Chapter 15

Katie's POV

The wolf's howl shook everything, my knees giving out under the terror that engulfed me.

I quickly staggered back to my feet, desperate to find somewhere, anywhere to hide.

My choices were limited so I hurried to one of the taller trees, climbing up quickly, hoping I'd managed to go unseen.

The grey wolf walked out from the treeline into the small clearing below.

The moon overhead danced across its fur. It had a weird like of ethereal look to it as it wandered around under the trees.

I was so scared because it looked like it was searching for me, sniffing the air, trying to pinpoint my scent.

When it couldn't find me, it seemed to have decided to give up. Turning back the way it came, the wolf left.

I had no idea how it hadn't caught my scent but regardless I was thankful. I waited a few more moments, to make sure it was gone before I dared to climb down.

Thank god for the time I got really into climbing trees and stuff. Once I was back on the ground I focused back on the sky.

I might not know much but I know a little, like some constellations and stuff. So, if I locate the big dipper and use that to guide me, I should be able to find my way out of here.

I chose to ignore the slight rustling in the grass behind me. Surely it was a rabbit or something that had finally started moving once the wolf had gone.

Following the big dipper I walked through the forest, my heart still seemed like it had no intention of calming down any time soon.

After a while, I came across a large barbed wire fence in the distance. The highway was just on the other side.

Yes, I did it, I found a way out. I ran, hoping to find an opening in the fence. I could almost touch the fence, when something crashed into me.

I crashed to the ground, eyes widened as I saw the grey wolf from before on top of me, pinning me down.

My screams choked me as I stared up into its dark glowing eyes. The grey wolf's mouth falling open, it’s huge, sharp teeth inches from me.

The wolf was excited, having just caught itself a tasty meal. I couldn’t fight this thing, any struggle I made was completely useless, all I could do is wait.

Maybe it would be merciful and kill me right away, but then again does the world know what it's like to be merciful when it comes to its prey.

I was about to succumb to my end since nothing I did would change anything, when suddenly the grey wolf went crashing to the ground a few feet from me.

There standing above it was a large black wolf. Its back was toward me, growling at the grey one as it climbed back to its feet.

Like a lightning strike the two went at each other, the sound of snapping jaws and snarls as they fought echoed in my head.

For some reason it felt like the black wolf was protecting me. Trying to steady my racing heart I quietly got to my feet, my eyes never leaving the fight.

I backed away hoping that they were too preoccupied with each other to take much notice of me. Which seemed to be the case, thankfully.

After what felt like a mere moment the black wolf proved victorious, the grey wolf was forced to submit from where it landed on the ground, covered in wounds.

Now, logically I probably should have tried to find that break in the fence while they were fighting but I was so caught up in watching them that it slipped my mind.

By the time it registered that not one but two large, fierce wolves were in front of me now, the black wolf had already turned back to me, its mouth opening to reveal its slightly bloodied teeth.

It turned out that this was a romanticized battle where the black one protects the human, oh he'll not.

It’s just a normal everyday fight over who gets the taste prey. All the color drained from my face before everything went black once more.

At least I won't be awake to see the teeth coming at me. As the darkness overcame me and I fell to the ground I heard something, someone calling out my name.

“Katie,” Draven’s voice was the last thing I heard before the darkness took me again.

Draven's POV

This year's annual hunting event was just like the others, held on the back mountain behind our school.

I made sure to have all of A Class set up their tents first thing before night fell. Then shift and ready themselves for the hunt.

Even though the only prey we can hunt are smaller creatures, it's mainly for the principle of it.

Even then some of us can't help but lose control after the shift, which could result in someone, mainly human, getting hurt.

In order to keep our existence hidden, Lupine has long since closed off the back forest and the Versipellis Mountain. Making it forbidden for any ordinary human to enter.

Adrian and I have always been the top hunters in A Class, having the most strength compared to the others.

So, we had little to worry about when it came to winning first place, and from what I heard, the reward was more substantial than previously.

Neither one of us wanted to miss out on that, which meant, my only true completion this year would be Adiran, though that's usually how it goes.

I shifted, shooting out through the woods, the wind caressing my fur as I lost myself in the feel of freedom that running gave me.

Adrian had split off to the left, making quick work of any small creature he came upon. I was about to mount my attack when the wind shifted and a spicy sweet scent caught me off guard.

I knew this scent but it was impossible. She couldn't be here, there was no way. Without a thought I dared off into the direction the scent came from.

Just before the tree line I spotted her, Katie, held to the ground by a grey wolf about to become their prey.

Without a second thought, I made quick work of the grey, beating him into submission. When I turned back to Katie, I could see the terror in her eyes.

I went to her but before I could reach her she crumbled to the ground, like a puppet with no strings.

“Katie,” I called out having shifted back, but she was out cold.

Lifting her up, I cradled her against my chest as I took off toward the tents. It's clear that I'll have forfeited the game at this point but I couldn’t find it in myself to care much.

My only focus was on getting Katie somewhere safe for now after that, to find out what the hell she's doing here in the first place.

Arriving back where I set up camp, I gently put Katie down inside before leaving. I had just lit a fire, when Adrian returned with his sizable pile of prey.

Shifting he looked around for my own pile only to find none.

“Empty-handed there brother,” Adrian taunts, wickedly amused, “were even such little creatures too much for you?”

“Your childish behavior knows no bounds,” I replied, my annoyance settling in. An all too familiar feeling every time I interact with my brother.

“What, can't take these of a few small animals,” Adrian continues, enjoying any opportunity to provoke me, “and you can't take care of your girl, really what good are you?”

That was it, I shifted before I even registered it fully, roaring at Adrian. Adrian shifts as well, never one to be outdone, especially by me.

Then I pounced, once more tonight fighting for dominance. I lose track of how long we've been fighting when I see movement from the corner of my eye.

Shoving Adrian away, I turn to the tent, only to come face to face with Katie once more. I thought she'd be asleep longer.

Turns out that wasn’t the case as she's very much awake and staring right at me, at us, in horror.