*Two days after the events of the previous chapter*

*5/21/90*

The group found a reply three days after Mason, Brianna, Jade, and Garrett placed Summer's letter in the tree. It was almost unreadable, thanks to Scarlet’s terrible spelling and even worse handwriting. After an hour of deciphering the letter, they finally understood what it said: "Ember is watching all the time. The night won't be safe. Will run the day after the full moon. Try to injure many."

When they met with the werewolves that day, they discussed what could be done.

"The day after the full moon does make the most sense," Ellora mused. "All of the werewolves will be tired after running all night."

"And, the Huntsmen will lower their guard," Hunter added. "After a hunt, the town becomes really complacent."

“What about us having to leave for London, Hunter,” Garrett questioned. “I thought we were supposed to be leaving the day after tomorrow?”

Hunter thought for a moment. “This is a decision that I will not make on my own. We will put it to a vote. Do we stay longer and help Scarlet and Bandit escape?” After only a few moments of thought, everyone voted to stay and help their friends escape before leaving.

"That means we need to plan quickly," Rose said. She drew Coraline closer. The small werewolf was curled up in her sister's embrace, hugging her tightly. Since their understanding a few days ago, they had decided to make the most of the time they had left together. As a result, they stayed close during every meeting, only separating to spend some time with Hunter.

"It may be safest if we meet them a little way into the woods, maybe a quarter mile from the border of Castell Henllys," Garrett suggested. "If we stick with our old plan of skirting the edges until we get to the clearing, we should be fine."

"We will have to leave immediately," Ellora murmured. "If we wait for nightfall, there's a chance that Ember will come after us. Losing two more wolves during the full moon of all days won't please her at all,” she looked at Coraline and Rose, then glanced sadly at Hunter. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help you've given us so far."

"Are you kidding?" Hunter asked. "After all you did to help us, it's the least we can do/ I just wish you didn't have to leave. I feel that we could’ve learned a lot from each other."

"We've already learned so much. Perhaps we can use that knowledge to influence others," Ellora smiled. "I have a feeling that this goodbye won't be forever."

Hunter wished he had a way of voicing the pure frustration he felt whenever he thought of the werewolves' upcoming departure. It was separate from his regret at not seeing Coraline anymore. In truth, he desperately wanted to get to know Ellora better. Though they had declared themselves as the other’s friend, the fact was that they had not been able to truly spend much quality time together. First, they had been focused on rescuing Emma. Then, they shifted their attention to helping Flint, Summer, and Steven. Now, they were preparing for an imminent separation. He couldn't help but feel that, if given a chance, Ellora could easily become the closest friend he'd ever had. He didn't know why he was so sure of that, but the feeling was impossible to ignore.

He didn't know how to say this, so he said: "I really hope you're right. "

Meanwhile, Flint was talking to Rose, wondering whether to reveal himself to William, the trader.

"I mean, he didn't shoot me when I went to give him the money," he reasoned. "Could that mean something?"

"I don't know if you should risk it," Rose said thoughtfully. "He could have a more flexible mind. Traders tend to not be devout Temple worshippers, after all. Then again, maybe he didn't shoot simply because he was shocked. Your pack is small enough, even with the addition of Bandit and Scarlet. You shouldn't risk yourself unnecessarily.”

"You're right," Flint sighed. "Well, at least Summer and I could repay him for his help in our own way."

"And you saved a bunch of other people from those bandits," Coraline added. "You know, werewolves could do a lot of good if we were just allowed to."

When the meeting ended, Coraline hugged everyone tightly and endured a long, slow noogie from Mason. It took every ounce of self-control to not cling to her clan.

~o0o~

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Over the next two weeks, the humans and werewolves met as often as possible while also planning the pack's upcoming departure. They only sent one note to Summer and Bandit confirming where they would wait for them after the full moon.

That last day before the full moon was a somber one. They had to keep their meeting short since they would have to be on their guard throughout the hunt that night, as well as Summer and Bandit's escort the following morning.

Rose and Coraline were left alone for a few minutes, sharing one last hug. Coraline didn’t complain as Rose nearly split her in two. She was going to miss her sister's mighty hugs.

"Y-You take care of everyone," Rose muttered, clinging tightly to Coraline. "E-Ellora will n-need help, after all.”

Coraline nodded, burying her face in the crook of Rose's neck. "I will," she sniffled. "M-Make sure Jade behaves herself. And keep Brianna from staying up every night reading. And watch out for Hunter.”

"I'll do what I can, but they can be such stubborn pains in the neck sometimes," Rose said with a tearful laugh.

"Pfft. That’s an understatement," Coraline rolled her eyes."

They returned to the clearing, and Mason grabbed her and hugged her tight. For once, she didn't complain when Mason nearly squeezed her in two. His hug wasn’t as strong as her sister’s, but it was close. "Hrk Take care- urk- of Hunter and the others- hngh!- Mason."

“No problem, squirt,” Mason said, dropping Coraline.

Almost immediately, Hunter walked over and pulled Coraline close with one arm. With his other hand, he proceeded to noogie her hair. "C'mere," he said, managing to grin despite his sadness. "Say, uncle!"

"Eep!" Coraline giggled through her tears. "Hunter! Cut it out! Mason! What did you do to my brother?"

"That wasn't an uncle," Hunter said, though he let her go to hug her properly. "I'll take care of our group. Don't worry."

"I never doubted you would," Coraline replied, smiling at him. "Thanks again for believing in Ellora and me at the beginning. You probably saved our lives."

"Well, the others were pretty easy to convince," Hunter reminded her. "But you're welcome. Be careful out there."

Brianna gave Coraline a lighter hug than Rose or Mason. She then gifted the young girl with the next three issues of her favorite comic.

Garrett and Jade hugged Coraline simultaneously, squeezing her tightly while Garrett gave her a gentler hug around the shoulders.

"You two had better be happy together," Coraline said, looking between them.

She leaned to whisper into Jade’s ear. “You got him, girl. Don’t let him go.”

"You'd better visit someday," Jade said, shaking a fist. "Or we'll have to go looking for you!"

"I will. I promise," Coraline hugged them both once more, then stepped back to stand with the other werewolves.

Ellora said goodbye to the humans, regretting not having time to get to know them better. When she got to Hunter, she hesitated before stepping close and hugging him. "Goodbye, Hunter. May the Moon shine on your path.”

Hunter readily returned the hug. "May the Maidens guide your footsteps, Ellora," he replied, his voice cracking a little. "And thanks for everything."

Just before leaving, Hunter turned to Flint. "I hope you won't need the medicine I gave you, but keep it with you, just in case."

Flint nodded, shouldering a satchel full of ointments and bandages Hunter had given him. "Thank you, Hunter. I'm glad we were able to meet. You’ve taught me much about humans, and I'm grateful for that. I hope we meet again someday."

The parting was slow and reluctant, but the humans eventually left the clearing and returned toward Castell Henllys, their hearts heavy.

“I can't believe it's only been a month since we found Coraline in the forest,” Hunter thought. “Will we really be able to go back to our old lives after the werewolves are gone?” He didn’t think so, but they would have to try.

~o0o~

The humans were ready for the hunt long before sunset and waited near the town center for the others to show up. Their weapons were sharp, and their expressions were grim. Tonight would be just as important to their plan as the following morning. They had to injure as many wolves as they could so that they wouldn't be able to hinder Scarlet and Bandit’s escape. The hard part would be injuring the wolves without killing them.

Hunter double-checked everyone in his group to make sure each of his friends was ready. When he got to Rose, however, he paused. "Rose, are you okay? You're sweating." Even though it was the beginning of summer, the evening was pleasantly cool.

Rose blinked before shaking herself. "Oh, I'm fine." She forced a smile.

"Are you sure?" Hunter asked in a low voice. "I know how hard it was for you to leave Coraline. Will you be able to focus on the hunt?"

Rose looked at the sky, eyes narrowed as the sun sank lower. Her skin tingled. She couldn't remember a time when she had been so eager to leave for a hunt.

"Rose?"

"Huh?" Rose looked back at Hunter's concerned face. "Well, to tell the truth, I'm feeling a bit…antsy. I'm not sure why."

Hunter's shoulders relaxed. “She's using the hunt to block out her sadness,” he thought before speaking. "Well, let me know if you get too tense. I think Mason has some whiskey in his flask."

"Nope," Mason called over. "I already let her empty my flask."

"Oh, no!" Jade mumbled under her breath."

At that moment, Kenny went to the town center and began his usual pre-full moon hunt speech. "Huntsmen and warriors of Castell Henllys," he began. "This past month has been one of relative peace. After the raid on our town, we struck back at the savages in the woods with everything we had. As a result, they have shunned us out of fear. However, we must not allow our vigilance to waver. If we wish to keep our town safe, we must constantly remind the ungodly creatures of the night that we will never rest our guard!”

Rose's gaze moved from Kenny and to the sky. The sun was nothing but a red orb on the horizon. Why wouldn't it set already? “

“Go now, defenders of Castell Henllys, and bring swift death to all enemies of the Maidens!"

Hunter was distracted from the speech by the sound of ragged breathing. He turned to see Rose staring at the sky, shoulders shaking. "Rose?" he whispered, grabbing her shoulders. "Hey, Rose. Get ahold of yourself."

"Go now, Huntsmen of Castell Hennlys, and bring swift death to all enemies of the Maidens!"

Rose stared unblinking at the sky as the sun finally finished its descent behind the horizon. At that moment, a feeling akin to an electric shock traveled down her spine and across her skin. She trembled. "Hunter…I feel strange…" Her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

Hunter, on the other hand, was suddenly incapable of speech. His eyes widened as a sense of dread deeper than anything he had previously known set in.

Mason turned toward the two. "Hey guys, everyone's leaving. What's the hold- Oh, shit!"

The others also looked and barely stifled their gasps of horror at what they saw.

The rising moon was reflecting in Rose's pink eyes. Her pure pink eyes lacked any whites whatsoever in that moment. Her pink eyes which were gleaming with a familiar feral light.