There growls fill the dark void as we run towards the other side of the field, "We are off pack land, so Alpha has rights to attack without proper, notifications. Since his wolves attacked first, as expected, we have rights to fight back." Jessica rambles as we break the farthest tree line. Josh run through the night pulling her into his arms.

"Fantastic job." I missed so fucking much, "You two stay back, we have this now. Ares is going to be overjoyed to see you."

Josh turns to the men that slowly crawl from the forest, drop from trees, and other wolves that step forward. Holy shit they are beautiful, "Get that collar off of her, and get her rations."

"Jessica I need some explanation." Two men step towards me, everyone else breaking for the field shifting as they go. My jaw drops watching them. While I knew it was real, seeing it... it stops any thoughts from forming.

"Lets get you some food and comfortable, and then we can talk." One of the men hand her a couple changes of clothes with wipes. The other holds multiple gallon water jugs with travel shampoo.

"Luna, Beta. The leaders requested you step to the side and clean off. It will allow them to track your scent incase things go wrong. Gerald here has some bolt cutters that will take care of the collar." Gerald steps forward with the massive metal clamps. He gives a sheepish smile to which I nod. He gently grabs the collar snapping the bracket so it drops to the ground. The mud that was tucked between falls over my shirt, some landing on my feet.

"And Luna, we brought you sandals." The other one says, "You can call me Tusk."

"Your name is actually Tusk?" I mutter grabbing a gallon water jug with a shampoo.

"Got it for my birthday, my mom was always original to say the least. My sisters name is Fern."

"Surprisingly, thats more common than your name. Thank you for your help... Tusk. And you Gerald. Both are very appreciated."

The men nod stepping away. Jessica and I step over to a nearby tree. She washes my hair and face while I tackle hers. Taking care of the other was easier than attempting to clean ourselves off with the limited water. We both strip of our clothes, the men focusing on guarding the perimeter while we change. Using the last gallon, we get the crevices that now hold mud as well. Pulling on the fresh clothes was like heaven, both of us sighing in relief.

Jessica calls over Tusk for a medical kit, her taking care of my soles for me before I slip on the sandals, "I feel like a new woman." I pat at my neck, the weight removed from me. My shoulders feel more free, as well as my dignity now in tact.

"Ready for the explanation?"

I nod quickly her leading both of us to a dead fire. Jessica turns her chin over her shoulder calling out to the boys, "Gerald are we okay to light a fire so we don't get sick?"

"The pack is about five miles west, and well distracted. We are currently dominating. I suppose if we keep it small, it should be fine."

I look around at the people. Jessica seems so calm compared to a few days ago, her whole demeanor has changed since the last time we saw each other, "If they get to close, we kill the fire. Keep us updated."

"Yes Beta."

And that was that.

She turns to me, Tusk working on the fire. Her friendly arms wrap around me pulling me into a big hug. I barely breathe as we hold each other, tears brimming our eyes, "So glad to see you."

"I missed you too bitch."

We break away our cry fest letting our hands warm at the fire. The light gives us the chance to see each other clearly, "Wow, Vee. In just a week you look like a fucking skeleton."

"He starved me until last night." I give Gerald an appreciative smile when he hands me a sandwich, well two the size of my head.

"He deserves to rot in hell. He didn't..." She trails off into a whisper, the men pause their movements to listen in.

"No, he didn't rape me. Just roughed me up a bit. He had intention to take over Ares's mark, but he wanted to wait until I was broken. I mostly just slept on the floor, got suffocated by that god forsaken collar, and starved. Sometimes a shower if I smelled to much like my own sweat."

"Ares started hunting the moment he was alerted of your disappearance. The women that let you leave with James were collard and shunned by the pack until death a couple days ago. We traveled throughout the night as a pack to find you, your scent was hard to catch and James kept his pack house a secret."

"As a pack? You included?"

"Yeah..." She scratches the back of her neck before continuing, "When you mark Ares is return, you'll have traits of a wolf. The smell, hearing, human speed, life span and strength. However you won't shift. I rode on Josh's back."

"So you two?"

"Is that important?" She cackles throwing her head back in laughter. I laugh with her needing the release.

"Its a good story in the middle of this terror. Figured it'd help me stay level headed."

"Well then," She sighs, "Yeah. I accepted him, and we marked each other. I don't know when it happened, but at one point I just accepted that the sex is good, he can cook, and fuck I can't leave him."

"I'm happy for you." I lay my hand on her shoulder. Tears of appreciation slip from her eyes.

"Thanks, Vee. I needed that...Now, more importantly, your mate is challenging for land. James took property of Wolfsbane pack, now he wants retribution."

"He wants more pack?"

Jessica opens her mouth to respond, but the break of a howl through the night stopped our conversation.

Tusk flashes us a smile, me taking a bite of the sandwich, "The Alpha found him."