I slipped through the trees quietly; nearly breathless. The sun had yet to rise, but the tendrils of its slow fingertips lightened the sky sweetly. The January air was crisp and sharp in my lungs, but I didn't feel the cold of the winter. My feet skated over the familiar wooded area, listening to what life remained around me in the quiet morning.

I planted my back against the body of a tree, reaching for my weapon with ease. I equipped my bow carefully, a thin arrow just barely between my fingertips as I prepared myself. I sat quietly, listening to the cool air travel through the barren trees lazily. Just in the distance, something shuffled timidly yet too clumsy for its own good.

I strung my bow and twisted around the tree lithely. My sight aimed at the creature; a young deer wandering silently for food. Its tail lifted and lowered as it stepped hesitantly over the floor of the woods. Deer were known for being suspicious and paranoid, yet almost gracefully clueless at the same time. I was fond of them. Though if I were honest, I was fond of nature and wildlife in general.

With a slow intake of a breath, I settled my aim on the deer and prepared to cause the least amount of pain possible. It lifted its head briefly, glancing around it as though it sensed me. I remained frozen in my position, blending in with my surroundings effortlessly. When it deemed itself momentarily safe, I began to release my arrow.

"Mila!"

I winced at how close the cry was to my position. The deer on the other hand wasted no time. It kicked off, attempting an escape in a panic. I twisted around the tree, following it with my aim just as quickly before releasing the string of my bow with deadly precision. Without waiting, I bolted from my spot, putting away my bow to withdraw a large knife from the strap of my leg.

I reached the deer to find it lying on the floor of the woods, kicking and struggling for what life remained. My aim hadn't been as true as intended.

"Shhhh, don't move," I whispered as I lowered myself to it carefully, lightly running my hand over its head with pity. The deer seemed to take my suggestion to heart. It fell silent, no longer struggling against the pain I caused. I had something of a connection to the animals. Sometimes, it was as though they could listen to me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered solemnly before drawing my knife over its throat swiftly.

"Mila, are you out here?" My brother called out determinedly closer. I cleaned my blade before putting it back in its sheath attached to my leg. I began untwisting straps that I'd use to drag the body back to the village and frowned as my brother walked into visual distance.

Greg was seven years younger than me and despite being related we looked nothing alike at the time, except for the eyes. He was thin and gangly, lacking muscle tone even though he worked quite a lot with my dad on hard labor chores throughout the village. His hair was ginger, which looked funny with his excessive freckles. He took after my mother in that area, scorned by the sunlight and pale as a result.

I turned out more athletic and curvy than my more petite mother. My hair was black like coal which shined blue under moonlight. It stuck out between my family members being than most were either redheads or brunettes. But all doubt of heritage was smothered by the Young family eyes; a jealous green of emerald fire. My father, brother, and I all shared the trait. My mother on the other hand held amber copper which darkened in the night to sable.

When I properly strapped the deer, I stood to gain Greg's attention.

"I was calling you," He groaned with irritation, glaring at a nearby bush that caught a hold of his sleeve stubbornly. I smiled as he stormed moodily towards me. He would be turning eleven soon and already he showed signs of that teenage doom and gloom. I liked him despite his annoyances.

"I was hunting," I told him, "And you almost cost me game, by the way."

"You never lose the game," He muttered, disbelieving. I began walking back towards home and he followed beside me silently. After a moment, I glanced at him curiously.

"Why were you looking for me?"

"Dad told me to get you..." He seemed really bothered; more so than usual. When he stopped moving forward, I paused as well.

"What is it?"

"We should go camping for a few days. Like how you do sometimes," Greg suggested.

I laughed. "You hate camping outside!"

"Maybe I've changed my mind," He muttered unhappily. I looked at him carefully, having already guessed what was bothering him.

January was the month of the Wolf Moon. Every year the human villages were required to give up a sacrifice to the lycans for the hunt. Our particular village was one of the largest of the human habitats, so the chance of being sacrificed seemed slim. It was more likely to be killed at random by a wandering werewolf when hunting as I tended to do. At least until last year when one of Greg's best friends was selected.

The entire process was eerie. The King Alpha of the lycans issued the requirements of the sacrifice each year, sometimes demanding young adult men or the elderly. Last year included children between the age of 5 to 10 years old. I had never felt such raw fear as then, and so this year I could understand Greg's discomfort.

The King Alpha demanded young female virgins between 13-18. I was snuggled in the center of the requirement. It wasn't as if I announced I was a virgin. In fact, I considered lying, but those trying to evade the process would risk the life of everyone they knew if they were caught. So I admitted my potential and now waited for appointed lycans that would arrive to each village on the day of the Wolf Moon. That day happened to be today.

"I'll be fine," I told Greg, reaching to mess up his hair before pausing. Blood still dirtied my hand from the deer. Instead, I bumped into him teasingly. "Come on. If Dad is calling for me, that means the lycans are here."

When I walked into the house, it was into a world of chaos. My mother was hysterical with panic, similar to last year when she had to present Greg to the wolves. I could still hear her cry of sheer relief and terror when he came back untouched but in tears.

"Milena, where were you?!" She screeched in fear. I dropped the deer in bewilderment. My close family were all buzzing around the room in equal panic. My aunt immediately began to pull off my clothes while my cousin simultaneously began tugging the presentation dress over my head.

"There's no time for a bath, darling. The other potentials are already there." My aunt cooed to me as soothingly as possible, picking at the remains of the woods in my wild hair. My initial shock was turning into real fear.

"I'm late?" I asked.

"We sent Greg for you hours ago." My cousin stressed with anxiety. I stepped into the shoes placed in front of me, but it did me no good. I looked wrecked. A glance around revealed a guilty-appearing Greg who no doubt had tried to postpone my return to avoid having to present me. My mother was beside herself now that I was here, wailing with fear. My father was comforting her the best he could, but he looked terrified himself.

"There's just no time, Milena. Go on. Get there as fast as your feet will take you," My aunt instructed me, her voice strained. Before I could turn to obey, she grasped my face in her hands quickly. "Step lightly, my child."

"Remain unseen," I breathed, repeating what had been lectured to me since the requirements had been announce. She released me and I immediately ran back into the cold air of the January morning.

My feet were less certain as I raced to the presentation. The sky was suddenly too bright and everyone was waking. People I both knew and didn't know were looking through windows and standing in doorways, watching as I ran past. I felt my feet were heavy, not light. I felt extremely on display; seen by all. My stomach was tight from dread.

I approached the Center Hall; the town house where the presentation was held every year. There was not a sound nearby besides my breathless gasps as I reached for the door. I hesitated, taking a moment to collect my breath before straightening my shoulders and opening the door.

"Finally!" The village leader John declared as he saw me enter the lobby. He immediately grasped my arm, tugging me almost roughly towards a side door. "You're late and they're extremely impatient... people."

"I'm sorry," I apologized sincerely, trying not to panic as I was led into the presentation room. A line of girls similar to my age were standing, each with an expression of fear as we entered. Most were relieved when they saw it was just me, but many others seemed to be stuck in that constant terrorized state.

"Stand with them. I'll be right back," John announced, leaving me with the rest swiftly. I quickly shuffled to the end of the line, glancing at the others despite not wanting to. I didn't want to see the face of the one chosen. I would be haunted enough as is.

However, as I stood waiting, I noticed that each girl was cleaned spotless. Their hair was styled meticulously. Their presentation outfits were without a wrinkle, stain, or tear. Their skin was untouched by the outside world, if only for the moment. I hesitated and looked down at myself.

My hair was untamed and still held evidence of my hunt and the woods. My dress was tattered from the run here. My hands were tainted by the blood of my game. Much of the blood remained along the back of my legs from dragging the corpse. I smelled of the trees, wildlife, and nature in general. I stuck out horribly.

Step lightly. Remain unseen.

I swallowed loudly and nearly felt nauseated when the door opened again loudly. The others whimpered beside me, just as terrified to be there as anyone else. I stared at the two forms that followed behind the village leader, never having laid eyes on the deity shapeshifters before. My fear was overwhelming, but at the same time, I was horribly curious and dazed at being before such creatures.

One stood off to the side, obvious respect radiating towards the other as he allowed him to take lead. The leading lycan was a looming figure, powerful in just his existence. I felt I could look at him for hours and not be able to take in more than a couple of his features. His appearance was that shocking.

He was radiating energy as he stepped in front of us without actually looking at us. His hair was either light brown or dark blonde and was short, but otherwise uncared for. He was horribly scarred on every part of him that I could see bared which wasn't much. His face held marks of animal attacks, claws and teeth alike, but despite the apparent scars he was striking and god-like.

"My name is King Alpha Roman Stone," He announced sharply, his voice a growl of distaste as he addressed us with a glance over us as a whole; as though he couldn't actually see the potential victims. I would have been stunned by his introduction, after all the King Alpha was considered the highest on the lycan rulership and in the same way the highest ruler over the human cattle, but my current level of panic was too high to surpass any further. I felt downright numb.

"As you know, I'm here to select the sacrifice. Every village offers one to each pack and you will be selected for the Trinity pack," The King Alpha stopped momentarily before announcing what he deemed obvious, "My pack."

He turned to glance at John.

"This is all of them, right? Or should we just spend some time picking off members of your community until you're ready?" His tone was so dark and nasty enough as it was, but the idea that my tardiness could have caused horrible consequences made me redden deeply with shame.

"This is everyone," John assured, "I apologize profusely, King Alpha. You can... you can take two if you must."

"I can take all of them if I must," The King Alpha snarled back dangerously, causing many of the girls to gasp with terror. He turned back to us, towering and horrifying, but seemed to calm back to boredom just as quickly. "One will do. Let's start."

The King Alpha took a step forward, finally doing more than glancing over each of us. I considered taking the time to wipe the blood from my hand onto my dress, but then feared staining the fabric even further. Instead, I tightened my hands into fist firmly, looking down at the ground in front of me with anxiety.

I was startled when large feet planted in front of me. Had he really gone through each so quickly? Did he pick already? Or don't they go over each potential before picking? I thought I heard him say something. What did he say? Why didn't I listen?

The silence was deadly. I hesitated. I looked from the feet to the bodies next to me, trying to look anywhere but at the King Alpha. The girls all looked pale and terrified, but they were all staring at me now. Apparently, they had been listening.

"I asked you a question," The King Alpha growled lowly. I winced, turning my head slowly towards him. My eyes trained on his chest in front of me, his arms crossed and waiting.

"No?" I chanced questioningly, hoping the answer would be correct.

"So you weren't the one who forced me to wait for over an hour?" He asked, no... he repeated. I reddened again, but lifted my eyes from his chest to his face daringly. My eyes were greeted with his cold, blue glare.

"No," I repeated firmly. And before I could stop myself, I added in perhaps the most polite but sarcastically seasoned way, "I would not dare presume a human like myself could force any lycan to do anything at all."

The following silence was probably even deadlier than the previous. I had never felt a regret so instant as this one. I nearly yelped when the King Alpha stepped forward, reaching for my face dominatingly. I held my breath as he twisted my face side to side briefly before grasping my wrist firmly.

"What's your name, human?" He demanded more than asked.

"Mila... Milena Young-" I winced when he bent forward, breathing in my scent with a low growl. He pulled my wrist to his mouth, running his tongue over the blood remaining on my flesh dangerously. The sight was terrifying enough to drop my stomach to the floor.

When he twisted my wrist, trailing his tongue towards the bottom of my hand, he paused to look at the small birthmark on the flesh of my palm just under my pinky. To me, it looked like a smile or the tip of a fingernail. To others, it looked like a crescent moon.

"Are you a hunter, Milena?" The King Alpha asked me cryptically.

I could barely manage a response, "Yes."

"So am I," He released me promptly, as though the moments spent observing me were something disgusting to him. He turned to John before indicating to his fellow lycan, "We'll take this one. Let's go."

The first thing I heard was the gasps of relief from the surrounding girls within the room. I saw them embrace one another; their joy was that great. The next thing I heard was something of a choked sound escaping my own throat. I felt my eyes were too wide and my limbs too stiff suddenly.

"W-w-..."

The lycan accompanying the King Alpha approached me and yanked me forward, twisting me in front of him before pushing my head forward and down as though wanting me to bow. Then he grabbed my hands and pulled them behind me, tying them together painfully. I remained silent momentarily, the reality of the situation not having found me as of yet.

When the lycan finished, he pushed me forward towards the door.

"W-what?" I asked, stuck on the initial comment: we'll take this one.

The King Alpha went ahead of us and the lycan pushed me to follow him. I turned to look at my peers with sheer panic.

"Wait, what?! Me?" I began to struggle and the lycan merely shoved me forward with ease. When I refused to take my steps forward, he resolved to drag me out by the elbow. I tried to sputter more words, but instead began gasping for air as though I were being suffocated.

When we stepped outside, a crowd had evolved. Families of the potential were gathered, waiting to see who had been chosen and who had been freed. As I stepped into the sunlight, a horrific wail lifted through the air. I found my family immediately; my mother screaming with realization. More wails followed; the cries of people who knew me, who had watched me grow among them, and would now watch me taken away forever.

I was forced to follow the King Alpha even though I immediately struggled to run to my family. Before we could make it through the crowd, a louder mass of cries evolved. I looked towards my family in bewilderment as my younger brother ducked under my dad's arm and ran towards me with something in his hand.

Immediately, the whole of my family and friends ran after him. The lycan containing me stiffened, preparing for a fight. The King Alpha snarled furiously, stepping forward to greet the group of humans who dared approach him. His eyes didn't register Greg, who had been overtaken by the group, and for that I was grateful. However, I was terrified for my family's life.

"No! Don't hurt them!" I cried out, trying to rip my arms from the lycan's grip. The group collided with the King Alpha and I closed my eyes as he easily swiped them away furiously. The lycan released me momentarily, aiming to help his King. I spotted Greg and ran to him, bending down to him. "Gregory!"

"I brought you this," He gasped, his eyes wide with fear and disbelief. He lifted the sheath and blade I had previously had wrapped around my leg for my hunt. I looked at it to him, considering how absurd he was.

"Are you crazy?"

"Maybe you can fight them off," He pleaded, the only hope in his mind being the thing in his hands. I hesitated, but I didn't want to see that look of despair on his face any longer. I stood and stepped my foot forward.

"You'll have to put it on," I told him, "Hurry!"

He reached under my dress and tied the strap around my leg as quick as his clumsy hands would allow. Just as he finished tightening the strap properly, I was yanked away painfully. I yelped and Greg aimed to tackle the lycan capturing me. My aunt caught him, pulling him away the opposite direction.

"Fight them, Mila!" He cried out. "Don't let them kill you! Promise me! Promise me!"

I was ripped away, a cloth suddenly wrapped around my eyes to blind me from my surroundings. As I was taken from my village, all I could hear were cries of pain and despair, and among it all was my younger brother's voice fading away but still demanding over and over again for my life.

"I promise," I whispered to myself faintly.

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Music: Winter Bird by Aurora