Chasing Forever: Jacob's Story

"It was an accident, I promise."

 Psst, I start when Nichola's voice echoes through our link, sitting up and looking around. J, wake up.

 I glance around, the fire is still glowing, although very close to dead, and the pack sleeps around it for warmth, some shifted into their full wolf for the extra warmth our fur coat gives us. Chyenne and I are one of them. What, Nich? I whisper back, settling back down and placing my head on my paws.

 Alison won't stop bothering me. She says back, more than slightly annoyed. She won't let me sleep, Jake.

 Nichola, I'm at the clearing. What am I supposed to do about it?

 I don't know! She says exasperated. But she listens to you more than she listens to anybody, including father. Come tell her to be quiet and go to sleep.

 I growl softly, opening my eyes and shifting bac silently, so the sound of my walking doesn't vibrate through the ground and wake the already on edge pack before dawn. You owe me, Nichola.

 Instead of a response, I hear her chuckle in victory as she feels me make the transition from wolf to human, confirmation that I'm coming.

 I glance over at Chyenne, who's wolf is a light gray, almost silver, and sigh quietly, before turning and slipping into the trees, heading back to the pack village. I make it to the Packhouse, slipping inside after stopping briefly to talk to Meagan, one of our most highly skilled she-wolves, and the person in charge of protecting everyone inside, to let her know why I'm there.

 I reach the room Nichola and Alison are supposed to be sleeping, growling in frustration when I notice the open window and empty beds. Nichola, I say, my voice livid. I can't believe she's pulling this the day before we go to war. I'm gonna throttle her when I see her. Where are you two?

 She giggles and lifts the veil so I can see through her eyes. They're in the abandoned church close to the human village, which is very close to the clearing where the battle is going to be. Here.

 I growl, throwing myself out the window silently and taking off the second my feet touch the ground toward the church. I make it there in a few moments and automatically hear the sound of a scuffle inside. I throw open the doors, not bothering to be quiet, as my hear jumps into my chest.

 I relax slightly when I realize Nichola is just sparring with Alison on the second level, teaching Ali how to defend herself and block attacks. "Will you two knock it off and get down here?" I whisper loudly up to them. "It's almost dawn and father would kill you if he caught you here."

 "In a few moments," Nichola says, her voice sounding slightly strained for some reason. "I'm trying to teach Ali some things just in case they break through the defense we've set up."

 "She's seven, Nichola." I say, crossing my arms across my chest as though I'm annoyed. Though secretly, I'm relieved Nichola thought of this, I'd been worried about how Alison would protect herself, worst case scenario. "She isn't supposed to be training, let alone without the supervision of the Alpha or Beta."

 "Piss of, Jacob." Nich says, a soft growl escaping her lips. "She's fine."

 I sigh, turning and pacing the church, listening carefully to the sounds from above. I hear a growl and freeze, realizing suddenly what tonight is. Immediately I turn and jump up to the balcony above, jumping over the side and walking slowly over to Nichola who's hunched over breathing heavily, trying to keep control of her wolf. It's a full moon.