noun ~ hormone that triggers the fight or flight response to prepare the body for exertion

NOVA

"Come on! Rain is coming!" I urged.

Sean huffed. "I think we have done enough racing today, Nova. I don't want to push you."

I was out of breath, panting. But despite that, the burning adrenaline through my body kept my going. My legs ached, my arms shaking as we turned around to run home.

"I know!"

"Slow down then!" He huffed.

Shaking my head, I slowed my pace to a gentle jog. Sean stared down at me, his arms tilted upward as we moved through the trees.

"I thought jogging like this was bad on your joints." I panted.

"Just breathe, Nova." He hummed.

"I am breathing."

"Breath better."

Rolling my eyes, I laughed shakily. "Yes, boss."

Sean chuckled, shaking his head at me. "You are insane."

"Thanks?" I wondered. "I will take that as a compliment."

"You do that." He snickered.

We continued to meander through the forest at our granny pace, and I took more time to admire the nature surrounding us. The sun was setting, and it made my chest ache. Everything was just so beautiful. I loved living here. I loved the trees, the animals, the plants, the sky.

Nature was magnificent, and I couldn't help but slow down to a stop as I admired the view through the trees.

"What have you found?" Sean wondered, stopping behind me.

"Beauty." I whispered.

He hummed, gazing at the sunset in the distance. "It gets pretty weird if you think about it."

"What does?" I asked, without looking away.

"Nature, days, time." He breathed. "The sun going down and the moon taking over. The waves moving, the earth not exploding or falling out of the universe."

"That got dramatic fast." I laughed, looking at him.

He shrugged, a lazy smile on his face. "It's just... mind-boggling."

"Isn't everything?" I smirked. "Isn't that what makes it so amazing?"

His eyes softened as he looked down at me. "That's one way to look at it. You ready to keep moving?"

I glanced back at the setting sun and surrounding warmth through the trees. Soon it would rain, and the grey clouds behind us would dampen the sky. The smell of petrichor would flow through the treeline and all the creatures would burrow in the safety of their homes. Rain was comforting, it reminded me of cosy nights and warmth in a secure environment.

I hoped Pollux would be okay. I didn't want him to get too wet. Maybe the rain wouldn't reach him? He was travelling fairly far and I haven't spoken to him in a few days.

"Yeah, let's..."

My voice drifted away as my senses suddenly became on high alert. Like a beacon, I turned to glance over my right shoulder. Something within me ached, a startling shooting suffocating my chest. Everything felt silent as the whoosh of my breath echoed through my ears, and I stared into the darkening trees with suspicion.

"Nova..." Sean wondered.

I ignored him, concentrating on the gut-wrenching feeling in my stomach. It gnawed at me, warning me of something. I have felt this before, and the outcome was never good. It didn't feel good at all.

I turned around and began walking the direction my instinct led me.

"Nova...." Sean called, following behind me.

The pain suddenly started, the ache turning sharp and stabbing me in the gut. I stumbled, gasping for breath as emotions hit me all at once. My spine tensed, my claws half-shifting as I breathed through the agony.

Pain. Fear. It echoed through the trees.

"Luna."

Hunched over, I stared at Sean with wide eyes through my hair. His expression had hardened, but I knew he was concerned.

"What is it?"

"Can you not feel it? Can you not hear it?" I gasped.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain?" He wondered.

I shook my head, straightening my spine. "Not mine."

And then there, in the distance, was the faintest scream.

Sean's head snapped to the side at the same time mine did, before we both glanced at each other.

"Go home."

"Never." I shook my head.

His jaw hardened. "Nova."

"Sean. I am the Luna." I deadpanned. "Someone is in trouble, and I am not standing here and letting it happen."

I turned and ran without another word. I heard him curse before his heavy footfalls followed behind me. The dull ache in my chest led me west, and my lungs burned for breath as I ran. I was already exhausted from the training and hike with Sean, but the adrenaline fuelling me kept me going. I focused my mind, following the lead toward human territory.

'Luna! It's across the border. It's not safe.' Sean alerted me.

I don't care. That is someone from our pack, Sean! I snapped.

He cursed out loud, but I kept on moving. I kept on going. I couldn't stop. The feeling of dread consumed me, my fear skyrocketing as we grew closer. Reaching the border, I ran over it without a second thought. Instantly, I felt Phoenix in my mind and I let him in without hesitation.

'Nova, what's going on?'

Can you not feel it? I breathed. Someone is hurt.

Phoenix was quiet for a moment. 'Charlie took Calida out. Nova, I am on my way. Stay there. It could be dangerous.'

No. I gritted my teeth. I won't let anything happen to those I love.

'You could get hurt!' He snapped.

I could sense his urgency, and I knew with his alpha quirks, he would reach the border quickly. I kept running, swallowing down any regret or fear. The human territory was heavy with the scent of rain, and an eery fog settled between the trees as the moon took over the sky.

I don't care. I told him. Nobody is alone. I can do this. I have trained with Sean enough to help.

'Please...' Phoenix whispered as I slowly closed off the mind-link.

He remained mentally by my side as I ran, not having the heart to close him off completely. I knew I was being risky, especially with the price upon my head. But if this was a pack member... I had to help.

A faint rumbling caught my attention, and I ran toward the sound. In the distance, two neon car lights blinked back at me and I swallowed the dread when I stepped up to it. It was Charlie's car, and peering inside, I found it empty.

"Sean! It's Charlie!" I shouted.

I heard him curse, and I quickly removed the key and slammed the door shut. Locking it, I placed the key within the exhaust before standing upright.

"Charlie!" Calida screamed.

Dread shot down my spine at the sound of her voice. An icy chill of goosebumps rose on my skin as I absorbed the sensation.

This wasn't good.

This didn't feel right.

'Nova, we cannot stop.' Cel breathed.

I know. I reassured her. We can't.

Time to brave. Time to be the Luna.

I ran again, leaving Sean behind as I followed the scent of Charlie. They were separate. Why? What happened?

As I grew closer, my nose caught the scent of blood. My stomach churned as the anxiety ate at my core, my mind running with a million thoughts as my body ploughed through the trees. It was denser here, but the smell of blood grew closer.

There beside a tree was a patch of blood and upon closer inspection, I recognised it as Calida's. Closing my eyes, I knew I needed my better senses.

I picked up the scent of my beta pair within seconds. I also heard the faint sounds of cries and shouts of pain and anger.

"Help me!"

Calida.

She wasn't too far. Her voice was faint, but I heard her below the growling nearby.

I had to shift. I needed to be faster.

Within a split second, Cel was taking over, and I landed on all fours. My clothes shredding behind me, I inhaled through the dark fog. Blood, and there, beneath it, was Charlie.

He was closed off, but I forced my way through using all my luna strength.

Charlie! I shouted through our bond.

He snarled, too feral to reply. I swallowed down the fear and kept on running, following their trail. Within twenty seconds, but what felt like an eternity, something attacked me. Its jowls wrapped around my side, throwing us across the forest floor.

A sharp yelp escaped me at the force, feeling the wolf's teeth sink deeper into my skin. With a hiss, I sank my teeth into the wolf's back leg, tugging until it separated from its body. It screamed horrifically, letting go of me and stumbling to the ground. I held no sympathy, smelling the blood of my best friend on its breath.

With a sharp bark, I launched toward it. Going straight for the throat, I tore out its jugular without a second thought. A sharp whine escaped it as it passed, and more snarling washed the small tug of guilt away.

Shaking off the pain in my side, I trotted toward the source. I crouched low, behind the direction of the wind as I crept through the bushes. My eyes widened as I found the scene.

There, between the various shrouded trees, was Charlie's beast fighting off another wolf. One more lay dead with its chest caved in, the smell of its death permeating the air. My eyes wandered, following the scent of blood and tears until I found Calida.

She seemed woozy, her head lulling as she tried to stay propped against a tree. She was bleeding profusely, a dark trail through the green grass until it ended beneath her thighs.

What happened?

Charlie, distracted by the cries of his mate, lost the upper-hand. The beast fighting him noticed his split second distraction and launched at him, wrapping its jaw around his front leg. Once I heard the distinct crack of bone, I snarled.

Without even thinking twice, I crept from the bushes. The wolf released Charlie, spinning its large, sandy head toward me. Its eyes widened at the sight of my wolf, lowering its ears and head to growl at me. Charlie was slumped on the floor, wheezing, as he tried to stand. He, much like Calida, was bleeding badly.

I snarled, lowering my head with warning toward the wolf. It dismissed Charlie instantly, licking its bloodied teeth as it faced me head on. I heard Sean nearby, breaking through the trees beside the wolf. It snapped its head toward him, and without a moment of hesitation, I was leaping toward it.

My teeth latched onto its shoulder, my claws sinking into its chest as I pushed it to the floor. The taste of coppery blood filled my mouth as I shook, tearing the skin from its body with every breath. It howled and wailed, teeth snapping at the side of my face. It landed a bite to my jaw as I reared up and I snarled, forcing it away with the sharp slash of my claws.

Sean finally joined in, sinking his teeth into the wolf's spine. It yelped, lifting its throat to dislodge Sean. I reacted as any wolf should, the training with Sean coming into play as I recognised its weakness. My teeth sank into its throat and pulled, successfully ripping its jugular, and even part of its spine, from its body. I spat it to the floor, watching its head flop lifelessly to the ground.

I was buzzing. My entire body vibrating with a growl as I glared down at it. My toes curled into the dirt, a haze on my mind that had all my senses dulling.

I killed him.

I killed them both.

"Nova!"

I removed the threat.

I did it.

"Nova!"

Hands grabbed my face, and I snapped my teeth automatically. The moment the faint sparks registered was too late, my teeth sinking into Phoenix's wrist. He didn't even flinch, didn't react as I drew blood. Snapping out of the haze was instant, and my eyes widened as I removed my jowls.

"It's okay. I'm fine." He soothed me, his eyes dark.

I whimpered, licking at the wound with apology. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, still thriving from the adrenaline. My mate's eyes were dark as he scanned my body, narrowing on my side. I felt his hands move, digging into my aching joints.

"They hurt you."

I grunted, shaking my head and tail.

"Yes, they hurt you," He growled. "Badly."

I can handle it.

His eyes snapped to mine, agitated. "I told you-

Stop. I growled, baring my teeth. I had to.

"You didn't. Charlie is strong, Sean was there. I am here." He growled back.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. I snapped.

He blinked, his jaw hard as he nodded once. "Shift back then."

I debated it, because I knew I was hurt. I wasn't going to, but then I heard the faint whimper of Charlie behind me.

"Nova..."