Image: Watercolor Winter Wonderland by MaDonnas

Soundtrack: Wolfborn by BrunuhVille

***

I open my eyes but it's still pitch-black inside my tent. I'd been tossing and turning, unable to sleep for most of the early hours, continuously awakened by a panicked mind. Yawning, I turn over in my sleeping bag. My body aches from staying in the same cramped position and I'm tempted to Shift; at least then I'd be lying on different muscle groups.

Why is it still so early? Surely it's been a few hours since I'd eavesdropped on David and Lauren.

I gingerly slip out of the sleeping bag and peel the tent flaps apart. A crack of blinding light peeps out at my feet and I gasp.

An oversize tarp hangs across my tent, blocking out the light. I rip the material aside, ducking as I step into the morning air. Feeling my fangs cut into my lower lip, I only half-heartedly tame the beast within. How could they do this to me?

The beta of our clan sits on a stump nearby, his body turned ninety degrees from me. The rest of the campsite is deserted. Many of the tents are missing; it appears as if over half the clan went with Lauren and David.

Upon hearing my approach, Mr. Adolphus stands and faces me. "Skye—"

"Where are they?" I burst out, not bothering to use any sort of formality. He's in on this, and I'm not going to waste my energy on being polite with him. Not even when he's my great uncle. "When did they leave?"

"About two hours ago, I would say." The beta sighs, his chestnut eyes downcast.

"Which way?"

"I can't—"

"Please."

He sighs. "They're long gone, Skye. I'm sorry, but they've been working on this plan for years. They're meeting with your father."

"And Margo?" I close my eyes, feeling liquid pooling at their edges. I reach up with a sleeve to dab at them.

"My daughter went with them."

I massage my temples with excessive force. "I never got to speak with her about all this! How could they just abandon me?"

"Skye, we have to stay here. It's important; do you understand? We need to stay together."

"If we had to stay together, we'd have all gone with them. They're flying to London, aren't they? Meeting up with my dad. My dad. I haven't seen him in seven years!"

"You're too young, Skye!" Mr. Adolphus barks. "Show some restraint!"

I cover my eyes with clammy palms, choking back sobs as I sink to the ground. "I've almost graduated! I can practically take care of myself!"

"Even with soldiers after you? London is swarming with them."

Maybe he's right. But remaining here, utterly helpless, doesn't seem at all appealing. We're being hunted by the Earth's Covenant, an entity that won't cease its operations until every last Lycan is exterminated from this earth. One rescued Lycan's dead, and the other's probably lost somewhere in the woods, starving to death because he has no idea how to hunt; he'd been living in captivity for who knows how long.

If there's anywhere I should be right now, it's assuring Thirteen's survival.

"Skye?" Mr. Adolphus presses a plate of roasted venison and store-bought greens into my hands, meeting my eyes. "They'll be back."

I shake my head, feeling my eyes fill to the brim with fresh tears. "I'm not so sure. I don't want to have to go through this again. I wish I at least had Max here with me. Some kind of familiar face. No offense."

My great uncle places a hand on my arm. "None taken," he says. "Now, eat. We don't hunt for fun, you know."

"Mr. Adolphus?"

"What is it?"

"Can you promise me something?"

He blinks, meeting my eyes with a weary glance. "That depends."

"Can you go looking for Thirteen? Make sure he's safe?"

"Thirteen?"

"The captive we saved. He calls himself Thirteen."

Mr. Adolphus smiles kindly at me. "I promise. I'll recruit some of the others to join us as soon as you're—"

"I'm not going."

The beta's mouth twists into a frown. "Why is that?"

"Thirteen doesn't like me. He...blames me for what happened."

Mr. Adolphus' disappointment morphs into confusion. He shakes his head at me. "He can't hold you responsible for—"

I shrug, ignoring the tears that sting the corners of my eyes. "He has every right to. I thought I was helping, but I made things worse," I choke out. "I'll stay here, if you don't mind."

"Very well."

***

It was a little white lie. Well, actually, it was a great big honking one. But I can rest easy knowing that Mr. Adolphus and the others are out hunting for Thirteen, making sure that he's safe and sound.

I attempt to decipher the tracks before me. I'd been searching for deer; as the day drew on and my stomach began to rumble, I decided that I'd try to hunt again. I'm a Lycan, for Pete's sake. If I can't hunt, what kind of a beast am I?

I follow the deer's scent, feeling the blood pumping through my shaking body as I weave my way between trees and over bushes. I try unsuccessfully to stay silent, but of course that'd be impossible. I'm not a ghost. Not yet, anyway. I wince as I remember what I'm doing and what the consequences will be. Too late, Skye. Here you are. You're almost there. You're getting closer.

The fallen leaves are still wet with sludge from the recent snowfall, so they work to mask my steps. I lift my eyes, scanning the horizon. There. My body prickles with excitement. It's a doe.

Please, don't have any fawns. I couldn't bear to kill you if you're a mother.

No; it's autumn. Not childbearing season for deer. This is your food, Lycan. This is your calling.

I sneak up carefully, grateful that the doe is nosing around in the leaves, the crunching of the debris perfectly camouflaging any sign of my advance.

When I get within a few feet, I tense my muscles and spring upon her. To my surprise, it actually works. But I have no idea what to do now. I wasn't ready for this; without pack members to help me out, I'm afraid I can't keep hanging on.

She's strong. I cry out as she kicks me as hard as her spindly legs can manage, and I feel my grip slipping as she bucks wildly. Her hooves slip on the leaves and she tumbles to the ground, launching herself up again as easily as if she'd never been down.

Pain surges through my neck as the doe writhes like a serpent. I steel myself for the fatal bite, but something inside tells me to stop. I listen.

I let go and feel the deer's soft fur slip through my teeth, feel the familiar metallic taste on my tongue. My head spins and I struggle to focus on the bloodied leaves below.

Bless you, doe. May you live on in peace.

Suddenly I hear a growl from ahead and a soft thump. The deer falls to the ground, pinned down by some other animal. A large, dark animal with eyes that glow like white-hot flames. My racing heart fills my ears, thudding against my chest like a caged rhino.

I'm done for.