Collecting the Pieces of the Shandhi Sword (Book 2 of Mark Series)

Chapter 10

My ears flicked behind me, catching the sounds of this fluttering beast with wings that were made of leather. I could hear them coming closer, and I didn't like it one bit. My whole body was tense as I scrambled through the forest, weaving through the trees and hoping that I could get away from them.

My breathing came in short pants as I pushed my body harder than I had been, hoping that it was enough. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew that I had to lead them away. I had to make sure that my... mate was safe and the other people that came with us.

The squeaks of what sounded like bats told me that they were getting closer to me than what I would have liked. Some of them dove down to grab hold of me, but I could move out of their path before they did. They screeched out in anger when they weren't able to reach me, and my ears felt as if they were bleeding.

I didn't risk a glance behind me, not wanting to see what they looked like. I was sure that they looked somewhat like bats but were not actual bats. Meeting that creature told me that there were more things out there than anyone knew, and I had a feeling that I was going to meet... quite a few characters that would look at me like I was food.

I had no idea as to how I knew that they were not bats, but I had this feeling that it was because of who I was supposed to be. I was this person that was going to protect the innocent from unknown creatures, and I didn't know if I would be able to do that or not. All in all, I knew that I was going to have to try because I knew that it would be the only way to protect my pack, even if it felt like I had failed them.

Again, I dodged the bats and skirted around a different tree, its branches clawing at my back. My claws scratched at the soft earth, trying to get a good footing on the slippery mountain because I did not need to fall and hurt myself.

My heart almost skipped a beat when I fell a couple of feet but quickly recovered and pushed myself faster than I had been. "Gods!" I hissed, trying to lose them to no avail. My ears flicked back at the sound, and I could tell that I was not doing a good job. "How do I get rid of them?" Anger and annoyance filled my body, so I lengthened my stride. I made sure that I could still maneuver myself properly and hoped that it would be enough.

The sound of rushing water filled my ears, and I turned myself in that direction. Something in me told me that they would not follow me in, and I was hoping that it was true.

I grunted as my feet gave out on me again. My whole body was tense, and I couldn't help but pray for a miracle. If they caught me, then... I didn't know what would happen. I knew that my pack wouldn't make it, and I think that all would be lost. Not only was I sure that my pack would be lost, but I knew that the world as we knew it would be lost too. We would have succumbed to darkness, and I was sure that that was what the Protectors were trying to keep from happening.

Gods, I prayed, my ear flicking towards the sound. They were getting too close for comfort, and I had no idea how to get away from them. I had no idea how far the rushing water was, but I had a feeling that they would not be able to get to me if I was there. Help!

My feet gave way from underneath me, and I slid down the mountain. For a split second, my life flashed before my eyes, and I couldn't help but feel fear. And after that, nothing but empty air greeted me.

***

I landed on my back with a large thud, the rushing water pulling at my fur. My whole world seemed to be turning upside down, and I didn't know which way was up nor down. I did not know which way was to the surface, and a part of me wanted to just let the river take me and give up the fight.

Come on, fight, I growled at myself, straightening myself out. I pulled my legs close to my body, determination flaring up inside of me. I let my sink lower to the bottom of the river, the current trying to push me one way or the other. Your pack is counting on you to survive. I kicked my feet off of the ground and pushed myself to the top of the water.

Sweet air filled my lungs as I lifted my head out of the raging river, letting the current take me in the direction that I wanted to go. My ears didn't pick up any sound of the wannabe bats, and I was sure that I had lost them.

Thank Gods, I said, feeling exhausted from my endeavor. I paddled, keeping my head above water. My whole body ached, but I knew that that was better than being dead. I had no idea about where this was going to go, but I could tell that it might lead me to where I needed to be.

I hoped that I could find my group and prayed that nothing bad had happened to them. I did not know how Cameron would react to it and was sure that he would need a lot of practice if he needed to be my Alpha.

Hopefully, nothing bad had happened to them, and they were waiting for me to get to the cave. Let's hope that that this river would lead me there without any more "beasts."

I did not know what would happen if I found something else...