Inherent Instinct (In Another Life Part Five)

Chapter Three

The red-bearded man was surprisingly familiar, Serana thought, for someone who she was certain had never crossed her path before. She watched as he waited politely for Elayn to change back into her human shape, trying to nail down the resemblance.

There was their clothes, which Elayn fortunately retained between shapes. Ragged trousers and a vest that showed his arms was remarkably similar to the clothes Elayn usually wore, armor only serving to slow her down, as she once said. Neither of them wore shoes either.

Then there were the eyes, silver that was unnaturally bright in the dark. But his nose was broad and straight where Elayn's was thin and crooked, the skin around his mouth crinkled whereas Elayn-- it wasn't that she was a particularly unhappy person, she just didn't make it a habit of cheerful expressions. Serana considered it a personal accomplishment to get her to smile, and she was happy to say that during their travels it was an expression she saw more frequently. But something about the man told her he was no stranger to cheer, even while he was now solemn over the deaths of the werewolves.

“Those were your wolves?” Elayn asked when she could, still standing between Serana and the werewolf.

He nodded, the motion slow and deep. “They were, before the Monster came. Now my wolves do not listen, and I am alone.” His eyes narrowed. “You sound strange, you are not from here?”

“Something like that. Alpha, ey?” Even though Serana couldn't see her face, she could hear the flatness in Elayn's voice. “What's this ‘Monster’? And how did an alpha lose control of his wolves?”

She couldn't see Elayn's face, but she could see his, and he looked irritated. Then, scared, as he looked around. “We should not talk here. Follow me.”

Serana heard a growl start in Elayn's chest and put a hand on her shoulder. She didn't like being told what to do. Serana understood. “If you'll help us figure out what's going on, we'd be happy to come with you.”

Funny that she hadn't noticed how the werewolf hadn't been looking at her until now, but she realized it as soon as he finally did and revulsion curled his lip before he jerked his eyes away, nodded, and waved his hand as he walked into the trees.

Serana kept her will summoned and her hand flickering with magic as he led them. Elayn was just as watchful, though she had no weapons but her hands. The forest was dark, though that posed no issue for their senses. It was more that the darkness had an oppressive feeling, like someone glaring at the back of one's head. There were few things that threatened one of her kind, but Serana had a good idea of what kind of damage a skilled werewolf could do to a vampire. It was a good thing that the wolves they'd met so far seemed too maddened to fight with any sense of tactics, which made them manageable. But that was one or two. What if they came across the rest of the pack?

Serana shivered. Elayn put an arm over her shoulder while they walked and pulled her close for a second before releasing her so there was no falter to their gait. She was glad their bond meant she didn't have to voice anything the werewolf guiding them might hear. The comfort was nice.

Speaking of the werewolf...

“So what do we call you?” she asked, keeping her voice low.

There was a pause before he answered. “Claude,” he said. “Alpha of the Rivière D'argent pack. And you?”

“Serana.”