Alric ran through the forest as fast as he could while keeping Gil’s body in a stable position. His stomach pulled and ached from the stench of Gil’s blood and sweat as it devoured his nostrils. His heartbeat was becoming more faint by the minute and he could feel himself losing hope.

‘ How could I forget that Gil is a human!? He is just so overbearing and strong, It was hard to picture him having any kind of weakness’ Alric grit his teeth in frustration, 

‘My blood... Lycan blood, shreds stomach tissue if consumed by anything other than a lycan, so right now… Gil is.. ‘

Alric stole a glance to look down at him and his throat felt as if he had swallowed needles. Gil had stopped vomiting blood but he was a dead shade of white and green. Those once pink lips now a ghostly blue color, his beautiful brown hair traced white and gray. He was dying and there was only one way Alric could think to save him. 

The edge of the field that led into the dark forest was just moments away. Alric grit his teeth and took a giant leap in. 

With a thud Alric slammed his knee into the earth. The loud crunch of dead leaves and twigs snapped angrily at his disturbance. Aches and pain ran through his burning kalfs because he had not run this hard in so long, but with a grunt he pulled himself back to his feet and braced his footing. Adjusting Gil in his arms as his wolf ears twitch in every direction, searching for something unruly. 

“ Emmett!” Alric screamed into the dark “ Emmett! Please come to me!” 

The black woods chattered in question at the sight of a white wolf. Whispers rushed through the leaves and brush, but all were too quick to hear. A cold shiver ran up Alric’s spine, causing him to tighten his grip on Gil’s shoulder and thighs to keep his cold body against his own warmth. 

“ Just hang on,” He whispered in Gil’s ear. Alric picked up his pace to a brisk stride as he listened for the dead silence that was a sign of its showing. The forest murmured in question at what was going on. Small woodland creatures sleepily woke from behind bark and leaves. The more brave of the beings floating around them questioning. 

“ Please, tell me the last place seen of Emmett! I must find them.” he begged, holding Gil’s body tighter to me.

A small wood creature with old hunks of loose bark came closer so that Alric could hear it speak.

“ Emmett is here,” it chartered threw splintered teeth, the chunky, dried sound of the rubbing wood made Alric’s skin prickle, but he made sure to keep a stoned expression. 

“ Emmett does not want to see Half Blood again.” It said staring at Gil with hungry eyes.

Alric snarled as the woodland puckered its parched lips.

“ You know I am no Half Blood! And don’t you dare think of eating my mate!” Alric demanded with a tone of anger and pride.

The woodland creature rubbed its jagged limbs together in apology “ Nay nay. Not White Wolf. “

Before Alric could question It of what It meant, a ripple of gagged laughter crowded them.

  “We can help you let him go instead. Half blood won't be in pain anymore.” A chime of their voices formed as one as they came closer. Hunger and drool pulled at their lips and hidden beneath bark were the chattering of their teeth. 

“ No! He is not yours! He is mine!” Alric screamed and ran full force towards the field. The flutter of leaves and brush ran past Alric as he zigzagged through the animated woods. He could feel them claw and scratch at his skin and hair. Pulling him back into their cove to devour his lover. ‘I still have time! I will make it to Emmett! ‘ he pressed himself for strength.

Alric roared as his throat burned from his screams of anger and pain from ripping out of their grasps, the wooden teeth stuck into his flesh like splinters.

Red and the heat of rage ran Alric through the forest as he wondered how long they could possibly chase after him.

A small flicker of blue light danced through the darkness ahead and his chest felt a break of relief. A deep trench was before him and a large body of water. Alrics heart raced knowing he needed to get there so the damned woodlands would back off. The cries of please began to fade the closer he got. Then finally the sound of rushing water filled his senses. Alric struggled to keep his breath in check as he was looking down at Gil who seemed to be in the same state. Whether that was a good thing, he couldn't dwell on the thought. 

Alrics purple eyes scanned the area looking for a place he could cross without dangering drowning them both.

“ W-water..” Gil’s voice cracked.

Alric jumped so hard he had nearly dropped him.

“ Gil! Oh my gods, you’re awake! I’m getting you help right now! Just a little longer, ok?!” Alric spoke with more confidence than he felt. Trying to assure him he had everything in control. Gil gave a weak nod against his chest and seemed to relax a bit more.

Alric made careful haste to the river's edge as he thought this man was beyond his words. ‘How could he be conscious? How was he still alive after consuming my blood?’ 

The cold needles of the riverwater bit as his ankle and calves the deeper he submerged them both waist deep. Gil let a soft sigh of relief as Alric sat him onto his waist so he could brush water along his sweat covered face.

Once satisfied he was clean of grim Alric cupped water into his palm.

“ Here, You must drink slowly.” He whispered as he watched Gils lashes flutter open. 

Each sip seemed to give him comfort, so I fed him over and over. 

“ I smell awful” He chuckled with a gurgled voice.

Alrics eyebrows met in anger. 

“ Is that really your concern right now?!” 

Gil made another pitiful laugh. 

With a roll of his eyes, Alric bickered at him as he cleaned what he could without moving Gil’s body from its curled position. The last thing they needed was for him to stretch out and risk ripping what stomach he had left, if any. 

“ We need to keep going. I have to find Emmett.” He spoke quietly as he wondered if it would restore itself once they got help, though he didn't hate the look of this mixed pepper hair.

“ Emmet? That crazy horned thing?” He managed to say looking up with pale green eyes.

Alric looked at him with question. “ You know of the dead forest?” 

“ If you mean that thing, I saw it on my way to you. Those little sprites helped me out.” he groaned, trying to  roll his neck from its stiff position. " I need to stand, My muscles are killing me."