Rory POV

"Emalynn, help me get Elias in bed." I call out to her as I untie the make-shift sled from my waist. I step aside from him and drop my gear, half of Elias’s and half of Aunt Leah’s that I have been carrying for hours. We finally reached a safe point in the tunnels where Aunt Leah and Uncle Axel built a safe house of sorts outside of the Savage Valley. I stayed here with them for a while when I first came to them.

"Coming, Rory." Emalynn hurried through the living room area to my side. The safe house is underground, and dug out by Aunt Leah and Uncle Axel. They used gray stones to pave the walls and floor and red pine logs across the ceiling to keep the dirt from caving in. There are four bedrooms that have two small beds in each room. Down the hall, there's a large bathroom with a shower. A small kitchen with a large wooden table with benches on either side. The living area consists of two long, brown couches and a small library. There's no view to the outside because this underground house is under one of the mountains.

I turned around to find Elias snoring with his tongue hanging outside of his mouth. He is a huge wolf almost as tall as me. Right now, he is bound with bandages made from his black tunic. Emalynn lifts his legs, and I carry his front half walking backwards down the hall.

"Wat-"

Klunck!

Shit.

I land flat on my behind with Elias's long, pink, wolf tongue draped over my boot after tripping over a stone. And I can't hold back the laughter. This man who taught me how to wield weapons and survive on nothing is a big puppy licking my dirty boot.

"Haha." I hear spill out of Emalynn’s mouth. "He looks ridiculous." She giggled, dropping him behind to the floor. We laughed hard at the once mighty Elias, now a puppy with a mouth full of dirty boots. Aunt Leah walked out of a bedroom and her laughter boomed in with ours. This is exactly what we needed after the last two days.

Just then, Elias began to stir. His paws began to wiggle.

"Do you think our laughter is finally waking him from his nap?" I asked, looking at Aunt Leah.

"It's possible, but I think he might be transforming back. There’s a limit to our shifting magic in exchange for the ability to use the ring.” Aunt Leah reaches down to pet a whimpering Elias.

“Limits? Like what?” Emalynn questions with a concerned look on her face.

“Let’s get him into bed.” Aunt Leah redirected. Together, we carried him into a bedroom and laid him down on a small bed against the wall. Aunt Leah pushed the bed against Elias’s and covered him in a soft gray blanket. His tongue still hung out of his mouth and twitched under the blanket.

“Come. Let’s go. He needs to rest.” Aunt Leah hurried us out of the room. “You two get settled. I will try to make something to eat.” She said disappearing into the little kitchen.

“What’s going on with her?” Emalynn asked. “Why is she being so secretive and dodgy?”

“Emalynn, I promise to explain everything later, but I am dying to use the shower because of the dried blood and dirt. Don’t you want to clean up, too?” As much as I want to explain how Aunt Leah is being weird since we are so close to her home, and her need to be with Axel is nearly overwhelming her. Being a wolf beast is complicated, but being Alpha Huntress is even more so. "We have time for me to explain my… well her world to you. For now, let's take care of ourselves."

“Yeah, I guess. Let’s go get our stuff. I have a sudden urge to clean my bow and arrows.” I could hear the frustration in her voice. Emalynn usually cleans her weapons when she is stressed, so this is normal for her. Although, I prefer the happy, fun Emalynn that gets me in trouble with the guild master.

I walked around the couches picking up my bag, weapons and other belongings. Emalynn silently gathered her things and claimed an empty bedroom. I walked down the dimly lit hallway to the last bedroom and lit some candles like Aunt Leah had done throughout the rest of the house. Looking around, I realized this was the room I had used before when I stayed with Aunt Leah and Uncle Axel. This is the place where I met my grandparents and learned how to shift for the first time. Where Elias taught me to play poker and Uncle Axel taught me to through knives. It was only a year of my life, but it was the best year I had after my parents died. Tears fell from my cheeks.

"Will there ever be a day that I don't cry?" I said to God. I sat quietly on the bed waiting for an answer.

The door creaks open revealing a tired Aunt Leah coming in. "Emalynn beat you to the shower. I made spicy cream potato soup. Are you hungry?"

"Sure." I followed her out to the living area where she handed me a bowl she made. "Are you sure you aren't a mom, yet?"

"Positive." She gave me a small smile. "Just a good aunt."

“How long until Uncle Axel arrives? I know you two have your weird communication magic.” I fumble through conversation as I start downing my food.

“It’s beast folk magic, dear. It happens when a pair mates for life. Some day, it may happen to you or Emalynn, too.” She smirked at me until my dinner flew out of my mouth onto her face. “Rory!” She shouts as the soup drips down her face. I throw my napkin at her, so she can dry off.

“It’s your own fault for bringing that up.” I laugh as I try to finish my soup.

“Come on, Rory. You are at the mating age, already. What happens if you do go into heat?” Aunt Leah became serious, throwing the wet napkin at me.

I put down my empty bowl and wet napkin on the small table next to the couch. She knows I don’t want to talk about this again. I decided a while ago that I don’t need any romance in my already complicated life. “I will live with it. I don’t need a mate, husband or companion. I am on the run now, remember?”

“Being on the run, didn’t stop your mom from mating and marrying your dad.”

“My mom lived with going into heat until she married my dad. Besides, I am a hybrid. We already learned normal rules don’t apply to me, so I may never go into heat. I couldn’t shift into a wolf until three years ago. I am not as powerful as a normal wolf beast. I am smaller than average for a wolf and a human. I have to use magic to conceal my identity because I am an illegal monster that brings nothing but death to the people around me. I shifted into some wild beast that I can’t control just yesterday! Remember?” I paused to catch my breath. The tears from earlier were forming in my eyes again. “It’s bad enough my identity is screwing with Emalynn’s life. Why would I want to endanger somebody else because I feel lonely? I wouldn’t be able to protect them!”

Aunt Leah broke away from the couch to size me up. I could tell my lectures were just beginning at this point. “What is with the lack of confidence? Where is my feisty little niece that placed first in Guild Exhibitions in the minor division two years ago?” Her hands rested on her hips as she got fired up just listening to my self doubt.

Stolen novel; please report.

This is why I didn’t want to talk about this. I can barely protect the family that I already have. I can’t repeat what happened a year ago. I stayed silent wondering if I should tell her what happened in Old River Woods or not. I suppose she wasn’t going to let this go even if I asked nicely. “I am done talking about this.” I managed to say hoping she would drop the interrogation.

“Not a chance. You haven’t been yourself for a while according to Elias, and your self doubt is making me sick. No more pity party about being a hybrid. Tell me the honest truth, or I am dragging you back into the valley, so your grandparents can deal with you.” She threatened.

My eyes widened. “Don’t bring them into this. I am nothing but a danger to them. Going into that valley would bring nothing but trouble.” I argued.

“They would never consider you a danger. Tell me what’s going on with you now!” She demanded.

I could hear the worry in her voice. I must really be scaring her if she’s using that tone of voice with me. “Ok. You win. Promise me no more mate talk if I tell you why I feel like this.”

She looked at me for a minute. I know I must look like a mess since I still haven’t taken a shower after our mess of a job went sideways. My body is bandaged, dirty and tired. My muscles are aching. My shirt is a rag at this point, and my pants are torn in several places. I have a tear stricken face and a scattered brain. Although in comparison, Aunt Leah is the same state I am. Her emerald eyes were still filled with strength.

“I will think about it.” Aunt Leah answered.

“Okay.” I took a deep breath as I was about to relive one of my worst nightmares. “About a year ago, I made friends with a boy named Jerico. He was from a guild we teamed up with to deal with some bandits terrorizing a neighboring town. It was a simple mission, which ended with him asking to train with me. He was impressed with my speed during the skirmishes with the bandits. I agreed to let him train with me a few times, and before I knew it, we were spending all our free time together.”

“So, you have discovered the attraction of males!” I rolled my eyes at her comment. “How did that affect your confidence?” She wondered with her eyes full of excitement.

I gestured for her to sit back down as I continued. “Jerico was getting closer to me, so we went on an assignment together to see if there was something more to explore between us when our assignment went south.” The excitement drained from her eyes as she sat back on the couch. “I couldn’t hold my human form after getting seriously injured, and Jerico saw my base form.”

“Rory.” Aunt Leah reached for my hand to console me.

“Before he could say anything, we were pinned down by bandits. He took them all on to draw them away from me. I watched from the tree line as he struck down one after another when an arrow shot him down from the tall branches. Jerico fell when the arrow pierced his knee from behind. Like a hive, they swarmed him. I watched five guys cut his chest and sides.” I try not to burst into tears remembering the pain in his caramel eyes. “What happened next terrified me. After a wave of pain washed through me like I would explode... Suddenly, I was moving in on the mercenaries. I watched as my body massacred those bandits. I even threw a dagger into the tree killing the archer instantly. It was kind of like what happened to the bandits, yesterday.”

“Wait, Ro-” Aunt Leah tried to cut in, but I had to finish the story.

“Jerico just watched as he bled out on the forest floor. He called out my name with his last breath. I brought him back to his guild where he was buried. He died before we could figure out what was happening between us. What’s worse is he died because he was protecting me. He saw the real me and tried to protect me. It was unfair. No one should have died for me. I should be able to protect myself.” After I uttered my last word, I could feel myself curl into a ball on the couch. This whole situation was ridiculous. Some adult I turned out to be.

“Wait, did you shift into that thing back then, Rory? The one from yesterday?" She shouted.

"Maybe? I am not sure, but I think I did. I was fading out while it happened." I try to push down the memories floating through my mind.

"Rory! Why didn’t you tell anyone?” Aunt Leah sounded pissed although I am not sure what disappointed her more about my story.

“I couldn’t. This is my issue. I have been training hard with Uncle Elias and completing solo assignments to work on my skills. I won’t let that happen again. I managed to save you yesterday, but I don’t know about next time.” I spoke sternly.

“Rory, you have faced such tragic situations in your life. More than most will see in a lifetime. Instead of running away from yourself, you should be embracing yourself in spite of what happened. If you run away from yourself, you will always be running. Your mom had the same problem until she left the clan to find herself and be with your dad.” Leah began rubbing my back.

Tears just ran down my face. “I am not my mom. Her life was not as complicated as mine. My mom had everything under control.”

“Not really, Rory. She was an amazing Huntress and liaison in the outside world, but it’s not who she wanted to be. She wanted to fall in love and to be a healer to help people. Denying herself nearly destroyed her. The Elders say she betrayed our clan, but I know she set herself free.”

I turned my head looking at her stunned. “Mom never told me why she left home. How is my situation like my mom’s?” I questioned.

“You are so scared to embrace being a hybrid that you are hiding it like an ugly scar. You are so angry about that boy, Jerico, and your parents' deaths. You blame your hybrid status and your weaknesses for their deaths. This is causing you to run from yourself by hiding as a human even when it’s unnecessary. Just like your mom dove into her work as a huntress." Aunt Leah explained.

“Okay. So mom and I struggle with who we are. What’s your point?” I said exasperated.

“Embrace being a hybrid, Rory! You are a unique and beautiful woman. Being a hybrid has granted you powers that no human or wolf beast could possess. You utilize your mom’s ring better than any of our ancestors could. The raw power that you had yesterday is proof that you have surpassed your wolf beast heritage.” Aunt Leah said, nonchalantly.

I hate it when she’s right. I grumble, “I am certainly unlike anyone else. That’s why people fear me. That's why I am unwelcomed.” My parents and Jerico died for no reason.

“You were born in this place and time for a reason, Rory. Your dad told me that you were meant for something special.” Aunt Leah wrapped her arm around me.

“Parents are supposed to say that.” I sighed. “They didn’t need to die, Aunt Leah. My life is not worth three lives.”

“You keep thinking that way, and you will be right.” Aunt Leah stood up and began waving her hands around with purpose. She is in full lecture mode now. “They gave you the precious gift of life. Instead of living life to the fullest and giving back, you are being swallowed by self doubt and hiding from life. How selfish of a person you are!”

Damn it! I didn’t want their gift. “You are right. I am a selfish person, and now, I can’t stand myself.” This is not… They shouldn’t have… Damn...Damn...Damn! “Fine! I will do something worthy of their damn gift. You said mom and dad did good work, right? I remember traveling a lot. We helped villages we passed through. Maybe, I can do that for them.”

Aunt Leah gave a small smile and sat next to me on the little brown couch. "Does that mean you will stop with all the self doubt? Otherwise, your mom might try to haunt me from her grave."

I nodded my head. "How did you accept me, Aunt Leah? I know you were apprehensive at first."

"That might be an understatement. I was upset that my sister that ran away from me had her husband drop their daughter in my lap. I took you because you looked like your mom, and my love for her was greater than my anger. I grumbled about you and the burden that your parents put on me. Although, once I saw you cry, all I could was a little girl in need of family. Axel had faith that your hybrid abilities could be managed if you trained. Plus, being part wolf gives us a pack mentality. Once we recognize you as our own, you are stuck with us for life." Aunt Leah pulled me into a hug. "Your pack is slowly expanding, Rory. You may be away from us, but you have Emalynn to worry about. I am sure you will find more family along the way." She gently let me out of the hug, but kept a hand holding mine.

Right. Emalynn decided to stick with me after finding out my true identity. I have to move forward for her. "What do you think I should do next?"

"Rest for a while. Axel should be here by morning." She stated, releasing my hand.

"How do you know it’s night time? Do you have an inner clock or something?" I am astounded at her skill.

"Not quite. I am a wolf beast. I always know when the moon is up even if I can't see it." She ruffled my hair like a child.

There have been several things lately that I seem to know little or nothing about these days when it comes to being a wolf beast. "I think I need another lesson on my wolf beast heritage and abilities. I don't seem to remember much from ten years ago." I said humbly.

"Sure thing, sweetie. Now, go get clean. You look like a horse dragged you through a rocky mountain pass and smell like the horse sat on you for hours after." She urged.

Her descriptions were always strange. "I can't tell if my appearance is that bad, or if you just dislike horses."

"Both. Shower, now." She commanded, pushing me off the couch. I gave a nod, and set out for that warm shower. It was time to let hot water erase the last few days.

After grabbing my clean spare outfit, I rush into the large bathroom. The stone walls and floor matched the rest of the safe house. The sink and toilet were carved from stone, and the plumbing part still confuses me. Aunt Leah tried to explain magic spells that give us water and working plumbing, but I never understood. All I know is that one switch gives hot water and another gives cold. Pull the lever on a toilet and it flushes. Who came up with these concepts I will never know. All I will do is quietly thank the creator and enjoy the shower. I step into the shower and let the steam fill the room.

Soon, Uncle Axel will come and drag Aunt Leah away for a while before he turns his attention to our situation. I feel like a child waiting for her father to come home and punish me. Going into that frenzy shift saved my family, but the repercussions of my frenzy could mean the end of this valley haven. Wolf beasts are extinct to the outside world at least until yesterday. All the training that I have done since Jerico died hasn’t stopped this build of magic in me. I have to figure out how to control it or I will wind up dead one day. I think I may need help…

“Jerico. I am sorry that I couldn’t protect you…” I whispered into the steam around me. If I was crying, I couldn’t tell anymore. The water flowed through my thick black hair, over every stinging wound and sore muscle. I breathed out pushing all of my pain out with it. I let the shower cleanse my body, and the quiet ring through my mind.

When the shower ended, I dressed in my black clothes and rebandaged my wounds. I walked out to see Uncle Axel dragging Aunt Leah into the far bedroom. I gave a small smile at the girly giggle coming from Aunt Leah. Her hardass personality turned into mush when it came to Axel. They had the same kind of strong love as my parents, which made the room a little cheerier. I returned to my room crashing onto my bed. I have a few hours before I have to deal with life, so I let my eyes drift close.