Guarding Her

Chapter 6

Hunter's instincts had never failed her before, but these strangers were different. She could smell the fear on the wind, and it wasn't coming from her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she crept through the forest, following the sound of muffled voices.

Peering through the branches of a nearby tree, she saw three men, dressed in dark clothes and huddled around a small fire. They were talking in hushed tones, but Hunter's keen hearing was able to pick up snippets of their conversation.

"I told you we shouldn't have come here," one of the men said, his voice shaking. "This girl knows the area better than anyone. We won't stand a chance against her."

Hunter's heart raced as she realized they were talking about her. She had to protect Cory and Ian at all costs. They were her family now.

She slinked back into the darkness, planning her next move. She needed to be sure of her opponents before she could strike. She would wait until they made their move.

As she backed away, a twig snapped beneath her paw. The men looked up, alerted by the sound, and Hunter bolted. She ran faster than she ever had before, her wolf instincts taking over as she weaved in and out of the trees.

The men gave chase, their footsteps pounding the earth behind her. Hunter could hear their labored breathing behind her, but she didn't look back. She had to lead them away from the cabin.

Finally, she emerged from the forest, panting and wheezing. The men were closing in, but she had succeeded in leading them away from the cabin.

With a low growl, she turned to face them. Her teeth bared, daring them to make a move. And then, all at once, they were upon her.

Hunter fought with all her strength, but they were too many. She felt something sharp pierce her flank, and the world went black.

When she came to, she was lying in a strange bed. She tried to sit up, but a searing pain shot through her side, and she collapsed back onto the pillow.

Through the fog of pain, she heard a voice. "Don't worry, you're safe now. We'll take care of you."

Hunter tried to speak, but her throat was parched. She drifted back into unconsciousness, her mind reeling with questions. Who were these people? What had happened to her family?

As she slipped into a deep sleep, Hunter made a vow. She would find her family, and she would protect them. No matter the cost.