Stranger Yet

Chapter 17: Another Scuffle

***HEY THERE, READERS. SORRY I SUCK! I kinda let me depression take over my life for awhile, so I haven't been writing at all... Needless to say, this chapter is not my best. But I hope you enjoy it regardless. Thanks for sticking it out with me, if you have. I appreciate it so much, you don't even know.

This chapter is dedicated to one of my sisters, my dear friend, one of my many editors, and my biggest fan and cheerleader, JessLavon, Thank you!

-Jaelynn***

Ayra had run into the forest with the intention of warning Tiernan about the intruders, an act she'd done out of a desire to protect her parents and herself, not because she had worried about the well-being of Long Tail Pack. However, when she heard the gunshot ricochet through the forest, she began to panic. Her heart rate quickened and something inside her chest tightened.

In the pivotal seconds after the blast, Ayra had two options: turn back around and leave them to their devices, maybe say a prayer to whatever god was listening, or run towards the sound of bullets and help the pack that had aimed to hurt her, potentially saving lives.

There are so many of them! Shouldn't they be able to take care of themselves?!

A wolf in the distance howled and inside her wolf fought to release her own howl in response. Ayra refused the howl but couldn't help that whimper of worry that passed her lips. Something was terribly wrong. She could feel it deeply, like something was tearing her heart open.

She kept her ears open, hoping to hear something that would signal that everything was okay. After the first muffled howl ahead of her, the night air vibrated with the sound of other wolves howling, all much further away than the first.

Her heart sank.

She knew from their howls that the other wolves were much further away from the fight than she was. They were too far away to get there in time... It was up to her.

Without further thought, Ayra ran as fast as she could towards the sound of the first wolf.

In the distance, she heard one of the enemies voices.

"Shut him up!"

Ayra had never ran so fast in her life, and within mere minutes she barreled into the scene, quick to assess the situation. There was a large man standing over Tiernan, and a thinner, taller blond one loading a gun.

The man turned towards the commotion, quick for such a heavy man. "You!! How?! Y-you're dead! I killed you!" The old man bellowed out, stumbling over his words slightly, while shaking his knife at her.

Before Ayra could make sense of the words, she was nipping at the closer one's ankles and then flying back- keeping him on his toes, making it difficult for him to finish his task...

She wasn't sure of their skill and didn't want to be too hasty.

Ayra recognized the men, but she didn't know where from. She could smell the blond's familiar scent. Honey, moist soil, and a slight cinnamon scent, mixed with the strong smell of IPA's (the only unfamiliar part of his scent).

She took note of this familiarity, but she was too preoccupied with watching their movements to immediately consider where she knew it from.

She was standing less than 3 ft from the skinny one.

He placed the partially loaded gun into the back of his belt line, waiting for a better time to finish loading it, and with slow, deliberate movements, reached into the back of the truck, revealing a silver machete. He smiled as he turned it over in his hand, adjusting his hold. He tightened his grip on the handle and let one of his feet step back, adjusting his stance.