Moon Of Gold

Chapter 7: Ambush

    I sit at the wooden table in the lobby of the inn. Spite that "incident" from last night, I had trouble sleeping for some reason. Julian slept like a rock while I tossed and turned. Something in the back of my mind lingered but I didn't know why.
      Tapping my fingertips on the table, I glance around in search of Julian. He said he had to use the restroom but this park didn't seem to have a porter potty anywhere. Weird...
      I slowly rest my arms and head down on to the table. Drifting off, I close my eyes.

***

      I feel a light tap on my shoulder and raise my head. Turning around I let out a sigh. There he is...finally back after five hundred years of powdering his nose.
      "Oh, you decided to come back after all. I thought you fell in" I yawn.
     He smiles and chuckles. "I had to make sure to release any issues for now. Did you take a nap? When I came over you didn't seem so comfortable." 
      I groan and faceplant into the table. "Phira...are you okay?" I hear him ask. I slowly raise my head up, seeing him frown. I yawn again, rubbing my eyes. "Yeah...lack of sleep. That's all" I answer back.
     His gaze softens and he lifts my arm with his hand. "We still have a long way to go...with no map at all."

***

      As we walk the forest seems to be getting darker. The trees were like swallowing the sky. They were everywhere and I wasn't sure if time has even passed. There was no sign of day...just darkness. The air is cold and windy. No birds or any woodland creatures seem to greet us on this dreadful occasion.
      I rub my arm and take a breath. I glance at Julian and see him slow his pace. Something bad is going to happen soon. I could feel it in my gut. I have to be prepared so I transform. 
     Raising my head, I sniff the air. My eyes scan the area as we continue to walk the stone path. Julian closes his eyes then opens them. He glances at me then back at the trees. He's uneasy as well. He trails behind me but not too far. 
     My ears perk up by a few rustles in the nearby bushes. I quickly turn my head and growl. Someone's watching us...more than one person. Thieves? Assassins? Whatever or whoever it was, I was not having it! If they wanted to be ripped apart by a still half asleep and pissed off werewolf then so be it. I wasn't going to die today.

     "Should we? Not sure if this wolf needs muzzle or a bullet to their mangy head."

      My heartbeat quickens and my stomach turns. Werewolf hunters! 

***

    Ophira stops moving. So did I. The voice sounds like a hunter and this only means one thing. This is a trap. 
      A person steps out of the bushes with three other people. They were all wearing some type of odd uniforms. I couldn't make it out well except for the fact that it was camouflage. Completely different from the ones I had killed a few weeks ago. Three men and a woman. 
     Her face isn't noticeable but her scent was familiar...the the inn?! No, it couldn't be...could it? Her blood has a bitter smell coming from it and I don't know why I didn't notice it earlier. If I remember correctly, that's usually a bad sign.
      "So, you really think we'd let you pass? Your little hybrid friend and you are done for. No one enters Shadow Forest and comes back. I can't believe how gullible you two are" The woman boasts, smirking and crossing her arms.

     Ophira stares back. "Silvaus...were is he?" She growls and bares her fangs. Her ears drawback and she positions herself for an attack. I step forward and place a hand on her. She doesn't budge and slowly turns her head towards me. Her eyes trail from me and back to the hunters.

      "Oh him? That's for you to see. For now, we're going to have to see if you can even survive. Two to four." One of the hunters says, giving her a smug look.