Horizon

//ABYSS// part 1

Hood up, I crouched at the tree's base, practicing the art of short and quiet breaths. A wolf can hear six miles out in the forest, ten if they're in the open. The best tracker in the pack, Adelle could detect anything with a heartbeat. Or a rumbling tummy. I gripped my cramping stomach, mouthing at it to be quiet.

A twigged snapped. 

She found me. 

A streak of gold and white was coming in hot at my left. I Shimmered to the next tree for a running start, Addy's growl and the soft thump of her paws telling me she was gaining. Desperate, I veered to the right and leaped, grabbing hold of a low-hanging tree branch. Swinging myself up and over it, I  landed on top like a gymnast.

Super strength and quick healing had kept me alive on the streets. Now it would keep me alive in Harbor Village - if I survived my training with the Garou.

The Wolf caught up, a lean, slender beauty the color of a titian sunset. She sat on her haunches, barking and growling. Pointing down at Addy, I laughed hysterically.

The branch cracked in warning. No time to Shimmer - it gave way and I landed beneath, groaning in a pile of broken wood.

A dirty angel strolled into view, naked, long red waves flowing behind her, a twig here and there for decoration. She placed her foot on my chest, grinning.

"Too easy."

"I almost got away that time."

"Sure you did." Smirking, she helped me to my feet.

We walked back to camp - our base was set up near the stream. The tents were close but I had yet to go near the water. I took bucket baths yesterday and today, jealous of Addy and the Wolves who joined her in the stream.

She returned from her bath as I was drying off, chuckling as I cursed beneath my breath. I still felt sticky all over.

Addy tossed me a granola bar. "It's good that you're out here doing this." She took a seat beside me on the forest floor, leaning back on her palms. Our athletic gear was still wet, hers sparkling in a little patch of sunlight. "This is the best place to train--and get over your fear."

If there hadn't been a dozen wolves patrolling as we spoke I wouldn't have been there at all. But Addy didn't need to know that.

"She should pat herself on the back. She may not have killed me but at least she took my love for swimming. I'm never going back to the lagoon."

"The lagoon?"

I turned to Addy, chin resting on my shoulder. "This place I went, with Drake. You gonna lecture me too?"

"I'll leave that part to Luke. It's him and E and who have the problem with Drake. For obvious reasons."

"Obvious reasons," I echoed, chuckling with her.

"Y'know we're gonna find who hurt you, right? Luke and Ethan won't stop till they do. Neither will Drake."

"Why is that?" Frowning, I picked at the grass. "Luke admitted he had a thing with my Aunt back in the day--"

"For realzies?"

"For realzies. But they ended it. He said my Aunt didn't want what happened to my mom and dad to happen to them. So I get why he's so involved, but..."

"But that doesn't explain E and Drake?"

I nodded. 

"Well, it's probably because you saved Ethan's life and you saved Drake's son. Or--Naomi saved Ethan's life and Drake's son. This is confusing."