"I don't feel like an adult. I feel like a teenage boy who everyone's annoyed with" (Helen Fielding)

NOUR'S POV

There are way too many people around me, shifters of all size, gender, age and origin. They look like ordinary humans on the outside, but if you're being extra attentive you'll notice the differences.  It's particulary the case with some species, like birds. They tend to be skittish folks, with amazing reflexs and they usually think there's above the others. Well, then again, it depends on the kind of birds. One of my classmate in high school was a raven and believe it or not, he was an absolute sweetheart.

I'm currently sitting with two girls and an older guy and I don't feel confortable. I always wonder how people manage to act so casual with each other. Whatever the topic,  I don't have much to say, although I force myself to make small interventions now and then, so people won't think I'm a weirdo. But it requires a lot of my energy, and I am very much looking forward to going back home. 

"So, Nour, do you have a boyfriend?" the older guy asks while winking at me.

"Wow, always so straightforward, Nicolas" the blond girl laughs, slightly shaking her head. "You don't even know if he's into guys."

"There's no point in being subtle, Reneta. I've been telling you that over and over again." Nicolas retorts. "Life is too short for that. Besides, I have a feeling that this guy is as straight as an arrow. Am I right, pretty boy?"

"Watch your tongue, the pretty boy is gonna b- "

Before I have time to finish my sentence, which would have certainly  pissed of the old fart, I'm being interrupted by someone with a very deep voice:

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen. Please join the area of the clearing which has been allocated to you - you'll find the number at the back of your convocation. Please do it as quickly as possible, so we can proceed with the Meeting. As you already well know it, it is quite dangerous for us to be all reunited in the forest so the more efficient we all are, the sooner you can return to the safety of your houses."

There's a mumble of agreement, then everybody quickly goes to the area they've been allocated and I start slightly panicking. I have to hurry if I don't want to be the last one standing in the middle of the clearing like an idiot. Okay, let's have a look at my convocation. Where is it already? It's not in my pockets! Oh, right, I put in my backpack. So, I am in Area 4. Where is it? Suddenly, I see Rémy standing among a small crowd and I hurrily walk in his direction, completely forgetting that I'm supposed to be mad at him. The people in this area seem quite powerful and I can't help to get a bit closer to Rémy. Of course, I'm not scared, it's just - well, you know. 

"Rémy! Thanks God you're here! Is it Area 4?"

I grab his arm and he frowns at me, looking like he wants to remove his arm from my hold before he decides against it. Maybe he can sense my distress, because he puts his hand on my shoulder and replies softly.

"Erm, no, this is Area 2. Area 4 would be on your - "

"Nour!" the deep voice from earlier interrupts him, making every head turn in our direction. Oh, the disgrace. "You're in Area 4, which is the one on your right, next to the plane tree."

I nod, joining my peers with what I hope sound like a casual gait, when deep down I feel like running at the sound of the very authoritative voice. Urgh, I hate it when all eyes are fixed on me!

Once I'm in Area 4, I quickly scan my surrounding. There are 8 areas, and there are quite a lot of people in my Area, while there are only six people in Area 1. I almost jump when I see two familiar faces looking at me from Area 1. These freaking lions! Although, I'm pretty pleased to see that the younger one has a hateful expression on his face. Having his nose broken probably hurts like a bitch, eh? 

Deciding that there are much more interesting things to look at than these two perverts, I quickly turn my gaze to area two, to see Rémy whispering in the ear of a bald guy with a red beard. Someone's feeling sociable, huh? 

In Area 8, there must be around thirty people, some of them I recognized as birds earlier. Okay, I guess they sorted out the shifters based on the strenght of their animals, the most powerful shifters being in Area 1, while the weakest ones are in Area 8. 

Why would they do that, though? And who are they to judge? Just because you're a bird doesn't mean that your chances of survival are any lesser than those of a lion! I actually think it's quite the opposite. These lions like to show-off their strenght, attracting unwanted attention to them while birds are clever enough to remain discret and vigilant.

"Good, now that you are all in your allocated area, I think we can begin"

I blush slightly, then look up at the man who's speaking. I am pretty sure he is a lion, he looks quite similar to the ones who molested me, although he sounds much older. He could be their father or uncle, for all I know. Weirdly enough, I decide he is safe. I like the way he talks, in a calm and reassuring manner. How could someone so wise and charismatic be related to these assholes? 

"I will keep it short. I suppose you're all aware that the Hunts have resumed, and that the Hunters are more determined than ever. One hundred and twenty-two shifters have been killed already, while fifty-two have been injured by Hunters. This is a tragedy, and I share your anger and your sorrow. One of my closest friend died last week in the hands of those killers"

There are a few gasps and horrified cries at these words, and I do my best to keep an impassive face. Shit! Why can't we fight back? I get it that they don't want things to escalate, but we can't just let them kill us all without doing anything!

"We can't have any more huge gatherings like this one, because it would attract the Hunters' attention on us, which is the last thing that we want. They don't know how much of us are left, so if we make ourselves scarce, there's a good chance that they will give up soon."

The girl next to me accidentally nudge me, making me look at her. Her eyes are all red and her lower lip is shaking. I want to comfort her but now isn't the time nor the place. 

"There are a few safety guidlines that we ask you all to respect, such as avoiding to shift, especially during day time. Don't engage into sportive activities with humans and try to keep a low profile. Don't do competitions, remain hidden in the shadows if your job allows it. Now is not the time to reveal your true nature to humans, and obviously if you make any new friends in the upcoming weeks, be very careful around them. Like I used to tell my children, a cautious shifter is a shifter alive."

I sigh, wondering why he is ever telling us all of this. We all know this old man, how do you think we managed to stay alive during all these years? Just move on already! Say something useful!

"Hunters aren't ordinary humans. Most humans have never heard about us, or believe that we are mythical creatures. Hunters are different, and far more dangerous. They are humans with a supernatural nature if you like, but they never shift because they don't have enough magic to do so. Of course, not all of these 'superhumans' become Hunters. Most of them live peacefully and don't bother us at all. Hunters are hateful people, frustrated by the fact that they will never be able to shift."

Come on! Is this meeting turning into a History Lesson, now? 

It seems that I am not the only one to think that, because a middle-aged woman standing next to the man starts whispering something in his ear, making him nod with a slightly embarassed expression. 

"Alright, sounds like I got carried away. Again. Anyway, my point is, we've decided that we would follow a defensive strategy, at least, as a first step. Of course, if it doesn't work, then I'm afraid we'll need to be more agressive"

There are a few mutters of agreement and I can see some men and women in Area 2 nodding frantically, definitely ready to spill blood. God dammit, people! Keep your animals in check! Rémy, as expected from him, looks calm and focused. 

"Here is what we have decided. Every predator will have to protect a prey. Sometimes, two predators will be attributed to a prey. We have already decided the pairs, and they are absolutely non-negotiable. You don't like the person you have to protect? Deal with it, we don't have time for that kind of childishness. Now, listen closely as my Commandant in Chief will read the list."

It actually seems like a good idea, I have to admit I'm pretty impressed by their thinking. I wonder who I will be protecting, though. I'm a predator, but my animal is pretty small, so I'm not sure I would be that much of a help. Maybe they'll attribute me a bird, or a cat? Please, everything but a pigeon! I can't stand them, I really can't! 

" Austin will protect Darius. Emily will protect Khaled. Brian and Eva will protect Denis. Yanis will protect Miléna... 

Rémy and Oliver will protect Nour."

... WHAT ?

A/N: Yay, I managed to update! It was a tight one, and I probably should have been studying instead of writing ^^' I'm not very happy with this chapter, although I hope you will still enjoy it! I will try to fix it later!

There should be some (light) smut in the next chapter, so there's still time to leave the ship if you want to preserve your innocence! ;) Apart from that, I wish you all a very nice week!

Stay strong xxx

#hasnoshame