Chapter 12：11.

I woke up hours later still in Colton's lap. He must have fallen asleep with me here. I smiled up at his sleeping face, the perfect angles there. I sent a silent prayer to the goddess thanking her for him once again. She was probably getting tired of all the thanks I'd been giving her lately, but I couldn't help it. 

I slipped from his lap carefully and headed outside, stretching my tight muscles and heading into town. I was excited to go explore the territory a little on my own without having Colton watching me every second. I probably should have told Colton I was leaving, but he looked so peaceful when he was sleeping that I just didn't have the heart to wake him. It would only be an hour or so, and then I'd be right back in his arms where I belonged. 

My wolf was tense and more than ready to shift. I smiled at her eagerness, thankful my wolf and I usually got along well. My father used to tell me stories of wolves turning on their humans if they were weak and taking over completely. My wolf was strong, but she respected me.

I darted behind a thick bush and stripped quickly as I thought of shifting. It came easily, the fur sprouting from every pore in my body and covering me completely, my jaw elongating as canines ripped through my gums and my claws began pushing through my skin. My spine cracked and contorted and I shook my coat out as I felt the cool soil beneath my paw pads.

I dashed through the woods then, loving the feel of the wind whipping through my coat. My wolf surfaced quickly then, begging me to take over, which I granted. She yipped happily as I let her loose and she pushed us, darting between the trees at full throttle. She inhaled the scents of the forest around her in bliss. This is what I'd been missing. I felt happy running like this, feeling free. I understood why some wolves went rogue. There was nothing like running freely and never having to stop or answer to anyone.

I heard the faint snap of a branch above me and darted out of the way as the man hovering above me fell gracefully to the forest floor. The intoxicatingly sweet aroma let me know he was a vampire, his skin alabaster and dull. I panicked and mind linked Colt before I'd even thought the situation through, praying he was awake and that he'd heard me.

"Look what we have here. What's a powerful little pooch like you doing out here on the outskirts of pack land all alone? Surely big bad alpha Lithe wouldn't let you off by yourself now would he Luna?" the vampire began, taking a step towards me as I took one back, the fur on my neck sprouting up in warning. I knew if Colt had heard me that it would take time for him to get to me. I had to keep myself alive between now and then.

His dull black eyes were fixated on me, his raven hair looking almost purple in the moonlight. I growled in warning as he took another step towards me and he raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Pooch, if I wanted you dead, you would be already, no need to get an attitude. Now, why don't you shift back so I can have a look at Colton's little Luna." he smiled and I felt the white hot searing pain of him entering my mind, forcing me to shift.

My wolf held on, taking control and pushing me to the back of my mind. He couldn't force my shift if she was in control, but I couldn't help her if he decided to attack. I was thankful, because I didn't want to stand before this vampire bare, but I had no idea when she would relinquish control back to me now that she had gained it.

"I've underestimated you pup." he smiled towards me wickedly. I would have cowered from that look but my wolf stayed strong. She tensed, getting her muscles ready to launch if he made a move towards her. She pulled her lips up, showing her elongated canines in warning as she growled towards him.

I could feel Colt's wolf getting closer as three wolves darted from the woods then, jumping in front of me and putting themselves between myself and the threat.

"So the she wolf called for back up after all. Excellent." The vampire smirked and I realized then that this was his plan all along. He was going to use the first wolf he saw running as a means to get to Colton, and lucky for him I just happened to be the one running then.

Anger flooded my veins and I felt myself gain control back from my wolf. Adrenaline pumped through my system rapidly as I looked at the wolves before me, recognizing Kurt's wolf. I began to shift, grabbing the shirt attached to his back leg as I slipped it on over myself.

I mind linked Colton, and begged him to stay away. I doubted he would listen, but I couldn't stand the thought of him being near this vampire. Something was wrong, I could feel it in the air. My wolf was pacing just below the edge of my control, ready to take over at a seconds notice, and she too wanted Colton to stay far away from this leech.  

"That's a shame. I guess I'll just have to take a parting gift until he decides to show up then." he smirked.

Before I knew it my wolf had taken over as the rest of the world went black.