Yona wasn't sure how long she had been running, but there was one thing she knew; She was now even more lost then before.

The world had grown dark not so long ago and the young princess was feeling more hopeless the longer she walked. Nothing made sense to her. How was Hak one of them? The werewolves. A shiver, that had nothing to do with the cold, ran through the small girls body. It had only been a few hours ago that she had seen the newbie knight sport claws. The picture of it all still frightened her, how could it not? For the past few days, she had been living in the same castle with one of the very monsters her father had sworn would never enter.

Seems they had been wrong.

One misstep had Yona falling to her knees, thanks to a slippery vine. The drizzle had mercifully stopped a while back, but it still left the ground muddy. Letting out a shaky breath, the princess struggled to bring herself back up onto her feet. She had never gone through anything this physically challenging before. Her legs felt like they were going numb, her ankle still burned, now even more so, because of all the pressure she forced onto it. Her body was slick with sweat, her eyes too dry to give anymore tears and she ached just about everywhere. But that didn't stop her from forcing her body to keep moving. She had to keep moving. She couldn't allow herself to just give up and die. She couldn't put her father through that. No, she needed to find him.

With all the willpower she could muster, Yona ignored the horrible voices in her head, telling her that her father was probably dead too. She couldn't believe that. She wouldn't, not until she saw proof of his dead body. Hopefully, there wasn't any.

Instead she just kept walking, eyes trailing over everything in sight, for any sign of her father and the rest of the men. Not much could be seen however, the night's shadow hovering over everything.

Another thought came to mind. Why didn't Hak kill her or any of the other royals at the castle? He had plenty of chances. Or why not kill her and her father once they were outside the wall? He could have also easily joined his fellow werewolves on the ambush.

Yona let out a groan. She was too tired and sore to make sense of anything right now. What did it matter anyway? She wasn't going to find the answers here. Slumping on the muddy ground, the princess leaned against a large rock, too tired to care how uncomfortable it was. Allowing her heavy breaths to go back to normal, Yona's eyes slowly slid shut. She needed rest, if she ever hoped of finding her father, else she die from exhaustion.

When she woke up, she would continue walking. She only needed a little bit of sleep.

Instead of feeling happy to be home, like he expected to be, all Hak really felt was dread and disgust. Dread to admit to his pack that he had failed in his mission and disgust in himself for allowing this to happen.

It was early morning now, the sun just starting to rise. Looking around, he saw no other members of his pack. They were most likely still sleeping or maybe some had gone out to hunt for breakfast. None of them expected him to come back today. To be honest, he was almost grateful. He had missed his tribe yes, but he couldn't face all of them just yet. He wouldn't go home either, he first needed to see Gi-gan. Once that was done, he'd go to check on his grandfather and brother.

Walking further into the small excuse of a village, Gi-gan's hut eventually came into view. Taking a deep breath, Hak steeled himself for the conversation to come.

He didn't even find the princess, who had apparently woken up while he had been talking with Tae-Woo and Han-Dae, only to flee from sight. He hadn't been searching too long for her, when Tae-Woo had stopped him, saying it didn't matter anymore.

And he was right. Hak had planned on leaving her to fend for herself anyway. He wasn't even really sure why he ran after her. What would he have done after he caught her? He couldn't take her back to her father, who was probably dead already. He couldn't very well take her back to the pack. She was a human and a human princess at that. And anyway, he shouldn't have been bothering with her in the first place! Yes, it was best that he let her go off and try to find her way home.

Hak flinched at that last thought. Who was he kidding? There was no way she would make it back home on her own. A while ago she was miles away from the wall and he doubted she was any closer now. He'd be impressed if she hadn't gotten herself killed yet. He shuddered against his will at the thought and he hated himself for it. Why was he still thinking about her? His guilt should be gone, after having saved her from freezing to death.

'Get a hold of yourself Hak,' Hak mentally swore to himself. He shouldn't feel compassion for the enemy.

A hand on his shoulder forced Hak out of his thoughts and stopping his steps. Looking to his side, he looked down at the confused eyes of Tae-Woo.

"Everything okay?"

Shaking his head, Hak moved to start walking again, the younger wolf's hand falling from its spot. "Nothing that I can't deal with."

"We can come with you to Gi-gan, you know?" Han-Dae offered, standing next to his friend as they watched their mentor head to the acting pack leader's hut. "We were technically involved too."

Hak didn't stop at the offer, but did send the two boys a cocky grin over his shoulder. "It's fine, quit worrying. I think I can handle Gi-gan on my own."

Looking forward again, Hak reached out to pull aside the ragged, faded material that hung from the hut's door frame, acting as its door. Most of the huts in the pack did have doors, but Gi-gan was a free-spirited kind of women. "The less constricted a house, the more free the stayer," she had told them. He understood in that fact. He could sleep under the stars and feel comfortable (though he wouldn't lie and say he hated beds). He didn't know if it was the wolf side talking or if it was just him, but he didn't really care.

With one more deep breath, Hak stepped inside the hut, letting the rags fall back behind him.

Inside, the hut was dark, the small bit of light peaked through the cracks of rags from the still rising sun. The hut was no bigger than any of the others. In fact, most were the same size. Many would expect a leader's home to be more recognizable, sizable, but Gi-gan, like his own grandfather, saw no need. Everyone in the pack had the same value as the other. No one got special treatment.

The pack leader, herself sat up and awake in the center of the hut, seated on a makeshift bed. Her back facing the younger wolf. She was working on shaping an arrow, her claws carving the rod of wood into one of their tribe's trademark weapons. They didn't have many left of their weapons anymore, most of them being lost in the attack years ago. It wasn't like they had much use for them anymore anyway. Their wolfish powers were all they really needed, but they still made arrows. Hak presumed it was more out of memory that for the purpose of actually using them. Some of the older ones even had rusty knives, but that was about it.

Not bothering to announce himself, Hak merely stood behind her, in front of her door. She would have sensed him from outside the hut, if not before that.

After a moment of silence and carving, Gi-gan set the now perfectly shaped arrow down beside her on the bed. She didn't move to look at him, nor did her voice show much emotion when she acknowledged him. "I expected you here earlier."

"..So I take it you've heard then?"

"You honestly thought I wouldn't?"

Hak frowned at her tone, but didn't argue. He deserved much more then a pointed remark.

After a few moments, when it seemed she wouldn't say another word, Hak took a step forward, away from the door. "I failed the pack."

Gi-gan turned to face him this time. Her face didn't show any signs of anger, but he'd be a fool to take it as happiness either.

"Don't be a fool," Gi-gan sighed, with no real heat. Rising from her seat, the shewolf came to stand in front of the taller werewolf, her eyes full of determination. "You could never have suspected the outcasts to attack like they did. If anything, it's my fault. I should have been keeping an eye on them."

Before Hak could say anymore, Gi-gan walked over to a small table near her bed and pored water from an old jug into two wooden-carved mugs. Picking them up, she held out the one to Hak.

"Drink, you must be thirsty," she ordered lightly when he didn't reach for the mug.

Sighing in defeat, Hak gratefully took the mug and took a large gulp of it, the cool contents helping to ease his tense form.

Satisfied, Gi-gan drank from her own cup, before setting the mug down on the table once more. "Do you still have the necklace?"

Making sure he drank the last sip of water, Hak placed it next to its twin on the table, before reaching into his robes to fetch the small amulet. Pulling it out, he silently handed it back to the elder wolf, who's eyes softened at the sight.

Tracing her clawed fingers over its shape, Gi-gan sighed again, this time with more force. "Your grandfathers going to have a lot to say about this," she muttered.

Hak couldn't help the grin that formed on his face. It seemed he wasn't they only one who dreaded admitting that the plan failed. "I think I'm gonna have it worse then you."

This caused the other werewolf to smirk at him, as she placed the necklace on the table. "I sincerely doubt that." She then walked back to her bed and sat down, her eyes closing for a moment to accept her defeat. "So...how did you get away?"

Hak's grin fell at the memory. Folding his arms, the werewolf met the elders eyes. "I was thrown off the mountain edge. One of the outsiders, I don't know his name, got the better of me before I could shift."

"What happened to the outsider?"

"I made sure to take him down with me," he said. "But I don't know what happened to him afterwards. There was no sign of him at the bank I washed up at."

Gi-gan nodded at this. "Most likely he survived. Outsider or not, they have our strong blood. He's probably already scrabbled back to his leader."

"Probably."

"And what of the royals?" Gi-gan asked, tilting her head, eyes scanning him. "Did you at least get to see their frilly heads get torn off? I imagine the outcasts had their fun, the bastards."

"No, actually," Hak started. "I fell before I saw their fates, but there had been another outsider on their tail. I'm pretty sure he'd done the job." Hak hesitated at his next sentence. "..But I did find the princess."

One of Gi-gan's eyebrow rose at the new information. "I'm surprised they left her body."

"She was alive," Hak corrected. "Found her in the river bank. She wasn't in good shape, but she was breathing."

Gi-gan stood up as Hak finished his sentence. "Where is she now?" she asked, her voice strict.

"Hak looked confused at her question, but answered, "I left her in the woods a few hours ago. When she woke up, she ran away."

"And?" Gi-gan asked. "You didn't go after her?"

"I tried-"

"Was the little, human girl too fast for you?" the elder demanded sarcastically.

Hak frowned at the jab. "I couldn't sense her. I could never sense her actually."

"Well of cause not," Gi-gan growled. "The necklace prevents any use of your powers."

"I didn't have the damn thing around my neck," Hak growled back. This seemed to at least get the elder's attention.

"What?"

Looking at the necklace on the table, Hak shrugged. "I think it's an after affect of the necklace, but for some reason, it's only her," he explained, causing the elder to look confused. "I'm able to sense you and the other wolves, but when I tried to smell her in the river, I couldn't catch anything. It might be the same for all the humans too."

Gi-gan didn't seem to know how to respond to that, also giving the necklace a curious glance. "It's probably just a small side affect. I'm sure it will fade soon."

"You think?" Hak repeated skeptically. Wouldn't it be something if he became the first werewolf with no senses...even elder Wook still had all of his, no matter how dull they had become.

"Don't worry about it," Gi-gan insisted. She was sure that the witch wouldn't have left a gift that would hurt them. Walking over to the table, the pack leader picked up the offending neck piece and held it out to Hak. "What I need you to do now, is find that princess."

"What for?" Hak asked, not making a move to take the necklace, getting more annoyed at the fact that she didn't have an answer for his problem and he didn't exactly want to wear the very thing that started it. "She's probably dead anyway."

"And if she isn't?"

Hak frowned at the response, sighing he mentally reminded himself that arguing with Gi-gan was a bad idea. "I'm pretty sure she saw me shift."

"You don't know that."

He was fairly certain though. Why else would she have run away from him. Instead of saying this though, Hak just asked, "What happens if I find her?"

Gi-gan shoved the necklace into the taller wolf's hands and pushed past him to reach the door's cloth, holding it open. Turning back to glare at her fellow pack member, she ordered, "You bring her to me."

Hak couldn't help the nervous gulp he made, caused by the look in his leader's eyes. Luckily for him and his pride – or what was left of it – besides that, he didn't seem to react. Deciding against further questioning, Hak marched out of her hut. Before he could walk too far from the house, he heard Gi-gan call out to him from behind.

"And Hak, when you see them, tell Tae-Woo and Han-Dae to come see me next!"

When Yona woke up again, she silently rejoiced that she was still alive, not having expected to have woken up at all. At least now she was at least some-what rested and could work on actually getting back to her family.

The chirping of birds could be heard and a warm ray of light shined over her face. Opening her eyes, Yona realized that it was now morning. With a quick check, she sighed in relief when she saw nobody around.

Slowly, the young princess leaned forward to sit up straighter. Her body cracked in protest. Wiping her eyes, she grimaced at the feel of soggy skin, proof of all the tears that had sunken into her cheeks. Lowering her hands to her legs, Yona moved her dress away from her sore ankle. It had begun to swell and it only worsened the already ugly look of the still-new wound. It did feel better now though, almost numb, if she didn't think about it.

Letting go of the ripped material, Yona forced herself back onto her feet and took a look around again. The forest was much less intimidating when it was sunny. It seemed peaceful. Willing herself to move, Yona slowly pulled herself off the ground and instantly regretted the action. Scratch that last part about her leg being numb. The pain spiked up by eleven when she applied some weight to it.

A pained moan left the princess's lips, before she quickly bit her bottom lip to stop the sound and scanned the forest around her once more. Once she was sure nothing heard her, Yona relaxed a bit, but kept her voice to herself. She had barely escaped last night, she couldn't risk getting found by another werewolf. Any adrenaline she had had been used up last night.

Wincing as she limped, Yona reached for a low branch from one of the trees and pulled. It took a few tries, but the branch finally snapped, unfortunately forcing Yona to fall backwards and land hard on her bum. Another panicked look around, before Yona allowed herself a silent cry for her leg that had been scrapped against the hard ground too, as she stabled the tall branch to stand on the ground next to her. Using the branch as leverage, Yona pulled herself back on her feet, but this time, kept her wounded leg's foot off the ground and used the branch as it's replacement.

And a few wobbly steps later the princess was on the move again, even if it being much slower.

Although the sun was out, it didn't make the forest anymore intimidating. Sure she could see much better now, but she still had no idea where she was going and there was still the fact that she was deep in werewolf territory. All though, maybe werewolves slept during the day? Maybe they only attacked at night?

'No,' Yona thought as she continued her walk. 'They attacked us while the sun was still up.' But maybe that was just a planned attack? After all, it was strange that no werewolf had found her while she had been sleeping.

Shaking her head, Yona forced those thoughts away and instead focused on not tripping again. It was just all too complicated. How was she supposed to understand how werewolves worked? Her father had made sure that she hardly heard the very word Werewolf.

The forest hardly seemed bothered with the princess's presence as she tried to find away back to the borderline. She could hear a few birds chirping above her head and a slight breeze that helped her overheated body. But besides those two factors, it felt like the whole place was void of anything else..not that she was going to complain.

Yona didn't know how long she had been walking when she spotted some smoke above the trees. The smoke couldn't be coming from anywhere too far away, that she was sure of. Yona didn't hesitate for one second as she limped more hurriedly towards the source of the smoke. Maybe she was a bit naive for not worrying that it may be some werewolf, but werewolves didn't make fires, did they? Why would they? They didn't need to cook their food, they could just eat it raw, right?

A sudden memory of Hak sitting at a table with herself and Soo-Won flashed into the young princess's mind. She remembered how the knight-no. How the werewolf had stuffed his mouth with rich pastries and cooked meats. He didn't seem to mind at all that the food he was eating was cooked.

This caused Yona to abruptly stop in her tracks, her breaths coming out in short huffs. Her eyes were still glued to the smoke in the sky. Should she risk it? What if by some miracle, one of her father's knights were out looking for her and created those fires, hoping that she would take it as a sign? She knew that the chances of that were low, but shouldn't she at least check it out?

Gripping the branch tighter, Yona started making her way towards the smoke again, but this time her pace was her slower, more aware.

It didn't take too long before Yona found herself hiding behind a tree, staring at what was definitely not her father's knights. Instead, she saw a small, measly, little hut. The fire, that provided the smoke, was situated not far from the hut. There didn't seem to be anything roasting on it though.

Yona tried to see anyone that might have started the fire, but couldn't see anything. The hut's entrance was closed though. Maybe somebody was inside?

Moments passed as Yona looked upon the small hut. There were many tools and fabrics (clothes?) scattered around the area. A basket of what she could tell was fruit sat near one of the other trees, closer to the house and the reminder of food made Yona's stomach ache in longing. Despite knowing that she shouldn't trust this place, Yona couldn't help but feel that whoever lived here wasn't one of the monsters that tried to kill her.

Was it possible that another human had managed to live in this forest? Maybe this part of the forest was taboo to the werewolves? That would explain why she hadn't seen one in a while.

Biting her bottom lip nervously, Yona hesitantly moved away from her hiding spot behind the tree and slowly started to limp her way towards the hut.

She just had to try.

I'm sure that I made it incredibly obvious, but can you guess who lives in the hut?