A high-pitched cackle pierces the air as heavy footsteps scrape the forest floor behind us. All of us look simultaneously. We have company. It looks like we are surrounded by some weird-looking people.

A grey dusk has settled over the forest. The sky is dappled orange in the west, but the light is fading fast. Night insects have started calling their mates. Somewhere in the forest, a lone wolf howls to the sickle moon.

We stand in the clearing, suddenly huddled closer in face of the unexpected danger. There are five of them at the front and more in the back, waiting in shadows. Rough, burly men looking as if they just stepped out of some seventy’s mobster movie. Some heads are shaved, some have weird zigzag patterns. Most have shaggy, unkempt hair. Each has at least one visible tattoo. At their waists are leather holsters.

One of them steps forward, fingering his gun. My eyes widen as he steps into a patch of relative light.

He looks like the motel man, but much worse. Yellowed sharp teeth protrude from the corners of his chapped mouth. His overgrown nails are a dirty brown, crusty with heavens know what.

My heart hammers in my chest with unknown trepidation. Beside me, Olly shivers.

“Who are these people? What do they want?” Olly’s whispers, clasping my hand in hers.

“Rogues.” Gabe’s imperceptible voice tells from behind.

“Stay here, stay close. Don’t leave Gabe.” a whisper passes by me as Adam steps forward. Moving ahead, he stops a few paces ahead of us.

“Rocco. To what do we owe this pleasure?” Adam asks casually, taking his stance. He stretches himself to his full height and, for the first time, I realize just how big he is. Behind him, I feel effectively shielded by a wall.

“Ah, we just came here hunting. This forest is full of all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures, Mr Stevens,” Rocco says as his eyes turn to me and Olly. “And look what we have found. Just the thing we were looking for.”

He cackles as his friends join him. A couple of them step forward carrying weapons. I spot a rusty crescent sickle. Another holds a jagged Swiss knife.

Be careful…I want to warn Adam, but my voice barely leaves my throat. A muscle moves in his back as if he heard me.

“Get lost, Rocco. Rouges like you are not allowed within our borders. Drop your weapons and leave, or…”

“But, we ain’t no rouges anymore, Mr High and Mighty Stevens,” Rocco sneers, showing his pointy teeth. “We are employed now; we have a Master. And we are here on a job. A very important job.”

“Really! And who employs the likes of you, may I ask?” Adam asks, his stance changing into that of a hunter. His legs are casually set apart, arms relax at his waist, as if to pull out some hidden weapon out at a moment’s notice.

“That’s none of your business,” Rocco says. “All you need to know is that you have what we want. Something precious that Master is looking for.”

Adam sniggers. “I have nothing that your useless master might need. And even if I had, why would I…”

Something swings at him, a black, thin rope like object. Adam ducks in a snake-like move to dodge it. A woman hoots from behind Rocco as if cheering Adam’s quick reflex, and steps forward.

“Good save, Beta. I must say you haven’t changed much since the mishap. Your reflexes are still the same. Pity I can’t say the same about your looks.”

A cackle goes in the air, a couple of hoots joining her from behind us. We huddle closer, as more of them appear out of shadow. I do not know what the count is now. 8? 10? Or more?

“Edna. How are you? Still playing with your toy, I see.” Adam rises again, looking at the woman who lashed at him. She is tall with a high ponytail and red lips. Tight leather clothes hug her like a second skin. Her knee-high boots don’t make a sound as she slithers over the grass towards Adam.

“Oh, how can I not, Beta? After all, it’s my favourite toy.” Edna smiles at Adam. “Especially when I am out to hunt beasts like you. I have reinforced it with silver lately. I call it Sting, because it stings when it touches the skin. Did you feel it, Beta?”

Adam takes a step forward, his fists clenched as if he is biding his time. I do not know if he is aware there are more of them. His eyes are on the group to the front, but they are closing ranks behind us rapidly.

“I warn you for the last time. Leave immediately. The Silver Shadows borders are sealed for outsiders. My troupes are on the way and…”

“Oh, called your boys already, did you?” Edna laughs. “Such a baby you are, Adam. I thought we’d have some fun, spend some time together like the old times. Remember how much fun we used to have? You, I and Ellaine? I know that was before the mishap and you got your face… but anyway.”

She cocks her head, as if she said something very amusing. I don’t understand what’s going on. She is calling Adam Beta. She is talking about some mishap that left him disfigured. And she is talking about silver. The math is straightforward here. There is no chance of adding two and two to make two hundred.

Adam’s a Beta. Phyllis is a Luna. And John is an Alpha. So these rogues must be …rouges from my YA novels? Oh Lord!! Oh, dear, dear Lord!

The hair on my back stand erect. This is real. Very real.

“For the last time, Edna. I do not want any bloodshed. Leave peacefully and we’d do no more about it. But take one step forward and...” Adam’s voice is calm, so calm it gives me jitters. The air has gone muggy. There is no sweet breeze. I feel sweat tickling my back. Beside me, Olly is white with fear.

“Then hand us the witch,” Edna says. “Hand us the witch and we’ll leave immediately. We do not want to cause trouble. I know you would want to get rid of her as fast as possible. So just do it and we’d be gone.”

A few moments pass by as we take in her words. Did she say they were looking for a witch?

“You are mistaken. There is no witch here.” Adam supplies calmly.

“Oh, but there is.” Rocco says. “Master’s got the scent, and he is never wrong. Just hand us those girls and…”

Adam laughs.

“Well, your master may be right, but the witch is gone. These girls are normal humans.”

“Gone? Gone where?”

“Disappeared, in a puff of smoke, like witches usually do.” Adam smirks. “Go tell your master he’s too late. Maybe next time he should come himself rather than sending his stooges.”

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

The group goes quiet, not knowing what to do. A low grumble begins at the back, slowly developing into a loud chorus of protest. It seems they were paid handsomely to capture a witch and now they have lost their chance.

Rocco stomps to Edna, looking outraged.

“I told you we are late. I told you we should have come here two days back. Now look what’s happened. Master will kill us.“

Edna looks irritated. A sliver of fear flashes across her cruel face. Her dark eyes scrunch, as if weighing options.

“Shut up, Rocco. Let me think.”

“Think what, eh? Think what, you stupid bitch? It’s too late to think now! I shouldn’t have listened to you, you brainless tramp. Now what shall I take for Master?”

A whip lashes in Rocco’s face, and he falls flat on the hearth. Edna stands over him, looking menacing.

“Don’t use those words if you know what’s good for you, stupid brat! And as for Master, let me think.”

Rocco whimpers, then gets up from the ground, clearly stinging from the Sting. His face is lashed red where the whip scraped his skin. He touches it, wincing in pain.

I wonder if Adam was hurt, but his focus is trained on the goons.

“But…what do we do now? We promised the Master. He paid us. Now if we don’t deliver…” Rocco whines.

“Hold on, Rocco.” Edna raises an annoyed hand. Her face is shrewd, calculating. “Let’s take these two girls. Us humans can’t tell a witch scent, but Master can. And that way, we’ll at least have delivered something.”

Rocco narrows his beady eyes.

“You think it’ll work?”

“It will.” Edna answers cunningly, eyeing me and Olly. “If not a witch, Master will at least get two pretty toys to play with. It’s a win-win.”

Another shout of laughter ripples the group, a couple of voices call for sharing the spoils. I feel my legs going week as Olly’s fingers dig into my arm.

“I say leave!” Adam snarls, pulling himself even higher. Something about him startles me. He is…getting taller, bigger. He’s begun to look like a hulking beast on two legs.

Another slash of the whip and this time it catches Adam on his face. A spurt of blood gushes out. For a moment we all watch, stunned, then the mayhem begins.

“We will leave when you hand us the witch.” Edna steps forward as her group advances on us. The moon has risen. Some of them are…transforming as they ready themselves for a fight. The man called Jim grunts as his shirt rips off his chest. He is expanding, his face twists into an absurd shape. I see a pair of sharp canines coming out.

Beside me, Olly stumbles, looking white as a sheet. Her eyes are roped on Gabe, unable to blink. Gabe, too, is undergoing the same kind of change.

His shirt rips, revealing a muscled, furry torso as his fingers elongate into sharp claws. His body enlarges, twisting into a different shape, while his beautiful features morph into that of a wild furry beast.

“Gabe… are you okay… what in the name of...” Olly stutters, her eyes wide with fear.

“I am fine” He looks at us, his voice in a strange growl. I am surprised he can talk. He is not completely turned into a wolf, but is standing on his legs, balancing his huge body like a creature of mythology. He is a beast, yet not a complete beast - one that can talk, think, protect.

“Stay here and don’t move. I and Adam will take care of the rest.”

*****

Two against ten. It is an unfair fight. I and Olly are no use. We are just standing in the middle, clutching at some sticks we found on the ground. A couple of times, I have successfully poked an attacker in the face, but Olly just stands staring at the ruckus.

Around us is a strange fight going on. It’s a mixture of humans and part-humans. The part-humans are brutal, but the humans easily surpass them in viciousness. They are well armed with knives, guns and silver bullets.

Luckily, both Adam and Gabe are too fast for any of them to aim and fire. A couple of loud shots went off the mark before Edna shouted a warning.

“Lay off the guns, you fools! We don’t want to invite the whole forest to the party!”

Then on it’s a tooth and nail fight, literally. Three of the rogues are already injured and on the ground, their guts spilling out due to Adam’s vicious claws. Gabe is taking on two together while Adam is tackling the rest. My eyes never leave him. Edna’s second lash has caused havoc. A deep, long gash stretches his torso right from his left shoulder to his right hip. Yet he fights. He fights like there is no tomorrow. His red eye whirls and twirls, spotting his enemies. His black eye flits towards us from time to time to ensure we are safe.

Around us the dark gathers, yet the rogues keep coming. Gabe is getting tired. He falls back towards us as I rush to support him. Olly stands as if petrified. Adam swirls around us like a tornado, protecting us from the attackers.

I see he is tired. He said he called for help, but no one has arrived. Where are his so-called troupes? Where are they when their commander needs them?

Time is ticking like a bomb. It’s a matter of minutes before one of these loses, and then...

My limbs feel laden. My heart struggles like a fly stuck in a glass-jar. I want to sit and take a moment’s breath. I want this fight to be over.

Edna comes at Adam brandishing her silver whip. He grabs it and twists to snatch it out of her clutches. She looks startled to lose her only weapon, then snarls and disappears in the dark.

The remaining watch her leaving and lose hope. Rocco is already unconscious on the floor. For a moment, we get respite as the group disperses into the jungle. We do not know if they are gone or if they would be back with more reinforcements. All we know is that we do not have anyone to help us yet.

Adam stalks towards me.

“Are you okay?” His eyes narrow as he examines me, his claws brushing against my skin but never harming. His ugly beast's face is enchanting. I cannot take my eyes away.

“I am ok. It’s you who is hurt.” My eyes are on the blood oozing from his gash. He shakes his head.

“Can you drive?”

“What?”

“I need you to leave with Olly and Gabe. Gabe is tired. He cannot last long. Olly too needs care. You must leave.”

“But…but I…”

“No buts. I want you to leave. At once.”

That’s when I realize I cannot move. My heart has given up. It’s beaten so fast for the past half an hour, like I have run a full marathon. Now it cannot last any longer. I feel sick. Tired. Achy and drowsy. A deep dark is calling me and I am ready to fall.

A pain squeezes through my heart like a lightening. I break into a cold sweat, as slowly my body spasms. I am about to stumble down when Adam holds me up.

“Danny!” He hunches down on the ground to sit me up against his leg. “What the… Look at me, Danny!”

My chest is tight with pain. I can hardly breathe. But there is something is his voice that forces me to make an effort.

“It…it hurts…” I blabber incoherently. I know I am not making sense. I can’t even say what’s hurting... It’s like I am succumbing to a dark bottomless pit.

“Danny! Wake up. Look at me,” he says again. His large furry paw slips under my t-shirt. With one tug, my bra is ripped and pulled down. His paw covers my chest and I feel a warmth spread my body.

“Danny, look into my eyes and take deep breaths. On the count of three…”

My eyes do not open, but I can hear him. His call feels like coming from far away, yet I hear my name. For some reason, it sounds beautiful. His gruff voice makes it sound melodious.

“On the count of three, Danny. I want you to say…In the name of the Moon Goddess, I want to live.”

I do not understand what’s happening. What is he trying? Is it some kind of ritual? Spell? Does he think this kind of thing will stop my heart attack?

“Danny please. Don’t think. Just do as I say. Quick, we don’t have time.”

“In…. in the name of …the Moon Goddess…. I want to ….” I say as the last feeble beats of my heart wane away. I can’t finish it though. What was it again?

“Live. Say it Danny, say I want to live.”

“I want to… live. In the name of the Moon Goddess…I want to live.” I say as a warmth spreads my heart, right from the soft furry paw that presses my left breast. There is a connection, a flow of some gentle energy that he channels through his body into mine. I hear a rhythm, a gentle, caring pulse next to my own that urges me on.

“Yes, that’s right. Say it again.”

I say it again, this time a little louder. The words sound like magic. The sickle moon shines above, looking down on us, spreading its silvery glow. Below it, I can see Adam’s worried head tilted upon me.

“In the name of the Moon Goddess, I want to live,” I say again, looking at them then close my eyes.

A moment passes, or maybe a few hours. I am lying there with my back supported by a werewolf’s giant leg as he transfers his bestial energy into me.

Slowly, I regain my heartbeat. My eyes are still drowsy, but I can make out the moon, the stars. The fight around is finished, but there are shouts in the distance, urging more people to join in.

“Relax. You’ll be okay.” Adam makes me sit, then leaves to put a transfixed Olly into the jeep. Her arm is blood-soaked. I hadn’t realized when she got hurt.

He then does the same with Gabe, who has passed out. Then comes back to get me. I stand gingerly on my feet. My pain is gone, and a warmth floods my body. But my brain is numb with shock.

We must leave. They are coming back!

“Let’s…let’s go home,” I say with a quivering voice. “They’ll be back again.”

He shakes his head.

“I can’t, Danny. You must leave. Take these two home. I’ll come later. Tell Ma and father not to worry.”

“But…”

“No Danny. Go back. You’ll be alright.”

His red-black eyes watch me as his dark furry head bends in a goodbye. Then he sprints towards the jungle to take on the new rogues.

I do not know why my eyes prick when I get into the Jeep and start towards the camp.

***** *****