The Six

The Mutt

The panther stopped dead in her tracks, realizing what the scent was that she had been following. Breaking into a full sprint, she reached the very spot in the forest that had just been occupied by the two vampiric brothers.

Her golden eyes rested on the body of a large black bear. She felt her throat tighten at the sight of her dead friend.

Ursa....dammnit. She thought, her sadness and feelings of loss turning into anger. She could easily smell the scent of vampire, and saw the two fang marks in the bear's thick neck.

She let out a small snarl.

Claw? W-What is it? Asked a small, hesitant voice in the form of a bird's tweet.

Crap. Claw had forgotten all about theother shapeshifter that had joined her on her run. She didn't turn to face the young eagle that had perched herself in a nearby tree. Luckily, she hadn't seen the body. And Claw was going to make sure that she didn't.

Talon, go back to the Den. Now. Claw ordered, trying to mask the rage in her thoughts.Even thoughshapeshifters spoke to each other through their minds, they could still sense emotions.

Talon didn't hesitate. She wasn't sure what Claw had seen but she knew better than to go against her orders. That was the thing about Claw: one minute she was comforting someone, the next minute she was yelling at someone else. She quickly took off from the tree and flew towards the giant cave in the middle of the forest that her fellow shapeshifters had taken control of. It was the only safe haven for them.

Claw's eyes remained on Ursa's dead body as she heard Talon leave. She looked for a sign of life but knew that there would be none. Her body tensed in anger.

Those Leech bastards! I bet they didn't even give her a chance to fight! She thought, seeing how Ursa had no other wounds. She hated how the vampires hid behind their speed and didn't fight them head-on, where shapeshifters actually had a chance to defend themselves.

Cowards. She thought, as she began digging a hole in the soft ground with her big paws.

Normally, dead shapeshifters would be brought back to the Den and given a proper burial. But this was a time of war. They had no time for such things, especially since Drakaron had left for an important meeting with someone. He hadn't told anyone about it but no one questioned him further. He was intimidating yet kind and wise at the same time. The perfect leader. Surely he wouldn't have anything to do with something stupid and reckless.

She finished the hole and gently pushed Ursa's dead body into it. She swalled hard trying to stop the tears that were threatening to start flowing.

No. I don't have time to cry. She convinced herself as she began piling dirt on top of the body. She pretended not to be sad, but it didn't help. Ursa wasn't really a close friend of Claw's but that didn't mean that she didn't respect her. Shapeshifters looked out for each other, no matter what. When one of their own died, each died a little inside.

She finished with the dirt and took a step back. No one would defile her grave, not unless they wanted to be hunted down. Which Claw would gladly do.

"Never let anyone hurt your family. Never give in when you feel it is hopeless. And never, ever go down without a fight."

Those were the 3 rules that Drakaron had set for all shapeshifters to follow. The only rules that Claw lived by and would always live by. Thanks to them, she had lived this long.

She bowed her head in respect for her fallen comrade and let out a mournful growl. Then, she turned and headed back towards the Den, dreading the news that she would be bringing back.

This is the last thing they need. What they need now, is some good news. She thought as she reached the mouth of the cave.

She stopped when she saw Drakaron, sitting in his usual place in the front of the cave. About 100 shapeshifters-all in animal form- were gathered around him, as if he was about to say something.

Drakaron noticed the young panther immideately, and noticed the solemn look in her eyes. Letting a reassuring smile make its way onto his reptilian lips he motioned for her to join the group.

Come Claw. I have...an important announcement to make. There was something in his voice that made Claw curious. Was it...fear? No, no. It couldn't be. Drakaron wasn't afraid of anything.

With a respectful bow of her head, she joined the others and waited patiently as Drakaron took a deep breath, about to deliver to them what could only be good news.

Right?