Chapter 2

Alaric Dawnsworn

Mom is still in our nurse room, taking care of the pregnant fox. Meanwhile, I’m sitting at the kitchen table.

I’m so dead.

Father will be home soon, meaning he’ll see that I didn’t hunt anything and he’ll yell at me. I’m already a disappointment for him because he thinks I’m too feminine. It’s not my fault I’m not as tall as him. 

Mom calls from the medical room, “Oh my! She’s further along than I originally thought!”

“How far?”

“She’ll birth the babies in the next few days.”

My eyes widen. The next few days? Damn. How long are foxes pregnant? I have no idea.

“Honey, could you go to the village and buy some things for the fox? So she can give birth in peace and has something to eat,” Mom calls to me.

“Uh, sure. But it’s already dark.” We have to walk about 15 minutes to the village. Through the forest.

“Don’t be a drama queen. You’ll survive.”

I groan at her teasing tone. “Okay, Mom.” Reluctantly, I get up and leave the house. At least I don’t have to face my father if he comes back soon.

As soon as I set a foot outside, I hear wolves howling. Shit. I search my pockets for something to protect me. A small knife. Well, better than nothing.

Starting my way to the village, I keep the knife tightly in my right hand, ready to attack if anything—or anyone—wants to start a fight.

After about 5 minutes, I hear wolves howling, way too close to me to feel safe. I immediately tense and stop walking to listen to the sounds around me. Bushes rustling, snow cracking like someone walking over it. A person. Not an animal. The grip of my knife tightens even more as I hear steps close to me. Silently praying it’s just a kid playing in the forest, I start walking again. I flinch at every sound around me.

An exhale of relief escapes me as I finally step out of the woods and into the village. Thank God.

I walk to my favorite seller at the market. Evie. She’s an old friend of my mom. And because of that, she always gives us free stuff. 

“Hey, Evie,” I greet her politely. 

She greets me with her high voice. “Hi, honey! What do you need?”

“Depends. What do foxes eat?”

She blinks, thinking for a bit. “Meat?”

“Then I’ll take meat.”

Evie gives me meat and a loaf of bread. “Here you go, honey.”

“Thanks. Have a great day, Evie.”

I smile and start my way back home. Through the woods again. With raw meat this time. Yeah, doesn’t sound like a good idea. I take my knife back in my right hand and begin my way home through the woods. It’s almost completely dark now. 

Like before, I tense at each sound around me. Fear engulfs me as I hear the same footsteps as before.

I may not be the strongest guy or be the best at hunting, but I can hear extraordinarily well. Don’t ask me why, though. It has just always been my strength.

 Back to the footsteps, fuck. They are closer than earlier. I walk a bit faster. 

I’ll be home soon. I’ll be home soon. I’ll be home soon.

I’m here. Safe. I rush into the house and close the door behind me.

And there is the next monster. My father. 

“Alaric.”