Barely Breathing

Thud!
I grinned at the fallen tree in front of me. Trading a whole night for training instead of my supposed beauty sleep wasn't so bad
after all.
I laid down on the smooth grass and spread my arms and legs. Loving the softness of grass at my fingertips. I was panting and
sweaty from spending the whole night training hard; punching and kicking trees, knocking down some, and hunting deer or
rabbits in wolf form.
It's a new moon tonight and the sky looks magical with an endless row of little twinkling stars scattered and dominated its
entirety. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. I raised my hand, dreaming to touch it.
Sounds of bugs, wind rushing to the east, occasional owls, and other noises coming from creatures of the night create a
harmonious almost peaceful rhythm like a lullaby. Calming it was. It brought me peace.
I wonder if I would still be able to do this after the Mate Hunt. Just laying here, under the stars, forgetting everything else for a
moment. Smart to say I would get my answers tomorrow.
The Annual Mate Hunt will be held tomorrow much to my dismay. The day after tomorrow is my 18th birthday too. Each year,
everyone gathers to participate in the said event to look for their chosen. I, almost eighteen, need to go.
My thoughts were interrupted as I felt someone watching me, it was so dark, yet even my wolf can sense it. That familiar weird
feeling washed over me and I knew instantly it was him. Well, who else would it be?
"What do you want?" Irritation laced in my voice; my face gave it all away.
"Someone’s in a bad mood huh?" I heard him say. He stood near my head so I was seeing him in reverse.
A familiar set of sea-blue eyes stared down at me with a playful glint. His hooded eyes blend perfectly with his thick straight
brows. His short dark hair got that messy look but suits him just right. His sharp jawline accentuates more his masculine
features. He got that sharp nose that makes him more gorgeous than he is already.
All in all, he's hot, not that I would admit it to him. Never.
Xyrus made that satisfied grin and sat down Indian to sit facing my head. He bent down and whispered in my ear making sure he
touched it with his lips.

"Like what you see?"
"Don't get your hopes up Xyrus. I was just trying to see why girls like you that much because honestly, I don't see anything
special.” I smirked to annoy him more but it seems he's not losing his confidence any moment as his face lit up.
“Ahh - now were finally gone with formalities princess.” But he wasn’t angry, if more, he looked pleased. “I like this side of you.”
“What are you doing here?” I blew a breath away, closing my eyes.
“Tell me what, why do you hate me so much?” I slowly opened my eyes and met his. I couldn’t find the right words to say. True to
it, I don’t hate him. I’m just scared of what he’s showing me. I’m not dense with these kinds of things.
“Tomorrow...” I whispered. “If I survive the mate hunt without being claimed, will you let me leave the pack alpha?”
His brows knitted together. But he didn’t say a word.
I gazed at the vast sky, looking dreamily, gathering my thoughts in my next words. “I don’t belong here.”
"Want me to change that?” His lips stopped closely above my lips, if I so much as move an inch, I dare not to think what might
happen. I stared wide-eyed, my heart doing some somersault at his sudden action. Warning bells invaded my mind as I do not
wish to lose my first kiss to Xyrus.
He had always been annoying, especially during training. He would glare at anyone who accidentally hurt me. When I fight, he
was always there, watching. Not just that but he always demands me to fight with him instead. That part, I do find advantageous
because he is the most skilled and best opponent, one could encounter. Probably the reason I got so good at fighting.
I raised my hands to push his face away but he caught my wrist easily, holding each beside my face on a firm grip. He
anticipated my move.
"Xyrus! don't you dare!" I shouted angrily. My eyes must have been as saucers now. My dislike of him tripled a thousand times.
All I want to do is to rip his lips off of his face if he even so slightly thought of actually kissing me.
"Tsk. tsk. tsk. I am enjoying our current position... you know, you and me under the stars above." He teased.
I was kind of freaking out. My breath became shallow. I’m deafened by the loud beating of my heart.
"Xyrus I’m warning you!"

"Of what?"
"MOVE."
"Make me."
That's it. I'm going to beat this man!
I took advantage of my wrist being held back on the ground as I took some force and moved my face sideways to prevent the
worst just as I pulled back my knee to hit him on the head. But before my knee come into contact with his head, he abruptly
pulled away making me hit my face.
"Ouch!"
I covered my nose with my two hands, unable to move. That hurts a lot! Lucky me it didn't bleed just a sting feeling.
How dare he make fun of me! That jerk!
His laughter echoed through the night, deep and juvenile.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Here I am still laying on the forest floor with my two hands covering half of my face and he had the
decency to laugh at my situation.
"That was hilarious!"
Xyrus’ hands were placed on both thighs while laughing his heart out. I smirked as an idea popped out of my mind. I snatched
his hand and bit his fingers hard enough to leave a mark.
"What the -- Willow!"
Xyrus was shaking his hands and at times blowing it, probably to stop the stinging feeling. A triumphant smile appeared on my
face as I saw his fingers having my teeth marks in red lines.
"That's for making a fool out of me!"
I walked closer to him and kneed him in the groin and felt satisfied as he fell on the ground cursing under his breath.
"And that's for trying to kiss me."

I took that as a cue and turned away before I ran in the direction of the packhouse. I gained a few feet away when I heard him
say something which made me halt.
"Walk away for now. Tomorrow you will be mine."
I turned and noticed him sitting on the grass with both arms on each knee and hands freely hanging down in front of him. The
pain must have gone. And he’s back into being intimidating, watching me with those hooded eyes like prey.
"I've trained so hard and you in pain moments ago proves my point. I will fight whoever says they want a claim on me! I am
nobody's chosen! I will fight you." I said through gritted teeth full of rage. I don't need a mate. I am completely fine with myself
alone. I have plans. I want to go somewhere far and perhaps study and get a life with humans.
Xyrus’ expression was unreadable. It’s hard to guess what he is thinking most of the time when he wants to. Then slowly, after a
minute of just staring at me, he suddenly made a lopsided smile, it's cute though.
Great. Just great. I so wanted to wipe away that silly smile on his dear face but before I cause another riot, I made the wise
decision of turning away and heading off to the packhouse.
I never will be anyone's chosen I promised myself.