“Nora, no! Don’t!”
I’m not listening and not stopping. Running on all fours, I’m right behind Bobo, following Alec’s scent in the north-west direction. I’m sure my brother was close just a second ago— we can’t lose him again. Bobo is much bigger, but I still catch up to him, proving that I’m definitely faster than most. We run side by side, chasing the same person.
I hear, or sense, other people running behind us, too, but no one can catch up to us. We have to act fast; I can’t slow down. We chase him for a long time and enter further into the industrial area of the city, running past several warehouses. Is that where he was hiding? This is a remote area of the town; it could make a good hide-out.
I finally spot my brother running in his wolf form ahead of me. He is a mix of light brown, white, and sand colors that I can easily recognize even in the dark. He is fast, too, but not as fast as I am, and I’m catching up. It’s only a matter of seconds now. We have arrived at the Docks area, which I am not familiar with. From what I can see, there is nothing but old warehouses on our left and the sea on our right. If Alec keeps going North, we will end up on the Sea Moon Clan territory, though. I definitely don’t want to enter there; we will be attacked right away.
I’m almost on him! I realize I ran ahead of Bobo and lost him, but I can’t think about it now, and he can’t be too far behind. He will probably catch up soon. I have to focus on catching my brother. Without warning, Alec suddenly turns around to face me.
I wasn’t prepared for that. I try to slow down as much as I can. Alec seizes the occasion right away and jumps on me. For a second, I think he’s going to attack. I realize I’m wrong a second too late. He pushes me with all his strength. I’m already unsteady because of my run, and I can’t defend myself. In a split second, I realize what he is doing. He just pushed me in the sea. ...Alec knows I don’t know how to swim.
My body brutally hits the surface, and I gulp a lot of water unwillingly. I try to paddle, but I’m disoriented by my sudden fall and the freezing waves surrounding me. I can’t believe he got rid of me so easily!
I have to find the surface, but I’m choking, unable to breathe. I panic, trying to fight off the water blindly, desperate for air. I start to feel numb and tired. A dark veil is taking over me, and my head is spinning...
“Hang on!”
Air! I feel myself being pulled out of the water, and I start coughing unstoppably. Someone’s patting my back, helping me breathe and pulling my hair out of my face. I hadn’t even realized I had shifted back.
“Are you okay?”
That’s the voice that was talking to me during the fight! I want to answer, but I’m drowsy and just nod while trying to catch my breath.
“It’s okay, breathe. Use the mind-link to talk to me, don’t waste your strength.”
How do I do that? I try to formulate a clear thought, and I feel my wolf helping me somewhere in the process.
“Thanks.”
I feel her shapeshifting next to me before I can take a glance at her. But when I look up, I immediately recognize her creamy-white fur and her gold, mesmerizing amber eyes.I’ve seen this wolf before. She was the wolf accompanying Nathaniel when I went to the Jade Moon Clan a few days ago.
“Don’t worry; they’ll be here soon. Bobo got him. Just catch your breath, your mate is coming. I got to go,” her voice echoes in my mind.
“Wait! Who are you?”
“I can’t stay. I am not supposed to be here. Don’t worry, I’ll find you again. Don’t tell anyone about me. Especially not Nate.”
I want to say something, but before I do, she’s gone, and I am in no condition to try catching her. I’m exhausted and can only lie on the ground. I close my eyes to try and chase the dizziness away, but an unknown smell suddenly grabs my attention. Other wolves.
I hear growling and try to stand up, but I’m way too tired. It’s not good... I look up and see a bunch of unfamiliar wolves slowly circling me, menacing. I’m sure they are from the Sea Moon Clan. This is really bad. I’m lying on the ground, too tired to defend myself, or even return to my wolf form! A guy in his human form goes ahead of his peers with a nasty look on his face.
“Look what we got here... A pretty mermaid just landed on our docks, boys. Are you lost, sweetheart?”
I answer with a growl. That guy is making fun of me. Gosh, why do I have to be defenseless and naked now! He frowns at my growl, unhappy with my response. I wish I could be more menacing than that, but even my growl shows how weak I am at the moment. In response, all of them start growling back and come closer.
Suddenly, a large shadow flies over us, and a young black wolf attacks them without warning. He pins one of them to the ground and breaks a neck in one swift motion. All of the Sea Moon wolves take a few steps back, some getting readyto attack, some afraid. I finally recognize Liam’s fur, and by then, another beast comes.
He is pitch black, darker than night. He moves slowly, his fangs showing, the menacing wolf exudes the most dominating aura I’ve ever felt. He seems even bigger, surrounded by shadows. I gasp. All of the Sea Moon wolves are focused on his presence, obviously wary of him. No one dares to move an inch.
Damian finally reaches me, standing above my naked body, in a protective position. He is guarding me and looking straight at the man who talked to me with killer eyes. The guy gulps, his gaze going from Damian to me back and forth. The terrified look in his eyes says it all.
“I... We didn’t know, we just... wanted to check on her. It’s...”
Damian’s silver eyes are still on him, without blinking. He is not growling or moving, but even I can feel his anger from here. Liam lets go of the neck he had his fangs in and shapeshifts. I try not to look at the naked teen in front of me.
“Hey, I thought you guys wanted to play, what’s this?”
Gosh, Liam, you’re having way too much fun right now.
