The Red Wolf

The Attack

Aria yawned in the back seat of the Tahoe and stretched her cramped limbs. She didn't know how long they had been driving but she had fallen asleep. Loki was typing away on a laptop, engrossed in whatever he was doing. The driver was as silent as usual. Not even music filled the air. Looking out the tinted window, the tallest trees she had ever seen stretched for miles. She thought she lived in the forest, but this was so deep it, was magical. The moss covered floors and crisp leaves were bright. Almost too bright for fall. A sign on the road up ahead caught her attention.

Bolduck 6 miles.

Bolduck is where we were going? As if sensing her unanswered question, Loki looked up from his laptop to do a quick glance around. "We are almost home. Bolduck is an all werewolf/lycan town, so feel free to be yourself. The humans that live here are mates and are well aware of our secrets." Aria nodded and dread filled her as she thought of something.

"Uhm...Loki. Do you all accept other beings here? Like witches?" she whispered so the driver couldn't hear. He pondered the question before giving her a shrug.

"I can't say that we've ever had any live or visit us. I am not sure on the people's opinions on other species. Regardless, you are not to worry. You're under the Kings protection." So he does know...I guess it would make sense since he was there the night they found her. At the mention of Kaden, a flutter filled her stomach. She hadn't even tried contacting him....but she thought about him constantly. She felt like a piece of her was missing and she barely knew the guy. Does he even like her? Is she only feeling this way because of the mate bond?

This mate bond thing was confusing. Her being half Lycan was even more confusing. Aria could feel a headache coming on.

"Elaina?" Elainas prescense appeared in her mind instantly.

"Yes?" she purred expectantly.

"You said you've been with me for a long time....do you know anything of my past? I can't remember anything past the orphanage." Elaina was quiet as she pondered.

"I can see flashes....there was a town....so small. A cliffs edge and the ocean...a tire swing and a yellow cottage....trees everywhere. A woman with fire red hair.....I believe she was your mother." Aria held her breath. Elaina could see her mother.

"Describe her to me....please." she held her breath.

"Once we shift, our thoughts become one. I can show her to you. But be warned love. These flashes aren't all good. I also see fire and destruction. There's a man dressed in black that appears several times.....death....so much death." She sounded drained so Aria let her retreat and rest. Shifting didn't seem so bad now. She would take whatever pain she had too if it meant seeing her mother again. And she was desperate to know about her life and where she came from.

A loud popping noise snapped her out of her thoughts. She gasped as the Tahoe spun and weaved on the road. Thankfully the driver was able to maneuver it off the road and to a stop. Aria put her hand to her beating heart. "What was that?!" She asked outloud. Loki was in high alert. His laptop forgotten in the floor. His eyes scanned the trees. It was quiet. Almost too quiet.

"Taylor." was all Loki said. Without a word, The driver, who she now knew as Taylor, wordlessly slid out of the car. Aria watched through the windows as he walked around the car to inspect the damage. He came around to Lokis window and put his back to it. All the while watching the trees.

Loki rolled the window down enough to see him. Taylor gave him a stiff nod before returning his attention the trees.

"f**k!" Loki pulled out a cell phone. No signal. He threw it on the seat and turned to Aria. She stared at him wide eyed. He tried to calm himself before speaking.

" I need you to listen to me and listen carefully. Someone purposely sabatoged our tire. A knife was thrown into the side of it. I am going to mind link and hope to God I can get through. We are just outside the boarder of our land, so whoever is here hasn't been picked up by our patrol. If I tell you to run, you run. Not on the road. Through the trees. Head north until you get to town. Once you cross the border, our patrol will be alerted."

Aria held her hands up. "Loki, I can't leave you all. I can fight. I've trained."

"No." His voice was stern. "I am sure you are a great fighter. But we cannot risk them kidnapping you. You are the Kings mate. Your safety comes before everyone else. Do you understand me?" Aria could only nod. Running was so selfish in her eyes. She didn't want them to get hurt because of her.

Loki sat back in the seat and his eyes glazed over. Several tense minutes passed.

"I was able to get border patrol. They're sending..." He grabbed Aria, kicked his door open and flung her out just as her window shattered. A large brown wolf was clawing it's way through the opening. Snapping and growling. Had he been a second too late, It would've landed right on top of her.

Aria hit the ground and rolled. Gasping for the air to return to her lungs, she didn't stay on the ground for long. Taylor grabbed her by the shirt and hoisted her to her feet. He pushed her protectively behind him. A loud yelp came from the car and then silence.

Loki stepped out, still in human form.

"Rogue. There has to be more. They wouldn't go to all this trouble just for one. But they're masking their smell somehow."

Aria froze....."A witch." Loki glanced at her.

"You're sure?" Aria nodded. "Even someone like me who never learned her powers can mask her scent. More advanced witches can extend that power into crowds. I think I can find them."

Without waiting for a reply, Aria relaxed and closed her eyes. If that fire was hers then maybe her powers have been reawakened. She knew how to do it. Executing it was the question. The stone on her finger began to buzz. Focus Aria. She told herself.

She felt the air around her. Felt the wind and allowed herself to become apart of it. It danced around her calmly. unbeknownst to everyone but her. She searched for any shifts/interruptions in its dance. She pushed her boundary farther out, trying not to get excited it was actually working. Then she felt it. The break in the calm. The shift. Alerting her of every prescense. Dread filled her. They were on both sides of them. At least 24 wolves. There was another prescense but Aria couldn't hold it. It was fighting her. A force slammed into her mind, pushing her out.

She gasped as she fell to the ground. Blinking, she looked around. Loki instantly knelt beside her. Before he could speak, she grabbed his arms and pulled him to her.

"They're on both sides! At least 24 wolves."

Determination filled his eyes.

"You told me you can mask your scent? Correct?" She knew where this was going and immediately shook her head. "Loki, there's too many. I can help!"

"You are going to run. In your human form, you are too weak to go against rogues. Mask your scent and disappear. Do what I told you. They will follow your scent to us and Taylor and I will hold them off until help arrives." There was no room for argument and definitely no time.

"We must go little one. They're trained and seasoned. They will be fine." Elainas calming voice filled her head. Urging her to run aswell. Aria nodded and jumped to her feet. Taking the time to mask her scent, she set off towards the trees. Purposely picking a direction she hadn't felt any wind shifts.

Aria jumped over fallen logs and rocks as she increased her speed through the thick forest. Moss covered the ground, making it slippery. She had to slow her speed to make sure she didn't twist an ankle. Guilt hit her when she heard the fight begin on the road. She had made it maybe a mile but could hear it clear as day. Instantly she stopped. If she could hear the fight, then they may be able to hear her. She would need to be careful and not reckless. Speed may not be an ally here if it meant giving away her location. So she moved north as fast she dared to minimize her sound. A howl erupted behind her. Followed by several more.

Elaina?

Elaina was tense. Also on high alert.

"They know you're missing. They know you're not at the car. They're signaling each other. You must hurry! If they find your track, they'll catch up in no time." Aria was trying to breath to keep from panicking.

"If I run, they will hear me." She stated.

"If I slow my pace, they may catch up to me. What do I do?"

Elaina thought for a moment before answering. "You call the king. Tell him what happened. Loki may not have had time to relay your escape. He can send someone to meet you. Once you make contact, you run. As fast and hard as you can."

Without waiting, Aria closed her eyes and reached for that tug. That little mind tug that saved her life once before. Desperation filled her as she searched. She was about to give up.....there....she felt it. Reaching for it, she felt herself connect.

Kaden! Please! Right of the road, heading north. Theyre coming!

A branch snapping broke the connection. She looked towards the sound on high alert. Nothing.

"RUN!" Elaina screamed in her head. "You must run!" With that, Aria took off again. Using all her focus to keep her speed in the treacherous terrain. She could hear it. Someone was following her. A howl let lose again. This time closer.

"Elaina, I'm not going to make it. I'm going to have to fight and pray he got my message." Elaina growled in her head. She knew Aria was right. She also knew their chances weren't good. Aria had fought against humans but a werewolf was another story.

"Duck!" Elaina screamed! Aria instantly hit the ground. Panting. A large black wolf sailed over her. Landing effortlessly and turning to face her. His teeth showed and his eyes shone red. He was an Alpha....he was massive and radiated power. How did she miss him when she felt the wind. He must've been following them the whole time. He saw her leave and alerted the others. Aria slowly got to her feet and faced him. She couldn't outrun him. All she could do was fight. The ring on her finger began buzzing again. What is it with this ring....

Trying to stall, Aria spoke to the wolf.

"What do you want with me?!" she asked.

The wolf seemed to be smirking but he did not answer.

"Only lycans can speak in their wolf forms Aria. He would have to shift and I doubt he will give you that advantage. He's strong, I will give you what strength I can." Elaina came forward and Aria felt her body get lighter. More agile. Power and strength filled her veins. She couldn't shift yet but this would have to do.

The wolf circled her like a predator stalking his prey. Without warning he lunged at her, snapping. Aria dived out of the way but barely. His hot breath missed her cheek. She angled back ans swung her fist as hard as she could, feeling a moment of satisfaction when it connected with the back wolf's side. He barely moved. He let out an annoyed growl and lunged again. Again she dodged. This seemed to be pissing him off. A little witch should not be so hard to take down. Not for a mighty alpha. But the longer they played this lunge and dodge game, the faster Aria was fading. Elaina was getting weak inside her. She had given her all that she could.

Sweat beaded on her forehead. The wolf was getting angrier by the second. He let out another angry howl. This time when he lunged he purposely aimed for the tree behind her. Aria realized what he was doing almost too late. He used the tree to catapult himself behind her. She tried to dodge him but it was no good. His teeth sunk into her shoulder. Aria let out a blood curdling scream and punch at him as hard as she could. He bit down harder. Shattering the bone. His teeth Sinking even farther into her skin.

Anger and pain filled her body. She felt the heat from before. Her body was getting hot again but it was different this time. Control. She had control.

A voice that didn't even sound like her rang through the forest. "LET.ME.GO!" This time when her fist came up to punch the wolf, it was on fire. The wolf howled in surprise and pain as the flaming fist smashed into his face. Aria felt his teeth release her, but she didn't stop. She didn't know what this newfound energy was but she wasn't going to waste it. The wolf desperately scratched at his face, Aria turned, opened her palm, and a massive flame shot out. The wolf erupted in flames. His howl filled the forest as he desperately tried to put out the flames. He shifted and the howl was replaced with screams....But it was no use. He couldn't escape this fire. Howls erupted all around her, answering his pain. The smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils as the man before her stopped moving. She waved her hand and the flames disappeared. Leaving behind a black charred figure. Not man or wolf.

Elaina was hesitant as she spoke "Aria....how did you....I've never seen this."

Aria couldn't bring herself to answer. She didn't know how she did it. It was as if her body was taken over. As if the knowledge and skills to harness the flames were always there and she just found the key.

She swayed on her feet, grabbing the nearest tree with her good hand for balance. Her right shoulder was shattered, her arm hung limp at her side. Blood dripped at annoyingly fast rate. If she didn't get help, she would bleed out. She could hear them coming. More wolves. Answering the howl from their alpha. To think that rogues could even have an alpha....unless they weren't rogues. Her vision became spotted and she knew it was over....she was done....her energy depleted. She leaned against the tree and allowed herself to fall to the moss covered bed beneath her.

"Aria! Get up! You must get up!" Kaden. It was Kaden, his voice filling her head....he was right....but she was so tired.....

"Aria! Answer me!"