These next two chapters are short, but I'm just trying to get a hang of writing again. Hope you guys enjoy anyway.
***THIRD POV***
"What were you thinking, Ana?" is the first thing the white-haired woman hears as her eyes flutter open.
The first thing she sees is the leaves of a tree, partially blocking the sunlight shining above her, while the first thing she feels is the soreness of her still-healing body.
"She needed help, Malikai." Though spoken with a thick, Russian accent, the woman can understand the words being said, and her body tenses, realizing just how bad of a situation this could be. She relaxes only slightly when she hears the next sentence. "They were going to kill her if I hadn't done something."
"Did it occur to you that you could've been hurt had we not interfered?"
The undertone of anger in the man's words does little to calm the woman's fight-or-flight instincts.
"I would've been fine, and you know that, but I couldn't let them kill her."
"What if she deserves to be killed? What if she harms our people? I want her gone, Ana."
"She won't harm anyone."
"How do you know that?"
"Her eyes," the woman nearly shouts before sighing and speaking softer. "I saw it in her eyes. They seemed so broken, so defeated. It was the same look I had when I lost my parents, but tenfold. She's lost, and I have to help her find her way in any way that I can."
There's silence for a few moments before the man speaks.
"Do what you need, but I want her gone as soon as possible," he states before the sound of retreating footsteps reaches the woman's ears. She almost thinks she's in the clear before the footsteps suddenly stop. "If she slips even once, I will take matters into my own hands. The protection of my people comes first."
"I understand, Malikai." The man says nothing as he walks off. "How are you feeling?" Not sure if the words are directed to her or not, the woman remains silent. "You had all of us worried."
"It doesn't sound like it," the woman replies, voice slightly raspy from lack of use.
"Please excuse Malikai. He's just protective of our clan and is wary of outsiders."
"It's understandable why he doesn't trust me," she states as she forces herself up so she can lean against the tree.
Now, she can see that the woman who had defended her was the same person who saved her life. She's surprised when the girl looks younger than her, but you could never tell with shape-shifters. Her body is lean, and she stands at nearly six feet, an intimidating look for anyone, but her eyes show only concern, no malice.
"He'll come around," the girl says. "Oh, how rude of me. My name's Ana Clara Kroskov, and you are?"
"Does it matter?" the woman asks with a frown. "I'll be gone as soon as my body heals."
"I hope you'll stay for a little while," Ana says as she walks over with a cup of water. "Besides, even if you choose not to, I have to call you something during your stay."
"Thank you," the woman replies as before taking a sip. "But I don't know what you could call me then. I no longer go by my given name."
"Do you have any nicknames? Or you could suggest a name for me to call you?" Ana asks.
"Lupa," the woman answers. "Call me Lupa."