04~In this, Together

Martin was in a hurry, his heart beating faster as he dashed into the forest. The tall trees loomed above him, casting long shadows on the ground, but he paid them little attention as he focused on his goal. He knew that time was of the essence, and he had to get to the other side of the forest as quickly as possible.

As he ran, he felt the wind whipping past his face, and his muscles began to ache with the effort. He knew he couldn’t keep up this pace for much longer, and he needed to find a way to go faster. 

Quickly, he scanned his surroundings and found a safe spot to stop. He carefully took off his clothes and placed them beside a tree, knowing he would need them later. 

As Martin begins to transform, he feels his body shifting and contorting in ways he’s become familiar with over the years. His bones crack and reform, his muscles bulk up, and fur sprouts all over his body. Soon enough, he stands on four legs, his wolf senses now fully engaged.

He takes a moment to test out his wolf form, sniffing the air for any scents of danger and scanning the area with his sharp eyesight. Satisfied that there’s no immediate threat, he sets off at a brisk trot, picking up speed as he goes.

As he moves deeper into the forest, he encounters a variety of obstacles - fallen trees, rocks, and streams - but he navigates them all with ease, his wolf agility allowing him to leap over or around anything in his path. The forest is alive with the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and scampering animals, but Martin’s focus remains fixed on his goal: getting the herbs to his Alpha was all that matters because the fate of Air pack depends on it and he needs his friend back.

After what seems like an hour of running, Martin finally emerges from the trees and sees the open meadow. He slows down to a trot, then a walk, and finally comes to a stop. He looks back at the forest for what looked like the leaf his father used once when he was stabbed with a spear laced with wolf’s bane. Just when he was about giving up he finally spotted it. Carefully, he plucked a handful and held it in his mouth before looking around and started to charge back, but something else grabbed his attention.

It was the sound of waterfall. It wasn’t just any sound; he knew that sound anywhere. With guarded steps, he made his way towards the sound and came to a stop when the realization hit him. This was the same water fall he used to run to deep inside the forest from Air pack. 

He deliberated between going to spy on the condition of the pack or rushing back to help his Alpha. He finally decided to go into the air pack, knowing fully well that he was still a pack member and at such alarm won’t be raised exposing him, and labelling him as an intruder.

He cautiously ran through the familiar woods now on the Air pack’s territory. He ran for a while till he got closer to the pack settlement. The familiar structures of houses and trees came into view, but before he could decide on the next step, he heard voices approaching. Panicking, he rushed behind a tree to hide.

The voices drew closer and stopped just before the tree. The voices sounded like it was two people talking in whispers but loud enough for him to hear what they were talking about.

“She has been in the pack all along. Lying low and getting unnoticed.” One of them said. 

“This is really true. I heard she was the one that helped Anna with concocting the poison she used on the Alpha—” The second person started to say, but the other one shushed him up.

“Be careful with your words. Have you forgotten how the Elders and anyone who stands in their way is being killed?” He asked. “And besides, the witch, from what I’ve heard, is very powerful. So please, for your sake and mine, mind what you say.” He warned.

“We need to get going. We have to hurry to the mansion. Bradley has charged us with patrolling the hallways.” He revealed.

“Do you know why?” the second one asked 

“In search of the missing troop, of course. The Luna, the beta and the Gamma and, if we are being sincere, he is also in search of the body of Alpha Hercules.” He admitted.

“It’s not a shocker. After all, he can’t be named Alpha except he provides the body of the old Alpha.” The second one acknowledged.

“The number of vampires now trooping into the pack is alarming. Sincerely speaking, I won’t fault anyone who decides to go rogue or join another pack.” The first warrior stated sadly.

The second one heaved and slouched his shoulders. “Honestly, there is a dark cloud hovering over Air pack, and it keeps getting dealer by the day.” He replied.

The first one shook his head and pulled the other one with him. “We need to hurry. Bradley can be very unpredictable.” He said.

They both left in a hurry. When martin was certain no one else was coming, he cautiously stepped out of hiding. He knew he needed to go back and inform the rest of what he just heard. 

Resisting the urge to go back to the Air pack, he turned back and ran towards Alex’s Cabin.

Martin had been rushing through the forest, his heart pounding as he carried the precious herbs in his mouth. He knew he needed to make it back to the pack before dark. He pushed himself harder, his paws pounding the ground as he dodged trees and leapt over obstacles in his path.

As he ran, Martin looked up and noticed the sky was changing. The sun was setting, and the sky was turning shades of orange and pink. He knew he had to pick up the pace, or else he would be stuck in the forest after dark. His wolf's senses were on high alert, and he was keenly aware of any danger that might be lurking nearby.

Finally, Martin made it to the tree where he had left his clothes. He came to a stop and placed the herbs carefully on the ground. With a deep breath, he concentrated on shifting back into his human form. His bones cracked and shifted, his muscles contorted, and soon he stood naked and human once more.

He quickly gathered his clothes and began to dress, his movements quick and efficient.

He rushed towards the cabin and slowed his pace when he got to the bush behind the cabin. 

Finally, Martin pushed the door to the cabin open and stepped inside, surprised to see Alex holding out a kitchen knife. May and Audrey were cramped close to Hercules, their faces tense with fear.

“What’s going on?” Martin asked, his hand going to the handle of his knife.

Alex let out a sigh of relief when he saw Martin. “We thought it was Anna’s cohorts coming to attack us. We were getting ready to defend ourselves.”

May rushed over to Martin and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. “We were so worried about you,” she said, her voice muffled by his chest.

Audrey took the bag of herbs from Martin’s hand and moved to prepare them, her hands moving with the ease of someone who had done this many times before. “We’ll need to move quickly to get these to Hercules. His condition is deteriorating rapidly.”

Martin nodded, his mind still reeling from the close call. “What happened?”

Alex explained, “We heard some noises outside, and we thought it was Anna’s cohorts. We armed ourselves, and when we heard the door opening, we were ready to defend ourselves.”

Martin frowned. “I have some bad news.” He stated.

They all looked up at him. “What happened?” Audrey asked calmly, but the fear in her voice was still evident.

Martin leaned against the wall and took a deep breath, looking at his pack mate’s. “Bradley and Anna’s cohorts have increased in number,” he said, his voice low and serious. “They have a witch in their group, and she was the one who made the poison that landed Hercules in his current condition.”

They all gasped in unison, their faces a mix of shock and anger.

Audrey’s voice was trembling as she spoke. “How can they do something so cruel and heartless? We have done nothing to them.”

Martin nodded in agreement. “I know. But we need to be careful. They are getting bolder and more dangerous with each passing day.”

May’s eyes widened with concern. “Will the herbs you brought help, Hercules?”

Martin shook his head. “The herbs will only expel the wolf’s bane. The other thing that was mixed in with the poison might still keep him down. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Alex’s voice was filled with determination. “We need to find a way to stop them before they hurt anyone else. We can’t let them get away with this.”

Martin nodded, “I agree. But we need to be careful. They won’t hesitate to attack us again.”

They all fell into a tense silence, each lost in their own thoughts about what they could do to protect themselves and their pack mates from Anna and her cohorts.

Audrey sighed. “We need to strengthen our defenses and be vigilant. We can’t let them catch us off guard.”

May added, “But we have you, Martin. As the beta, you’re the best hunter and tracker in the pack. You’ll keep us safe.”

Martin smiled, his confidence boosted by May's words. “We’ll keep each other safe,” he said, looking around at his pack mates. “We’re in this together, and together, we’ll get through it.” He tried to lift up their spirit.

“Although that’s not all.” He said, scratching the back of his hair.

“What again?” Alex asked in frustration.

Martin looked at them as all eyes were on him.