Leah’s POV

“Emalynn, I know you are tired, but we have another fight on our hands. I need you to pay attention.” Emalynn looked at me with fear in her eyes. “It will be fine. I just need you to trust me, okay?” She nodded as I gently helped her stand up again.

Emalynn pushed herself to stand, and I could see her ears twitch. The bandits are surrounding us, and they are past the point of hiding. "Draw your bow and eliminate who you can. I will cover you." I grinned at her. I know we're in a grave situation, but that means I get to have some fun. Drawing both my swords, I drop into a defensive stance in front of Emalynn. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Emalynn ready her arrow. She shook her head to keep from fading out. I need to make this quick for her, or I could indeed end up with another injured teammate.

Thunder crashed above us signaling the bandits that their cover was blown. Looking around, I could see three dwarves wielding bows in different trees above me, three orcs behind each tree that held a dwarf, six humans with swords, maces and knives poking through the surrounding brush, and, oddly, a dark elf based on the dark gray complexion and white rune tattoos indicating a magic user. What in the world was this dark elf doing here? Usually elves did not care for other races. He stood out among his crew of bandits, which meant he is probably the leader. Great, a magic user and leader of the crew is a dark elf. Still, my wolf instincts were excited for a challenge.

I became a ruthless killer on my quest to become the Alpha Huntress because an alpha must be able to be compassionate, merciful, cunning and ruthless according to our traditions. I struggled with it when I began my training, and I still wasn't comfortable until my sister left. I had so much anger and hurt that I channeled it all into my missions as a huntress. I became a top class assassin and S rank guild member outside of the valley. I continued my sister's work on the tunnel beneath the west mountains showing my compassion toward our people and outsiders. The council took notice after several years, and I was named Axel's mate and Alpha Huntress. Although I still carry compassion, I have learned to give into my instincts and enjoy my killing sprees. Too bad for the bandits though because this day will be they're last.

"Give up, ladies. You're sorely outnumbered." One of the humans barked at us.

"Hang on, Markis. Look at the woman's eyes. She seems to be ready for a fight." The dark elf smiled at me. I could tell he is hoping for a good challenge just as I am.

“Yes, Markis. Give us a chance. We are good for a fight.” I started smirking at our attackers. Emalynn sighed next to me. She didn’t want this fight, but I am not about to let these bandits get their hands on my ring or my weapons. I glanced back at Emalynn to see if she could handle this fight. She gave me a slight nod, and the bandits started to creep forward.

Emalynn takes some deep breaths as she draws her bow. I get low to avoid her firing range and to defend her from the three humans rushing toward us. A short bald man with mace in his hand ran and jumped off an awful smelling man’s shield as the smelly man ducked to the ground. It was a classic hit high and low at the same time, but with an added twist of third human, a brunette woman who smelt similar to the smelly man, came running around the side. They are trying to separate us, but I am not going to let them succeed.

Grabbing a knife from my belt, I threw it at the woman to buy time. I step out, thrusting my first sword toward the bald man in the air making him curl up to avoid my blade. In the blink of an eye the bald man is injured by a barrage of arrows from Emalynn. Slinking forward, I threw my second sword forward, which the smelly man blocked with his shield. My first blade came around toward his legs, and he leaped away from me. I look back at the woman to see her kneeling on the ground holding her side and leg from arrow wounds. From the corner of my eye, I could see Emalynn aiming at dwarves in the trees. I felt something moving toward me causing me to jump back. I narrowly escaped a blade a few inches from my face. Mr. Smelly Man is making his move, and all I can do is grin at the thrill of the fight.

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He defended well with a shield as we exchanged blows. I deflected his advances with my dual swords. I could see the woman getting up again to charge Emalynn. So, I did a fast swing low and hit high to make the smelly man focus on me. Quickly running in a circle, I thrust my blade in the ground to push my feet off the ground. My feet hit the shield knocking the man back and pulling my sword from the ground. Continuing my speed, I collided with the woman pulling both of my blades behind me. The woman plunges a knife in my thigh as we hit the ground causing me to yelp. "You are going to pay for that," I mutter, pulling the knife from my thigh. I have her pinned from the way we landed. One fast sweep of my blade and the woman is gone back to God. Blood squirted all over me mixing with dried bear blood.

Rising from the woman's gushing body, I see the smelly man only a foot away from me about to ram me with the shield. I am already tired of this man's advances. He pushes toward me forcing me back, but I know that it's a distraction as his sword jabs forward as he turns. I let my body drop and slide beneath him, cutting his legs with my swords. The smelly man fell to his knees applying pressure to his slashed thighs. The bald man came limping over to the smelly man dragging him to the brush.

"See, Markis. These ladies still want to fight. You already have one dead, two injured attackers and one injured bowman. Would you like my help this time?" The dark elf taunted the man named Markis meaning Markis is the actual leader. So why is there a dark elf here?

"At what price, Tanal? You only appear when our targets have something you want." Markis spat at the dark elf called Tanal.

"No charge as long as I get what I came for." Talan gave an evil grin.

Emalynn fires another barrage of arrows. She successfully knocks another dwarf out the tree, but I can hear her huffing behind me. She doesn't have much stamina left. I need to end this. My best guess is that the dark elf can sense my ring is a powerful magical item. He must be drawn to power. Let’s see if I can delay the elf's involvement.

"Come now. I thought we were going to have a fair fight, Markis. If that elf is after something then it's probably worth it for you to get yourself, right?" I coaxed him. The pain in my leg is becoming dull, but I am still bleeding. I won't be able to move well at all.

"You know what he's after, woman?" Markis asked.

"I may, but if it's what I think it is, then it's inside the bear. He swallowed it during our battle." I lied. I need them distracted. Thankfully, Emalynn is keeping a straight face as Talan and Markis study us.

"There's no way you all let some powerful magical item get swallowed by the bear. You are trying to trick us. What an amusing human you are." Talan chuckled. "Perhaps, I should make you my pet."

"Powerful magic item, hmm. Well, I can tell you won't last much longer, so I think I will take it myself. Then, if you really want it, Talan, you can buy it from me." Markis announced. "Second wave, go."

Dang, I was hoping they would bicker, but what can you expect from a dark elf? Dark elves don't give into pettiness. Talan seems to agree with Markis' idea, which is a little better because that means no magic.

"Ahhh…this hit does hurt," Emalynn squeaked. Arrows are grazing her arms and puncturing her legs.

Before I could get to Emalynn, a knife ripped into my arm where the bear scratched a few hours ago. Blood ran down my arm again. "Emalynn, show no mercy." I shouted as my new opponents approached me.

Emalynn is firing as many arrows as she can, but I can tell she can barely stand. My bloody arm ached as I tried to swing both my blades. Attack, retreat, attack, retreat. This is how the battle drones on. I tumble away from my opponents, and I go low striking their legs. I repeat this a few times until they are on their knees. Slipping away from my opponents, I slide my blades away into their holsters, and I see Emalynn kneeling drawing her bow. I run and pick up a collapsing Emalynn. Grabbing a few smoke bombs from my bag, I create an escape for us.

Once we are far enough away, I shift into my large black wolf carrying an unconscious Emalynn on my back. I only left because Emalynn had faded during the battle. Now, Elias and I will have to finish this and protect the girls. The rain had washed away the blood on my wounds and turned the road to mud. At least, my rapid healing ability has kicked in. Although, it won't completely heal for another day or two. I sweep away my track with my tail as I reach the cliff side. I trot over to the cave for a brief rest. I can smell the bandits only a mile away. God, watch over us.