Chapter 10

*trigger warning*

Mentions of death, the killing of animals

Perspectives on all protagonists

The smell of smoke had been pungent when Ivan had woken but the wind still nipped at his bare skin. The cold did little to relish his fever, but the smell of slow-burning meat fired his spirit. Raising his head Ivan was surprised that his bones had not hurt as they usually did when he woke in an unusual place. The first thing that he had set his eyes on was a girl around his age though she seemed much older with her terrifying black eyes staring right back at him. That was before he looked towards the floor where many other people lay around him.

Fenya jumped slightly when the very naked boy in front of her let out an ear-piercing screech. The sudden shock wore off leading her to abandon the cooking food in favour of coving the boys' mouth. Her hopes of allowing the group to wake peacefully for once were diminished when Liliana began to thud her small hands-on Fenya's leg. Though everyone else had now clearly woken to see the trio confused and alarmed, Ade continued to lay in his half-dead state.

"brother, your back I thought I had hurt you," Fenya tensed in her place releasing the boy as Lillina jumped onto his stomach. They had not seen her so joyful in the short time they had known her, but they all worried for her wellbeing. They did not know this boy and they doubted that this boy truly was Lillina's brother. Their fears proved true when Lillina's excitement turned to dread and sorrow. "you're not my brother," looking a little more than confused the boy simply shook his head and placed a gentle hand onto Lillina's head.

"No I'm sorry I'm not your brother, little one I can be like your brother though if you want," the group had been surprised by the sincerity of the boy more so by his gentle smile when Lillina's tears stopped and she slowly nodded her head. "oh ah, hi I'm sorry to interrupt your group, aggh what happened do you know," Addie lay a hand on the boy's chest when he tried to sit up and gestured for Lillina to go to Rylee. Lillina had feared Rylee always thinking they were about to explode but she trusted the nice lady who had cared for her wounds.

"You were a wolf that came into our campsite, you tried to attack our group, the other guy over their stopped you before you could cause any damage," looking over at the still passed out Ade the boy looked at the ground in shame. "your young and your probably just discovering your abilities, we talked, and we believe you would be a helpful asset to our group." The boy seemed shocked looking to Addie with wide eyes he would be stupid not to accept. "now what's your name wolf boy, let us get you cleaned up."

"I ah my name is Ivan and I'm not a wolf boy I have shapeshifted to other things as well," Addie giggled noticing that Ade surely knew how harmless Ivan would be to them. She could see the shadow of the boy, but it could lie, she trusted Ade's judgement more than her own right now. Remembering what Ade had said when he calmed Rylee made her nerves about the situation ease "he's one of us." "the guy over there did I hurt him is that why he is unconscious," Addie shook her head with a smile applying a cold-water cloth to Ivan's forehead.

The night had calmed again but Ade continued his slumber, after another nap Ivan was walking the wet forest once again. Now that his anger had diminished, he was able to admire the beauty of it all. The leaves on the trees seemed to shimmer as if they had been blessed with recent rain and the moonlight shone through emitting a purple glow. It was unlike the forests of his home down that looked dry and deadly. In fact, this place was unlike anything he had experienced. He could see fast plains in the distance running into the sinking sun but no buildings.

Even in the dark Ivan was easily able to spot his wandering prey. He need not stress his senses to find the herd up ahead and they moved carelessly in front of him. Speeding up Ivan dug the soft grass with his claws as we stalked towards the strange creatures. Still, at a distance he saw the resemblance to deer in how they walked but they looked to him more like cats in their features. as one of them trod on a stick Ivan started the hunt.

Powering his legs forward he moved quickly to the herd hesitation dulling as an instinct he never knew had taken over. Many in the herd skipped his awaiting jaws running to the distance and he thought to call it faith when one of the older deer creatures slowed. In his world, the younger are often the easiest to catch that is what his father had always taught him while they hunted but here the situation seemed entirely different. The young ones ran before he could focus on them while the older catch had to fight to keep up with them.

Ivan took a large leap probably larger than he needed to but as he swung his body in the air he managed to grab the creature by its neck. His body took the heat as the deer creature landed on his chest while its scruff was still in his jowls. It began to fight like never kicking at the lone wolf who held it till its inevitable death. Ivan hated watching things die he always has. Watching as the light in their eyes would slowly leave and they went limp on their legs.

Picking up his catch he dragged it back to the line of the forest to see a figure standing in the trees slumped on a trunk.