A Tale of Red Riding: Rise of the Alpha Huntress (The Alpha Huntress Series Book 1) by Neo Edmund Page A

Riding Clan.”
    “What is this Riding Clan business you’re talking about?”
    “Your family has a long heritage of great heroism and honor in Wayward. You should take great pride in knowing that their blood flows through your heart.”
    “Maybe if I knew more about my family, I would understand what that means. Would you tell me about them?”
    Ethan stood up straight like a soldier saluting a general. “It would be my greatest honor to aid the Alpha Huntress.”
    “Alpha what?”
    Red’s vision had cleared up enough to be able to make out Ethan’s features. He was well over seven feet in height and more than twice her age. His face was rugged and handsome, accented with a thick red beard. Leather armor covered his massive muscular chest and a huge axe hung over his back.
    “Now I know I must be dreaming again,” Red muttered.
    “I can assure you that this is no dream. Though I suspect you’ve had some rather confusing ones since your recent arrival.”
    Red took a half-step back. “How do you know that exactly ?”
    “I knew your mother. Since you are her spitting image in both looks and wit, I would guess I know you just as well as I knew her.”
    “Knew her? Does that mean she’s … you know … not alive anymore?”
    Ethan took a long breath. “Grenda didn’t tell you of her fate.”
    “Granny hasn’t told me much of anything yet.”
    “Then the hard truth falls to me.” Ethan wiped a tear from his eye.
    “Ethan, if this is too hard for you, we can talk about it another time. I’m sure my granny will tell me soon enough.”
    “The strength of your mother is alive inside you, Red Riding.”
    Red frowned. “From the way you said that, I get the feeling I’m not going to get a chance to meet her.”
    “I’m afraid you are right, Red. But let us not dwell on such sad thoughts. There is much to rejoice upon today. The Alpha Huntress has returned to Wayward.”
    “What’s this Alpha Huntress business you keep going on about?”
    “It’s not exactly my place to explain that,” said Ethan.
    Red snarled in frustration. “Well then whose is it exactly ?”
    Ethan shrugged. “I can’t exactly say. Just not me.”
    “It sounds really important. So why don’t you cut the word games and just spill it already.”
    Ethan belted out a laugh. “If I didn’t know better, I would think I was talking to Jenna herself.”
    “Jenna?”
    “That was your mother’s name: Jenna Riding.”
    “Jenna Riding.” The name echoed a hundred times over in Red’s mind. It was the first time she had ever heard the name of her mother. It was like music to her ears. “So she was just like me?”
    “In every way I can see. Though there are hints of your father in you as well.”
    “You knew my father?”
    “That I did. I vowed to him that I would stand by your side and give my life if necessary to assure your safety.”
    Red looked Ethan in the eyes and had no doubt he was telling the truth. “Please tell me about him.”
    “I will. But right now there are more important matters to discuss.” Ethan pushed open the massive double doors of the temple and gestured for Red to go inside.
    “What’s in there?” Red couldn’t imagine that anything in that old temple was more important than learning about her father.
    “You have to trust me, Red. What waits inside is vital to your future.”
    “This had better be good.”
    A gust of warm air shot by Red as she took a few cautious steps through the temple doors. A sea of a hundred flickering candles mounted on the walls illuminated the massive stone chamber. On the ceiling high above was a carved image of the Earth encircled by images of the moon in its eight primary phases.
    On the wall there was a large wooden clock, counting down from—
    5 YEARS / 0 MONTHS / 4 DAYS
    2 HOURS / 3 MINUTES / 22 SECONDS
    “What is the story with this place?” Red looked back to where Ethan was standing in the open doorway with his feet an inch short of the threshold. His