"We need to seek out the vampires and attack." I look at the pack. Some of them nod their head in agreement while others look at Ajay.
"Zare, we don't need to go looking for a fight," Ajay says.
"So you're just letting AB create more."
"The vampires haven't bothered us. Let the other creatures take care of them," Cricket says.
"What other creatures are powerful enough?"
"The Centaur will handle them," Ajay says.
"Then Elfie should run the forest. They are head species."
"We run the forest," shouts Ajay.
"Handle the forest's problems, because that's what leaders do," I yell.
"And what you know about being a leader, Zare, over half the time we're getting you out of trouble," Ajay remarks.
Everyone laughs.
"Fine, then when we are outnumbered. Remember this moment."
I change into my wolf and race off into the woods. That is so aggravating.
I sit on the bench, in a cemetery. The cemetery was a lot calmer during the day.
"Trouble in Paradise?" I hear Alec's voice. He walks and sits with me on the bench.
"Are you following me?"
"No," he laughs. I just remember your scent.
"Oh, goody."
"So what's bothering you, darling?" He asks me.
"Nothing, I just have a wild heart."
"Oh, I see." He laughs.
"You don't have to choose the bad side."
"I think you are," he tells me.
"You do?"
"AB wants what's best for the forest. The wolves are destroying it," he says.
"He's lying to you."
He reaches for my hand. His touch is cold. I jump a little and pull my hand away.
"You know you belong with a vampire," he tells me.
"I belong with my Mark mate."
"I see," he says.
"Just know, AB is manipulating you. I can help you find the right path."
"I know I am on the right path," he argues.
"Is AB using you as bait to lure me back to the clan?"
"I thought my friend already told you to leave," I hear Dev's snarl approaching us.
"I don't listen to dirty dogs," he laughs.
Dev changes into his wolf. He stands tall on four legs, growling. His hair stuck straight up in the air.
Alec puts his hands up in the air. "I'll leave." In moments, he was out of sight.
"I don't need you as Paparazzi too."
"Stop the sarcasm Zare," Dev laughs.
"Why are you here, zombie run?"
"No, Ajay says it will be a full moon tonight. We need to get your little friend tied up," Dev explains.
"Tied up?"
"Remember, he doesn't have a werewolf in his jeans. When he turns into a werewolf, it's harder for him to control. Almost impossible, he'll try to destroy everything in his path," Dev says.
"Great, the drama today continues."
"I thought sarcasm was my role," he chuckles.
******
In moments, we were back at Camp. I see Ash chained to a tree.
Abooksigun was at his side. He didn't seem in pain or upset. The boys are putting another layer of thick chains around him.
"Isn't this a little unnecessary?"
"You have no idea what type of Wolf he is," Ajay says.
"I am sure the same as us."
"There are reasons I explained never changing anyone, but you found a way to tiptoe around the rules," Ajay glares at me.
Tiptoe around the rules. I mock him in my head.
"Alec was talking to Zare again," Dev says.
"Thanks." I mouth to him.
"You are not allowed to go out unsupervised anymore," Chetan tells me.
"Well, you're not Alpha."
"Yeah, I am, and I agree," Ajay tells me.
"Of course you do." I roll my eyes.
"We have no idea what his intentions are," Ajay remarks.
"And I'm sure working with AB it's not good," Ash says.
"Great, now everyone's against me."
We ate, and I changed into my wolf form to enjoy potato soup. Chetan hunted Ash and me, a few squirrels and rabbits to drink. Nightfall hit us sooner than I expected.
Covering my eyes. I tried to avoid Ash's horrible, agonizing screams. It was clear that changing into a werewolf was very painful for him. He put his head back and screamed. A bloody scream made the birds fly away from the trees.
His face started to cover with fur. His eyes glow red. His growl was evil, not a customary growl from a wolf. The whole tree shook as he tried to escape. His entire body is now covered with fur. His paws have sharp claws. His teeth were like his vampire fangs.
I move towards him. He hisses and growls like a Savage Beast.
"Ash?" I cry.
His eyes roll back into his head. He snarls at me. Showing his teeth. He tries to pull the chains.
"What if he's able to bust through?" Dev asks.
"Then we are all dead," Ajay says.
I take a big swallow, and I suddenly feel nervous. If Ajay shows fear, this is terrible.
I feel Chetan's arm around me. "Let's get some sleep, baby," he says.
"I doubt I'll be able to sleep."
"The sooner the full moon is gone, Ash will be back to normal," Ajay tells us all.
I hold Chetan's hand, walking to our sleeping spot. It was like a house made of sticks and bristles.
"Aww." I smile, seeing Chetan fill it with blankets and pillows.
"What's this?" I picked up a bottle.
"Water from the river with wild berries," he responds.
I smile. "So fancy."
"Nothing but the best for you," he tells me.
I crawl into our little hiding spot and lay down. Covering my ears, I try to drown out Ash's loud growling and howling. The shaking of the chains was overwhelmingly loud.
Chetan lays next to me, and I roll over laying on his chest. He rubs my back through my shirt. I love when he touches my skin.
"I can't believe I did that to him."
"You were just trying to help him," he tells me.
I rub my hands over his chest, and he kisses me on the head.
"I'm not playing around about you going out unsupervised," he tells me.
I nod. "I know."
"That Alec guy is up to something," he says.
"I know. He's following AB's orders."
"Which are?" He asks.
"Don't know."
I look over at Ash. He is going so crazy, growling and trying to break free, that he is exhausting himself. I notice him closing his eyes, and it's quiet. Then he'll start right back up.
"He'll be passed out in a moment," Chetan tells me.
Hopefully, that is one bad wolf.