Her New Moon

35

A week passed, and Harry Clearwater managed to recover from the hospital. Sue Clearwater claimed he was more stubborn than ever. The man couldn't sit still, working hard to prove himself strong. The wolf pack returned briefly on that day, relieved and worried. Driana betted Chief Swan stressed at the station since there's a group of armed folks hunting for the wolves they claimed were taking victims. She also knew Bella regretted mentioning it to Chief Swan at all. Because of this, Harry would tag along with Charlie, rearing him and the folks away from where the wolves and Driana might be.

"Smell her?" Jared asked Embry.

"Yeah," Embry agreed. "Do you?"

"Yeah," Paul repeated. He turned to Driana, who nodded in response.

Driana turned around and waited by a tree, allowing the boys to undress and shift into their forms. She placed their clothes in a bag, hiding it in a cavity under the tree. Jared tilted his head back and howled. Moments later, Sam arrived, followed by Jacob. The two wolves seemed to have an argument, which ended with Jacob shaking his head and growling. He turned to Driana with the eyes he'd used to talk about Bella. The girl understood he and Bella meant to hang out today.

"Duty calls, Jake," Driana told him, rubbing his nape. "Bella would have to wait another day."

Jacob made quiet growls in response. Paul snapped, barking at Jacob. Jared and Embry snarled at him. Sam yapped and howled at the pack. He communicated with Paul and Jacob, low grumbles emitting from the back of his throat. Paul panted, lowering his head at Jacob. Sam turned his head at Driana, shaking his head and pawing at the ground. Driana knew it meant later, or they'd explain once they were human again.

"That's if there'd be a chance today," Driana said, snorting.

Sam gruffed in response before smelling the trail Victoria left behind. He bark-howled and led the way. The pack and Driana ran, following the scent. Driana felt eager to see Victoria's face. She wanted to dig her hands into Victoria's neck and rip her head off. The motive was dark but well-deserved. The vampire did tear Driana's arms from her body anyway.

"Wait!" Driana hissed.

The pack halted, turned around, and trotted to where Driana stood. A new scent entered her nose as she sniffed the air. She shook her head, her honey-colored eyes filled with worry. Paul brushed against her, encouraging the girl to speak.

"Victoria isn't the only one we should worry about," Driana told them. "The humans are near."

The pack snarled, growling and revealing their canines in anger and concern.

"Sam," Driana called to the alpha. "We need to separate ourselves."

Sam huffed in response, ears pulled back. It was evident he did not want Driana in a pair.

"Sam," Driana said with authority. "Those humans are more in danger than I am at the moment. Have us pair up. Let two wolves protect the humans from far away while we surround the area should Victoria decide to feed."

Sam stared at the pack, giving orders. He and Jacob protected the humans, watching them while keeping themselves hidden. Jared and Embry went farther east of the hunters. Driana and Paul continued running straight ahead, eyes open as they followed the scented trail.

"I have a bad feeling," Driana confessed.

Paul glanced at her, gruffing.

"With the humans out today as we hunt Victoria, something's bound to go wrong," Driana explained.

Paul lightly nudged her with his nose, showing comfort.

"One can only hope things don't end badly," Driana said.

They continued to run, never leaving the other's side. Paul didn't react or vocalize during the run. Victoria was nowhere to be seen. The forest seemed quieter than usual. An ominous sign, a terrible future waiting to happen. Driana used her ability to check if those she knew were part of the armed group.

"Paul," She gasped. "Chief Swan's with them today! Oh no, that means-" Shifting visions, she was right, "Harry!"

Paul grunted, relaying the information to the rest of the pack. Driana saw through Jacob and Sam's eyes that they reacted violently. With no choice, the two wolves rounded closer to the humans. Thanks to their stealth, the armed folks didn't notice the wolves who lingered yards from them. Their actions signaled for the rest of the pack and Driana to close in on the safety circle.

The scent of Victoria lingered around. Some places smelled dominant, while others were faint. She continued to be undetected. It drove the pack and Driana insane. How were they supposed to protect the hunters if they didn't know where to defend? The safety circle was the best they could do. Driana felt hopeless, yet used her ability to see through Victoria's eyes.

"No!" She screamed. "Tell Jacob or Sam she's there!" Driana frantically went east. "She's right behind them!"

Paul barked, angrily warning his brothers of Victoria's location. He followed Driana's lead, wanting to end the redhead's journey.

"Victoria, please, no!" Driana shouted as she watched.

Victoria landed behind an oblivious Chief Swan. Harry Clearwater moved quickly, aiming his gun at her. However, Victoria whipped her head around, narrowing her eyes at Harry. In the blink of an eye, she lifted Harry off the ground one-handed, tilting her head in amusement. Jacob knocked Victoria, and they both rolled to the ground. The pack and Driana chased her, anger fuming in their bodies. And just like that, it was back to square one as she leaped over the cliff's edge into the ocean.