Cole's POV

Romulus stopped walking next to me. He looked around the pitch black night, I noticed him slightly sniffing the air. Something was coming…

And it was not good…

I paused my walk as well, looking around for any sign of danger.

The rest of the team of ninja followed suit, stopping just behind us.

"I would recommend stepping back." Romulus warned, looking to me.

I held my hood, ready to whip it off at a moment notice.

Romulus was already taking off his hat. His eyes glowing yellow as the moon's rays hit him.

My ears focused in on an almost inaudible sound.

Cracking leaves and quiet breathing coming from behind our group.

I turned to get a better look at what we may be facing.

But all I saw was the never ending darkness of the dense forest.

Something was there, it was just hiding, traveling by shadow.

The team had stepped clear of Romulus and I, giving us a good few meters to attack our pursuer and not worry about hurting our friends.

The noise got louder and I noticed that the team were reacting to it. They knew something was coming. Slipping into battle stances, ready for the oncoming fight.

Romulus had taken his hat off now, he was straining against the transformation but if he needed to fight, one lapse in concentration and the wolf would be out… And whoever or whatever was following us wouldn't have a chance.

Probably…

Then, everything fell silent.

The owls stopped hooting, the frogs stopped croaking, everything had just stopped.

"Something's not right." I whispered, looking to Romulus.

Romulus paid no attention, he stayed focused.

I took one step forward but a hand clamped tightly on my shoulder.

"Don't step any further," Romulus said sternly. "Werewolves track mainly by noise, ever wonder why dog whistles hurt?"

I stopped walking and stood in one position, looking around.

I sucked in a breath and pulled my hood from my head. My vision clouded immediately, pain racked my body. I whimpered as I held in my pain, getting my breathing under control, I stalled the transformation.

For now.

I heard growling from behind me, I turned, eyes growing wide as Romulus dropped to the floor, blood soaking the front of his grey gi.

He gripped his chest, attempting to stem the bleeding.

Behind him stood a dark silhouette. Deep red blood dripping from it claws.

Kai, Jay, Zane and Lloyd stepped back in shock. I stood my ground.

"Oops, I didn't mean to do that." Huang said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

He looked down to Romulus, grinning.

Romulus's eyes were flashing golden, but was quickly slowing. He was in too much pain, he couldn't transform.

Huang places his foot onto Romulus's back, kicking him to the floor.

Romulus stopped moving.

I looked at my unmoving friend, then back to Huang.

"What have you done?" I growled, breaking my concentration.