I have always taken care of Kendra like a mother.

   "Kendra!"

   "Kendra!"

   My mother was broken, always too hurt to properly take care of a child. All she could do was her job, helping the Luna.

   "Kendra, where are you!"

   I would make breakfast in the morning while our mother slept, or while she stayed at another's house. She was heartbroken, and it made her reckless sometimes. I wanted to hate her for it, but I couldn't. I hated her because she let the sadness make her weak.

   "Kendra!"

   "Kendra, please!"

   She never got over it, she never became determined again. All she had left, all her energy went into her job, none to spare for her family. In her mind, her family had died along with her mate.

   I grab the trunk of a tree, stabilizing myself before the intense worrying causes me to vomit. Where could she be? Where could she have gone? Did Kendra simply run in a random direction until she couldn't hear the sounds of killing anymore? Those types of screams stay in ones mind for a lifetime.

She could have ran her way into one of Alpha Kenn's guards, gotten herself taken, or worse. She is probably scared, crying, begging that I find her in time—but what if I can't? How can I let her down when it matters the most? Kendra's life is on the line, and I'm suppose to be her mother figure, I am supposed to save her, protect her. If something were to happen to her, I could never live with myself.

Swallowing, I push off of the tree and continue on.

In the distance, I spot something lurking between the heavy brush, disguised behind its dense layering. I creep closer, hoping it's Kendra, but I pause when I notice a thick coat of dark fur. Not knowing if the beast has seen me more not, I slowly back away, but against my hoping the unfamiliar creature walks forward. This is no member of the Tate Pack.

It's yellowish-golden eyes stalk me intensely, and I struggle to conjure up a solution on the spot. If I run, it will catch me. If I shift, it will kill me. If I stand here, it will kill me. If I beg, it will kill me. If I shift and then run, it will catch me. If I scream, it will kill me. Either way this beast, stronger and bigger than I in any form, can take me easily. I swallow.

The stranger gets that certain look in its eyes, an animal ready to do what it does best, survive, hunt, and kill.

The brush bends under its giant paws, snapping twigs like it will snap my neck. The wolf prepares to lunge at me, giving me no time to think any longer. With a quick and sudden decision, I throw my head back and let my beastly side take over. Hairs sprouting one by one in a split second, bones shifting, changing like a caterpillar to butterfly, and once dull human eyes turn to something much darker, glowing in the oncoming night. Two legs turn to four, sweet lips disappear and are replaced by needle-like teeth. A true beast.

The other wolf growls at me, threatening me, telling me that I will soon die. I have much to loose, but so much more to fight for.

With a swift lunge and snap of a jaw, the wolf makes its move and takes me to the ground with a startling thud. I fall to my back and immediately roll out from underneath its heavy body, dodging another attempt to sink its teeth into my neck.

I sprint forwards and prepare to attack it from behind, but it meets me halfway. To a human child, we may look to be two dogs playing it the backyard, but rather than barks, the air is filled with snarling and growling, snaps and whimpers. I am again brought to the ground, fighting back any attempts to my face. I am not strong enough to take on this wolf by myself, primarily because I have never fought a day in my life. Every move I make is based on a natural instinct, but that can only take me so far.

I manage a few hard bites at its neck, almost deep enough to cause real damage, and the wolf lets its guard down long enough for me to slip out again. This time, I sprint off into the trees, knowing it is hot on my trail. Things are crushed underneath me, sounds that I have never heard before, large branches, bushes, dead tree branches, as I have no time to be so careful to where I step. Mud coats my paws as I rush in the direction of the commotion I escaped from. If I can lead the wolf to many others, maybe some on my side will take over.

With a quick glance, I spot the wolf running after me, powering through the forest like a bulldozer. Knowing it is too close for comfort, I push even harder, giving it my all.

Cries of help erupt from me as I near the battle ground where Alpha Kenn's body lays. Before I can get any closer, the wolf tackles me to the ground, my back thrown onto a patch of rocks, large enough to scratch through my fur and jab me, digging at my flesh, sure to leave a black bruise if not a break.

Expecting the wolf to sink its teeth into my throat, deep enough to tear things out, I squeeze my eyes shut.

Another sound comes from beyond, halting the wolf on top of my limp body. It's eyes shoot forward before its paws push off of me and its body is propelled forward. The darkness that was once above me is replaced by the warm sky.

Adrenaline takes my pain away as I roll onto my front, watching the wolf leap towards someone very familiar. Heath. I want to get up and help him, I want to be able to lift my body from the forest floor, I want to keep my eyes open, I want many things, but my body will not agree with me.

My surroundings turn hazy as my lids wave open and closed. I can feel my body shrink, shifting back to my human form, making me more vulnerable than before.

I want to get up. I want to get up and fight, and find Kendra, and find my Mate, but I cannot.

My body will not let me.