I thought I was resigned to my fate.
Wolfless.
I march back the way I came because I need that plant. I throw myself at the wall, climbing it with all the skill and practice I’ve developed over the years.
It takes me another three hours to get to the little cave. The plant grows in the sandy soil outside. It’s a tiny plant with delicate leaves and white blossoms. I harvest enough to get me through the next few months and then pause. Something musky and hot hits me.
I stand up slowly, backing away from the cave.
I can feel the air displacement. The changes in the brush over my skin, the scents that are throwing more and more information at me. Why can I smell things I shouldn’t be able to?
There is something in the cave, something big.
My mind supplies the answer; bear.
I back up slowly as the first rumbling roar splits the night.
Freida told me not to run, but I have to get away from it or I’m going to be ripped apart. I back up, desperately moving slowly but steadily, but, for every step I take, it takes two.
The dark peels away from it as it steps into the moonlight, displaying the massive form. Its mouth is open, revealing deadly teeth and a huge tongue. Its eyes are fixed on me. It’s angry, I’ve invaded its territory.
I try to remain calm and think, but it’s hard. I don’t want to die here.
There’s only one choice left.
I whirl and race for the cliff, but the bear gets there first, cutting me off. I back up, frustrated and scared. There’s so many things that can go wrong running in the dark. I don’t know these forests well, but I’m going to have to take my chances.
With a prayer to whoever is listening, I dart into the forest left of me, running unchecked through the dark.
My chest aches, and I can’t breathe properly. My side is on fire, and my calves are cramping.
The bear is following. I can feel each step reverberating through the ground and air. I don’t belong here, but the bear is part of every part of this world.
I duck and barely escape the paw that swats at me, but I roll to the right, and I’m up and running again.
I skid to a stop, looking out at another massive cliff. I almost ran right off it. A whimper escapes me. I run along the edge. It’s sloping down, but I can’t see well enough to run flat out, and the bear is gaining.
The bear roars, and I whirl, throwing myself backwards. I hit the ground hard and it charges. This is it. It’s over.
I wish I’d done so many things. The bear stands up, roaring, huge paws with enormous claws slashing the air. I scramble back, but it’s not going to save me.
A black shape darts in and attacks the bear viciously, making it roar and drop to all fours, trying to shake it off. The snarls and roars are deafening.
Riot, oh, god, it’s Riot.
The alpha is thrown across the empty space; he scrambles on the edge of the cliff and leaps, and I watch with my heart in my throat, not even daring to make a simple squeak. But he lands on his feet and growls his warnings as he stiffly approaches the bear, putting himself between us.
He’s…saving me. I exhale in a rush, unable to look away from him.
The bear swipes, but Angel slams into it from the side, knocking it off its feet. The white wolf attacks with a savagery that borders on insanity. He is beautiful in his movements, but so, so deadly. I don’t know that he needs anyone else to help him take down this bear.
Khaos attacks from behind, a behemoth of a wolf, using sheer strength and power. He bites into its haunches, and the bear screams.
I can see it’s looking for a way out. This fight is too much and not what it’s expecting.
Hazard dances in front, distracting it, lunging forward and back, and he is pure joy and glee as he dances.
I’m transfixed and shocked by how fast it has all happened, but Wrath appears beside me, hoisting me up into his arms. He holds me to his chest and simply walks us away. Ten minutes later, the others join us, ranging around us.
