Chapter 18

The night had already turned cold and darkness had settled heavily over the forest. Only the slight rays of moonlight penetrated its depth, allowing little visibility through the thick forest.

It was just after seven and Olivia's senses were on high alert as she peered out the dining room window.

She turned and looked at the others in the room before moving towards the door. Turning to look back at them, she said, "I'm not waiting a minute longer."

She pulled the door open and stepped out onto the porch. The cold wind immediately whipped against her delicate skin. She didn't have to see to know what was around her; she didn't have to hear to know what was lurking nearby. Even though she couldn't smell the rogue's scent, her gut told her otherwise.

Olivia heard Isaiah behind her and then the creak of the door close. She turned and said, "He's here. He's watching."

She walked down the porch steps with Isaiah in tow. Her eyes scanned the area, but through the thick snowflakes that were falling at a rapid rate, it was hard to see. Taking small steps away from the safety of the house, she could feel her wolf wanting to break free.

Her senses were overwhelmed with the flood of information carried to her with the wind. Olivia had never felt so much before all at once. A flood of emotions consumed her and she didn't know how to control it. It was both exhilarating and frightening as she felt the first crack and then fell to the earth below taking on her wolf form.

On all fours, she looked behind to see Isaiah had already shifted. His black fur covered his enormous frame. His amber eyes trained on her waiting for her next move.

In an instant, she took off running straight for the thick forest that laid in front of them. Darting over fallen logs and brushing against tree trunks at an adrenaline paced speed, she could feel Isaiah on her heels, keeping her pace while her eyes scanned the area in front of her. Her thick black fur kept her warm as the cold winter wind swept past like a white blanket. She ignored the animals that fled from her approach, rabbits and squirrels scampering away from her path.

When she eventually slowed her pace, she looked at her surroundings. Her heart beating heavily in her chest.

She continued until the edge of the woods and came to an abrupt stop. She had gone all the way to Peaks Landing where her group was killed.

Inhaling deeply, Olivia let the fresh, crisp air invade her lungs and energize her body. She took a sharp turn right in a race to track the rogue.

The snow crunched beneath her feet as she ran, trees and branches a mere blur as she raced past them.

Leaping over logs, skirting over boulders, she ran from the sheer emotions that were gripping her. Olivia's eyes continued to scan the area as she quickly adjusted her path and pace to suit the terrain. She was aware of Isaiah running behind her. He made no attempt to pass but to continue to follow her lead. She quickened her pace as the wind suddenly carried a fresh scent of blood to her nostrils. Within minutes she was approaching the outskirts of Isaiah's property again. The distance between Olivia and Isaiah was only a few feet when she slowed her pace to almost a full stop.

Without warning, she was knocked to the ground. She instantly began to fight, snapping and rolling, trying to evade her attacker when she watched Isaiah lunge in the air, his canines gripping the attacker’s neck. With a quick twist, he snapped the wolf's neck.

Olivia rolled over onto all fours and ran after Isaiah who was now in the backyard of his house. She came to an abrupt stop beside Isaiah, her eyes trained on the rogue that held Lucas’ neck between his long, sharp canines. His head bobbing from side to side to rip at the flesh, trying to tear it open further and further.

Olivia quickly shifted back to her human form and took a few steps forward. She watched as the rogue tightened his grip on the wolf’s neck making his eyes close and she could see the dark red liquid drip into the snow. She instantly stopped and held out her hand to the rogue yelling, "Stop! It's me you want. Not him." She inhaled a deep breath and then screamed, “Come on you sick fuck! I’m the one who killed your bitch - your mate!”

The rogue released his grip and Olivia watched as a torrent of rage passed across his face. She watched Alex charge from behind, Lucas falling to the ground and Isaiah jumping through the air all in one simultaneously movement. She ran into action and slid on her knees, grabbing Lucas' neck.

Her hands pressing into the deep gash across his neck in an effort to stop the bleeding. Her eyes flew to the right as Isaiah had the rogue pinned against the snow and Alex injected him with the antidote. A loud howl erupted from the rogue and then he went silent.

Olivia sucked in a deep breath and lowered her head as a small amount of relief swept over her. She watched as the rogue passed out and shifted back into his human form. Alex lifted the rogue's body while Isaiah grabbed Lucas and they headed into the house. The other rogue was left dead in the snow.

Olivia knew deep down inside that someone would get hurt. It would have been impossible to take the rogue down without Isaiah’s brothers being here. She was extremely grateful to all three of them.

Lucas was hurt badly but not enough to cause his demise. He would hurt, but it would heal. She followed the men inside and shut the door behind her.