An enslaved pack ruled by a merciless dictator. A pack of assassins out for blood and revenge.
A lone wolf who can't find his place among any of it.
Through betrayal, binding pacts, and revolutionary acts, with more shadows looming between the tree...
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The moon was drifting down in the sky, though Terra sat out on the steps of the house, watching the woods. She held a mug of tea and gave a nod as one last straggling wolf went inside.
"Still missing some?" Jake asked as he sat down beside her.
"The twins and Shayne," Terra murmured. "They fell behind last time, too. I guess I'm just...anxious."
"It'll be alright." Jake put a hand against her shoulder. "Do you want me to wait with you?"
The Alpha waved him off and sighed. "I'm fine." With a light shake of his head, Jake dropped his hand back to his lap. The Beta didn't move.
They sat in silence for a while until movement at the treeline stole their attention. A bleeding Shayne struggled from the growth, tugging another wolf along with him by the scruff. Each step was labored and he'd just made it into the open, spotting the pack leaders, before he lost his grip and fell into the snow himself.
Both stood from their seats and shared a short look before they ran into the snow. Jake lifted Charles with some difficulty, and Terra had to half pull Shayne after her as they went to the house. "Jake," Terra whispered as they forced their way inside. "Where's Jessie?"
"I don't know," he said. They stopped just inside and laid the two down, Jake running his hand over the wounds on Charles. The other twin stirred a bit, fighting to regain consciousness.
"They smell like Aaron." Terra looked back into the house as a few doors opened and wolves peered out at them. "We should get Dominic and the rest of the Hunters."
Jake sat back on his heels and pushed a hand through his hair. "Terra, we won't do anyone good by rushing into this. Let's hear what happened, and we'll be ready to go in...in a few hours."
"A few- fine." Terra ran her hand against Shayne and leaned down to the new wolf. "Shayne," she said. "Can you hear me?"
He panted hard, but the new wolf managed to raise his head and look up at Terra. Shayne nodded to her and tried to speak, but only rumbling sounds came from his maw.
"You'll be okay," Terra whispered. She looked him over and glanced at Jake. "You know how to...to at least patch them up, right?"
Jake gave a short nod but his attention was drawn back to Charles as the wolf lifted his head. "Easy," Jake murmured. "They don't look too bad," he told Terra.
A crack sounded from Charles as he attempted to shift back, and Terra stood to drape a blanket from the nearby couch around him. Charles gasped as his wounds bled heavily, though managed to stay conscious. "Jessie," he said. "He took Jessie. It's my fault."
"No, it's not your fault, Charles," Jake said.
"It is. God, it is. I just wanted to keep her safe. I didn't- couldn't see another way." Charles looked up to meet Terra's shocked gaze. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Terra. I just wanted her safe." Charles slumped back to the floor.
