The four werewolves inched closer. Rosalind gripped Theo's shoulder.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL5o4NiTp8
"Run!" He whispered so softly only she could hear.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3am16tq5K
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIgCbNTSbR
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q6WGQ7A7o
"Calm down. It's just me." Theo raised his hands in surrender. Defined scratch marks marred his skin and his clothes dripped with blood.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb34ep0r6C
She wiped off some of the blood on his face with her sleeve. "Are you okay?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UbQI6tE4p
He forced a smile. "I'll live."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8FqMQatnN
"Can you run?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoBYTCxXjU
He rubbed his aching knees. "I think so, but we must be careful there are hunting traps all over this part of the woods."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcbXfjjpZo
"That's it!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BD9R6a4dV
Theo raised an eyebrow. "What's it?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP6wX9rn8q
"Maybe, we can lure them into the traps!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm86JzRLRL
"Please tell me you're joking."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5jRdjSkpT
"It's a genius plan."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalK9dGLtZX
"It's suicide." He buried his face in his hands. "I never should've brought you here."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg1sbXZm1W
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhfBgfBBAM
"Let's do it."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOovDQTO2Fu
The pair climbed up into the tree. Theo scoped out their surroundings, but his eyes appeared to be straining.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNHygGQXoa
"Are you alright?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPMaiuoYxZ
"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?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymm0rFbqao
She nodded.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QBmgGTs7m
"There's a trap underneath it," he pointed to two more trees, "and under those two as well."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcOx7PX2pk
"Aren't there four of them?" She gestured towards the part of the woods where the werewolves had been.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ4cucfmPd
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlELJYJiZLo
Rosalind sighed. "There's no way we can take them all at once, our best shot is to try to split them up."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyW3c6pyok
Theo shook his head. "I won't be able to outrun them, at least not in my human form."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR2YgScaDi
"Is there any chance you could shift into your wolf form?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6vbLTJzT9
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojfzOhBpMV
She gave him a reassuring look. "There has to be a way to stop them."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKrLMpNYcM
The subtle sound of leaves crunching caused both of them to jump.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbEQ0uiqQy
Rosalind glanced down to see the four wolves circling the tree.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZcKebTbv2
One of them sniffed loudly. "The trail ends here."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSnl4Ceydx
Rosalind held her breath. She was afraid even the smallest sound could alert them to their position.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5hCIOIhmi
"How is this the end of the trail?" one of the others barked.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xuj6HGPqP
"I'm telling you this is where I lose their scent!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusZFxmYZtv
"Ha! Looks like Duke isn't as good as he thinks he is," another wolf teased.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfphSQdFG5w
"My senses are more acute than yours will ever be!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkGOyU5m4B
They snarled at each other, prepared to fight.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdkRb1YmoH
"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?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ017CqzJXmz
"No, sir."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5VfZt1Xpz
"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."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX6ObyLMYr
"Yes, Pack Father, Gregorio," they all said in unison. They all dispersed into different directions.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4GmUjUQx4
As soon as Rosalind thought they were safe, she was startled by a loud snap. The branch was beginning to collapse under their weight.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6UYo5KCdk
"You can't hide from me forever, Mixedblood," one of the werewolves called out.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRCpWxlN5m
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDNcA2RyWI
"This will be easier for both of us if you give up now." A wolf lurked in the shadows.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn89jTohGt
She dug through a nearby pile of debris. She grabbed the pointiest stick she could find and prepared to defend herself. "Back off!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlObeDVcQo5
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!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF9FarX58O
Rosalind pointed the stick at his eye. "Your boss said you aren't allowed to hurt me."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq2x74Twmi
He laughed. "No, he said I'm not allowed to kill you."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvm0tq7rOD
The moonlight reflected off a metal hunting trap. It was within eye shot, and if she ran she could make it.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTSmFchyjh
Theo crept down from the tree. He gave her a firm nod, then followed the tracks of the other wolves into the forest.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYvEHdimgI
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSqFLWGzh3
"Hey!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUpsUg3Tij
She ran towards the trap while he was distracted.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2guofPVuiP
He chased after her. "I'm not done with you yet!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hDKQlAg9f
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8FgrzjCWY
"You're faster than you look." He gasped for air. He froze for a minute, then sniffed her sweatshirt. "How did you-"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WF5my8Y1J
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlpuxyC2F7
He bared his teeth and snarled. Wrath flashed through his hazel eyes.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9k7uhiK2o
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGeQp1ZV8h
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y1lFh3naq
"Not until you tell me where the cure is."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkTiV1eRvk
"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?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTDStxQXGJ
She pointed to his trapped paw. "It sure looks like it."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssZdHLQpr2
"The Pack Mother will be furious when she hears about this. She'll hunt you down."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bcCWykb5Q
"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."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWjQrrqmy3
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9YPJrRH0H
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsOrut7Wvu
"Pack Father!" Chandler stammered. "I can explain!" He tried so hard to break free from the trap, he tore his flesh.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvca8OzkPkf
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."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph9a8X2VBX
"Theo and I would like a private meeting with Pack Mother Luna." She still refused to lower the stick.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G8CTdhGHm
He sighed. "Very well, I'll see what I can arrange."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8776YdpI3
"You're going to give in without a fight?" Chandler protested.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVOkCLwCoj
The man gazed down at Chandler's wound. "The health and safety of my pack is my top priority."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnR5644WMd
"It doesn't even hurt," Chandler said, but his facial expression said otherwise.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPiV3ZcBNb
"Silence." His tone was so firm and intimidating, Chandler didn't dare argue.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAne5kDaIgM
The sound of three different voices approached them. "I can't believe we got our asses kicked by a Mixedblood," Heath whined.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDDJlQgYO9
"You make it too easy," Theo quipped.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja5mv6Ry6A
"Can we stop talking and get this over with?" Duke grumbled.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbI6lsZwMD
The three men stepped out of the woods. Duke and Heath had already reverted to their human forms.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvNiYxU33E
The was sun beginning to peek out from behind the ridge. The morning had arrived, it was clear everyone was exhausted.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlmzkbYvEp
Heath's eyes widened when he saw them. "Woah, Chandler, I can't believe you let a ten-year-old girl beat you up!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqwxc3OaDe
"I'm seventeen," Rosalind said, but she didn't think anyone heard.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7lB75jk38
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!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXl3ZZmi1V
"Well, look where your bravery got you," Duke said before he released Chandler from his trap.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNwzFbwmvG
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YN2Epd8f5
"Theo, what's wrong?" She asked.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGikNhSusj1
Theo pointed a shaky finger at the man. "This is the man who killed my father."
ns3.21.125.27da2
