The Forest

Seventeen.

Our trip to the city didn't go exactly as we planned.

We were just supposed to get supplies and see some of the people from the village. Then we were to leave and return to the packs.

But now we had skin-changers hunting us and potentially the people from the village.

This led us to the inn with my parents and a few other people from the village. Court had brought all our things inside, paid for a room and then let the horses out with the others.

Our clothes were soaked from the rain by the time we had gotten inside. Thankfully, our bags had protected the rest. Court kept his arm around me as he headed into the tavern and ordered two bowls of stew before heading to the table where my father sat.

A few people from the village were at the inn as well. 

By now the rain had begun to pick up and I could hear it pelting down on the inn. Most of the horses had ushered themselves inside the stable in the back to take cover from the rain.

At the table with my father sat my mom. The moment she saw me she got up outside the table and hugged me. Court took a step back as I wrapped my arms around me.

"Oh, my sweet Ruby, I missed you. Your father told me everything."

"I missed you too mother." 

Mom smiled as she pulled back and squeezed my cheeks. She turned towards Court who stood next to me silently squeezing water out of his hair.

"Thank you for keeping my daughter safe."

She turned back to the table and sat back down. Court looked over at me and smiled as we sat down with my parents.

"It's been a while since we've last seen each other."

Mom choose to lead the discussion rather than dad. My father remained quiet as he sat at the table eating a bowl of stew with vegetables and unidentified meat floating around in it. I never took the time to guess what I'm eating.

With the wolves I typically knew what it was as I saw it butchered near me or saw Court or one of his brothers bringing in the freshly cut meat. Since coming to the cities I had no idea what we were eating, and I don't intend to linger around to find out.

"It has. Last time we saw each other was when Lyk was escorting all of you from the village along with a few others of mine and Thorin's pack."

Court spoke in a clipped yet regal manner. He did his best to keep his voice neutral, but I could detect the irritation behind it.

I set my hand on his thigh and squeezed. Court glanced over and forced a smile before placing his hand on top mine.

"A lot has changed since then. A stray group of skin-changers have begun to hunt around here. I thought the presence of the city would drive them away, but they've gotten oddly brave for such cowardly creatures." Court glanced out the window to where the city lay outside.

Outside the city lay many trails winding out to numerous places. Some of them faded the closer to the forest we come from gets. No one seems fond of those trails.

"I assume you've had experience with them?" Dad asked.

"I've encountered two of them back near the village when we scared any creatures who decided to come near. They are incredibly cowardly and don't like to take chances. But they are also opportunists. Something about here is giving them an opportunity to think they can attack with few repercussions." Court explained.

"And what would that be?"

Mom slapped dad's arm as an indication for him to make his tone more friendly. Dad struggled to keep his tone even neutral in the presence of Court.