Page 1 of Hunted

Chapter 1

Abigail

Thewaythesunhit her classroom window always told her when the school day was almost over—for the children at least. She still had the classroom to tidy and the activities to plan for the following day.

“So, everyone, we’re nearly done here. If you can finish up with your projects and then leave them at the side, we can pick back up again with them tomorrow.” Abigail smiled as she saw the concentration on the faces of her young pupils. “I’m so proud of you all, and you should be proud of yourselves, too. Just look at this wonderful work.” Her heart filled with contentment as she traced her eyes over the children’s work.

This term, they were learning all about the ecosystem of the forest, and today they had started on their own projects building models incorporating real materials they’d sourced on a recent outing. This was particularly important for these young pups. As shifters, they were more connected than most to the natural world, and it was part of her job as their teacher to embed this knowledge and appreciation into them.

The Crimson Claw pack were proud members of the shifter community, and she was equally proud to be one of them and help the next generation of shifters navigate the world around them. Being a teacher was everything she had hoped it would be and more. Nothing would ever compare to seeing the spark inside young ones like this and helping it grow into a healthy flame.

“I didn’t think mine was going to work!” Amber exclaimed, her face lit up with both pride and excitement. “But it did, Miss Abby!”

“Itdid,” said Abigail with conviction. “I knew it could work, Amber, well done. This is great stuff.” Amber looked up at Abigail, her large brown eyes filled with warmth. No, nothing could ever compare to this. Abigail knew that. She was born a shifter but made to be a teacher—no doubt.

“Can we finish them tomorrow, please?” Amber pleaded.

“Sure we can,” she reassured the young girl. “You can get right back to work first thing in the morning.”

“Awesome!” she replied.

“The bell will be ringing soon, everyone. Make sure your projects are safe, and then you need to go and collect your things from your cubbies. And make sure you tell your moms and dads about bringing in something that means a lot to your family for next week’s Show and Tell.”

“Can I bring Mr. Pickles?” Chase raised his hand.

“Oh, who’s Mr. Pickles, Chase?” She knew that was probably a stupid question. She had a feeling whoever it was wouldn’t be making an appearance at next week’s class.

“He’s our dog.” Chase spoke as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. “He’s a pug.”

Abigail smiled, trying not to laugh. “Maybe not Mr. Pickles, Chase. Speak to your mom about it.”

“But he means a lot to our family,” he replied, almost confused by her refusal of his request. “He means the most in the world.”

“I’m sure he does.” She knelt, meeting him at eye level. “And I’m sure he’s the best dog ever, but we can’t bring dogs into school for Show and Tell. But you know what? You can bring some photos of him, and maybe some of the things he likes. A toy maybe. What about that?”

He stared at her, disappointment evident in his eyes, but she could also see the recognition in them, hear the cogs working that signified he was thinking about her offer.

“It might not be Mr. Pickles, but hopefully the next best thing.”

“Okay,” he said, his eyes sort of drifting off as he thought. She loved that look. During her time as a teacher spending so many hours around young children, she’d become accustomed to that expression. The look told her they were disappearing somewhere—a place of imagination, of new thoughts, and creativity.

Working with children meant always traversing the fine line between the known and the unknown—every day a new adventure of discovery. It didn’t even feel like work to her, just a way of life, and a chance to learn something new about the little ones in her care every day, to see things through their eyes.

When the bell sounded, she said goodbye to them, knowing that the yard supervisor would make sure they were reunited with their parents out front. Not that it was much of an issue with a tight-knit pack like Crimson Claw. Everyone knew who belonged to who—one of the advantages of being a shifter and a pack member.

“Hey, have you guys not had enough of me today?” She smiled at the three left behind.

“Not really.” Poppy shrugged and offered her a toothy grin.

Warmth pervaded her chest. She wasn’t one for having favorites, but she’d known Poppy, Rowan, and Ethan since they were born and had taught them consecutively for a couple of years now. In a way they were almost like surrogate children to her, not just her pupils, having watched them grow over the years and played a part in their caregiving and education.

“So, what can I do for you?” Abigail asked.

“Well, we were just talking at recess, and Rowan was saying that shifters and humans aren’t always good friends, but I said that can’t be true. Because I know for a fact that my mom has a human friend and they’ve been besties for forever,” Poppy stated.

“I never said they can’t be good friends,” Rowan protested. “I said not best friends because how can you be best friends with someone if you can’t play-fight and go on runs together?”

“Well not everyone you go on runs with is your best friend,” Ethan joined in on this very philosophical conversation.

---