Alone on the Full Moon

[Karl]

Karl nodded. "OK. Let's head over there now. Skye and Coda should be finishing up over there now." He picked up his and Skye's clothes to carry over to the river.

[Chloe Owen]

Chloe nodded. "Alright," she said reaching out and taking his free hand. "I hope Coda will stay with us at least for a few days. I don't really like the idea of her being just a pup and out on her own."

[Karl]

"Yeah," Karl agreed, squeezing her hand as he walked. "She says she's got a human family that take care of her, but she ran away to protect them from the wolves that attacked her last night. I don't think she'll be safe out there by herself."

[Chloe Owen]

"I don't think she will be either. I mean, those were pretty nasty wolves and such a little girl shouldn't be out by herself," said Chloe. "I understand why she wants to protect her human family, but she has to realize that even though she thinks that she's endangering them, it's actually safer if she stays."

[Karl]

"Yeah, I know," Karl said. "She's gonna have to stay somewhere. But I guess it's her choice where she goes." He walked quietly for a moment, glancing over at her. "You know, you were great last night, when you stood over her. So protective..."

[Chloe Owen]

Chloe blushed slightly. "I just did what I thought was right. You were busy with those wolves and I couldn't just stand there and let a pup get even more injured if I could help it. You were great yourself last night, fighting off those wolves."

[Gretchen Thomas]

Gretchen dragged Ashura toward the river, glad that the wretched girl was finally quiet. She didn't know what to do about the girl's outrageous accusations about Buck. Although she and Buck had been together for nearly 10 years, there had been that time a few years back, when he had left her for a while, and hadn't told her where he had been. But the chance that it had happened just when this girl had been turned was highly unlikely.

As they approached the river, Gretchen heard voices and stopped for a minute. Were they members of her own pack, or someone else?

[Skye]

Skye was talking with Coda as the girl finished washing up, when suddenly she heard footsteps nearby. "Shhh!" she said to Coda. "I think someone may be coming." She stopped and sniffed the air, hoping that it was Karl and Chloe. After a moment, she picked up the scent, but it was not Karl and Chloe. One was familiar, though... definitely a pack member. The other, however, was hostile. The person reeked of anger and rage. This wasn't good. "Coda, quick," she whispered, grabbing her hand. "Let's hide in those bushes."

[Kris Lupin]

Coda nodded staying quiet, she followed Skye to the bushes then waited for something to happen. She wasn't sure what was going on but she could tell it was bad.

Ashura stopped struggling and remained silent, she hoped someone would help her but didn't think anyone was around to help.

[Gretchen Thomas]

Gretchen listened as the voices stopped. Sniffing the air, she was able to pick out two scents, but they seemed to be moving away. After a moment, she began to move toward the river again. Soon it was in sight, and she stepped out of the trees and onto the river bank. Whoever had been here was clearly gone now.

[Skye]

Skye hid in the bushes with Coda and watched as a large, muscular woman approached. She was dragging someone else in front of her, and as they came closer, Skye realized that it was Ashura, and that she was tied up. She desperately wanted to help the girl, but she was too small and weak. She couldn't hope to challenge such a large woman. If only Karl were here...

[Gretchen Thomas]

Gretchen continued to walk, pushing Ashura in front of her. They crossed the river and kept going toward the caves where her pack was staying.

[Skye]

After they had passed out of sight and earshot, Skye stood up and took Coda's hand. "Come, Coda, we must go find Karl and Chloe. This is very serious. That girl was a member of our pack and it looks like she's been kidnapped by a rival pack. We need to organize a rescue party."

[Kris Lupin]

Coda had watched frightened as a woman showed up dragging someone. "Ok."

Ashura swore that if she made out of this alive she would hunt down Quinn, if this woman got Sully then it would be Quinn's fault. She didn't want to lose her brother, she already lost Korbel.

[Skye]

Skye headed back towards Coda's cave. "We shouldn't have let Ashura be alone last night," she said worriedly. "We were planning to head over and find her, and we ran into you instead. I'm glad we did, because who knows what could have happened to you, but it meant that Ashura was by herself. I think that must be Gretchen who was taking her away... she's a rival pack leader..."

[Kris Lupin]

"Is she going to hurt the lady?" Coda asked looking up at Skye. She was worried about Ashura even though she didn't know her.

[Skye]

"I don't know," Skye said. "I hope not. We're just going to have to talk to the others... maybe even Zander, our pack leader, and see if we can come up with a way to rescue her. It must have to do with her brother... but I don't know." She frowned. "How are your cuts? Are you OK?"

[Kris Lupin]

Coda nodded. "I'm fine. I've already got scars from Goss so these will be nothing new." She looked at the ground thinking about what she should do. She didn't want to put the humans in danger but she didn't know where Sauris had moved the pack.

[Skye]

"Well, once you find some clothes, and Karl and Chloe are ready to go, we'll take you back to Chloe's house. You can meet Zander. You will like him." She smiled back at Coda. "Maybe he can help you figure out what to do."

[Kris Lupin]

"That's great." Coda said smiling. "I'll go on to the cave." She started to walk a bit faster then Skye to get to the clothes. She didn't want to keep them from helping that girl so she thought it would be best to hurry and find something that covered her.