Daggers

In the early morning light, Xavier sat by the fire, finishing the sharpening of his weapons. His hands moved swiftly, each blade glinting as it caught the soft glow of the rising sun. But in his palm, he held something far more precious—Lula's dagger. Its edges were honed to perfection, yet Xavier wasn't done. He carefully began carving her name into the hilt, every stroke deliberate. When he was satisfied, he ran his fingers over the engraving. It was perfect, a gift worthy of his mate.

He set off to find her, heading to her room with the dagger in hand. Knocking softly at her door, he received no response. Opening the door slightly, he realised the room was empty.

Lula wasn't far. From where they made it into their training grounds, she ran into view. Xavier froze as she came into sight. The morning sun illuminated her figure as she trained, her movements fierce. Sweat glistened on her skin, a trickle sliding down her cheek, tracing its way to her collarbone before disappearing beneath her damp clothes. Her tunic clung to her, accentuating every curve as she moved. The rhythmic bounce of her chest with each step made his throat tighten.

Xavier quickly ducked behind the wall, pressing his back against it to steady himself. He peeked again briefly, but Lula's sharp instincts caught on. She glanced in his direction, her eyes scanning the area, though she saw nothing.

With the sun rising higher, Lula decided to change. In her room, Maya had already prepared hunting clothes for her—a practical outfit to easily blend in with the dark forest. Lula paused to wash away the sweat clinging to her skin before returning to her room.

As she reached for her clothes, a towering presence loomed behind her. Instinct took over. Spinning quickly, she grabbed the intruder's arm and positioned her leg between his to throw him off balance.

But a familiar chuckle stopped her in her tracks. Xavier.

Before she could react further, he caught her wrist with ease, spinning her around to grab hold of her other wrist, trapping her instead.

"Sorry, love. I taught you those moves," he said with a triumphant grin.

Lula narrowed her eyes, breathless and flustered. Before she could scold him, Xavier's lips captured hers in a swift, passionate kiss. He pulled her close, her body pressed firmly against his, and the kiss deepened until she was left breathless.

Before she could react, Xavier stepped back with a mischievous grin, disappearing through the door.

"Xavier!" Lula shouted in disbelief.

She hurriedly dressed and bolted after him, only to find herself running straight into his arms. This time, he held her cheeks gently, looking into her wide eyes before diving in for another kiss. It was slower, deeper, and filled with emotion. A soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips.

When they parted, Xavier noticed her teary eyes glistening. Unable to contain himself, he burst into laughter, earning a red-faced glare from Lula.

"You're impossible," she muttered, turning on her heel with a huff.

"Wait, love! I'm sorry!" Xavier called after her, following closely. "You're just… too irresistible!"

It took hours for him to soothe her, finally promising to teach her how to spear fish to make amends.

The time to leave for the hunt arrived too soon. As they prepared, Maya embraced Lula tightly, whispering a prayer for her safety. David, Xavier's father, placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder, giving him advice.

"Listen closely and stay alert. The oldest Stonehides are the most dangerous. They fully control their senses, hunting anything that breathes. If they've locked onto prey, they're nearly impossible to stop. Take precaution my son."

Xavier nodded solemnly, his protective instincts sharpening.

In matching outfits, Xavier and Lula stood among the gathered warriors. Their garments blended seamlessly with the forest's shadows, designed suited to them as well their weapons.

Her dagger, concealed within the folds of her clothing, could be unsheathed in the blink of an eye. Xavier had often tested her during training. Each time, her dagger was ready, slashing through the air with lethal precision. With a fluid motion, her hand would find the hilt, draw it out, and position it defensively.

Lula soon learned to read the subtle cues —whether it was a shift in weight, a change in breathing, or a flicker of movement. Xavier taught her to anticipate her opponent. Makes her formidable. Lula's reaction and ability to make the daggers an extension of herself, is a trait he admires; blending his lessons with her own cleverness.

The gathered crowd of young warriors fell silent as the Chiefdom stepped onto the raised platform. His gaze swept over the young warriors.

"This hunt is not just a test of strength but of character," he began, his voice strong and deliberate. "You are the future of our village. What you bring back will define your worth—not just as hunters but as protectors."

His tone shifted slightly, a hint of challenge in his words. "Prove to me you are ready to face the dangers beyond our borders. The rarest Stonehides or the most valuable plants will speak for your skill and resourcefulness. This is your chance to rise above the rest."

His sharp eyes lingered briefly on Xavier and Lula, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile.

"Now, go. Bring honour to your kin."

Xavier and Lula walked at a steady pace, taking their time to explore the forest. The other warriors had long dispersed, each choosing their own paths, but Xavier didn't seem rushed. He led the way with a calm ease, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to check on Lula.

Lula, on the other hand, couldn't stop looking around. Everything about the forest fascinated her—the towering trees with their sprawling roots, the glimmers of sunlight piercing through the leaves, and the soft carpet of moss underfoot. She paused often, touching the bark of a tree here, brushing past a fern there, her curiosity never wavering.

"Do you know what kind of plant this is?" she asked, holding up a sprig of a pale green vine that curled around her fingers.

Xavier stopped, turning to her with a soft smile. "That's a moonvine. It only grows in shaded spots like this. The older ones glow faintly at night."

Lula's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really," he replied, his voice easy and amused. "You'll probably see some later if you're still awake."

They continued on, Xavier occasionally pointing out tracks on the ground or scratch marks on trees. Each time, Lula would stop to examine them, her questions coming one after another. He answered them patiently, indulging her curiosity with a fond look in his eye.

"You know," he said, stopping at the edge of a small clearing, "if we keep this pace, we'll have covered more of the forest than the others by the end of the day."

Lula frowned playfully. "Are you saying I'm slowing us down?"

"Not at all," Xavier said with a chuckle, leaning against a tree. "I'm saying you're making the trip more interesting."

The corners of Lula's lips tugged into a smile. "Well, I don't hear you complaining."

"I wouldn't dare," Xavier replied with a grin, motioning for her to follow.

As they continued walking, Xavier led her to several beautiful spots hidden deep in the forest. They passed a cluster of vibrant wildflowers growing in a sunlit patch and came across a crystal-clear stream that bubbled softly over smooth stones. Lula crouched to dip her fingers into the water, the coolness refreshing against her skin.

"I didn't know the forest could be so… peaceful," she said quietly.

"It can be," Xavier said, watching her with a relaxed expression. "When you're not being hunted, anyway."

Lula laughed, splashing a bit of water toward him. Xavier stepped back, hands raised. "Alright, alright. Let's keep moving before you drench us both."

The lighthearted moment faded as they entered a darker, denser section of the forest. Xavier's gaze became more focused. Lula stayed close, her hand hovering near her hidden dagger.

Eventually, they found a secluded area where the trees grew thick and close together, their trunks forming natural barriers. Xavier stopped and motioned for Lula to look around.

Lula nodded, but her attention was drawn to the sounds of a commotion nearby. Voices carried through the trees, followed by a sharp, guttural growl that made her skin prickle.