(William)

William screamed as the wolf tore into his aunt’s shoulder. A rock smashed into the wolf and knocked it to the side. Rose and Ivan were on the brink of being overwhelmed, both sporting injuries. The pack was patient and circled around them like vultures.

A smaller wolf pounced on top of his aunt.

William’s body moved before he knew what he was doing. His limbs tingled and he felt like needles were stabbing him everywhere. He roared and vaulted toward the smaller wolf. His four legs hit the ground and he slammed into his aunt’s attacker. He growled and snarled, snapping at his foe as they tumbled in the snow. William pinned the smaller wolf to the ground and clamped his jaw around its throat.

He froze in shock when he tasted blood.

What am I doing? He glanced down.

He had large paws and wicked claws. His mouth was full of fur and a cacophony of voices filled his head.

Stop the attack! a commanding voice rang out in his mind. Other voices tumbled together.

Why did one of ours attack Rulan’s pup?

He’s one of those skin-changelings, a voice replied.

What’s happening to me? William panicked. More voices reverberated through his head.

Who is he?

He came out of nowhere…

I saw what happened. That man-cub turned into one of us, just like those others turned into bears.

Scraps, I’m hearing voices in my head. I must be going crazy. His mind raced.

Think!

Um, hello? William hesitantly projected his thoughts.

The voices in his head went silent.

He felt like he was linked to something and realized that his thoughts were no longer private.

It was weird…

YOU… MAN-CUB!

William recognized the commanding voice. It was the alpha, Rulan.

Release my pup or your pack will die.

Clumsily, William responded using his thoughts. If I release him, what will happen next?

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There was a slight pause. That depends.

William tensed. Depends on what?

It depends on how you answer my question, Rulan growled. I’ll know if you’re lying. I can hear your thoughts.

William’s ears flattened against his head. Ask your question.

Has your pack killed any wolves?

William was shocked by the question. Of course not. The people from the Nature Kingdom revere wolves.

Hrrrrgh, your mind speaks true. You have my word that if you release my pup, your pack will not be harmed.

William opened his jaws and stepped away from Rulan’s son. The young wolf bared his teeth, snarled, and slowly backed away.

I’ve never seen wolves that look like you, William thought.

We live beyond the mountains of snow with the frozen ones, replied Rulan. We rarely venture into the lands of the two-legs. We heard the cries for help from our brethren. The voices of many wolves have been silenced. My deepstalkers have seen the savagery of the two-legs. Our gray kin are killed for sport. They are skinned. Their fur and heads are taken as trophies.

Growling and snarling followed Rulan’s words.

The killers of my kin wear the half-moon, just like she does. He nodded at Rose. They are no friends to wolves. We have a blood debt to pay.

That’s the symbol of the Shadow Lands, William replied. The only reason she wears those vambraces is because they are spoils of war. She’s not one of them, she hunts them. The Shadowlanders kill my people. They killed my parents!

Some of the pack keened with the depth of William’s emotion.

We have a common enemy, Rulan declared. Brothers and sisters, heal the injured, he commanded. The hunt continues.

(Ivan)

Everything had happened so fast. Ivan had been swinging his blade, using wide slashing arcs, and doing his best to fend off the pack. They had been on the brink of being overwhelmed when a black Saberwolf had appeared right next to him, where his brother had just been standing.

He realized that William had shifted. Ivan was bewildered when the pack had ceased their assault. It had happened the moment his brother had overpowered one of the smaller Saberwolves. For a time, everyone around him was frozen in place, like the statues of old. Even the wind had died down.

What’s happening?

Ivan watched as his brother released the wolf. He tightened the grip on his sword and waited for what came next. His heart pounded. The smaller wolf snarled and slowly backed away.

The wolves growled and howled.

To his surprise, most of the pack started to disperse. The injured licked their wounds. Ivan watched with fascination as the torn fur on a wolf’s flank slowly knitted together. Rose shifted and tended to his aunt’s wounded shoulder.

The alpha stalked toward his injured aunt and Ivan moved to intercept.

William shifted and placed a hand on Ivan’s shoulder. “Ivan, Rose, it’s alright. Let him pass. He can help with our injuries. Their spit heals!”

Ivan reluctantly stepped out of the way and allowed the massive wolf to approach his aunt. Rose narrowed her eyes, fingered the grip of her dagger, but took a step to the side.

“This is Rulan, the King of the Wolves,” William explained. “His kind is being hunted by the Shadowcloaks. His pack comes from beyond the Frozen Mountains to settle a blood debt. They’re on our side.”

William continued to talk while the wolves healed their wounds.

Lisa finally roused. She sat up and jerked back after seeing a massive wolf hovering over Rose.

“What in Cea’Nia’s name?” she cried out.

“I can explain.” William jumped in. “We got attacked by the Saberwolves, they came out of nowhere, and attacked us from everywhere, and we tried to defend ourselves, but then they used you as a chew toy, and then I shifted, and then I pounced on the pup wolf, and then I heard voices in my head, and then...” William took a deep beath. “Well, long story short, I saved us.”

“I see,” Lisa replied hesitantly, still looking confused. “So, why is that wolf licking Rose’s leg?”

“They have magical spit that heals,” William exclaimed. “Isn’t that amazing?” He grinned from ear to ear.

Lisa was speechless.

After healing Rose, Rulan looked at William, turned around, and bounded into the forest.