The rain fell in generous supply, soaking through my t-shirt, which clung to my skin tight. My hair was sleek and straight, drooping down, curtaining my face. The humidity was sticky and unpleasant, engulfing my body inside and out. I looked up at the grey over cast sky, drops of rain running down my cheeks. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand, but it doesn't help much because more water appears in its place, either from the torrential downpour or dripping from my saturated scalp.
We've been walking through the boreal forest for almost two months now, and now were almost in British Columbia. The tracks of the Shadowspear were fresh, but they retraced a lot of their steps, leading to dead ends to trick us. Leaving the Celestine camp was not something Adalia and Damien wanted to do. In fact they didn't want anything to do with me in the frist place. They wanted to go back home with Ryker and Blaez, but Adalia didn't want to leave me alone and Damien wouldn't leave without her, so they stuck around. It was annoying because I know they don't care about the Shadowspear, they just don't want me to die, but I won't even if they follow me, they are just slowing me down.
I looked around for a relevantly tall pine tree. I spot one, nodding. This one will do, I tell myself. I run up to it, and jump, pouncing on the lowest branch, nails digging into the bark. I swing my legs up and coil them around the bough. I pull myself up and crouch, wrapping my arms around the trunk.
"You're like a squirrel." Says Adalia. I scoff and clamber up to the top. I pass a nest of birds, the small chicks lift their heads and emit small chirps, their eyes wide with hunger. Once they saw I'm not their mama bird they closed their eyes and went back to sleep. I clambered higher, until the branches could no longer support my weight. The overlook was magnificent. I could see the Rockies on the horizon, clouds hovering low over top of the peaks. Even this grey morning looked absolutely stunning. Something did catch my eye, a fire. How can there be a fire in this storm? I listened carefully. I focused and strained my telepathy trying to catch any sound, voice, hum, anything. I do. A whole conversation. It's cut, I don't catch all the words but I hear their voices echoing through my head.
"We'll double back a- loose ou- they won't-"
"Where are w- eading?"
"Va-ou-r"
"Why?"
"Got to t-k to someone."
I almost fell out of the tree, my ears were ringing and my head throbbed. They were too far for me to keep the connection any longer. I knew it was them. I gingerly climbed down, a bit nauseous from the connection. All telepathy conversations are discretely for pack members only, but if you focus hard enough you can break the barrier and sneak in. The only problem is, is that it really hurts. I jump off the last branch landing awkwardly on my feet.
"Woah, you okay? Did you see something?" Asks Damien.
"Fire. Five kilometers. They're going to re track again, but they are heading to Vancouver. They're probably going to cross through the mountains to loose us, so get ready.
"How do you know all of this?" Asks Adalia.
"I heard."
"From five K? That's impossible. Your brain would burst."
"Close enough." I said, rubbing my temples.
"Okay, do you wanna shape shift so we can catch up?"
"Yes." I sigh. I miss wolf form, and my feet are aching from walking upright. I peel off my shorts and t-shirt, wring it and shove it in my bag. I morph and take the bag in between my teeth.
Lets go.
I brake into a bit of a sprint to get in front of them. I scout out the path, sniffing the tracks. My senses have tripled in my wolf form, a long with my speed and agility. My albino white fur seems to glow among the dark dirt and leaves. My paws make a soft patter patter noise as I trot through the muddy forest. Owl pellets litter the floor, along with some feathers, bones and a black arrow.
Silly of you to leave behind tracks. I think to myself. Something snaps in the branches next to me and I look over. I see two eye glowing from behind the pine needles and I tense.
Who are you?
Take a guess. Says the too familiar voice. It hits my like a cannon and I want to vomit.
No..
Yes.
How?
Are you scared? The voice mocks.
No, come out. I say. The figure walks out and my thoughts are confirmed. From behind the trees steps out the only wolf I thought I'd never see again. With golden, green hazel eyes and soft brown fur with a mischievous face:
Koda.
