Chapter Five

"So, what are we trying to find?" I asked.

"I rescue animals whenever I can and I'm trying to find this coyote. She had an arrow through her leg from some stupid hunters and she wasn't fully healed yet when she took off. I'm not sure if something had spooked her or if she ran back to her home in the canyons but I want to make sure she's safe. The poor thing looked like she was starving, I didn't want her to think I wasn't there for her. Animals have feelings too, you know?" He had so much guilt in his voice, and I found it hard to believe he was a vicious Tzula but I needed to remember the importance of getting close to him.

"Yeah, I understand, when I was younger, my family and I lived near a farm, they had tons of animals but there was this one horse that I connected with. She was a paint horse, and her name was Windy. It's kind of cliche but I was pretty much the only one who could get close to her. We just understood each other and had this bond but the owners didn't take care of her so one night I got into a fight with my parents. They hated how much time I spent with the horses, and it made me feel so angry, my brothers were the only ones who truly understood, so I stole Windy, and we ran away." I paused, it was hard for me to talk about, and I never truly opened up to anyone before, only Hayes and Collier knew what had happened that night.

"We don't have to talk about it, Makenzie." Making a left turn, the scent of the canyon's breeze was getting stronger, and I knew we were close. I needed him to trust me, so I pushed myself a little further.

"There was a storm, Windy slipped and messed up her leg pretty badly, we were too far to get help, so I stayed with her throughout the night until the storm passed, by morning she was gone, and I blamed myself for what happened. When I got home the next morning the owners of Windy were furious with me." I paused again; I didn't want to remember too much.

"I still haven't forgiven myself for that night, but I understand what you're feeling." I looked away from Isaac and wiped a tear that escaped from my face. I hated showing emotions, I felt weak.

"I'm so sorry that happened and thank you for sharing that with me." With that short response, I kept myself quiet for the rest of the car ride until we got to the canyon. He had parked in front of a trail entrance and stepped out of the car, I soon followed and shivered. He smiled softly and grabbed a jacket from the back of his car, offering it to me I obliged and put it on.

"You looked cold, and I'm not sure how long we are going to be out here so I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't get cold." He was generous, I will say that.

"Oh, thank you, um, I appreciate it." I stuttered over my words. I wasn't used to someone taking the time to care about me like this, I kept forgetting why I was angry in the first place. All I knew was that there was this undeniable connection to Isaac that I couldn't explain or deny, and I knew he felt it too. I took my heels off and followed him into the canyon, the night was clear and bright, the sky was full of stars and the canyon looked breathtaking and alive under the moonlight. Maybe, just maybe I could've shown Isaac my world and shown him how I saw the world but under the circumstances, I couldn't. This was tearing me apart.

"Maybe I'm just being weird, and she left because she felt all healed up and I was just feeling lonely." He said while climbing down the trail. I followed behind bare feet and grunted softly as I stepped on rocks. Isaac stopped and turned around before helping me down the trail, I smiled softly and took his hand.

"Wow, this coyote must have been something special." I joked and he let out a small laugh.

I played along knowing there wasn't going to be much luck in finding this coyote he was looking for. The chances of finding a similar coyote were going to be 1 in a million and I knew the longer we'd spend out here the more time would be wasted and the more my brother's lives would be online, but with those thoughts came a plan.

"Wow, that alcohol went through my system, I saw a porta-potty back there, I'm going to use the bathroom and I'll meet up with you," I exclaimed while turning around and heading back up the trail.

"Oh, let me go with you, it's not safe at night." Isaac offered but I declined.

"I'll be fine, I can take care of myself. Trust me." I encouraged him with a warm smile, and he backed off. I quickly rushed ahead behind a tall clearing and tore off my clothes before my bones began to crack one by one. Splitting pain erupted through my bones but I held my composure and kept quiet. When the splitting pain had stopped, I knew the turning was done. I shook my silver coat and took a deep breath from the night air. It was heavenly and I'd missed the feeling of freedom that my form had graciously presented me. Zoning back into focus, I sniffed the ground and followed Isaac's scent. I was rather happy to see him. Letting my coyote instincts take control, I leaped happily into the air before tackling him.

"Whoa! Easy there." He laughed as I nuzzled into him.

"Hey fuzzball, I missed you. You made me worried; I thought you were hurt again, little Luna." He scratched the scruff of my neck just where I liked it, and I kicked my back leg. I stared down at his neck and contemplated snapping his neck with my jaws. It would've been so easy, and the job would've been done but there were witnesses to me leaving the party with him in my human form. I couldn't risk it.

I whimpered softly and got off Isaac, he had stood tall and wiped the dirt off his shirt, I fled into the bushes before looking back. I let out a yip before wagging my tail. Tilting my head, I leaned my head back and let out a howl to the moon. He howled with me; this would be my goodbye for now. I fled as far and fast as I could before eventually returning to the place where I had left my human clothes. I ensured he didn't follow me and quickly shifted back to my human form. My bones rearranged and I quickly got dressed and then walked back to where Isaac was. Suddenly, the sky was clear and bright, the canyon, desolate but lit up with the full moon's beauty, then right on cue many howls of coyotes filled the midnight sky and Isaac looked my way and suddenly, I knew I was so wrong.

"Well, it looks like you were right, Kenz. I did meet you again when the full moon reached the midnight sky over a desolate canyon, but no later than a coyote howls." He wiped a tear from his eye and walked toward me. Pulling me close he grabbed my chin gently and brought his chocolate eyes to my emerald orbs.

"Makenzie, the first day I met you, I felt as if I'd known for an eternity, I don't know how to explain this connection we have between us, but I know I've been wanting to do this since the day we met." Our lips touched and sparks flew. He was letting go of the coyote and falling for the girl.

Nothing more would be left said between us other than screw you and goodbye once I'm finished with Isaac, but I knew the aftermath would utterly destroy me. I would get my brothers back but at what cost? My sanity and an innocent life. It both eased and broke my heart. He was the villain of my story and soon I would become his. The kiss ended as fireworks started, I was ready to leave the forsaken place and move forward with my plan, I was ready to stop feeling and destroy my soul.

"I would love to take you out on a proper date sometime, how about this Saturday and 9 pm?" Isaac asked as we walked back to his car,

"I realize this wasn't much of a first date and I don't exactly want it to be considered as one. That is if you'd like this to be a date and you want another with me?" He was right where I needed him. I nodded, at a loss for words, I was contemplating my next moves and how exactly I would enact my murderous plan.

"That sounds lovely, I would enjoy that, Isaac. Did you ever find the coyote? I heard some howling, and I know coyotes only act alone unless they're hunting in a pack." Isaac opened the door for me and nodded.

"I did and good news, she's okay and all healed up, I knew it was better for her to be free and for me to let go but I got kind of attached to her, I know it's crazy, but I've always loved animals and felt as if I had a way to with nature so it just stings knowing she's happier somewhere else." He expressed his concern to me, and I couldn't help but sympathize. I knew exactly how he was feeling.

"I understand but she is a wild animal, and you can't just take something out of its home just because you want some company, besides, I'm here now," I said with a nudge to his arm as we started the car and began to drive back to my house.

"Smooth Kenzie, that was very smooth and you're right. I know when I gave her the choice to be free or stay, she'd choose to be free, she had a free spirit." He'd say shortly.

The rest of the drive was silent while I told him the way back to my house. If I am being honest with myself, I hated the silence and I hated it even more when it was coming from someone who was destined to die at my hands. I needed to convince myself this was the right thing to do for the sake of my family. After we arrived at my house, I returned his jacket and smiled softly.

"Keep it, Makenzie. It looks good on you." I hesitantly took the jacket back and felt my cheeks warming up, turning away and nodding.

"Have a good night, Isaac." I quickly stopped as he got out of his car and ran behind me, I whipped around and met his gaze while being ready to attack.

"I'm sorry, I just realized I didn't have your number." I knew this was true, but I didn't mind because I didn't have a working phone. Well, that was a lie, I just kept a low profile and refused to give it to anyone.

"Oh, right, here give me yours because I've been having issues with mine lately and need to restart it, but I'll call you later." With another lie being said he gave me his number and we ended the night. I waited until he drove off and retreated inside my broken home.