Shapeshifters belong to the monster races. They are believed to be created by when a monster has a child with a human. Mages are humans that have the ability to use magic. Mages are still considered human to a degree. Both are extremely rare in the Green Belt. The army is at war with the Northern Mountains because of this. They hate the idea of monsters and mages. Almost all monsters live in the Northern Mountains which the Northern Savages protect them. Mages tend to live up there to be isolated from everyone. The army and the church will tolerate mages to a degree. Since, they are technically human.

Nicolas frowns and comes outside. “I haven’t seen or heard of anything..” He pauses looking at me. “Actually, my slave has seen a white wolf around midday yesterday. Come here Zona.”

I frown knowing this won’t end well. I slowly make my way toward the group of soldiers. Many of them are no older than me, maybe the youngest out of the group is about eighteen. All of the younger soldiers are in standard military leather. The few that aren’t young have this look about them. They look like they haven’t just been to war, but they seem to enjoy it. They seem a higher rank than anyone else. They are wearing metal armor. I get to Nicolas and try to act weak.

“… yes... sir?” I hate to act like this, but I am not about to cause any trouble.

Nicolas gives me a look. “Tell them about the wolf you saw yesterday.” I look down and get somewhat quiet.

“… I didn’t see a wolf. I lied.” God kill me now. Acting this pathetic is one of the things I hate more than anything in this world. Well, the second most thing. Nicolas gets angry and slaps me. Even though it doesn’t hurt, I act like it does and fall to the ground. A few of the younger soldiers laugh as I hit the mud. I try to hold my temper. So, that it doesn’t raise any suspicion.

“I am sorry, but I guess there isn’t any wolf here. Now you can be on your way.” Nicolas says still angry at the fact that I lied to him. The soldiers pause and look at what I can guess is the head officer. He is completely covered in black armor. The armor almost reminds me of the stories of old. The armor was modeled after what appears to be a demon. Out of everyone here, he seems to have death come off him. His helmet looks at me as he makes a circle with his hand. A few soldiers start to search around the farm. Nicolas frowns but knows better to say anything. I quickly get up and head to the barn. As I get to the door, one of the soldiers grab my arm. He is one of the younger soldiers. I try to look weak and small. “… yes?”

“We are going to search the barn. So, you have to stay out.” He says with some conviction. I know this is going to suck, but if they find Lupa now; we would be all killed. As the other soldier goes to open the door, I kick the soldier holding my arm straight in the groin. He makes a face and instantly goes down in a heap. The other soldier turns around quickly hearing the first soldier hit the ground. I try to hit him across the face, but he punches me in the gut before I could even connect. I crumble to the ground losing my breath. He stands over me drawing his sword. I prepare myself for the worst and shield myself with my arms. Time seems to slow down. What feels like minutes are only seconds, I snap out of whatever I was under when I hear a thud next to me. I look beside me and see the guy knocked out cold.

I look up and see Lupa standing there looking different. She looks stronger, more primal, just like a savage looks. Her hair is slightly crimson, and her eyes are a darker purple now. She smirks and drops whatever she was holding. She looks down at me. “Get up. We need to leave. Now.” I groan within my head. I quickly stand up as a few guards start to come where they heard a commotion. Lupa grabs me and throws me over her shoulder. I have never been manhandled like this before. She starts sprinting toward the forest as the alarm goes off within the group.

Arrows sail past us as one of them hits her in the leg. She acts like it is nothing and hops across the river in one leap. I have to give it to shapeshifters. They are powerful. She takes off sprinting into the forest. I can barely keep track of where we are going or how long we have been going. She is moving faster than any horse I have ever seen. She slows to a stop and drops me to the ground. I land like a sack of stones and I lose my breath. She sits down on a nearby rock and watches me. I sit up and glare at her. “Thanks a lot asshole.”

She frowns at me and her hair slowly loses her crimson hair tone. “I have a lot riding on you, don’t mess this up.”

I frown at that and before I can say anything. She frowns a lot and looks like she is about to cry. I look confused as hell, “What the hell is your problem?”

She looks at her leg. “My leg is hurt.. Can you help me?” She is acting like she was before. I sigh and get up. I go over and rip out the arrow a little more forceful than I should. She whimpers slightly when I do this, but she smiles a second later. “Thank you.” I watch amazed as the wound slowly heals itself. Yea, she is definitely a shapeshifter.

I frown knowing my plan has hit an unexpected bump. I must go back to the farm to get supplies in the morning if there is even a farm to go back to. I sit on the ground trying to figure out what to do now.

Lupa looks at me and sits down next to me. “What are you thinking about?”

“I am trying to figure out what to do now.” I say with annoyance in my voice. I lie down looking up at the stars. There is so many tonight that there isn’t one part of the sky that is empty. Lupa pauses and lies down also. She isn’t as close as she was back in the barn. I sigh and keep my eyes on the path we came from. I don’t even notice it, but I soon fall asleep.