Racing towards the noises, I was hoping it would lead me to some action. With each step I took the sounds were becoming clearer, more discernible. Snarls, jaws snapping, there was a fight, and I had to get in on it. Normally, my wolf and I weren't this aggressive, but the smooth, coppery taste of blood called to him today. And after the day I had, I would not deny him of it. I could hear the crunching of dried, dead leaves as paws crushed them. I was close. Turning into the edge of the forest ash-white, baron trees towered over us. Asher and I finally found them. Circling one another, the two wolves sized each other up, waiting for the other to make the first move. The coarse brown fur stood straight up on the back of the larger wolf, anger filling his hazel eyes as he let a throaty growl rumble-free.

Glancing at the other wolf, I had to stare for a moment. Small, no tiny for our kind, the grey coated opponent looked more like an ordinary wolf than a werewolf. It was hard to call the little creature an opponent when it seemed more like the prey. I was sure that this small light grey wolf was still a pup. He had to be newly shifted a year maybe two, and that was being generous. 

'What's that wolf thinking going after a pup?' Shock and disgust laced Asher's voice. It was indeed a disturbing sight. The pup was unsuccessfully trying to dodge the wolf's advances. It was clear to me the brown one was playing with it, almost taunting the little one. Why hadn't the little guy run? He had to of known this wasn't going to end well for him. 

Without wasting another second, I jumped from behind the oversized bush that hid my enormous form and bared my razor-like teeth at the aggressive brown wolf, drool dripping from my open mouth. They both stopped mid-step looking at my menacing stance seemingly shocked by my sudden appearance. Both growled at me probably not sure of what my intentions were. I let out a deep, angry snarl after turning and facing the larger wolf in a warning for him to leave. I was sure by his matted mud covered coat, and the putrid stench, wafting into my nose from his direction, that he was a rogue. Although he was abnormally big for a rogue, my wolf still towered over him, almost dwarfing him. After taking in my appearance, his eyes widened with trepidation then quickly narrowed into slits as if realization hit him, that he now had a real fight on his hands. It didn't stop the ferocious growl that he directed at me.

I readied myself for the impending fight, my paws scratching at the dirt below in anticipation of him making the first move. He didn't disappoint, throwing himself on my right hind leg, sinking his teeth deep into my flesh. He had been faster than I had anticipated, and it allowed him to get a good bite on me. The pain surged through my leg into my hip causing me to stumble, landing rather ungracefully onto the cold dirt floor. Quickly recovering, I managed to get back up, my back paw barely touching the ground, blood trickling down from the fresh wound on my leg. Limping, I turned and faced him again.

'Alpha, do you need my assistance?' An unsure Asher asked as he peered through the shrubbery which he was hiding behind. Not even seconds after he had asked, the smaller wolf launched itself onto the brown wolf's back with such force. It wasn't until then did I notice the amount of blood in the young wolf's shiny smooth coat. This pup was hurt pretty bad. Nevertheless, it was still fighting. Looking into the grey wolf's determined grey eyes as it held on, I felt this overpowering need to protect this pup as if it were my own. Pushing aside the pain, I clamped down on the rogue's front leg, causing him to buck the pup off his back. I could taste his blood in my mouth and hear the crunching of his bones as I saw the other wolf land harshly against a large barren tree. It looked broken, lifeless.

'GET THE PUP OUT OF HERE!' I screamed at Asher through the link. Without questioning, he leapt out from behind the bush grabbing the grey pup by the scruff. He raced off with it in his hold. Fighting with the rogue, he didn't seem to notice the sudden disappearance of the grey wolf. But once the wolf realized it was just him and myself, he seemed to lose it. He bit and clawed at me frantically not seeming to care that he was leaving himself exposed. It didn't take long for the rogue to tire himself out. Once I saw my opening, I swiftly ducked under him and slashed across his abdomen. Not long after, he lay in human form lifeless on the ground. My wolf should have been satisfied with this, but his only thoughts were for the safety of the pup Asher took off with.

'Asher, where are you?'

'Only about half-a-mile west of you. Please hurry,' he replied. I took off running as fast as my paws could carry me. All thoughts of the pain surging through my hind leg forgotten. All I could imagine was the pup must have been more injured than I had thought. What if it died before I could get there? What if I failed to save this pup as I failed Olivia?