Her New Moon

20

Driana struggled to keep up with Bella along the non-existent path. Whether or not the girl had told Bella that she was insane, it wouldn't have stopped her from hiking. The wolf pack was yet to respond to Driana's concerned messages. The walk continued, and the greenery and smell of damp dirt never ended.

"Are you positive you know where you're headed?" Driana asked.

"Yes."

Despite Bella in the lead, Driana could imagine that Bella's eyes focused straight ahead. No matter what Driana could say, Bella's motivation never faltered. The greenery became thicker, and Driana became concerned once more. Reaching higher ground, the older girl's phone went off. She quickly went through all her replies.

Why the heck are you out in the woods?!

Bella should've waited for me!

Are you looking for another area to hang out?

Driana responded to each of their messages. Paul responded with concerns and hopes that she was safe. However, Sam's simple message sent a chill down her spine.

There's something in the woods. Turn back.

Looking up from her phone, fear entered her body. Bella was gone. The younger girl must've continued on the path, not noticing Driana had paused. Gripping her hair in frustration, Driana called Sam, anxiously waiting for him to answer.

"Are you home?" Sam's authoritative voice spoke.

"No, I'm still here. Bella went off without me. Jacob knows the area. He came here with Bella before. Sam, please, find us!"

"We're going to protect you both. Once we get you, you aren't allowed in the woods without us. Jacob! You're leading the trail. Do you think Bella must've gone far?"

Driana looked around, her legs carrying her forward. "I don't think so. I doubt there's a distance between us by a few minutes." The hairs on the back of her neck rose. "Sam? I'm scared."

The sounds of wolves on Sam's end were loud. "Don't worry, you'll be safe-"

The connection disappeared. Driana felt alone without them on the call. If she turned back, would she be in the direction of Bella's truck? Shaking her head, she went straight. Her gut sense made her hope she made the right decision. The hike seemed like an eternity. Driana was sure she'd die out here, alone. To Driana's delight, the trees seemed to move out of the way. A clearing emerged, and she ran toward it.

"Bella!" Driana yelped in shock.

Laurent, a former coven member of the tracker vampire named James, had his hands cupped around Bella's face. The girl guessed Laurent was as two-faced as he seemed. He cocked his head curiously at Driana. Who was this strange human to Bella? A black wolf blocked their view, making Laurent step back. The rest of the pack members emerged, and Driana knew it'd be an ugly fight.

"Bella, run!" Driana screamed.

Bella, who seemed hesitant at first, sprinted into the woods. Driana followed Bella's direction, struggling to keep up with her short legs. Bella tripped, and Driana pulled her back up. The older girl's protective side came through. She encouraged Bella never to look back. Adrenaline coursed through Driana's veins, her body begging her to stop, but surviving filled her mind. A figure leaped in the air, landing in front of her.

"Laurent!" Driana shrieked, her heart thumping.

"Who are you?" Laurent squinted his eyes, his slight French accent evident. "I don't believe we have met before."

Driana heaved, struggling to breathe. "We met months ago. You didn't see me, of course. I was protected against your sadistic coven member."

"Ah!" Laurent clapped his hands, remembering in thought. "The hard-faced male that took part in killing James." He smirked at Driana's reaction. "You didn't know? I am here to complete Victoria's favor. Kill the mates of those who killed her mate, James. Your former beloved ripped James apart. Because of you, Bella escaped. But you will do just fine."

In the blink of an eye, Laurent grabbed Driana's throat. She didn't dare struggle against his strength, for it was useless. The paws of the wolf pack made thunderous noises, their growls resonating through the trees. Their teeth snapped at Laurent as they angrily circled the vampire, who hadn't budged. Laurent chuckled, whipping his head to look at each of the wolves. He knew they couldn't attack as he held the human. If they did, Driana wouldn't survive the brawl.

"What are you going to do?"

Paul lurched forward, causing Driana to whimper in pain. The vampire had tightened his grip. Sam moved Paul backward with a nudge of his head.

"It's only one human," Laurent mocked. "Besides, you're too late."

"It's not your fault!" Driana coughed out.

"Ah, friends of yours?" Laurent questioned the girl.

Her lack of response triggered the vampire's anger. He gripped the girl's hair, shoving her forward. Jacob and Embry crouched, snarling. Satisfied, Laurent forcefully tilted Driana's head to the side, her bare neck revealed.

"Enjoy the show, dear friends."

Facing Driana forward, he sunk his teeth into her neck. Her agonizing scream caused the wolves to howl and attack. Caught off guard by the taste of human blood, Laurent didn't have time to run. Paul jumped, his jaws clamping shut around the vampire's head. The action made Driana fall to the ground.

Paul tore Laurent's head off while Sam and Jared did the same to his arms. Jacob and Embry went back and forth, ripping the legs from the body. Sam hurriedly shifted back into his human form, burning the vampire to ashes. He turned around, seeing Paul cradling the still girl in his arms.