Blackbird

†Chapter Four† (Edited)

As we continued towards Revenport, mixed feelings began to brew deep in my stomach. I was nervous about being surrounded by humans who wanted my kind wiped off the face of the earth, but what made me more nervous was that I would be one step closer to avenging not only my family and pack, but every other pack that had been slaughtered. I didn't know what the rebel pack planned to do and I had plans of my own: hunt down the King and put an end to all this.

Axel trudged along in front of me, walking with brisk determination while I tried to keep up with him. I watched the back of his head, sinking deeper and deeper into my thoughts. How far would he be willing to go? The night we met, he told me he wouldn't let me face death alone, but did that mean he would die alongside me? Was he as willing as I was to fight to the death for the sake of our entire species? I had no answers to the endless waves of questions that plagued my mind, but I had a feeling they would be answered when it came down to the final moments.

Suddenly, he came to an abrupt stop, scanning the forest as he listened intently. I stopped and listened as well, waiting for something to reach my ears.

"We have to get off the trail," Axel said softly, dropping into a crouch and moving off to the right side of the trail towards thick vegetation. I shifted into my wolf form and followed closely behind him, keeping my ears focused on any other sounds. When we made it to the cover of tall, thick ferns, I began to hear horses and the clanking of armor. Not soon after that, laughter and the voices of men became clear. I sank lower to the ground, watching where the trail curved and disappeared.

After a few moments, a small group of about a dozen soldiers all on horseback rounded the corner. I suppressed a growl when I saw the hilts of their swords at their sides and the wolf skins piled onto a couple pack mules. Rage flared up in my chest as I watched them. How could they do such a horrible thing? Kill wolves and parade them around like a prize. Those sick, twisted, disgusting humans deserved a slow death. The urge to kill rose sharply in my chest, the edges of my vision tinted red as my instincts began to scream in the back of my mind. I wanted to tear their throats to pieces, watch them choke to death on their own blood for what they did.

Before I could stop it, a small growl rumbled in my chest, which caught the attention of the soldier in front. He held his hand up, bringing the group to a halt as he scanned the forest.

Axel's hand clamped down around my muzzle before he froze completely, watching the soldiers, waiting under the heavy silence that fell between us.

What seemed like years passed by as the lead soldier stared directly at where we lay hidden. He was a strong-looking man with midnight black hair, piercing blue eyes, and olive skin. Three dark scars marred the left side of his face and the majority of his neck that were most likely caused by a wolf who fought back hard enough.

"You hear something, boss?" the soldier behind him asked.

He hesitated and then shook his head. "Must have just been the excitement from all the kills," he called to the others. His voice was deep and venomous as he spoke. "I'm still hearing the growls of the she-wolves trying to protect their pups from my blade."

I clenched my jaws together so tight my mouth ached, but I couldn't make another sound. We couldn't afford a confrontation with these soldiers even though I wanted to kill each and every one of them.

"Alright. Let's keep moving," he ordered as he nudged his horse in the sides, sending it into a brisk walk. The others followed suit, all staring at the same place their leader was staring as they passed. After they had disappeared from sight and hearing range, Axel turned his attention to me with a glare.

"You idiot," he hissed. "You could have gotten us killed!"

I wrenched my muzzle out of his hand, glaring back at him. I knew I'd made a mistake by allowing myself to growl, but I was too enraged to care. I strode out of our hiding spot back to the trail, head low, and my ears tucked against my head.

I heard Axel sigh behind me. "Look, I wanted to attack them too, but those were hunters who joined the King's army to help with eradication of wolves. We were outnumbered and nowhere near strong or skilled enough to take them on," he said coldly. "I don't like hiding any more than you do, but it's our only choice at this point."

I knew Axel was right, but the thought of having to hide left a sour taste in my mouth. I wanted to fight and kill every human who harmed an innocent wolf. I wanted to make them suffer a slow, painful death like they did to my kind. However, all I could do was do as Axel said. I would get my revenge, but only at the moment I sank my teeth into the King who started all of this. However, that didn't make it taste any better.