Page 46 of Under A New Moon

The sirens were louder, somehow, even as the trees padded the sound.

Civilians fled from their path, dashing into whatever corner they could find. Joggers, walkers, parents with their children all scattered. Nothing distracted the shifter from its kill, and in a way, Darla was grateful.

She was just warming up.

As fast as the creature was, it couldn’t get into the narrow places they cut through, so it bought them precious seconds to gain distance while it scrambled to reach them. Galen stayed behind her, ever alert.

He was being overprotective.

Darla didn’t know how, but she could take the creature. It was already weakened from the fight, and she didn’t need anything but her skilled hands to finish it for good. He wouldn’t let her stop, though, his cold blue eyes bright with caution as he pressed her on.

Thirty-Seven

Galen

He pursued as Darla barreled through the trees.

She was fast, faster than even he was with his long legs. But she had always been quick, in battle and on foot. He didn’t have time to appreciate her strength and speed under the circumstances, with the shifter hot on their trail.

Whenever they gained some ground, it closed the distance in sheer rage that its quarry was getting away from it.

But they couldn’t keep on like this forever.

At some point, they’d grow exhausted. The monster would catch them, and that would be the end of them, no matter how much training Darla possessed. They were heading in the right direction, at least. Maybe one of his father’s packmates would sense their distress and come to help. Maybe not.

The shifter that chased them was alone. That was obvious. But it was strange, considering in every other attack, there were at least four other wolves present. The creature had been unafraid to make a scene on the city streets too, which was also not exactly the MO of the previous fights.

This shifter was different, somehow.

Galen caught glimpses of it behind them, bloody irritation curling its lips.

He glanced to Darla, who remained steadfast in her flight. That’s when he decided. His feet skidded against fallen leaves and he about-faced to meet the shifter. Fur bristled under his skin and his teeth sharpened.

Darla’s reaction was delayed. “What the hell are you doing?!”

He didn’t answer, losing the ability to speak as his jaw reformed. His claws dug into the soil beneath him and he held his ground. When the shifter saw him, fully transformed, it fought its own momentum and bolted in another direction entirely.

Darla came running.

They watched the wolf disappear into the gloom, Galen’s sight lingering on the spot longer than Darla’s. She looked up at him. “What the hell was that about?”

He shook his shaggy head and let his secondary form fall away until he could speak again. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure.”

They picked up pace again but made sure to catch their breath.

“I could have taken him,” she said, punching the air in front of her. “He wasn’t all that tough.”

“I have no doubt,” he said in turn, glancing to the tangled mess of her blonde tresses. He picked a branch out of it. “I’m pretty sure my father’s pack was around here somewhere. We’ll find them and I’ll plead for his protection. It’s our best shot.”

Her enthusiasm wilted. “Will it be like Sol’s protection?”

“I fucking hope not.”

Silence lingered between them for a while. He tried to pick up that shifter’s scent, but there was nothing in the air. Like he’d never existed. “I don’t understand…”

Darla caught his hand and squeezed. “What?”

“There’s nothing- he didn’t leave a trail for me to follow.”

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