The Twin

Tirian had no scent. I now realize this, looking back at the woods behind me as they now bring more fear to my heart. What is going on? 

As I make my way past a fallen tree I smell someone familiar to me. Vesper growls, not happy with this. 'Juniper.' I spin around and begin searching in a hectic manner, unsure as to why she'd be out here. Is she in trouble? Are the cultists here for her? 

As I hit the fallen tree I spotted her, Juniper laying nude on the forest floor covered in wounds. Did she get into a fight? Is there something out here? I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I run to her, wishing to check if she was alive. 

My eyes glaze over, wishing to mind link with Rhory. 'Rhory! I found Juniper injured badly in the woods. Find me. I need help!' I let out a loud howl, hoping to alert any wolves nearby to me needing help. 

I feel Rhory connect to the link, but not respond. 

"Juniper? Juniper!" I feel for a pulse, and I think she has one. I might not really like this female, but I'd never abandon someone hurt and needing help. 

Vesper growls and I feel there is something watching me, something not wolf. I turn and push myself to shift, it is still so painful of an experience. I have only done this twice now, but I could not protect Juniper in my human form. 

'The stench of death.' Vesper rumbles as I look around, remembering the smell of Mother. I did not wish to fight her, but I had to protect Juniper. She was part of our pack now. 

I could hear Juniper groan beneath me, letting out soft whimpers of pain. "Help me..." She whispers, unable to do much for herself. 

I lean my head back and let out another howl, this one much louder with me in Vesper's form. I know I am also alerting anything else nearby, but I want the wolves to find me quickly. I am no fighter.

The scent of another wolf wafts close to my muzzle, but not one I know. Yet it smells similar to another - Juniper. The cultists NEVER let one of their own leave. What the hell did Alpha Rainer drag the pack into. Why must I fight? 

I spot them, a white wolf larger than my own not too far away staring at me. At first he feels dangerous, but then he lowers his head and attempts to approach me in a submissive manner. 

Vesper growls, not liking this from a strange wolf. 'Don't let him close. It's a trick. Protect the injured.' 

I bare my teeth and growl, my hair standing up as I try to appear larger and stronger than I am. I do not move from my defensive stance above Juniper, not taking my eyes off the stranger. 

He gets closer and closer, I prepare myself to fight, but before I can Rhory appears and moves between us and bares his fangs. Vesper relaxes at the sight of the brown wolf, knowing that she is safe with him. 

More wolves come, surrounding the white wolf whose eyes are still on me. He wants to get to me and that scares me. 

"Juniper!" I hear a voice behind me as Alpha Rainer shifts and crashes beside her, picking her up into his arms. "Why was she out here..." He mumbles to himself, having some sort of moment. Does he care for her more than he lets on? Doesn't he love Evette? 

The white wolf submits without a fight, shifting back into his human form. The nude man before me looks very similar to the woman in Rainer's arms. "Is my Sister okay?!" 

Rainer glares over at the man now standing. "Why are you here, Elwood? You were told to stay back in your pack. Juniper did not wish for you to abandon them too." He is clutching her close to him, her wounds starting to heal. Strange.

"My sister is in trouble! I couldn't just stay back and do nothing! I am her Brother!" Elwood calls out, his eyes not glued on Rainer.

Rhory rumbles and moves to nudge me with his muzzle, aiming to lead me away from this 'fight'. I didn't really want to stay, Juniper was safe and this Elwood was not my problem to deal with. 

As I am led away, Elwood flinches, his eyes darting back down to me as he takes a few steps forward. I hear some of the wolves surrounding him growl, keeping him in his place. 

"Where is he taking her?!" Elwood growls, looking at Rainer. 

"Why are you acting like this, Elwood?" Rainer responds. "I need to take your sister to the clinic. You will be escorted to the packhouse and be placed under observation." 

The scene behind me becomes nothing more than mumbles as I follow Rhory, wanting to get away from it. He feels tense, and I can tell he is upset that I didn't listen to him. 

I whimper, trying to become submissive to him, licking at his muzzle. 

He grumbles, looking over at me and then gives me a bit of a nuzzle. 

'Don't do that again.' I hear his voice rumble in my head as we mind link. 

'I am sorry. I had to follow the scent...' I respond, but don't know what all I should say to him. 'I found something that scared me.'

'What did you find?' His tone is soft, watching me carefully. 

'My Mother...or well a walking corpse.' I whimper and get closer to him for comfort. 

He stays silent, perhaps thinking of what this means. We stay silent till we make it back to the Omega house. 'Go get changed. I will meet you out front once you are done.' With that he turns to run off, liking going to change himself.