ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 4: MOON CHILD'S WAR

Ruvin stealthily followed the scurrying female through the darkened alley from the rooftops. The sound of her heartbeat berated his senses and the acrid scent of her fear sent a shiver up his spine muting everything else and pushing it to the background. Her little feet pumped hard as she tried to put some distance between her and the two men pursuing her.

Sheyster called him early that morning in panic. Tonny was out on bail.

It seemed the snake had friends in high places because thanks to Edon, he got background information about him. It seemed like he was quite the troublemaker, but some how he always got out with just a warning. Ruvin was very sure that Tonny was someone’s hound that caused trouble for those he was told to...just like he did for the Father. But that evening it was not some side job for Tonny. It was personal because Ruvin found out that it was Lotta that reported him for domestic violence. Now that he was out, he wanted to get even. The smell of alcohol and drugs coursing through Tonny and his friend told Ruvin that he was literally out for the kill.

Edon crouched beside him and watched as the males moved forward. The gleaming of silver in Tonny’s hand told Ruvin that Lotta was not getting out of that dead-end alley alive without their help.

“Why are we sitting up here waiting for nothing? And why did Lotta enter the alley?” Edon growled in frustration.

“She panicked.” Ruvin answered calmly but it wasn’t how he was feeling inside. Shadow was already unfurling, tasting the thrill of the hunt that was about to occur.

“We are wasting time up here.” Edon groaned impatiently.

“Just hold on for a little longer.” Ruvin wanted them to give him a reason for not sparing their lives. It was the same as when he worked for the Father. Ruvin always gave his targets a chance to repent for their sins. He gave the ladies an opportunity to walk away but when they nagged, insulted and threatened him, Ruvin gave them the full force of his wrath.

“Lotta, honey, can you stop for a moment? Let’s talk about this, about us and our future.” Tonny’s slurred pleading sounded in the alley but it was as empty as his eyes.

“I don’t want a future with you!” Lotta cried helplessly when she finally reached the high chain-link fence with coils of barbed wire on top. She whimpered, searching vigorously for a way out but Ruvin knew she wasn’t going anywhere.

Tonny’s triumphant chuckle echoed adding to the irritation coursing through Ruvin’s blood. “There’s nowhere else to go, baby!” He barked and his friend snickered. “I just want to express how angry I am for you turning me in. I mean we made a promise to each other that we would always stick together but you lied to me, Lotta!”

Lotta spun around quickly and frantically searched in her bag for something. She was trembling so much that she dropped her bag and everything inside scattered out. She searched until she gripped her two hands on the pepper spray. “S--stay away from me, Tonny! Please--just leave me alone!”

“Okay, enough with the games, Lotta. You pissed me off and tonight I’m going to bury you up there in that Devil’s peak so that the wolves can choke on your bones for years to come.”

Ruvin felt a malicious smile spread across his lips. Even Shadow was eagerly looking forward to the fight. And that was all he needed to intervene.

Edon didn’t wait even for a second and launched himself in the air landing in a perfect crouch in front of the rushing male. Tonny came to a screeching halt, his eyes wide with surprise. His friend flipped out a blade and inched away from Tonny to try and get to Lotta whose face was white and dazed.

“Impatient pup.” Ruvin was about to join Edon down when he caught sight of the fast moving female on the other side of the wire fence. She scaled up the fence in supernatural speed and when she got to the top, she balanced her body on her hands so as not to get cut by the barb coils and leaped down, flipping once in the air then landing next to Edon.

“What the fuck are you two, the super hero duo?” Tonny slurred.

Ruvin retreated back in the shadows. Corleen was down there meaning he couldn’t show his face because she already suspected him far too much. “Sorry man, I think we need to sit this one out.”

Shadow snarled in Ruvin’s head, sending a headache streaking through his brain.

Edon got up and circled Tonny. “Leave while both your legs are fine.”

“Fuck you!” Tonny whipped out his knife and charged Edon wanting to stab him. Edon slammed his palm on Tonny’s wrist hoping to disarm him but he quickly recovered and threw the knife to his left arm. “Ambidextrous, baby!” Tonny exclaimed, swiping the knife against Edon and catching him on the chest.

Edon snarled as blood began to pool under his shirt. The half-blood kicked Tonny but what Tonny didn’t know what that Edon’s strength was not like that of a normal man. Tonny crossed his arms in front of him to stop the kick but ended up flying on the other side of the alley. The clanging of metal on cobbles told Edon that Tonny had dropped his knife and he lunged himself on the male. The two staggered onto the wet ground, rolling, punching and kicking.

Corleen was more elegant in her fighting tactics. She used defense and it looked as if she had just had her nails done so she was using more of kicks and body slams than punches. Ruvin was somehow impressed because by far she was the only weakblood he had seen with talent. The way she moved, the serenity on her face, the absolute surety she had in herself, it was as if she knew exactly what her opponent would do next before he did it.

Tonny’s friend was infuriated as he got kicked over and over by a female. The rage blinded all thoughts and tactics and he was at the mercy of Corleen as she exhausted him. She twirled around on her legs and kicked him, driving him to the wall. Tonny’s friend threw his head back and roared then charged and caught Corleen around her waist before tumbling down onto the wet ground with her. A small groan of pain escaped her lips as she rolled away and kicked him on his ribs, hearing a satisfying crack sound. He howled in pain, clutching it. She didn’t waste time as she gave the last kick across his face and sent him to dreamland.

Edon and Tonny were still tangled together and Ruvin wondered if Edon was being ridiculous or Tonny was not entirely human. The pup had never had a problem bringing bigger males than Tonny yet, this one little parasite had the halfblood sweating. Ruvin watched as Corleen walked to them and crossed her arms, examining the tangled males on the ground.

“Need help down there?” She asked.

“I’m fine.” Finally Edon ripped his hand free and yanked Tonny’s head back by his hair and headed the male into oblivion. Tonny passed out almost immediately. Ruvin winced imagining the headache Tonny was going to have come tomorrow....but he was a little disappointed the bastard was going to live yet another day.

“I know the wolves around this city, which subdivision are you from? Whose your councilor?” She asked eyeing Edon with a suspicious eye.

“I am from the Rockshore subdivision. You should talk to councilor Saxton. He knows me personally.” Edon smirked and Ruvin shook his head. From where he was, he could see and hear everything but no one could see him.

Thanks to Izzy, they all had a backup story.

“I am sure to give him a call tomorrow morning.” Corleen pulled the unconscious males to the dumpster and whipped out a set of handcuffs before shackling them together.

Ruvin hated the idea that Tonny and his friend were going to see another day but he had already made plans for Lotta. By the time Tonny’s bail was posted, Lotta would be long gone from that city.

“Get her home.” Corleen jerked her chin towards Lotta who was still on her knees with tears running down her cheeks and the pepper spray clasped so hard in her hands that the tendons on her knuckles threatened to snap.

“Wh-where is Ruvin?” She managed to look up at Edon.

Edon stiffened and turned his eyes towards where Ruvin was hiding. Corleen automatically followed Edon’s line of sight towards the rooftop of the building with the darkest shadows. “He is meeting us up ahead.” Edon carefully crouched in front of her and helped her stuff all her belongings back in her bag while Corleen turned her entire attention to the rooftop.

Ruvin remained as still as one of the shadows up on that building. He knew how to melt out of sight if he wanted to. Though Corleen was an exceptional hunter, if Ruvin didn’t want to be seen, she wasn’t going to see him.

Edon helped the shaky Lotta to her feet and turned to Corleen. “Thank you for helping out.”

“This is my turf. It’s my duty to take care of it.” She assured him as she turned back to the fence and scaled it up before jumping over it and disappearing into the night.

She knew you were here. I could sense her wolf scanning the premises. She is quite strong for a weakblood. Shadow made his presence known.

Ruvin sighed and turned up to the sky. The moon was filling up quickly and the wolf activities were increasing by the day. Ruvin leaped over to the next building to catch up with Edon and Lotta. They were walking slowly, Edon trying to calm Lotta and making sure she was not harmed in any way. Ruvin was not surprised when he heard her asking for him. For an abused female like her, there was always a hero in her story and the ironic part was that he was that hero in her eyes.

Ruvin was no hero. His soul was forever damned for the darkness because of everything he did. It was not redeemable and he was going straight to the fires of hell no questions asked and no pit stops along the way.

He yanked the fire escape ladder of the following building and stepped into the damp cobbles before appearing in front of Edon and Lotta. His face was severe because when he saw how terrified she was and how relieved she suddenly became, he knew he had already made up his mind on what he wanted to do for her.

Lotta rushed into his arms, her body cold and trembling body. “Oh thank goodness.” She sighed against the collar of his shirt.

Ruvin turned to Edon. The pup too knew of what he was going to do but didn’t question. “I’ll take her home. Go and take the team out for the night. Start at the Black Shard then go to Poison.”

Edon nodded and touched Lotta’s shoulder. “Take care of yourself.”

Lotta gave him small nod and Ruvin placed his hand around her slender shoulders before taking her away.

“Hey Donny, do you think we can sneak into the wolves’ archives storage again tonight?” Alli suddenly blurted out as they met up at the security floor of Faelen’s fortress. Alli thought she could get away with murder but Corleen was on her case. She saw the mud caked on her shoes and her car. She knew Alli went snooping around at the murder scene hence she had her and Donny accompany her at work where two of her best men were watching over them while she went around about her business.

Donny turned to her in surprise. “You are already in trouble with Corleen yet here you are thinking about getting into even more trouble. Sometimes the way your brain functions baffles me.”

“Donny, I am not spending Monday night stuck in my sister’s office. If I am going to be here until she returns I might as well have something to do or I will go crazy.” Alli frowned at her friend.

“You deserve it.” Donny muttered angrily. “Serves you right for sticking your nose in--ouch!” She yelped when Alli suddenly elbowed her in her ribs.

Donny frowned as she rubbed her side. “What did you see that night anyway? You sounded scared out of your mind!”

Alli turned to the two men who were present in the room and took Donny’s hand, leading her away. Wolves had amazing hearing and they always eavesdropped unconsciously. The last thing she wanted was having Corleen interrogate her about what she was about to tell Donny.

“I think Conrad was killed by another wolf.” She finally said when she was sure the guards couldn’t hear her.

Donny’s coffee eyes widened. “You saw a wolf killing.”

Alli shook her head. “No, I didn’t see him kill Conrad but when I woke up he was there looking down at me. Donny I have never seen such a big wolf before. He was the size of a bear!”

“Alli....” Donny shivered in fear. “You could have gotten yourself hurt! I warned you not to go there alone.”

Alli quickly shushed her friend. “I think Corleen is hiding something. I asked her about the Ghost Runners, but she told me there were a myth yet her body language told me she knew more. I think this wolf I saw was part of the Ghost Runners."

“But Ghost Runners are supposed to save people. They don’t kill innocents.” Donny assured her.

“I know but what was he doing there? And how come he ran away the moment I opened my mouth to scream?”

“Maybe he was a Varga.” Again, Donny shivered.

“Then I would have been dead. He was not a Varga....He was...” Her voice drifted as she remembered the intelligent eyes that stared down at her.

“What was he?” The anxiety in Donny’s was an entity unto itself. Though her friend was the scared one, and always tended to dish out a thousand reasons why they should not do something, Donny was always thrilled to hear any news about Alli’s close encounters.

“He was something more than you and me. He was a very powerful wolf.” Alli sighed softly, feeling a chill steal up her spine just thinking about the wolf. “I might have a clue as to where he is from the but we have to go to the archives.”

Donny hummed softly crossing her arms on her chest. “You think he is from the other side, don’t you?”

Alli nodded like it was the most obvious thing. “We all know that supernatural beings from across the gateway are walking amongst us. Wouldn’t be exciting if we actually discovered one?”

“Alli this is beyond dangerous. Were you present when we were warned to stay away from such things? Beings from the other side are uncivilized, more powerful than you and me could ever comprehend and you,” she pointed at her incredulously. “You want to go and find this psycho, don’t you?”

“Donny, you can be so frustrating sometimes. It’s not like we are going to band up with the hunters and go hunt him down? I prefer the books. I need to know what my sister is subjecting herself to everyday and if I should warn her about the wolf or not.” She turned towards the two guards and they were busy watching the monitors in front of them. “Coming?” She subtly jerked her head towards the door while she started moving towards it.

“Do I have a choice? I always have to be there to save your ass, don’t I?” Donny rolled her eyes and although she was not happy with the decision she had just made, she could never leave Alli hanging.

Alli grinned at her. “You are the best. Next time we go out, I’ll buy you the drinks.”

“If it weren’t for your reckless behavior, you would have been buying me that drink right about now while you drooled over the cute mysterious guy up in the VIP section.” Donny smirked when she saw Alli’s eyes glittered with interest.

“I wasn’t drooling over him! He thought us cheap and that is all the reason I need to go to that crazy cleansing trip and flush out the bad boy urges from my system.” But truth be told, every time she thought of the mysterious stranger, her skin rippled with excitement and her heart ached with a dull thud. She always found herself looking forward to seeing him again and she was positive he was going to be at the Black Shard that evening as well.

“Hmmm.” Donny didn’t look convinced as they made their way out of the room without the two guards noticing. Most of the security and guards around that floor knew her so they were not surprised when they saw her loitering around.

“It’s true. I am not going through another messy breakup. I mean, remember when I thought Tyson was my everything and I thought he was really cool with his badboy ways? Did it ever cross your mind that I would sound so bitter when talking about him in the future?” Alli asked and when Donny shook her head, Alli said, “Exactly! Tyson has made me so bitter and vengeful to the point that I scare myself. I don’t want to be some bitter ex-girlfriend and I certainly don’t want to find myself in the same situation again.” Alli assured her.

Donny smiled. “I am so happy to hear you say something like that but I am positive you are saying it for your own benefit and not mine. I know you are trying to convince yourself that you can do this and I am behind you one hundred and ten percent but I know you, Alli. We have been friends ever since we were toddlers.”

Alli’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “But know this, I am not going back to Tyson.”

“That much I believe you--I will be that annoying voice you hear every time you think along the lines of getting back to that no good pompous prig--”

“That no good pompous prig happens to be Lord Faelen’s son and my nephew.” A voice came from behind them as Titus walked slowly towards them.

“Oh shit!” Donny’s face lost color as fear suddenly gripped her and turned her into a living statue. Her eyes quickly dropped to the floor as Titus stood before them crossing his arms.

Alli was amazed at how Titus always appeared at the worst of times but she was mostly amazed at how Donny feared the man yet talk about him so casually when he was not around. “Sir.” Alli turned to him and inclined her head softly.

“So, what is this I hear about you calling my nephew names? And aren’t you supposed to be in the monitoring room until your sister returns? What are you doing here?” Titus narrowed his eyes at her. From the way he was dressed, Alli could tell that he was going out hunting.

“We were heading to the library. It’s a little boring in the monitoring room. Plus, I wasn’t calling your nephew names.” Alli pointed at Donny and grinned mischievously. “She was!”

Donny’s eyes suddenly snapped up and Alli saw the slight quake that had taken over her body. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, Sir. You have to believe me--”

“Tyson is a pompous prig.” Titus stated but Donny was a blithering mess as she tried to clear her name, not wanting to get in trouble. What she forgot was that this was Titus they were talking to. He was only ten percent serious...but that ten percent always counted.

Donny suddenly stopped blubbering when the words sank into to her. “Wha--excuse me? Did you just agree with me?”

Titus nodded. “Who doesn’t know that Tyson is spoiled rotten? He is my nephew and I love him to bits but Lord Faelen has been raising him in a terrible way and now he is tasting the fruits of his own creation--but that’s not the point here. Alli, I know you are up to something.”

Alli shrugged her shoulders innocently. It was as if Titus had an extra sense that always told him about her. Somehow he always managed to sniff out her plans. “I can’t go anywhere and cause trouble thanks to my sister. I’m on lock-down.”

“You make it sound like it is a bad thing.” Titus chuckled.

“It is a bad thing....for a wolf coming close to her first transformation.” Alli pointed out.

Titus’ eyes became concerned. He sniffed the air around them, his eyes taking on an eerie glow to show that his wolf close by. “Really?”

Alli nodded vigorously. “Yes.”

“Then you shouldn’t be in here will all these hot blooded male wolves especially since full moon is in two nights.” Titus said.

Alli smirked crossing her arm across her chest. “Imagine the havoc we might cause in here.”

“Come with me--” he turned to Donny and she still had her eyes fixed on the floor. Titus started moving forward. “Why does she always do that?”

Alli chuckled jumping away just as Donny was about stomp her foot. “I always ask myself the same question.”

Titus took the two girls out of the offices and into the military truck that was waiting for them. Alli’s heart thudded in her chest when she saw Manny standing outside with a thin brown cigarette between his lips. When he saw her, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he straightened and inclined his head towards Titus.

“Don’t tell me we are taking a bunch of kids out for tracking.” He growled.

Titus looked irritated as he opened the back door and gestured for Alli and Donny to enter. “I’d rather have them with me than have them burn the residence down. These two never cease to amaze me at how cunning they can get and they always know more than they should.” It sounded like a warning to Alli but this was Titus they were talking about, what could he do about it?

Donny’s eyes widened. “We are going tracking?”

“For a Varga?” Alli added.

“Don’t get your hopes up, princess.” Manny sneered at Alli. “You are going tracking for a wounded mountain wolf.”

That managed to snuff all hopes of being in the front line of the trackers and hunters but she couldn’t help but wonder what if this wounded wolf was not a normal one? What if it was the one she saw at the park the other day? “A normal wolf?”

“Yes, a normal wolf caught in barb wire as he was making his way down the mountain for food. He is badly wounded so he is dangerous to everyone and everything in front of him.” Titus smirked. “What? You actually thought we were taking you Varga hunting? Corleen would eat my heart for dinner.”

Faelen was known by the animal foundation for his big contribution to keep the mountain wolves alive in the conserved area. The species was getting extincted so Faelen decided to put up a foundation to save the few that remained. Alli thought it was nice of him until she discovered the real reason behind it. He used the wolves to disguise all unexplained attacks. Everyone knew that these mountain wolves were unfriendly and very dangerous so whenever someone was attacked, they blamed it on them.

“Get in, Baby Corleen.” Titus told her.

Alli sighed and she and Donny entered the car. A few minutes later, the truck made its way out of the premises.

Ruvin pulled on his black long sleeved t-shirt and looked down at the sleeping woman. Lotta was a little more calm but a lot more trusting than ever. Ruvin wondered if what he did was a good idea. For a female who never had happiness with her life constantly under threat, Ruvin tried to soothe her as best as he knew how. Now, her dark eyes watched him as he dressed up with sorrow and a longing that made Ruvin uncomfortable. He wanted to give her at least a slice of heaven but it seemed to him that she expected more from him.

“You’re leaving already?” She asked scooting over while holding the sheets around her chest.

“I have some work to do.” Ruvin had planned to stay the night there and Edon must have sensed the urgency in him before he left. This wasn’t entirely about Lotta. Ruvin also had to release some steam. With the full moon quickly approaching Shadow had only two things in his mind; to maim or to mate.

Ruvin could have pulled an all-nighter and make sure by the time he was done, Lotta was out in exhaustion but something inside him told him this wasn’t right. Maybe it was the words that Sheyster had told him or maybe it was those jade eyes that kept on haunting him. Ruvin went and sat on the edge of Lotta’s bed and cupped her cheek then drew down and kissed her long and leisurely on her lips. He drew back and ran his thumb on her lower lip. “Do what I asked you to do tomorrow. A friend of mine will be waiting for you in the new town far away from here.” He reached for the leather bag at the foot of the bed and patted it. “There is a ticket, house keys and enough money for you to start a new life in here. In a weeks’ time, you will no longer exist.”

“Tonny is a bloodhound. He will find me.” Fear shimmered in Lotta’s eyes.

“Not when he thinks you are dead.” Ruvin had it all planned out. All they needed was a body from the morgue, blood, saliva, skin and hair samples from Lotta and they could stage her death like no other. Add the talented Raul and Tron into that equation and no one will ever question her death.

“Thank you, Ruvin. Thank you for everything.”

Ruvin nodded and got his shoes before rushing out while calling for Edon.

“Yes?” Edon’s surprise rang in his voice. He knew better than to try and find Ruvin when the full moon was two days away.

“Where you at?” He asked as he closed the door behind him quietly.

Shadow was barely behaving and Ruvin couldn’t go back to Lotta. This meant he needed action in the woods.

“Faelen’s woods. There is a deranged weakblood wrecking havoc on the teens. Raul, Lukas and I are going to check it out.” Edon answered.

“A Varga?” Ruvin asked as Shadow was suddenly dizzy with excitement. If it was a Varga then it meant he would not need to hold back.

“Probably but I highly doubt it.”

“Send me the coordinates. I am on my way.” Ruvin answered.

There was a pause from Edon before he replied. “Okay.”

Ruvin knew the pup was curious as to why he wanted to work on such a day. It was so unlike him but truth be told, Ruvin’s mind was made up just before he entered Lotta’s apartment. Every time he called to his beast side, urging it to mate and sate the gnawing hunger deep down inside him, something cried against it at the back of his mind.

The coordinates beeped on his phone and Ruvin turned to either side of the street. They were empty with the large number of people inside where it was cozy and warm as compared to the chill creeping in outside, telling them winter was just around the corner.

Let’s go for a run, Shadow.

The beast didn’t need to be told twice as he did a semi-transformation that had Ruvin on his hands as feet. He shot forward in blurred speed as he raced for the woods.

“Okay get out.” Titus said as the engine was killed, and he and Manny got off. They had guns but Titus assured them that they had tranquilizers. The plan was to get the wolf to one of the animal centers where it would get treatment until it was better then release it back to the wild.

Donny and Alli looked at each other and rolled their eyes before Alli teased. “At least you got to spend time with your biggest crush.”

“It’s because of you that we are in this mess.” Donny growled, her eyes flashing at Alli.

Alli jerked back in surprise. “Donny your eyes just flashed at me. You are very close to transforming, aren’t you?”

Donny pouted and shuffled out of the truck. “Don’t talk to me. I am mad at you.”

Alli pursed her lips and jumped off the truck but the moment her feet touched the ground, her body quaked with a sensation that had her stomach roll. Something was not right in those woods. “Donny!” She called to her friend who was already a few feet away following Titus behind.

“Don’t talk to me!” Donny exclaimed but was suddenly hushed by Titus.

“If you want to get your friend killed out here, keep on calling out for danger.” Manny smirked maliciously at her.

Not only was he mean but he was ugly looking. His transformation was monstrous making him look like one of those hard core work-out junkies. His arms bulged out of his muscle top and Alli bet that if she listened carefully she could hear the material complaining, unable to keep it together.

“Let’s go.” He instructed corking his tranq-gun.

Alli swallowed hard. She could never trust Manny to watch her back with that gun in his hands. They were not in good terms and Manny would not hesitate snapping her slight body into two. With visible reluctance, Alli started moving forward but with every step she took, the terrible feeling increased.

“Manny, this is not a normal wolf.” She told him hoping that he would put his hatred for her aside and just listen for once.

“And how would you know that? Are you an aspiring tracker?” He taunted stomping behind her.

“No but--”

“Then shut up and move forward.” Then muttered. “I don’t know why Titus has a bunch of girls here.”

Alli and Manny moved deeper into the woods and soon enough they caught up with Titus and Donny. Titus was communicating with the trackers that were already at the location where the wolf was hiding.

“Keep an eye on him.” Titus told the tracker and turned to them. “Loosen up ladies. Since you are always looking for danger, this should be a piece of cake for you.”

“Titus--”

“Sir!” Manny snarled behind Alli.

“Sir, this is not a normal wolf--” she spread her fingers over the surroundings. "This doesn’t feel normal.”

The feeling was oppressing and it bombarded her from everywhere. Titus needed to listen to her. They needed to leave there and get the hunters to hunt whatever that thing was. It didn’t even have the feeling of a Varga because when Xavier died, Alli was able to read the print of the Varga.

This felt slimy, balmy and wholly evil and they were all in great danger.

“What is it, Alli?” Donny moved to her, concern etched on her beautiful face. Though Donny had a university degree at being angry with Alli, when something was not right, Donny always put the grudges aside and stood beside her.

“We are all in danger, Donny.” Alli said her eyes started rolling back and forth in her skull.

“Aren’t you the drama queen.” Manny smirked pushing in between the two. “Come on ladies, we don’t have all night.”

“Sir, the wolf is heading out.” Titus’ radio droned. He was too concerned with what was happening with Alli that he wasn’t communicating with his men. ”Oh fuck!”

“Chale?” Titus went back to his radio. “What is it, what do you see?”

“Sir, what the fuck!” Chale exclaimed and from the radio they could hear grotesque growls and screams that had Alli’s body steal a chill.

She moaned softly as her eyes completely rolled to the back of her skull and she collapsed to the ground. From a distance she could hear Donny frantically calling her, her voice screeching and wailing. Everything around her felt numb and muted.

A continuous thumping assaulted her eardrums and as she tried to concentrate on the sound, she discovered it was her own heartbeat. She felt hot and cold at the same time and her body felt like it was not her own. She didn’t know for how long she was out like that but the disembodied whisper in her head was giving her a headache.

Run....the voice commanded her but her body was laden....Get away from here as far as you can.....you are all going to die here.....

“Alli!” The sudden scream brought her back. The foggy darkness in front of her cleared and she turned to the scared girl above her.

“Donny?” She croaked.

“Hurry up and run!” She shuffled to her feet, holding Alli’s hand tightly in hers.

Alli was sweating like crazy, rivulets running down her face and back. Her damp t-shirt was stuck on her body underneath her jacket together with soil and dried leaves from the ground and when she managed to get up, what she saw in front of her stunned her. Manny and Titus were fighting off a wolf but by the speed and intelligent of the wolf, it was not a normal wolf. His eyes were fiery red, his jaws were dripping with blood and saliva. There were several claw grooves on his matted brown coat but the wounds did not slow him down.

He had Manny’s arm in his jaws, shaking him vigorously from side to side. Titus looked like a true assassin with two silver blades. Wolves were terribly allergic to silver but it was the best weapon against the Varga so they had to find a way to make use of it. Just a slice of the blade on the skin and the effect went all the way into the bones.

Xavier was poisoned by silver before he was killed by the Varga. There was no way to saving him even if he survived the attack, the silver had already corroded most of his organs.

Alli and Donny ran back towards the truck but there was something moving towards them at an astonishing speed. Alli felt it right before she saw it. Another Varga? But it didn’t feel like it. She quickly reached for her ankle and removed a small silver blade Corleen gave her for self defense. She pushed Donny behind her just as the huge pale wolf jumped out in front of them, standing in between them and the truck.

The sheer size of it made Alli lose grip of the knife that harmlessly fell onto the ground. She shook like a leaf while tightening her hold on Donny, determined to keep her friend safe no matter what.

The fur of the bear-like wolf glowed gold in the moonlight that it was almost mesmerizing. But what caught Alli’s attention was the familiar amber eyes.

Get to safety....the thoughts were pushed into her head. The voice was like a soothing balm, like honey trickling down her body and warming up every part of her. The assurance in it told her they were not in any danger from him. He was their savior.

Alli gave him a quick nod as he went around them, guarding them until they got into the truck then blurred to where Manny and Titus were fighting. Three more wolves with almost the same size and build flanked the white wolf as they began attacking the Varga.

“Who was that!” Donny breathed in hard. She was trembling from head to toe but she and Alli watched the action from the window of the truck. The trucks were designed in such a way that they could withstand Varga attacks so the girls were relatively safe in there.

"Ghost Runners?” Alli whispered. “They can take full forms even without the full moon unlike us who can only change partially.”

“They are huge!” Donny’s eyes were wide with both fear and excitement. “Ghost Runners do exist.”

“I knew they did.” Alli answered as a small smile appeared on her face. She always knew they were there and now she had proof. Her eyes watched the pale wolf alone.

Something about him touched the very core of her being, quaking it with a sensation she didn’t know of. He fought with ease and grace. It was like a dance of death. The Ghost Runners were coordinated. While one stood over the bleeding Manny and the exhausted Titus, the other three including the white wolf battled the Varga, attacking strategically. They wounded him, paralyzed him by bleeding him out then finally the white wolf went in for the kill and ripped the Varga’s throat out.

Donny muffled a scream and hid her face behind her hands but Alli didn’t want to miss anything. When the Varga stopped moving, Alli found herself opening the door and jumping out. As if the white wolf sensed her, his bloody muzzle snapped towards her. He snarled, displaying a nasty set of canines as he approached her.

I told you to stay inside! Get back in the truck. There could be more. He pushed the thoughts into her head with his anger almost substance.

Alli scanned around. The evil feeling was gone. They were safe. “We are safe. There feeling is gone.”

Feeling....His head tilted in question.

Alli wasn’t about to answer a thousand questions. Titus was wounded. As she was about to move around and run to Titus, the white wolf stopped her, keeping her a safe distance from the scene. Alli came into contact with his soft fur. It was too soft to ignore. She found herself sticking her fingers into it, an action that made Donny gasp in surprise and the wolf snap his jaws at her.

I’m not a pet. Get your hands off! He growled at her.

Alli jerked her hands away.

Suddenly the white wolf’s head jerked up. From a distance, Alli could hear the sound of trucks. He turned to the other three. They must have connected psychically because suddenly their heads all went up in alert and the other three dissolved in the woods.

The white wolf turned to Allie and nudged her back with his bloody muzzle. Get back inside until the others arrive.

“Who are you?” Alli asked.

Get inside! He snarled.

Alli yelped and stumbled into the truck. The white wolf trotted to where the Varga lied dead and Manny and Titus were groaning in pain. Moonlight hit his fur again and it was silvery white with gold. It was bedazzling. He turned his amber eyes to her once more, mysteries and secrets swimming in them then slowly dissolved into the trees like his friends.

Alli’s body shuddered. It felt as if her mind was shattered into pieces and pieced back together. That white wolf did something to her and now she couldn’t even think straight thanks to him.