What The Actual F-

The wolf's massive shoulder blades rolled under its fur as it rushed forward. It left a trail of broken trees and upturned rocks in its path, the giant roots smashed under its paws. The wolf followed Isa's faint scent, running in a straight line, only avoiding the obstacles it couldn't blow to smithereens.

The wolf was so fast the wind pushed back Nyell, making him crash into Allen's chest. The man sat behind him and acted as a chair backrest. Nyell wasn't used to riding a beast and had been losing balance now and then. If it hadn't been for Allen, he probably would have been flung off long ago. 

Again, he almost fell off when the wolf leaped, using a giant tree as a lever to jump further into the jungle. Allen caught Nyell as he was sliding on the wolf's flank, pulling him up.

The White Moon tribe's chief brought Nyell closer with one arm to hold him against his chest while his other arm gripped Rymnev's fur. Their bodies were pressed against each other, but Nyell felt almost grateful for Allen's soothing scent. It alleviated the anxiety raging in his guts and allowed him to stay somewhat calm. His body wasn't restless like last time.

"Don't worry, Isa will be fine."

"Don't make empty promises."

"I'm not making empty promises," Allen said, his thumb instinctively caressing his destined mate's stomach to comfort him. "Layla went ahead and will do everything in her power to protect your sister. You must have noticed by now that she isn't an ordinary werewolf."

"Is she even a werewolf…?"

"Please, don't ever say that to her. Unless you want to hurt her feelings and break her heart."

Nyell was caught off guard by the gentle yet sorrowful voice. He nodded. Whatever was Layla, it didn't matter. The same went for Myrven. Both were doing their best to save his sister, so who was he to judge them?

***

Layla ran like never before, holding an unconscious Isa in her arms. She had snatched the teenage girl from the big, bad guy's hands, and the thing was now out for her head. She had to admit it was fast. Not as fast as her, of course, but still fast.

Usually, Layla wouldn't bother protecting a stranger. Allen had told her over and over again to put her safety first and to not meddle with others' affairs. However, Isa was Nyell's sister, and Nyell was her chief's destined mate. 

Isa was thus not exactly a stranger.

The leaves rustled and the wind cried. Something was passing through the air at high speed. Layla heard it, but she'd have to drop Isa and put her in harm's way to avoid the incoming attack. The extra weight slowed her down, so she couldn't twirl on her heels as she pleased. And hiding behind a tree was useless. Whatever was coming her way would destroy it.

So, she could only take the brunt of the attack, protecting the teenager with her body. Thankfully, she was sturdy. 

*** 

To the wolf's and Allen's surprise, Nyell was the first to spot Layla and his sister. Although the night was dark, Nyell could see as clear as day, thanks to his werewolf's eyes. He yelled at the top of his lungs, "Over there!"

Rymnev veered, leaving large gaping holes into the ground, and dashed toward the two women. Nyell jumped off its back before it had the chance to come to a stop. Allen followed suit, his face growing solemn as his gaze fell upon Layla.

The petite woman smiled, her big round eyes turning into crescent-moon shapes. She gently handed Isa over to Nyell, who fell on his knees, holding his sister. He couldn't help but let out tears of relief. 

"Layla!" Allen cried out, rushing over to his aide as she lost consciousness. He caught her just before her body crashed into the ground. He planted a father-like kiss on the crown of her head, apologizing. "I'm sorry, we're late. You did well."

Nyell peeled his eyes off of his sister and peered at Layla. His face, which had finally taken some colors, grew livid again.

"H-her back," Nyell stuttered.

"I know." Allen closed his eyes. "Rymnev, can you bring back Myrven? I'll need his help."

"I can do it."

"Your paws are too big. You're going to crush her. I need hands."

The wolf seemed to pout but did as told. A second later, a naked Myrven stood in the middle of the jungle. However, his nakedness didn't bother him, and he examined Layla's back instead.

"This looks awful. Her lungs are pierced. I'm not sure about her heart."

"It is."

"We better hurry up then. If that wakes up, it won't be pretty."

Nyell listened to their conversation, and although the words made sense separately, they didn't when put together. If anything, he couldn't comprehend how Layla was still alive. Dozens of weird-looking daggers were embedded into her back. Blood soaked her tattered clothing, turning it bright red. And when Myrven tore the robes to get better access to the wounds, the sight that greeted Nyell made him gasp in shock.

It reminded the two men of his presence. 

"You either leave with your sister," Allen said with a severe tone he had yet to use to talk to Nyell, "or swear to gods that you'll never disclose to anyone what you're about to witness."

"I…" 

Nyell hesitated, holding his unconscious sister close to his chest. Layla was in this state because she protected Isa instead of defending herself. There was no scratch on his sister, which told Nyell a lot. 

"I swear to all gods that I'll not disclose whatever I see, no matter how shocking it may be."

That was for the best. Nyell wouldn't be able to live with himself if he left. He had a hunch that whatever was about to happen would weigh on his mind, but so what? He could keep a secret or two from his father.

"Is there something I can do to help?"

Allen shook his head. "There isn't much you can do except hold her down. She's going to fight back instinctively."

Nyell nodded, carefully sitting his sister against a tree before joining the two men. Allen had kneeled, sitting on his heels, while Layla's head rested on his thighs. She was lying on her stomach. With a wave of his hand, Myrven commanded Nyell to hold onto her legs while Allen gripped her shoulders.

"I hadn't seen these cursed daggers in a long time," Myrven snarled, startling Nyell. "What did your tribe do to anger such beings?"

"Now is not the time," Allen reminded his aide, who apologized. "I'll let you handle the daggers. Be careful not to cut yourself."

"I know."

That being said, Myrven proceeded to pull out the daggers one at a time. Just as the two men predicted, Layla started to struggle. The blades of the daggers weren't straight. They had sharp curved barbs, and whenever Myrven took one out, a chunk of flesh followed.

Nyell wasn't weak per se, but his strength was worth shit compared to Layla's. He managed to somehow hold her down with Allen's help only because she was asleep, wasn't using her full strength, and had been weakened by the blood loss. 

Once her back was freed of daggers, Nyell felt a pang of panic tighten his heart. The bleeding wasn't stopping. A small pool of blood was forming underneath Layla's petite body, spreading to Nyell and Allen and bloodying their pants. 

"What do we do now?!"

"We cheat," Allen smiled.

The White Moon tribe's chief rolled up his sleeve, revealing a slender arm filled with scars. Before Nyell could ask what he was talking about, Allen slashed open his wrist with his nails. Clear blood gushed out, dripping to his fingers.

Nyell's mouth fell wide open for the nth time today. What the hell was this crazy man doing?!

Allen brought his bloody wrist to Layla's mouth, forcing her to swallow his blood. Her pink lips turned bright red as she refused to drink the blood at first, smacking her lips close. But once a bead of blood managed to make its way inside her mouth and Layla tasted it, she greedily started to suck the offered blood out. She bit the arm that was feeding her, her fangs opening the wound wider. 

Allen, however, didn't even hiss.

Before Nyell could tell Allen that feeding people his blood wouldn't heal them, he saw Layla's gaping wounds close. Rapidly, too.

Nyell was flabbergasted.

What the actual fuck?!