. The man collapsed, screaming and holding his wound. "Damn girl! Don't let her get away!" their leader shouted. I didn't waste time looking back. I ran through the panicked crowd, dagger in hand, ready to s***h. The wound on my right arm was throbbing, giving off energy and anger. I know this isn't the end. They'll probably keep chasing me. But I can't let these Hunters hold me back. Not now, when I'm so close to achieving my goal: Bloodmoon City. Unfortunately, Ashvale is the headquarters of the werewolf hunters, where the Hunter Guild is strong. There are obviously a lot of them here. I kept running, breathing heavily, but I was well aware that the sound of their footsteps was following me. I moved quickly and unpredictably into the narrow, muddy alleys. Just as two Hunters cornered me behind a pile of wet trash, I pulled out the bottle of pepper spray I had just bought. I spun around, pressed the bottle cap hard, and sprayed the spicy liquid right into their faces. "Aaargh!" They started screaming like crazy, holding their eyes and saying they felt like they were burning. The spray burned the air. I took a quick break, then took off again, this time down another street, leaving their screams behind me. Now, every alley feels like a narrow escape route in the middle of a beehive. I've gotta get out of this cursed city before they call in more organized reinforcements. As I cut through the alley, dodging pursuers and getting ready to face another Hunter blocking the entrance, my eyes catch a strange sight. From a distance, it looks like a guy in a dark cloak is helping me escape. He was quick, efficient, and highly trained. He wasn't attacking me; he was just hitting the Hunters with hard punches and kicks, knocking them down easily. Who was he? The question flashed through my panicked mind. Are there still good people in this cruel world? I immediately dismissed that silly thought. Impossible. I don't think so. Everyone wears a mask; everyone has hidden motives. Whether it was the coin, or whether he was one of Kael's Bloodmoon spies. I don't care. I didn't stop to find out; I just took advantage of the chaos he created. I sped up, dodging the fight that broke out and making a beeline for the city limits. My lungs were burning, and I was ready to take a breather, but adrenaline kept me going. I knew the forest was the only place that could give me a slight advantage. These dirty, narrow streets of Ashvale were their turf. When I got to the main road that went to the city gate, I looked back one last time. The figure in the dark robe stood tall, right in the middle of the Hunters' shouts, which were now on him. He just stood there, letting the hunters rush towards him. Then, he turned his head. I looked over, not at his face, because the hood was too low, but at his unfamiliar outline. That figure had a scary calmness to it, and his body language was too aggressive for someone good. My heart started pounding, not because I was running, but because I suddenly realized something cold: That guy wasn't saving me; he was just making sure I stayed on the escape route he'd figured out. I clenched my teeth—I was mad and felt betrayed. Kael's lackey He must be one of the soldiers assigned to keep an eye on me, making sure I wasn't nabbed by the Hunter Guild before his own Alpha took action. I sped out of the city gates. "Bloodmoon City," I thought. I was headed there, and this time, it wasn't by chance—my anger was leading the way. I made it out, though. I hurried past the gates of Ashvale, and my pace was still fast—even faster—when my feet hit the forest floor. This was the boundary. It was a place where humans wouldn't go, because here, it was the wild world of the jungle, the laws of nature, or the werewolf laws that ruled. The forest air hit me right away—it was colder and fresher, smelling of wet earth and rotting leaves. Much better than the smell of smoke and alcohol in Ashvale. My wolf instincts, which I'd kept under control all this time, started to come back, and I felt safe in a way I hadn't in a long time. I didn't run in panic anymore. My steps turned into a quick run, cutting through the thick trees. Now, my eyes were scanning not for human threats in the alleyways, but for shadows moving among the branches—threats that were far more familiar and deadly. I was heading towards Bloodmoon City, hoping it'd be the end of my escape. In front of me, there's a crossroads, but it's silent. If I went to the left, I'd head towards the heart of Kael Draven's power, the city of Bloodmoon. If I go right, I'll get to the ruins of Silverfangs, my pack's city. It's just rubble and bad memories now. But I was set on it. I was totally on board. I'd go to the ruins of Silverfangs, but not right now. I'll go back there to stand on the ground where my pack is now, which has been dishonored. But first, I'll get one thing: Kael Draven's blood. I'm taking it slow and steady as I head toward Bloodmoon. I'll go confront him in his lair. I'll get back what he took, not with my life, but with his death. The ruins of Silverfangs will be his final resting place, and his blood will be the perfect form of retribution, vengeance for every soul he has taken. The trek through the forest feels long, but every step I take strengthens my resolve. I'm a smooth operator, like a predator, not the prey. I know the distance to Bloodmoon City is far, but my gut feeling tells me I'm not alone in this forest. There's a shadow following me, moving at the same speed, and it's definitely not from the Hunter Guild. It's the scent of a wolf. It's a bit of an unfamiliar scent, but it's put together well. Kael. He must've sent more than just two soldiers. I sped up, embracing my wolf aura. My veins ran with Silverfang's blood, known for its speed and tracking skills. I'm not going to let the Alpha's scouts catch me easily. They could've watched me and made sure I got to my destination, but they wouldn't have touched me. As night fell, covering the forest in darkness, I found a spot to hide behind a big old tree's roots. I leaned back, took a deep breath, and unwrapped the bandage on my wrist. The cut was pretty dirty, but it wasn't too bad. I rubbed the alcohol on my wound, then took a bite of some dry bread. It was cold, dark, and lonely—the life I chose. "I'm on my way, Kael," I said into the cold air, my voice full of threats. "And I'm not coming as the mate you've been waiting for, but as the girl who'll free the world from your cruelty." I closed my eyes, letting hatred burn, becoming my final fuel before I entered the realm of Bloodmoon.