Shadow Shifter (On Hold)

Chapter 4

Kora's POV

Slowly, I made my down back to the earth, earning smiles from the others. Once both of my feet had touched the ground, I concentrated and shifted back into my wolf form, which I was more comfortable with. Damon handed me my bag which I took between my large wolf teeth and I dashed over to the cover of the trees. Shiftingback human, I pulled on my clothes and went back out to meet the others who were waiting, speaking quietly amongst themselves.

I looked around at everyone, noticing that one person was missing.

"Where's Matthew?" I asked Aakansha.

"He got a call from one of his guys. I don't know where we was going, he just said he had to leave."

"Oh.." I said, shrugging it off. "So, how'd I do? I know the landing was a little rough but I think I can practice that better." I said, overly excited about my new shifts.

"You did good. I'm so excited about you learning your other forms. There's so much more we can teach you. You'll be able to fly like a real bird and be able to run so fast in your cheetah form and-" Aakansha went on and on as we all waited patiently for her to finish, but all of the sudden Hayden burst out laughing, making me shoot my eyes over to look at him. Aakansha stopped talking and looked at him as well.

"What?" She asked, a little annoyed.

"You just keep talking and everyone's just too nice to tell you to shut up." He said still laughing. She scowled at him before she smirked, making him stop laughing.

"Oh no.." He said before she leaped, tackling him to the ground. She sat in his chest, pinning him to the ground asshe whispered something into his ear that no one else cared to hear. 

"Ok, we'll leave those two love birds to do.. Whatever they're doing." Saisha laughed as she turned back to Damon and I. "So, do you want to shift into your other forms now or save them for another day?"

"I think we'd better head back before the pack starts to get nervous again. My moms still on the edge from what happened the other day. Thank you though, for everything." I said hugging her as we said our goodbyes. Abruptly, Aakansha jumped up off of Hayden and ran over to hug me, leaving Hayden still laying on the ground.

We said our goodbyes while Damon went over to help Hayden up, laughing a little. They exchanged a few words before I walked over, motioning for Damon to leave.

As we reached my car I dug through my pocket until I found my keys, unlocking my car and sitting in the comfortable seat, clicking the radio on. I let out a deep breath as I relaxed a little, letting the music flow. Damon took a deep breath next me as he closed the door, making me look at him.

"What?" I asked, looking at his confused face.

"Why is Matthew helping us?" He asked, making me stop and listen, turning down the radio a little.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Matthew isn't a shifter or a wizard, so why is he sticking around? What does he want?"

"Just because he's staying around doesn't mean he wants something. What could he get from the witches anyway?" I asked, trying to talk him out of whatever he was thinking.

"Maybe it's not the witches. Why did he rescue us the other day?" He asked, looking at me.

"Damon, maybe he just doesn't have anyone else. Maybe that's why he stays around. You don't know what's happened to him. Maybe he doesn't-"

"Kora, why are you sticking up for him?" He interrupted me. I paused, looking away from him at the wheel, fiddling with the leather.

"I don't know. He saved our lives. He can't be that bad."

"But that's my point. What does he get out of saving us?" Damon said, still arguing about it.

"Damon, just let it go." I said, making him stop. He looked out the window without saying another word as I started the car and pulled around heading home.

As we pulled up to the house, mom walked out the front for when I killed the engine, right on cue. I shook my head with a small smile as I got out, already in her arms as she hugged me tightly.

"Oh, Kora you had me so worried. I thought something had happened to you both again. You scared me." She said, finally letting me go when she realized I needed to breath.

"I'm sorry, mom. We just needed to talk about some stuff for a little while." I said as Damon was walked around the car beside us, nodding as I spoke. She gave us both a leveled look but finally nodded as we all walked inside, going to the kitchen.

"I made breakfast if either of you are hungry. Just grab a plate." She said as she pulled out some orange juice. I smiled, but slowly shook my head.

"Sorry, mom. I already ate. I'm gonna jump in the shower while you guys eat." I said kissing my mom on the cheek before I jumped up the stars, going to my room. I quickly closed the door and let out a big sigh. I was practically exhausted from shifting into those two new forms. I fell onto my bed and drifted off to sleep as I thought about all the new forms I would soon be able to master.

------------

Unknown POV

A knock sounded on my office door as I summoned the person in and sat back in my large desk chair.

"Sir." The informer said as he stepped in, closing the door behind him and walking over to stand in front of my desk with his hands behind his back.

"News from the northern base?" I asked, looking at him.

"Yes Sir, the witches overwhelmed it. The shifters escaped." He said while looking at the ground, almost cringing as he told me the bad news. I just grinned and nodded to him.

"Perfect." I said, making the informer shoot his eyes up towards me with a confused look.

"Sir?" He asked, making sure he heard me right.

"Good. Send for Matthew. I need to speak with him." I said, earning a hesitant nod from the informer. As he began to walk out I stopped him.

"And tell him to hurry. I don't like to wait." I said as the man nodded, walking out. I grinned as I stood out of my chair, walking over to the bookshelf on the opposite wall. I pulled out a blue book from the wall, opening it and pulling out the knife that was hidden inside the hollow book.

I twirled the dagger in my fingers as I made my way back over to my desk, sitting down again. Matthew was exactly who I needed to continue my plan, and he was right at my finger tips.