I sit on the rocky bank letting my feet dangle in the cold, clear water. Nearby I hear a bird making it's presence know to the forest but nothing else even seems to breathe. Do I really never stop to listen to the forest anymore? I am finally 18, just turned last month. I received my wolf at 16, earlier than most wolves, but I have alpha blood in my veins, so it was not a real surprise. Nyra, my wolf is much stronger and faster than my classmates. She's a white almost silver wolf.
I sigh as I grab my clothes and put them on. It is only a 2 mile walk back to the pack house and the celebration of my parents, Alpha Mark and Luna Kate of Switchmoon pack, 30th wedding anniversary. There was going to be a lot of partying going on tonight. I hated crowds. I hated being the center of attention. I would prefer to have my bare feet in the cold creek, miles from the entertainment. But this was my parents after all, and I loved them, I loved them enough to go to their celebration. At least that is how I convince myself to get heading back. My life is pretty great in Switchmoon. My father, the Alpha. lets me train and run with his warriors, even tho i am a female. Many packs shun the warrior females, But not here, I am allowed to train and even held accountable for providing personalized, non-medical support to injured pack members. This is to help me be more balanced in fighting and compassion once I become Alpha, in a few years.
I frown at the thought of me running a pack one day, I would much rather be out in the forest alone. But the moon goddess i guess thinks i am destined for other things, according to my father.
It does not take me long to get back to the pack house, but before i can even see it through the trees I can see and smell smoke, I hear screaming and fighting. My sensitive hearing kicks in as i can hear swords hitting each other with great force. My wolf perks up as I rush back as quickly as possible. I make me way unseen as close to the pack as i can get. I can not shift into my wolf or surely i will be seen. So i stay in human form and without making a sound get to the back door of the pack house. I rush to my bedroom, on the second floor and grab the arrows and bow under my bed. The packhouse is completely deserted. I passed no one on my way up here, That thought makes me skin run cold. Where are the guards, the other pack members, my parents? Was that smoke on the first floor? With the bow in my hand i crouch by the window. Only then looking out do i see the true horror that is before me. Pack members lay dead or dying, Women and children trying to run for cover, to hide. There are more dead pack members then there are remaining alive. My heart sinks in my chest. Then i see him, a giant of a man fighting and killing everyone with in reaching distance. He is sparing no one and it seems there is no one that can challenge him.The sun seems to be highlighting only him as I see the half moon crescent tattoo on his arm. My breath hitches, i sink back behind the window to catch my breath. Why would the Lycan king Leander be here? Why was he destroying my pack? The last thought sends fury through my veins. I lean over to the window again, all the fighting has stopped. My pack members are either dying, dead or being rounded up like cattle after surrendering. It has not registered to me yet that i have lost my family, my home is burning or that the future from here is completely unknown. What i do know is i see my opportunity to take out King Leander, the ruthless ruler of our kind. Neither him or his men know that i am here, the pack house was cleared before my return. They do not know i exist. I amp myself up as i thread my bow and arrow. Im careful to stay hidden in the shadows as I draw back my bow. I have shot this bow a million times, i could do it in my sleep. However today i feel myself shaking, I am about to shoot the Lycan king. I have one shot, that is it. One shot and they will know that i am here. I do not know if i will make it out of the pack house before they are on me once i let this arrow fly. But I can not think about that right now, I need to clear my mind. Let my muscle memory take over. This is a shot i can make. I take a deep breath and my body instantly stops shaking, My hands become sturdy and steadfast. I wait out my shot as i study King Leander , his bloody sword in his right hand, The look of triumph on his face, it is all to much for me. But then my opportunity presents itself as he turns, his chest square to me and i let the arrow go.