"I'm the leader of the pack!" Rhydian said, baring his teeth.

"We'll see about that – come on, Maddy!" cried Jana.

The two girls cornered the boy, walking around him, growling and snarling playfully. Rhydian saw a small gap in the bush that he was being slowly forced into and seized his chance. He shot through the opening and ran through the forest.

"Yes! Go on, Jana," whispered Maddy. Jana nodded, her yellow eyes glinting with mischief in the moonlight; she sprinted past Rhydian before he could see her and hid behind a tree. Maddy kept chasing him, faster and faster she went, her dark hair whipping around her face.

Rhydian knew he was far ahead of Maddy already. He felt wild and free, it was something he'd never experienced before – all the best bits of being a wolfblood, but in human form. His legs could take him anywhere he wanted, he could hear everything, smell the leaves on the trees of the forest, and best of all he was with his best friend and the love of his life...

Suddenly, there came a shriek behind him that sliced like a sword through his ears. Maddy... what if she'd been seen or hurt or...

"ROAR!" Rhydian turned just in time to see a flash of red curls before he was knocked to the ground by Jana. He looked into her face, snapping at her hands as she pinned him to the forest floor. She looked back at him, her young, childish face making Rhydian smile an insane smile. Jana loved it – his smile. She loved everything about him; his intelligence, his loyalty to his pack and his human friends as well, the way he refused to buckle down under any rules. Jana savoured this moment because she loved him. And that was all there was to it.

"Who're leaders of the pack now, Rhydian? It's us!" Maddy came running towards the two, and took Rhydian's hand. But Jana growled – and she was annoyed with Maddy for taking this wonderful moment away from her. She rolled off him, letting Maddy pull him up, and tried to look cheerful again, so as to not arouse suspicion.

"The amazing Rhydian Morris – beaten by girls!" She cried, howling with laughter.

"Don't worry, Rhydian, maybe you'll beat us one day... when you manage to grow something other than sawdust between your ears!" Maddy yelped, holding up her hand to Jana "High five!" Jana looked at it, confused.

"Am I meant to do the same or...?" she held up her hand, mirroring Maddy. Maddy rolled her eyes, took Jana's wrist gently in her other hand, and touched it with her open palm.

"Yeah, yeah..." Rhydian sighed and started to walk away from the girls, looking up towards the moon. He spun round suddenly, an urgent look in his eyes. "Oh God, the eclipse – it's nearly over, we've got to get back to the den!"