I guess it’s the brains protective nature to shield any bad thought one might have. Giving you something to think about keeps you busy, however if I start talking to myself, I think I’ll just do the world a favor and off myself. I’m no crazy and would like to keep from going down that winding road of nuts, and berries. Downing the last drop, tossing the bottle. With the river close by, I headed to a sweet smell. Looking up the mouth watering vines held river grapes. They have tiny seeds which are a pain, and they have a slimy texture but are packed with flavor. Not to mention they carry a lot of vitamins.

    Looking at what I had to work with, pulling out my knife holding it between teeth. Shimming myself up the tree, letting my body wrap around the branch. Wrapping my legs tightly, I hung upside down. Going out as far as I thought the branch would hold, I release with one hand and begin to cut the grapes, from the vines. Some drop on their own, while others hold on for dear life. Wanting more then I think I needed, meant staying upside down for longer. And right now the blood was rushing to my head.

    A cracking sound made me freeze, slowly looking at the branch. A small crack was forming, slowly teasing me.
    “Oh shit!” Another pop and snap, as the branch toppled to the ground. Hitting the sandy ground branch bouncing off my chest.
    “Ouuffh damn” Cough while pushing the branch off.  Just laying there, trying to get my bearings back. Making myself roll over, pain rushed from my toes to my head.

    “Ohh that’s gunna leave a mark” Groaning, as I felt a twinge of pain over my back muscles. Thinking how stupid I was to be greedy, I took a mental note not to do that again. Resting with one leg stretched outward, while the other was tucked into me. Picking up handfuls of grapes, I ate slowly. Finally feeling like the blood had returned to its normal places, I get to my feet. My jeans held side pockets, close to my knees. Stuffing them both full of grapes, I needed to keep moving.

    Tucking the knife back into my back pocket. Still walking I checked my quiver and bow. The quiver had been pushed, but the material my father made in with bounced right back, as for my bow it was fine. Good thing to, cause without a weapon you as good as dead. There are other things worse then stumbling into any male, like bears, normal wolves, cougars, or just plan falling into one of those old fashion traps.

~Alpha’s Pov~


With the Sniper located, my Beta Vince walked in with a long legged woman. She seemed just like any other woman, well maybe be not like all of them. She wore no tears, and held herself with a pride that couldn’t be explained. Not even dropping her eyes from mine, going as far as challenging me in my own house. Her first few shots, stunned the shit out of me. Making it to the 1000ft mark, making seven arrows pierce the small red dot.

    She left walking to retrieve the arrows, letting me and my Beta talk about what to do with her. He informed me, she had been unfound for over five years. Stunned I looked back at her, to find she was gone. We tracked her down, even with our speed she still managed to get a good distance away from us. Locating her in a broken down building, leaning against a glasses window. Her cocky attitude, making it more known she wasn’t going to give up. That’s when I got a good smell of her, roses and dirt. It turned my mouth into a pool.

    She laughed it off, like it wasn’t that big of a deal. Hell I’m the ruler, how can she not be the least bit scared of what I’ll do to her. Sending my men after her, as her silhouette disappeared into the dark building. Vince said he caught sight of her from across a building. Sending my men up there, he yelled her name. Running around to another window, I watched as she leapt from the highest point. My first thoughts were scaring me. Was dying better then being with me?

    Her arm reached out, pushing a knife into the fabric of a twisted flag. using it to slow her momentum down. Dropping the last ten or so feet. Waving to Vince, he shook his head mumbling something. Sending everyone I could to find her, she seemed to vanish in the ruble. Returning home I needed to speak with Vince.

    “Yes Alpha” Standing in front of my desk.
    “Tell me everything you talked about” Folding my hands over my desk.
    “Well sir, she had a father, but he was killed protecting her.” He paused.
    “Was it ours?”
    “No Sir” Shaking his head. That was a relief, at least she couldn’t blame me for that. Waving him to continue.

    “She’s been in hiding for about six or so years. Fighting seems to come naturally for her.”
    “Fighting?” Rising an eyebrow.
    “Oh yes sir, when we found her,….she was…” He growled lowly.
    “Spill it Vince” Glaring at him.
    “A human male had her, and was about to….take her” This made me growl, what male dares touch what clearly doesn’t belong to him.
    “What happened” Trying to keep myself and wolf calm.
    “She pushed away from him, and we gave him goods for her. But she requested something  of me.”
    “Oh what was her request?” Chuckling a little bit he smiled.
    “She wanted to kick his ass, Sir”  Springing my eyes wider.

“Really?”
    “Yes, and she did a fine job at that. Then as if nothing happened she began to eat two apples and a peach.” taking in a breath, to continue.
    “She then spoke about living on her own, and how she liked being different”
    “Likes being different” Dropping one hand to the desk.
    “Yes Sir, something about how things that are the same get forgotten.” Shrugging. I got it, she was using a metaphor for her life. She would have been to young to graduate, so her learning must have been self taught.

    “Anything else Vince?”
    “Nothing out of the ordinary, she known’s a little about pack life. She’s seems to feel one with the way things are now, and doesn’t seem to hold a grudge against our kind.”
    “Doesn’t hold a grudge, maybe the girls got smarts after all.”
    “I believe she’s very smart sir, with a side of humor…I might add.” Grinning about something that might have been said between the two of them.
    “That is all Vince, tell me when the scouts find her.”
    “Yes sir” Bowing he takes his leave. With the solid door firmly closed, I release a loud sigh.
    “So the girls, smart, quick on her feet, and humorous” Wrapping my hands behind my head, looking out the large window. Wonder what she’s doing right now. As these thoughts click in and out, a shooting pain hits my back.

    “Hell” Leaning forward. Standing up it feeling like I’ve been hit with a truck. Lifting my shirt, checking my back. Gasping at the blue and purple coloring that’s now swirling around. For an Alpha, once we find our mate, we can feel and see pain from them. The thought of her hurt, further enrages me. Who would hurt her, how did it happen. Someone’s going to die.



~Fade’s Pov~


Its been about a week now, give or take. Food is becoming hard to find, and with the livestock situation a no go. I’ve had to look else where. A few times a thought of going back to the city has crossed my mind, but I had a bad feeling about it. Doing a lot more sitting around and just trying to keep from wasting energy in places that weren’t needed. I know I need to eat, and very soon, that is unless I don’t want to pass out.

    Pushing off the ground and using the tree for support, I head to the city. I know there will be food their, if nothing out a soda would be better then nothing. Smoking seems to make my throat swore, and irritated. Looking around before taking a step into the clearing, known as downtown. A small package store is only a few blocks away. Quickly walking to it, pushing threw small opening that is know the door. My eyes trail all over, seeing granola bar and a bag of chips.

    “Oh thank you jesus” Grabbing the items and peeling the plastic off. Chewing the granola bar first, stuffing the chips into my pocket.  Pushing fallen ceiling tiles away, looking for anything else. Two more bars, and I’m feeling the weight from not eating slowly going away. This will give me enough energy to push forward more. Walking to the back part, pushing the coolers I spot a can and reach between the tight crack for it. Cutting my cheek, I groan grabbing the can.

    “Sweet” holding the can of mountain dew. Stuffing that into the opposite pocket. Noise from outside, has me freezing. Moving only my head, I looking for the cause. A black bur flashes by, making me feel like I just pissed my pants. Mentally I am kicking my ass for coming back here, knowing I shouldn’t of. Slowly walking to a spot where I can’t be seen, I’m going to have to wait. The only thing that moves that fast is werewolf. Pulling out the small vile, pouring a little on my skin. Capping it, slowly slipping it back between my breasts.

    Feeling as though I am holding my breath, it feels like hours have flown by. Taking a dangerous step out of my spot, peaking out of the window. Nothing, nothing isn’t always a good thing. Gulping my fear, pushing forward. Gripping my bow, stepping into the open. Looking all over, even up. Never underestimate wolves. They didn’t win the war for being stupid. Moving away from where I came in from, my scent will be dripping all over there. Rounding a building, I spot four men messing with a young man. Their pushing him around and trying to take what little food he does have.

“Hand if over shit” A large one with tattoos shoves him. The man being shoved, could be classified as a nerd. At least if we were in school. The other’s would be the jocks or thugs. Rubbing the back of my head, I feel sick about this. I’ve never liked when anyone picks on the meek. Just leaves me with a nasty taste. Leaning my back against the wall, I think it through. He’s not really my problem, and I don’t know him. But if I were him, I’d want someone to help me.

Damn stupid consciences. Palming my face.

Pulling my bow, I grab an arrow. The largest man needs to go, he just seems like a baby killer to me. Holding the tip of the arrow around the corner, I aim and fire. Sending the arrow threw his heart, he gasps before dropping to the ground. His buddies look around scared, when I make my voice deep.

    “Leave the lad, and I spear thee” Yes I went for old English talk.
    “Lets get out of here” taking off, leaving the younger man looking at the dead body.
    “You alright?” Rounding the corner.
    “Y…yes” Nodding his head like a bobble toy.
    “Good.” Checking the man, for anything of use.
    “You killed him!” Gulping.
    “Yea, didn’t want to. But it was either him dying or you.” Shrugging it off.
    “You helped me?” Looking confused.
    “Yea I guess so.”
    “Why?”
    “Good question.” Chuckling.
    “Are you going to rob me to?” Taking a cautious step backwards.

“Nah, not my style.”  Finding only a stick of gun, not even I would chew out of the dead man’s pocket.
    “Wait where are you going?” Watching as I start to head towards the woods.
    “Not staying here, there’s a wolf running around.”
    “Yea, he went that way”
    “Wait you saw him?”
    “Yea, they don’t pay me much attention” He said, sounding relieved.
      “Lucky you” Huffing.
    “Where will you go?”
    “Woods, I got myself dinner.” Patting my pockets.
    “Could I tag along?” His eyes were soft brown and seemed to hold a kindness that was lost long ago.

“I don’t take people with me.”
    “I could be of use to you” Blurting it out, before really giving it any thought.
    “How so” Chuckling as his face pinks.
    “I could let you know when a wolf is around”
    “Umm that only helps me during the day.” Frowning.
    “I’m good at catching fish” Lighting up a smoke, I blow the smoke towards him.   
    “Fire isn’t a good idea for me. You might decide its safer by yourself.”
    “Why?”

    “I’m being hunted. See in case you didn’t notice I’m not male, and wolves are all over looking for me.” Taking another drag.
    “Did you get marked?”
    “Ha no, not a chance.” Letting my hand rest on my others elbow crease.
    “Then why would I care?”
    “Because their looking for me.” He shrugged as if it that big of a deal.
    “We should get moving.” Giving me a good smile.
    “Your one of those masticates aren’t you?” Raising my brow as he walked by me. Receiving a chuckle from him, I found out his name was Drake.
    “You made that up” I said taking a bite of fish.
    “Yea, my real name is Josh, but I figured with everything gone to shit, who would really care.”
    “Huh! Good point”

    “So what’s your fake name?” Eating some fish.
    “Don’t have one. I don’t remember my real name. So you can call me fade.”
    “Pretty, and a little scary.”
    “Ha, well the Alpha calls me Sniper.”
    “You know the Alpha?” Chocking on fish, to the point of downing a small thing of water.
    “I guess you could call it that. I was killing his livestock, and didn’t relive it was his.”
    “Wow, your as good as dead when he catches you”
    “That’s the thing, I’m running from him.”
    “Wow, no wonder you said it would be safer by myself.” Laughing about it, we finished off the food. Kicked dirt over the fire and moved a little ways from where we were. Climbing a large oak, Drake looks up at me.
    “You sleep in a tree?”
    “Safer up here”
    “Not if your ass falls.”

“I don’t fall” Remembering when I did fall off that branch…doesn’t count that broke.
    “I’ll sleep on the ground thank you”
    “Suit yourself.” Getting comfortable. Falling asleep to the setting sun, my body relaxes.