Glinting Silver

Chapter 5

My feet were hurting. My legs ached. My head was swimming. But if we phased, we would have to leave Belle behind. So Kim, Bliss and I walked while Bliss carried her sister and I explained things to Kim.

"Silver fur is a mutation. If two silvers have a pup, that pup is not necessarily going to be silver as well." I told her. She nodded like she was listening, but her eyes were far away. She was listening to something, her head on one side.

"Get down." she said suddenly. "Something's coming. Hit the dirt NOW!"

I pushed Bliss over and Belle tumbled from her back, yelping as she crouched on her hands and knees. Bliss, Kim and I formed a circle, back to back around Belle. We all held daggers pointed forward, and now even I could tell there was something running through the trees.

On our right was a small cliff, five feet high. From this, a russet and grey wolf leaped. When he hit the ground, there was a young man in an old fashioned black hooded cape. He threw back the hood, revealing wild blond hair, kind brown eyes and even teeth.

"I am Alistair." he said, walking around us, his heels tapping the ground with black boots. He smiled at me and I smiled back politely. The long sword on his belt made me wince.

"I suppose you have good reason for crossing my territory?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. He had no idea we were silvers, and I almost laughed but decided to trust him.

"Actually we are on a hunt. For a friend." I admitted casually, tying my messy red hair in a plait. Alistair raised his eyebrow.

"Since when have rogues cared for friends?" he asked suspiciously. I saw his hand hover over the hilt of sword, as if he might take it out. I shuddered and gripped my knife tightly.

"We have cared for family since we are not rogues." Bliss said boldly. Alistair assumed the worst, I guess, because he withdraw his sword. I threw my dagger to the ground and changed to my better weapon: My teeth and claws.

Alistair dropped his sword in disbelief. His hands raised to protect his face, and he started stepping backwards. I jumped forward and roared, literally roared like a monster lion. I bared my teeth and expected him to cower like most. Yet he surprised me.

Sword in his hand, eyes locked on mine, he stood up casually and rested the tip of his blade on my head. I was forced to lie down. He smiled slowly and put away his sword. I leaped up and backed away.

"You see Alistair, a young one had been taken. Silver, like her pack." Bliss said calmly. "We look out for each other." As she said this, Belle was using her as a support to stand. Alistair nodded.

"Tiny, blond pigtails, an attitude like a princess? Carried passed the falls." he said suddenly. My jaw dropped. "Oh, and three males were following. Jaw length black hair, scruffy red hair and tawny hair."

I couldn't believe it. He had not only seen Aurora, but Domino's pack as well. I shifted back to human, my eyes as round and big as saucers. Bliss clapped a hand over my mouth, but not before I spoke.

"Which way to the falls?"

Alistair raised an eyebrow. "You wish for my help now." he observed lightly, almost boredly. I nodded, my cheeks flaming. Not only did I want his help, but I needed to see how dangerous he was in wolf form.

He started changing, his half-smile becoming a wolf's grin. Powerful muscles rippled like liquid steel under coarse red fur, and long curved claws poked out of round white paws. His teeth were long and pointed like a pic axe. I snarled inside myself.

You are Juniper. I know that much. The twins must be Felicity and Isabella. The fourth... I do not know. he raised an eyebrow, looking at Kin. She flicked her ponytail behind her shoulder, seething.

I rolled my eyes and started heading back to wolf. Alistair's eyes tracked me closely, studying me. I shook myself out and gave him a warning snarl. He looked away as the others changed, and then he saw Kim. He stared in surprise.

A silver and rogue together? he wondered. Strange. I pulled a face and gestured for him to walk. He bounded away into the trees. Bliss padded over to me. She was carrying Belle on her back.

Do we trust him? Do we trust Kim for that matter? She growled. Kim looked up and spiked her fur. I nodded at Bliss. We could trust both of them. But I would keep an eye out on Alistair. He poked his head out of the bushes and barked.

We had no choice but to follow.