I own none of the original trilogy.

The odd voice chases me into nightmares. I fell asleep around nine, but when I dream of Mom being killed, I can't lie around any longer.

I have to find Mom.

Even then, I hear Anika in the back of my mind, her warnings drowning out my instinct. And so I revert to restlessly pacing. When I hear Brady groan next door, I realize he's being tortured in his sleep, too.

"Brady, wake up," I whisper fiercely after slipping into his room, unnoticed by the late workers.

His eyes flicker open, wide with fear. Then he recognizes me. "Aqua?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah… Just a nightmare." His eyes cloud and he shudders. "It's over now, of course. I'll forget by morning."

"It's midnight now."

Stretching his arms, he leans back against his headboard. "I know. Why are you here?" he inquires.

I move from one foot to the other, unsure of what to say. "I… I think my mom's in trouble." He sits bolt upright. "I had a few nightmares, ending in one with her dead…" The storm rages overhead.

"Aqua–" It is more than obvious he does not know what to say. That's why he surprises me by stating, "In mine, it was you."

"What?"

"You were near the Elemental Cross" – my blood turns cold – "and someone shadowy killed you."

My legs threaten to give out, so I sit on the edge of his bed. "That's creepy," I breathe.

"Hey, if it's any consolation, I'd sooner die before I let anyone get to you." His words sound as though something has to come after.

I look at him curiously. "And?"

A guarded expression crosses his face. "Nothing," he replies.

"Please, Brady, I know there's something bothering you."

"Nick," he answers bluntly, his jaw clenching. "He knows something he shouldn't, and he's blackmailing me."

The paleness of his face tells me that something is some-girl. I grin mischievously. "Who is she?"

"Who?"

"Your crush," I press.

Fear returns to his demeanor. "None of your business," he responds, his voice shaking hard with frustration.

My suspicion confirmed, I stare at him, my own throat suddenly dry. But then my mouth controls itself: "That's why you didn't want anyone to fight me, practice, test, or whatever."

"If it was me I knew I wouldn't hurt you too badly," he whispers, closing his eyes to try to end this.

"Wolves rarely give up a chase," I warn.

When he reopens his eyes, he also entwines his fingers with mine. "Please, Aqua, don't go after your pack. We need you." He looks at me pleadingly, unwilling to lose me.

I growl and wrench my hand away, sentimentality forgotten. "My friends and family need me," I challenge viciously.

Hurt and determination flash in his gaze. "Then I'm coming with you," he states. I bare my fangs in warning. "Look, as much as I love you, and I know you want to do this on your own… you can't. You're too important to everyone here."

"Did you just say you love me?" I choke.

"Love at first sight." He shakes his head. "Romance is a bitch."

I stay frozen, silent. Do I love him back? I wonder.

A howl rips through my thoughts. I force back the urge to shift and run toward the new scent. Barks fill my ears; I know exactly who they are and why they're here. Even if it's the middle of the night. Crouching outside the door, I let my pelt replace the human skin. They'd feel far more comfortable with a wolf than a human, I know.

Aqua! Jasmine leaps for me, wagging and wriggling like a pup. She licks the underside of my jaw.

A silver-black dog replaces the brown-furred she-wolf. He dips his head with respect before nudging me with his muzzle. I roll onto my side, relishing that the two of them found me. We were so worried. Ren fixes the silver-and-white fur Jazz messed up. He nuzzles me, drinking in my scent.

I'm fine. I push him off and get to my paws, shaking out my pelt. Brady stands in the doorway; I pad over to his side. Guys, this is a Striker, Brady.

Jazz sniffs him tentatively. He smells like you.

Ren's head snaps around. What did you do?

I lean against Brady's leg. We fought in a practice bout earlier, then talked for a bit after. I must've brushed off on him. I hope that they don't realize I'm not telling them everything. But I never did anything.

The pendant around my neck, which follows me in either form, warms and glows softly. Brady's gasp turns into a yelp as he somehow changes into a wolf. I flick my tail across his bronze-colored flank in greeting, trying not to ponder thoughts of why and how.

What happened?

You're a wolf! I rasp my tongue over his ear.

Brady wags his tail, his eyes glinting. Now you have to take me there. I'm less likely to get hurt. He closes off his mind so it's just the two of us. I need to be there for you, Aqua. Please. His tail abruptly droops and stops moving.

I glance at Ren, whose eyes blaze with anger. Brady could be an alpha after a while (except maybe around his brother) and Ren, even though he really isn't, is the closest one to me. Without a word, just a flick of my ears, I shoot into the darkness of the stormy night.

Calls sound through the navy horizon, as if trying to compete with the thunder. Both my parents are missing from the pack, and of course Jazz and Ren. I flatten my ears as we near the Elemental Cross. I can almost feel the light engulfing me again, urging me to accept the void that was unconsciousness…

Shaking my head to clear it, I race forward, knowing it's about to happen. I heed the nightmares as warnings, and I'd read their signs. If only I can stop it… I think to myself. Ren and Brady are on either side of me, Jazz flanking Ren. Hopefully four wolves can stop this. I push faster despite the ache in my legs. I have already gone well past the limit for running wolves. Panting breaths echo behind me, joining with the summoning howls. I try to block out the noise to focus on this rescue.

I skid to a halt under the trees. The land opens in front of us, moonlight shining off the swords that changed me. Shadows seem to seep under the wall-like thing, which I'm not even sure can be called a wall because it looks so weird. I bite back a warning bark when I see an unmistakably familiar white pelt.

Then a gold-brown wolf rockets across the field opposite our hiding place, his mind open to all who'll listen. His scream pierces through me, making my fur stand on end:

No!

Cliffy, again. This week, much like before I stopped writing last year, I'm full of them. Please review. Bye.