Chapter 5 - Suspicion

I got back to the house, closing the door with a huge slam. A crowd of men surrounded me, mouths watering. I immediately showed them the huge boar that Hunt had caught me and they all smirked.

"I'm getting its pelt for a new pair of boots!"

"Says who? I'm going to sell it so that I can get a new slingshot!"

"Ahem." My cough interrupted them all, making them stand up straight. Ever since I started to come back with more and more stuff, I've gained some respect from them. They listen to me and the only time that they bicker is when I'm out of the house.

"The pelt will be used for Aspen's new boots." The other four groaned while Aspen, the youngest, smirked proudly. "But, he will have to make me 20 arrows in return." My other siblings laughed at him, but he kept his head held high. "Alright. It's worth it in my opinion."

I sat down the boar while my oldest brother picked it up to skin it for dinner. Roast boar was their favourite, especially in a warm soup in this harsh winter. Meanwhile, I got to finally lay my legs up on my small bed in the large bedroom that we all shared.

"Where are you getting all of this meat from?" My eyes turned towards the second oldest, Yilin. He was always the suspicious one, so I had to come up with a compelling lie to get him to leave me alone.

"I found this new spot," I started off, making them all gather around. "It's perfect and it's swarming with wildlife!" I began this compelling story of this wildlife paradise spot where all of the animals were currently gathered to stake out the warmth.

Their eyes were full of awe as I detailed how I got so many rabbits that one time. Not before long, the moon had reached its peak and we had just finished our dinner. I clapped my hands loudly.

"Come on, bed." They all groaned, telling me to ease up but I had to get them all into bed so that I could sneak out to see Hunt. His soft eyes made me feel so guilty for being late, but at least I'll get there eventually. It took them an hour to fall down and after that, I managed to sneak out unbeknownst to anyone.

As I snuck towards the cave, the cold biting my cheeks, I suddenly heard a rip. I turned around the corner as quick as I could only to find Hunt standing up, his blanket in shreds around him.

"Hunt?" I called out, slowly approaching him. He then turned towards me, his breath haggard. "You're late... I nearly went into that village to fuck the first woman that I'd see..." What's wrong with him? Why is he speaking like that?

"But no... it has to be you." He walked towards me, grabbing me by the wrist. "I smelled you and you weren't there." His grip tightened, making me wince. I suddenly felt scared and I remembered that Hunt wasn't just another human being. He was a man, and a big one at that.

"You're driving me mad... is this what happens on my first adult full moon?" What is he... I suddenly felt him push me against the wall, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Any woman would have done for tonight, but I wanted, needed, to taste you." Taste me how... he really looks like he's struggling. Is he... drugged? He seems like it. There was a scandal a while back where a man drugged his daughter so that she'd end up marrying a lord. It backfired and his guard took turns... well... satisfying her in front of the whole village. Her breath was ragged and she wasn't in the right mind.