Author's note

Apologies for the delay. 

This is a big chapter, I hope you enjoy it!

Speech_error

Lizzie's POV

Lizzie tingled with excitement as she entered the forest, she was thankful for the warm sunlight that filtered in through the trees casting the forest in a beautiful autumn glow.

She never understood her fascination but she couldn't help but feel drawn to the inhabitants that lay within. She swore that she saw a wolf once when exploring alone, but when Henry found her only moments later, he'd dismissed her thoughts completely and then went on to chastise her for being out alone.

The guilt and disappointment she felt was enough to vow that she'd never enter the forest by herself again. But things had changed since then, she'd doubt with all the secrets that Henry had been keeping, he'd mind if she kept a few of her own.

She had a feeling that he'd call tonight, the thought filled her with a mixture of dread and irritation especially since the likelihood of receiving an honest answer was slim.

Lizzie doesn't linger on the thought, knowing it'd only upset her. She watches the birds above as they swoop in and out of the trees without a care in the world.

Venturing deeper in, she watches as the trees growing denser almost block out the sunlight and transporting her to a completely different world entirely.

Without warning, Lizzie observes a sudden flurry of activity as squirrels skittering from tree to tree quickly disappear out of sight, birds swooping in to hide amongst the branches and even the insects seemed to crawl back into their hideaways, leaving the forest in an eerie silence.

Goosebumps left a trail along the back of Lizzie's arm that she begins to sense that some terrifying creature was close by, one that wouldn't be friendly with humans.

Taking slow cautious steps back, Lizzie eyes flit from side to side as she continues to watch her surroundings. Her instincts were screaming at her to run but that would only cause more attention and she was at least two miles into the forest.

A low pitched snarl appears from her left and Lizzie watches in fear as a black wolf creeps out from behind the trees. A scream rises in Lizzie's throat but she squashes it immediately knowing it would only cause a reaction from the wolf.

He'd seen her immediately, his mouth was open, revealing a row of razor sharp teeth set in a menacing smile. It was diseased too Lizzie noted, its fur mattered and patchy across its body. She gulps as the wolf begins walking straight towards her.

Stupid, stupid, stupid she thinks. Kat had warned her about the forest and she completely ignored her.

Lizzie eyes the trees but the initial branches were too high for her to jump up and even if she could reach them, she knew that she wouldn't have the strength to pull herself up.

Making the only choice she knew she had left, Lizzie turns and sprints, she could make it she assured herself, the wolf wouldn't leave the forest she just needed to reach her house.

The wolf howls in delight behind her, eager for the chase. Lizzie doesn't stray on the thought that she was likely going to be his next meal as she pushes her body to go faster, her heart pounding heavily against her ribcage.

A hard force pushes against Lizzie's back as she screams in fear, falling roughly to the forest floor. Ignoring the injuries she attained, Lizzie twists around, attempting to scramble backward putting as much space between her and the wolf, but her efforts were futile.

A scream caught in her throat as the wolf pounces on top of her, snapping his teeth only inches from her face. She could not believe that her life would end like this, Lizzie turns her head looking for anything that she could grab to knock the wolf off, but nothing was in her reach.

Before Lizzie has any chance to react, another black wolf bursts through the tree's, charging straight towards them, it slams into the diseased wolf, the force knocking it off balance that it stumbles off Lizzie and rolls into the dirt.

Lizzie seizes the moment to scramble backwards, wincing as she pulls herself up from her feet. The other wolf's head whips towards her, glancing up and down as if to assess her for any injuries. For some strange and unknown reason, Lizzie knew she was completely safe with this wolf.

From its black shiny coat to the protective stance he held, she knew that these were two completely different wolves.

The two wolves circle each other, baring their long canines. Lizzie knew that she needed to run but she couldn't leave without knowing that her wolf protector would be safe.

The crazed wolf attacks first, sprinting forward, he leans in snapping his teeth at her protector's neck. Lizzie gasps in fear but she watches as he jumps sidewards dodging effortlessly before using the momentum to rip into the crazed wolf's leg.

Blood spurts everywhere but the crazed wolf remains unaffected, the savage glint mixed with madness reflects in his eyes as he continues to pace.

They continue to circle each other, her protector was swift on his paws dodging most of the attacks but he couldn't avoid them all. The crazed wolf was merciless in his pursuit to kill by any means necessary even at times endangering his life.

Attacking again, her protector jumps in from the right but before he lands he quickly changes angles, catching the crazed wolf off guard and allowing his teeth to pierce skin just inches from the neck.

The crazed wolf howls in pain, stumbling backwards onto the floor.

Lizzie sighs in relief as she watches her protector wolf circle the deranged wolf once more before he moves towards Lizzie, his beautiful vibrant blue eyes piercing hers. They almost looked familiar but Lizzie couldn't pinpoint where she'd seen a colour that striking before.

Without a chance to warn him, Lizzie screams as she watches the crazed wolf pounce off the ground, his body dripping with blood.

He whips his head around but he's not fast enough to dodge the attack as the crazed wolf rips into his side narrowly missing an artery.

Her wolf howls in pain but before the deranged wolf can delight in his victory, he turns sinking his teeth into the side of his neck.

Lizzie hears the audible snap of bones as the deranged wolf finally collapses to the floor. Her protector wolf stumbles towards her, blood seeping out as he crashes beside her.

"No" Lizzie cries as her wolf whimpers in pain.

She couldn't let him die, especially since it was her fault for not heeding the warnings of entering the forest alone.

She places her hand against his neck but it does little to halt the flow of blood gushing through her fingers.

She could try calling a vet but their car wouldn't fit through the forest trees and by the time they arrived on foot it would be too late.

The sound of an animal running at high speed alerts Lizzie's attention as she turns watching two more wolves appear out of the forest.

She eyes them suspiciously, as she keeps her hand pressed against her wolf, daring for them to come closer.

Without warning, the wolves begin to change appearance, losing their fur they begin to stand on their hind legs.

Every nerve of her body was on edge as she watches in terror. Her heart pounding against her chest as she tries to quell the sudden nausea rising from her stomach.

Without blinking, Lizzie watches as the two wolves transform into Jack and Donovan who stood in the forest completely naked. They rush forward towards Lizzie.

"What happened" Jack demands as he assesses the wolf for injuries

She can only stare blankly at him, still in disbelief and cautious to keep her eyes trained on his face.

The waiter must've slipped something into her drink, this wasn't real. Werewolves didn't exist.

"Lizzie" Donovan says softly, squeezing her arm and leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. Could she really trust him?

"I promise, we will explain everything but you need to move your hands away so Aiden can shift"

Her spine tenses as she turns to look at the wolf, his blue piercing hers, the truth shining within it. Aiden was her protector wolf.

Lizzie shuffles back unsteadily as she watches her protector wolf transform into Aiden. She couldn't stifle her gasp when she see's his body marred with bruises and scratches along with the open wound on his side.

She blinks away her tears as guilt settles in, this was all her fault.

"I'll be okay Elizabeth" Aiden rasps as Jack and Donovan position themselves to pick him up.

"You bloody will be" Jack states before turning viciously towards her. "What the hell were you doing in the forest alone?"

Lizzie remains speechless as she tries to think of a credible answer.

"This isn't the time" Donovan states throwing a hard look at Jack who dismisses it completely

"Hasn't Kat or Cassandra told you to avoid entering the forest"

As if on cue, Kat and Cassandra come running into the forest.

"The girls will look after you, we'll meet you back at the house" Donovan says as they pick Aiden up and quickly leave the forest.

Lizzie watches as Kat and Cassandra slow down before passing Jack and Donovan with Aiden.

They speak quickly before the boys run off.

"Lizzie are you okay?" Kat asks as they approach Lizzie, placing her arm over Lizzie's shoulder.

"Are you ..." Lizzie stops struggling to get the words out, her thoughts were a complete mess.

"Yes, we're all werwolves"

Did that mean Henry was a werewolf aswell? Was that the reason for the feud? And did Henry actually ring her to warn Aiden about the crazed wolf.

Cassandra squeezes her hand as she steps in front of Lizzie breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Lizzie everything will be okay"

"But it's all my fault" Lizzie admits as tears escape her eyes. "How do you not hate me, Aiden might die because of my stupid decision"

"Aiden won't die, these aren't the worst injuries he's received and they won't be the last" Kat steps in and looks at Lizzie. "He will be fine, I promise, by tonight he'll be back to his usual self".

Lizzie nods, words escaping her.

"Come on let's start heading back to the house, we can wait for Aiden there".