Sakina
I heard the six howls as I approached the forest. Relief flooded through me. I ran straight in, my guard and Orsa beside me as we sprinted through the trees.
I saw Eli and ran straight to him. My duty first and foremost was to the king. He was bleeding from his shoulder, his black wolf staggering.
My king, shift back. We are here.
He did as I asked, and I charged Masi with taking him back to the palace immediately. She hesitated, and I knew she wanted to stay and help. But I growled. My order was final. Whimpering in response, she lowered herself down so that Eli could climb onto her back.
“The others… they are alive… they nearly finished the job but then they turned and ran,” he murmured.
I nodded, and searched the forest frantically. Conin and Kisaa had joined us now, w
