I froze, my nails digging deeply into the dirt.

I spun around, trotting back to the trail.

It was familiar, but foreign. Definitely werewolf, but not one of the pack.

What the hell? I thought, stepping warily onto the track.

Jake, Sam's voice cut across my mind, Don't do anything stupid.

I snorted.

I moved into a trot, following the scent.

What can you sense from it, Jake? Quil asked, loping towards me. It would take him a while to get here.

Werewolf, definitely.

There was something else tugging at my mind, something similar to this track and...Leah.

Idiot, Leah snarled in my head. It's a female werewolf.

There was a silence in the pack.

A female? Sam asked, running to meet me. Suddenly, everyone turned to follow.

Really subtle, I thought sarcastically. Our visitor's really not going to hear sixteen wolves crashing through the forest in pursuit.

Good point, Sam muttered. Collin, Brady, turn back with the others and wait. If this werewolf decides to attack, we'll need some protection for La Push or back-up.

I entered into a clearing, where the trail stopped.

Weird, I muttered.

Look around, Sam suggested, She can't be far.

I slowly roamed around the clearing, until I smelt a strong scent near me. I froze, concentrating.

There was a sharp twinge of pain to my flank as I was thrown halfway across the meadow.

I looked up in time to see a white tail dive into a batch of ferns.

I sprang up, racing in pursuit.

What now, Sam? I asked, the trees blurring beside me.

Follow her, Sam replied, changing direction. She changed from North to West. We should meet very soon.

How do I take her down?

Try asking her, Sam thought, If she refuses to stop, force her to. Just try not to injure her badly.

Sam, Seth said quietly, I don't like this plan. Doesn't it occur to you that she's running because she's afraid?

She's on our territory, Sam reasoned, We don't know her. She could be a threat.

She's headed for the mountains, I informed them as Sam and the pack appeared behind me. And it's snowing.

What's your point? Paul asked, running on Sam's right.

She's white, I replied.

My paws thudded on soft, white snow.

I stopped.

Paul swore. We lost her.

Okay, Seth said, sitting down. Let's stop and think this through. So what do we know?

It's a female, Embry said.

And she's white, Jared added.

And she's fast, Leah said bitterly. I smirked inwardly. Leah didn't like being second-fastest to anybody.

Wait a sec, I said, turning around. Why can't we hear her?

Different pack? Quil suggested.

I don't think so, I replied. Usually, if you belong to a pack, you have some of their scent on you. She doesn't. And if she's a lone wolf, she'd have to be an Alpha, so she'd connect with Sam or I.