The Moon Will Fall (Moonlight 2)

Chapter 33-Lost and Found

I took a deep breath as the four of us stood at the end of the driveway, the forest directly across from us. We'd decided to travel on foot. Or on paw as Michael had jokingly referred to it. Fear lingered deep in my mind, if we did cross paths with the Shadow Wolf tonight; we were nowhere near ready. For starters Michael was injured, I glance over at him. He was putting on a brave face but one look at his wound told a different story it was clear that it was still hurting him. In any other circumstances I would've protested and stopped him from coming with us. Yet he was so determined, and right now we needed to stick together. Calum still hadn't explained what had happened with Finn, but he had muttered something about needing to stay close. So, I wasn't one to argue. Calum himself was evidently exhausted from having just fought Finn, Ashton's worry was clear from his expression and I wasn't sure I was ready to face it again anyway. We weren't in the best shape. Still perhaps it's better for us to cross paths with the Shadow Wolf on our terms rather than on its. Calum had said, we would never be truly ready to face it. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right.

"We ready?" Calum questioned, shooting a nervous glance at Michael.

"Yeah." There was a murmur of agreement among the four of us.

I drew in a deep breath, pushing my nerves out of my mind for the time being and focused on shifting. It was effortless these days, a single thought and I felt the shift wash over me in an instant. I turned to Ashton beside me, the blondish brown wolf grinned back at me. Then I looked over at Calum's dark brown fur, he gave me a soft nod. I heard a small yelp and looked over at Michael, even in wolf form the wound evident through his sandy blonde fur, the fur around the wound was already beginning to stain. Catching the three of us staring, he nodded.

Please let nothing bad happen to us tonight.

Calum and Michael both took off first, though it was clear from Michael's jerky movements that he didn't have his usual speed. I could probably run laps around him if we were to have a race. Calum appeared to slow to match his pace. Ashton and I took off behind them, the two of us keeping our pace much slower than usual. I could only hope that Michael would make it through tonight okay.

Still despite our lack of pace it felt good to be a wolf again. To feel the ground, disappear beneath me with every leap and breath. The brisk night air rushed through my fur. I could see the almost full moon rising in the distance, a reminder of tomorrow. A small lump rose in my throat would we even make it that far?

I was jerked sideways as a mass of blondish brown fur knocked into my body. I gritted my teeth steadying myself, before I tilted my head sideways at my running partner shooting him a glance.

'Stay positive.' Ashton thought to me, as our eyes met.

I gave him a nod. Ashton was right, worrying about what was going to happen wouldn't solve anything. Facing the Shadow Wolf last night had bought us more time at least. Things could be a lot worse. I sighed, I could tell myself all those things, but it was still tough knowing what could be.

Turning away from Ashton, I focused my attention on the unfamiliar trees that were whirring around me. It was unsettling to be surrounded by one that I didn't recognise. I'd torn through the paths of the ones in Rosetta Park so many times that there was something wrong about trampling through here. I looked up ahead at Calum and Michael who were navigating us through them with ease, as if they were our own trees.

'We're close. Keep your eyes out, everyone.' Michael spoke.

I nodded, listening and watching for anything that was out of place. I knew if we were close to the Shadow Wolf that Michael or I would probably be the first ones to sense it out of everyone. Yet, I still felt and heard nothing.