The Wolf Girl

Chaper Thirty

Molly's POV

We have traveled pretty far from Jason and Adrianna's camp. We end up tentatively talking to each other about ourselves. Of course, The Dreaming Wanderer, Alex, and I give the least information, but the others speak of their lives quite vividly.

As the others talk, I stare down at the ground, my heart galloping at a mile a minute. When I was twelve, the feeling swirled around me, but I didn't recognize it or think about it. Since we've gotten to camp, it has poked me and prodded, begging for my full attention, only to sink back into the shadows when I pay any mind to it. A moment ago, it flew right past my eyes, flashing with bright lights.

I have feelings for Alex.

As the thought repeats itself, my heart leaps again, blush dusting my cheeks. They aren't intense feelings- after all, I just found out about them- but they're there, just as taunting as they were before I knew about them.

A long, low growl purrs in my ears, throwing me back into reality. My head snaps up, and I stop walking to listen. Several more growls ring through my ears, and everyone else has stopped walking to listen. I look around, my muscles tense, and pull an arrow into my bowstring.

A flash of orange catches my attention, and I turn to see a small creature. It has a foxlike tail and face, with small paws like one, and the same red color, but its body resembles that of a wolf. It's nose twitches as it approaches us gently.

I reach up to my necklace and press it between my thumb and forefinger. Starlight is summoned, and the creature leaps back with a violent hiss. My muscles tense even more than they originally were, and my fingers begin to tremble.

"What are they?" I whisper, and the creature suddenly lunges toward me. I shriek and stagger backwards as it leaps onto my chest, sharp teeth bared. I struggle to get it off of me with Alex and Jason's help. I finally feel its weight lifted from my body, and I tremble as I point my arrow directly at its heart. It lunges at me again, but I shoot it before it can get too close.

"What was that?" I breathe, my heart hammering in my chest again. My breaths are heavy and fearful.

"Wolfloxes," The Dreaming Wanderer murmurs.

"What?" I whisper.

"Wolfloxes," she repeats. "They can resemble a cat, a wolf, a fox, or a combination of any of them, but they have the instincts and skills of all three animals. They all have the strength of wolves, the intelligence of foxes, and the balance and flexibility of cats."

"So, that one resembled a fox and a wolf combined, but it had all of those abilities?" I assume.

"Correct. These creatures are unbelievably powerful. They-"

Several more purring moans come from the bushes, and I turn my head to see several pairs of eyes peering at us.

"They normally come in large packs," The Dreaming Wanderer finished in a murmur. She looks at each of us in turn, her movements extremely slow.

"Run."

There is a series of loud hisses, groans, and growls before the pack sprints out of the bushes, and our group starts running from them. My eyes go wide as I stagger to a standing position and start to run after them. I hear each of the thundering footsteps behind me vividly, and I try to speed up.

"What's today's date?" Alex shouts over the noise.

"Why would you ask a question like that at a time like this?!" I demand.

"I need to know!" he replies. "Trust me!"

"It's November 8th," The Dreaming Wanderer says hurriedly. My eyes widen yet again.