The four werewolves inched closer. Rosalind gripped Theo's shoulder.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwphCTTxXgG
"Run!" He whispered so softly only she could hear.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA2duJdxa2
She didn't hesitate. She sprinted through the forest and didn't look back even for a moment. Her sore joints throbbed, but she did not stop until she was completely out of breath.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O0PG8tOtJ
She hid behind a gnarled, towering, oak tree, trying to catch her breath. The twisted branches looked like they were going to reach out and grab unsuspecting travelers. But the tree wasn't the most frightening thing in the forest tonight. The distant sound of howling echoed through the vast woodlands. Rosalind nearly screamed when something tugged on her hood. She clenched her fists ready to fight off whatever it was.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdNcMsiGdj
"Calm down. It's just me." Theo raised his hands in surrender. Defined scratch marks marred his skin and his clothes dripped with blood.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuar4rPsyy8
She wiped off some of the blood on his face with her sleeve. "Are you okay?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8a3K1QTjP
He forced a smile. "I'll live."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1dVuQs8Qh
"Can you run?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQVCpExInI
He rubbed his aching knees. "I think so, but we must be careful there are hunting traps all over this part of the woods."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsexlIwfe1n
"That's it!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnon8I0hHuc
Theo raised an eyebrow. "What's it?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKDS9UHgBn
"Maybe, we can lure them into the traps!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgzn3j5YnR
"Please tell me you're joking."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhBT4CslHn
"It's a genius plan."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLZXxCRien
"It's suicide." He buried his face in his hands. "I never should've brought you here."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonPolh8BtM
She brushed his bangs out of his eyes. "It's too late to second-guess our decisions. What matters now is that we're here, and we are going to finish what we started." She reached out her hand, and he firmly shook it.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTo6DGFt5C
"Let's do it."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4d4QC5zVf
The pair climbed up into the tree. Theo scoped out their surroundings, but his eyes appeared to be straining.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l9nxHNIpq
"Are you alright?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYTJ6xeBjj
"I'm fine, My night vision is a bit off, tonight." He pointed to a tree several yards away. "Do you see the tree over there?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3SDoGXDuj
She nodded.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprsPsvRobx
"There's a trap underneath it," he pointed to two more trees, "and under those two as well."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUF3fbsleB
"Aren't there four of them?" She gestured towards the part of the woods where the werewolves had been.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjZTr8RrF6
"I suppose we'll have to improvise. Don't worry, you're quite clever. Between the two of us, I'm sure we'll figure something out.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fP4Tjf0yS
Rosalind sighed. "There's no way we can take them all at once, our best shot is to try to split them up."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IMUI3olXo
Theo shook his head. "I won't be able to outrun them, at least not in my human form."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryUxjydAzQ
"Is there any chance you could shift into your wolf form?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIslWGHIMw
He stared down at his hands. "I can't control my transformations. Maybe my father could've taught me, but–" He couldn't finish his sentence.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7QKJYBAAp
She gave him a reassuring look. "There has to be a way to stop them."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWSAdsBbyv
The subtle sound of leaves crunching caused both of them to jump.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOhwtHkDnz
Rosalind glanced down to see the four wolves circling the tree.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQjEIXs6hC
One of them sniffed loudly. "The trail ends here."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr8jOu6u8D
Rosalind held her breath. She was afraid even the smallest sound could alert them to their position.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyo9yuw6oG
"How is this the end of the trail?" one of the others barked.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw4aplZPE3
"I'm telling you this is where I lose their scent!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqRTtIKDQc
"Ha! Looks like Duke isn't as good as he thinks he is," another wolf teased.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RKvi6sHiE
"My senses are more acute than yours will ever be!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBLiqNcO5y
They snarled at each other, prepared to fight.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LJvJX6kqI
"Hey! Knock it off, you two!" said a wolf with gray fur who seemed much less spry than the other three. "We have a mission to complete, and here you are wasting time bickering. Do you think this is how a huntsman is supposed to behave?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJykOdwhJWn
"No, sir."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5svgwB5eX
"I'm glad we're on the same page. They couldn't have gotten far. Spread out and hunt down the Mixedblood, but keep the girl alive."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqROnTaSjnI
"Yes, Pack Father, Gregorio," they all said in unison. They all dispersed into different directions.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbQeu4w23u
As soon as Rosalind thought they were safe, she was startled by a loud snap. The branch was beginning to collapse under their weight.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp07HEKzsS6
"You can't hide from me forever, Mixedblood," one of the werewolves called out.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr1EvNalBU
Theo grabbed onto a different branch and effortlessly pulled himself up onto it. He signaled for Rosalind to do the same. As she latched onto a nearby limb, the branch beneath her snapped. Leaving Rosalind dangling in the air. She tried her hardest to pull herself up but she lost her grip and she fell to the ground with a thud.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHJRl77N5S
"This will be easier for both of us if you give up now." A wolf lurked in the shadows.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5TrP88OtK
She dug through a nearby pile of debris. She grabbed the pointiest stick she could find and prepared to defend herself. "Back off!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv22JWTIYzb
The wolf ignored her warning and crept closer and closer. He paused for a moment. "Hey, I know you!" He gazed down at his bandaged paw. "You're the little bitch who shot me in the hand with an arrow!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIESfx8EawK
Rosalind pointed the stick at his eye. "Your boss said you aren't allowed to hurt me."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl97D3bkTay
He laughed. "No, he said I'm not allowed to kill you."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg5xtyPzIQ
The moonlight reflected off a metal hunting trap. It was within eye shot, and if she ran she could make it.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk8Zd2L53R
Theo crept down from the tree. He gave her a firm nod, then followed the tracks of the other wolves into the forest.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvZTScadNO
"What are you looking at?" He turned his head in Theo's direction. Without thinking Rosalind whacked him in the face with the stick before he saw him.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhRahEwovi
"Hey!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpqNV9iWtf
She ran towards the trap while he was distracted.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST0K4xxIcK
He chased after her. "I'm not done with you yet!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QKuuJUXAR
His injured paw gave her a considerable advantage, but she wouldn't slow down until she was past the trap. She was only a few steps away. Claws dug into her back and ripped her sweatshirt. He pounced on top of her, pinning her to the ground.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwymYSRXjk
"You're faster than you look." He gasped for air. He froze for a minute, then sniffed her sweatshirt. "How did you-"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt1DwV9RO9
Rosalind kneed him in the stomach before he could finish that sentence. She wasn't in the mood to chat. She escaped from his grasp while he doubled over in pain.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOMNkkHJvR
He bared his teeth and snarled. Wrath flashed through his hazel eyes.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn72f5T9Mv1
She would be lying if she said she wasn't intimidated by him, but she had to put on a brave face, for herself and Theo. She was careful to step over the trap as she passed through. Now all that needed to happen was for the wolf tread on the trap.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukItBWpw9N
He charged after her. If her plan didn't work, there was nothing she could do to stop him. He snapped his mouth shut around the back of her shirt, biting a hole into it. He attempted to bite her again. The metal trap clamped shut around his paw. He tried desperately to break free. His attempts were fruitless. "Let me out of here, now!" He violently pulled, trying to break free, but in doing so he only made it tighter.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuNGqsBtpH
"Not until you tell me where the cure is."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkYK9gtDZm
"I am a high-ranking member of The Silver Huntsmen and the future leader of this pack!" He scoffed. "Do you think you can keep me caged here like a dog?"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4DGR79slF
She pointed to his trapped paw. "It sure looks like it."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMxgwDZSwu
"The Pack Mother will be furious when she hears about this. She'll hunt you down."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvWEDLmB83
"I look forward to meeting with her." She leaned up against a tree and picked at her nails. "I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for you to talk."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsbq62dehI
He spent about ten minutes cursing and making empty threats, but she wasn't listening. She was worried about Theo. The forest had been eerily silent apart from Chandler's swearing.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3yRSJQoQu
Leaves rustled in the woods behind them. Rosalind spun around to see what she was up against. It was the gray wolf from earlier. She pointed the stick at him. "Stay back," she ordered.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM5xFLe7FL
"Pack Father!" Chandler stammered. "I can explain!" He tried so hard to break free from the trap, he tore his flesh.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdgoP2xeuH
The Pack Father stayed completely still until he couldn't watch anymore. He shifted to his human form and raised his hands in surrender. He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please, release him. I'll give what you want."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRrxCBQuks
"Theo and I would like a private meeting with Pack Mother Luna." She still refused to lower the stick.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw4jS1pguH
He sighed. "Very well, I'll see what I can arrange."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX534fyXlFt
"You're going to give in without a fight?" Chandler protested.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z1b77hRxP
The man gazed down at Chandler's wound. "The health and safety of my pack is my top priority."
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoLJBWuaon
"It doesn't even hurt," Chandler said, but his facial expression said otherwise.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvBCh2puc2
"Silence." His tone was so firm and intimidating, Chandler didn't dare argue.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2ObAJEHYo
The sound of three different voices approached them. "I can't believe we got our asses kicked by a Mixedblood," Heath whined.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Pn6TWL5z
"You make it too easy," Theo quipped.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQhhdq5Poa
"Can we stop talking and get this over with?" Duke grumbled.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8JSfmMlTO
The three men stepped out of the woods. Duke and Heath had already reverted to their human forms.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqXXlqgJ4Y
The was sun beginning to peek out from behind the ridge. The morning had arrived, it was clear everyone was exhausted.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlMmRDL3Sk
Heath's eyes widened when he saw them. "Woah, Chandler, I can't believe you let a ten-year-old girl beat you up!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTaY0mgXI0
"I'm seventeen," Rosalind said, but she didn't think anyone heard.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vLCu5Gedc
Chandler clenched his teeth. "Can you please, for once in your life, shut up, Heath?" He spat. "I can't believe you all gave up at the first sign of danger. You're all pathetic cowards!"
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACiqdMbwEp
"Well, look where your bravery got you," Duke said before he released Chandler from his trap.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ISyQociyF
Rosalind turned to Theo to see his reaction to the situation, but he was focused Pack Father Gregorio. Theo's fists clenched. His teeth barred, showing the fangs he usually kept hidden. His entire face flushed bright red with rage.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtvHbba4Ou
"Theo, what's wrong?" She asked.
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYRrtfXqzh
Theo pointed a shaky finger at the man. "This is the man who killed my father."
ns216.73.216.85da2
