Slinking through the underbrush of the forest, I try my best to stay hidden in the shadows. I need to leave Crescent Phoenix before it's too late and get as far away from any Packs associated with Crescent Phoenix, Pine Moon and Blood Claws. A twig snaps somewhere behind me and I freeze, trying my best to calm my rapidly beating heart while I focus on sensing the person that has been watching me. When I sense nothing, I breathe a sigh of relief and bolt to the right hopefully growing closer to the edge of Crescent Phoenix’s territory.
Sometime last night I felt a pair of eyes watching my every movement. It was during dinner at the Pack House, Carolyn and I had just reported in what role we would like in Crescent Phoenix to Luan Gale and were plating up some dinner when I felt the prickling sensation of being watched washed over me. For a moment I thought it was paranoia from dealing with Valor up until that last phone call, but then that gaze followed me throughout dinner and all the way to the Guest House until well into the night. I knew by sunrise that the higher-ups in this Pack had recognized my scent and suspected me of being a spy.
Luckily for me, I had packed a go bag after hanging up on Valor. Had prepared to escape Crescent Phoenix before anyone could catch me as a spy and be gone long before Valor could send his army to attack his sister’s Pack.
Another twig snaps and for a moment I catch a hint of mint and vanilla. This scent belongs to Rune.
Fear takes hold of me and for a moment I wonder if I should shift to wolf form before he can catch up to me, but the magic of the Pack barrier grows closer with each step, beckoning me like a moth to a flame. Freedom is close at hand and once I cross the Pack line, I will be a free wolf able to find a Pack I can trust and find my Mate.
Suddenly something crashes into me from the left, the solid object – or person – sending me flying. My body crashes onto the forest floor rolling once, twice, three times before my back smashes into the base of a sturdy tree. Everything aches and as I try to move, I wince. My arm must have been broken from the tumble.
A snarling black wolf stalks towards me, small yet visible scars along its face giving him a menacing aura about him. The wind blows past him and towards me, carrying the scent of mint and vanilla. Rune stands before me, anger and hatred radiating off of him in waves. Fear is all I feel, numbing the pain of my broken arm as I do my best to appear small and non-threatening in front of this angry wolf.
“Rune, back off.” A deep voice rumbles the command. The bushes behind the angry black wolf shake before a red-headed man walks out, a scowl on his face as he too glares at me.
“Is this the Spy?” The redhead asks and Rune nods, sitting back on his haunches and watching me with narrowed eyes. The two go silent for a moment, most likely mind linking one another, before the redhead moves and hauls me to my feet. I scream, my arm reminding me that it was broken when Rune tackled me earlier. The pain causes black spots to flash along my vision and I begin to question why my arm isn’t healing like it should be.
“Shut the hell up scum.” The redhead snarls, his fingers holding onto my non-broken arm digging into my skin. I bite my lip forcing myself to stay quiet as the redhead begins to lead me – more like drags me – back towards the Pack House. Rune follows behind us, his piercing gaze never straying from my back. I can feel his stare like daggers waiting to be released from his hand and stab me in the back. I have a feeling that if I try to escape, he will attack me and leave me with an inch of life left just so I can spill all the secrets I have on his father Valor.
The walk is long and agonizing, the anger from these two men being the only thing that keeps me awake and fighting the throbbing pain of my broken arm. Black spots still dance along my vision, threatening to take hold of me but the fear of being killed by these two men keeps me from passing out. The thought of shifting once again crosses my mind and for a moment, I will myself to shift, but nothing happens. Rune snarls at me, his teeth nipping at my heels as if sensing what I was trying and the redhead chuckles.
“He can’t shift Rune so calm down.” The redhead says, his gaze shifting to me for a brief moment.
“We poisoned him with wolfsbane when he was sleeping last night.” He adds, his green eyes darkening with the glare he throws my way.
Shit. I thought I had been careful and had made sure to stay alert while those eyes watched me through the night. I was wrong though. Somehow the wolf that kept tabs on me managed to sneak in and poison me with wolfsbane. It must be just enough that I wouldn’t be able to notice, but it explains my inability to heal properly and why I can’t currently shift.
Realizing that I had not been careful enough when spying for Valor, my head hangs low in shame. I had been caught, there is no denying this fact. I thought I had been careful, and had kept my scent concealed, but someone must have figured out who I am as only a few days had passed since I came to Crescent Phoenix.
“So how did you know I was a spy.” I ask quietly, shuddering when Rune lets out a low snarl.
“Rune figured it out actually. He recognized your scent but was unsure if you were a spy or not. You trying to run away proved that you were indeed a spy.” The redhead answers honestly, chuckling at the end of his reply.
“Our guess is that Valor sent you and we are going to learn why.” With that, the conversation ends and as I am led closer to the Pack House, I begin to accept my fate. The had suspected me because of my scent and I stupidly proved them right by trying to leave. I should have waited a few more days, should have tried to integrate into the Pack before trying to leave. I was too impatient, too rash, and this led to me being captured.