His Hybrid Archer

7 - Unexpected Encounter

Snow 

    Ever since my birthday, I had been spending all of my time in the forest.  I was more determined than ever to take out the rogues that already roamed the area.   In the process, I hoped to make other rouges fear coming to the free territory.  Once I did that, I could travel without constantly worrying about my parents safety.

    I didn't take the time to hang out by the border, since sightings of the cubs had become so rare.  Instead, I used that time to search for food and rogues.  

    I usually ate berries and fruits, but sometimes I felt the need to eat some meat.  Whenever that happened, I would go to the river and catch a fish.  I'd cook the fish over an open fire that I made using yucca and a flat stone.  

      I might have spent most of my time in the forest, but I always made sure to return home and grab an elixir to mask my witch aura on a regular basis.  That was something I couldn't risk letting other's sense or know about.  The elixir was also supposed to mask my witchy scent, as well.

    I was always taking any precautions I could to ensure my own safety.  I knew there was no way I could keep my parents safe if I got injured or killed.  For that reason, I was excessive about my safety precautions.  

    While I was on a hunt, I paid close attention to the actions of the forest creatures.  If they started scurrying away from a specific area, I would head in that direction at a slow pace.  Amber would follow my lead and fly ahead of me, then she would perch on a tree limb and hoot when she caught sight of rogues.

    We had a good system in place, and I felt so lucky to have such loyal and helpful friends.  They might have been creatures from the forest, but they were my creatures.  My friends.  There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for them if they got hurt or ill.

    On this particular day, I was walking close to the border, while staying hidden on the edge of the tree line.  Suddenly, I watched a flock of birds fly up from the trees.  A second later, I could hear the animals making warning calls and fleeing from an area that was around a hundred feet from where I was at.

    Right away, I headed in that direction, and Amber flew ahead of me.  As I got closer, I could hear what sounded like wolves growling.  The second I caught sight of a group of rogues baring their teeth at what appeared to be a werecat cub, I immediately pulled an arrow out of my quiver.  

    With the arrow pulled back, I made the end of it flare up with fire, then I focused my attention on aiming the arrow at the largest rogue in the group.  He was almost twice the size of the other rogues, and he had all black fur.  From what I had read about rogues, I assumed he was once an Alpha or he was from an Alpha's bloodline.

    As soon as I released the arrow and sent it soaring through the air, I caught sight of another werecat, but not just any werecat.  My arrow flew right in front of the tri-colored eyes of the werecat that I had been yearning to see again.

    When the arrow pierced through the large rogue's chest, the rest of the rogues all scattered in different directions.  The werecat cub immediately took that opportunity to flee back onto the Jungle Pack's territory, then he disappeared into the thick jungle.

    However, the other werecat caught sight of me, then he got a strange look on his face.  A second later, he started walking straight toward me.  I wasn't sure if he was going to hurt me or what, but I wasn't sticking around to find out.

    I took one last quick glance at him, while I sniffed the air to see if I could smell his scent, then I sprinted through the forest straight to my parent's cabin.  When I got there, I looked around to make sure he hadn't followed me, then I leaned against the front door.

    For the first time ever, I had finally smelled his scent and it appealed to me more than I had expected.  It literally tickled my nose, but in a good way.  He had one of the sweetest scents I had ever had the joy of smelling.  Watermelon and cocoa.  What a wonderful combination.  My favorite fruit and my favorite candy flavor.

    I was still leaning against the door when my dad opened it from the inside.  Instantly, I fell backwards and landed on my butt.  I wasn't expecting it, so I was feeling a little startled when I looked up at my dad with wide eyes.

    Right away, my dad burst into a fit of laughter, and my own laughter was quick to join his.  Once he got his laughter under control, he reached down and grabbed my hand.  After he pulled me to my feet, he curiously asked, "What were doing?"

    "Um, nothing," I stammered.

    "Oh I don't think so.  I know that look.  Out with it, Snow," he playfully retorted.

    I nervously scratched the back of my neck before I warily admitted, "I just had the strangest encounter.  I was intervening in a group of rogues bullying a werecat, and I almost hit a different werecat in the process."

    "Really?  What happened?" he immediately asked.

    "Well, I took down the large rogue, but there was no stopping the werecat from seeing me.  I was so focused on my aim, I didn't see him until after I released the arrow," I sheepishly explained.

    "Was he mad?" my dad asked with concern.

    "I don't know.  As soon as he started to approach me, I panicked and ran away from him," I mumbled with a hint of regret.

    "What is it that has you looking so perplexed," he asked with curiosity.

    "It was the werecat that used to catch my attention.  The one I told you about a long time ago.  I smelled his scent for the first time," I timidly answered.

    "And?" he pried with a smile playing on his lips.

    "He has a really sweet scent to go with his gorgeous face," I dreamily murmured.

    "Do I sense a first crush?" my dad teased.

    I scoffed at him before I insisted, "No!  How can I have a crush on somebody that I've never talked to?"

    "Oh, honey, you have been crushing on that werecat for years.  You should talk to him next time you get the chance.  He might just surprise you," my dad thoughtfully suggested.

    "I want to, but what am I supposed to say?  What if he tries to attack me or something?" I asked with anxiousness evident in my voice.

    "My sweet girl, werecats don't just go attacking others for no reason.  I have told you this many times.  The werecat species is a lot more chill than the werewolf species.  They try to avoid conflict and keep the peace whenever possible," he confidently assured me.

    "We'll see if I can find the courage next time I see him.  If there is a next time," I gloomily mumbled.

    "I have a feeling you will see that one again.  If he was approaching you, there's a reason.  Once one of us gets an idea in our head, there's not much that can deter us," he stated with pride. 

Lance Kyle 

    After not being able to find my mate within the Jungle or Midnight Packs, I started spending more of my time close to the borders.  I hoped to pick up the scent of my mate, but so far I hadn't been lucky enough to find her.

    I ended up taking my Mustang for a drive after a few weeks of not finding her, but I didn't go very far.  There were things I needed to finish learning before I could travel far away.  

    Plus, there was the never ending problems with the rogues roaming the free territory.  We couldn't cross the border for more than a few seconds before they were surrounding us.  

    There was no mistaking their presence nearby, since the wind was always bringing their disgusting scents in our direction.  It was a one of those issues that needed immediate attention.  I couldn't leave the Jungle Pack's territory for any extended amount of time until something was done to stop the chaos.

    I just so happened to be walking near the border when I picked up their gross scent in the air.  I walked a little closer to the border, then I heard growling.  

  Right away, I got in my running stance, but I was stopped short when a ball of flames that looked like it had the tail of an arrow soared passed my face.  I glanced over and watched it pierce a large black rogue, then I looked in the opposite direction.

    My eyes suddenly landed on the prettiest girl I had ever seen.  She was standing there by the tree line on the free territory.  

    Her beautiful dark brown eyes were wide with surprise, and her full light pink lips were in the shape of an 'o'.  Her long blonde hair flowed down her back all the way to her hips in waves of soft curls.  

    She was wearing a beige bikini top and a matching beige skirt with tall light brown boots.  Her skin was white as snow, and she had a perfectly sculpted body with curves in all the right places.

    I was mesmerized by her beauty for just a second, then I immediately walked toward her.  However, she was either spooked by my advancement, or she didn't like interacting with others.

    Her eyes widened even more, as she threw her bow over her shoulder.  Without a word, she spun on her heel and sprinted to the cover of the forest.

    Right away, I chased after her, but I didn't make it very far before I realized there was no chance of catching her.  I walked back to the area where she was standing and reveled in the amazing scent she had left behind.  

    One thing I noticed right away was that she only had one distinct scent, instead of two like most creatures.  That one scent of hers was absolutely divine smelling like coffee, and it tickled my nose in the nicest way.  Coffee was one of my favorite smells to wake up to, so I found her scent to be wonderful.  

    After a few minutes, I sprinted back to the other side of the border, then I headed straight to the castle.  As soon as I got there, I looked around until I found my parents.  After I caught my breath, I excitedly stated, "I think I just saw my mate, but I'm not sure."

    My dad glanced up and calmly remarked, "Tell us about it."

    I took a deep breath before gushing, "I heard a commotion near the northeast border, so I followed the noise to see what was going on.  Not long after I crossed the border, an arrow flew in front of my face, but it wasn't your typical arrow.  This arrow had a bright flame on the end of it.  When I followed the path I thought it came from, I caught a glimpse of the prettiest blonde girl I have ever seen."

    I had to pause for a breather, then I sheepishly continued, "We locked eyes for just a second, and she had the prettiest dark brown eyes that contrasted perfectly with her light skin color.  Before I got the chance to call out to her, she spun on her heel and sprinted into the cover of the forest with her bow hanging on one arm, and something that was holding her arrows was hanging on her other arm."

    "Did you go after her?" my mum curiously asked with a hint of excitement.

    "I tried, but she was either fast at running, or exceptionally good at hiding.  However, when I reached the area where I saw her, the sweetest scent tickled my nose and made my heart start racing.  Do you think she might be my mate?" I timidly asked.

    My mum grabbed one of my hands and patted it with her other hand, as she cheerfully replied, "Honey, I think there is a good chance that she is.  The first time I met your dad when I was still a werewolf, his scent tickled my nose like no other scent had ever done before.  A part of me knew then that I was destined to be with him."

    "I hope she is, but I don't know where she went.  Would you be willing to help me find her?" I asked with hope while looking back and forth between my mum and dad.

    They both flashed me a smile, then my dad happily chirped, "Of course we will help you, son.  If she is your mate, you deserve the chance to be with her."