Wolf's Bane

Chapter 10

Gage-

The next day was Monday. The morning was quiet, and the rain had stopped. Something, however, was different inside the small green-colored house. Gage woke up in her bed and began rubbing her eyes. The child looked around her room only to see the sunlight coming through the window. She yawned a bit and rubbed her eyes before stopping. She began to sniff the air. It seemed to be full of something strong. It wasn't food. It wasn't anything dirty. Her eyes widened, and she jumped out of bed and ran out of the door. "Luna?" She asked as she stared at the sight in front of her. The nine-year-old looked down at her feet only to see blood was trailed all over the carpet. This was different than the trail left by Sam the day before. This way was new and fresh. Looking around, she found a knife lying on the kitchen floor. It was covered in red stuff. The child almost seemed to gag at how bad it smelled.

"Luna!" Gage tried yelling again, but there was no answer. She quickly began checking every part of the currently trashed house but could not find her sister anywhere. She managed to get blood all over her hands and shirt as she looked. Before long, she found herself running out of the door to try and find someone, anyone who would have known where she had gone. Her first thought was to check Luna's school. Maybe she just ran there to get away?

Gage, look for Sam.

She didn't think twice about it. She smelled around and ran in the direction of the school. Gage didn't realize she was still in pajamas and didn't get any shoes. Tears ran down her face. She didn't stop running. The 30-minute walk turned into a 15-minute run.

When she got there, she was early. Many of the early children were standing around the school steps. No one had noticed the minor child until Gage showed up out of breath. "Oh, god, are you okay?" Said one of the school teenagers, seeing the blood on her shirt. The child did not answer her. She just wanted to find Sam.

Sam-

Sam's eyes opened with the song of birds. Turning his head, he looked at his clock. It was early, and the usual smell of breakfast did not hit his nose. Did his mother sleep in this morning? Sitting up, Sam rubbed the sleep from his eyes and swung his legs over his bed. His feet touched the wooden floor of his room. It was chilled but not too bad. The rain always seemed to cool the world the next day, and with the sun barely rising, Sam knew it would get warmer later. Are we going to school today, Sam? What kind of question was that? Of course, he was going to school. He had to see Luna, to apologize for last night.

Standing, the boy picked out his outfit and got dressed. The simple black tee was covered by the plaid button-up Luna had given him. Yeah, it was her father's, but it was still a gift. Digging into his closet, Sam grabbed his old sneakers and put them on. They were tight against his feet, but he would have to get used to it till he got a new pair or perhaps found his clothes in the woods.

When Sam left his room, he heard crying in his mother's room. Was she still crying over Tom's death? The fat fucker had it coming to him. Knocking on her door, Sam heard her catch her breath. "Mom, I'm going to school." He spoke softly. Hearing her response, he left down the stairs. He looked around the house before leaving. It didn't look like home anymore. This fact seemed to bother him.

The short walk was made quicker as his keen ears caught school kids trying to pry answers from someone else. As he rounded the restaurant, Sam stopped in his tracks. In her pajamas, she was little Gage. Blood smeared against her body. Sam's heart sank as he gawked at her.

Go, Sam! The wolf growled and caused Sam to run to Gage. Many other kids moved out of his way as he reached the child. "Gage, what's wrong? Where is Luna?"

"Dog boy? Is this your kid?"

"Shut up, you bastards." Sam retaliated toward the human kids. Lifting Gage, he rushed into the school building and took her to the nurse's office. He knew she was bound to be in shock, but any answer from her would help him. Smelling the blood, Sam was sure it wasn't Luna's, and it didn't smell like Gage's. "Pup, talk to me."

When Sam grabbed Gage, the child began crying harder. She wasn't sure what else to do besides cry. "I woke u-up and..., and S-sister was gone." She tried to talk but only through her sniffles. She tried to wipe her face, but it caused the red to now be over her face. "There w-was so much blood in t-the house." After that, she couldn't talk much. Her crying overpowered her.

Pulling at the tissues, Sam began to wipe the blood off Gage. "You're gonna need a bath, and good news, this isn't Luna's blood, so whatever happened, she fought back. I will find her, though. I'll bring her home." The nurse came into the office and stopped in her tracks. "Sam, what is going on?"

"Luna is missing."

"Is Gage alright?" The nurse looked at Gage now. Her brown eyes brightened to show the golden glow of the wolf beneath. "Luna is everything to that girl Susan. I don't think she'll be alright till my Moon is back. I want Gage taken to Jane. I won't be back till I have my Moon with me."

"Sam, are you sure Jane is the one you want to watch, Gage?"

"Jane is Luna's manager. She knows Gage and Luna personally. Besides, that old crone has been in my pack since I was born." Susan seemed to nod in agreement with Sam's statement. Sam looked at Gage now, "You're going to stay with Ms. Jane until I come back. You are good for her, okay?"

Gage looked at Sam worriedly. She liked Jane but had never had anyone else watch over her other than Luna. But Gage nodded anyway. She knew the only thing she could do was to wait patiently. "I miss my sister." She said as she started crying again.

"I know, Gage." Sam moved to her and lifted her into his arms in a comforting hug. Susan couldn't help but stand back as the alpha carried Gage back through the halls of the school. He wouldn't let go of her till he was sure she was safely in the care of someone who could tend to her. Many of the pack watched as he walked by with little Gage in his arms. Their questioning eyes followed them even as he entered the doors of the Mom and Pops. "Jane!" His voice told urgency.

Jane heard the voice at the door. She came out of the backroom, wiping her hands off with a rag. "What do you want, boy. We ain't open yet." Jane went to the doors before realizing what was happening. She looked at Gage before opening them. "Oh, dear. What happened to you, hun?" It didn't take long for Jane to take Gage away from Sam. Gage immediately hugged the older woman. The blood soon transferred over to the woman's uniform. "Stop your crying now. Young ladies shouldn't be crying. Now, what's going on here?" Jane finally looked at Sam.

Sam looked at Jane and Gage. He appeared highly impatient as he kept looking over his shoulder. He wanted to run out of the building as soon as Jane had Gage in her arms. "Luna is missing. I suspect foul play, as little Gage here is covered in the culprit's blood. I need you to care for Gage until I return with Luna." His words were quick, but he could make sure they could be heard correctly. The wolf growled at the slowness of the current situation. It wanted to be on the hunt already. Whoever took Luna was about to feel his fury.

"Well, what are you dilly-dallying for? Get going, the boy, before I fire you for losing my hard worker." She gave Sam a look before looking at Gage. Gage had begun to calm down a bit, but Jane could also see her worry. "Come on, Gage. Let's get you something to eat. Bet you didn't eat this morning." Jane soon left Sam to take Gage to the backroom.

"Be good, Gage. I'll be back soon. I promise!" He called as Jane left the lobby. When Gage was out of sight in the back, Sam left the restaurant only to run toward the house. He would have to get a better scent than what Gage had brought him.

The green-colored house's door was unlocked. This was evident because Gage had left not too long ago. Opening the front door, Sam was assaulted by the scent of copper. Blood trailed all over the open space. Growling deeply, Sam entered the home and took a few deep breaths through his nose. Luna's scent of ancient earth was mixed with a different scent. Ash and smoke smelt like an old tree had been set on fire.

This revelation caused Sam to openly growl now. He had the scent fresh in his nose and began to strip his clothing. "You won't keep her from me!" He yelled into the air as he moved back to the open door. He kicked his old shoes off at the front step and ran into the woods. As he followed the scent of fire.

Having to stop a mile from the tree line, he stripped himself of his pants and boxers. The change happened as he continued to run again. Nasal passages flared as the blue eyes of the beast ignited.

Sam would travel a total of fifty miles before he slowed down. The scent of fire and earth grew close, and in a panting mess, he sniffed the air. Where was this bastard taking his Moon? Stopping now, Sam was soon knocked off his paws by a dark brown flash. Sliding on his left side, the young wolf slowly stood and looked to see another wolf. Golden eyes were bright in the afternoon light. Both wolves growled at one another. Teeth bared and ears pulled back. Sam held his ground as the other wolf lunged. Teeth and claws aimed for Sam's back.

Sam was quick and more in control of his wolf, though. Throwing himself to the right, Sam was able to roll out of the way of the wolf's attack. Who are you?

Don't you know the boy? The dark brown wolf snapped its jaws toward Sam. This caused the raven-furred wolf to perk his ears. Did he see this wolf? Sniffing the air, it became evident that this dark brown wolf was the body of the scent of fire he had smelt in Luna's house. Where is she?! Sam growled deeply as his ears pulled back once more. Somewhere you'll never find her. The dark wolf lunged again. This time, he was able to catch Sam off guard.

The two wolves battled endlessly in a mess of teeth, claws, and fur. Neither wished to end till the other was dead. The fighting ended when Sam finally got his teeth on the brown wolf's throat. Teeth sunk deep, and Sam shook his head violently. This tore flesh, and he tasted blood enter his mouth.

The yelp only caused Sam to shake more. With each vicious yank of the skin under the thick blanket of fur, the life of the brown wolf began to slip. Stop boy. You've won.

Where is she?

Under the Great Oak. Y-you'll find her under the great oak. Panting, the brown wolf clung to every ounce of life he could. Sam let the wolf go and looked down at him. The change was upon the old wolf, and Sam finally saw who it was.

Under the blinding light, a dark-skinned man lay amongst the damp foliage. His shaggy brown hair covered his forehead, but his honey-brown eyes looked at Sam. Even through the pain, the man seemed to smile. "You've gotten strong, son." He coughed after he spoke this. Sniffling, he extended a hand toward the oak he had laid Luna at. "She's over there."

Why did you do it, rogue?

"Ha, a pack-man, I see." The man coughed again before waving his hands. "I did it for your mother. My pack lost their alpha female. They wanted my mate."

So you take mine?! Sam growled. This man was irritating him, which was shown by raising his hackles. "You're young. You can choose another." This answer had Sam biting down on the man's wrist. The rogue only laughed as Sam cut the flesh to the bone. How much blood loss could this man take before he died? The coughing didn't stop, though. Each cough seemed to cause more blood to seep from the gash in his throat. Sam was tired of hearing it and simply let the man die. "He'll be coming for her. He has her scent!" The rogue yelled out as Sam reached Luna's resting form.

Laying beside her, Sam whined and licked at her eyes. To change would be a bad idea, but he had to wake her up. He had to get her home.

Luna felt Sam's presence. She didn't know when or how she had been knocked out, but it made her head hurt more than she could imagine. When her eyes opened, they began glowing a bright green. She looked towards Sam before reaching out for him to feel his fur, to make sure he was real. "Sam? You're hurt...I'm so sorry." Her voice was quiet as she spoke. She winced slightly at her head but ignored it to try and set herself up.