We charged through the trees, our group nothing but a blur of shadows. We kept at a reasonable pace, and I was happy with the runs Sean made me do as training.

The energy from the mate bond thrummed against my side. Phoenix ran to my right, his large imposing wolf was effortless. I admired his beast; how his muscles bunched under the pressure and yet barely a high escaped his jaw. His dark eyes turned to glance at me and I swished my tail in response.

We ran in silence, the spirit of running together was enthralling. I had never run as part of a group like this, there was something wild about it. Freeing. Wolves around me yipped and barked as we ran, covering a wide amount of land in such a short time.

Before I knew it we reached the border, the patrol wolves there bowing their heads as we slowed our approach. Phoenix had his head raised as we left, to scout the area. The shimmering energy of the boundary washed over me and I shook out my fur on instinct.

With a commanding bark from Phoenix, we began to run again. Cel was in her element, and we were happy to be a part of a pack. Who knew I would be running in a pack when I shed to actively avoid it?

Time passed quickly and we soon came to our first rest stop by a freshwater stream. Our tongues lapped at the refreshment and we stretched our limbs out in the cool water. It wasn't a hot day today, in fact, it was rather cloudy but it was nice to cool down. I only went knees deep as I watched the others enjoy the relaxing current.

Some wolves were on high alert, their eyes watching the trees and ears twitching with every sound. Phoenix was one of them, his back end close to me as he stared out at the forest.

I exited the water and shook out my fur. I wandered my way around for a bit before realising only Pollux wasn't watching the trees. Both Sean, Leo and Phoenix were preoccupied so I went to sit beside my twin.

A small bark of greeting left my jaws and he turned his big head to look at me. His tongue darted out as I came near and left a large lick on my ear. I huffed and nudged his head away, falling onto my butt.

We sat near the edge of the group, letting our wolves express themselves with playful growls. At some point, Cel rose to her feet and began to gnaw at his ear. He engaged in the play and I chuckled as they began to try and bite at each other.

A sudden feeling of dread washed over me and I forced Cel to pause from chomping his cheek so I could focus. It was a gut-wrenching shiver, one I had felt before somehow. It felt familiar.

My hackles rose as I searched beyond the trees. Something was there, I was certain of it. I let out a low growl as my eyes caught a shadow. The shadow moved and a scurry of feet rustled in their direction. I sniffed, only to find an overwhelming stench of rotting flesh and blood.

I felt Phoenix come up behind me, his nose pointed down as he tried to pick up the scent. He let out a low growl when he did, taking a threatening step forwards.

I suppressed a shiver as the feeling hit me like a wave again, my claws shifting in the grass.

What is it? I asked.

Phoenix growled again, not turning his attention away. 'Ghoul.'

I felt my heart splutter in fear and a small whimper left my lips as the memory of the terrifying creature came to the front of my mind. I took a small step away from where I stood, to stand beside Phoenix's flank.

I was glad I was in wolf form as I would be able to protect myself more if anything was to happen.

The shadows between the trees moved and I was blindsided until Phoenix suddenly lept into action. The large blue figure had launched itself out of the trees, seemingly in my direction. A startled yelp left my lips when it got knocked away by Phoenix.

They were so fast. Despite the Ghoul's height, it moved quickly. Pollux stood close beside me, deep growls leaving his throat and his tail swished in anger.

Loud growls and echoing shrieks filled the air as they fought and just as Phoenix latched onto its arm, Sean's grey wolf jumped in to help him. Together they wrestled the beast, skin being torn and even a few clawed fingers flew through the air.

My anxiety never left, and I found myself pacing a small circle as small whimpers left my throat. The Ghoul didn't stand a chance and eventually, Phoenix had torn off its head and spat it to the ground. The two wolves stood panting over the kill, their eyes were dark with malice.

Phoenix huffed and shook out his fur, his black eyes alerting me to his anger. He gave me a once over before he darted himself into the water to rid himself of the blood. I licked my shout nervously as I waited for him to finish. My instinctive need to make sure he was okay was overpowering me.

When he finished he shook out his fur and I whimpered gently when he began to make his way over. A deep grumble erupted in his chest as his head rubbed along my neck and shoulders. I sighed at the comfort of the bond, my anxiety dropping knowing the threat was terminated.

Are you okay? I eventually asked.

He sat on his haunches and licked at his paw. I'm fine. 'We are in no man's land near human territory, it is to be expected to come across threats.'

But Ghouls? I whined.

He paused, and I noticed his eyes flicker with hesitance. 'They tend to gravitate towards... your blood. They feast on flesh and blood but they can smell you are Lycan. It was likely overwhelmed with need from both of you, that it lost sense of danger.'

I froze, my mind wandering to other places. So now Ghouls were after my blood? Just because it heals? I suddenly didn't feel so confident in knowing I was out in the middle of the woods with so many threats. But when I cast my eyes back over my mate and best friend, I knew it was ridiculous. We were a pack, a team.

Phoenix barking an order jolted me back to the present. 'Back in formation. Let's move out of here.'

With small murmurs of apprehension, we began to fall back into place. I meandered my way into the middle, licking Sean's ear in comfort as we passed by him. He let out a gentle grumble and made his way to the front of the pack.

Phoenix was waiting for me in the centre, his chest puffed up as he scanned the surroundings. I settled beside him, wagging my tail gently as I waited for everyone to be ready.

Once satisfied he let out a loud bark and the wolves at the front began to move. I followed suit and fell into the gentle rhythm of our paws. It was silent as we ran this time, the reality of the situation was enough to settle the excitement.

We ran until the sun sat at its highest and when I could see a clearing in the distance, Cel came to attention.

'I recognise this place.' She murmured.

You do? I wondered.

She had been unconscious for most of our run, and in pain, so for her to remember a place must've meant it was a potent one. And I had a gut feeling I wouldn't like it.

My fur bristled as the smell of blood hit the air and I slowed my pace. Phoenix grumbled and turned to watch me, alerting the pack to my distress.

'What's going on?' He breathed.

Something seems familiar. I hesitated, turning my attention to the right.

'Lead the way.'cHe barked.

I nodded with hesitance and let my instincts guide me. Cel lead me to the right and kept her snout to the ground. I heard paws fall into step behind me, noting Leo, Phoenix and a male warrior behind me.

My hackles raised when I smelt the blood get stronger, but it was covered in the scent of multiple animals and urine.

I rounded a tree and came to stop at the sight. My heart felt like it was constricting in my chest as my eyes fell upon the hump that lay beside a tree. It was covered in mud and leaves and mostly eroded but the smell and the location triggered the memory.

'What is that?' Phoenix mumbled.

The man I killed. I breathed.

Cel whined in my head, offering her support at the harsh memories. Anxiety crept along with me like a tidal wave, clenching my stomach and making my mouth salivate. Phoenix growled but brought his head down to groom my snout and ears.

'Come. You did what you had to to survive.' He grumbled. 'Which direction do you remember coming from?'

I glanced around, looking beyond the tree of rotting flesh. I know I came from behind the tree, so gestured in that direction. He nodded his head and the remaining wolves began to walk our way. I swallowed away the nerves and fell back into the formation. I cast a last glance at the scene before I turned the corner and onto the next memory.

I shuddered away from the feeling, Pollux brushing his fur against mine in comfort. I was safe, I was fine. I did what I had to. I was with my pack, I was safe.

•••

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