Time to pack up...

My eyes feel heavy as they begin to open, gently awoken by the morning sun beaming through the forestry and the sound of the camp coming alive around me. The smell of the forest fills my lungs as I inhale, taking in each scent. A decent night sleep; no night terrors, the first in a long time. I feel the uneven dirt beneath me, warming from the suns glow. My hands reach around me as I grasp at the earth, feeling the recently dried soil crumble between my fingers.

I squint as the sun catches my eyes, raising my hand to block it as I lift my head following the blur of movement as the pups and children run past in fits of laughter. I can’t help but smile as they chase each other around. It’s been so long since they’ve been able to have some fun.

As I stretch my arms above me extending them in the air embracing the morning summer glow, I’m greeted with open blue skies. A sense of calmness sweeps through me realising the rain we’ve battled for what felt like a lifetime had finally come to an end.

“Finally! How you sleep with all this noise I’ll never know!” he chuckles as I lower my arms gently, brushing the dirt of my skin. I sit myself up and yawn rubbing my eyes.

I look up to see my brother Ash standing beside me. His blue eyes looking dull and tired and his light brown hair knotted, full of twigs and leaves. His body and face smeared with mud, smiling ear to ear, mischievously. He’s holding his arm behind his back keeping it out of my view, hiding something.

“What have you been up to already?” I chuckle, gently shaking my head amused.

“I couldn’t sleep-” he shrugs casually as he kneels down to face me; still holding what’s in his hand out of sight “I decided to go for a run. Might have stumbled across enough food for a week, no need to thank me” he announces excitedly, his grin giving off a hint of smugness.

I gasp now completely awake at the thought of a having a full stomach. It’s been days since we've all had some actual food! If I have to eat bark or those disgusting berries one more time…

“What?! What did you find?!” as the words leave my lips my stomach begins to growl, I feel my mouth slightly water thinking of the possibilities of what he’s found.

He laughs at my response.

His arm quickly swings from behind him – looking at me for approval as he holds a large, brown hare by the ears proudly. Barely any blood. Impressive.

                    I hear her whine excitedly

“Rose has got some cooking up now…” he says turning his head towards the direction of the fire rubbing his bare stomach with his free hand.

My eyes turn with him and I can see Rose sat on one of the fallen trees surrounding the small fire, slowly turning the hares on a makeshift spit made of thick branches. Probably Lillie’s invention. Roses eyes and white hair are shining bright from the glow of the flickering flames; greeting everyone as they walk past.

As I focus on the roasting hares slowly cooking I pick up their scent allowing the aroma to consume me sending my stomach into a fit of grumbles.

Patience girl, not long…

“She wants me to start skinning some ready for tomorrow, mind giving me a hand?” turning his focus back to me.

“Yeah, sure. Let me go get cleaned up quickly and I’ll be with you” I smile.

“Cheers sis, we’ll never get going otherwise” he laughs standing up. As he turns, my eyes focus on the long red scar across his shoulder; it’s good to see he’s no longer ashamed.

I get up and brush myself off stretching as I stand. As I head to the river to freshen up I embrace the feeling of the dirt between my toes each step I take. The sound of the river flowing gets louder as I approach, a faint rumble growing into a roar, glistening in the sun. As I arrive, I notice Lillie has had the same idea as she sits at the riverbank, her bright red hair wet. 

Lillie looked radiant in the morning sun as it bounced off her damp hair; her already sun kissed skin absorbing the rays of light.

As I approach, she turns her head at the sound of my footsteps and smiles, emphasising her gentle features.

“Morning Willow! Can you actually believe the rain has stopped?” she chimes.

She has a point, it’s the first morning in months since it's been dry. It was strange, as soon as the camp reached the Barren Lands nearly six months ago the skies turned black and rain poured for what felt like a lifetime. After a few weeks it felt like the sun was never coming back.

Lillie is Ash’s dearest friend. Lillie and her little sister joined the camp a few weeks before we showed up, they warmed to us instantly. Ever since that those two have become inseparable. In complete admiration she follows him like a shadow, doting on every word he speaks. She feels like it's fate; they both share similar experiences, both the same age and have so much in common. How could it not be written by the Moon Goddess herself she usually complains.

The problem with Ash is he’s a romantic. Growing up he listened to the nightly stories in the orphanage of destined romances, bonds so strong they consume you, a gift from the Moon Goddess herself from above. Dreaming of finding his one.

Most wolves pass it off as “myth and legend” made up by lonely ancestors trying to cheer themselves up. Rose claims to have seen it once but… I’m not too sure. She once told me she fought with a night crawler so her reliability is still in question... Everyone knows those guys aren’t around anymore. We wouldn’t be walking through the Barren Lands if those bloodsuckers were still here, this being their old home all those years ago.

“It’s nice not to wake up drenched for a change” I respond sitting down next to her, splashing my face embracing the cold water.

“You’re telling me! I can actually smell the forest for once! I can’t believe your brother found so many hares too, must have taken him hours to catch all those” she squeals “I smelt them as soon as he brought them back to camp! Rose was going on about just holding them in the fire-“ I look at her with a raised eyebrow “yeah, I know so I had to do something about that before she destroyed the only edible thing left in this forest!”

“I did notice your little contraption, nice work” I chuckle.

“Ahh it was nothing” she shrugs but I can see she appreciates the acknowledgement as a small smile spreads across her face as she begins to wash her hands. I put my own hands back in the water cupping some more and covering my arms, as I move my hands over them in turn, washing the previous day away my eyes catch a glimpse of an old pale scar on my upper arm, a quick reminder of my past.

“So how long until we set off?” I say pushing the memories out my mind.

I look at Lillie when she doesn’t respond realising she’s no longer paying attention to me. I catch her staring down the river now in a world of her own - a look of confusion spreading across her face.

“I was thinking…don’t you think it’s strange there’s no fish here… I mean the waters okay and everything... we’ve been her for what-“ she looks back at me “three days now?”

She pauses for a brief second before continuing “don’t you find it odd?”

I look at the water noticing she has a point. Thinking of it… I haven’t seen any either since we set up camp.

“What if it’s because of what happened here? I mean those battles were brutal!” she continues suddenly letting out a quick gasp “what if there are still some night crawlers here…”

I quickly cut her off before she spirals “Were probably just missing the fish – don’t go creeping yourself out now. I swear you do it on purpose sometimes” I laugh as I wipe the excess water from my skin, rubbing my hands into my worn jeans.

“Anyway, you done?” she stands holding out a hand to help me up.

I take a final look at my reflection in the water, brushing my dark brown hair out of my face revealing the scar on my neck still visible after all these months. My eye’s no longer looking so restless after my peaceful night’s sleep. They seem brighter.

I take her hand and steady myself, brushing myself off as we begin to walk back.

As we head towards the camp, now feeling refreshed I see everyone waiting as Rose hands over their portion of hare; eager to dive in.

Some of the children are still playing nearby while others have settled down, now full and content. A small group of cubs are rolling around in the dirt continuing to chase each other relentlessly. Some of the younger ones who haven’t shifted yet chase after them out of breath but determined; despite their best efforts to keep up the cubs are too quick to catch.

Realising I’m still barefoot I head over to my belongings leaving Lillie to walk on.

I gather my items and pack them neatly away in my bag ready; after travelling for so long you get used to being prepared to get up and go. I put on my coat now tattered and torn followed by my backpack. Sitting down to put on my shoes.

As I begin to unroll my socks I hear the sound of footsteps, faint but quickly approaching, I look up and see Lillie’s little sister running over panting, placing her hands on her hips in frustration. Her cheeks flushed with a cherry glow.

“Willow! Tell them to slow down! I can’t keep up!” she whines annoyed following the cubs with her glare.

I chuckle as I look at the bossy ten year old “Fara, you know the score. They can’t help it. Why don’t you play with the other kids?” nodding towards the children sat down.

She looks over at the younger kids sat peacefully, reading or playing with their makeshift toys.

She looks insulted by my suggestion objecting “Do I look like a baby?! I don’t want to play with them! I want to play tag!” stomping her feet.

“And what’s makes you think they’ll listen to me” I laugh at her making her stop abruptly.

She lets out a defeated sigh “Well when I’m older and I shift I’m going to be the fastest wolf around, you’ll see! Then no one can catch me and I’ll leave everyone else behind!” she pokes out her tongue wickedly and runs off towards her sister.

I put my socks on and place my feet in my shoes making sure I tie both laces tight. I get up and check I’ve left nothing on the ground and turn to follow Fara; who’s already sat between Lillie and Ash chattering as they continue to skin a pile of hares in front of them.

“Take a seat sis, we got a lot to get through” Ash calls pointing to a tree stump opposite him as I approach. I take a seat as he continues “Ronnie is on about us leaving in an hour-“ he places a skinned hair down into a plastic bag next to him “if we make the most of it we could arrive at Luna City by tomorrow night!” he looks up hopeful.

                    She whimpers

I know girl, I don’t have a good feeling about this idea either but they won't listen. We tried. Well I did. You were silent as usual…

I feel a wave of anxiety spread through me, the thought of us arriving at Luna City slowly dawning on me. The place dominated by one of the most feared packs around, the Shadow Pack overseeing most of the numerous clans residing within the city.

Growing up I heard stories of how the monstrous Alpha ruled the nutritious territory of the majestic Luna City; destroying any pack that opposed him claiming what he desired no matter the cost. He became insane with power leading to his demise. I’m not sure what happened to him but as far as I know they just stay within their city now guarding it. Apparently, the pack are descendants of a clan that helped in the Great War; old ferocious warriors who helped annihilate the night crawlers. Can’t say I’m looking forward to meeting these guys to be honest.

We all turn to face him “Your telling me were almost there?!” Lillie asked shocked almost dropping her hare, I can imagine she’s only thinking the same…

“Yeah Ronnie and they guys are planning the route now. We all know this place is already controlled so their trying to figure out what to so say if we bump into any scouts before arriving and for when we turn up at the clearing” he puts his knife down beside him and looks at Fara concerned “plus precautions in case they turn us away..” he mumbles.

Now suddenly forced to prepare for a possible confrontation I feel uneasy, if anything kicks off, I’ll be on the side-lines again. Ash having to protect me. I start to feel the anger building; annoyed at her for not revealing herself yet. Twenty years and I still haven’t shifted…

                    She whines

Don’t whine at me. Us. Whatever. You’re the one who’s playing the shy game putting everyone at risk - making everyone else look after us.

“Hey – don’t go down the rabbit hole now Willow” taken aback I look up to see Lillie scowling pointing at me “don’t put yourself down. It’ll happen when you're ready” she tries to reassure me.

I roll my eyes, lately I’m starting to think of giving up. If it hasn’t happened yet will it ever?

“It’s alright for you” I sigh “you’re not a twenty year old werewolf... without the wolf!”

“You’re just a late bloomer” she chortles nudging Fara who is now giggling too, I feel myself blush, feeling uncomfortable with all their attention fixated on me.

“You can still hear her, right?” Ash asks, a look of curiosity on his face.

“Yeah, she still hasn’t actually spoke to me but I hear her whine and stuff-”

“Then don’t worry!” he cuts me off handing over a blade and a large hare “but were going to worry if we don’t finish these soon. Don’t fancy putting Rose in a bad mood…again” we all laugh now swiftly moving on.

We all pitch in to get the work done; even little Fara giving it a go. Before we know it, tomorrows hares are ready and Rose is waiting with our food watching from the fire looking over at as pleased. Ash picks up the bag of hares and goes and exchanges them with a grateful Rose who hands over a wooden tray with chunks of meat.

As we all tuck in eating with our hands I feel my body become more energetic; finally getting what it's been craving for these past few days. We take our time savouring each bite of our meal. Feeling content as we clear the whole lot.

We clear up and help Rose put the fire out, dousing the remaining burning embers with water collected from the river. We set about covering up any trace indicating we were ever here. It’ll be harder masking our scent now the rain has stopped, I guess that’s the only positive of the downpour we had these past few months…

I notice Ronnie making his way through the crowd, alongside him are Finn and Hooper, former members of his pack. He stops as they arrive in front of the camp waiting for everyone’s attention as they grab their things; preparing to give us orders for our journey ahead. He looks around slowly, his eyes counting each head as everyone gathers making sure were all present.

He nods to a few in the crowd waiting as everyone arrives, Ash included whose now made his way towards the front of the gathering standing close to Finn and Hooper. Ronnie finally clears his throat when all eyes are on him, speaking loud and assertive.

“Morning all, hope everyone’s in good spirits today-” he says looking up at the sky “looks like the Moon Goddess is smiling on us for a change” he smiles softly as some of the camp laugh, pausing for the silence to resume.

“I hope everyone’s feeling refreshed, were in for a big walk today” his eyes scanning across us all.

“Some of you may have heard we are close to reaching Luna City and as you all know they’re not the most welcoming there”

I scoff, what an understatement.

“I want you all to be vigilant, they’ve probably got scouts everywhere up ahead keeping an eye out-“ his head turning looking at us all “and I’m not sure how many packs are actually in the city. So, when we move we keep quiet and stay low. If anything happens make sure we stick together- “he pauses his face looking remorseful “we can’t make any mistakes like last time. I know we aren’t expecting to bump into another roaming pack but we need to be prepared. So, let’s remember, support and protect each other and we will all make it, okay?”

The crowd responds with uncertainty in their tone but all follow regardless; how could it get worse?

I suppose people feel safe listening to him with his past, the former Beta of his pack but like the most of us his people fell to the demise of the takeover. His scarred face a reminder of what he endured as he fought to hold what was his. Despite his appearance he was charming; had a way with connecting with people, so naturally he led us as time went on.

“Hooper and I will go on ahead – follow our lead. Finn will keep everyone up to date with our link. If I signal, everyone hide. Okay?” and he turns around.

Ronnie and Hooper run off into the woods and flashes of fur come into view. They’ve all shifted, most definitely to heighten their senses.  

“Right, let’s go" Finn says softly signalling his hand for us to follow in the direction the now out of sight wolves went; most of the camp remain in their human form allowing those who are unable to shift to keep up, and most importantly stay together this time.

The attack from a few weeks ago is still a raw memory for some here, we were ambushed by another travelling pack who crossed our paths; they had escaped a similar fate as our own – the difference was they had managed to sneak out of their city before their territory was swarmed leaving their pack numbers still intact. They attacked in the night in hopes of taking our equipment and in search of food. In a mad frenzy they injured and killed some of our companions – luckily, Ronnie and some of our wolves chased them off before they tore through the rest of us. Ash being loyal, covered my body throughout the ambush to stop anyone who dared come for me; biting and tearing as anyone approached.

Since the takeovers started getting worse a lot of us have been pushed to the Barren Lands; with everything going on us werewolves aren’t the most trusting creatures anymore..

Our camp is made up of survivors of the old Crescent City. It wasn’t perfect but it was our home. Some of the group are hoping to find a new pack, me… I’m just exhausted and need to stop running. Right now, refuge is all I want.

It was originally frowned upon to be re-accepted into a pack once you’ve already been marked with a crest but with current times it’s not uncommon for some to take pity and accept lost wolves.

Me and Ash have never had a pack, growing up in an orphanage within the Crescent City we bounced from foster homes right back to the orphanage more times than I can count.  We never really got the chance over all those years to search for a pack to call our own. When we arrived at the already crowded home, Ash was already seven and I had just turned five, no note or explanation. Just a little boy and girl with no memory or recollection of who they were, confused and scared. Ash claims he remembers waking up in a dark car, me curled up fast asleep next to him snoring softly. He thinks he saw a silver haired woman driving at the wheel before drifting back into unconsciousness. Next thing we were awake, wrapped in blankets on the doorstep with snow falling heavy around us with the Warden, confused at the unannounced arrivals in front of her.

Lillie grabs at my arm shaking me from my daze now realising everyone’s already walked on including Ash who's already in his wolf form “come on girl, keep up!” she drags my arm making me follow behind...