Chapter 28
Victor, Meggan, and William ran through the woods, dodging trees and jumping small brooks. The air was full of fresh scents and the sounds of undisturbed woods, the creatures of the forest recognizing three of its own. It was late morning when Victor stopped and dropped into a crouch studying the forest floor with a smile of anticipation. Meggan crouched beside him, peering at the ground in confusion, unable to see what fascinated him so much.
"What is it?"
"Lunch."
She looked over at him with confusion. "What?"
"Group of deer headed through here less than an hour ago. We can catch up with 'em easy, pick out our lunch, 'nd eat."
He looked up at her, still grinning, and she stared back in distressed confusion. "You mean you want to kill a defenseless deer and eat it."
"Trust me, they ain't as defenseless as everyone thinks or there'd be plenty of fat wolves and no deer. But, yeah, I'm hungry."
Meggan still looked at him distressed. "Breakfast was only a little while ago."
"For you, but some young ones wanted me ta come play so I haven't eaten yet. Not that I would have. Why put up with that shit the grocery stores call meat when there's prime venison wandering around'." Meggan still did not seem to understand and Victor growled impatiently. "Look, Willie eats plants and so do some humans but most people eat meat, right?"
"Yes."
"So, why're you so shocked that I like to cut out the middle man 'nd get my own. There's nothin' like catchin' your own meal. A good chase is a nice addition to any meal."
A sudden light dawned in her eyes. "Oh, this is what Betsy was saying."
It was Victor's turn to look confused. "What?"
"She said you do things that some people would call bad but there's a reason even if other's don't understand."
"Ok." Victor's voice clearly said that he still did not understand what she meant.
"People would not like to hunt but you have reasons because you are a hunter with your teeth and claws."
Victor's grin returned, more feral, "Why don't ya try it?"
Meggan's eyes opened wide in shock. "I could not."
"Sure, ya can. You're a shifter 'nd ya smell like the forest. Ya just choosin' to take after the prey animals. Grow some claws and fangs 'nd I bet you'd be a regular little wild cat." Meggan looked at him unsurely. "C'mon, I'll teach ya how ta really hunt."
"What about William?"
"What 'bout him? Willie knows I ain't gonna hurt him even though I eat meat. He'll just find some nice grass 'nd catch up with us. Ya won't know if you like it or not 'til ya try it out."
Meggan finally gave into his urging and her own curiosity. Her shape immediately began to shift as her power took on more predatory characteristics. Her teeth sharpened and her canines elongated as did her nails. Her sense of the forest became more acute and she could sense the anticipation of the hunt rolling off her companion. He smiled and turned his nose into the wind, searching for a scent.
Finding what he wanted, he silently indicated for her to follow before loping off. They moved silently through the underbrush, stopping every few minutes for Victor to check his bearings and Meggan began to feel excitement grow inside her at the smell of the prey. They silently moved through the trees until the herd came into sight, peacefully grazing and unaware of the danger that studied them from downwind. Victor's eyes searched over the heard carefully while Meggan's breath quickened in anticipation.
Touching her shoulder lightly, he made sure he had her attention as he pointed out an older animal, grazing a little away from the others. She nodded and kept her focus on the chosen animal as she followed Victor closer to the prey animals. They sprung from their hiding at the last minute, causing the herd to take off in fright. Victor quickly cornered his chosen animal, removing its head with a single swipe of his claws.
Meggan continued to pursue the prey across the clearing, caught up in the thrill of the chase until Victor growled an order for her to come back. She paused, caught between desire and obedience, until the large male stalked over and lightly cuffed her on the shoulder, urging her back toward the meal. She gave him a small snarl that more amused than intimidated him and he pushed her toward the fallen deer again. She finally obeyed and ripped into the tender flesh, tearing at it with her claws, enjoying the iron tang on her throat until, sated, she became drowsy. The large male was already lounging to the side, stretched out in the sun, and she mimicked his example relaxing in the heat while digesting her large meal.
Victor sensed when Meggan's newfound instincts began to recede and her mind took over. He cracked open one eye, smelling the worry on her. "Wanna talk about it?"
"I...I don't know. It was fun but I did not want to stop, I wanted to chase, and, the deer, the raw meat, it...I do not understand."
"It's instinct, pup, unlike most shifters, you pick up the instincts. You were a predator, predators hunt, they eat meat. It's what they like to do 'cause they like ta live."
"Do you have these instincts?"
"Yup." He closed his eye again as William began nosing at him, ready to play.
"I see what Betsy says then. It was fun."
"Ya really wanna learn to hunt, I'll teach ya how ta pounce rabbits. Things're fast enough that if ya can catch them, ya can catch most anything."
Meggan's voice reflected her worry. "I am not sure. I like the chase but to kill simply to learn..."
"Not kill, pounce. Ya catch it, ya get in a position where ya can kill it, and ya let it go. Teaches ya to move fast 'nd careful." Victor suppressed a shiver, hiding his darkening thoughts. No, he would not teach her to kill rabbits. He had not killed one since the basement, where his father had taught him to be monster.
William nosed at Victor again, then kicked him lightly with a hoof, making the man grunt in feigned annoyance. Meggan watched the interaction curiously. "What does he want?"
"He wants to play." Pushing the elk's head to the side, Victor rose to his feet, ducking when William swiped playfully.
The elk backed up as Victor batted at him, then lowered his head and charged. Victor dodged the fist charge, ducking again as William threw his head to the side, swiping at him even as the elk struggled to change direction. William charged again and Victor set himself, ducking in and bracing his hands against William's skull at the base of his antlers. The elk's momentum pushed the mutant back several feet but gave Victor enough time to get the right grip and twist. William fought back, his strong neck muscles tensing as gave ground, trying to get the leverage to throw his father to the ground before his father did the same to him. His father was too well set though and applied enough pressure to cause William to drop to his knees. The elk gave a low call and Victor immediately let go, jumping back out of range as William regained his feet, shaking his head briefly before snorting and pawing the ground again.
Another charge and they were locked up again, but this time, William gave a feigned stumble to the left, shifting Victor's footing onto some loose rocks. His foot slipped on the unstable ground, allowing William to throw him onto his back, immediately following up and pinning the large mutant. Victor growled out, "Point," and the elk stepped back, allowing Victor to get to his feet.
Off to the side, Meggan clapped her hands and cheered for William, causing Victor to grin ruefully. "Hey, this ain't fair, I'm getting outnumbered!" Meggan made a face at him childishly and William gave a series of small snorts that closely resembled laughter. Victor ruffled the fur on the elk's neck, "Sure, take her side, ya walkin' rug." William and him set up for some more bouts, Meggan cheering William the whole time, laughing cheerfully when William was able to throw Victor and making up excuses when William lost, causing Victor to playfully gripe, yet again, about being outnumbered.
The sun had moved to afternoon when they finally noticed the time and it was mutually decided that they should head back. The three of them arrived quickly at the front door of the light house where the two Braddock twins sat on the porch. Betsy smiled at the three arrivals, taking in their appearance, they were covered in sweat, dirt, leaves, grass, and some blood. They looked horrible but had obviously had a wonderful time from the sparkles in their eyes. Victor immediately pulled Betsy out of the chair, kissing her hard and deep, his hands trailing up and down her sides and Betsy returned the caresses enthusiastically.
When they came up for air, she stepped back, eyeing his appearance as she tried to brush the dirt and plant remains off her outfit. "Did you have fun?"
"Yeah, 'nd now I'm ready for some different fun." He pulled her against him again.
She reached up and kissed him again, before pulling back with a mischievous smile. "Unfortunately for you, William and I still have to go on our run."
"He's already been on his run. We been runnin' almost all day."
"Yes, but not with me and, as you pointed out this morning, he will be very displeased if he and I do not go on our run together and will be very vocal about it."
"Nothin' but trouble, the both of ya."
Betsy continued to smile at him. "But, very, very worth it." She stepped back from him and went down the steps to greet William, petting him for several minutes and letting him cool down before leading him off.
Victor smiled and headed after them, breathing deeply. There was a light scent in the air that he did not like, but the sight of his mate running gracefully, occupied his attention too thoroughly for him to think about it. With a low purr, he jumped off the porch and headed after his family.
