The Wolfsbane

Chapter 7 - Moment Of Truth

I looked up towards the moon. Dawn would soon be upon us and with it an unexpected outcome. The moons dimming rays broke through the tree tops, casting the contemporaneous scene before me into a ghostly embrace. The illuminated battle-field held an intense sense of presentiment and awareness. But an odd calmness swept over my mind, my breathing slowed and my senses heightened. The uneven ground gave both sides an advantage and disadvantage, the thick surrounding branches were copious in number and provided an excellent chance to disconcert the other pack. The fan shaped leaves blew noisily and harmonized together perfectly, creating an eerie battle song. My heart rate slowed and I breathed in deeply. Bit by bit, little by little I let my guarded breath out, fogging the cool night air in front of my face. I inattentively made my way to the front of the pack. Gently shouldering my way through until i could clearly see The Huntress. She raised herself to her full height, and smirked down at me. Dried blood still clung to areas of her thick black fur. Her attention was focused entirely on me, and everything else seemed to melt away. I noticed the way she held herself, the way she moved her head to the side. I squinted my eyes as she cocked her head to the left, revealing a very small but intricately shaved marking. I noted her bizarre shifts between human likeness and rabid beast. I breathed in her scent, carefully distinguishing her odd odor. I could smell a distinct lack of wolf, but a more predominant side of human. A rotting scent began to overwhelm my senses as i tried to focus on her for too long. The smell of rot sent alarm bells ringing in my head, my eyes widened as a sudden realization hit me. I didn't know how I even knew, but I did. This was no werewolf, this was a witch.

The Huntress squinted at me as the realization hit. Suspended caution furrowed its way along her brow. An anomalous feeling pulsed down my spine. A slight apprehensive weight swelled in my stomach. My hands went clammy, and I felt a slight perspiration materialize upon my forehead and upper lip. I moved my fingers distressingly, while trying to remain calm. 

"She's not a werewolf" I whispered to myself out loud. 

"What did you say?" An oppressive voice asked from behind. I looked over my shoulder to see Aurion, staring at me with a cynical gaze. He made his way next to me, looking between me and The Huntress. 

"She's not a werewolf" I repeated calmly, looking back at The Huntress. A sickening grin spread across her face. 

"What do you mean she isn't a werewolf? What else would she be?" Demanded Aurion. I didn't spare him a single glance.

"A witch." And with that a booming laugh echoed out around the clearing. 

"You know you talk to much" The Huntress smirked. I took one last deep breathe before sliding my body into an offensive stance. I lifted my lips revealing my teeth and fangs and let out a long low growl. My fur bristled and my ears lay flat to my head, I lifted my tail high and proud and flashed my claws in an enticing gesture. The Huntress growled in return, showing her razor sharp fangs and dagger edged claws. She made an odd gesture with her left hand, the surrounding wolves began to growl and the fight began. My eyes never left The Huntresses rigid gaze. She walked forward nonchalantly, the shaved marking now more prominent and visible than before. As she walked towards me the rotting stench began to steamroller its way into my senses. My eyes watered, and I struggled as I tried not to gag. My vision swam before me and I felt like I was falling into an abyss. I managed to swallow down the dumbfounded feeling, just regaining control as The Huntress's fist slammed into the right side of my face. My head swung violently to the side, making me lose my balance and fall heavily to the floor. Before I could attempt to stand I felt a thick hand close around my throat. I could feel my wind pipe being crushed, I managed to open my eyes just enough to see the wicked grin of The Huntress. Anger boiled inside me like a raging fire, I coughed and spluttered as I wrapped my hands around her strong arm. Her grin vanished as I began to pry her fingers from my throat. Before I could pull free from her forcible grip she threw me offhandedly onto the ground, I felt her powerful foot connect hard with my stomach and I recoiled with a howl.  My hands flew to my stomach as a deep ache spread through my front. She slowly encircled me as the fight raged on behind her. I could hear the desperate howls and growls from the fighting packs, the cries of the injured and the splutters and screams of the dying. The stench of blood hung damply in the air, and I refused to take a look around me. My focus was fixed on one thing, The Huntress. I watched her warily as she bent down next to me, the stale smell of blood prominent on her breathe. Her green eyes eyed me with curiosity, it was like looking through a window, and I could see the human clear as day hiding behind a wolf as if it was nothing but a mask.