Hunters in the Night

Kieran's eyes burned with hate as he looked at Mira. The pack members behind him shifted uneasily, some growling low in their throats.

"Escort us to the village," Draven ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Yes, Alpha," Kieran replied, though his fists clenched at his sides.

The pack formed a circle around them as they walked. Mira felt like a prisoner rather than a guest. She stayed close to Draven, the only person—werewolf—who stood between her and danger.

"They don't want me here," she whispered.

"They don't know you," Draven answered. "Give them time."

Mira wasn't sure time would help. The looks the pack members shot her were filled with fear and distrust. One wrong move and she might end up torn apart, Alpha's protection or not.

The village came into view as they descended into the valley. It wasn't what Mira expected. Instead of crude huts, proper houses lined well-kept streets. Children played in yards. Gardens bloomed with colorful flowers.

"You thought we lived in caves?" Draven asked, noticing her surprise.

"Something like that," Mira admitted.

A crowd gathered as they entered the village. Whispers spread like wildfire. "Ruby Wolf," they murmured. Some mothers pulled their children inside. Others bowed their heads to Draven but glared at Mira.

They stopped before the largest building—a stone house with a wooden porch. An older woman waited there, her silver hair pulled back in a tight braid, her eyes sharp as she studied Mira.

"Elder Lyra," Draven nodded respectfully.

"So the rumors are true," the woman said. "The last Ruby Wolf lives." She stepped closer to Mira, sniffing the air. "And you've brought her to our doorstep."

"She saved my life," Draven said.

Elder Lyra's eyebrows rose. "Did she now? And the Eclipse Order? Do they know where she is?"

"They followed us to the river," Draven admitted. "But we lost them there."

"You hope," Kieran muttered.

Draven silenced him with a look.

"The girl needs dry clothes and food," Elder Lyra announced. "Then we talk, Alpha. Alone." She beckoned to a young woman nearby. "Talia, take our guest to the spare room in my house."

Talia, a pretty werewolf with kind eyes, nodded and gestured for Mira to follow. Mira hesitated, not wanting to leave Draven's side.

"Go," he said softly. "You'll be safe with Lyra."

Reluctantly, Mira followed Talia, feeling the pack's eyes on her back.

Elder Lyra's house was warm and smelled of herbs. Talia led Mira to a small room with a bed and a wooden chest.

"I'll bring clothes and hot water for washing," Talia said with a shy smile. "Don't mind the others. They're just scared of what they don't understand."

When Talia left, Mira sank onto the bed, exhaustion washing over her. Her hand went to the ruby pendant around her neck—the only connection to her past. What had she gotten herself into?

Hours later, clean and dressed in borrowed clothes, Mira sat by the window watching the village. Draven was still meeting with the elders. Twice, she'd heard shouting from the council house.

Night fell. Lanterns lit the streets. Most villagers had gone inside, but Mira noticed something strange—werewolves were patrolling the edges of the village, alert and tense.

A soft knock sounded at her door. Talia entered with a tray of food.

"You should eat," she said, setting down the tray. "The Alpha asked me to check on you."

"Is something wrong?" Mira asked. "Everyone seems on edge."

Talia bit her lip. "Scouts reported movement in the eastern forest. The Alpha thinks the Eclipse Order might have tracked you here after all."

Mira's stomach dropped. "This is my fault. I should leave."

"No!" Talia grabbed her arm. "The forest isn't safe at night. The Alpha said you're to stay here, no matter what."

After Talia left, Mira couldn't eat. She paced the small room, watching the village through the window. More werewolves joined the patrols. Something was definitely wrong.

Suddenly, a horn blasted—three sharp notes that cut through the night. Shouts erupted outside. People ran toward their homes.

The door burst open. Draven stood there, his face grim.

"They're here," he said.

Mira's heart raced. "The Eclipse Order?"

He nodded. "At least thirty hunters. They've surrounded the village."

"I'll leave," Mira said. "I'll draw them away."

"No." Draven stepped closer. "We leave together. My pack will create a distraction while we escape through the tunnels."

"Tunnels?"

"Werewolves always have escape routes too," he said with a faint smile.

A crash sounded from the village edge, followed by screams. Flames leapt into the sky as a house caught fire.

"We need to go. Now." Draven grabbed her hand.

That strange burning sensation returned—stronger than before. Heat spread up Mira's arm, across her chest, down to her toes. Draven felt it too, his eyes widening as they began to glow yellow.

"What is happening to us?" Mira whispered.

"I don't know, but we can figure it out later." He pulled her toward the door.

They raced through Elder Lyra's house and out the back. The village was in chaos. Werewolves fought black-clad hunters in the streets. Silver arrows flashed in the moonlight. The air filled with snarls and screams.

Kieran appeared, blood streaking his face. "This way, Alpha."

He led them to a small shed behind the elder's house. Inside, he pulled back a rug to reveal a trapdoor.

"The tunnel leads to the mountains," Kieran explained. "You'll be safe there."

Draven gripped Kieran's shoulder. "Protect our people."

"With my life," Kieran promised, but his eyes slid to Mira with that same hatred. "Though some might say she's not worth the cost."

"I didn't ask anyone to die for me," Mira snapped.

"Yet they are," Kieran growled.

"Enough," Draven ordered. "Go help the others."

With one last glare at Mira, Kieran left.

Draven lifted the trapdoor. "After you."

Mira climbed down into darkness. Draven followed, closing the trapdoor above them. It was pitch black until Draven struck a match, lighting a torch mounted on the wall.

The tunnel was narrow but tall enough to stand in. The walls were packed earth, supported by wooden beams.

"Your pack built all this?" Mira asked as they hurried forward.

"Generations ago," Draven replied. "We've had to hide many times over the centuries."

They walked in silence, the sounds of fighting fading behind them. Mira couldn't stop thinking about the people being hurt because of her.

"Why does the Eclipse Order want me so badly?" she finally asked.

Draven's face looked grim in the torchlight. "Because of what you are—what you can do."

"But what can I do? I barely understand my own powers."

"You're the key to an ancient prophecy," Draven said. "One that could change everything for our kind."

Before he could explain further, a rumble shook the tunnel. Dust rained down from above.

"That doesn't sound good," Mira said.

Another rumble, stronger this time. Cracks appeared in the ceiling.

"Run!" Draven shouted, grabbing her hand.

That burning sensation flared again, even more powerful. Mira felt a surge of strength flow into her legs. She ran faster than she ever had before, matching Draven's supernatural speed.

Behind them, the tunnel began to collapse. They barely stayed ahead of the falling earth and rocks.

"There!" Draven pointed to a ladder ahead, leading up to another trapdoor.

They reached it just as the collapse caught up to them. Draven shoved Mira up the ladder first. She pushed open the trapdoor and climbed out into the cool night air.

Draven was right behind her, slamming the trapdoor shut as dirt billowed up from below.

They were on a mountainside, the village visible in the valley below. Fires burned, lighting the night sky. The sounds of battle carried on the wind.

"It wasn't an accident," Draven growled. "Someone collapsed that tunnel on purpose."

"Kieran?" Mira asked, remembering his hateful glare.

"Maybe." Draven looked troubled. "Or maybe the Eclipse Order found the tunnel entrance."

A twig snapped in the forest behind them. Draven spun around, pushing Mira behind him.

A figure stepped from the shadows—not a werewolf or an Eclipse hunter. A man with silver hair and strange violet eyes. He wore black leather armor with no insignia.

"Hello, little ruby," the stranger said, his voice oddly gentle. "I've been looking for you."

Draven growled, his body tensing to attack.

The stranger raised a hand. "I'm not here to harm her, Alpha. Quite the opposite."

"Who are you?" Mira demanded.

The man smiled, his eyes fixed on hers with unsettling familiarity.

"My name is Rael," he said. "And I'm the one who erased your memories five years ago."