The Way of the Wolves

8- War

Elora, Eric and Vicka ran through the forest in their human form. Eric's father had realized he was gone and had sent some of his men to come look for him in the forest. Elora held tight to his hand tightly, afraid she was going to lose her mate right after she had just found him.

Elora looked over at him and she regretted it when she did because the look on his face made her want pull him to safety away from the world and all the danger in it. Eric felt her looking at her and slowly turned his head. She looked sad and worried, he wished he could kiss her again, but now was not the time. So they kept running.

Vicka was in the lead showing them were she had seen the men last. She stopped in the clearing with Eric and Elora hot on their heels.

Elora Opened her mouth to speak but an arrow whizzed past her head. She moved lightning fast to dodge it pulling Eric along with her. She reached for her sword but it wasn't there. She had forgotten it by the river. Her next defence was her wolf form, but it always was a last resort. She tried to minimize the people who knew about her being a wolf and use her beauty as her advantage, but now that she had a mate she knew Eric wouldn't like that idea.

"Just stay cool and act like you got lost until I can reach that sword." Elora said through her and Eric's mind bond.

But using that bond really freaked him out. She could feel the shock through their bond so she quickly said, "It's a bond that mates have, just think of me and what you want to tell me."

"Elora?" He said, in a cautious voice, obviously trying out his new discovery.

"Yes."

"wicked." Elora smiled, then remembered the trouble they were in. He smiled quickly hardened.

"Now go distract them." Elora ordered and ran to vicka to help steel a sword.

Eric walked out of the trees and into the clearing facing his father and his men. "Son." He said his voice rumbling. Eric's father, King George, was a very strong man and slightly overweight. He had a strong jaw and a thick chest which rumbled when he spoke. His hair was dark and long, He was a very attractive man and looked very young for his age, but deep down he was dark and cold, not letting happiness enter.

"Father." Eric said walking towards him and nodding to the men.

"Where have you been?" George asked not sounding concerned but more suspicious.

"I was in the woods going for a walk when my horse was spooked and he ran off leaving here not knowing which way to get back." He lied.

"Then I guess you can explain why one of my men were found dead in the forest, a man who is usually seen with you." The king said raising one eyebrow and raising one side of his mouth into a smirk.

Eric had tried to control his anger but it was getting out of control now. He looked into the forest foe Elora, but didn't see her. "I can't take this much longer." Eric told Elora through his thoughts.

"1, 2, 3" Was all he heard before he saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen jump from a high tree and down on the ground and grabbed a man's sword, ripping it from his belt and pushing it into her victims chest killing him.

George looked over quickly at the noise and the men around him did the same looking at Elora in aww before they all drew their own sword to defend themselves as Elora drove the sword thorough many hearts, at an incredible pace.

George looked over at Eric with a surprised look on his face. "Aren't you going to do something?" He yelled at Eric. "Sorry, but you killed my parents." He said taking all his anger and drawing his own sword and running at his father. George jumped off his horse and onto the ground, Looking over at Elora for a quick second then looking back at his son running at him , a mixture of anger and sadness on his face.

Their swords hit each other, making a loud clink. May people looked and Elora took advantage of their distraction. Elora had killed over a quarter of the men when a man from afar away drew his bow and aimed it at Elora as she drove her sword into another solder's heart. He smiled and let the string go. But Vicka jumped on him tackling him from his horse making the arrow hit her stomach.

Elora fell to the ground screaming in pain. Many men were surprised and stopped fighting for a moment. Eric felt pain in his own torso as his mate fell to the ground in pain. He dropped his sword and When that arrow had just pierced through Elora 's skin, that was the limit. Even though Eric had just discovered his new form he couldn't control it much longer. His skin turned colour growing hair, Frightening his father he stepped back. Eric lunged and the man who had shot the arrow and with one great powerful bite he snapped his neck drawing blood. Eric could taste the metallic flavour and was thirsty for more. He jumped to where Elora now lay withering, he picked her up and ran out of the clearing, following Vicka as she led the way to her pack.