Little Red [ON HOLD]

Aurelia

Chapter 3:

I didn't eat during dinner, but it didn't surprise my mother since tonight was a full moon. All I did was drink a bit of water to make sure I was hydrated for tonight's trip. My mother and I stayed silent, and we both jumped when we heard the door open and shut loudly. My mother looked towards the doorway as my father entered the kitchen, and I could smell Puck's blood on his hands. I stiffened at the scent. My father was the first to speak.

"Elizabeth, there is a Shifter in the territory." As my father spoke, my mother nearly snarled. None of our kind liked Shifters, werewolves or vampires alike. "You are to kill him if spotted. I have the pack patrolling for him. Everyone will be looking." As he spoke the last words, he looked directly at me. His eyes were cold. I nodded, showing my obedience to the Alpha. He sat down at the table, and kept his eyes on mother while he talked to me.

"Aurelia, you are to meet Dmitri Romanoff tonight. He is the heir alpha of the Southern Pack. He is 3 years older than you.  You will be betrothed to Dmitri as of tonight."

I gasped and stood up, upsetting my glass of water on the table. My father gave me a deadly stare. "It is your responsibility as heir alphess."

I stood there for a second, and suddenly ran out of the door. I didn't bother to close the door as I exited the house quickly. Unknowingly, I ran away from the house, my expression still filled with shock. No one followed me. The farther I traveled, the more uneasy I became. Before I knew it, I was in the Rouge Forest, unprotected and alone. My knife was with my cloak, and for the first time, I realized it was missing. My eyes scanned the trees, looking for danger under the dark canopy of leaves.

Before I could realized what had happened, I was hanging upside down from a rope snare. I cursed as I saw there was silver intertwined with the thick rope and  realized quickly that whoever set the trap was hunting for werewolves. I struggled to free myself from the trap, but shadows surrounded me, and I stopped, frozen in terror. They smirked at me and one man, the leader, walked over to my hanging body and pulled my hair roughly. I yelped in pain and he chuckled darkly.

Maybe he isn't just going to kill me.

I closed my eyes in fear as he took out a long thin knife.

Suddenly, a large creature jumped out of a few large bushes and roared. I refused to open my eyes as I heard the men being slaughtered, just as I would've been if the animal hadn't attacked. I felt the rope around my ankle being cut, and landing on the furry, muscular back of my savior.

The creature ran quickly, and I felt faint at the blood suddenly rushing to my head after being upside down. After a few minutes, I felt myself sliding off of the animal as it lay down. I finally opened my eyes to see a large saber-tooth tiger. I just smiled and threw my arms around the cat's neck.

"Thank you, Puck"

He sat down and changed back. I felt his fur turning into skin and clothes as he grew smaller. He put his arms around me as I still clung to him in thanks. I looked around; we were in the clearing, inside my territory. I had never been more grateful to be home. I lifted my head from his shoulder and looked at him quizzically.

"How did you find me, Puck? How did you even know I was in danger?"

He smiled a bit and head-butted me playfully. "I can track people just as you can, Little Red. We are the same," He paused and chuckled. "Well, I'm a bit more special."

I giggled and looked away suddenly, seeing the sun setting. He looked in the same direction as I and frowned. "Must you leave, Aurelia?"

I looked at his large, sad brown eyes and pushed him over on to his back, like I did when I attacked him, but more playful. "Unless you wish to be ripped to shreds." I tried to joke, but it came out a bit serious.

He nodded and stood up quickly, as did I, and he quickly changed into a black monkey and climbed up a large tree. I watched him for a moment, and grinned when he returned with my bright red cloak.

When he reached the bottom branch, he morphed back and jumped down, landing in front of me. He put the cape around my shoulders.

"Here you go, Little Red. I saw you dropped this earlier and wanted to return it to you." He smiled and head-butted me again. "Now go run in the moonlight, Red, and have a good night"

I hugged him again, wished him a good night as well, and ran off towards the pack den, leaving him alone, and hoping he would be smart and stay away tonight.