Little Red

Chapter 3

*Trigger warning: From this chapter on, there will be depictions of blood, slight gore, and implied death.*

A loud howl in the distance shatters the sweet web of sleep cocooning me.  I shoot up in bed, immediately on edge.  The sound of chaos downstairs reaches my ears as I spring out of bed.

An ambush.

There's no time to think as I undress and redress.  Mechanically, I pull on my favorite battle suit - a dark leather-rubber mix that fits me like a second skin.  Once the zipper is up, I re-sheath my trusty daggers, enjoying their weight against my hips.  My emergency knife goes back into my left boot, and my leather belt with the throwing stars is buckled with a soft click.  I strap my small knives to my thigh and grab the weighty bow and quiver in the corner and sling them onto my back.  With one last frantic look around, I grab my signature red cloak and bolt out into the dark hallway.

I'm not worried.  We are one of the largest, most feared packs in the country.  My mother and father are a highly respected Alpha and Luna, and our warriors are the epitome of well-trained soldiers - our Delta makes sure of it.  So why can't I ignore the weight in my stomach?

As I quickly and silently maneuver down the stairs, the alpha blood coursing through my veins lusts for battle.  I find myself smiling as I head down the final flight, when I suddenly remember Myles isn't here.  He won't be very happy that he wasn't with me tonight.  Almost as over-protective as my brother, he will probably vow to never leave my side again after this fight, which I'm sure Eli will LOVE.  

I roll my eyes as I approach the wide open front door, holding back for a moment to listen.  The only sound nearby is the buzz of the forest and the wind.  Satisfied after several long beats of silence, I slink off into the thickest part of the forest, following the sounds of a fight.

Darkness.  

It's everywhere.

The Moon Goddess's light hardly reaches the forest floor in this part of our territory - only a few beams break through the canopy overhead.  

I let my instincts take over, leading me in the direction of the fight as my heart pounds harder.  Running faster and faster, I push my body nearly to the limit, beyond ready to taste the sweet nectar of bloodshed.  My senses take me to a clearing to the east of our territory.

The familiar sound of pure, animalistic rage reach me from the clearing.  Upon approaching the vast opening in the trees, I take a sharp right, skirting around the edges of the field.  It's the same place all of our warriors train, and each wolf worth their claws know this ground like the back of their hand.

Eli's voice floods my mind as I remember his lessons. 

"Rule #1 in battle, always know your playing field."

With this in mind, I aim for the tallest tree on our property, my personal favorite, which will give me a good view of the fight.  As I continue my fast-paced voyage, I notice a shadow running alongside me, deeper into the foliage on my right.  The forest around us is dense, so this wolf must be playing dirty, attempting to take down our reinforcements who were roused from further into the pack lands.  I admire their tactics, but this little wolf will learn the hard way that we are the experts of playing dirty.  You don't get to the top by being nice.  

I rest my hand against the dagger at my thigh, slowly pulling it out as I track the wolf's movements from my peripheral.  I pretend to not be aware of my predator, keeping my pace steady and getting ready to use the element of surprise against the intruder.

"Rule #2 in battle, use every advantage presented to you."

Moments later, it decides to pounce, but so do I.  It lunges towards me, aiming for my throat, but I draw back my arm and slice it across the wolf's face.  Saliva drips down on my boots as the blade catches on skin, tearing flesh and fur, and a sharp yelp disrupts the swishing wind around us.  The sharpened silver never misses the mark.  The wolf falls back with a heavy thump, and I fight to keep my thoughts steady.