The Healer

Prologue

The wind was howling as Asa ran. Inside, her wolf wanted to do the same. It took everything inside to keep her down. She swallowed the lump in her throat and pulled the little bundle in her arms closer.

With one look at her baby, adrenaline was pushing her legs faster, her heart thumping hard in her chest. She had to get away, to put as many miles between them and that horrible place as she possibly could. She wasn't sure how long she had been running, but it wasn't long enough. She had to keep going.

Faster. Faster. Her mind was chanting. Her lungs were protesting, making it harder to breathe with every step. But she kept moving. Wind whipped past them, the trees swayed ominously, and the whisper of danger filled her ears. Keep going. Don't stop.

After what felt like hours, she could feel her legs getting weak. But she didn't stop. She continued to run. She could feel her daughter moving her tiny hands, beginning to wake up. Asa almost sobbed aloud with frustration and defeat. No, no, little one. Just a little bit longer... Please.

Just as she was about to slow her pace, she felt their presence. Two young males in their prime, hidden somewhere close, perhaps tracking her.. With a jolt like that of a frightened deer, she took off faster than before, but she knew she was no match for young males in wolf form.

She dared a glance behind her and she spotted them, two unfamiliar black and white males, but before she could get a good look, she felt her legs giving way. Her arms instinctively held Luna closer as she fell hard to the forest floor.

She tried to open her eyes, but her body was so weak. She couldn't move.

"Please," She whispered. "Please help us."