The four werewolves inched closer. Rosalind gripped Theo's shoulder.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmbEM3uc5Z
"Run!" He whispered so softly only she could hear.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICGwA2arse
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGLeYi3JC7
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNMosTBzZD
"Calm down. It's just me." Theo raised his hands in surrender. Defined scratch marks marred his skin and his clothes dripped with blood.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hXVheYoYl
She wiped off some of the blood on his face with her sleeve. "Are you okay?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA5aMoNvuL
He forced a smile. "I'll live."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsWdPOAPf1
"Can you run?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIPvOGF2Bp
He rubbed his aching knees. "I think so, but we must be careful there are hunting traps all over this part of the woods."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbo7J6DxFB
"That's it!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYRPWOIUfq
Theo raised an eyebrow. "What's it?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFi1M0HfSk
"Maybe, we can lure them into the traps!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2pEF3yzQF
"Please tell me you're joking."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3PJsvxZ5m
"It's a genius plan."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1tZEZjVbb
"It's suicide." He buried his face in his hands. "I never should've brought you here."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPnab5E8pH
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlrsQvDPzT
"Let's do it."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQcUpNC0bx
The pair climbed up into the tree. Theo scoped out their surroundings, but his eyes appeared to be straining.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTtH5d2lJL
"Are you alright?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2JmK78zVx
"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?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB2bMp9sYs
She nodded.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm2hSdIGEZ
"There's a trap underneath it," he pointed to two more trees, "and under those two as well."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmejTZ8Cjo
"Aren't there four of them?" She gestured towards the part of the woods where the werewolves had been.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs5iTj3rGt
"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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp28NWhi6k3
Rosalind sighed. "There's no way we can take them all at once, our best shot is to try to split them up."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhjHrAVVwa
Theo shook his head. "I won't be able to outrun them, at least not in my human form."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7jecjfwKi
"Is there any chance you could shift into your wolf form?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2HDJGNRBP
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkWla0iQ7L
She gave him a reassuring look. "There has to be a way to stop them."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a5jzF7uEH
The subtle sound of leaves crunching caused both of them to jump.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIIW3I2O17
Rosalind glanced down to see the four wolves circling the tree.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMltnzH9vp
One of them sniffed loudly. "The trail ends here."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx1ODG45nR
Rosalind held her breath. She was afraid even the smallest sound could alert them to their position.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQndqCIxKNY
"How is this the end of the trail?" one of the others barked.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9IOAX2a0N
"I'm telling you this is where I lose their scent!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHq60D2q3C
"Ha! Looks like Duke isn't as good as he thinks he is," another wolf teased.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPIx6MtGFr
"My senses are more acute than yours will ever be!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxgJi0rgsF
They snarled at each other, prepared to fight.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFFyIe6wOD
"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?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzafKOWWQik
"No, sir."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTrlZDScyv
"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."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uPNTcbNEu
"Yes, Pack Father, Gregorio," they all said in unison. They all dispersed into different directions.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs6mveiqBk
As soon as Rosalind thought they were safe, she was startled by a loud snap. The branch was beginning to collapse under their weight.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNlIOb7nh9
"You can't hide from me forever, Mixedblood," one of the werewolves called out.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriFiieRFOx
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKDN8rceNl
"This will be easier for both of us if you give up now." A wolf lurked in the shadows.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoGTRvCUEa
She dug through a nearby pile of debris. She grabbed the pointiest stick she could find and prepared to defend herself. "Back off!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNA2Rpg37d
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!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRrk1FxxRf
Rosalind pointed the stick at his eye. "Your boss said you aren't allowed to hurt me."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoGZt2TXaC
He laughed. "No, he said I'm not allowed to kill you."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgQkRD8hAC
The moonlight reflected off a metal hunting trap. It was within eye shot, and if she ran she could make it.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm90pxAHwSR
Theo crept down from the tree. He gave her a firm nod, then followed the tracks of the other wolves into the forest.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl343aKtPW
"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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8aR3maHRd
"Hey!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49R4sIyvZr
She ran towards the trap while he was distracted.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijDgM2JjpQ
He chased after her. "I'm not done with you yet!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcujTAqSMbx
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9ZuHDRauY
"You're faster than you look." He gasped for air. He froze for a minute, then sniffed her sweatshirt. "How did you-"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IZlbS4DpX
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdunpISepRE
He bared his teeth and snarled. Wrath flashed through his hazel eyes.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWFsXTU3Gl
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfeVvhFJnH
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IEBUxtp5T
"Not until you tell me where the cure is."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqHttRZ2WK
"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?"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTimwikqmm9
She pointed to his trapped paw. "It sure looks like it."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjGSZPlzDw
"The Pack Mother will be furious when she hears about this. She'll hunt you down."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rkndhdFFI
"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."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwZrhMAlPB
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D0cPz5ACZ
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrESDxdM5y
"Pack Father!" Chandler stammered. "I can explain!" He tried so hard to break free from the trap, he tore his flesh.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFzKwq1GyU
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."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qFJvwuoEf
"Theo and I would like a private meeting with Pack Mother Luna." She still refused to lower the stick.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVg8fKmT2d
He sighed. "Very well, I'll see what I can arrange."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PVOnNu1sg
"You're going to give in without a fight?" Chandler protested.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VHeiZkJ9C
The man gazed down at Chandler's wound. "The health and safety of my pack is my top priority."
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2RMn6qU26
"It doesn't even hurt," Chandler said, but his facial expression said otherwise.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEKhnSyqoY
"Silence." His tone was so firm and intimidating, Chandler didn't dare argue.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdUV8lHMUK
The sound of three different voices approached them. "I can't believe we got our asses kicked by a Mixedblood," Heath whined.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi4GB7niLx
"You make it too easy," Theo quipped.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUIq7OxQ0Q
"Can we stop talking and get this over with?" Duke grumbled.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw8Cwj01xR
The three men stepped out of the woods. Duke and Heath had already reverted to their human forms.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUFR7Gb8Ic
The was sun beginning to peek out from behind the ridge. The morning had arrived, it was clear everyone was exhausted.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLPOnR7Bei
Heath's eyes widened when he saw them. "Woah, Chandler, I can't believe you let a ten-year-old girl beat you up!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVqEdkfMGw
"I'm seventeen," Rosalind said, but she didn't think anyone heard.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXjR5zbedb
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!"
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Uap8Off5I
"Well, look where your bravery got you," Duke said before he released Chandler from his trap.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiY5jbROha
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.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gdgpzjvCt
"Theo, what's wrong?" She asked.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT60JjUufOj
Theo pointed a shaky finger at the man. "This is the man who killed my father."
ns18.188.163.142da2
