A/N Okay guys I don't know if your aware but I changed the last Authors Note into Chapter 2 so go read that before you read this otherwise you'd have missed some things. Other than that I hope you enjoy this update. Also check out this site deepinthedark . web . com just take out the spaces and there is no www at the beginning if, this doesn't work there's a link on my profile. Would be great if you could join, we really need members :)

Chapter 3

Max POV

My wings beat nearly furiously to combat the onslaught of the wind, up high in the sky the rain came down in blinding sheets, making it near impossible to see a blinking thing. I had to fight to keep my wings in position rather than allowing them to bend backwards with the winds force. I knew without a doubt I was lost but I didn't trust the weather to allow me to fly low and see the scenery, the wind would probably blow me into a building. I needed to fly through it, I roughly guessed what direction I needed and started heading that way. My hair and clothes were drenched to my very skin, my feathers sprinkled their own shower with each flap.

The sogginess of my clothes added extra weight and slowed me down, the wind that blew against me nearly made fly in one spot. I was pretty sure I could handle this storm, I wouldn't give up, even though it had picked up since I'd left the cave this wasn't the worst.

Five minutes after that thought I was eating my own words. Thunder and lightning cracked directly overhead, the sound deafening to my sensitive ears. A flash of lightning directly in front of me made me lose my focus, the muscles in my back relaxed the tiniest bit as I was startled, the wind took its chance and it tore my wings nearly out of my socket as I felt them yanked sharply behind them. The pain was intense a scream left my throat to mingle with the thunder.

I was confused for a moment thinking I should be falling, but I realised I was, all around me was the grey and black hue of the sky meaning I couldn't see the ground rushing to meet me, the wind blew me so strongly that I found it hard to straighten my wings out, they felt damaged and strained. Panic gripped me as I twisted in an attempt to find a position that I could fly in, I couldn't remember what direction I wanted.

CRACK! A sharp sting hit my face, then harder more solid thuds slammed into my body, gave way then more followed. A weight slammed into my thighs to flip me over and my chest thumped into a branch, the pain lashed at me and I scrambled to grab a hold of a branch, anything. My nails gave and tore, gravity won as I slammed to the forest floor. Face first, the air rushing from my lungs in a long gasp. I blinked and clenched my jaw on a groan as I felt the creak reverberate through my bones, my wings ached and I could hardly move them.

I pushed myself over onto my back with shaking arms, a short yelp of pain escaping my lips as my wings flattened under me. I blinked through rain soaked lashes as the rain drizzled down, filtered by the branches of the forest. The trees were huge, green moss, green leaves, soft brown green earth. I could dimly see the raging storm through the shelter of branches. The wind howled through the trees causing them to sway.

The rain drops pattered down on my cheeks and did nothing to help me to my senses, I could faintly feel the numbing pain set into my wings, so to help them relax I shifted painfully till they were pulled in the slits of my jacket and folded neatly at my back. The pain on lying on them was excruciating, though I was too exhausted, too tired to move and release the pressure.

My vision blurred and I felt my thoughts slow, as eventually pain, weariness and exhaustion took me into unconsciousness.

Dylan POV

Damn Max and her annoying stubborn head. The storm had gotten so much stronger through the night, I would be surprised if she made it through. I'd hardly gotten any sleep worrying about her. She hadn't gotten back, but maybe she had gotten to the house we were heading to.

One by one the others started waking up and it didn't take them long to realize that Max was gone.

"Where's Max Dylan?" Gaz asked as he zipped up his jacket.

I shrugged and stared out at the trees. "She went to fly ahead. You guys need to get ready and we'll head out, we'll try and catch up with her."

Iggy laughed harshly as he started handing out breakfast bars we'd snagged a while back. "Sure, catch up to the fastest flyer in the flock that will be soooooo easy. Might as well play eye-spy while I'm at it."

Nudge pinched his arm. "Don't be silly, you always win those games anyway. You cheat."

Iggy he glared at Nudge knowing exactly where she was despite his lack of sight. "I'm blind how can I cheat?"

She shrugged at him biting off half a bar. "You just do, you're not sweet and helpless like you act to be."

The bantering continued and I strained my eyes over the horizon, praying I'd see a glimpse of blonde hair or the outline of huge wings. There was nothing, the rain was gone, though droplets still fell from the tall trees making its own little drizzle under the canopies. The ground was soggy and spongy, the rocks a deeper grey as they were soaked. But still the wind blew hard, it wasn't as strong as Max had left which meant we would be able to fly in it, even if it would be a bit of a struggle. Max had to be okay.

I shook my head at my worried thoughts. Knowing Max, her stubbornness alone had made sure she got through the storm and she was already inside a nice warm house with her wings drying by the fire as she sipped at some hot-chocolate. Because if Max was anything, she was definitely surprising and always did the unexpected.

"Dylan, do you think Max will be alright?"

I glanced down at my side where Angel stood, scanning the skies herself. She looked fragile and weak still, the inner spark in her that had made her such a child with dreams, supressed after what she's been through. Staring at the little girl I could understand what drove Max forward, to do what she needed to do. Without a doubt Max would do anything for her Flock, they asked it of her and she'd do it. Even if they asked her to die she would probably do it for them. That was what scared me….she fought for everyone but herself.

"She'll be fine Angel, she's tough, you'll see."

After a while everyone was done eating and they started stretching their wings, after putting on coats and an extra layer to fight against the cold wind we were off. Leaping into the sky and flying to our destination. But as our flaps ate up the miles I felt a sinking in my gut, Max had to have made it.

Seth POV

I was glad that for once I was the only one in wolf form running. MY huge paws moved easily nearly gliding over the forest floor as I ran through the damp smelling forest that seemed nearly fresh from the recent rain fall.

It was just me, alone in the forest, no other thoughts mixing with my own. I was at utter peace. Jacob was probably already heading to the Cullen's at this time of day to see Nessie. Leah was asleep at home after she'd spent the night on patrol. I was heading to the Cullen borders to do a routine scout. I passed some of Sam's pack at times but they didn't bother me, allowing me to continue to run freely on my own.

Nearing the edge of the cliffs I paused as the waves crashed forcefully against the rocks, sending up a salt water spray. My nose twitched and my head swung to the strand of trees behind me. At the coppery scent that tickled my nose a growl rumbled in my throat.

I started to move forward quietly, my giant paw pads making no sound as I tracked the scent beyond the trees, to the thickets that opened to a clearing. I froze in my footsteps and stared at what lay in the middle of fallen leaves, broken twigs and was soaked with pure rain drops that clung to pale cold skin. My nose twitched as I saw the welts of blood, the scratches, the cuts, the bruises and the swellings. Blonde hair that was lightly streaked was tousled and tangled, pulling with the slight breeze that whispered through the trees. The clothes were worn and ragged, but the body seemed battered nearly beyond repair.

I snuffled lightly at the girl and was relieved when a slight moan came from her throat, her chest moving in the faintest of breaths taken. She was still alive, but she needed immediate medical help.

I raised my muzzle and howled, knowing that the wolves and the Cullen's would both respond to my call. And between us all we'd find a way to help this girl.

Waiting I glanced around, there were no tracks or clues to how the girl had gotten here. Had she been attacked and dumped here? Had she gotten lost?

At the sound of footsteps approaching I turned my attention back to the others. This girl's appearance may have been a mystery, but as a Quileute we were born protectors, and I would help this girl.