Chapter 9: Enemy Territory
947words
Griffin led the way, his massive brown form cutting through the underbrush. Lucien ran beside me, silver-white coat gleaming in the moonlight. Valerian brought up the rear, his black fur making him nearly invisible.
*Stay close,* Griffin commanded through the bond. *Hunters have night vision equipment.*
A shot rang out, splintering bark near my head. I instinctively ducked, nearly stumbling.
*Keep moving!* Valerian urged. *I'll handle this.*
He veered into the darkness. Moments later, I heard a scream that was abruptly cut short.
*Valerian?* I called, worried.
*Don't worry about me, little miracle,* came his reply, tinged with dark satisfaction. *One less hunter to worry about.*
We ran for what felt like hours, crossing streams to mask our scent. Griffin clearly knew these woods intimately, leading us through invisible paths.
Finally, we reached a steep cliff face.
*Now what?* I asked, panting heavily. My initial energy was fading, replaced by bone-deep exhaustion.
*Up,* Lucien replied, nodding toward what looked like an impossible climb.
Wolf claws, I discovered, were excellent for climbing. Valerian rejoined us halfway up, materializing from the shadows.
*You're bleeding,* I noticed, seeing a dark stain on his black fur.
*Silver grazes,* he dismissed. *Nothing serious.*
At the top was a narrow cave entrance hidden by vegetation. Inside, the cave opened into a larger chamber. Valerian extracted a small lantern from a hidden cache and lit it.
*How did you know this was here?* Griffin asked, suspicion evident.
*I make it my business to know escape routes,* Valerian replied evasively. *Especially in enemy territory.*
*Enemy territory?* I questioned.
*We're in South Territory now,* Lucien explained gently. *This is why Griffin is... uncomfortable.*
*Uncomfortable is an understatement,* Griffin growled. *The South Alpha would kill us if he found us here.*
*Only if he catches us,* Valerian countered. *Which he won't, because he's currently occupied with hunters who think we fled north.*
I sank to the ground, exhaustion overwhelming me. My first transformation, a battle, and miles of running—it was too much.
*She needs rest,* Lucien said, moving to my side.
*I'll take first watch,* Griffin decided.
As Lucien began examining Valerian's silver burns, I drifted off. The last thing I remembered was the gentle touch of Lucien's muzzle against my fur.
---
I woke human again, wrapped in someone's jacket. Daylight filtered through cracks in the cave ceiling.
"Welcome back," Valerian said softly. He sat cross-legged nearby, wearing only pants. His torso was covered in intricate tattoos that seemed to shift in the dim light.
"How long was I out?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
"About six hours. The moon set, and we all shifted back." He offered me a water bottle. "Drink. You need it."
I drank greedily. "Where are the others?"
"Griffin's scouting. Lucien's gathering herbs—apparently this area is rich in medicinal plants."
In human form, with his guard down, Valerian looked younger, less dangerous—though the violet eyes still held that predatory gleam.
"You saved us," I said. "Thank you."
He shrugged, highlighting the lean muscles of his shoulders. "Don't thank me yet. We're still in hostile territory."
"South Territory," I remembered. "What's the story there? Why is Griffin so worried?"
Valerian's expression darkened. "The South Alpha, Dominic, is... traditional. He believes female werewolves should be seen and not heard. A female Alpha?" He shook his head. "In his eyes, you're an abomination."
"Charming," I muttered.
"There's more," he continued. "There's an old prophecy about a female Alpha bringing change—change that would threaten the old power structures."
"A prophecy? Seriously?" I couldn't keep the skepticism from my voice. "Next you'll tell me I'm the chosen one who has to save the werewolf world."
Valerian's lips quirked. "Something like that."
Griffin and Lucien returned, both fully dressed. Griffin's expression was grim.
"Hunters have set up checkpoints on all major roads," he reported. "They're working with local authorities, claiming there's a dangerous fugitive."
"That would be me, I'm guessing," I said.
"They're being smart," Lucien added. "Using human resources to search in daylight, when we're vulnerable."
"So we're trapped here?" I pulled the jacket tighter.
"For now," Griffin confirmed. "We move at nightfall."
"And go where?" I asked. "They found your territory. They're watching the roads. Where exactly is safe?"
The three men exchanged glances.
"There is one place," Lucien said hesitantly. "The Neutral Zone."
"But to reach it," Griffin continued, "we have to cross South Territory. In daylight."
"Which means we need help," Lucien concluded.
Valerian stood, stretching like a cat. "Leave that to me. I know someone."
Griffin's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"Someone who owes me a favor," Valerian said cryptically. "Someone who hates Dominic as much as we do."
As they discussed plans, I noticed something strange—a faint symbol on the cave wall, glowing softly in the lantern light. It looked like three interlocking circles with a crescent moon.
"What's that?" I asked, pointing.
The men fell silent, staring at the symbol.
"You can see that?" Lucien whispered, his face pale.
"Of course I can. It's glowing."
Valerian exchanged a look with Griffin. "It shouldn't be visible to anyone except—"
A distant howl interrupted him, followed by another, closer.
"South patrol," Griffin hissed. "They've found us."
Valerian moved to the cave entrance, then froze. "Too late. They're already here."
Through the narrow opening, I glimpsed a tall figure silhouetted against the daylight. A woman's voice, cold and clear, called out:
"I know you're in there, Valerian. And I know what you're hiding."
