Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 421

**TITLE: Attachment 421**
**Chapter 421 The Hunt**

**MINA**

“Make sure to replace the meat we ate by hunting again this evening.”

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As I stood at the threshold of my room, I turned my gaze toward Calista. She had just closed the door behind her, a triumphant smile illuminating her face as she prepared to usher Elias out of the house. I felt a wave of relief wash over me; after his earlier attempt to remove my cloak, I had no desire to share the same air with him again.

With that unsettling thought firmly lodged in my mind, I reached for my bow, the familiar weight of it comforting in my hands, and set off toward the forest. Hunting was no small feat; it demanded both stamina and patience, yet it offered me an unparalleled tranquility. Those moments spent alone in the embrace of nature were rare gems amidst the chaos of my so-called “family.”

I carefully placed my basket on the ground, envisioning the bounty it would hold once my hunt was complete, and began my search for prey. It was clear to me from the very beginning that Calista’s allowance of meat came with strings attached. In our household, nothing was ever free; every action had its price.

I took a moment to scan my surroundings, sharpening my senses like a blade, and then sensed a movement to my right. I slowed my steps, making a conscious effort not to startle whatever creature lay ahead. Drawing my bowstring back, I steadied my breath, feeling the tension in the air.

“Bingo,” I whispered to myself as my eyes fell upon a magnificent wild boar. Its size was a rarity in these times, especially since the war had ravaged our lands and famine had tightened its cruel grip.

It seemed that with Fenra’s rebuilding efforts, even the wildlife had begun to flourish again. I couldn’t help but wonder how such a transformation could occur in such a short span of time. Fenra had always been a land of fortune; ever since Bethany Winters ascended to her role as Praetor, their prosperity had skyrocketed. Cade Callahan’s leadership only propelled them further into greatness.

Since childhood, Fenra had been my dream destination, a place I had longed to visit. I had absorbed these details through the faint sounds of the television echoing from my room. Yet, that dream had long since faded, buried beneath the weight of reality.

Shaking off the nostalgia, I refocused on the boar, my potential dinner. I positioned the bow against my lips, released a slow, even breath, and was just about to release the arrow when I felt a light nudge at my shoulder.

“So, this is what you do?”

The unexpected interruption caused me to release the bow prematurely. The arrow flew off course, veering wildly through the trees before embedding itself in a nearby bush. The sudden noise startled the boar, sending it into a panicked sprint, disappearing into the underbrush. I turned to glare at the intruder, my cloak swirling around me like a storm cloud.

“Seriously?” I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief as Elias watched the boar escape, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“That’s a big boar,” he remarked casually. “Its meat would have been quite delicious.”

“Are you making fun of me?” I shot back, my voice laced with seriousness.

His eyebrow arched, curiosity flickering across his features. “Why would you think that?”

Frustration bubbled within me, but I shook my head, reaching for my gear with determination. I had to track that boar down again; opportunities like that didn’t come often.

Thoughts of the upcoming lantern showcase before Christmas Eve flitted through my mind. It was meant to celebrate Montrose’s newfound freedom, and I had always adored the beauty of lights. I longed to attend, but with the supplies we needed for Rowena’s anticipated “Holiday Bash,” I knew I would have to work overtime to replenish our stock. That boar could have been the perfect solution, especially since gathering fruits and vegetables had become significantly easier since the war.

Yet, this man had just complicated matters tenfold.

“Hey,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. Instinctively, I recoiled from his touch, my heart racing with irritation.

“There,” he declared triumphantly, a small smile playing on his lips. “Don’t hate me too much now, would you?” He strode over to the fallen boar, effortlessly lifting its weight with one hand and beginning to butcher it for the basket. He wiped his hands on his trousers, turning back to me, his grin widening.

“That should do the job, right?”

I found myself at a loss for words, and he seized the moment to continue speaking.

“Anyway, I’m not actually lost,” he confessed, his tone light. “I just wanted to apologize for startling you back there—with the cloak. I didn’t think it would matter so much, but I shouldn’t have assumed.”

Before I could respond, he reached out, deftly pulling my hair tie from my hair. My brows shot up in surprise, disbelief flooding my senses.

“I’m taking this as payment for the boar,” he explained, still not giving me a chance to voice my thoughts.

With a casual wave, he began to retreat, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“See you around, Mina?”

In the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving me standing there, utterly perplexed for what felt like an eternity.

As I glanced down at the boar—so large it nearly filled the basket Garrick had custom-made for substantial hunts—I found myself shaking my head in disbelief.

“What is his deal, really?” I muttered to myself, astonished by the sudden turn of events.