Moon Falls

Chapter 3

I jump up, growls slipping past my lips. I look around, taking in my surroundings. We're still by the lake. Cole is staring at me, concern in his eyes. He stands and nudges me, then heads towards the house. I follow him slowly, i should leave, but maybe staying a few days wouldn't hurt. Following him to the house, i shake off my damp fur, the water weighing me down. Cole heads trait into the house. I settle in front of a wooden bench. I listen to Cole's footseps getting louder, then he sits on the bench behind me. The smell of burgers fill my nostrals. I sit up, looking to Cole. He's holding a plate of about 6 steaming burgers. My mouth waters uncontrollably. "Are you hungry?" he asks, a mischevious look in his eyes. I nod my head slowly, watching him. "Can you shift?" i whimper, looking from him to the burgers, then back to him. I pace, my stomach rumbling. "Please? You don't have to tell me your name, i just want to know what you look like" he mumbles, what do i do? I lay down, facing away from him and covering my face with my paws, trying to ignore the smell. This is torture.

"Cole! Give her the food!" the alpha orders, i turn back and Cole drops the plate on the floor. I eat it quickly, fearing he'll take it away again. I stop halfway through my meal, my body freezing and my fur standing on end. The howl broke the peaceful morning, closer than i wanted. They've found me. I charge forward, ignoring the alpha's and Cole's shouts. I follow the scent of the pack until i manage to spot one of their ratty grey coats. I don't stop, but speed past them. They're instantly on me, growling and snapping at me. I dart through the forest, listening as they start to overtake me. Something smashes into my side. I skid across the ground, digging my paws into the ground. They surround me, drool dripping from their mouths. I growl at the white wolf as he steps up to me, and he growls back, challenging me. I watch him as he paces in front of me, his cold, dark eyes never breaking from mine. He jumps at me and i twist out of the way, grabbing onto his hind leg and locking my jaw. Blood pours into my mouth. He yelps in pain and rolls, knocking me off balance. I release his leg, unable to hold on. In a second he's back on his feet and growling. I jump away from him but not quick enough. His teeth latch onto my throat, twisting until he's on to of me. I struggle, howling in pain as his teeth tighten. A man walks towards us, i can't get a good look at him though. He grabs the scruff of my neck, then leans on me, holding me down as the alpha lets go and howls his victory. I watch as he shifts slowly, his white fur receding and revealing his soft pale skin. His dark eyes watch me as i feebly wriggle around on the floor. Looking at them, i can't help but feel my heart fall to pieces again. I'd hoped I would be ready to see them again. The first time almost killed me, and it's had the same affect since. 

"Shift!" he snaps, his voice rough, angry. I stay as my wolf, trying again to get out from beneath the guy on top of me. He growls, glaring at me. "SHIFT!" Closing my eyes, i wait, knowing what's to come. Thuds fill my ears, getting louder. The others hear it too, their fur standing on end. I watch as he shifts into his white wolf again, waiting for whatever's coming. A black wolf jumps into the clearing, the flecks of silver shinning brightly. He snaps at the white wolf, warning him to back away. I twist, but the guy on me still doesn't budge. Cole's alpha walks into the clearing, a few other wolves behind him. The white wolf looks at them, knowing he can't take all of them on. He backs away slowly, the others following. The guy on top finally moves, following his leader. I stand slowly, my chest feeling heavy and my neck sore. Cole nudges me and i follow him willingly. Instead of following him to the house, i head to the lake again, i listen as Cole stops, but then follows me. I walk into the lake slowly, letting the cold water wash through my fur and chill my skin. I rub my paw against my neck, the wounds sore and deeper than i thought. Climbing back out, i walk slowly towards the house. Cole is watching me, following me. I watch a he runs ahead and into the house, then a few minuets later, he runs back out in a pair of shorts, a woman and Chris following him. As they head towards me, i hesitate, what's going on? 

"Look, just relax, ok?" Cole tells me, concern in his eyes. I watch as he and Chris start walking to either side of me, while the woman in front watches carefully, i look her over, her dark hair frames her round face perfectly, she's wearing tight navy skinny jeans, a white vest and a pair of hiking boots. There's also a bag over her shoulder, and she's gripping it tightly. Hands grab me tightly, pulling me to the ground. Chris holds my body down, while Cole takes hold of my head, pinning it down and holding my jaw closed. What's happening? Why's this happening? The woman moves towards me, kneeling next to me. She pulls the bag from her shoulder and start shuffling through her bag. After a minuet she brushes her hand through the fur on my neck, finding each puncture made earlier. I cry as she cleans and stitches them, trying to ignore the stinging. At least, on the bright side, these ones won't scar as badly as the others. She moves away, taking her bag with her. Then they're off me. I run away from them, to the edge of the forest, shaking out my fur and testing my skin. It feels tight and sore. I lay down, rubbing my neck again with my paws. I watch Cole shift and head into the forest with some other wolves, then there's a presence beside me. Looking slowly, it's the alpha. 

"I think you should know a bit about us. My name is Andrew, and we're the Essence Pack, we've been here a long time and we've had our fair share of fights. I will try and help you, but you need to help me first. We'll discuss it further later in my office, where you'll shift so we can see your human form, and then you'll tell me the reason you're here and why those rogues are intent on following you. My mate, Rebecca will be present, as well as my Beta's and most likely Cole. I'll see you later on" he tells me, then stands and leaves. I watch him walking into the house, leaving the door open. A couple of women come outside and sit on the grass, absorbing the sun. One of the toddlers run out of the door, then another. Nerves spread through my stomach and i stand, then move to the other side of the tree, into the shadows where they won't see me and lay back down, waiting for Cole to return.