The Wolves in the Trees
618 Words
CHAPTER SIX
The first wolf stepped out of the trees.
Elara forgot how to breathe.
It was enormous.
Its fur was black, so dark that it seemed to absorb the moonlight rather than reflect it. Its eyes glowed an unnatural amber as it stared directly at her.
Then another wolf appeared.
And another.
Three.
No.
Four.
Riven moved backward until his body was between Elara and the forest.
“Don’t move.”
Elara’s heart hammered against her ribs.
“Riven…”
“Quiet.”
His voice wasn’t the cold, distant voice she had become used to.
This was different.
Commanding.
Dangerous.
The wolves growled.
Riven’s shoulders stiffened.
Something shifted beneath his skin.
His fingers curled.
“Riven?”
He didn’t answer.
The largest wolf lowered its head.
For one strange second, Elara thought it was about to attack.
Instead, it stared at her.
Not Riven.
Her.
A deep growl rolled through the forest.
Elara took one involuntary step backward.
The wolf’s ears moved.
Riven immediately grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t.”
She looked at his hand.
“You said not to run.”
“I meant it.”
“What are they?”
“Rogues.”
“What does that mean?”
“Wolves without a pack.”
“Why are they here?”
Riven looked at her.
His expression frightened her more than the wolves did.
“Because they can smell you.”
Elara’s stomach dropped.
“Smell me?”
He didn’t answer.
The largest wolf suddenly lunged.
Riven pushed Elara behind him.
The transformation happened so quickly she barely understood what she was seeing.
Bones shifted.
Clothing tore.
A black wolf stood where Riven had been.
It was larger than the others.
Much larger.
His eyes were unmistakable.
Gold.
The wolves attacked.
Elara screamed.
The forest erupted into snarls and snapping teeth.
Riven collided with the largest rogue, sending both animals crashing into the undergrowth.
Elara backed away.
A second wolf turned toward her.
It growled.
She froze.
Something inside her responded.
Not fear.
Recognition.
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
The wolf stopped.
Its head tilted.
Elara heard a voice.
Not Riven’s.
Not exactly.
Moonborn.
She gasped.
The wolf lowered its head.
Then another did the same.
And another.
The fight stopped.
Riven’s black wolf stood perfectly still.
The wolves were bowing.
To her.
Elara stared.
“What…”
The largest rogue lifted its head.
For one second, its eyes flashed silver.
Then it turned and disappeared into the forest.
The others followed.
Riven remained where he was.
Slowly, painfully, his body changed back.
He staggered.
Elara rushed toward him.
“Riven!”
“I’m fine.”
“You were fighting wolves!”
“I said I’m fine.”
He wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
Elara stared at him.
“They bowed.”
He said nothing.
“They bowed to me.”
Riven looked away.
“Forget what you saw.”
“How?”
“You need to.”
“No.”
Her voice surprised even herself.
“No more lies.”
Riven looked at her.
Elara stepped closer.
“I don’t care how dangerous this is. I don’t care what your family thinks. I don’t care if I’m apparently some supernatural freak.”
“Don’t call yourself that.”
“Then tell me what I am.”
Riven’s expression tightened.
“Not here.”
“Where, then?”
He looked toward the forest.
“Somewhere my father can’t hear us.”
Elara’s blood ran cold.
“Your father?”
Riven didn’t answer.
He simply held out his hand.
After a moment’s hesitation, she took it.
And neither of them noticed the pair of silver eyes watching from the darkness.
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