Amber

I should have been angry and I should been yelling and screaming. Then why the hell was he ignoring me?

"Where is he?" I asked angrily.

"He is trying to fix a problem." Marc lied not meeting my eyes.

"A problem, huh? What problem?" Placing hands on my waist I step closer try to intimidate Marc.

It was kind of working.

"Um...a...I-"

"Don't try to think of a stupid excuse Marc. Why is he ignoring me for a week now. He doesn't call, he doesn't even text." I snapped.

"He is guilty." Marc answered sadly.

That sounded like noble Laserian O'Fearghaile.

"He is guilty you saw him in his worst form, he is ashamed to show his face to you and he is trying to find out what Quantums are brewing?" Marc explained in a soft voice.

God this boy was straight out of historical romance or something.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know and sorry Amber I can't tell you." Marc looked really beaten about the whole thing.

Poor guy, he was stuck between two friends.

"You can't tell me...huh? Fine, don't tell me and when I find him, tell him that I will punch him in the face and then he will see what ignoring feels like." I retorted angrily.

He was lost for words and gave me an apologetic look.

And I left the place. Ian was being difficult. I understand how he feels guilty and all but didn't he knew I loved him..oh right he didn't.

"Amber." Marc walks out of Nirvana with a look of defeat.

He wanted to tell something.

"There is going to be a battle." He said nervously as if Laserian didn't want me to hear this.

"Is it because of me?" I asked already dreading the answer.

"Well not completely, It is because your sweetheart killed five quantums and now that too without any back up. So firstly Quantums are furious and they know that there is a rift between us Hoods. They might attack." Marc explained.

And after attack they want me. This was the unsaid addition to whole drama.

I needed to find Ian before he makes a rash decision.

"Before the war happens how about we lure out Quantums and show them I am not a danger" I said an idea forming in my mind.

"What do you have in mind?" Marc seemed rationale and interested.

"Apparently I am someone important, so why don't we lure them out using me as a bait and then I can use my supposed power Ian explained to me." I suggested.

"I can't allow you to test run a power in front of army of Quantums." He looked annoyed.

"Not an army, call for the leaders." I said desperately before Ian went on a killing spree.

He knew exactly what I was thinking and sighed.

What if Ian stupidly decided to attack the whole enemy pack?

"Fine let's give it a shot." Marc finally accepted the plan.

***

"I am scared." I said the words out loud making Marc wince.

"Don't make me regret it M, Laser will be planning my death when we get back." He said with a pained expression.

This made me laugh. I will clearly tell him that it was my choice and no one else's. And as much I wanted to do this for Hoods, my friends, I wanted to do it for myself also since the animal Ian scared me, worried me.

I do not want him unleashed but I also knew that if he did, I can handle them efficiently.

Ian was away from me because he thought that I was disgusted by his nature, his darkness. Disgusted, no. Feared, yes. In time I know fear would fade but him killing four Quantums in cold blood made me shiver from within.

"So how does this all go?" I asked just to talk to get my mind of worst scenarios.

"well, I have sent in request for meeting as a Mainle and the leaders of Quantums will show up. We don't usually meet so I don't know them but it is mostly civil unless there are some downright evil Quantums." He explained.

"So, all Quantums are not evil?"

"They are just more animal than human, that doesn't mean they will eat humans for dinner." Marc defined it in a simple statement.

Suddenly I saw Marc's jaw clenched and he straightened up. I knew someone was here and that someone was not a good news. I saw there shadow before and then a loud gasp escaped my mouth as I saw the grey wolf, wolf that sniffed me and left me unharmed.

Besides the wolf was a lioness. They shifted their forms and I stiffened in fear.

Ailis and Talfryn mattix.

The grey wolf was Talfryn, he was here before he joined in as a photographer for newspaper. He was a Quantum and the only one as per Ian's information that could turn into a wolf.

"Hi Amber." He said with a nice smile and I glared at him.

He greeted me like nothing was wrong when he had been hiding a side of himself from me. But what Marc said made sense, Talfryn didn't seem evil, he was nice and helpful.

"So? Why do I have to waste my time on you people?" Ailis said in a evil authoritative tone.

Gone was the giggling, seductive girl that she was around Ian. She had the stance of a leader and an evil gleam in her eyes.

"You know why, that's the reason you are here Ailis." Marc said in a challenging tone.

"She is the one of the prophecy." She said it more like a insult than a statement.

Marc nodded, his eyes barely a slit looking with alertness towards those two. I can't believe how Marc agreed to all this, maybe he did not want to see Ian as a ruthless animal again. And he can't particularly inform the rest of the Hood tribe since they were all in Eibhir's support.

Suddenly, I saw Marc's face went pale , his nose held high in air.

"What?" I hissed getting impatient.

"More of them are here." Marc said his eyes now scanning the black of forest.

Shit! Now Ian will hate me forever.

"Why have you brought group with you Ailis?" This was question not asked by Marc or me , this came from Talfryn.

The look on his face was genuine surprise but I couldn't say since he was so good at hiding secrets. She ignored his brother's outburst and give us a sly smile.

"First of all, you made a stupid mistake of coming here, just the two of you. I mean I know you and tribes aren't friends lately but come on, you thought I will be true to my word.

And secondly before you die I will tell you what Marc. I helped your father in kidnapping this bitch. I don't know why she is still alive but today you both die. And if it was not clear enough, this crack between Hoods, me and Eibhir planned it.

It is amazing how everyone hates your dear friend now." She said with menace and poison in her voice.

I hated her before but I now I completely despised her.

"Stop this nonsense sister." Talfryn said, his normally chirpy , friendly voice replaced by a cold threatening one.

She just laughed and nodded. It was her signal and a dozen animals walked out in light. Marc was clearly out numbered here. I felt at fault and wanted to do something, something that will erase what I did.

"You said it will be fine." I complained to Marc.

"Oh, it will be." He said with a smirk.

Poor Marc was losing his mind now that we both were about to die.

"Okay before you kill us, why do you have a wolf in your midst?"

Marc was stalling. He was not even in his wolf form to prepare to attack.

"Like you have a panther in yours." Ailis snapped.

"Talfryn, I hope you know our friendship is done." As soon as I said that a look of pain etched on his face.

"I swear I had no idea my sister was evil to this extent." He was angry and glared at Ailis.

"Do not call me your sister you outcast." She yelled out.

"Well I guess we all have bad people. What about you Marc, did you know your dad is one of them?" Talfryn asked calmly but Marc growled at him.

As per what Ailis said Eibhir was shady character and this can't be ignored even though we might not live to investigate.

"Don't hurt her Ailis, I am warning." Talfryn tried to threaten his sister, try because she laughed at his words.

"And you will fight against me to protect...that thing?" She looked at me with confusion and....fear?

I had power, I sometimes forget that. I can make animal inside them listen and answer to me.

"Hoods will come to know Ailis and then you all will be destroyed." Marc growled out the words.

"Haven't you been hearing what I said? Eibhir is one that planned to get rid of troubles for our society. We Hoods and Quantums might not be friends but for now we are allies.

So as soon as I kill her, I can make it look you died trying to protect her while his cowardly boyfriend was not here."

She was enjoying this too much with a evil sneer consistent on her blood red lips.

Her sneer faltered as a ground shattering growled echoed in the forest.

"Ian." I whisper, half relieved, half terrified.

Terrified because this was our stupid plan.

"Well, I was stalling if it was not clear enough." Marc said and winked at me.

Traitor. ....and Wise.

He made it look like only him and I knew of the plan. Of course his best friend was in on the plan as well.

"You told him?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"No, I didn't. But I sensed his presence when he came in. I can always sense his presence since we were kids." He told me a grin.

Oh, not traitor.

And to say that Quantums looked scared would be an understatement. Ailis was pale with fear, serves her right.

He didn't look at me and moved towards the Quantum crowd.

I had no idea what he was now, Animal, Hood or just Ian. I was worried and so was Marc.

"We are fifteen and more will come on my command. Two of you can't handle us alone." Ailis said with a slight tremble in her voice not sounding too sure of herself.

Ian just growled in a challenge as if he can handle way more than that.

His stance was lethal and there was nothing soft about that panther and yet I felt safe.

Danger that will protect you from other dangers; Ian, he was my protector.

"If Hoods and Quantums are suddenly allies, then I am allowed to change parties, right?" Talfryn said and walked over to us.

Quantums hissed in anger but Talfryn was unfazed. Marc on other hard just shook his head amused about something in this fatal situation.

I was terrified of losing Ian, terrified that he will lose himself into being an animal, terrified that I might not live to see a new day and tell my family that this town is filled with Shapeshifters.

But then panther turned towards me and nodded. A slight nod of encouragement.

I understood something then, he was here with a back up plan. He was not here as an animal, filled with rage and blood to kill people. He was here as warrior, as a Hood with plan.

And that plan was me.

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Update people! :)

I actually enjoyed writing this one, it broke my writers block for this story.

I hope you like it and vote and comment.

Dedicated to all the people who patiently stick with Hoods and Amber :)

Tell me if something surprised you in this chapter, or if you think anything is suspicious?

Love to hear your thoughts.