Shadows in the Snow
645 Words
The air was thick with the smell of blood, and we had to move. A howl cut through the night, then leaves rustled, branches snapped, and a bunch of footsteps got closer. The pack was closing in.
Caden grabbed her arm as he pulled her into the woods, his eyes darting around. His eyes glowed like warning signs.
They’re close, Caden said, his voice low. Stay behind me, and keep moving.
Scarlett’s mind raced as she followed him, her heart still hammering from the rogue’s attack. Each step felt harder through the snow. She was breathing hard as the cold bit through her coat, but it was nothing compared to the suffocating fear that gripped her chest.
Everything felt weird. The trees, snow, shadows—they all watched her. She wasn’t in her safe little world anymore. She was in Caden’s, a world that she didn’t get, full of danger.
Who are they? she asked, her voice shaky. Why are they after me?
Caden didn’t answer right away. He was focused on the path. Every few seconds, he looked back to see if she was there.
They’re rogues, Caden said, frustrated. They don’t follow our pack’s rules. They just want power. And they want you because of the prophecy. You are the key to our kind.
That hit her hard. The more she learned, the less sense it made. She didn’t ask for this. Wolves, prophecies—it was weird. She wasn’t ready for her life to be part of some old fight.
We’ll figure it out, Caden said, like he was trying to believe it too. You don’t have to get it now. Just stick with me.
I wanted to believe him, but I doubted it. I felt something with him. It made it hard to think clear. Mate. The word popped into my head. Was I really his?
We got to a clearing. The snow sparkled under the moon. The trees hid us from view. Caden stopped and turned, looking serious.
We stop here, he said, checking the area. We can’t run for ever. We have to figure out what to do next.
She swallowed, trying to breathe normal. How long do we have?
Caden listened, tilting his head like he could hear something I couldn't. He nodded, looking grim. Not long. They’ll be here.
I felt cold, but not from the night air. It was the feeling of being hunted.
I touched my neck, where it throbbed. Was my body warning me? It was weird, unnerving, and I didn’t the reason.
Caden saw something was up. He stepped closer, but didn’t touch me. He looked at me hard. You feel it, right?
I nodded. Yeah, I can feel them getting closer.
Caden’s eyes showed something. It’s because of me. The pack. It’s waking up.
I started to ask what he meant, but a twig snapped behind us. I froze.
Caden moved fast. He stood in front of me, blocking whatever was coming. He looked ready to fight. He growled as he faced the woods, his eyes glowing.
The Footsteps got louder. Then, a figure came from the trees, its eyes like the rogue Caden killed.
This wasn’t a lone wolf.
A pack came from the trees. Their eyes locked on me.
My heart sank. They weren’t just after me.
The pack leader, tall and scary with dark fur and a snarl, stepped up. He was bigger than the others. This was the real bad guy.
Caden tensed, ready to fight, but didn’t move. Stay back, he told me. I got this.
I couldn’t think straight. The wolves were after Caden, too. Whatever the prophecy was, I was a target.
The rogue Alpha grinned, showing sharp teeth. You think you can save her, Alpha? he said. She’s ours now.
Caden’s eyes flashed, and he growled. She is mine. You will never get her.
- Writer
