His Rogue Luna novel Chapter 8

"Oh hello Ma'am. I didn't think you'd be awake at this time, pardon me for not calling you down for breakfast," the maid bowed her head at me, her face flushed and I brushed her worry away.

"It's alright Amelia. And what did I tell you, call me Artemis," I smiled kindly. She nodded stiffly, giving me an unsure nod.

I walked around the kitchen, pretending to decide what to eat. I stepped closer to the cook, who seemed to only notice my presence when I was inches away from him. He looked at me warily, and as I gave everyone the signal to attack, I twisted his neck carefully, and let his body drop to the floor.

"What happened to no killing?' Erica asked.

"He's not dead,' I replied. While his neck was twisted at an awkward angle, he'd heal in a few hours if not less. As I heard more bodies drop to the floor, I turned around and made sure everyone was okay. They all looked to me for more instructions.

"Follow me. Once we hit the trees, shift,' I led the way outside and we quickly made our way across the snowy expanse. I scowled internally, hating how exposed we were. There was nothing covering us and we could be seen by anyone who approached the house.

Once we reached the trees, I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding and quickly felt my body bend and morph into my golden brown wolf. After hearing bones crack, several wolves stood before me, all in varying shapes and colours.

"Run South. Once we cross the borders, we will keep running south until we reach The Green Summit. That's where my sanctuary is,' I led the way and began running as fast as I could. I could hear shouting in the distance and cringed, knowing our time was up.

I looked behind me to check everyone was with me and groaned, seeing Lucy struggle to keep up. I slowed down, letting Erica and Santiago pass me. I trailed behind and nudged Lucy with my nose, pushing her to run faster.

"Guys they're onto us. Run as fast as you can until you reach the borders. Then you can rest for a moment,' I could hear thundering footsteps closing in on us too fast for my liking.

"Celia, help Lucy,' she did as I asked, her ashy grey wolf stepping closer to Lucy's smaller dark brown one.

"I'll fight them off you guys keep running,' I ordered.

"I'll help,' Leo volunteered. We both stopped and turned around to face the wolves heading for us. They had their teeth bared and were aiming for our necks. I let them get closer to me before I dived from their attack, jumping on the back of one and biting his neck.

I was pushed off by the other wolf and I jumped back up, this time aiming low for the legs. I bit his ankle, snapping the bone and he let out a loud whine. I felt his other paw claw at my back and pulled away, his teeth managing to scrape my ear.

He tried attacking me again, but his broken paw affected his balance and I easily pushed him into a tree, letting his ribs snap. I turned to Leo and saw he had taken down the other warrior. His russet fur had blotches of red, but he otherwise looked unscathed.

Hearing more wolves approach, we continued running, catching up to the others.

"Guys there's too many of them, I have to fight them off again,' I spoke into the mind link.

I felt their reluctance and I growled, baring my teeth at them. I put as much intimidation and authority in my stance and voice as I could.

"Got it?' I repeated.

"Yes,' I heard several whines as I slowed down. I watched them run ahead of me and they cast lingering looks my way over their shoulders. Conan lingered by my side and I growled at him, feeling the other wolves quickly circling us. It was like deja vu. I didn't like it.

"I'll see you again,' I assured through our link. He licked my face and rubbed his head against mine. I let him have a moment before I pushed him to leave.

"Go now,"

He let out a low whine and I heard the snarls and growls grow louder, one in particular catching my attention. Conan, no longer able to fight his instinct, took off, his smaller wolf making him faster and more agile.

A patchy grey wolf chased after Conan and I pushed myself, knocking my body into his and pushing him into a tree. Conan escaped into the trees untouched as the warrior turned to me.

I heard the others howl from the distance, calling out to me. Conan soon joined the howling as he crossed the border and I listened to the sound of their rejoicing for their new found freedom. The howls died down and turned mournful. I heard their sorrowful thoughts that I wasn't with them.