Chapter 12 – Caden

The sounds of night animals has me waking, realizing that Amelia is wrapped around me. With a sigh, I slowly pry the she-wolf’s grip from my body and climb off the mattress to stretch and see what the sky outside looks like. Walking out of the cave, I lean against the entrance and scan my surroundings, keeping my senses alert for any signs of movement before turning my gaze to the twilight sky. It looks as if the sun has just set meaning now will be a good time to continue on foot. Amelia and I will be safe from the wolves looking for a mate and I have no intentions of allowing any male to touch this she-wolf.

Making my way back inside, I spot Amelia now curled into a ball on the mattress, making me chuckle as I think about how vulnerable this she-wolf is. She is lucky I am the one to have run into her and not some other wolf as she would have been claimed by now with how heavy of a sleeper she is.

“Amelia, its time to wake up.” I call out, bending down to gently shake her shoulder. She groans in response, batting away my hand. Rolling my eyes, I shake her slightly harder, repeating my words only to be met with a low warning growl.

“Amelia, we need to find Grace.” I growl out, allowing the power in my blood to merge with my words. She bolts awake, her sleep filled eyes staring at me in confusion and fear for a moment before realizing it is just her and I in the cave.

“Goddess Caden, you scared me.” She huffs out, her hand on her chest most likely trying to calm her frantic heart. I smile apologetically, climbing to my feet and grabbing my bag.

“We need to get going. It’s night time and is the best time to keep searching for your beta.” I say, leaning against the cave wall and allowing the she-wolf to stand and stretch before she too grabs the newly obtained back I left for her. With the two of us now ready, we make our way out of the cave and back to the river. It’s our best chance at finding Amelia’s Beta and my best chance at meeting her. We follow up stream of the river, our conversation low so that we do not attract attention. The last thing we need is a Vampire fledgling or a male wolf coming out to attack us.

There are signs of life along the river, Amelia and I careful to investigate if Grace’s scent lingers around or not. Sadly, no scent of mint or lavender can be found other than from the plants themselves and I sigh, feeling defeated on not being able to find the she-wolf. Suddenly, a group of wolves come crashing through the bushes and I force Amelia to stand behind me only to notice Zander among the four wolves, the three others being Mike, Caleb and Cody from my pack. Then I understand why they are running. Two fledglings come running out after the four, my blood boiling at seeing my packmates in danger.

“Amelia, go hide I have to help them.” I order through clenched teeth, handing my bag to the blonde.

“Why can’t we just run away?” She asks, her fear for the newborn Vampires evident in her voice. No one wants to fight a strong and fast fledgling.

“These four are pack mates of mine.” With that, I kick off my shoes and shift into my golden wolf, happy to have packed extra clothes in my bag.

[Zander, with me. Cody, Mike and Caleb take the female and we will take the male.] I order through the link, rushing to the left as Zander quickly follows after me. Caleb, his twin Cody and Mike happy to have a helping hand rush to attack the female.

[What’s the plan?] Cody asks, dodging a swipe of claws as I doge a kick from the male before me.

[Taking turns to attack and retreat. We need to wear it down before we can kill them.] I explain, getting a resounding “Yes Alpha” from my four friends. I look to Zander and nod, taking the lead to rush the male, distracting it as Zander takes this chance to bite the side of the Vampire. When the fledgling turns to attack Zander, I rush and claw at its shoulder, backing away just in time to dodge. I notice the other three doing a similar technique, proud of my Warriors before returning to help Zander take down the male. The fight continues, and without realizing it I find myself closer to the river. When dodging the next attack from the fledgling, my paws slip in the mud giving the Vampire an open shot at attacking. I brace myself for the pain of jagged sharp claws ripping through my fur and flesh, seeing the look of panic in Zander’s eyes as he is too far to help me.

Suddenly, a flash of blonde fur leaps over the vampire, the wolf’s claws landing a blow to their head and knocking the Vampire down, giving me a chance to climb to my feet and attack, my jaw biting down on the Vampire’s leg and ripping it off at the knee. I rush away just barely missed being hit by their claws and look to see Amelia rushing to attack, Zander already taking this chance to rip off the arm of the fledgling while the she-wolf grabs the medium length hair of the vampire and pulls. I rush forward, grabbing the only remaining arm before the fledgling could claw at my friend, and pull in the opposite direction. With a sickening sound of flesh tearing, Amelia decapitates the Vampire and I am left standing in awe at my friend’s bravery.

[No one touch her!] I order through the link as Cody, Caleb and Mike join us, their eyes looking at the female with curiosity.

[Why, you already claim her Alpha?] Caleb asks and I growl at him.

[She has someone already, her father sent him away in hopes of him dying.] I answer, seeing the guilt in Caleb’s eyes as he looks to Zander. With that, Amelia nudges me, then points towards the trees before trotting away.

[She wants us to follow her.] I interpret to the others before trotting after the blonde, seeing her enter a cave. With a sigh of relief, I follow her inside and quickly shift, ignoring Amelia as she quickly finishes putting on her clothes so that I can change into my sweat pants and t-shirt. The others enter the cave a couple of minutes later in their human forms dressed in sweat pants and t-shits as well with their bags slung over their shoulders. They must have grabbed their packs before coming to join us.

“Sup Caden’s friends.” Amelia greets, already munching on her beef jerky.

“Uh, hi.” Zander replies confused, looking to me with a puzzled look.

“I am just helping her find her friend Grace.” I state, accepting the piece of jerky Amelia holds out to me and taking a bite. That fight took a lot out of me but we still have time to keep going.

“Ah, the Golden boy continues to save she-wolves.” Mike chuckles out, plopping himself on the floor before taking out his canteen and drinking heartily from it. I role my eyes, leaning against the wall and taking a deep breath.

“Thanks for the help Caden. We got ambushed by those two fledgling after a feral cry was heard by another one. I have a feeling three are dead now.” Cody sighs out, sliding down the cave wall to sit, his eyes on Amelia.

“Thank you too blondie. You got some big balls taking on a fledgling.” Amelia chuckles, chucking a piece of jerky to the brunet before continuing to devour the bag in her lap.

“You should really save those.” I suggest, getting an eye roll in return.

“The bag over there has ten packs. Let me enjoy mine.” She mumbles through a mouthful causing the others in the cave to chuckle.

“Did you notice the wolf who killed the other Vampire?” Amelia asks, turning her attention away from me to my friends.

“A girl with silver hair. But that was two hours ago.” Cody answer, looking towards the bag Amelia pointed at before getting up and taking out a bag of jerky. He promptly starts handing out a bag to each of us, leaving five in the bag in case any she-wolf comes across this cave and needs some food. I smile at his consideration before grabbing one more bag and handing it to Amelia. She already shared the bag she is munching on with us, the least I can do is make sure we have another when we find Grace.

“You said a girl with silver hair. That must be Grace.” Amelia jumps up from her spot, stuffing the beef jerky in her bag before turning to me. I smile, already knowing her intention before turning to my pack mates.

“If you come across that she-wolf again, tell her Amelia is looking for her and is safe and unmated. All of you stay safe and alive.” With that, I walk over to Zander and give him a hug, proud that my friend found pack mates we can trust.

“You two stay safe too.” Caleb replies back, a smile on his face.

“And remember Alpha, we got your back when The Run ends. Just give us a link when you need us.” Nodding, I accept his words before Amelia and I head out again. Knowing grace has a two hour head start on us after dealing with a fledgling, I have a feeling Amelia is just filled with worry and wants to see her Beta and friend as soon as possible.