Caught in the crossfire

26

It had been some time since Kay had last visited the fay. For most, fairies could not be seen unless they wished to reveal themselves (which would be an added advantage should they agree to fight) but as one who had been blessed by the fairies Kay would always be able to see them... if they were around. Using her wind ability to travel quickly through the pack's lands she searched all her old childhood meeting places looking for any sign that they were there. Nothing. Kay pushed down the panic that threatened to well up within her. Think, she told herself, where else might they be? Glancing up towards the sun through the canopy she noted how far the sun had already traveled across the sky. She was running out of time. Then it hit her, the best place to look was where it had all begun, where she had first met them... but even with her incredible speed it would take a couple of hours to get there. She would have to cross the creek where she had first met her adoptive parents that marked Rock Creek's pack boundary and head towards the orphanage. Did she have time? Bardolf and his army could be arriving at any moment. She could stay and start setting up defenses of her own, much like she'd done when she'd led the escape from the Silver Fang Pack. Or she could take the chance of searching one last place for the Fay and hope that not only would they be there, but that they could be persuaded to help as well. She had a choice to make. This late in the day, was the risk worth it? Yes. It had  to be. It was their only hope of facing such insurmountable odds. Still, she couldn't completely quiet the little voice nagging at the back of her mind...  what if they aren't there?

———

Chase raced down the road, practically flooring the gas, back towards the Rock Creek Pack's territory. Officially, he was going to try to retrieve his cousin before the fight broke out, but if he was being honest with himself there was a certain she-wolf he just couldn't get off his mind. She couldn't have not realized he was a hunter from the start. And he had certainly not made any attempt to hide his disdain for her kind. But still, she had saved his life. And risked her own to do it. His thoughts and emotions were a tangle of confusion. With so much going on in his head he almost didn't hit the brakes in time as someone stepped out onto the road ahead.

"Kay!" He called, stepping out of his car. "What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask the same of you. What's going on?" She shot back.

"I was on my way back to find you." He replied. "I hate to add any more difficulty to the situation here but, as a member of an organization sworn to protect humans from this very sort of thing, I had to warn the other hunters. If Bardolf wins then war against humanity is next. We need time to prepare for that possibility."

"What exactly does that mean for all of us right now?" Asked Kay, concerned.

"Well, obviously the hunters won't step in to help you." he began, "The more shifters kill of each other the easier it will be for us later on. But, if I know the other hunters in this area even half as well as I think then there are at least some who  won't pass up a chance like this... that's why dad sent me to come and get you out. You don't belong here Kay. This isn't really your fight. You're not a shifter. And I know you're not exactly a hunter either, but we're still your family. So as far as Dad and I are concerned you're still one of us. And we look out for our own Kay... With three groups fighting, he's afraid you'll get caught in the crossfire."

"You're wrong." asserted Kay. "This is my fight. I have family and friends on this side too. I have the couple who raised me, my brother, and most importantly my mate. And right now they need me... and even if that weren't the case, Bardolf must be stopped! And I know I can help. You cannot change my mind on this Chase."

"I know." Replied Chase. "Which is why... I'm going to help."

"What?" Kay nearly choked in surprise.

"And don't worry, I won't target your Pack. Not intentionally anyway. My sights will be set on Bardolf and his men." Chase continued reassuringly.

"Why? You're a hunter. I don't understand." Asked Kay.

"Like you said, he has to be stopped. Given the circumstances, I think I can afford to let a few of the less dangerous ones go at least for today. So if you don't mind, how about telling your shifter friends to leave me be as well huh? We'll call it a truce." He offered a half smile. "Oh, before I forget, when this is all over, there's something I really need to talk to you about."

"Alright." She nodded. "I'm headed back to the pack right now myself. I'll let them know to let you cross the border."

"Want a lift?" He offered.

"Thanks, but I've still got my own task to see to." She responded curtly. "I'll see you later."

Heading back into the cover of the trees Kay reached out her mind to Alaric. He didn't answer back but she was relieved to feel a sense of acknowledgement come across the bond so she continued. I'm on my way. Warn the men, and tell Alpha Myers to do the same: whatever you do, stay out of the forest!

———————

Hey! Well I think we're finally getting near the end. Besides the battle, is there anything y'all really want to see before the end?  I won't make any promises but... we'll see :)