It was starting to be a long break before they could see each other again. When the days started flying by without another visit from Jade, Victoria started to worry. Did she regret it? Did something happen to her? But she didn't want to risk going over to Jade's house. She didn't want to push her if it was just a break that Jade needed. Especially after the progress they made.

Jade didn't go back to visit Victoria again because she refused to think that the human had her hooked already. She had gone this far without her. She didn't need to see her every day. But her thoughts proved differently. Although Jade built up enough resilience to refrain from attacking the human, she was still tempted. Even when she wasn't around her, Jade swore she could still smell her scent on the wind. She kept her distance and maintained a meticulous routine that kept her occupied. She spent less time cooped up at home and enjoyed the oncoming winter. The air was steadily getting cooler and then snow would soon be on them.

Jade always liked the winter. The cold air was refreshing, and silence descended on the woods. Wildlife went from abundant to scarce though, and that didn't bode well for anyone. Which was why she was out further than she dared to go in years. The city stood tall several miles out. If she could just get close enough, she could pick off unwary hunters who were out in the woods for sport. That part of the woods was a hunting ground that she could make use of. Both big game and foolish humans. It would at least keep her from whittling down the already small town.

Jade's sigh was visible in the cold air. The first layer of snow blanketed the ground a day ago when she had started her journey and it wasn't letting up. Her stomach complained and she scowled, scanning for movement. It had been hard going once she traveled further into the dense trees. Every animal that crossed her path was mercilessly taken down to fuel her constant hunger. Five squirrels, three rabbits, and a fox later she was still on the lookout. She wished she could find a bear's cave, or at the very least a pack of wolves.

Just as the thought crossed her mind a howl echoed through the trees. Jade paused, listening in on the following calls communicating trapped prey. They sounded excited and were quickly moving in for the kill. Jade followed the sounds as well as the kicked-up snow of multiple paws. Human blood filled her senses and she snarled. They caught a human. Her stride lengthened, turning into bounds. She sprinted through the woods and launched herself over a boulder, landing in a deep pile of snow beyond. She struggled her way out and looked to the right at a flurry of movement. It disappeared from view and Jade followed.

She came to a cart and tracked a line of blood to a group of trees hiding an injured horse. Its flank was torn, and it stumbled. When Jade approached, the animal instantly let out a frantic sound of alarm. She rushed it before it could bolt and ended its misery, her claws cutting cleanly through the neck. It slid and then collapsed on its side. Jade would have taken the time to make a meal of the poor thing, but the injured human nearby was for more tempting. Finally. A proper meal.

She turned away from the horse and carried on through the trees to a clearing. The snow was greatly disturbed, and the trail of fresh blood was accompanied by a larger splash of red. Jade slowed to a stop and crouched down, running a finger through the puddle. She brought it to her nose and scented it. She inhaled sharply, gasping at the sudden familiarity.

"Victoria," she whispered. She was so caught up in the idea of an easy kill being within her reach that she hadn't noticed until now who the prey was. She pushed herself to her feet and let her instincts guide her. She tracked the pursuit until she came upon the wolves she was looking for. They were gathered around a half-fallen tree. Victoria sat perched as high off the ground as she could manage. She held one hand to her bleeding leg while the other clung to the slanted trunk.

The four wolves below each took a turn leaping at her. One even tried to scale the tree but slipped and fell before it could reach her. The biggest one paced back and forth then leapt for the human's dangling cloak. It was successful in its endeavor. The resulting yank dislodged the young woman and sent her to the ground on her back. She was quick to get up and found a branch to swing at the circling predators.

When Victoria fell, Jade broke out into a run, clearing the distance just in time to knock back the attacking lead wolf. She caught him in the chest with the hard bone of her forearm, throwing him aside. The other wolves snarled and snapped at her. She didn't hesitate to bare her teeth and answer their threat with one of her own. The lead wolf was on his feet again, shaking snow from his fur. His head dipped low, eyes locked on her, and began to stalk closer. The others parted to allow him through.

"J-Jade, we need to g-get out of here," Victoria stammered, voice weak. Jade could hear her teeth chattering as she shivered. Her clothes were torn, and she was bleeding. They had to escape, but Jade wasn't going to stand down to do it. She heard Victoria try to dissuade her, but she was already lunging. With a single swipe, she threw aside a wolf to her left, sending it slamming into a tree. It cried out and hit the ground, struggling to its feet to run away.

The three remaining were quick to change formation. Two flanked her so that the leader could attack her head on. She dodged his attempt and threw aside a wolf that tried to keep her contained. It yelped as it flew through the air to land several feet away in the snow. The lead wolf swiftly changed course, sliding through the snow and lunging again. Jade caught it head on and threw him aside too. But he was more skilled and caught himself, stumbling slightly but on his feet in seconds. The other wolf tried to get a bite in to Jade's leg, but she saw it coming and kicked it away. It tumbled through the snow and didn't get up. Two down, two to go.

She turned to face the lead wolf again, but he was already upon her. His jaws aimed for her neck, but she twisted enough out of the way to instead redirect the attack to her shoulder. She roared in pain, staggering under the weight of the large animal hanging off her. He tossed his head and managed to take her down. He didn't let go, shaking his head again with a guttural growl. The sound triggered something within her, and a similar sound reverberated from deep in her chest. She reached up and slashed at his shoulder. He released her with a yelp. She took back control and lunged again, catching him across the muzzle. He jumped away, pawing at the wound.

The other wolf saw an opening and leaped at Jade, but she saw it coming. She stepped to the side to dodge the attack, caught it by the scruff, and lifted just enough to slam it back into the ground. She then threw the body at the leader who had recovered and was on his way back for more. They collided, and the force knocked the bigger wolf off his feet.

Jade rushed him, jaws ready to tear his throat out, but she belatedly realized another wolf had shown up and took that moment to sideswipe her. The animal slammed into her, throwing her to the ground. That one's scent was different but similar to the male she had been fighting. The female had come to defend her mate. Jade picked herself up and growled, locking eyes with the stalking female. A challenge.

She bared her teeth and then tore through the snow straight at Jade. She jumped away just in time but neglected the male who came at her from behind. He tackled her legs, tossing her off the ground and on her back. It left her open for the female to pounce, sharp teeth clamping on her neck. She shoved her hands in the way, defending her throat. Fangs sliced through her flesh the harder she pushed back on the wolf's jaws, keeping them from closing.

Victoria's frightened voice filtered in under the wolf's booming growls in her ears. Teeth bit into her leg and she knew the male had returned to help his mate finish her. She cried out, frustrated that her strength was failing her. Her bleeding hands shook under the pressure, her leg blazing in agony. She tried kicking at the animal, but he dodged and then jumped right back in. If she lost, Victoria would soon follow her fate. She couldn't lose. She had to fight back.

A loud yelp drew her attention to the fact that her leg was no longer being assaulted. The female was distracted enough by the unexpected attack for Jade to take advantage. She put all her strength into shoving the jaws wide open. There was a loud crack and a cut off cry that tapered into silence. Jade pushed off the still body and scrambled to stand.

The injured human had kept the male at bay with the branch. Jade let out a roar and ran at the animal full tilt. Her claws tore at the ground to get momentum going then her feet continued to build it. She caught the wolf around the neck and threw him to the ground. Now she had him where they had her, pinned and vulnerable. And just like the female, she went in for the kill.

She swiped at his throat, blood streaking across the snow with the force. He fell still but Jade couldn't relax now that the danger had passed. She sunk her claws into the animal, intent on devouring it, but one sharp yell of her name halted her. She stood, panting heavily, bloodied hands clenched tightly. She turned to face Victoria. The human took in her wild features, eyes a seething green, fangs on display, and claws flexing.

"Jade, please. You need to calm down. It's okay. You're safe. We're safe."

The soothing tone started to register slowly with Jade's mind, pushing through the beast's fury. Victoria watched and waited, knowing it wouldn't be prudent to move or get any closer until Jade had a firm hold of her control.

"Come back to me," she whispered, more to herself than Jade. But she seemed to have heard her because her body began to relax. The beastly features released their hold on Jade and she fell to her knees, adrenaline leaving her weak. Only then did Victoria go to her. She pushed herself to hobble over on her injured leg and fell in front of Jade. Without thought she brought up her hands to cup Jade's face. Their eyes met. Jade's normally focused and intense gaze was distant and dim. They reflected her exhaustion and flit over Victoria's face slowly.

"You're okay?" she mumbled, barely coherent. Victoria nodded, eyes welling with tears.

"I'm fine. You came just in time," she assured, gently brushing blood from Jade's cheek with her thumb. Jade closed her eyes at the contact and leaned into her touch for the first time. Victoria would have been surprised if they hadn't just barely escaped with their lives.

"As long as you're okay then I can rest. We need shelter," Jade told her. Victoria helped her up with a grunt, amazed at how heavy she was.

"I have some supplies for camp back at the cart."

Jade nodded absently and let Victoria lead the way.