The White Wolf Chapter 80: No Time

She stared at the rogue in the trees. The rogues were not supposed to be near the castle but instead were supposed to be at the border.

What if there were more? Or if it was a scout testing the defenses? There was no time to waste or call for the guards, by the time any made it the rogue would have vanished.

Quickly, Alexia threw open the window. She jumped from her window landing skillfully.

When she hit the ground, she immediately took off running. In a swift launch, she shifted into her wolf causing her clothes to rip and fall to the ground. With all her might she ran through the night.

Having no idea what she would do when she caught it she kept running. Would she capture or kill it? She did not know. She just knew she could not let it escape.

Nimbly navigating her way and being careful to not make a sound, she was swift as the wind with her fur waving in the cool night. Paws carefully touched the ground, avoiding stepping on anything that might make a sound and give her away.

Trying to link Caspain she was unsuccessful and continued her chase. The rogue moved deeper into the trees causing Alexia to give chase even harder.

The rogue was disheveled looking, covered in dirt and unkempt hair as if he had lived in the woods as he most likely did. The odor that came off him was pungent as the breeze carried it to her. Thankfully, the wind was at her advantage as she ran downwind of her prey. She followed the path he lay, his old boots barely leaving prints in the dirt.

Picking up the pace, a foul-smelling scent entered her nostrils even more. Even with its footprints disappearing, its distinct smell led Alexia right to it.

Passing through the trees she dodged tree branches and leaped over fallen logs as she went even further into the woods. An owl called from its spot in the branches as the small woodland creatures hid from the beasts that roamed the woods.

With her pristine eyesight, she zeroed in on the wolf and spurred her legs forward. As she moved faster, she began to make more noise no longer able to avoid the crunch of the ground covering.

Turning to the sound, the rogue looked over its shoulder. Its eyes went wide in alarm and stood almost paralyzed till its instincts kicked in and began to run as fast as it was able. Shifting into its own beast in hopes of evading capture, its paws noisily made contact with the ground. Its breath heaved as it tried to run away.

Her ears twitched with the sounds of the forest but her eyes were locked on the brown matted hair-looking wolf that reeked of a putrid odor.

Fighting off the revolt the smell caused she continued her chase. The wolf led her through a creek and up a steep bankside but Alexia did not waver in her pursuit. The sound of the giant wolves hitting the water echoed as the water splashed drenching both.

The chase led Alexia further and further away from the palace, and deeper into the forest. She did not want to be far from the castle but she would not let this rogue escape her clutches. It had seen her, and now she could not let it get away as her secret depended on it.

Closing in on her prey, he tried to slow her down by running under a low-hanging branch but her agility gave her no problems in avoiding it.

The longer she ran after this rogue the more her chances of catching it dwindled. She had to make a move.

Throwing her body behind her she lunged for the rogue. Almost missing it completely her jaws opened and scrapped the hindleg causing the rogue to stumble and fall. Both wolves rolled as they crashed to the ground but jumped up after they hit the ground quickly trying to recover.

Snarling as they sprung to their feet they turned and faced each other. Showing the other their teeth, neither of them backed down. They stared at each other, Alexia not holding back her alpha aura causing fear to seep into the rogue's eyes.

Not knowing if they were near more rogues or not Alexia had to end it quickly, she could not risk being caught out by her outnumbered. They circled each other as she looked for her opportunity.

Lunging for the rogue, she opened her mouth trying for its throat but instead made the connection with the back of its neck. She bit down. Her teeth continued to sink into their skin as the taste of dirt filled her mouth but she held on still refusing to let go. The rogue snapped at her turning and twisting trying to shake her but she refused to let go. It was bigger than her but she held on with each jerk.

As her teeth sunk in deeper, blood began to spill from the bite mixing with the taste of dirt in her mouth. She held on to its neck but she knew she needed to gain a better position as this would not kill the rogue. Running out of time and luck something had to happen.

Shaking her head, she threw the rogue to the ground as its body tumbled over. Immediately she jumped on it. Its legs kicked as he tried to fight her off. Their teeth snapped and they growled as they fought.

Pouncing she tried to lunge for the throat again but the rogue fought with everything it had as its life was on the line. It struggled to try and rise to its feet but Alexia kept it pinned to the ground, unable to get off its back as it kicked its feet at her.

With a fake lunge to its legs, she quickly moved for the throat as it fell for her evading move. Her teeth grabbed its throat causing a gurgled cry to emit from its body. She held on as it scratched and kicked at her refusing to let go.

It kicked and kicked till finally the movements slowed the ceased. She did not let go till she was sure the life had been drained out of it. As she let go she deeply inhaled gasping for air.

Taking in her surroundings, she checked for any more rogues or any potential threats till she was satisfied the area was safe.

Once her breathing had slowed and she was calm again, she trekked back to the creek she had passed with the water flowing. Bringing her mouth to the edge she washed the blood and dirt from her mouth till the taste was out of her mouth.

The night was dark and the wind stood still even though there was a chill in the air. All of the creatures in the forest seemed to disappear from sight.

She froze as she heard a chorus of howls cry out into the night.