The Beast And The Blessed

Ninety-Four: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

The sound of wolves and other creatures trampling through the forest was oddly quiet. The muffled and skilled footsteps of warriors quickly covering the distance to the mountains felt like the timer of a bomb slowly ticking down to zero.

The humans would be driven in with the other witches, the medical equipment, and the healers later that night. But those that could run did.

A fleet of wolves and Lycans sprinted through the trees like a tidal wave, ready to take down anyone in its path. The council had teleported with Joselin and my mother to their positions to block Talia and her coven of witches from being alerted of our presence before we were ready for them to know of our arrival.

The plan to siphon their magic from them had long been thrown away as it wouldn't do enough damage to be impactful with our limited time. Instead, they masked the enemy, forcing them into a bubble to keep them blind to the outside world. We didn't know how long it would hold, but we hoped it would last through our journey.

We would camp several miles south of them tonight while scouts surveyed the area. At sun-up, we would attack.

My white fur rubbed against Killian's leg for only a moment as we ran before he moved away again. It was like he was working on a timer to brush against me or to have his knuckles touch my back or side every thirty minutes as if he wanted to confirm that I was still here with him and that I hadn't fallen behind.

It was strangely quiet in the pack link. All of their emotions had been pushed down. Killian hadn't entirely placed the wall like he did the last time he was here, but it still felt like there was a thick collection of water between us, muting everything.

I had tried not to focus on those around me. Still, every now and then, I would wonder which one of the wolves running amongst the thousands was my father and if I would even need to decide about meeting him when it was all over. We would both have to survive for that.

A poisonous, almost sour smell made me slow, and the pack followed suit.

surrounding Lycans responded in a sort. It was an odd way of communicating. Their primal beasts were talking instead of their humans

saying or if it was just their animals communicating with each

noise down.'

began scouting a place to settle in for

stood by Killian's side, waiting for him to take the lead and choose where we would sleep. I had never run so far or

fallen hours ago. The good news was that we were now prepared. We could rest tonight and be

admit that I was relieved that we had an extra day before the battle. It was worrisome that we were so close to our enemies, having no idea how many there were. Still,

giving orders through the pack link. I couldn't expect him to comfort me today. He had to be a leader, and from what I had been told, he was a

him and to his left as I observed our people, taking in every face. It

was solemn and on alert, but those that had shifted and changed into the clothes they had around their leg, were laughing and quietly

see who had been in battle before, and it put me at ease knowing that they weren't concerned. They had either

pride, and Charlie sat beside Damien as she chewed on a stick of dried meat with a smile as she chuckled with her team. I wondered what her life

is what she

behind them but wasn't watching the boisterous group. He was watching me. His dark brown hair was easy to see between the moonlight and

Could it be him?

the man. Whatever he saw, he didn't like. He moved

wasn't the last I would see of the man. But I knew it was too easy. Too good to be

looking for me. I mentally kicked myself for letting my

Killian's back, wanting to see the man again to confirm, but he