The sound of a howl made me jerk upright in my bed, the blanket curled around me as I stared at the window. When I heard the sound again my shoulders trembled causing me to briefly cover my entire body with my blanket to hide myself away. It wasn't until I realized how silly that was that I finally poked my head out, my eyes narrowed before I rose from the bed. Crossing the room I reached the window and as I peered outside I thought, just for a moment, I saw a dark shape standing on one wall of the academy.
"That couldn't be….could it?" I whispered, the blanket lying forgotten on the floor beside my legs as I struggled to make out just what I was seeing. For several seconds I stared and when the dark shape lifted its head I saw a pair of glowing red eyes and when the wilderwolf turned its head I could swear it was looking directly at me.
After a pause, it leaped down out of sight and I groaned, looking into the courtyard but when I couldn't spot the Night Patrol I frowned. "Great so I'm the only one who knows there's a wilderwolf on the loose. Where's the Night Patrol when you need them?" I grumbled, sliding open the window as carefully as I could before I stared up at the moonlight.
"Ric's going to be so mad at me for doing this," I added with a sigh before I fiddled with my moon-band. Making a decision I turned it and when the moonlight bathed me I growled, hunching over before I transformed. When my new ring dropped onto the floor I sighed, grasping it between my paws before I carefully slipped it back on. A tug and when it didn't slip off I nodded.
As quickly as I could I left via the open window, checking to see if anyone was watching before I darted for the front gates. Despite the dull ache in my stomach I managed to limp my way into the forest surrounding the academy and as I lowered my nose to the ground I caught a whiff of something vaguely familiar.
"Smells kind of familiar but not like any of the pack. It could just be one of that pack that attacked us or….maybe it's their alpha." I muttered, slowly making my way along the dirt floor as I followed the scent. I made it as far as the ledge where I'd first transformed and I paused, looking down over the ledge before I swallowed. Stepping back I breathed out, looking around but after wandering around in circles I soon discovered that I'd lost the scent.
"Great that was a bust. Maybe I should head back to Howlington. Getting tired anyway." I muttered to myself with a yawn, trotting back the way I'd come. Getting back proved easier than I thought as I followed both my paw prints and my scent and as the gates to the academy grew closer I grinned to myself.
It wasn't until another howl broke the air that I froze, my blue eyes widening as something twice my size leaped directly into my path. Once I saw the wilderwolf baring its teeth at me I whined, looking past it and once it saw where my eyes were it chuckled at me. "I know what you're thinking and no, I'm not letting you get away this time. I still have a score to settle with you." The wilderwolf growled and after I stared at its glowing red eyes I blinked.
"You're the leader of the wilderwolf pack, aren't you? The one that attacked me and Ric." Finding my voice I narrowed my eyes, hoping that it wouldn't know how scared I was at being cut off from my only means of escape. "The same one who won't leave me alone."
"I'm glad you remember me, little wolf. I didn't think you would be brave enough to face me all on your own but I guess I was wrong." The wilderwolf chuckled, immediately blocking my path when I tried to leap past it. Its paw hit me in my stomach and I yelped as it laughed at me growling softly once I managed to stand on all four paws.
"I spent too long planning to get you away from your pack so I'm not going to just let you run away again. Now what to do with you now that I have you all to myself." The wilderwolf growled, watching on with a wide grin as I rubbed at my sore stomach. "I didn't hit you that hard." He taunted and I growled, stepping close enough to take a swipe at his nose. His head jerked back and I circled him, striking his face with my tail to distract him.
Thinking it had worked I rushed toward the gate only to feel something clamping down on my tail and I yelped, briefly seeing the wilderwolf's teeth before he threw me away from the gate. I slammed into the ground hard enough to leave me groaning and the wilderwolf growled, stepping close enough to rest its front paw on top of my head.
"So close but not fast enough. I thought maybe this time you'd put up more of a fight. Guess you're just another pathetic werewolf." He growled at me, claws close to my face but as he drew back his paw I snapped my teeth at him and he jerked as my teeth clamped down on his paw. I bit down as hard as I could, holding onto him for as long as I possibly could manage hoping that someone would show up and help.
Shaking me free the wilderwolf growled, blood splattering my muzzle and I grinned despite how badly my stomach throbbed as he shook his paw. Once I saw him gingerly setting it down on the dirt I grinned, shaking blood droplets from my nose.
"Not so funny when you're the one getting bit is it?" I spat and he growled at me, eyes blazing before he dived at me. As we rolled in the dirt I used my front paws to try and stop him from clamping down on my muzzle, his teeth catching fur instead before he lunged for my front paws. I screamed as his teeth gripped my right paw his jaws clamping down as hard as he could, blood spattering his muzzle.
Yelping I pulled back my left paw using my claws to swipe at his muzzle, doing little to dislodge him. When I raised a back paw, kicking at his jaw he finally relaxed his grip. I managed to pull my paw free though not before I saw the gash he'd opened up in my leg, the pain leaving me gasping as he grinned at me my blood coating his teeth.
"Try running away now with only three legs." He taunted as I tried to put my leg down, the leg instantly crumbling beneath me as I howled. the sharp pain radiating from my injury left me unable to put any weight on it, my heavy panting leaving the wilderwolf smiling. "Perfect. Got you right where I want you and this time the sun won't save you."
"If you think I'm given up you're really stupid." I shot back, holding my leg off the ground as I stared the wilderwolf down. "But what did I expect from a mangy, flea-bitten wilderwolf?" I added, regretting my words as he snarled at me red eyes boring into my bright blue ones before he dived at me. Our teeth snapped as we fought, my side opened up next as his claws found my still-healing stomach but I still got off a few smacks to his face and chest.
The sight of my blood and the immediate and intense pain made me woozy, threatening to make me pass out but I fought as hard as I could, using my teeth and claws as I struggled to keep his teeth away from my throat knowing that would be the end of me.
I managed to get a few strikes to his side, scratching at his face and tearing some of his mane out but his size belied his speed, and as I began to weaken he struck me hard enough to knock me back to the dirt. Instantly my leg crumbled under me and as I whined he drew back his paw, smashing his paws into me over and over again tearing fur and making me jerk with every blow he inflicted on my body.
"Get up." He growled at me, striking my muzzle until with a groan I managed to open my left eye, unable to open the other as he towered over me. "This isn't over until I want it to be." He told me, nudging my jaw with his paw. When I didn't move too busy groaning he snorted, using his claws to trace my cheek.
"Get up and fight me! I want my victory to mean something!" He roared at me, all patience gone and I howled as he dug his claw into my already injured leg, making me bleed into the dirt even faster. "You are the most pathetic werewolf I've ever met." He growled at me as I jerked and cried, his claw digging around into my wound before something knocked him hard into the gate behind us.
As I lay moaning on the ground I heard howling and voices, my eye seeing something growling at the wilderwolf blocking it from attacking me further. I tried to lift my head but then everything faded.
"Hey stay with us." Something said close to where I lay and I whimpered, shifting my head before I cracked open my one working eye finding a blue-furred werewolf standing at my side. Once he saw me staring at him he breathed out.
"Don't scare me like that, Alex," Ric whispered, touching my muzzle and when I tried to move he shook his head. "We need to bring you back to the academy but you need to stay still until we can move you." He explained, looking on as Flasheart and Lucas carried something over to where I lay on the dirt.
"There we go. Just stay still okay? I know it hurts but we need to move you. Those wounds are nasty and we don't need you getting an infection too." Ric said and I whined, panting as Flasheart and Lucas lifted me as gently as they could onto the unfolded litter. Once I was strapped in Ric stood on his hind legs one hand on my shoulders as they carried me toward the academy. I closed my left eye as the front entrance of the academy grew closer, the hand resting on my shoulder ending up on my paw briefly.
"Alex, can you hear me?" Ric's voice brought me to awareness and when I groaned, my left eye slowly opening I found him kneeling beside me back in human form. "Just breathe okay?"
"Is that you, Ric?" I whispered and he blinked at me, chuckling softly when I chewed my lower lip. Once I lifted a hand I saw my human fingers catching a faint smile on Ric's human lips as he stood at my side. After a slight pause, he moved to my left side.
"Sorry keep forgetting you can only see out of one eye right now. Yeah, it's me, Alex." Ric answered, his fingers touching mine before he gently rested my hand back on my stomach. "Just get some rest okay?"
"Ric?" I mumbled but Ric just shook his head at me, reaching over before he pulled the blanket up to the base of my neck. "Where am I? What happened to me?"
"Right now you're in the infirmary, safe at Howlington. You just had...a little run-in with the leader of a wilderwolf pack but don't worry, you're going to be fine after some rest." Ric explained, leaning over before his warm lips brushed my forehead. "Now get some sleep okay?"
With a yawn, I closed my eye and as I began to drift off I didn't see Ric gritting his teeth. But I didn't miss the low growl that emerged from his throat before he turned away heading toward the hallway with his hands clenching into fists.
"Where is he?" Ric growled, standing in Principal Pincus' office and she sighed shaking her head at Ric who narrowed his eyes his eyes glowing red.
"Mr Rawls, calm yourself. The wilderwolf in question is being held for questioning." Pincus explained calmly, waiting until Ric finally let out a breath his eyes returning to brown before he leaned back against the wall. "That's better."
"Sorry but after what he's done to Alex I just….lost my head." Ric apologized but Pincus just nodded, giving him a faint smile before she motioned toward the empty chair. Once Ric finally settled himself down into it Pincus looked at the closed door.
"That's understandable after what the alpha of the wilderwolf pack did to Miss Wolff. But losing control won't help Alex." Pincus replied, leaning forward before she considered her next words. "Right now Alex needs to rest and recuperate from her injuries. How is she feeling?"
"Very tired and sore, Pincus. That's all I could tell before she fell asleep." Ric replied, looking down at his hands before he ran his fingers through his hair. "I should have been there with her not with the Night Patrol." He added in a small voice but Pincus heard him and he looked up when she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"This isn't your fault, Ric. The wilderwolf pack the Night Patrol was chasing was part of his plan to get a werewolf alone. Most likely Alex but you got to her in time and that's the main thing." Pincus answered and Ric nodded though when his eyes briefly glowed she shook her head. "I didn't think that Alex would leave Howlington on her own like that. Something must have drawn her outside."
Ric just nodded, his eyes changing back and as he breathed out slowly they both heard a knock at the door. "Come in," Pincus called out, and when the door opened revealing Flasheart and Hotspur Ric growled. Before everyone's eyes, he pushed himself up from the chair his eyes red and narrowed directly at the major and the High Howler.
"I should never have left her. This is all the Night Patrol's fault. I told you that wilderwolf was going to target us again but you wouldn't listen." Ric snapped, frustrated but Flasheart slowly shook his head arms crossed against his chest as he waited patiently for Ric to stop growling.
"Ric, this was all his plan so no one's to blame." Flasheart countered, calm despite watching the former alpha glaring at me. "The alpha wanted us away from Howlington."
"If anyone's to blame it's you," Hotspur answered and Ric blinked, staring at the major of Milford until Pincus cleared her throat. "Wilderwolf." He added and Ric growled, taking a single step toward Hotspur until Pincus placed a hand on his shoulder, instantly stopping the former alpha in his tracks.
Once Ric turned his head Pincus shook hers and after a lengthy pause, he lowered his head. Taking her hand away Pincus watched as Ric growled at Hotspur, glaring at him before he stalked out into the hallway.
"Brother, Ric's changed. He took on that wilderwolf all by himself before we could help. Besides he was protecting a member of his pack and someone he cares about." Flasheart explained calmly but Hotspur just chuckled, everyone looking on as Ric slammed his fist into the wall just outside before he headed in the direction of the infirmary.
"Once a wilderwolf always a wilderwolf, brother. You saw how his eyes were red." Hotspur pointed out and Pincus rubbed at her eyes, stepping between the brothers before an argument could break out.
"This is getting us nowhere. Right now we need to find out who that wilderwolf is and pointing fingers isn't going to help." Pincus answered, looking from Flasheart to Hotspur with her arms crossed. "Any ideas would be great right now."
As Ric returned to the infirmary he found the rest of the pack surrounding Alex's bed and when he stared at them Freddy cleared his throat. "We were worried about Alex. I know we should be in our rooms but…" He trailed off when Ric held up a hand, giving them a faint smile.
"That's okay. I appreciate the concern and I'm sure Alex does too." Ric replied, trying to keep a quiver out of his voice before he crossed the room to stand at her bedside.
"Based on her injuries I'd say that recovery time will take several weeks," Aggie commented, getting several blank stares before she shrugged. "Of course, it could take longer if Alex doesn't stay in bed."
"Which, knowing Alex, is a safe bet." Ric agreed, pulling up a chair before he stared down at Alex. "So I guess I'll have to make sure she stays here. It is my fault she's injured anyway."
"Hey you didn't do this that wilderwolf did," Batty answered but Ric sighed, lowering his head before he gently placed a hand on Alex's hand though when she didn't react he grimaced. "Is she going to be okay?"
"The wound to her side and leg will eventually heal but it's going to take time." Ric finally responded after a long silence, wincing when everyone heard Alex crying out in her sleep. "Shhh it's okay." He soothed, rubbing Alex's fingers until she quietened. "I'm worried that after that attack…." He caught himself but Aggie nodded, bringing everyone's attention to her.
"Alex might not be the same ever again." Aggie finished for Ric and Ric nodded, not trusting his voice anymore. After hearing several yawns Ric forced a tiny smile onto his face before he stood, pushing at the younger members of the pack.
"Come on everyone, back to bed before Principal Pincus catches you," Ric told them, ignoring their protests after they finally headed back to their bedrooms he looked back at Alex. Taking a deep breath he walked over to Alex and after setting himself down in the chair beside her bed he reached over, gently holding her hand in his.
"I should have been there with you, Alex. This is all my fault." He whispered, closing his eyes, unaware that I had my one good eye looking directly at him. "If I had been with you instead of being with the Night Patrol…you wouldn't be lying in this bed."
"Both of us...would be lying here instead, Ric," I mumbled, closing my only working eye before Ric had time to answer. "Took your time….finding me."
"Took my time?" Ric breathed out and I sighed, a soft laugh coming from my lips before I coughed. "Alex, you should be sleeping."
"Ric, you are not to blame for this. I chose to leave Howlington and that's on me." I explained and Ric fixed me with a faint smile. The moment I heard him yawning I sighed, lightly tracing his fingers. "Speaking of sleeping you need rest too."
"Alex, I'm perfectly…." Ric started to argue until he yawned even louder, rubbing at his eyes. "Fine." He muttered and I weakly coughed as Ric released my hand, moving to the bed to my left. Once he pulled his shoes off he lay back and I reached over, holding his hand before we both started to doze off.