My attention turns back to Raven time and again as the horse speaks. I'm worried about her. She seems so lifeless, so ill. And yet the horse is unworried so I know he has something to do with it. The wolf continues to growl but I'm not scared of her anymore. When the growls turn to whimpers, that pulls my attention far more than the growls, a whimper falling from my own lips as I snap my head back, blue gold gaze sad as I look at her, concern playing across my features. I want to go to her, to comfort her, but I don't want to turn my back on the horse and I don't want to leave the other fox alone in front of him while I tend to Raven. Plus in the back of my mind, I know how dangerous that could be, how she might just try to eat me.

The horse's smooth reply to Claire only makes me distrust him more, my eyes boring holes in him like daggers the whole time. I heal the fox beside me, not caring in the moment that he's watching and may only become more interested now that he knows of my powers. I can only think of wanting to help where it's needed. When I ask about Raven, he seems unperturbed, saying she's sedated and that he sees no use in killing her, though I note the way he adds on yet at the end. Another growl echoes within, my lips trembling.

He looks toward Raven then and I can feel something like pressure pulling away from behind me. I glance back and I start to notice her body seeming lighter as if no longer held under his magic. The thought relieves me, a breath pushing from my lungs as I turn my attention back to him. He looks attentive to Claire now and I find myself becoming increasingly protective over her. I glare once more. His words do little to convince me he's anything but sly and manipulative, his name going to memory for later. He goes on to ask how she got here, his words so cunning and charming that I know I would never follow him anywhere. He's tricky like a snake and probably just as likely to bite.

Then the offer comes as I knew it would. He tells Claire she can roam alone or he can protect her. A whimper of protest leaves my lips cause I think I already know what she'll say. She seems so submissive, so quick to agree and he reeks of alpha scent. She'll probably follow him anywhere. When he extends the offer to me, my rumbling growl only grows in volume and I meet his gaze evenly.

"Never."

I all but spit. When he tries to use Raven against me, I snpa at the air, furious at his need to bring her into this.

"She can't control it anymore than you can control your breathing. It is a curse and a real friend doesn't leave a friend when they need them the most. What do you know of loyalty to even say such a thing?"

My eyes narrow, challenging him. He can speak of loyalty all he wants but he's already proven how he thinks of the matter.

He looks back at Claire now and another whimper falls from my lips. I feel my chest tightening cause I already know what's coming.

The fox was so brave while I healed her, only gasping and whimpering once as the bullet dislodged from her and fell to the ground, her wound mending itself from the inside out. At her question, I find myself ducking my head and shrugging dismissively.

"It's just something I learned."

I try to brush it off, my lips parting in surprise as she pushes her nose into my fur, though my body relaxes and I feel a soft smile tugging at my lips. It's almost pleasant to have another fox so close and actually acknowledging me. Not at all like my home pack. When she says she only brings pain, I scowl and shake my head.

"I can't believe that. Everyone is just as capable of bringing healing. You just haven't found your niche yet."

I assure her.

The fox turns her attention to the horse after a few minutes, telling him her name and I commit it to memory, though I'm tight lipped on offering my own since I'd sooner see him choke than listen to my name fall across those slimy lips.

When he asks about where she came from, I note her change in demeanor and the darkening of her eyes as the whisper falls from her lips. I scowl and whimper in concern, pressing closer to her for reassurance in her safety. Sympathy floods my gaze as I nose into her coat now, wanting her to know that all is well now. She seems scared at the thought of more predators, her head snapping around and I find my body tightening a little at the smell of her fear. While I know most of the other predators, it doesn't mean there isn't danger to be had.

Then she asks the horse to take her with him and my head snaps back to her, eyes wide and terrified for her. When she turns back to me and asks me to come with her, I shrink back as if stung, tears glistening in my eyes suddenly as I shake my head back and forth.

"I'm sorry but no. I--I can't."

I stammer, my body crouching low to the ground as my ears flatten to my skull, my tail tucking beneath me now. I think of packs, of following and I can only think of the pain and misery I left behind. I can't go back to that. I won't.

alexis wilde