The walk back to the pack was long, quiet, and tense. By the time they arrived, every member in the pack knew what was happening. Vampires had killed their pack member, their alpha had helped, and the Marrok was on his way to kill their alpha. As Avina walked into the pack, they all moved away like the parting sea. Avina took a seat near the base of a tree and things settled down. It was going to be a long day.

Of three things she was certain; the first was that the Marrok was going to kill her, so she had to run, the second was that Brice would try to stop her, and third was that Drevin would help her if she could just get to him. Jessie sat down beside her and silently handed her a cooked chicken leg. Avina took it with a sad smile. “You are brave to be so close to me, young one.” Avina told her then took a bite.

“I may be young, but that only means I am not blinded my tradition.” Jessie replied softly. Avina forced a smile. “You can’t stay here.” Jessie dropped her voice so that Avina could barely hear her. “I know you had nothing to do with killing my brother. And if you trust your vampire to not have had anything to do with it also, then I trust him by extension.” Avina looked over at Jessie with surprise. What was this girl up to? Jessie got up as suddenly as she had sat down and walked away.

Avina finished her food and started chewing on the bone. It gave her something to fidget with as she planned out her next move. Despite all the excitement, the pack was not used to be awake in the daylight, and the heat was taking it’s course. Slowly, one by one, they fell asleep. Jessie stepped out from around a tree near the edge of the circle. She waved at Avina and mouthed ‘come on.’ Avina got up and started to make her way around her sleeping pack.

Avina reached Jessie and they both started towards town until they were out of earshot of the pack. “Jessie, I appreciate the help. You need to stay here. With the pack. You are just a changeling. You need the experiences, protection, and love that the pack offers you.” Avina said softly. Jessie crossed her arms, “I am no child. I can go as I please!” Avina’s eyes turned yellow. “You are not a baby. You are a changeling. You do not understand what happens if you leave a pack-” Avina looked behind Jessie and cursed.

Brice stood there with his hands in his pockets. “Going somewhere?” Avina sighed. She really did not want to do this. Her eyes turned red and she took a step towards Brice. The little boy he used to be sprang into her mind. The young boy with tears rolling down his cheeks, looking at the dead bodies of his parents. “I don’t understand.” The little boys brown eyes looked back up at Avina. Avina had knelt down and held out her arms. The little brown boy, confused, scared, and lonely tumbled into her arms. “I will protect you. I will always protect you.” Avina had told him as she wrapped him in her arms. 

Avina had given him his name, Brice, and raised him as one of her changelings in her small but growing pack. The only human in the midst of werewolves. Avina had refused for a long time to change Brice. She told him it was because she wanted him to grow, but he would have grown anyway. When he was a teenager, he ran away from the pack. Deciding he did not want that kind of life any more. He fell in love, got married, had a son. Avina always kept an eye on him from afar. He was her little brother after all. Then he moved further into the city life and she could not watch over him and her pack. It was almost a hundred years until she heard about him again.

The Marrok had summoned her. Told her he had one of her own. It had been a hundred years, Brice should have been dead, but he wasn’t. Somewhere along the way, he had lost his family and changed into a werewolf. She did not know how, or why, or who, or what had happened, to this day he still will not talk about those hundred years. Avina walked into the chamber room where Brice kneeled on the ground in front of the Marrok. “Avina, I thought you should be here to say goodbye to an old friend.”

Avina, just then realizing who was on the floor, ran to his side and fell to her knees. “Brice. Brice!” She put her hands on either side of his face and made him look at her. It was clear he had no energy left and his eyes were red, which could only mean his wolf had taken over completely. “I… don’t… understand…” Brice’s head fell forward onto her shoulder. Avina looked up at the Marrok. “What crime is he to pay for?” she asked boldly.

The Marrok laughed, crossed his arms and started to pace. “He killed his pack.” He said with a shrug. Avina gasped and looked back at the wolf in her arms. He was not capable of such things. “I will take him.” she whispered. “Come again.” The Marrok leaned forward and cupped in ear, though he knew what she had said. “I will take him!” She roared, rattling the windows. “Are you a strong enough alpha to keep another dominant wolf in your pack?” The Marrock asked with a laugh of disbelief. He was mocking her. 

Avina gently slid Brice off of her and turned to face the Alpha of alpha’s. “Yes.” She declared. The Marrok moved close to her, impressed that she did not even flinch. “Prove it.” he spat. Avina took another step towards him so that they were almost touching. Both their eyes turned red. The Marrok grabbed her neck, flipped her around to land on her back. Avina could feel her wolf whimpering inside of her, ready to roll over and be submissive. No! Avina growled at her Alpha and her eyes turned back to blue, only this time they glowed. “Let. Me. Go!” She half screamed, half growled. The Marrok’s finger twitched involuntarily, though she never knew that.

He pulled off and nodded, his face nothing but calm. “You can control him. Now leave. If I ever hear his killing someone, I will not be merciful.” He went and sat down on the only chair in the room. Avina picked up Brice whispering “I will protect you.” As she carried him out of the room. The Marrok looked down at his hand and smirked. She had commanded him, and he almost obeyed. She had the strength, now she need only find it. “In time, my daughter, in time…” The Marrok’s smile disappeared and he called for one of his wolves. 

In the present moment, Avina pinned Brice by his neck to the tree. “I do not understand.” Soft brown eyes met her hard red glare. “I do not understand why. I do understand you.” He reached out and put a hand on his Alpha’s cheek. “You will always protect me, Avina. I should not have doubted you. You saved me from him once, let me return the favor.” Avina’s eyes turned back to normal, but she didn’t let him go. “I will be going to my vampire.” She told him. Brice nodded.

Avina let him go and took a step back. “Now I won’t have to go without a pack.” Jessie said with a smile and a bounce. Brice looked at her with a frown. “You need to stay here.” He said firmly. “No.” Avina cut in before Jessie could say anything. “I want her to come.” Without another word, they headed off towards the city.

It was hard not to go unnoticed. Avina still only wore Devin’s shirt, Brice wore only pants, and Jessie had on a sun dress. Not to mention they walked in a V-formation. Humans avoided them as they walked down the street towards the club Avina had meet Devin that first day. Sure enough, as they rounded the corner Avina saw him leaning against a lamp post, probably waiting for prey. At least he was okay! She looked back at Brice, silently telling him to stay, then at Jessie before moving towards Devin. 

“Devin.” she called softly as she stepped into the light of the lamp post.