Wolf Force

Chapter 6

Darla and I were walking through the thick forest. My skin was itching like crazy. I would have to get used to being outside a lot more. The bugs biting me and the blazing sun was a terrible combination for someone who was barely allowed to go outside. However, the only thing I liked about this sunlight was how it made Darla's skin glisten. I couldn't help but grin as her arms and chest lightly sparkled. She must have known I was looking at her because she bit down on her bottom lip to fight back a huge smile. I chuckled. I stopped in my tracks after being startled by the sound of a twig snapping. My eyes widened and I turned towards Darla.

"Did you hear that?" I said faintly.

Darla nodded her head while quizzically scanning the forest with her eyes. I wanted to think that it was one of the pack members coming out to train but I knew it wasn't. My ability to pick up smell is still evolving but I knew my fellow members' scents. These were foreign. Darla knew it as well. She held out a protective arm, warning me to stay behind her.

I gulped in fear. I wasn't ready to meet enemies. Part of me wanted to run for the hills and find my way back to my original home. But my wolf half was telling me that this is where I belong. I probably knew that in my heart. Darla shook her head in disbelief and gave me a very worried look.

"What?" I whispered.

"It can't be.. That pack was dismantled ages ago.." She scoffed.

"What pack?"

"The pack your parents and some older members overthrew." Darla crouched down so I did the same.

"My parents overthrew a pack?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes, they were some of the strongest wolf force in the world. That's why they were so despised by enemies. They gave up this life to live human lives, throwing away everything that made them some of the greatest."

I heard another twig snap. It was followed by the sound of dry leaves being crushed. Someone was coming towards us and they were walking fast. The beating of my heart picked up its pace. I could feel the hairs on my body standing up again. My vision became more enhanced. The sounds that my ears picked up became higher pitched. I looked down to see my nails growing sharper. No. I didn't want my body to do this. I didn't want to transform. I knew that it's a Wolf Force instinct to transform when a threat is nearby, but I wasn't ready. Darla's hair was thicker. Her face looked more rough and her eyes were glowing, letting the threat know that she's an alpha. I heard whispers coming from behind the trees.

Darla growled lowly. Just as I was about to open my mouth to speak, I was knocked over by a strong force. I let out a growl as my face hit the ground. In pain, I raised my trembling hand up to my slightly bruised face to wipe dirt off my cheek. Anger and adrenaline began to rush through my body. I looked over my shoulder to see Darla fending off an attacker. The one who knocked me over was still staring at me. I assumed he didn't attack again because there would be no fun in assaulting a weakling like me while I was still down. I slowly lifted myself up from the ground. Stumbling a bit, I began to back up from the attacker as he took steps forward.

"Lakewater is pathetic. Recruiting a miserable boy like you." The attacker laughed, showing off his stained teeth.

The man seemed to be in his mid 30s to early 40s. His hair was black with gray roots. On his chest a large tattoo read "GWP." That was a pack tattoo. Maybe these two wandered off from the rest of their group. Darla would explain to me later without a doubt. Right now I needed to focus on surviving.

"Oh, I'm far from miserable." I said, trying to sound bold.

The older man laughed and shook his head. He lunged at me but I quickly side stepped him. My heart could beat right out of my chest now. I was scared out of my mind. My eyes kept looking from Darla to my attacker. She was fighting so effortlessly. The man, who was now very pissed, decided that he no longer wanted to take it easy on me. He gave me a devious glare before drawing his arm back to give me an impactful punch. Out of reflex, I grabbed his arm before he could hit me and kneed him in the stomach. The man let out a loud grunt.

"You piece of shit." He muttered angrily.

The man was about to attack me again and I somehow felt less worried. Maybe I had a chance at being a good fighter. I heard rustling behind the bushes and trees. I looked to see if there were any more foreign pack members coming but there wasn't. Instead the two attackers let out loud howls before running off into the woods. That was strange. I watched the pair of Wolf Force run until they were no longer in sight. Who was that? What the hell just happened? I placed my hands behind my head. My heart was beating rapidly and I was trying to catch my breath. Darla stood there in silence. I was waiting on her to explain what just happened.

"Hello? Are you gonna fucking say anything?" I nearly yelled, making her flinch in surprise.

Darla made a low growling noise. She looked at me in anger. "Do not even catch an attitude with me until you learn basic fighting skills."

Wow. "Really?" I scoffed. "I'm tired of you acting like I'm supposed to be a perfect pack member!"

"I'm tired of you never reaching your potential! You're lazy. You don't try!" Darla screamed. Her golden eyes began to glow again.

I rolled my eyes and stared at the ground. Lazy. That's what she thinks of me. Instead of firing back a retort, I simply walked off. Her facial expression changed immediately when my shoulder brushed past hers. I've decided I'm done with this wolf force stuff.

"Where are you going?!" Darla shouted after me.

"To my old home, the only place where I truly belong." I said in a monotonous voice. I gave Darla one last glance before storming off.