The morning sun spilled golden light over the forest, painting the leaves in shades of amber and crimson. Scarlett adjusted the strap of her small leather quiver, a determined look on her face. Today, she had convinced Misty to go with her on a hunting "expedition," though in truth, it was more practice than an actual hunt.
"We'll pretend we're real hunters," Scarlett said, her voice low with excitement. "We'll track our prey, aim carefully, and—" She paused, squinting at the horizon. "—maybe hit something this time."
Misty grinned, tying her own bow across her back. "You mean maybe hit the target for once. Last time, you nearly shot that squirrel straight out of the tree and scared it half to death!"
Scarlett rolled her eyes, a small laugh escaping her lips. "I said I was practicing! And it was moving… it moved!"
"Sure," Misty teased. "Excuses, excuses. But today, we'll do better. I promise."
The two girls tiptoed through the underbrush, careful not to make noise that might scare off the small animals they were pretending to hunt. Their bows felt heavier than they looked, the wooden arrows balanced awkwardly in their tiny hands. They were still learning, and every step tested their patience as much as their skill.
Scarlett spotted a small rabbit nibbling at the grass ahead. She crouched low, squinting through the branches. "There!" she whispered. "I'll get it this time."
Misty positioned herself beside her, doing her best to imitate the careful stance Scarlett had taught her. "Steady… aim… release slowly…" she whispered, repeating the words they had learned from Zeus, who had patiently instructed Scarlett in the art of archery, even if she had yet to show great precision.
Scarlett drew her bowstring back, focusing all her energy on the rabbit. She exhaled, released… and the arrow flew past the rabbit, thudding harmlessly into a tree trunk. The rabbit twitched, then bounded away, unharmed.
Scarlett's face fell. "I missed again," she muttered, kicking at the leaves in frustration.
Misty giggled, shaking her head. "You're supposed to aim at the middle, not the top! Watch me." She raised her own bow, her fingers trembling slightly, and let an arrow fly… straight past the rabbit into the dirt. "Uh… almost?" she said sheepishly, trying to maintain her dignity.
Both girls burst into laughter, the tension breaking as the forest echoed with their giggles. They chased one another through the trees, retrieving arrows and resetting their imaginary targets. The sun climbed higher, and the warmth of the day made the forest feel safe, almost magical, a secret world where mistakes could be forgiven and laughter was the reward.
After several more attempts, Scarlett sat down on a moss-covered rock, wiping sweat from her brow. "We're terrible," she said, though the smile on her face betrayed her. "We're supposed to be hunters, but we can't even hit a rabbit."
Misty plopped down beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. "We're young. We're learning. Even Father didn't hit perfectly at first, I bet."
Scarlett tilted her head, considering this. "You really think he missed?"
Misty nodded confidently. "Absolutely. Father doesn't just get strong and skilled overnight. He practiced… a lot. We just have to keep trying."
Scarlett's gaze wandered over the trees, the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds filling the silence between them. "I want to be strong like him," she whispered. "I want to be brave, even if I'm not wolf-born like the others."
Misty's hand found hers, squeezing gently. "You will be. And I'll be with you. We'll practice together until we get it right. No one can say we're weak if we don't give up."
Scarlett felt a warmth spread through her chest. Misty's unwavering belief in her made her own resolve stronger. She nodded firmly. "Okay. Let's try again."
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of arrows, laughter, and whispered encouragements. Every miss was met with a new attempt, and every small improvement—an arrow closer to the mark, a steadier stance—was celebrated like a victory. By noon, the two girls were covered in dirt and sweat, their hands blistered but their spirits soaring.
At one point, Scarlett let out a triumphant squeal as her arrow finally struck the trunk of a tree exactly where she had aimed. Misty jumped up and clapped. "See! I told you we'd get it eventually!"
Scarlett's grin stretched from ear to ear. "One day, we'll be the best hunters in the valley!" she declared.
Misty laughed. "Well… maybe the best human hunters. Wolf pups might still outrun us, but that's okay. We'll find our own way to be strong."
The girls collapsed onto the soft grass beneath the oak tree, panting and happy, the weight of the day settling pleasantly in their bones. Scarlett looked up at the sky, imagining her mother's face smiling down on her, imagining that for just this moment, she was part of a world that was hers—ordinary as she might be, but hers nonetheless.
"You know," Scarlett said, turning to Misty, "I think I could get used to this. Hunting… practicing… just being out here with you. It feels… right."
Misty nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I feel the same. Out here, no one cares if we're small or slow. We can just… be ourselves. And maybe one day, we'll be ready for the things no one else can handle."
Scarlett didn't fully understand what Misty meant, but she didn't need to. For now, the forest, their bows, and their laughter were enough. And as they packed their arrows and headed back toward the fortress, Scarlett felt something she had rarely felt before: hope.
The sun was high in the sky, and the air shimmered with warmth. Birds chirped their songs of freedom, and the forest seemed to hold its breath, as if watching the first moments of a bond that would endure all trials. Scarlett and Misty walked side by side, shoulders brushing, their small hands occasionally bumping in playful touches, and the weight of loneliness that had so often pressed on Scarlett's heart felt lighter than it had in years.
"Maybe we should try again tomorrow and this time you shift Misty," Scarlett said.
"Really? sounds like a plan." misty responded with a big smile on her face and they both giggled.
By the time they reached the edge of the courtyard, Scarlett felt confident in one simple truth: no matter how ordinary or weak she might seem to the rest of the pack, she had found her strength in friendship, laughter, and the quiet determination that refused to give up. And that, she knew, was only the beginning.