Bad times are coming

-Oliver POV-

"Come boys. Keep looking we'll find it eventually. Hopefully, it's still alive."

We saw the fox late in the night after our encounter with that lone hunter. It took out three of my men while we slept only to wake up from the third one's screams. It was chaos. Men running around with crossbows and guns screaming 'It's here'. But I could only see glimpses of it. I think it was about to attack another one of my men when Charles, our expert tracker, shot it with his crossbow. It screamed in pain and run off into the dark and of course, we followed. Only leaving my two sons to look after the camp. Now we're still following the trail with Charles leading the way so if anything is wrong he will be the first to know.

"Hey, boss! We got a problem."

"What is it?"

Charles is about 15-20 meters ahead so the rest of us walked up to him wondering whats the problem. Getting close to him said.

"We got more tracks."

More tracks? He wouldn't call it out if he didn't think it wasn't needed. Where did they come from?

Charles crotch down to get a better look and with that, a better judgment of what it is.

"There are tracks over there heading east until they started following these."

Oliver looked over Charles's shoulder. "Can you tell what they are?"

"One massive wolf and a human. The earlier tracks don't show any signs of a chase so I believe these two were walking together."

"Is there anything else about the human tracks?"

Charles took another look at the tracks. "Hmm... two things, size 13 and no grip marks telling me that these are hand made shoes."

"Let's carry on."

Why are these tracks here? Is that man we met from before or is someone else out? Only time will tell but for now, we will continue following these tracks.

Half an hour has passed until Charles called out to me, "Boss, you gotta take a look at this!"

I can see Charles standing on a small mound of snow staring down at something.

I ordered my men, "The rest of you check the surrounding area."

Now standing next to Charles, I see a big stain of blood in the snow with no corpse. Though it could be its blood. I will have to ask, "Is that Its blood?"

"Must be, I know I hit her..."

I grabbed Charles by the neck and warn him in an aggressive toon. "I think you mean it. Do not get attached. Need I remind you why we're hunting this thing, not a person"

"N-no b-b-boss."

"Good."

One of my men called out to Charles and me, "Boss! Charles! I found more of those tracks."

Looking at Charles one more I let go and went to my hired hand, inspecting his find. Charles right behind me.

"Well? what did you find?"

Charles took a look. "These are the same as the earlier ones but they... look to be in a rush. Give me a moment."

Charles stood up and inspected the area taking a moment to think. He looked in the direction the tracks are heading and, by the expression of his face, concluded. "When I shot h-uh It last night the fox panicked and run this way until it collapsed here where a person and a wolf found it. They carried it farther east. Most likely to the house we saw."

What Charles said made sense and looking where the tracks headed I thought for a bit. "Alright, boys we're going back to camp."

One of my men ran up and asked, "Shouldn't we keep following the track?"

"No need. We know where it is and it isn't going anywhere anytime soon now pick up your useless ass and run."

-Ahri POV-

I'm still not sure if I can trust Kris or not. He is currently outside covering something with snow, looking extremely serious. Hati came out of nowhere and maneuvered her head under my arm. Though it is a surprising action I didn't do anything to stop or get out of it. My curiosity about Kris was stronger than any surprise. "Hati is he usually like?"

"No."

"Then why is he acting like this."

Hati was usually quiet.

I sighed, "I think it's best if I leave the topic then."

I turned away from the window and started walking to get my things but I was stopped by Hati speaking. "It's because he cares about you and he may not show it but he is scared of being alone."

I looked back at Kris outside, "But he's not alone. He has you."

"He didn't always have me. He is afraid of losing both of us."

"But he barely knows me."

Hati turned to face me while giving me, what I think is, a genuine smile. "Doesn't mean anything to him. What he sees in you is all that matters."

We both stared at each other for some time until Kris opened the door. He looked at us with confusion. Most likely wondering why we're just staring at each other and slowly stepped back outside closing the door.

-Y/n POV-

Holy shit. The tension in there is thick. I'm surprised the house is still in one piece with the insane power of the tension. Hati seemed to know I was outside as she called out, "It's alright Y/n you can come inside."

"Are you sure Hati?"

Hati called again, "Just... get inside."

Opening the door again, I peeked through. Seeing both of them are worried. I need to find out why they're like this. "Is everything okay?"

Hati responded with, "I know it's only been a few hours but ever since lunch, you haven't been yourself. You've been quiet and distant and we are both wondering why you were outside."

"I'm just preparing."

Ahri was very surprised, "Preparing for what?"

"You don't need to worry yourself Ahri." I said to reassure her.

"Well, I'm starting to believe that you guys are hiding something from me."

Both Hati and I kept quiet, not wanting to tell the truth but she persisted, "I need to know."

Hati sighed, "When we found you, you weren't just injured but you were shot by a crossbow. The problem is we know who shot you because Kris met some men the day before, looking for a fox with snow-white fur. We know it's you they are looking for and..."

Ahri continued, scared of what we may do with her. "And you're just going to hand me over when they arrive, is that."

I was shocked by Ahri but I can see her starting to tear up. Why is she tearing up?

"No... that's not why we helped you."

Ahri screamed back, "Then why?!"

Hati, look at me also wondering the same question.

"Because I see a lot of myself in you. Alone, frighten, and no family. I was alone for a long time and I know the pain it brings. I don't want you to be alone or frighten. I want Hati and me to be the friends you can call family. I just want you to feel protected."

Ahri is in a full crying mood leaning her head against my chest. I pet her head trying to help her calm down. She looked up at me with those tear-filled, orange eyes and said. "Please, never let me be alone."

I responded with the only answer I could give, "Never."