Their werewolf blood gave the pups speedy healing, but with any major injury it was always best to keep the wound clean and protected. And since they were pups it would also take longer than a full grown wolf.

Anastasia's brown skin was flushed as she told Kyle the twins were trapped in a cave in the woods. Her thick, dark green, woollen dress reached down to her sheepskin boots, crunching through the frosted grass as she led the way.

Their home was a large hotel, long since abandoned and left to the elements. Kyle had found the place three years ago when he started his pack. It was old, but beautiful, with large columns framing the front door of beautifully carved mahogany, and large windows that brightened everything within. Surrounded by a thick pine forest and accompanied by a beautiful lake that was perfect for swimming in the summer.

A true getaway vacation spot, a relic of the time when humans created for the purpose enjoyment instead of destruction.

It's a wonder it was ever abandoned by humans, but after the government segregated non-humans outside of major cities, a lot of buildings like this were just forgotten as the humans flocked to the perceived protection of the cities. It's been a hundred years since then and the building was still standing tall despite being abandoned. 

Kyle hoped that he too could do the same. His pack needed him to. 

His thick black turtleneck stretched over his broad shoulders, grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips. The trainers he wore slipped on the frost as he climbed up the low hill behind the hotel. Kyle listened as Anastasia explained that the pups had slipped into the cave while play hunting. The twins along with Benny, the youngest of the pack, had always play hunted in the woods. It was a fun game to keep them entertained and active and helped them hone their instincts for when they would need to hunt for survival. 

Small injuries weren't uncommon when play hunting especially with the way the twins were so competitive with each other, but something told Kyle that this time was different. He had a sinking fear in the pit of his stomach that he didn't dare ignore. 

Instinct and fear were what kept us alive, he told himself as he jogged slowly next to Anastasia.

“Annie fell in first and Josie tried to help her but fell in too.” Anastasia said, the werewitch upset and frantic as she recounted the events.

“What happened after that?” Kyle asked calmly, not letting his own panic show.

“Benny was there too but they told him to stay away and run for help,” She said, her hands shaking. “Luckily I was nearby collecting herbs for my potions and he found me quickly.”

Kyle nodded, urging her to go on. His lips formed a tight line as he tried to control his breathing. Blood pounding as his adrenaline spiked as his fear for the safety of the pups grew. It was all he could do to not blindly sprint in the direction he could faintly scent their blood coming from.

Keep a level head, Kyle reminded himself, the pack needs you to.

“Annie broke her leg as she fell in and Josie dislocated her shoulder trying to save her,” Anastasia climbed over a huge rock, out of breath as she continued, “I tried to heal them but my magic is weaker now without the full moon, so I could only take away the pain.”

She looked back at him, sweat plastering her locs to her skin as she widened her hazel eyes. Kyle could tell that she blamed herself for her magic not being strong enough, but honestly it was a wonder that they had a magic user in their pack at all. He smiled lightly at her, hands soft as he gently took her elbow and urged her on. 

“Let's go,” Kyle whispered, “The pups are waiting.” 

She nodded once weakly, and then steeled herself and nodded again a second time.

“Yes,” Anastasia said, standing taller, “The pups are waiting.”

© Furipon