Alpha Enoch got word from Ivy that the Grim Guild she infiltrated was in search of the wolf beast shifters that escaped in the fire a month ago. Large hunter parties are scouring the forests for any sign of the wolves. Ivy was still trying to gather information when she found out one of the hunters found evidence of wolf activity near the Village of Lilies. She offered to tag along on the next search and notified Alpha Enoch.

Enoch was enraged and concerned. How could Jalen and Aura be so careless? They knew the hunter activity had increased. The only thing that separated them from the Grim Guild was the Burnt Bark Woods. Who hired the Grim Guild to attack his people? There were so many questions left unanswered, but he needed to act. His people were out there on his order, and he wouldn't abandon them.

"Beta Nyko," Alpha Enoch growled in the mindlink. "Assemble ten of our best warriors. We are going to war."

"Yes, Alpha." Beta Nyko said as he rushed into the village sounding the alert. Alpha Hunter Enoch had called for war.

A few hours later…

Alpha Enoch led his men quietly through the forest. He could feel some of his clan members nearby. The forest was still recovering from the fire a month ago and after heavy rains the last few days, the forest smelt like wet, burnt Bark. The woods were quiet around him, which meant the forest was tense. He moved as quickly as his stealthy moves would let him.

Enoch slowed when he recognized Jalen talking to a dwarf woman less than a mile from his position. He could smell other scents that reeked of sweat and animal musk. Hunters were here, watching Jalen and the dwarf woman. He didn't like the nagging feeling in his stomach that war would start right here. Enoch lowly growled. He opted to mindlink Aura for backup.

He practically yelled through the mindlink to Aura when he saw the female ogre hanging from the tree. However, Aura didn't respond. Enoch listened to the conversation and heard the ogre call Jalen a wolf. Now, the fight was on. All the hunters would have to die here and now. He growled fiercely leading his men in an attack. It was going to be a bloodbath.

Before the ogre woman or her hunters could make a move, a dozen wolves rushed in snarling and chomping on limbs. The wolves spared no time or strength ripping off arms and crushing legs with their strength. In their wolf forms, the shifters were at the strongest, but the hunters had magic on their side. Flames and wind magic knocked the wolves back from their assault. About a third of the hunters were injured by the wolves. This battle was far from over as Alpha Enoch called for an attack plan theta through the mindlink.

Jalen and Rhys were busy fighting with the purple ogre woman. The ogre woman had four arms defending each kick and punch from Jalen and every swing of Rhys’ ax. Rhys swung her ax down to the ground, and the forest floor beneath them shook. A crack formed in the ground under the ogre causing her to fall into it. Rhys slammed the ground again causing the crack to close with the ogre inside it. Only the ogre’s head was visible above the ground. Rhys swung her ax one more time, ending the ogre’s foul-mouthed protests.

“Remind me not to piss you off, Rhys,” Jalen said, astonished at her magic. “I don’t suppose you could use that magic on all of them.” He pulled Rhys behind the large tree next to them to shield her from any stray magic attacks.

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“You wish, brute,” Rhys remarked. “My magic is strong, but not that strong. I can use it two more times, but that’s my limit.”

“You were attacked before. I want to give you a chance to run away. This is not your fight.” Jalen insisted.

“You made this my fight, brute. Just make sure your little wolf friends don’t attack me by mistake.” She said sternly to the stunned elf in front of her. “Now, get naked. I think you will be more effective as a wolf than a stupid elf.”

Jalen blushed at her blunt words, but he complied with her command. “Hurry up, brute. Don’t be shy, I have already seen your goods anyway.” Rhys commented, making Jalen blush harder. He stripped and shifted in his brown wolf form.

Jalen jumped into action ripping into another hunter’s neck while another wolf bit into the hunter’s leg. It didn’t take long for Jalen to rip the throat out of the ogre. Another enemy was eliminated as the battle waged on. Jalen informed all the wolves of Rhys’ decision to help them. They got the message to avoid hurting the feisty, red-headed dwarf.

Back in the village…

Dax lifted Aura onto the sofa. He didn’t understand why she suddenly passed out on him. Things had been going so well. Was she sick? He held her hand in his, and he could still feel her pulse against his fingers. Dax sat down on the ground next to Aura’s unconscious body. They stayed that way for a few minutes until Aura began to stir next to him.

“Aura?” Dax whispered next to him. His heart rate increased, waiting to see her beautiful gold eyes looking back at him. “Aura, can you hear me?”

Aura’s eyes fluttered at the sound of his words. It was blurry, but she could make out a man’s figure next to her. “D...Dax?” She questioned blinking her eyes in the hopes of getting a clearer picture. The buzzing in her head had finally ceased, and her remaining headache was minimal. Who had tried so hard to mindlink her? She had to get answers, which meant leaving the village and shifting. The only question was how to get away. She sat up slowly as her vision cleared to see a very worried Dax in front of her.

“Aura, what happened?” Dax said in a pleading voice. His bright blue eyes were searching for any possible answers that would explain her sudden fainting.

“Dax. Don’t worry. I am fine. I just had a major headache, and the sudden...influx of emotions from our interaction overwhelmed me.” Aura smiled kindly at him. “I think some fresh air will do me some good.” She said getting up from the sofa. Dax stumbled a bit trying to get up, so he could help her. Aura grabbed his hand and pulled him up to face her.

“Aura, please don’t go. I think we should talk about whatever this is between us.” Dax said it loud and clear, so Aura could not deny his words.

She sighed and looked into his eyes. Even with a scar over one eye, she still found him to be handsome. She almost didn’t want to leave him, but another buzz filled her head. Someone out there could not wait for her to answer. “We will, Dax. I just need to clear my head. I will be back in a bit.” She stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. Aura dashed out of the cottage before he objected. She used her speed to leave the village as quickly as possible. Once she found a suitable bush, she jumped in and shifted into her wolf form.

“Aura, answer me!” Alpha Enoch demanded through the mindlink.

“Enoch, what’s wrong?” She responded as she wiggled her way out of the bush. Her tail caught on the bush as she tried to hasten away.

“War, Aura. The hunters are attacking. Jalen says we are near your den. Hurry.” Alpha Enoch commanded.

Aura struggled to free her tail when she heard footsteps approach her. She looked behind her to see a tired Dax trying to catch his breath. He looked down at the silver wolf with familiar golden eyes looking up at him.

“Caught, little wolf?” He asked as he slowly crept toward her. She maintained a defensive posture toward him in case of attack. “Calm, little wolf. Let me get you free.” He offered. Aura was surprised at his kindness. She thought he was weary of all animals, but perhaps she was wrong. He worked quickly to free her from the bush. The moment he got her free; he noticed Aura’s clothes in the bush. He picked them up, realizing they were still warm, and looked back at the silver wolf with familiar golden eyes. “Aura…” He whispered.

Without warning, Aura darted off toward the battle her Alpha had called her to. She could hear Dax calling to her in the distance as she sped off deeper into the forest. Aura would pay for this later. She swallowed her feelings and mentally prepared for battle. Would this day ever end?