Page 3 of Finding His Fox

With a heavy heart and tears streaming down my face, I turned on my heel, knowing there was no other choice.

I sprinted toward the river's edge, my breath hitching in my chest. In that moment, I felt the weight of despair settle upon me. I knew my own fate was sealed.

Chapter 2

Nate

The Past

"Now you boys don't go wandering too far," my dad Donnie warned, his voice filled with concern.

Uncle Warner gave me and my cousin Rory a stern look, silently emphasizing the importance of staying safe.

Rory confidently slung his Ruger Hawkeye Compact hunting rifle over his shoulder.

I gripped my own rifle and carried one of Donnie's old hunting knives as a precautionary measure.

Growing up, our fathers had taken us hunting, instilling in us the skills to navigate the wilderness.

While Rory embraced the outdoor lifestyle with excitement, I found contentment in other hobbies, like sewing clothes for my Persian cat, Missy.

"Sure, I'll keep an eye on little Nate," referring to the childhood nickname that still clung to me,” Rory assured our dads.

Donnie and Uncle Warner nodded in approval before returning to our campsite, leaving Rory and me alone in the vast expanse of the forest.

Although Rory and I had our differences, we maintained a decent relationship.

While he enjoyed hunting and fishing in the Fox Haven woods with his father, I yearned for a different path.

After high school, Rory would likely join Uncle Warner in running the family outdoor and camping store.

Meanwhile, I dreamed of escaping our small town and pursuing a career in the bustling city, complete with a charming boyfriend by my side.

Interrupting my daydream, Rory leaned in and whispered, "We need to watch out for those foxes.”

Rory wiggled his eyebrows mischievously at me. I rolled my eyes, well aware of the secret that lurked within our community.

In Fox Haven, the presence of fox shifters was an open secret among the townsfolk, though we guarded this knowledge closely when interacting with outsiders.

"They mostly stick to their side of the woods. If we don't bother them, they'll simply ignore us," I pointed out with a rational tone, trying to ease any concerns.

Rory shrugged, seemingly unconvinced.

"Either way, let's go that way," he replied, his curiosity piqued.

A sudden idea flashed in my mind.

“Why don't we split up? It'll speed up the hunt. Let's meet back at camp in an hour?" I suggested, knowing full well that I had no intention of participating in the hunt.

Finding a peaceful grassy spot to take a short nap sounded much more appealing to me.

Rory seemed hesitant, but the idea of bagging his own kill clearly appealed to him.

"You know I can take care of myself, and we know this area well," I told him using my most confident voice.

"Alright then," Rory reluctantly agreed with a jerky nod. "I'll see you back at the campsite."

With that, we went our separate ways. I wandered from one spot to another. I was searching for the perfect place to lay my head down and take a a short nap. I was looking forward to daydreaming about my ideal city life with a loving husband who shared my passion for cats.