We both twist in mid air, trying to lock our jaws around the neck of the other. However, the force with which propelled our leaps makes us fly past eachother, hitting the ground.

Jack expertly lands on her paws, turning back to Nate in seconds, barely pausing for breath; Nate, on the other hand, has barely got to his feet by the time we are racing towards him.

She's about to spring again when she sees his position: side on, his back legs are in a position which makes it easy for him to grab our throat if we leap for his.

Just when we think he's going to stay in his position as we slow our approach, he suddenly lunges for us and we are forced to dodge. He twists round and snaps at our throat. However, his size works against him, and he aims too high, leaving his throat exposed. Jack snaps at Nate's neck but he jerks back in time, growling.

It's on.

She immediately presses the offensive, snapping and lunging for his legs, the easiest place to reach, dodging his numerous attacks. Neither of us have drawn blood yet but it's only a matter of time.

We nearly over reach in our lunge and Nate seizes the opportunity to grab at our neck but we roll out of the way in time. Jack leaps onto his neck, our jaws locking around his scruff. He shakes his head, dislodging us and we fall to the ground.

Nearly had him.

Remember we are not trying to kill him.

I know. This fight would be quicker if we were.

We keep rolling, dodging his flurry of attacks, eventually getting the opportunity to scramble onto our feet. She spins round, snarling, and immediately springs.

Time slows as we soar through the air. I can see the crowd's heads turn to follow our movement, Nate start to attempt to dodge as she comes down on him. The silence is deafening.

Everything suddenly speeds up, and Jack twists in the air, her jaws settling around his throat, not deep enough to cut through the skin, but enough to show we've won.

We stand there in the shocked silence, our body panting with exertion.

Can you release me please?

She lets him go and we both slump to the floor, exhausted.

Good job.

Thanks.

We should probably go change. Come on.

Nate takes the lead and we stumble after him until we're out of sight of on lookers and there is a large murmuring that springs up behind us but we ignore it, tiredly shifting and changing into our clothes.

Jack hands me control, as Nate does with Isaac, and we stagger slightly.

"Iz, are you okay after that?"

"Yeah, I'm good. You?"

"Never better." He replies, laughing.

"Already back to joking I see."

"Yep. Get used to it."

"Don't worry, I am." He takes my hand and kisses it like I'm a queen.

"So much for keeping up your energy levels after the heat."

I given him a sheepish grin.

"It doesn't matter. I'll be fine," I say dismissively.

"And now to face the pack, my lady."

I laugh and he takes us through the trees back to the field where the pack are waiting. They cheer when we appear and start to gather round to praise us, but Matthew quickly makes them dissipate to continue training.

"Thank you Matthew."

"No problem man. Good job Luna. For a second, I was actually worried for Isaac then I remembered how uptight he is." Matthew gives me a wink.

"Shut up," he growls as I laugh. "We're going before you can inflict anything else on us. Goodbye Matthew."

"Farewell Alpha, Luna."

Isaac drags me away, his expression furious as he strides across the grass, his eyes flicking between his natural blue and Nate's brown gold tone. I dig my feet into the ground, slowing his pace but not stopping it.

Isaac!

What?! He snarls.

Stop.

And what?!

Talk.

About?

You know what: why you're so mad.

Let's reach the pack house first.

Thank you.

I allow myself to be led into his quarters, the Alpha's quarters, judging by the fact I've never seen anyone else up here. He slams the door violently once I'm in the room and I flinch at the noise, my hand slipping from his grasp.

"I'm sorry Iz. I'm just - "

"Mad, I know." I give him a reassuring smile. Isaac's eyes have stopped flicking between colours, settling on his normal emerald green, showing he's got a hold on himself for the moment.

"What's wrong?" I say softly.

"I don't like seeing you laugh at other men. I hate that he winked at you. I hate that - " He punches the wall repetitively, his words apparently not enough to convey his anger.

"Isaac, stop hitting the wall." His punches slow but do not stop.

"Isaac! Can you hear me?" He definitely hears me but he's ignoring me. I hesitantly approach him,  nervous at what he might do. "Isaac?"

He suddenly twists round and his lips crash into mine, the hands cradling my face gentle despite the clear frustration behind the kiss. I deepen the kiss, my arms wrapping around his neck, drawing him closer as his hands settle on my waist, pulling me against him. Sparks shoot through my body, urging me to continue but my lungs have other ideas.

Gasping for air, I am forced to break the kiss, pulling away, but still remain in his arms. Isaac kisses my forehead, cupping my face in his warm hands. I give him a smile in reply and he buries his face in my neck, sniffing my scent and I feel our tense bodies relax.

He suddenly sighs and growls, his chest vibrating against mine.

"Iz, someone's trying to cross the west border. I have to go."

"I'm coming."

"No shifting. No one's seeing you naked except me."

I ignore him, escaping his grip and grabbing some clothes to cover up.

"See? No issue."

We run to the border, the grass lashing our legs, the wind whipping our cheeks. There is a loud howl ahead of us and we speed up, propelling ourselves faster. Our feet barely touch the ground, my hair lengthening Jack starts to come out.

Wait. It might nor be a fight or danger. Stay back for the moment.

Fine. But if you're about to die, I'm having control.

We slow to a stop and Isaac stands protectively in front of me, blocking my view. I sigh and step round him; I can defend myself, he knows that. I approach the area from which the howl came.

"Iz! Wait!"

"I'll be fine. Come."

I stalk between the trees of the edges of the forest, following the sound and smell of the border guards, trying to be as quiet as possible to allow us to give a surprise attack if we need to do so.

A group of border guards have gathered around a lone figure. They do not attack but instead just stand there, looking confused. As I get nearer they part before me, revealing the person who has caused so much trouble.

A little girl.

She has pale, blonde hair that reaches past her waist, her brown eyes fixed on me.

I kneel before her, trying to appear non-threatening.

"Hello. What's your name?"

"Carrie."

"Hello Carrie. I'm Isobel. Why are you out here by yourself?"

"I don't know. My wolf was looking for food but we got lost. I don't know my way home!"

Carrie's voice has been increasing in panic and volume throughout the sentence.

"Do you know what pack you're from? If you can tell us that we can return you to them. Your parents are probably worried for you."

"I have no pack." A rogue then. Even so, she's too young to have survived on her own: we weren't born a rogue but we were at least double her age and even we struggled for a while. Ice trickles down my spine as she speaks; her mouth barely moves when she does so, causing her voice to sound as if it is coming from all directions.

I don't believe her.

What? Why?

She smells strange. I can't identify what species she is.

She's a child!

Children can lie.

Shut up Jack. Stop being so cynical. I don't care.

I turn my attention back to Carrie.

"You look hungry. Do you want to come with me and get some food? Then we can work out how to get you home." She nods enthusiastically and I take her hand, leading her away from the border guards.

"Carry on your patrol. We'll take it from here." An amused voice orders, causing me start in surprise.

Isaac.

I relax as he approaches us and kneels in front of Carrie. She buries her face in my hand, shy.

"Hello little one. I'm Alpha Isaac."

He gives her a comforting smile and she peers back at him, plucking up the courage to show herself, her eyes falling to the floor.

She gives an adorable little wave, and Isaac passes me a grin, his eyes twinkling. He's clearly just as smitten as I am with her. He holds out his hand and she slides her small hand into his large one, her eyes trusting.

"Come on. Let's go."

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Awww. Am I the only one who finds Carrie cute? I had great fun writing her.

She has had a major character change during editing so she's changed a bit since the first draft. It will become more clear later on. ;)

I wanted to keep it a bit light hearted before it all goes downhill later on. Isobel ************* ********* (Cuts out spoilers).
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
WORxxx

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