My transformation took seconds to complete. My sharp wolf eyes scanned my surroundings as I waited for Conner and five other of my strongest wolves to join me. Once they were at my side, I bent my head once, indicating for them to move out. We hit the woods in seconds, never making a single sound. We were quick and efficient as we started the hunt.

The stench of werewolf burned my nostrils instantly and I snarled. My pack separated, tracking the beast from each angle.

Within a matter of minutes Leo's low howl echoed in the distance. I dashed off towards him. The metallic smell of blood hit me miles before I arrived at his location. Leo stood over the kill as I approached. We hadn't been on its trail for more than 20 minutes and the abomination was already down.

I stared down at it quizzically. Why would one lone werewolf be this close to my territory? It was foolish. I knew they were not the smartest creatures to ever walk, but this was downright suicidal. A werewolf was no match for even the weakest wolf of my pack, so why blatantly put itself in such jeopardy? Something about this whole situation did not sit right with me.

Conner howled from the other side of our compound. I took off in his direction, followed closely behind by my other wolves.

My heartbeat drummed in my ears as I came upon the scene. Conner stood over the body of one of my wolves. It was Carl, he had been assigned to patrol this part of the area during the day. His neck was snapped in two and his body mercilessly torn to shreds.

My heart froze altogether at the scent that was bombarding my senses, confirming what I already knew to be true. There were twenty or more werewolves that had gone through this area and there tracks were leading straight towards our home.

~~~

I leisurely strolled around my new room, taking in all the details. I should have been glad to be out of the dungeon, but the whole situation made me weary. The more I thought about it, the more I believed this was the alpha's way of saying keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. What I didn't know was why he was keeping me around at all. Why hadn't he tried to kill me yet?

The room wasn't quite as extravagant as the alpha's, but it was nice and had it's own bathroom and shower. My stomach grumbled, it was nearing the noon hour and I hadn't had anything to eat since my midnight PB and jelly sandwich.

I opened the door and just as expected, there was a guard standing watch on the other side.

"Am I allowed to go get something to eat or am I expected to starve to death?" I asked the guard sarcastically.

"If it were up to me, you would starve." He answered angrily.

"Good to know." I said and rolled my eyes.

I tried my luck, by taking a step out of the door, but when he didn't pounce on me, I continued down the hallway. I followed my nose towards the kitchen and walked inside. Someone was cooking something that smelled good.

I paused in the doorway when I saw several females inside, each doing some domestic task. They all stopped what they were doing and looked at me like I was the plague, but I couldn't blame them really, our kind wasn't exactly chummy with theirs. I was sure they were just as confused about my presence here as I was.

There was a particularly beautiful blond that caught my attention with sneered and low warning growl. After looking her over, I wondered if this was the alpha's luna. She seemed to carry herself with much more pride than the others. I snatched an apple from a nearby bowl and turned to leave before I wore out my welcome.

My hunter senses told me of impending danger before it struck. I snatched around and caught a chef's knife as it flew through the air towards my back. The blond who threw it gasped at my speed and agility as I turned the blade towards her. I stabbed the blade through her lovely sweater, anchoring her to the table with it.

"I am not the one to play with." I hissed as I leaned closer to her, proving to her that I was neither afraid nor shaken by her petty display.

Her eyes simmered with anger and I was sure we were about to come to blows, but a long low howl in the distance stopped all of us in our tracks. Goosebumps broke out across my flesh as everyone in the kitchen abandoned their posts and raced in the direction of the one that was howling.

Something was very wrong, even the one that was supposed to be guarding me, left. I pried the knife out of the wooden countertop and held it close to my side.

I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen at a speedy pace and braced myself for whatever it was. My tense muscles uncoiled as Mia rushed inside and glued herself to me by wrapping her arms and legs around one of my legs.

"What's going on?"

I asked her as I pried her from my leg and scooped her up into my arms.

"That was a warning call. They're attacking our home." She said nervously and glanced around. Her little body trembled all over. I pulled her closer to my chest in an effort to calm her.

I figured as much. But what creature on God's green earth would be foolish enough to attack a Lycan's pack?

"It's coming." Mia wailed. "It's in the house, I smell it!"

"What's in the house?" I asked the frantic child that was clinging to me for dear life.

"A werewolf." She squeaked.