A Pack’s Loyalties

Chapter One: Attack in the Woods

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Last year my parents died in a car accident on the night of their anniversary. It was a shocking tragedy that had lead to so many changes occurring in my life, as well for my older sister.

At the time, I was only fifteen years of age, and my sister, Skylar Marie Lynch, was seventeen. Although she could have become my guardian if the courts allowed it, I knew deep down that we wouldn’t last more than a month on our own. Skylar’s job at the corner market wouldn’t provide enough for bills, and the money my parents left in their will would only last for so long before it’d run out.

So we were both sent to live with our grandparents, John and Lillian Lynch; both of whom are so old they should really be in a nursery home.

John Lynch was an eighty-two-year-old veteran, who not only had diabetes, but a handful of other diseases that have caused him to practically live on the sofa couch in the living room, with only his behind being a permanent fixture on the cushions till death. He’ll always sit there, day and night; the television blaring A&E, his most favorite channel.

Lillian Lynch wasn’t much different from John. She was a few years younger than John, but she somehow had more problems with her health. She was on so much medication that at times I’d wonder if she was just popping it to get a momentary high — a feat that could clearly occur with how strong all her pills were.

Although, they’re old and lazy, they both have worse qualities than that. Every day was like hell with them. They’re not the most sociable beings on earth, so imagine how two old anti-social lazy people would be; they’d be mean, really mean.

Not a day went by that Lillian didn’t complain about this or that, saying that I, “do not appreciate their hospitality,” and that “if I don’t start acting like I do, then I might as well go get in a car crash like my filthy mother did.”

That’s how awful Lillian could be; calling my mom not only ‘filthy’ but numerous other names like, ‘slut-bag’, ‘the whore who killed her son’; trust me when I say that the list could go on and on.

To try and understand as to why she thinks it’s okay to call my dead mother various names, it’d have to pan down to the moment my mom and dad ran off together due to Lillian and John’s disapproval of their relationship.

Amelia Weber met my father when she moved the year before her senior year, to Martinsville, Indiana; a town that was well known for their trails in massive amounts of woods. She lived a few houses away from the Lynch’s, a little ways on the outskirt of town.

She hadn’t known anyone at all, and was terrified about starting in a new school where she’d be surrounded by unfamiliar faces. My father, Caleb Lynch, saved her from most of her first day fright by introducing himself the very day that her family moved in. He also even offered her a ride to school the next day, which she accepted immediately.

Amelia and Caleb became inseparable after that day, both always with one another. Eventually they became romantically involved, which lead to her becoming pregnant. She was only a senior at the time, and not at all ready for a child, but she didn’t believe in abortions; so she and Caleb decided to go through with having the child.

Lillian and John were furious, accusing Amelia of lying about who the father of the unborn baby truly was. My dad was, of course, livid by their reactions; seeing how he loved Amelia with every ounce in him, so he left home, deciding to try to get his own place.

Eventually though, Amelia lost the baby. She had a miscarriage within the fourth month of her pregnancy. At the time, she had already begun to mildly accept the ordeal in having a child at eighteen years of age, so she was heartbroken at losing someone she never would get to know and love.

I always figured though, that even if my mom lost her first baby, that it was the one thing that really brought my parents even closer to one another. Yes, they loved one other deeply even before the loss, but things could have had a different outcome if she hadn’t lost the child. Amelia may not have needed my father desperately to get past what she went through, and my father likewise, because not only was she affected by the miscarriage; Caleb was affected as well.

It was still horrible that they had to face such a thing, but they grew closer despite it.

They ended up eloping right after high school, and lived in Caleb’s tiny apartment across town from their parents. It wasn’t until years later that Amelia became pregnant again, only this time the child did survive.

Skylar Marie Lynch was born.

My sister’s birth was what really set forth in my parent’s life from moving forward. They both reconciled as best they could with Lillian and John — my mom’s dad died a few years after Skylar’s birth, and her mother had died when she was young, so the only relatives they really had were the Lynch’s. Despite how loathsome Lillian and John could be; Amelia wanted her children to have grandparents.

Three years later, I, Raine Ann Lynch was born. It was my birth that really concreted my parent’s decision in having the Lynch’s in our lives, so I guess the reason my sister and I were forced to live with them after my parents death was my fault, in only a small way that is. I could have never been born and my parents could’ve still decided to have Lillian and John get to know Skylar.

So maybe it wasn’t my fault that we were now stuck with two old meanies that needed to get whatever was stuck up their ass pulled out.

Their hate did continue throughout the years, and it only worsened when they found out that my mom was the one behind the wheel when the accident occurred last year.

Did they even try and take in account that it was the drunk driver’s fault? No. They’re too pigheaded to even see reason at all.

Well, speaking of reasoning, that’s my main issue at the moment. I had to try to get Lillian to say yes.

“Its set up by the county,” I explained, situating myself on the only available space in the living room; seeing how John was now asleep on the sofa, while Lillian sat in the rocking chair, remote in hand — I had to make due with sitting on the carpeted floor. “A whole group of us gets to go, some families, some just kids from school. It’s only for a night as well.”

Lillian scoffed, looking away from the television that was now playing a documentary on wolves, while she regarded me skeptically. “The county my ass! You’re just like your mother, planning on gallivanting around like some whore. Tell me the truth, are you really going to some ‘county camp sight’ or are you doing what your filthy good-for-nothing mother did and spreading your legs for the town?”

I gaped at her for a moment, heat rising in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to beat my now fisted hands on that old woman’s face. But I knew that if I lost my temper, not only would I be left on the streets without anywhere to go, but Skylar would be forced to get another job. I couldn’t do that to her. “No, I’m telling the truth Grandma.”

Lillian was a one-hundred and fifty pound woman who always wore the same sunflower sweats and tee. Her head had some bald spots — the majority of the baldness was toward the back of her head — while the rest of her hair was a silvery grey, always knotted in a bun. Her skin was almost see-through white, translucent with many valleys of wrinkles.

At the moment Lillian’s chocolate brown eyes — the same color my father had — was eyeing me with suspicion. “When does this camping thing start?”

I bit my lip out of habit while shrugging my shoulders. “I don’t know for sure. They said sometime a little before sunset.” The county decided to put money into setting up a camp sight in the Martinsville woods, a little way’s near The White River. Tonight was the first night they’re taking groups to the sight they’ve built. I heard it was the perfect spot, beautiful in every way.

“Why should I even let you two go?” Lillian asked in disbelief. “You two don’t appreciate anything, maybe I should say no; give you two a well earned lesson the next time you treat us like scum.”

I tried not to roll my eyes at her nonsense talk. Instead I summoned up all the courage I could muster in order to do the one thing I’d never do in a million years: plead. “Please, Grandma. I promise Sky and I will do whatever we can to act more . . . humble. We just want one night to ourselves, to catch up since we hardly see each other.”

“That’s ‘cuz your out bar hopping, or whatever you teens do these days,” she scolded, but I could see a slight waver in her brown eyes.

“We’ll be out of your hair, and I know how much you’ve wanted the place pretty much to yourself for a long time now. If we go, you and Grandpa won’t be disturbed by us at all. You’ll get no distractions watching your shows and everything.”

A silent moment passed, in which the only noise that echoed was John’s snore before she finally heaved an annoyed sigh and answered, “You can go as long you make some dinner,” was all she said before she turned up the volume on the T.V. and began to get entranced with what was showing. I shook my head in mild annoyance at being dismissed so quick, as if I wasn’t even in the room at all anymore.

I really did hate her.

o — O — o

“She actually said yes?!”

I laughed at how surprised my sister was by this news. If I was her, I’d be surprised as well; heck, I was surprised when she said we could go. “Yeah, but we have to make dinner first, of course.”

Skylar rolled her eyes, picking up a few items out of her dresser drawer. “I really don’t see how they survived before without us. I mean, seriously, what the hell did they do about eating and stuff? I never see them cook.”

“That’s because they force us to,” I mumbled in response. Ever since they took us in a little under a year ago, they’ve made Skylar or I cook every meal, every day. At the age of fifteen I knew how to cook a full meal, something most fifteen year olds don’t ever know how to do. “I really hate them.”

She sighed, pulling a thin sweater overtop her tank top. “I know, me too. But don’t worry, in three more years you’ll graduate and be off to college.”

“Yeah, three more years of pure hell,” I scoffed. I was a sophomore, while Sky was a senior — only having one more year until she could escape. She was lucky.

“Does this sweatshirt look weird on me?” Skylar asked, tugging on the cotton material sleeve. Skylar looked nothing like me, while she took after my mom, I took more after my dad. At eighteen, she had the body of a super model; with long legs, and curves I’d die for, shiny dark-brown hair that was always perfectly wavy. She had lightly tanned skin from sunbathing often, and deep blue eyes set on a face that looked so much like Amelia. She was very pretty; I envied her.

“It looks fine,” I sighed, narrowing my eyes in jealousy at the sweatshirt she wore. It was originally mine, but I never wore it since it swallowed my frame whole. On her it was tight in all the right places, showing her hips and bust to perfection. “Of course it does. Everything always does on you . . . ”

“Raine!” She exclaimed heatedly, placing her hands on her hips. “You really need to stop this. I do not look perfect. There is no reason to feel self-conscious, or jealous at all. You’re the one with the perfect bod.”

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, like I could believe that. “Look, let’s just forget it, ok?” I really just wanted to finish packing so we could hurry with dinner and then leave. I hadn’t yet to really ever go into our town’s woods, which was a surprise since I loved the outdoors so much.

Skylar nodded in answer, packing a few more items in her backpack. After a few more minutes she was all finished so she left to go get started with making dinner for all of us — Lillian and John in particular.

Skylar and I actually shared a room, since there was only one other bedroom in this small house. My grandparents never needed a bigger home since it was only Caleb and them living in it, and then overtime it was just them. My father’s room was pretty much the same when he was eighteen, right before he moved out. Lillian never changed anything about it, except to add another bed for myself. Skylar slept on Caleb’s old bed, while I slept on my own bed that my parents bought me years ago.

We didn’t bring much from our old home, just a few important things that mattered or were needed. It didn’t seem right to change our father’s childhood bedroom, especially now that he’s gone.

Biting my lip, I looked around his bedroom, memorizing it from inch to inch. I don’t know why I suddenly felt the need to take it all in, as if I were never going to see it again. It wasn’t like I was moving out or anything, I was simply going on an overnight camping trip. For some reason it felt like it wasn’t just an overnight thing. Something in my gut told me that I may never see this room again, that I may never be here again.

Odd.

Letting out a contemplative sigh, I picked up my last item for my bag; a family photo of my parents, Skylar and me, that I could never fall asleep without having it beside me. I stared deeply at my parents, taking in my father’s light brown hair — the same color as mine, only his was short while mine was always long and completely straight. My eyes were mismatched in comparison of my mom and sister’s deep blue eyes, and my dad’s brown; I have an icy blue. But other than that, I look a lot like my father.

Rubbing the tip of my thumb across the photo that was taken only years prior, I packed it in my bag; my thoughts boggled with memories, and depression.

o — O— o

The group for the night was only around ten in total, most around Skylar’s age or older. I was most likely the youngest, being only sixteen,, but turning seventeen in a month and a half, which I couldn’t wait for. I hated always being so young, which I definitely felt like in this group of adults.

Four, oversized — and very scary looking — men and one super model lookalike woman, was in charge of everything; from knowing what trails to follow, to setting up tents, and preparing a fire; they knew it all.

I admit I was a bit skeptical on whether the blonde female knew anything about the outdoors — the nature. Turns out she knew quite a lot. She also didn’t seem to mind getting any dirt on her, which was a surprise.

She told everyone that her name was Neysa Miller. She reminded me a lot of Skylar, with the shiny hair and perfect body. Although Neysa had blonde curls, and hazel eyes — the complete opposite of my sister, but they both were still very similar.

The four men were what really had put me on edge from the beginning of our trek to the camp sight. They all looked so huge, tall, and muscular. It wouldn’t take much for them to literally be able to knock me down or beat me. But what really made me wary were their eyes. They had a way of looking at everyone, as if we were all food on a plate.

What struck me even more odd, was the way all three men, and the woman regarded the eldest looking man; it was almost as if he were the leader and they were supposed to bow down, submit to everything he’d say. As if he knew all the answers without ever having to question him on it.

He had to have been in his late twenties, with raven-colored hair that was so long that he had it tied back in a low pony tail. He was more than six feet — towering over my mere five feet three inches, and had the built of a very committed athlete. Huge biceps bulging out of his tight turtleneck sweater, and his calf muscle was just as huge; hiker knee-length shorts showed off the frightening mass. But what really made me nervous was how inhumanly beautiful his face was. A strong jaw set on a flawless tanned-skinned face. Black eyes that seemed too harsh, as if those eyes had seen many unimaginable horrors.

I had trouble staring too long into those black depths; I found myself unwillingly looking down at the ground whenever he raised his eyes to meet my own.

We were now all situated amongst the camp sight, tents all set up around the leafy-green ground, while a fire was on its way to becoming lit; it was around sunset, nearing dark within an hour or so.

Our tent was a small double zipper that was on sale at K-mart, and was actually pretty worth it. It was very durable, despite its size, and was a piece of cake in setting up. We had more than enough time to sit on a fallen log and take in the scenery before it grew too dark to see much of anything.

It wasn’t at all what I really imagined. The trees surrounded the camp sight, making a sort of dome, with us inside. Since it was nearing the end of summer, the trees still held their many leafs, and most of them were a reddish-orange, and green.

From a distance you could see a slight trail that lead to The White River, something I really wanted to see.

“We should definitely go see the river before it gets too late and we can’t see a thing,” I commented, looking over at Skylar who sat on the log next to me.

She nodded. “Yeah, but I should ask someone first, just in-case we’re not allowed to go off on our own.” She began looking over at the huge men that were in charge, debating which one to ask, I’d imagine.

“Ask Neysa.” I immediately rushed out; my voice hushed so that no one else around the camp could hear. “I don’t want you talking to those scary looking men.”

Skylar laughed, smiling down at me in humor. “Raine, you’re so paranoid sometimes. There’s nothing scary about them. They’re freaking sexy!”

I sighed. “Look, I don’t trust them. I’ve got a funny feeling about them, mainly the dark-haired guy.”

“You always have a funny feeling about guys!” She threw back her head and laughed. I glared, flushing slightly. “Look. I’m sure it’s nothing. I mean come on, they’re hired by the county; they know who’d to trust. They wouldn’t send rapists or murderers into the middle of the woods with a group of innocent bystanders. Just relax.”

“Relax!” I cried. “How can I relax when you’re filling my mind with rapists and murderers! I only said I had a funny feeling, not that they were . . . well you know!” I seriously felt like I was going to have a panic attack. What if they were rapists or murderers? We were alone in an unfamiliar area, deep in the woods. No one would even hear our screams.

I’m not normally a piss in your pant’s scaredy-cat type of person, but I do tend to get little freaked out easily.

“You’re having another panic attack again aren’t you?” She asked, shaking her head almost sadly. “I swear, you need to just get yourself a man, then maybe you’d be less afraid that every male specimen is out to harm us females. We’re not all weak, defenseless women.”

I glared. “I’m not having a panic attack!” At least I hoped not; I didn’t feel much in the mood to hyperventilate.

“Is there a problem?” I glanced up when I heard the deep voice, seeing that it was the man with the black eyes. I hadn’t even known he heard us; granted we were talking a little above a whisper, but he was standing on the other side of the camp only a second ago.

“Uh-uh . . . um . . . ” I stuttered embarrassingly, gulping with how close he was standing by us. I didn’t like it at all.

“No, everything’s fine,” Skylar explained, “I was wondering if we were allowed to go to the river before nightfall.”

“Ah,” he breathed, his eyes scanning the area for a moment before centering those dark eyes onto us. “That should be fine, I can take you right now.”

No, no, no, no. “Oh, actually I’m pretty beat from the hike up here.” I lied, swiping my hand on my forehead, wiping some nonexistent sweat off my skin for show. “We can see it tomorrow, Sky.”

She regarded me skeptically, already knowing that I wasn’t tired. “Well, I want to go now; I can see it again tomorrow.”

“That’s fine, I’ll take you over right now,” he said, smiling.

“No!” I leapt up, widening my eyes in worry. Skylar narrowed her eyes at my display, while the man just looked a bit taken back. “I . . . you know actually I’m not tired at all. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ll go with you two.”

“Ok.” He stared into my eyes for a moment, most likely gauging if I was telling the truth or not. For some reason I felt as if he knew I was lying, and that he knew I was afraid to leave him alone with my sister.

We started toward the trail then, heading down the dirt and leafy path. I concentrated solely on the figure in front of me; the man with the dark eyes. I wouldn’t let him out of my sight while we were alone with him, he could suddenly attack us if we were looking away at something else.

After a few minutes of walking through dirt, brush, and branches, we finally made it the river. It was a gorgeous sight, something I would’ve loved to truly take in without the anxiety in my chest, but I wouldn’t dwell on it for long.

“So what’s your name?” Skylar asked him, smiling timidly. I knew she wasn’t actually ‘shy’, it was a mere act for the moment to see if he’d at least show some interest, and then she’d flirt a bit, maybe even give him her number. She could never resist sexy men, and although this man was probably a psycho, even I would admit that he’s hot.

He casually smiled, his eyes roving her face almost hungrily. “Damon Ward. You’re Skylar, and you’re Raine.” I gaped in shock. “Don’t worry. I’m not some stalker. They gave us a list of who was coming here — I remember yours because you’re the only female’s here, other than Neysa of course.”

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion for a moment. It just seemed too rehearsed, as if he was reading from a well-practiced script on what to say about knowing our names. Something just seemed so off . . .

What was with the way he was looking at Skylar as if she was his dinner?

“Raine,” he breathed my name as if it was a pleasure to be spoken on his tongue; then turned his eyes on me. “That’s a very peculiar name; it suits you well though. Blue eyes, so clear that they almost look like rain.”

My heartbeat sped up at his tone. There was something so not right with this man. This situation. Everything.

“People always say that her eyes are like an icy-blue,” Skylar piped. “I totally love her eyes; they freak me the hell out at times, especially when they look almost see through.”

Damon nodded, extending a hand toward my face. The sudden movement startled me, causing me to squeak and leap back. “I’m sorry — didn’t mean to frighten you, I was just going to move you in the light, to get a better look at your eyes.” He chuckled.

“Oh, yeah! Her eyes are freaky whenever the sun shines on them,” Skylar told him enthusiastically.

“They’re just eyes, nothing special,” I muttered, angling my face away from his. I wasn’t ok with him staring into my eyes. It just felt wrong.

Skylar glared at my rude dismissal, placing her hand on the back of my jacket, lightly shoving me forward — even closer to Damon. I bit my lip, flushing at the now close proximity of us. My heart was beating even harder, louder in my chest; I wouldn’t be surprised if he could hear it.

“See,” she said; peering at my eyes that were now staring at what limited light the sunset brought — which wasn’t much at all.

“No . . . Here.” Suddenly I felt his very large, strong fingers’ grip my chin and tilt it slightly more to my left; bringing my face even closer to his as he peered deeply into my own. “Yeah, I can see now.”

I was trembling even more when I saw how clouded his black irises became, his thumb lightly tracing the skin just below my lip. “I . . . ” I tried to yank out of his grasp, but suddenly he tightened his hold, taking a step closer so that we were now completely touching. Fear filled me tenfold when I took in just how much taller he was, and just how strong his hold was.

What the hell was he doing?

“Damon?” Skylar’s voice sounded next to me. She sounded worried, something unusual for my sister. “It’s getting late. Maybe we should head back now.”

He laughed. “It’s already too-late.”

“Look, let go of my sister. You saw her eyes, and she isn’t comfortable with you being so close.” She was right. I didn’t like it. I had a feeling my face was sickly pale, panic blooming in my eyes.

Damon ignored her. Bending so that we were now eye level, his eyes drifted down toward my exposed neck, to my lips, then back toward my eyes, taking in all three of those things for several moments before —

I quickly thrust my knee up, aiming for the one spot that would surely force him to let go of me. I distinctly heard Skylar scream when he trapped my knee in an unbreakable hold just a little above his knee caps — too low that I knew I didn’t hit him in his manly parts; nor could I ever with how tight his thighs held me in, there was no way I could move my leg up or down.

“I don’t think so little girl,” his voice now darker, deadly. I began to thrash, shoving my fists into his chest, while still trying to break free of his hold on both my chin and leg. I was practically wobbling on one foot, only his grasp on my face was holding me up.

“Let go of her!” Skylar screamed, fisting his sweatshirt in the effort to pull him away. It was fruitless. He was twice our size, maybe even bigger, and pretty much all muscle. There was no way we could fight him off.

Suddenly he backhanded her with his free hand, causing Skylar to yelp in pain and fall to the ground. “Get the hell off!” I hissed through my teeth, flushing from anger. Nobody hits my sister.

“Don’t worry little one. I won’t hurt you — much.”

o — O — o

I felt groggy, my vision blurred for a few moments before my eyes took in exactly where I was. I was in someone’s tent, and judging by the size, it must’ve been one of the men that were in charge of this camping expedition. If I remembered correctly, I had seen them putting up huger tents than anyone else’s.

Men . . . Wait, wasn’t I near the river with Sky and . . .

Suddenly I shot up from my laying position, my eyes scanning hurriedly at every corner. It was pitch dark, no light shone in or outside of the triangular-tent.

“Sky?” I half-whispered, my voice hoarse with fright; worry. I could hardly see anything! But I knew without really looking that Skylar wasn’t in the tent as me. Nor was anyone. I wondered where she was, or what happened.

If Damon hurt her . . .

Pain erupted in my cheek from the small movement I made; lightly tracing my fingertips on the area that hurt, I realized that he must have backhanded me, causing a swollen bruise to form from the impact. “Well that must’ve been what knocked me out . . . ”

“Why are you doing this?!” I heard a sudden frightened voice squeak. It must’ve been one of the guys that filled up our group.

I carefully got on my knees, crawling out of the sleeping bag that I sat in, heading slowly toward the tent’s entrance — which was at the moment half-zipped.

I was a bit worried that from the outside they could see my shadow move, or that they may see the flap that wasn’t zipped move slightly — but at the moment I couldn’t dwell on it. I had to find out what was going on.

Even if I ended up getting caught.

Peering through the small gap, I took in the sight. The group of guys were all situated on the ground, all sitting in a close-knit clump. Most were taking in the darkened woods on either side of them — quite possibly looking for some escape route, or contemplating running for it.

What struck me as odd was that I saw Skylar sitting a few feet away from them, separated from the group of boys. I wondered why she wasn’t supposed to sit with them. Was it her choice, or did they separate them all on purpose?

I couldn’t tell where the four men, nor the woman was. I couldn’t see Neysa or Damon anywhere, but then again, I was only in view of a small area of the camp sight; the tent’s gap was too small to see much.

“Why are we doing this?” Damon’s voice echoed loudly, amusement dripping with every word he spoke. “Well, that shouldn’t be too hard to figure out; we’re hungry.”

“You guys are crazy!” Skylar hissed, glaring at the area just to the right of my tent. They must have been in that area; which means they couldn’t see me. Hopefully.

“Hush, girl.” A woman’s voice seethed. I’d guess it was Neysa Miller. “Before I make you shut-up.”

“I want to make her!” An unfamiliar male said. He sounded creepily excited. I shuddered involuntarily at his tone.

“Be quiet Josh. She’s Damon’s.” Someone else demanded.

A growl then filled the silence. “Dominic, Josh — shut it. It’s the full moon, so it’s time to prepare.”

I narrowed my eyes in confusion. Full moon? Prepare? Were they some sort of psychotic cult, planning to kill us all on the full moon?

I didn’t have long to think on it; suddenly an eery silence filled the camp sight, nobody making one peep. It was as if they were all waiting for something.

And then I heard gasps; looking over at the group, I saw them all gawking in shock; horror at whatever our ‘captives’ were doing. Skylar looked ready to faint. Her whole face was sickly pale, standing out completely in the darkened woods.

Snapping noises followed, heaving and rustling could be heard. I held my breath, waiting. Then all at once, every member of the group leapt to their feet, all set and ready to run into the trees — away from whatever was going on.

A growl was all I heard before everyone did run.

“Skylar!” I screamed, unzipping the tent. I leapt out of the opening, looking around for my sister. I didn’t look long before I saw her standing frozen by a tree, staring wide-eyed at me.

“Shit, Raine. Run!” Her eyes then landed on a little way’s from my right, the area I had guessed Damon and his people were at. Glancing over, I saw what had freaked everyone out, causing them all to run.

Wolves.

There were five, vicious looking wolves that were twice the size of any average looking wolf; fangs barred, and hunched in a position ready to pounce.

It only took me a second to take them in before I ran for it, heading in the direction of my sister and into the expanse of brush and trees. The moonlight provided limited light in the darkness, so I still found myself hindered on various branches or roots that lay on the ground. I tripped twice before I heard growls echoing behind me, and the sound of padding footprints on the floor.

“Raine!” Skylar screamed, tugging me up from the ground when I tripped a third time. “We have to keep moving. They’re right behind us!”

My heartbeat was racing, but adrenalin kept me focused; I ran alongside my sister, at times becoming in the lead, and times falling behind or tripping. It was only minutes later that we both stopped completely in our tracks.

A few feet in front of us was one of the wolves that were chasing us — a huge raven-furred animal, with startling black eyes that looked so familiar that I felt a shiver run up my spine when I recalled where I’d seen them before.

Damon. But that couldn’t be, could it?

Skylar and I heaved for breath, as our eyes examined all the trees for a way of escape — no other wolf was in sight besides this threatening one. Somehow it made it much more scary to be so close to this particular wolf.

“What are we going to do?” I rasped out, trying to catch my breath. My legs were aching from running so fast, and my whole body felt sore from tripping so often.

“I . . . don’t know,” Sky cried. She was truly terrified. Her brown curls were in disarray, tears from her eyes leaked down her cheeks while she whimpered; her chin trembling as she stared at the dark wolf in front of us.

Then he lunged. We both screamed but it was too late, he was already on top of Skylar, shoving her on the leafy ground, his claws digging into her shoulders. Blood stained her sweater as she thrashed and screamed.

Then he bit her.

Grabbing a thick branch off the ground, I charged at the wolf, hitting it with all my might on its side.

Suddenly the black wolf turned on me, a dangerous growl seeped between his sharp teeth, dark eyes swirling in anger. He was pissed. I didn’t have time to prepare before he lunged at me.

I screamed, trying to dodge out of his way. I only made it a few feet before I felt his claws weighing my back down — nails digging into my shoulder blades, breaking skin. I landed with a hard thud on the ground, pain erupting tenfold in every inch of my body, especially my now bleeding shoulders.

He growled once more, still holding me down; rocks and tree branches dug into my stomach as I felt the weight of the heavy wolf crushing me. I could hardly breathe, much less move a single muscle.

Something nuzzled the side of my neck, shuffling the brown locks out of the way. I now felt deep breaths on the side of my exposed neck.

Pain seared like hot fire when I felt fangs rip into my skin, wet liquid seeped out, trailing down my neck and onto my clothes. I started to feel dizzy, the pain too much.

My consciousness was slipping, my eyes becoming too heavy to stay open any longer.

But then the wolf stopped its meal on my neck when a series of growls surrounded us. I felt the heavy weight of the animal lift off my back. After taking a few deep breaths, trying to get the dizzy spell to dissipate, I glanced up at what was causing the other growls, and why the wolf wasn’t on me anymore.

A pack of wolves — similar to the ones that chased after my sister and me, was all around us. I didn’t know how many, maybe a little less than ten, more than five — were all growling at the black wolf that attacked me. One in particular seemed very lethal, a little larger than the raven colored one, his coat was a midnight black, purple hues shone on its fur from the moons light. His eyes, which were a deep forest green, stared threateningly at the wolf that bit me.

For some reason I felt that these wolves weren’t dangerous — that they were good.

I didn’t have time to blink before all the wolves took off toward the wolf behind me; I screamed slightly, hiding my face in my arms. For a moment I thought they were heading for me, but after a few moments I heard them growling from somewhere behind me.

Peeking over, I saw the whole group of wolves fighting. The ones from the camp sight now joined the fight; it was a mass of different sizes, and different colored wolves, going at it with teeth and claws. Blood had almost immediately coated on some of them.

Some whimpered in pain.

I didn’t know who was winning, the possibly good side, or the bad?

Getting to my feet unsteadily, I cupped my bloodied neck in my palm, looking for my sister. She laid a little way’s away, completely still.

Blood pumped in my head, as my eyes took in my very still sister. What if she was dead? No . . . she couldn’t be.

Biting my lip, I forced my legs to move forward, but the effort was near impossible. The wolves had terrified me, but nothing was as scary as getting ready to learn that your sister might be dead.

I had already lost my parents . . . I couldn’t lose her as well; I’d be all alone. After a few moments I made it to her side, dropping hard on my knees I grabbed her wrist, feeling for a pulse. She had one. It was faint, but still there. A sigh of momentary relief passed my lips. Thank God she was alive. I didn’t know what I’d do without her.

I tried to lift her up in my arms, but my wound in my neck left me too weak for the effort, my sister was heavier then me because of her height.

Huffing, I tried again, and again — still, nothing.

I was stopped suddenly by a light grey wolf, who carefully took her pant leg in his teeth and began to drag her away from the area. It was one of the wolves that saved me from the raven colored wolf. Soft oceanic blue eyes told me that he wasn’t going to hurt her. I followed suit, blocking out the fighting going on not too far from here. I concentrated solely on getting my sister and I to safety. The wolf, the one that was helping me, seemed to be doing as likewise.

But as we reached a stone grey boulder, a vicious growl occupied the area; turning around I saw the raven-colored wolf. Saliva and blood coated its fur, dripping down its barred mouth; lip curling in a snarl.

The grey wolf with soft eyes, growled back, releasing my sister and hunching in a fighting stance. Just as the dark wolf was about to plunge forward, a bunch of other wolves came running over; the good wolves stood alongside the grey wolf, protecting me from harm, while my sister laid in between the five bad wolves and us.

Then a dark grey wolf from the bad side grabbed my sister’s pant leg in its teeth and began to drag her away. The raven coated wolf watched, with hungry eyes before it too started to back away, its companions following suit.

I tried to move forward, do something to get them away from my sister but the midnight fur wolf blocked my path. I couldn’t get away. I was surrounded by . . . eight wolves in count, one huge wolf blocking my path from my sister.

This all started as a night for camping, and ended with not only getting bit by a wolf, but also losing my sister.

What was I going to do? What were these wolves going to do?

I didn’t have any time to even guess before my eyelids closed, and I fell into complete darkness.

A/n: *edit* I only fixed a few tense problems in this chapter; everything else stayed the same.