Suddenly, I catch a faint whiff of something unpleasant in the air. It's distinct and feels very unnatural. It's also a scent I've smelled before, even though it's not often.
Gunpowder.
My senses go on high alert in an instant. I look around me for any signs of a person, but hear nothing other than the crickets trying to warm themselves on this cool night.
The smell lingers, though, like a strand of hair just at the top of my nose. It tickles me and pulls me further into the forest.
Is there a hunter close by?
Just the mere notion makes my blood boil again. I'm not going to let an attack happen in my new home. Definitely not on my watch.
I do my best to try to trace the smell. My senses aren't the most accurate, even though I'm trying my best to make sure I don't lose the scent.
The gunpowder seems to get stronger and then almost disappear. The alternating smell nearly drives me crazy, but I'm determined to stop this threat before it becomes a big problem.
I keep running, forgetting where I've come from and only focusing on the direction I'm going. Whatever this scent is, it's moving and it's fast. I keep rushing with all the speed that I'm able to muster.
Suddenly, I hear heavy steps behind me, traveling way faster than I am. They make me panic, but the closer they get, the more the scent of gunpowder becomes a memory.
Soon, I am consumed by Grant's scent as he closes the gap between us with lightning speed.
He appears in the woods right next to me, panting because of the distance he had to cover to find me just now.
“What were you thinking?” he growls, loudly. There's no trace of a good mood on Grant's face.
“I just—”
“Do you know how far you've run?” he asks. Grant isn't yelling at me, but his cool voice still carries enough weight to tell me I've fucked up. “I told you to stay close and not wander around like that. It isn't safe.”
“I'm sorry, but I caught a whiff of something,” I explain.
“What is it?”
“Gunpowder,” I reply.
His eyes widen. “Gunpowder?”
“Yes, but I can't smell it anymore.” I'm pretty sure it's because Grant is so close to me. When he sniffs the air, I can tell he doesn't smell it either.
“There's nothing here,” he tells me. “Even if there is, you've left the IronFang's land and entered unfamiliar territory. Anything or anyone could be here right now. This is far too dangerous, Leena.”
“I'm sorry,” I sigh. “I thought I picked up the scent of a hunter, so I wanted to actually do something aboutit.”
“And what is that exactly? Get yourself killed?”
His words bring a deep frown to my face. “Why do you think I wouldn't be able to fight?” I ask. “I could take on a hunter. In fact, I want to.”
“No, you can't,” he corrects with no room for argument. Grant sighs, rubbing the sides of his face. “Leena, you're a new shifter. I know your wolf side is wild and aggressive, but that's not enough to stop a hunter. These people know how to kill our kind. It's all they're trained to do.”
“So you think you have a better chance because you were born with your wolf side?” I ask, trying not to growl or let my anger show.
Surprisingly, Grant's expression turns soft. “I know you're hurt because a hunter attacked Tom. I would be too if the hunters attacked people close to me, and that's the exact thing I'm trying to avoid. Running off on your own isn't going to help, especially when you sense danger. That's when we should stick together the most, okay?”
I sigh, but eventually nod my head in response. “Okay. I'm sorry I ran off like that.”
“It's okay,” he responds.
“Looks like I've done a lot of apologizing tonight…”
