I stood outside, waiting for John, my black pelt ruffling in the small breeze. My nose was to the air, taking in the different scents and enjoying fresh air. My ears stood forward and occasionally would flick towards a sound.

I looked towards my right to see brown eyes and gray fur- a wolf- John! I yipped my surprise before nuzzling him in the neck. I took off then and heard John running behind me. I kept running and went into the woods, dodging trees and watching for the no man's land.

"Stop!" John barked at me suddenly and I skidded from my run only to turn tail and trot up towards him.

"What, what's wrong?"

"Something isn't right."

Through a low growl, John confirmed to me that something was not right and I took his words for it.

"I need you to start walking back to the house and if you hear something, ignore it and keep going."

"You're joking…"

"Go!" He barked at me and bit me.

I whined and stumbled into a long stride to head back to the house. I followed the correct scents and did not look back. Something snapped to my right, but I kept going since I figured it was John and after all, it was what he wanted me to do.

I heard a snap again and then a growl and 'bam'!

I was pushed aside and looked to my right to see John and another wolf snarling and fighting with each other.

"Run, Keira!"

I whined, but ran back towards the house, following the scent paths and hearing the growling, howls of pain, and fighting behind me. Was John going to make it out of there? I wanted to go back and help, but I knew I was just too inexperienced and I would only get in his way.

The trees suddenly broke away as I ran up to the house in my wolf form, morphing back as I ran up to the porch and opened the door. I was crying, tears flowing freely down my cheeks. Others started to gather around me as I desperately tried to tell them about John through gasps of breaths and choking sobs.

Soon Jake, Luke, and Anthony had set off to aid John while Jinx and Layla made sure Wyatt stayed behind. Wyatt was just too young to go off risking his life. Soon Wyatt had changed and assumed his wolf form, making me do that same even through my tears so that I could help hold him back.

I managed to tackle him to the ground, holding him pinned underneath me until he calmed down.

We moved towards the family room in our wolf form which Layla did not seem to mind having probably been used to it and Jinx just began chatting quietly with her.

I sat and watched as Wyatt paced back and forth before finally giving up and lying down. Soon he was asleep and I was too exhausted from the fright and crying to change back, so I curled up next to him.

Something was warm next to my side and moving- breathing. I didn't open my eyes, for by scent I realized it was Wyatt and then Jake entered the room, followed by Luke, and then Anthony. They were bloody in their human forms with their clothes ripped in various places. I jumped up, changing to my own human form when Jake nodded to me.

Wyatt woke up then and changed back, curling up into my side and I put my arm around him. I looked at the boys again as I swallowed a lump in my throat.

"Where is John?" I whispered, fearing I already knew the answer.

A heavy silence loomed over us then, no light coming from the windows, as it had grown dark.

Jake shook his head, his face grim and looking so many years older than what he was. Anthony was breathing heavily, but silently. Luke seemed a bit indifferent, but he kept looking at the ground and I was sure that if I could see his face it would hold such sorrow.

"We lost him," began Jake and he paused to see if Wyatt or I would speak. We were silent though and waited for him to continue.

"The wolves from before ambushed him and by the time we arrived there, John was already fighting one as the other two turned to us. We fought and killed the two, but the leader that John was fighting and John himself had disappeared by the time we were done. We tried looking for them, but nobody could pick up a scent that lasted."

Jake spoke in a solemn, but firm tone as he explained to all of us who did not know, what exactly happened. I glanced toward Anthony to see him glaring at Jinx who had moved to stand and watched as Anthony left after receiving some sort of private permission in the form of a nod from Jake.

"We're all going to get cleaned up. Layla, please have something warm for dinner ready when we're done. Wyatt, come with me."

This time Jake had given orders and those who did not have orders stayed behind. It was only Jinx and I left, but I followed behind Jake and headed to my room. Naturally, Jinx followed behind me and when I sat on the bed, he shut the door. So much had happened; John was gone. John was the beta of the pack, wasn't he? So that meant Luke was now Beta and second in command. But then I remembered something Jinx had told me.

"It was you, you said they were after you- why you? This is your fault!"

I spoke in hushed rage and pointed a finger towards Jinx where he was still positioned at the door. He shook his head and reached for something at his neck before taking off something I had not seen before. He held it out before him and walked towards the bed. I took it as he sat down next to me and looked at the end. Some type of pendent no- amulet was hanging off it.

"This is what I stole from them. This belongs to one of the werewolf royals. Jake knows this and I happen to work for the royals."

He had began to explain it, but I didn't let him continue.

"All of this is for some stupid amulet?"

"Yes, but it is a strange world, is it not?"

I hated it when he answered and attached another question to it. I put the necklace in my palm and held it out for Jinx to take it again.

A sudden knock came from the door and I told whoever it was that it was unlocked. Luke stepped in and told Jinx that Jake wanted to see him. I didn't look at Jinx as he left, but rather looked at Luke.

"Luke…" I called out softly before he could shut the door again and go off somewhere.

"Yes?"

"Why?"

"Sometimes, things cannot be explained."

I sighed and laid back gently on my bed to stare at the ceiling of the dimly lit room. Dinner would be ready soon and I could eat, shower, and sleep. Hopefully sleep would gift me with a break from this nightmare.