Elias’s POV

Suddenly, a large black wolf with beautiful purple eyes trotted into the cave with an unconscious and wounded Emalynn. They were back, but why like this? It's forbidden to show others our true form. "Leah, what happened?" Worst case scenario, Emalynn saw Leah, and she might have to... I picked Emalynn from Leah’s back. I removed the quill from her back and lay Emalynn next to a sleeping Rory.

Leah laid on the floor shifting to her beast form with her black wild hair tied back in a braid. I noticed her bleeding arm and leg. I grab the leftover salve and treat her wounds. She pulls out her spare sash and bandages her wounds as I tend to Emalynn. "Leah, what happened!" I demand an answer this time. I know she has already begun healing.

"We got the bear, but we were worn out from the fight, and we tried to drag it back here. Unfortunately, the bandits found us." She took a drink from her water pouch. "There were twelve bandits. Two are dead and three injured. The worst part is that a dark elf is watching this whole thing. And yes, he has already sensed my ring, and he probably knows about yours too. He wants it badly."

"Shit. I think they knew about us when we got here. The first bear was fed an aggression potion. That dark elf must have noticed us because there are three rings between us. Meaning, they will be here shortly." I grumbled. "Worst family outing ever."

"You should be proud of the girls. They really have held their own today. If it weren't for the bandits and the elf, we would be celebrating right about now." Leah tries to reassure me. "Now, we just need to get them home."

I gave her a nod, stretching the cloak to cover both girls. "Rory did wake while you were gone. She is healing a little faster thanks to her wolf side." Leah smiled at the girls. The fire is nothing but embers at this point, so everything appears dark in the cave. Only a little light is illuminating the cave unless another lightning bolt strikes. "This weather is odd too. It has done nothing but rain since we traveled on the Merchant's Route."

"The dark elf must have been watching. He has weather magic, and who knows what else." Leah said in a distraught voice. "Elias, I am sorry for blaming you earlier."

"Leah, don't worry about it. We need to focus on making a plan." I countered. "Come on, Alpha Huntress. How do we get our girls home?" I give her a reassuring smile since she can see in the dark thanks to her wolf abilities.

Leah cleared her throat and shifted on the ground. "Well, I have to be a human again, so they don't suspect anything. I will go up to the cliffs to draw them toward me. You can act as my familiar in your wolf form that way they will believe that's what my ring can do. I will call out a fake spell to summon you."

Pride beamed on my face. "That's the Alpha, I trained." I didn't waste a minute becoming my wolf form. Even forty years later, my skin tingles as fur erupts out each pore of my skin. My bones cracked as they reformed into my wolf form. Although shifting is not painful for me, it does leave my body full of tingles. Now, a large brown wolf stood where I once was. I could see Leah clearly through the darkness. She stands up allowing her beast woman features to fade into her soft human features. Lifting my nose in the air, I could smell the dirty bandits approaching the road. I nudged Leah, alerting her to our incoming guests. She nods and darts out of the cave.

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I crawl low to the ground exiting the cave. Leah is already at the top of the cliff, so I stay hidden along the cliff side waiting for her signal. I sniff the air again, and I can smell the dark elf's burnt aroma. The dark elf may sense me in my hiding place, but it will be the same as sensing Leah’s ring, making him believe I am her familiar. When we win this battle, I am going to rip that elf's throat out.

"Give up, woman!" I hear one of the humans call out to Leah.

"No, thank you. I think I can handle this just fine." Leah chimed.

"But, I see the monkey girl is no longer with you. It seems you didn't handle the last one very well." The human taunted. I am so ready to rip this man to shreds.

"I am sure I am more than enough for you." Leah teased.

Suddenly, yelps of pain filled the air. "Opps. Weren't you ready for me?" Leah jokes. She must have taken Emalynn’s bow and quiver before leaving the cave. I really do train my protégés well.

"Climb the cliff. This pay day may set us up for the rest of our lives." The human roused his crew.

I know she will "call" me out momentarily, so I start stretching and shaking out my fur.

"God of heaven grant me an ally for this fight. A beast, a friend to give me strength before the moon's first light." Leah chanted. Smoke filled the air from a smoke bomb as I jumped from the ledge on the cliff. I get to sink my teeth into some lousy bandits. I am a young soul, and today, I prove it.

The Battle Rages On

The battle was a blur. I ripped as many of those bandits off the cliff side as I could. Only one human and two orcs remain. The dark elf hasn't moved from his perch, yet. Leah is currently beating back one of the orcs as I try to sneak over to the last human.

Every joint aches. Every stab wound. Every bleeding gash. Maybe, I am past my prime because beasts are supposed to be tougher than this. These bandits weren't strong, but they were scrappy. Blood has drenched my brown fur, and my mouth tastes metallic from all of their blood. Nine deaths that could have been prevented had these bandits not given into greed. The leader is about to pay for causing needless bloodshed. I have taken many lives in the last forty years, but it's never easy, only necessary.

I approached the lead human, stalking him like I do a deer. Hidden in the trunk of an old tree, I watched the human converse with the dark elf.

"Talan, I need your help now." The human pleaded.

"Markis, my friend, I thought you could do this. Instead, you have lost almost all of your crew to this woman and her familiar. If I were to help you now, you would have to face 'him' with your failure." The dark elf named Talan cautioned the human.

The human, Markis', face grimaced at Talan's words. He stood quietly for a moment looking back at Leah fighting his last crew members. "I will pay any cost to avenge my crew. Save my last two friends, Talan."

"Very well, Markis. First, I need to rid the woman of her familiar." An evil grin rested on his face, and I knew he was on to me. Time to retreat.

My paws carried through the mud as I heard Talan's laugh fill the air. "Run as fast as you can, little dog. You are about to be barbecued." Talan taunted. The thunder boomed and lightning sparked, illuminating the sky. It's confirmed he has been in control of the weather the entire time.

Zzzz...BOOM!

Holy shit! Lighting struck the ground next to me as I ran. Stupid elf! I loathe myself for appearing as an elf now. Granted, my form is a woodland elf, but this guy makes me loathe it anyway. Stupid pointy ears, tall stature and charming appearance! Screw it all! My anger raged.

Zzzzz…BOOM! BOOM!

Two strikes this time! My aged body is a little slower than most wolf beasts, but I still escaped the blast. I can feel the fur on my tail is singed. Leah looks over at me with worry. She knows we are in trouble now. I am not sure if we will be able to protect the girls or not. Leah is being backed toward the cliff by the orcs.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Boom!

Ahhhh! Damn it! My tail was hit that time. Shocks painfully spread through my body. I want to fall to the ground in pain. I stumble a bit, yet I keep running. I can't give up.

Boom!

"Ooooo!" I howl in pain as the lightning bolt strikes right under my feet. The shock overwhelms my body causing me to stumble forward into the cliff side. My head hits a boulder embedded in the cliffs. I fell, crashing to the ground. My sight became hazy as darkness filled my head. The last thing I heard was a wolf growling before my eyes shut.