"Run," Daniel said.

I looked at him. "What?"

"Run. Don't make me say it again."

"But, where? All of us? How long?" I asked in quick succession.

"Run!" he roared, and I jumped, beginning to jog off into the desert. No one followed.

I stared ahead and began to run to the road. After a couple minutes, I turned back and jogged back to where the rest of the crew was stretching.

Daniel whirled on me. I flinched in fear. He narrowed his eyes, and I quickly tried to recover, blushing furiously at my weakness. He didn't hit me.

"Why did you stop running?" he asked.

"I-I-I didn't know how far to go," I defended.

"Let me make it clear. Run until you find our mailbox. Grab our mail and run back. It's a distance down the road. Go."

I nodded and began running down the road. I was alone with the sound of my footsteps, thudding against the packed dirt road. I kept my eyes peeled for the mailbox, hoping it was brightly colored. Soon, I was winded, but kept pushing myself. Surely, it would be soon.

I kept running, looking for the mailbox. If I knew it was this far away, I would have grabbed water. I glanced down at my watch. I had been running for an hour.

No mailbox. I finally slowed to a walk, panting heavily. My legs were incredibly sore. I grimaced when I realized I had to run back, too. I crested a hill and hoped to see the mailbox on the other side. Nothing. What would stop me from flying the next couple of miles to scan for it? Surely, I would be able to see a mailbox.

I continued walking for another hour. Finally, I admitted defeat. Maybe flying would be my best bet.

Before I could reason about it anymore, I saw a pickup truck driving in the distance. Maybe they had water. My throat was raw from thirst. I waved my hands and was relieved when the car pulled up next to me. I could see myself in the tinted windows. Sweat was pouring down my face and my shirt was drenched.

The window pulled down an inch.

"You okay? Someone here with you?" a man asked.

"I'm fine," I panted. "Just thirsty. Do you have any water?"

"Your friends didn't send you with any?" he asked.

My heart began to pound. Why was he asking me if I was alone...again?

"You know," I said. I glanced back to where I can come. "I'm sure they brought some extra. They're just slow runners. They'll be here in a couple minutes. Thanks, though."

"Running in the middle of the desert?"

"Oh, yeah," I said dismissively. "You know barefoot running? Desert running is like that, but ten times more difficult. Have a good one!" I said. I stepped back from the truck.

The window began dipping down and I gasped when I saw the person driving.

All four doors opened and I almost tripped backward as I saw the four men who stepped out. All of them looked normal except for the gaping black holes where their eyes should have been.

"Don't worry," the driver said. "We're werewolves just like you. Just faster than you. Running would be pretty stupid."

I stared into the black emptiness that was their eyes. They were all grinning.

Panic surged.

"Take her and put her in the back," the driver commanded, stopping. We were all edging backward. I glanced back and saw the cage. I hadn't noticed it before. It looked like a heavy-duty dog crate.

"Easy," another said. I was at the edge of the lifted road. The sand swooped down behind me.

"Wait!" I exclaimed. "Who are you? What happened?" I stammered. "Your eyes."

"Beautiful, aren't they?"

I took a deep breath. "Not really," I said. "Not as beautiful as that," I exclaimed and pointed behind them. Three of the four fell for it, glancing over their shoulders. The four-year-old in me felt incredibly proud. Had they really fallen for that?

With that, I turned and sprinted toward the down slope, extending my wings and pushing off as fast as I could. I quickly launched up into the sky. I flapped harder and harder, trying to get as much room between me and them.

I heard them shift and glanced back to see two black wolves, angrily running after me and howling. The leader stared as the other swore loudly and went to the back of the truck. I paused and turned to see him, hoping I might glean a bit of information as to who these people were.

Instead, I saw a gun. I turned and quickly dove down, trying to get as much distance between me and the gun. I heard the gun go off and pulled my wings in as fast as I could. The bullet flew by where my wing was. Holy crap. I plummeted and then pulled back up. I had to fly faster than I ever had before.

I heard another gun blast, which passed harmlessly underneath me. Another shot. Surely, I had to be out of range soon. The wolves chasing on foot had fallen back long ago. I flew quickly. The sound faded and I kept going.

After twenty minutes, I finally saw the base. I flew straight toward it. I had to warn them. I aimed for the center and the ground started coming up faster than I anticipated. My legs took the brunt of the landing and I flopped forward, covering my face with sand. I scrambled up and ran toward Daria's office. I burst in. It was empty.

Please.

I raced toward the dining hall and was relieved that people were inside.

"Naomi!" a voice exclaimed. I turned to see Berry standing there.

"Berry!" I exclaimed. I ran toward her and embraced her.

"You're really sweaty," she commented. I released her.

"Sorry!" I called and sprinted to where Daria and Daniel normally sat.

"Naomi?" Daniel asked questioningly. "What the—?"

"There are some werewolves coming here. I think. They had no eyes. Black eyes. Well, like pits where eyes should be." I panted and took a giant breath. "They were driving a truck with a cage in the back and tried to grab me. They were black wolves, and I flew away, but I think they're trying to capture werewolves. I didn't find the mailbox."

Daria was silent and then turned and glared at Daniel.

"Please, we have to get these people to safety," I urged.

"Sit." I didn't move, frustrated that I couldn't tell her the danger. The danger I may have brought on them. "Sit," she said sternly.

I sat down. She pushed her drink my way and I ignored it. "Please," I said. "We have to—"

"Drink," she commanded. "You're dehydrated."

She thought I was making this up? I grabbed the glass and downed the water quickly.

I opened my mouth, but she raised her hand. "We are in no danger."

"What do you mean? There are crazy guys with guns trying to kidnap werewolves only a few miles from here," I explained. "You don't believe me?"

She shook her head. "I know the ones you are talking about. Describe the leader."

I began to explain what the guy looked like, and Daniel grabbed his sister's hand. She nodded once I was done.

"Please, are these people in danger?" I implored.

She shook her head. "No. We have a border patrol for that very reason. We will warn them, but we are not at a risk. They specialize in grabbing loners off by themselves," she said, cutting a hard gaze to her brother.

"They haven't been around here for months," Daniel defended.

I shook my head. "Please. Everyone is safe here?" Daria nodded; I breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Who are they?"

Daria sighed and leaned back. "When you first arrived, you asked how there was a female alpha."

I nodded. "Your husband passed."

She shook her head. "Not exactly. If Sam were dead... truly dead, the beta would have taken over. He is still alive—in some sick, twisted sense of the word. Something happened to him. You met him today. He was the driver." I looked at her in shock. "Some infection. Something came over him and several others as you saw."

"What do they want?" I asked.

"Us," Daria admitted. "I don't know why or how. Members will leave and never come back. Thankfully, the Eyeless never get too close. Close is safe." She glared at Daniel. "Which is why asking someone to run to our mailbox is more than idiotic; its homicidal."

Daniel spluttered.

Daria looked at me. "We don't have a mailbox."

"In my defense, I thought there was no way a prissy betakind would run more than a couple miles."

"Well, you were wrong in more ways than one," I snapped. Daniel slammed his fork down and I flinched again.

"Daniel, warn our guard that the Eyeless were spotted. Double the guard. I would hate to find out that they have an obsessive interest in the winged one."

Daniel turned and left, anger trailing like heavy cologne.

"How many werewolves have been taken?" I asked softly.

"Eighteen," Daria said. My eyes widened in shock. "Mostly women and children. Gifted," she admitted. "In the beginning, we thought they were finding their mates on the outskirts and leaving. But then Greg came back after a watch, rambling on about the eyeless werewolves who stole his wife and kid. We had more sightings and eventually his story made sense." She looked at me warily. "I'm glad you're safe. Connect with Daniel again tomorrow for training. Today, rest up and help Berry get settled."

When she said Berry's name, I glanced over and saw she was sitting with a group of werewolves, casting worried glances over to me. I nodded and walked over to where Berry was.

"Naomi!" Berry exclaimed. She moved down to make room for me. Everyone seemed entranced by Berry and avoided eye contact when they saw me. Only Gregg met my eyes.

"Hello, again," he said shyly.

"Hi," I said back. He gave me a small smile. I glanced at Berry. Maybe my life wasn't hopeless after all.