The first I knew that I was being hunted was the arrow that sliced my shoulder. Its silver tip burning the skin as it grazed the flesh near my neck. Another couple of inches and it would have been my throat.
I spun round and scanned the tree line, the nails of my hands extending into claws. A slight tingle in my eyes and I was sure they had taken on their sky blue colouration. They always did when I released the wolf within. I controlled the power and urge to let my lupine side free. Many of my kin had met their end because they weren't able to keep their beast under control.
I watched the tree line for signs of the next attack which I was sure would come. Ethereal fingers of fog glided through the tree as the waning moons light shattered and broke on the outstretched limbs of oak and pine, falling to earth in silver shards.
I allowed my lungs to fill with the night bourn smells of the forest. Two scents caught my attention, another wolf. A bitch if my nose didn't deceive me and the fragrance of roses.
The next attack when it came was two pronged. Another silver tipped arrow flew out of the mist while a wolf attacked from the undergrowth to my left. I was expecting the arrow and was able to snatch it out of the air. The wolf attack I wasn't expecting.
She launched herself at me and I felt teeth close on my shoulder. Ripping flesh and touching bone. Through the haze of pain my beast gained a little more control and I felt my muzzle elongate and my fangs push through my gums. A growl escaped my lips. The force of the attack threw us both backwards to land heavily on the ground. My ability to keep my beast under control paid off. Still in mostly human form I was able to gain the upper hand in the fall. Quickly rolling onto my feet before my hunter had time to react to my fall I was soon on my feet with the wolf bitch held in one arm. Holding her to my body by her throat, I held the arrow, which I still had in my hand, to her chest. I scanned the tree line again in the hope that this wolf meant something to my attacker. At this moment it was the only advantage I had. I moved my hand as if to plunge the arrow into the wolfs heart.
"No!" the voice that came from the depths of the mist was female and had a musical quality to it.
"Come out of the mist where I can see you." I commanded.
The figure that emerged from the mist took my breath away, I felt the beast relax its control and my muzzle returned to it human shape. My attacker seemed to materialize from the very mist itself. The figure was defiantly feminine; in fact she was the image of perfection. She walked with a natural grace and confidence that spoke of both strength and agility. Dressed in black from head to foot her choice of clothing allowed for both ease of movement and to compliment the soft curves of her body. Soft, flowing black hair with streaks of white cascaded over her shoulders reaching well below her waist. She wore a leather vest which revealed the soft pale skin of her arms. Intricate tattoos could be seen and I had no doubt that there was some mystical purpose behind them.
Just watching her I could feel passion rising again and the animal made itself felt once more.
"Drop your weapons" I demanded "and I mean the ones I can't see as well, or the bitch here suffers a broken heart" she striped off the harness that held a pair of cross swords over her back and various other bladed weapons from her clothing. "Now step over there." I said once she had dropped all the weapons that I could see. She moved away from the weapons. "If you are going to hunt me then at least have the balls to face me claw to tooth. Or maybe you don't have it in you to face me"
"I'll put you down like the dog you are" I was impressed, there was real hatred in those words.
I brought my mouth to the ear of the wolf and whispered a silent chant and its body slumped in my arms. I saw concern flash across my hunters face.
"Don't worry she will just sleep for a while." I said as I gently laid the wolf down......I had no desire to harm one of my own. No sooner had I released my grip that the hunter launched herself at me. I had expected this move and braced myself of the attack what I didn't expect was the jet black wings that unfolded behind her and lifted her into the air. Instead of hitting me she gripped my arms and lifted me a few feet into the air. She wasn't strong enough to carry me far but she was strong enough to launch me into the truck of a nearby oak. Pain erupted across my back with the impact and I fell, landing on my face.
