Blood-Stained Moon

Revelations

The next 4 hours felt like a lifetime, every droplet forming in the cavern roofing, falling and echoing in my ears, every animal walking above, noises and moonlight bouncing off every wall, the insects scuttling across the dirt around my body. The steady sound of Claire's chest rising and falling, and the thump thump of her heart. I felt the soil shifting amid settling beneath me, the liquids threatening to seep into my clothing, the smell of musk, mildew and damp from the blanket, mixed in with old scents. The smell of old discarded laundry, sneaked away and piled in the corner, the damp soaked wood of the chair and table, barely holding themselves up and the never ending ticking of Claire's watch, taunting me. I kept my breathing even and my eyes tightly shut, my mind wandering constantly to the scenarios tomorrow would bring, what people would say, how they would look at us- if they would kill us on sight or punish us publicly. My rationality reminded me of Claire's words, how they would stay quiet, to avoid admitting their mistakes, but even that cannot save the fear of looking into the eyes of Beta and Alpha tomorrow. I wonder if Roan already knows, if they are talking about me right now - deciding my fate, weighing up the consequences of finishing me off and people finding out, how they would make it a cover-up. I wonder if Ryan and Grace have noticed my absence, if they are out there searching for me, or if they believe whatever bullsh*t story the leaders made about me, about why I'm missing. Maybe they haven't noticed at all and assume I'm safely back in my room sleeping soundly under the plush covers.

By the time the watch starts beeping, I'm already exhausted, despite my injuries being fully healed, my muscles protest and stiffen at the thought of getting up, my bloodshot eyes burn and itch as I blink away the night. The cavern is darker, the moonlight fades as the moon moves away, I can just about make out a shape, shift and stretch across from me. Claire switches her watch off and puts her bedding back roughly, almost throwing it to its previous resting place. I pick mine up and place it on top before looking towards Claire for direction. Her brown eyes shine towards me, her expression serious. "Once these guys come and go, we have less than 30 minutes before the next patrol. You better keep up with me, I'll get you to the castle, it's up to you from there. Shower, dress and get to work on time, go about your day as usual." She steps closer towards me "and you keep your head down, got it? Keep your mouth shut and don't so much as look in my direction okay? You never saw me, you went back to your room if anyone asks, and if Greene asks, you slept in the woods alone because of your injuries. Nothing else" We are almost nose to nose when she finishes, her voice dropping menacingly. I nod without hesitation, confused. I freeze as I hear the familiar thudding from above, neither of us dare make a sound, our breaths mingling in the cold. Once they stop, Claire starts shuffling towards the right back corner and pulls out a long wooden plank, while gripping it she extends her arms upwards and pushes on the roof, it gives way easily, joined at one end it flips over onto itself. She then pulls against a long rope like root and begins to climb out, her bare feet gripping onto the walls with ease. I follow suit as soon as her feet disappear through the top, I climb until I get close enough to the top to pull myself through, as my knees make contact with the ground, Claire's clothing hits the ground and I hear her bones cracking as she shifts. She pulls the hoodie into her canines gently and stares at me impatiently with her big eyes. I waste no time pulling the hoodie over my head and placing it by my feet ready before flipping the notingly well-made grassoot lid. Once we are both shifted and I picked up the hoodie gently, Claire pushes me with her snout and takes off at a fast run, I scramble to keep up with her, my heart racing, hoping she isn't leading me into a trap. She dodges trees and rocks with ease, as if she has run this exact route many times before. It's been but a few days since we came here, and Claire has never been late to work, or been marked as missing- as far as I am aware.

Now I really don't trust her. Something is wrong

What is it wolfy?

Her wolf smells, weird... off, almost like its's anticipating something. I smell fear, and excitement

Thanks for the heads up. I don't think murder's on her books though. She wouldn't have bothered saving us and waiting all night if she wanted us dead

I still don't trust her

A tree branch whipping across my cheek pulls me out of our conversation. I refocus and watch Claire from behind intently. Watching for any sudden movement that might betray her true intentions. I start to tire after a few miles, I know we diverted around the lake as I could smell the water close by for a mile or two. I have no recollection of my path on the way to the lake, the trees and bushes look all the same to me. I pant heavily pushing my muscles to keep up when Claire suddenly skids to a halt in front of me, I nearly crash into her tail, catching myself just before. I can hear movement ahead, very low voices whispering. I tune in, blocking the sounds of our panting and the birds beginning to wake up, anticipating the sunrise. The words are barely comprehensible, but I can tell they are waiting for us.

I knew it! She has run us straight into a trap. We have to leave

A whimper escapes my lips, fear crawls up my body, my ears pin back and the thudding of my heartbeat takes over my eyes until all I see is Claire's hind ahead of me. Her ears are also pinned back in fear, her head slightly c****d in my direction. Enough that one large eye is visible just above her rump. The look in her eyes tells me this wasn't her plan, however, the fear pooling in her eyes betrays a new deception.

When I say run Remy, you go. Don't stop until you hit the castle wall, don't look back. I'm not coming with you, I never was, I'm done with them. You weren't supposed to know, say nothing, do nothing

With that she growls and shifts, turning towards a mound of dense bushes and grabbing a large backpack. I stand there in shock, unable to process. To leave a clan is to accept death. If you were to escape without being caught, there would be nowhere to go, a constant target on your back and the stench of a rogue.

I hear a boom in the distance and a commotion, those waiting for us taking off towards the sound, crashing through twigs as they shout wildly. A Backup plan. I meet Claire's eyes again, she stuffs her hoodie into the pack pocket and re-shifts with haste, the backpack hanging by a strap on her canines.

RUN

Before the word fully enters my head I bolt, as if the Alpha himself were chasing me I run straight onward, my sight only focused on seeing stone. I leave the treeline almost immediately, onto the familiar open ground, not caring to avoid the graveled paths I carry on, only stopping for the open door to shift and yank the hoodie over my head clumsily. I slip the hood up and keep my head down, hands in the front pockets, pushing them down in a vain attempt to cover my muddy bare legs. I pace forward on auto pilot, praying I don't hear my voice called, stopping with a gasp at my door. I don't have my key, it's still out on the field! I slap my hands on the door with frustration and to my surprise it opens, I stumble forwards with the sudden momentum before I catch myself on the handle. I close it behind me quickly, hoping the noise hasn't disturbed anyone. I take no notice of my surroundings, grabbing my towel and some clothes out of my drawer and scrubbing my face and any exposed body part with water from the sink. once I'm satisfied most of the mud has gone I glance at the clock, 4.40am. I have 20 minutes before I am expected in the kitchen. s**t. I bolt out and into the bathroom, the water is still cold in the shower when I hop in and scrub for my life. Hoping to erase all of last night from my body and my memory.