Unlikely Alliances (The Pack)

Twenty-Two - I Promise.

'What do you mean, he's gone?!'
'Exactly what I said, I turned my back for a second, and he ran out. He could be anywhere in or outside of the castle at this point, but he shouldn't get past the guards. He would have run for the front gates.'
'And you didn't stop him, why?'

'He's a hybrid again.'
- - -

Okay, yes, Preston had panicked. Wouldn't you if you woke up in (pretty much) a different body? One that you'd despised for more years than you'd loved it? That's what I thought.
He hadn't meant to start the fire, either. The guards had been chasing him, and he ran into the forest, and... Yeah. It was a lot bigger than he dreaded it to be.
Stupid. Why did you have to run. People could die.
Animals started to run out of the forest, their calls almost as deafening as the crackling flames. Running had been a jag move, and he knew that, but he couldn't really go back now. They would yell at him, and the King could have him executed for endangering his people.

To do that, he'd actually have to care. I need to tell than that I'm alright, though- I haven't seen any of them since I woke up.
Dodging a wild stag, Preston flinched as something crashed within the forest, but turned away. Any attempts in fixing the issue would make it worse; He was on his own.
Okay, Preston, you're down to basic survival.

I feel like I'm missing something.
You're back!
And better than ever, apparently. The lava thing you did charged me up with a bunch of energy, apologies about being dormant for so long.
It's fine, I'm just glad you're here. I'm not entirely alone.

What's happened?

Saved Vik's life, was turned back into a hybrid, freaked out and accidentally set a forest on fire while running away like a coward.

Oh. So I've missed a few things then.

Yeah. Good to have you back, though.

Do you have a plan? Like, what are you going to do?

Find somewhere safe, I guess. It's gonna get dark soon.

'Why aren't you talking?'

The Tauran yelped, jumping away from the unfamiliar figure next to him as they snorted. 'Preston, mate, I'm hardly that terrifying.'

...Voice?

'You know it. You seem surprised.'

But you're-

'I have a body now? Yeah. Looks like the gods took pity on you being so dreadfully lonely.' They grinned, giving an exaggerated bow as Preston stared at them.

So you can touch stuff now?

'I guess. So, Mr. Runaway, what's the plan?'

Get somewhere safe. C'mon, you can explain a few things on the way.