The Hunted: Book One In The Hunted Trilogy

Battle plans

"Do you believe it?" Nichole asked

"How can't I" Sally shook her head.

"He came back for the-"

"I'm hungry!" Sally interrupted. A fox bounded by and Sally prepared to go after it.

"Typical!" Nichole growled, "I'm trying to be serious and you get wolfy!"

"Sorry," Sally turned from the fox, ashamed, "continue please!"

"I was saying," Nichole said, a hint of anoyance in her vocie, "Jackaby came back for the woman. He said if she didnt marrie him he'd kill her."

"Well what happened?"

"She said no. Sampson killed her but legend says Edith took a book of Jackabys most powerful spells and hid it some where in the woods."

"Maybe Sampson thinks its here in little wolf," Sally and Niccole got up as a whole signified the end of the night. Nichole shrugged and both girls tromped down the woods edge to the road that lead home. The moon glistened off of Sallys golden fur as the girls joined the pack at the fountain. Jonah jumped quickly onto the fountain. His face showed so much anger it silenced the pack.

"They're planning an attack!" Jonah growled, "On Little Wolf its self!"

Growls and angry barks filled the square. Each vocie demanding answers. Each cry a worried parent worrying for their pups.

"We should attack first!" An older wolf howled.

"What if its a trap?" Ricky whinnied.

"What do you mean?" Jonah spun around to face Ricky.

"Well," Ricky gulped, "last time, that is when the boy betrayed the hunters, it was just a play on our numbers right?"

"Hess right, sir," Nichole spoke up, "what if the humans are trying to get us to come out of hiding?"

"And risk their own lives?" Jonah coughed.

"What ever it takes," Sally mumbled to the dirt road. It was still, however, able to be heard by Jonah.

"Excuse me?" Jonah asked. Spinning to face Sally who stepped back.

"Hunters are taught to do what ever it takes to kill their monster," Sally explained, "even if that means killing themselves," mumbling she adds, "Like in my case."

"Guess you disobeyed that rule," One wolf schoughed.

"Sharren shut up," the wolf next to her barked.

"And we can trust this why?" Jonah asked.

"I saw what really happened all those years ago deep in this forest," Sally explained, "and it makes me sick how i supported the-the, you know."

"Well," Jonah nodded, "I'm sorry that you've been lied to for so long. But we need guards at the front and back gates, Barten and mulet. Both of you are on guard duty!"

"Yes sir," The two wolves that where addressed barked.

"The rest of you," Jonah continued, "go get some sleep. If a fight is coming we need you to be awake for it."

"Yes alpha!" The pack chanted and heavy feet lead the way back to little wolf. Orange, red, gold, and brown leaves crunched under the heavy foot falls of twenty or so giant wolves. The one wolf called Barten was already standing guard at the front gate as the group dispersed from the fountain. The girls went into their cabin and turned human. A conversation broke between Nichole and Sally as the to got dressed.

"So," Sally started as she pulled her white night gown over her head, "has anyone attacked little wolf before?"

"Yes," The anoyance in Nicholes voice made Sally correct herself.

"Besides Jackaby?"

"Oh," Nichole relaxed, "no, that's why Jonah is so freaked out! Do you think the hunters will come?"

"Yes," Sally reached for the handle to leave, "and we best be ready when they do!"

Sally unlocked the front door to her house after walking back from the fountain. Opening the door she saw a red eyed Eric still sitting on the bed.

"You should have gone to sleep," Sally crowed.

"Not tell i knew you where safe," Eric replied, "Was Menark there?"

"No," Sally answered, "I was searching for him but he never showed!"

"I hope-" Eric cut off but sally finished it in her head, I hope Sampson didnt get him!

"So do Eric," Sally smiled as Eric kissed her and tucked her in, "Lets get some sleep."

"Alright."