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I was rudely awoken by the sound of the motel room door slamming closed and Cole roughly shaking my shoulder. “Get up,” he growled. I sat up groggily and rubbed my eyes, quickly getting out of the bed and brushing the creases out of my t-shirt with my hands.

My brother grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room and off of the motel’s property. After about ten minutes of walking, we reached the dense forest that surrounded the town. When we were safely hidden in the trees, Cole looked at me. “Strip and shift,” he ordered.

I could feel my face colour as I complied, removing my clothes under his piercing gaze and shifting into my white wolf form. When Cole shifted, he began to dog-trot through the woods and I followed, not wanting to know what would happen if I took this chance to run.

Eventually, we reached a log cabin. It looked abandoned, like no one had lived there for years. Dark green moss grew up the sides of the house and on the roof, and the inside looked dark and cold through the windows.

Come, Cole said as he padded up the stairs and pushed the door open with his nose.

I did as he said, following him into the bleak house. The wooden floor boards creaked beneath our feet as we entered what was once probably a family living room. I was sure the wood was rotting, and so I stepped lightly just in case the floor gave out.

Stay here, my brother ordered. I’m going out to get food. If you shift to human form, you’ll die of hypothermia.

I nodded and lay down in a spot on the floor after deeming it safe. Resting my head on my paws, I closed my eyes, deciding to catch up on the sleep that I had lost the night before.

~~~*~~~

Yet again I was awoken by Cole nudging me. He said nothing, merely dropping a large dead rabbit in front of me and waiting for me to eat.

My stomach growled as I sniffed the rabbit. I eyed Cole warily before biting into the meat, tearing it apart eagerly and devouring the small snack. Is this what you did when you disappeared? I asked once I had finished my food.

Cole nodded. I only had to take care of myself, though, he replied, lying down next to me.

I shifted uncomfortably and he moved back. We can’t stay in wolf form forever, I said. It’ll drain our lifespans.

I couldn’t care less about our lifespans, Cole sighed tiredly. Now go back to sleep; I’ll wake you up when it’s time to go again.

My eyes were half-lidded as I nodded and I dropped my head back down and closed my eyes. I had a feeling that as long as I was with Cole, I would be very tired – especially if we continued to eat miniscule meals and travel constantly.

~~~*~~~

We had been walking for what seemed like hours when Cole and I finally reached the next house. Unlike the first one, this one hadn’t been cleared out, so we had blankets and some clothes to wear. I shifted back as soon as I was inside, grabbing an oversized t-shirt and slipping it on.

Cole, still in his wolf form, stared at me before shifting and slipping on a pair of cargo pants and a hoodie. “Rest here for now,” he said. “We’ll move again in an hour.”

“Um,” I said softly, cringing when Cole glared down at me. “I was wondering if we could stay here for a longer while.”

“We have to keep moving, Runt,” he muttered bitterly.

I shook my head. “N-no, I meant a few days.” I forced a smile. “We can rest here in human form. There are blankets to keep us warm, and I’ve seen a few deer around. Can we please stay here just until the both of us get our strength back?”

Cole sighed, looking at me, before he ran a hand through his hair. “Fine,” he growled. “Rest; I’ll be right back.”

Although I didn’t sleep, I did as he said, huddling under one of the blankets and leaning against the wall. Cole had probably gone to get more food and wouldn’t be back for a couple of hours. I didn’t want to leave though, he’d be able to track me down in no time, and if I was found by him, I would be dead and so would the pups.

My brother had been gone for almost four hours. Just when I thought he wasn’t coming back, I could hear sobbing.

Slowly, I stood up, advancing cautiously towards the door. The rickety wooden door flew open and in stormed Cole, dragging a sobbing child behind him. Looking closer, I realised it was Marble and my eyes widened. I quickly snatched the boy from my brother, scooping him up and hugging him tightly. I shot a silent glare at Cole before picking up a blanket and wrapping it around him. “Marble?” I said softly. “What are you doing here?”

He looked up, smiling happily through his tears. “I found you,” he whispered quietly.

I chewed my bottom lip and hugged him again, retreating back to my spot in the corner and sitting down. Wolf howls sounded in the distance, making Marble look up and Cole tense.

“We have to go,” Cole said, unzipping his hoodie.

I nodded, pulling Marble close again. “Listen carefully, Mar,” I whispered as Cole left the house to check for the wolves. “This man is my big brother,” I explained. “You have to listen to whatever he says, or he might do something bad. Do you understand? Can you do that?”

Marble nodded and sniffed, rubbing his eye as I pulled him in for one more hug.

“Thank you,” I said, before telling him to shift. When we were both in wolf form, I slowly led him out to the surrounding forest to meet with Cole.

Keep up, Cole snarled, glaring at Marble.

The boy nodded and stayed close to me as the three of us made our way through the forest, treading carefully so as not to alert any of the Silver Talon pack members who were out looking for Marble. He looked nervous – scared, even – as we picked up the pace, following Cole to our next rest location.

Where exactly are we going? I asked.

Cole glared at me. Anywhere, he replied. Now shut up before someone else hears us and finds us.

Marble whimpered beside me and I nudged him reassuringly. Where could Cole possibly take us that wouldn’t allow the wolves looking for Marble to find us?

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