LARA’S POV
We continued on our journey in our wolf form, except for Scarlet, Kendra, and Mia until nightfall without stopping to rest even for once.
We left Black Moon Pack before dawn. Scarlet had insisted that we must not stop until we are far away from Black Moon Pack. We made our journey through the forest, avoiding the town paths across other Packs, most especially the Dark Age Pack.
Landon’s wolf stopped and Scarlet climbed down from its back.
“You all can stop,” she directed.
As soon as she said this, we shifted to our human form.
Landon and Rich’s wolf take turns to carry Scarlet on our journey. Kendra and Mia are both omega wolves, and they have never been able to shift. So they walked behind us carrying our bags, and running when they have to.
A few times, Rich, Landon, and I have had to carry them when they are tired so as to make the journey faster. Our wolves seldom get tired and it ran all for all day.
“It is almost getting dark, and we will rest here for some minutes and eat something. We might not stop the whole night” she informed us.
“My luna, you might not have the strength to go on the whole night. I will suggest that we find somewhere and sleep for a few hours before continuing” Landon replied.
“I understand your concern, Landon, but I will pull through. You are right about my health, but we have to get to a town soon. Hopefully, we would find someone that would be able to treat me” Scarlet replied.
“Okay, luna” Landon agreed.
We brought out our food, and we all ate in silence. After eating, we rested for a few minutes as Scarlet had instructed.
“I think we have to be on our way now” Scarlet called out to us.
When we heard her, we all got up ready to continue.
“I will have to walk a while,” Scarlet said.
“No you can’t, my luna. You don’t want to get worse” Rich said in a panic.
“I have been carried all day without using my feet. I think I will get even sicker if I don’t exercise my legs” she said.
“Okay, we will allow you to walk for only a little while. Moreover, it is getting dark and you might not be able to see clearly again” Rich replied.
“Yes, I know, Stake has refused to surface and I fear she is completely dead,” Scarlet said sadly.
“No, my luna, don’t talk like that. Stake is only weak from the fight and this illness. She will surface again as soon as you are well” I said.
“That is the truth, luna. Your wolf has not been pushed this much before. She will resurface once you are fine” Landon supported my position.
“Thank you. Let’s get going” Scarlet replied.
*
We have walked for up to twenty minutes, all in our woman form when Rich stopped and insisted on carrying Scarlet but she was adamant.
“You cannot lie to me, luna, your legs are shaking. Look at you, do you want to collapse? You know that will not be good for your health” Rich said.
“Come on, I am enjoying this walk. Let’s just go on for a few more minutes. Moreover, you have just finished eating and would require some time to gain your strength” Scarlet disagreed.
“That was almost thirty minutes already, luna” Rich snapped.
Scarlet inhaled. “Please let’s continue for ten more minutes. By the time I climb on any of your wolf’s backs, I will not be needing my feet. Please let me do this, Rich” she requested.
“Okay, luna, ten minutes it is” Rich replied.
Rich could not contain his anxiety anymore and he wished that Scarlet will not be this stubborn. He was more concerned for her health.
*
Scarlet is now on Rich’s wolf. She had collapsed out of exhaustion while walking and Rich had to carry her. We have been walking for more than ten minutes and the day is almost dark. Scarlet had recovered and was now sitting up on Rich’s wolf.
As we approached a big tree, we saw a strange figure in front of us lying down by the tree.
“What is that?” Kendra whispered, pointing to the figure.
“Let’s get close to it” Scarlet replied. “I like it is a person”
“But who would be in a forest by this time, curled up in such manner?” I asked.
The figure actually does look like a person, lying down beside a big tree and not moving.
“I think I can hear a whimper,” Mia said.
“Let’s go on, it must be from the creature” Scarlet replied.
When were almost by the figure when it moved and slowly got up, revealing an old and fragile woman that could barely stand straight and was almost bent in two with a tiny walking stick that barely touches the floor.
She drew back in fear as soon as she saw us.
“Stop” Scarlet ordered and we all came to a halt.
She got down from Rich’s wolf. “You guys would have to shift back, you are making her scared” she ordered Rich and Landon who were in their wolf form.
They went to a corner and shifted before returning on shorts and singlets.
“You…” the old woman said faintly, pointing at us with her stick. It was as if she was planning to launch an attack on us.
“What are you doing here all allow, old woman?” Scarlet asked, stopping Rich and Landon from drawing closer to the old woman as that might further frighten her.
“I stay somewhere, down, far down” she whispered.
“Okay. You are all alone and it is not safe. We would get you to your place” Scarlet offered.
Hearing this, the old woman flinched in fear and took a step back.
“We are harmless. See, we are even as helpless as you in this forest. But don’t worry, we will make sure to get you home and continue on our way” Scarlet assured.
The old woman looked down beside her and our eyes followed hers.
Lying beside her was a huge load too big for just one person to lift. My mind wandered on how she came about such a heavy load.
“Are those yours?” Scarlet asked her.
“Hmm” she nodded.
“Okay, that is not a problem. We will get you and your load to your home no matter what it might cost” Scarlet said with a smile.
The old woman smiled too and I thought I saw a young and pretty girl behind her smile. For a brief moment, all her wrinkles were gone, and in its place was a young and angelic face.
She does look amazing with a smile, and I smiled at her in return.
Scarlet looked at us, thinking of what to do. After a while, she came up with an idea. “Rich, you and Landon will have to carry the load as it is big enough for just one person. Lara, you know she can barely walk so you will have to shift and carry her”
Rich objected in a soft tone so that the old woman will not hear him. “And you, don’t tell me you are going to remain here. You don’t know how far her place is”
“No, Rich, I will follow behind. I will walk” Scarlet revealed.
“You will not be able to, you collapsed the last time, remember,” Landon said.
“See, I will carry her load alone and you can climb on Landon’s wolf” Rich offered.
“Okay. If you can carry it alone, then I will do as you say. If not, we would have to go with mine” Scarlet replied.
“Okay, watch me” Rich went for the load. He tried to lift it up, but it was too heavy and he could barely get it off the ground.
“I will come for you once you are tired. There is nothing you will say or do to stop me” Landon said to Scarlet and went to join Rich.
I sighed, hoping Scarlet will be alright. And then I shifted to my wolf after informing the old woman that I will carry her.
*
SCARLET’S POV
I walked behind with my very last strength, leaning on Mia and Kendra occasionally.
I know doing this was difficult for me and was almost a risk, but the woman is very old and if we don’t help her, she may not come across another stranger and only the goddess knows what might become of her. for me I can manage, but I cannot say the same for her.
We had walked for not up to ten minutes when the old woman directed that we should take the right turn and before we knew it, we were at the front of a very old hut which from the outside view, should house two small rooms.
She got down and welcomed us to her house.
“You can call me, Nana, and this is my little home,” she said.
“You stay here alone?” Lara who had shifted by now asked, looking around the deserted hut.
“Yes, all alone” she replied.
“I am glad we got you home safely, Nana. We have to be on our way now” I said and made to turn but she stopped me.
“No, Scar, you have offered a helping hand and now it is time to offer mine,” she said.
“Scar, how did you know my name? Anyways, we did not help you with the expectation of getting paid back. And thanks for offering to help” I replied in shock.
“You are sick, Scar, who knows how long you would last,” she said.
“Thanks once again, Nana,” I said and signaled my friends to leave.
I was about to take the fourth step when my eyes began to close, and terrible dizziness overtook my whole being. I tried to take another step but everywhere suddenly turned dark and before I know it, I was lying on the ground, unconscious.