The Legendary Red Wolf

Chapter 26

Rowans pov

Seraphina bats my face with her nose and informs me that we are taking shifts keeping guard and its now my turn, in two hours I need to wake Ruby up then we will be going before the towns folk wake up. I give a nod to show my understanding and she pads over to Sapphire curling up next to her. Looking around I'd guess its around one in the morning, I notice Olcan is also awake, keeping his eyes on his mate and Cana who are sleeping peacefully beside him, he glances over at me and smiles kindly, I return the gesture. I look over at my sleeping beauty as she flinches beside me, my heart clenches as I worry she may be having a nightmare but she falls still once more and I focus back on my surroundings, keeping an eye on the group whilst I listen to the town.

Maybe an hour later I'm abruptly pulled from my daydream by a loud whimper and I leap to my feet, turning to face my mate. Ruby is trembling and flinching in her sleep, her paws are scratching at the ground as if she is running, whimpers and low growls slip out from between clenched jaws and my heart constricts with pain and worry for her, wishing I could help. If we had marked each other already I could have slipped into her mind to see what her nightmare is but I can't and I don't know how to help. I sense eyes on me and glance around, her whimper had disturbed the rest of the group from their slumber and all are watching us with concern. Out of the corner of my eye I spot movement, Olcan rises and trots over to me with Cana following on his heels and Maylana a little way behind them. He scans Ruby for a moment before sighing as he looks back up at me with a calm yet sorrowful look.

"Another nightmare, I see. You should rub yourself against her, the bond although weak should help her calm down" Olcan advises.

I follow his advice and lower myself beside her, rubbing my head against her side, the trembling seems to calm a bit but she continues flinch and whimper and then suddenly she stills before opening her maw and letting out a howl filled with pain and grief.

"Olcan!!" Ruby howls with distress.

Ruby scrambles to her feet as she jolts out of her nightmare, I stay still as does everyone else, giving her a moment to focus on her surroundings and calm down. Her eyes find mine and she lets out a deep sigh as she hangs her head. I get to my feet and walk the few steps to her, sliding my head beside hers and rubbing against her neck and she nuzzles me back. As I pull back she slumps to the floor, panting slightly and Cana trots over to her, I watch as she nuzzles her cheek and Ruby places her head over her neck in a wolf hug. I let them have a minute so she can calm her breathing and heartbeat before nudging her gently and gesturing for her to come with me. She inclines her head slightly and rises to her feet as I start trotting away from the group to a little outcrop that rises a little, I turn to look at her.

"Once we are marked you'll always be able to slip into my mind and see them. It'll just be easier, please can you just drop it" she asks sounding mentally drained.

"Okay baby, well as you're up shall we make a move now."

"Yeah" she says absentmindedly.

I roll my eyes at her wandering mind and walk over to the group to wait for her to be ready.

Ruby's pov

Nightmare

My paws are barely touching the ground as sprint through the forest, trying to find the screams but they seem to be coming from all directions. Why can't I pinpoint them?!

"Ahhh! Dad! MUM!" Cana's voice screams and all my senses seem to work again as I find the direction of the scream, I slide to my right and bolt towards her.

"Cana, I'm coming!" I howl.

"No! Leave me! It's too late! Save yourself!" She screams back to me.

My chest tightens as I clench my jaws, anger and pain swirling within me and I growl with fury, my pace Speeds up and I come soaring out of the trees, skidding to a stop as I come out on the edge of a cliff. Standing right at the edge is a man as well as two others who are holding Cana over the edge.