The night was still and gloomy. The deeper into the forest they got, the lonelier it became and both were reminded of weeks spent roaming aimlessly.

A blood-curdling scream tore through the darkness.

Ashelia jumped off Efû's back, silent, quick steps taking her behind the bushes. The gryphon shrunk and turned black.

 Three large men were dragging a wailing woman clinging to a bundle of clothes bedabbled with red. Her husband lay limp to the side, wheezing between breaths. "Please, please."

"Shut up, bitch." A punch dislocated her jaw and Ashelia bristled.

When a shrill cry tore from the infant she cradled, Ashelia stepped out and headed straight their way. Before the first man could open his mouth, her claws had sunk into his neck and he collapsed with loud gurgles.

The other two gaped at her for a moment until the shock wore off and they bound her way after tossing the woman to the side. 

In the blink of an eye, she'd gouged out the eyes of one and ripped off the arms of the other, leaving them to bled to death as she fussed over the trembling woman.

"Rest assured, I'm not here to harm you. Are you alright?" She received a stiff nod. "Your child?" Another nod. Ashelia skipped to her husband as he clasped at the gashes on his chest. "Efû, we'll have to carry them back, quickly."

The woman shook harder when the gryphon appeared then calmed a bit when he licked her face.

"We mean you no harm, please follow us to safety."

Helping them climb atop him, she took a couple of steps back. 'What are you doing?'

"I'm going to scout some more before I go back, go ahead." When he hesitated, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'll be safe, I promise. We have to save the man."

The woman watched their interaction before leaning forward and placing a hand on her savior's hair. She murmured unintelligibly for a bit. Then, she blinked back into focus, purple receding and leaving black irises behind. "They won't be able to track your smell now."

'She is a witch.'

Burying her excitement at meeting one in real life, Ashelia schooled her features into ones of indifference. "Oh, thank you."

It was late in the evening when Ashelia returned to the village, a decent group of distraught humans and young lycans trudging behind her.

Ajag watched with crossed arms and furrowed brows as she led them to the stream to clean up and quench their thirst.

Vilkas settled on his hind legs, observing until she approached them with large bags brimming with goods.

"I suppose Efû informed you about what he discovered." The lycans nodded. "I managed to scavenge some food on my way." She tossed the bags at their feet.

"Ashelia," Ajag started slowly.

"I know," she interjected. "We don't have the means to feed or clothe anyone. We can simply lead them to other safe villages?"

Vilkas shook his head, shedding his fur and looking her dead in the eye. "We're more worried about the rogues following you here."

Ashelia smirked. "There is nothing left of them." Then, she turned and headed back toward the newcomers.

The fire crackled and rose high the more logs they fed it.

Laughter, cheering, squeals. It was the usual bonfire night. Ashelia sat huddled in the shadows of her favorite tree, watching, observing.

She loved the sight of happiness and safety.

Vilkas took a seat beside her. "Is it true there is a witch among the group you brought with you?" She nodded. Endora was her name. "We could use that to keep the village safe."

"How's her husband?"

"He's recovering. Our healers benefitted a lot from the ointments you brought." 

When Vilkas remained seated next to her, she sighed. If he came to ask her that after a week since that eventful night, he wanted something. "What is it, V?"

He cleared his throat. "Ajag and I were discussing something the past couple of days..." She waited for him to continue. "What if, what if we started doing this on a regular basis? Efû had reported increased activity from the town after the previous attack on their men. So, it won't be long before they start rampaging again."

She exhaled deeply. "What do you want in return?"

Vilkas looked offended. "You should know by now that some people just want to help others."

Ashelia held his stare for a couple of heartbeats before standing up. She was yet to learn how two Alphas got here and were satisfied with picking up strays along the way. 

"I'm going tonight. Efû reported a large group heading toward Hothington. We'll intercept before they do. That town is rather foul."

The darkness of the night was mesmerizing. She reveled in its quietude and chilliness. 

Efû gripped her shoulder, poking her wild hair for fun as he grew bored awaiting the arrival of their targets. Vilkas sat on a branch to her left, dangling his feet in the air, while Ajag stood near the trunk, arms crossed, his gaze hard and calculating.

Tucked high up among the branches, they wouldn't be detected, especially after Endora cast her spell to hide their smell.

The sound of feet stomping approached, growing in volume the closer they got.

Ashelia smirked and tapped Efû. The owl unfurled his wings, shook his feathers then turned invisible. Electric blue sparkled as she shot them a wolfish grin before jumping off the tree to land in front of the rogues.

Vilkas held his breath, moving to go after her when Ajag held him back by the shoulder. "Watch," he mouthed.

It took a moment until they registered her abrupt appearance. Then, the lycans snarled, lunging at her.

Her claws sunk in the abdomen of the first one that reached her and tore through his body vertically until they extracted his windpipe. He was left thrashing as she moved to the other two, dropkicked one, and tore the throat of the other.

Vilkas glanced at Ajag before he stood up. "I can't just watch, Alpha."

'Do not leave that tree,' Efû hissed. 'You could die.'

The two bristled, taking offense to the gryphon's words. Their anger dissolved, however, when a snarl cut through the night and blue flames danced around Ashelia.

Her canines ripped through the flesh of a wolf that dared bite down on her leg. Azure slowly enveloped her body, the aura oozing warmth and danger before it exploded and swallowed the rogues.

They howled, thrashed, and sprinted around. Nothing worked and, soon, they were reduced to ash.

Ashelia limped away, crimson dripping down her chin, coated her hands, and stained her thigh. Her eyes swayed like a raging fire that was smothered when Efû rubbed his head against hers.

'You sure love to toy with your prey, little one.' 

She spat out the blood in her mouth, smugness soaking her whole. "A little fun never hurt anyone, Efû. Plus, I need to practice every now and then." 

She couldn't use her powers on the pack members.

The two Alphas watched her approach them with a slow, confident gait. Amber danced with pride and apprehension, green flickered with intrigue and awe.

"Take away their belongings before anyone comes along."

Word count: 1238.

Total word count: 28481.

MEANING OF THE NAMES USED:

Endora means light in Greek.

Rogues are werewolves that have either been kicked out of their pack. They're violent, unruly, bloodthirsty, and have a bad odor radiating from their bodies.

A/N: If you read Drakaina, you'd know about Hothington. It's a very big region that is ruled by someone very, very not trustworthy.