On The Run

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

Making my way over to the opening of trees, I notice a crowd gathering, my curiosity gets the better of me as I inch my way closer. I happen to be pretty far away but the situation at hand was easy to understand. Guards from the council stand proud with their 'special' medallions shining brightly on their chests, most of the men look around, searching the area. I know what they're here for.

My pack whisper amongst one another as the guards continue their search, I take a few steps back to cover my large body amongst the low branches. My friend's gaze catches my eye and he subtly gestures for me to run whilst I still have the chance, I whine quietly, refusing to follow orders.

I've managed to escape the council's eye for almost a while now however, within that time I have had to jump from pack to pack to not be seen. Most of the time I spend a week or so with the packs, gather supplies and rest before setting out again to stay far away from the council's grasp.

"What's going on?" The Alpha asks one of the fully armoured men with a frown when he reaches the centre of the crowd. The main guard turns to look at the man, a scowl imprinted on his face.

"Someone has informed us that a fugitive has travelled this directions, we were given orders to investigate every pack until we find her by the council." He states as he continues his search, his eyes drifting over each member within his view.

"Do you have a name for this fugitive?" The Alpha asks once again and I cover my mouth to stop the gasp escaping my lips as the guard's gaze flickers across my hiding spot.

The guard smirks, almost as if he knows I am around. "Layla Childs."

The Alpha frowns at the name, more than likely recognizing it. I make sure that no one knows of our true identities whilst we travel, it reduces the risk of being caught.

"However, we have reasons to believe that she is under a different name."

"Do you have a way of identifying the fugitive without a name?" The Alpha questions and I hold my breath as the guard pulls out their most up to date photos of the pair of us, I was ten in this photo. Although young, my wavy brown hair and amber eyes are easily identical to my now matured features, my father has not aged a day. Not many people know of my appearance, they have only heard stories of my past or caught glimpses as I had passed as a child.

The risk of being caught by staying in the spot I am currently in is heightened as everyone now knows who my father and I are, so I slowly start to back up into the forest that surrounds us.

Luckily- sarcasm -for me a twig snaps under my large paw as I shift and although most people are unable to hear the small break, a heightened werewolf with the council's power behind them can.

The guard to the left of me frowns in my direction, inching closer to investigate the noise which in result, encourages me to move away again. Making the decision to run, I start to stretch out my limbs and prepare to run.

The guard sniffs the air, looking for a scent of another being before taking a larger leap towards me. My hackles raise as the threat comes closer and quickly the guard catches everyone's eye as he pulls back the first layer of branches that are keeping me concealed. The council have not seen me in over seven years, they are not able to track me by scent as they do not know what I smell like now that I am of age, they are not able to identify my wolf as they have never seen her.

My fur brushes against the overgrown branches as slowly make my way backwards, trying not to make a sound. The guard pulls back another branch and calls out as he notices the footprint of my paw from a few seconds ago. Without taking any second chances I run, my paws slamming against the ground and I try to push my body faster and further away from them. The guards shout and call out orders as a stamped of wolves and men run behind, ready to pounce when the time is right.