《The Pack: Azazel's Reign (Book 3)》


 Chapter 1: Shadow

    Shadow, who was in his black wolf form, looked at Hunter, who was now being welcomed to their pack.


    Was this a good idea though?


    Shadow could still sense there was something off with this guy.


    He changed into a human and turned around as Max led Hunter inside their new territory. Zack too looked at Max as he folded his arms.


    "Do you think this is a good idea?" Zack whispers to Shadow.


    The blond witch shakes his head. "No. I don''t."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "What do we need to do, then?" Zack asked him.


    Shadow sighed as he began his walk to Max. "I''ll go talk to him."


    When he reached behind Max, Shadow grabbed his arm gently, and whisked him off to the side. Max gave him a confused look. "What?"


    Shadow looked over his friend''s shoulder and noticed that the other black wolf was staring at them.


    "Can I talk to you...in private?"


    Max nodded and walked with him. The blond witch led him outside of the cave, and made sure no one was listening in. "Scratch, are you sure this is the right thing to do?"


    Max chuckled. "Of course I do! Why, is there something you''re picking up that I''m not?"


    "Look, there''s something off about him. I don''t think we should trust him. We have to be super careful!"


    Max smirked and clapped a hand on Shadow''s shoulder. "You''re a good friend. I think for now, we should at least give him a chance and give him shelter." He then walked back to the cave, leaving Shadow defeated. He put his hands on his hips, and stared at the ground.

 Chapter 1: Shadow (part 2)

    Zack approached him. "What did he say?"


    Shadow looked at him with worry. "What I was hoping he wouldn''t say..."


    Zack sighed. "I will definitely take your word and not trust Hunter.....after all, he WAS involved in killing the royals."


    Shadow folded his arms. "You THINK?" He retorted. Zack furrowed his brows at him.


    Shadow then sighed. "I''m sorry...this isn''t on you."


    Zack nodded. "What do we need to do to fix this? I don''t think we should even let him be here."


    Shadow looked into the cave. "I''ll stand guard."


    "Wait, wait, wait.." Zack interrupted. "Why can''t you just kick him out? Youre in charge after all."


    Shadow winced. "I''m not fair on anyone though.." he then looks at Zack. "I think it''s best I lay low for a while."


    Zack scoffed. "Max isn''t ready for leadership yet, but you''ve had the experience; and look, I don''t care if you''re not kind to us....well, maybe I do, but I prefer you as a leader. You''ve got the skills to do it, I''d rather follow you instead."


    Shadow looked away from him, then back. "You''ve got to see Max as a leader too. I believe in him."


    Zack sighed. "I think you should at least guide him....until you do, I''m sticking with your order. So, youd rather have Max make the decision to keep him, what would you want me to do?"This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Shadow thought about this for a moment as he gazed into the thick of the trees. He then turned back to him. "Stand guard with me."


    Zack nodded, and looked at him with seriousness. "Other form?"


    Shadow nodded. "I''ll do the same..."


    "What about your necromancy?" Zack asked.


    Shadow tsked. "After me nearly killing Max with my crows? I think it''s best I take a break from my magic....I''ll stick with the...." He sighed heavily. "The black wolf. Deal?"


    Zack nodded in agreement. "How long as beasts? What''s the time frame?"


    Shadow shook his head. "I don''t know for sure...." He looks at Zack. "Whenever Hunter''s around, I guess?"


    Zack smiled from the corner of his mouth. "You REALLY don''t trust him, do you?"


    "No I don''t."


    Zack chuckled. "I can''t believe Max is doing this..." Shadow tsked.


    "It''s got to be for a void to be filled. He wouldn''t have let him in, had Matthew decided to hold himself together. Wished they would''ve gotten along better."


    Zack shrugged. "Eh, Max had always harassed him, not as much as he did in the beginning. He was way worse back then."


    Shadow tilted his head. "How bad?"


    "Bully."


    Shadow chuckled. "And then he gets bullied by me."


    Zack shook his head. "Don''t feel too bad about that...you''re different now than you were before."


    Shadow smiled. "Thanks. It''s definitely something I''m not proud of...never was."


    "You live and you learn."


    Suddenly, Rose steps out of the entrance. "Who is HE? The one that Max sent in?"


    "His name is Hunter." Shadow answered her. "Mica mentioned him. He took part in the assassination."


    Rose groaned. "Why did he let him in?"


    "No clue." Zack said.


    "What we need to do in this case, at least for now, watch our backs." Shadow declared, then looked at Zack. "At least until I can be able to guide him."


    Rose nodded. "Supper''s almost ready."


    "Anything you need, sister?"


    Rose gave this a thought. "How about food for the morning?" Like a...grouse or something. A fox, whatever."


    Shadow nodded, then turned to Zack. The other blond nodded as well. "You going to be fine, Rose?"


    "Of course, you guys go ahead."

 Chapter 1: Shadow (part 3)

    Both boys changed their forms and began the hunt.


    After a while of walking, Shadow suddenly caught a scent. The black wolf turned to Howl. The other wolf looked at him.


    The grouse stood there a distance away. The wolves separated. Shadow hid among the darkness, while Howl attempted to scare the bird. The frightened creature ran, but couldn''t get far, as Shadow pounced, biting deep into its neck until he can hear the bones crunch.


    "Well done, Shadow."


    The black wolf let go of the grouse and smiled at Howl. "Not bad for being under a coma for a month. Let''s head back."Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Shadow carried the dead grouse in his jaws as they raced back to the hidden cave.


    ............................


    The pack ate their supper with Hunter in silence. Shadow locked eyes with the new member for a while. Noticing this, Hunter looks back at the blond witch with unease, and turned to Max. "Why is he doing that?" He whispered.


    Max follows his gaze to Shadow.


    "He ALWAYS does that, it''s just his thing."


    But Shadow wasn''t the only one staring at the stranger, Zack and Rose were too. It''s no surprise the blame would go to him though. He does, in fact, do that.


    ............................


    Later that night, Shadow pulls Zack off to the side. "Alright, I get first watch. Are you okay with me being in my other form?"


    Zack sighed. "As long as you''re not bickering with the wrong person, I will allow that." Shadow nodded, then changed his form.


    The black wolf looked at Zack, and bowed his head respectfully, then both of them went inside.


    The others rested as Shadow remained alert....his eyes focused on Hunter.

 Chapter 1: Shadow (part 4)

    As they rested, Shadow remained alert...his eyes focused on Hunter.


    Seemed like he''d been awake for hours, as he continuously stared at the boy. Suddenly, he felt a nudge on his shoulder. He turned his head and there stood Howl.


    "Let ME handle this." The blond wolf whispered.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Shadow nodded and walked over to his sister. He decided to remain in his black wolf form. He rested his head on his paws.


    Rose stirs and looks at him. "Not going to change?" She whispers. He looked at her.


    "No, I''m not."


    Rose nodded her head.  "You going to be like this all the time?"


    "Only for now." He replied, and didn''t say any more after than. He turned his head, his back turned to her. Howl may be watching, but he needed to peek. He eventually closed his eyes and fell asleep.

 Chapter 2: Howl

    Howl took watch for his friend. He watched Hunter''s sleeping silhouette.


    He remembered what Mica had said about him...he and Evelynne were the leaders of a large community of thieves. From what Mica has mentioned before, they weren''t just any thieves...they were also killers. And they were behind the castle raid, and the assassination of the royal family. Only for gold and a governless world.


    Sickening...


    Howl sighed to himself and looked around him. He turned his gaze back to Hunter.


    Why? Why would Max even let him in? He still doesn''t get that ....what''s even more confusing is that Shadow...even though he admits why...is settling down and letting Max take the stand; But knowing a guy like Shadow....why would he even let this happen? There was something odd...real odd about this situation.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    So many questions swirled in his mind. For a person like Hunter...he''s not one to ask to join a group of people who are using his territory. Even if he''s a loner, he wouldn''t ask anyone if he could join...he shouldn''t be asking at all...after all....he IS, or was, the leader of a group of more than a hundred thieves!


    This isn''t making any sense...and that''s another thing that doesn''t make sense to him. How in the hell is Hunter a shapeshifter? And what''s weirder is the fact that he has no one but himself now. We''ve heard what happened to Evelynne...but what about the rest? Where were THEY at? And were they Shifters too?


    Scarlett''s dead, and all the cursed wolves and shapeshifters changed back or died. Except for Howl and his friends...but....this was a different curse....well....more like a wish cast by a former friend.


    The thought of Matthew made his heart wrench.


    God...


    He''s been with him all his life...just and innocent and naive kid, a good guy, never one to hurt anyone. Now he''s...something else.


    The thoughts swirled in his head, round and round.

 Chapter 2: Howl (part 2)

    Shaking the wandering thoughts away...he closed his eyes, and raised his head.


    Would Matthew even been better if none of this happened? And still human?


    Howl sighed.


    Probably not.


    But at least, he would be human, if not a monster.


    But not all monsters have to be creatures.


    He was though...not a monster...but a creature. A freak!


    Back then, before the first curse even started, he would see shapeshifters and witches and even WOLVES as the monsters...the humans were only the victims.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He could understand in his father''s eyes how he felt about him.


    He''s been taught about the dangers in the woods....and it was true. If you stay in the woods for more than a couple of hours...you''re no longer a human. You''re nothing but a curse and a threat now.


    And he was...but after Shadow broke the curse...everyone was freed....even him and his buddies were back.


    But they weren''t human anymore...and the Village proved that....


    Even his own father.....


    The pain stung him. Howl could immediately feel the intensity of the situation Max and his father and brother were in. He could feel his world crumbling. The anger, the resentment, the confusion.


    His own father...his OWN. FATHER!


    How could he?


    Does this prove that Howl''s humanity died a long time ago? Did it die after he got cursed the first time.


    Were him and the rest of his friends just a bunch of FREAKS now? Misfits? Outcasts?


    He looked at Hunter once more, before making his way toward Shadow.


    He couldn''t keep doing this anymore...at least for the next little while.


    He needed time to think...to get this shit out of his head!

 Chapter 2: Howl (part 3)

    He walked over to Shadow and nudged him awake. The black wolf stirred and looked up at him.


    "Your turn..." Howl mentioned.


    Shadow nodded his head, and took over the watch. "Has it been a couple of hours yet?" He whispered.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Howl shook his head. "It hasn''t even been one."


    Shadow mumbled to himself irritably, then looked at Howl. "Doing alright?"


    Howl sighed quietly. "I just....need a break..."


    Shadow nodded in acceptance. "I''ll take over...get some sleep."


    Howl bowed his head. "Thanks, Shadow."


    The black wolf turned his head to face Hunter.


    Howl found himself in a comfortable position next to the fire and surprisingly, found himself easily falling into sleep.

 Chapter 3: Rose

    Once she woke up, Rose began her work on cooking the grouse the boys delivered her. She placed more firewood in and stoked it to get it going.


    She turned her head to face the boys, who were slowly waking up, except for Gabriel. She noticed that he was watching Hunter.


    She sighed to herself.


    Gabriel turned his gaze away from Hunter and walked away. When he looked at her, Rose can notice that the was deeply drowsy.


    I thought he''d gone to sleep, she thought.


    When Hunter awoke, he walked outside with Max. Howl lifted his head and looked at the stranger make his way to the entrance.


    The blond wolf sighed in relief and changed his form, her brother as well.


    Gabriel yawned and rubbed his eyes. Zack walked over and knelt down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.


    "Thanks."This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Gabriel nodded. "Anytime."


    Rose folded her arms as she stared at him. "I thought you went to sleep." She said with concern.


    "I WAS, but Zack needed a break. So...I stayed up the rest of the night."


    Rose sighed. "How about you take the opportunity to do that now, now that we have breakfast here and not out there." She pointed to the entrance of the cave, where the forest will be on the other side. "I''m sure your friends wouldn''t mind you not being present for a while." She said calmly.


    Gabriel looked at her with concern, then looked at Zack. "What about Hunter?"


    Zack patted him on the back for reassurance. "We''ll be fine. You get some rest." Gabriel nodded, and set himself up to go to sleep.


    ....................................................


    ""We need to do something better than constantly watching Hunter...I don''t like the thought of you guys sacrificing your time and energy for this." Rose declared.


    "I know, according to your brother...this is what we''ve got for now." Zack said.


    "And Max won''t listen to him?"


    Zack nodded.


    Rose sighed. "Great."


    "Isn''t everyone following my brother''s plans though? Should HE be handling this situation?"


    Zack scoffed. "You''d THINK, but...I don''t know. He thinks it''s best that he backs away from the leadership position."


    Rose looked at him. "Because of his....problems?"


    Zack folded his arms and nodded. "Yeah, pretty much."


    "Okay, I don''t like the way he acts, but it seems like he''s a good leader to you guys."


    Zack sighed. "I know, I told him he should at least guide Max."


    Rose chuckled to herself. "Fair enough."

 Chapter 3: Rose (part 2)

    The morning sun became afternoon as it reached the middle of the sky, and Gabriel still slept. Rose looked at him and shook her head.


    Max, Zack and Hunter came in with freshly caught meat.


    Hunter dropped what he carried and walked back through the entrance. Zack followed him.


    Max folded his arms and smiled.


    Rose looked at the secret entrance. "How is Hunter adjusting?"If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "He''s adjusting well." Max turned his gaze to Gabriel. "Damn! Still asleep, huh?"


    "He stayed up all night, he only got two hours of sleep."


    Max chuckled. "Must be because of Hunter..."


    Rose looked at him sternly and folded her arms. "Why did you let him in? Don''t you remember his history? He''s a threat!"


    "Yeah, but he needed our help. He just needs a place to stay, there''s nothing wrong with that, right?"


    Rose sighed. "Yes, but I don''t think this is the way to go." Suddenly, she can hear her brother stir. Both her and Max looked in his direction.


    "Mornin'' sunshine!" Max teased.


    "Very funny..." Gabriel mumbled.


    "How did you sleep?" Rose wondered.


    "Like a rock..."


    "Need me to make you some tea?" Rose asked him.


    "Nah, I''ll go for a swim instead."


    Rose nodded in acceptance.

 Chapter 4: Shadow

    When he walked out, Shadow looked at the beauty of nature around him. He looked to the side, and noticed that Zack and Hunter stood from a distance.


    Irritability growing, Shadow ignored them and walked over to the lake, and changed his form. He looked at Zack and Hunter once more, before plunging into the water.


    He swam around, feeling the coolness of the water.


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    Suddenly, Zack approached him. "I''m sorry about last night."


    Too busy to feel more irritability rise to the surface, he shoved it aside. "It''s fine."


    "I really do thank you for letting me sleep. To make it up to you, I WILL watch all night."


    Shadow scoffed. "Is that so?"


    "I mean it, Shadow. It won''t be like last night."


    The black wolf sighed. "Alright. You have me if you need to trade places."


    Zack nodded and left him alone.

 Chapter 4: Shadow

    When he walked out, Shadow looked at the beauty of nature around him. He looked to the side, and noticed that Zack and Hunter stood from a distance.


    Irritability growing, Shadow ignored them and walked over to the lake, and changed his form. He looked at Zack and Hunter once more, before plunging into the water.


    He swam around, feeling the coolness of the water.


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    Suddenly, Zack approached him. "I''m sorry about last night."


    Too busy to feel more irritability rise to the surface, he shoved it aside. "It''s fine."


    "I really do thank you for letting me sleep. To make it up to you, I WILL watch all night."


    Shadow scoffed. "Is that so?"


    "I mean it, Shadow. It won''t be like last night."


    The black wolf sighed. "Alright. You have me if you need to trade places."


    Zack nodded and left him alone.

 Chapter 4: Shadow (part 2)

    After Hunter was out of view, Shadow emerged from the water and let the sun dry his drenched black coat.


    Zack stood by the tree''s secret entrance, leaning against its branches.


    The black wolf changed form and walked over to Zack. He grabbed his shoulder and looked into his eyes with seriousness.


    "What happened to you last night? That''s not like you."


    Zack shrugged it off. "It was nothing."


    Shadow shook his head, he was doing his best to fight the rising anger. "I don''t believe that you will want to make a dick move and wake me up just so you can go back to sleep. That''s not what you would do."


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    Zack folded his arms in defeat. "It''s....personal...."


    Shadow sighed and nodded his head. "I understand. Look, if you really want...I can watch him again."


    Zack took a long second to answer. He looked at Shadow and nodded. "You sure?"


    Shadow nodded again. "Absolutely."


    Zack took a breath. "I''m sorry, I wasn''t trying to make a dick move...I just...." He looked off to the side. "I don''t know..."


    Shadow nodded, and understood the pain he could see in Zack''s eyes. "This has to do with Matthew, huh?"


    Zack didn''t say another word. "I can''t believe all of this."


    Shadow put his hands on his hips. "Take your time, Zack."


    Zack nodded as Shadow walked back into the cave.

 Chapter 4: Shadow (part 3)

    Shadow made his way through the passage to their territory. He sighed to himself, and looked down at Rose. She was stirring something in her pot.


    Remembering what she offered earlier, Shadow chuckled to himself. "Rose, I told you I''m fine."


    "Just in case." She grabs a cup for him, and immediately he takes it from her and playfully hides it behind his back. He smirks. "Ah, ah, ah. You have to promise me something first!"


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    Rose looked up at him with an annoyed expression.


    He continues. "You have to promise me you''ll take this for yourself today."


    Rose shakes her head. "Give it back, brother."


    "Not until you promise me..."


    She sighs. "Fine. I PROMISE it''s only for me."


    Shadow gives her back the cup, and smiles. "Thanks!"

 Chapter 4: Shadow (part 4)

    Suddenly, Max emerges from the unused podium, and laughs at Shadow. "Oh, come on, she''s just trying to help you!"


    Feeling his irritation build up again, he forced himself to smile at Max. "Shut the hell up!"


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    Max laughed again and turned to Rose. She shook her head and mumbled. "You boys are such a joke."


    Zack and Hunter then come inside. Shadow locked stern, cold eyes with Hunter. Then everyone grew silent.


    ....................................

 Chapter 4: Shadow (part 5)

    To break off the awkward silence, Max looks at Hunter and smiles. "We haven''t quite introduced ourselves to you, now have we?"


    Hunter clasped his hands behind his back and looked at Max. "Only YOU have."


    Max nodded. "Right. So, uh, starting with her." He pointed at Rose. The red head slowly looked at him. "Her name is Rose."


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    Max then turned to Zack. "This here is Zack, and that''s Shadow..."


    The blond witch gave him a side eye glance.


    Hunter nodded respectively. "Pleasure."


    Shadow bit his tongue. He could imagine saying every sharp thing he can to him. Every word that can make it really sting. He didn''t trust this guy, and he never will. He looks at Max.


    He slowly begins to remember what Zack suggested to him.


    He IS going to have to talk to Max again.


    But he had a feeling that for him, this was going to be no easy task...

 Chapter 5: Max

    When he looked back at Shadow, he can already feel like he was getting stabbed over and over again by a sharp, cold steel blade. That GLARE! When will he stop doing that?


    But Max can see that he was getting annoyed. He sighed as he walked over to Shadow.


    Hunter left again to the entrance...Max looked at him, and back to Shadow and sighed once again. He then looks at Zack. The other blond starts walking off, saying, "I''ll leave you guys alone."


    After Zack, Rose followed, leaving Max alone with an annoyed Shadow.


    But thankfully his witch friend called down his nerves and looked at Max. "Look, I can understand what you''re going through...why you took him in...but I don''t think this is the way to go."


    "Shadow, Shadow, I''m not going through anything...he just needs his home, like we do. Can''t we just ......coexist?"


    Shadow sighed. "Look, you''re already acting like you''re in charge...I respect that...but why are you asking me this, after you brought him in?"


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    "I - " Max then sighed. "I don''t know."


    After a long pause, Shadow speaks again. "This is because of what happened to Matthew, isn''t it?"


    Suddenly, Max snapped. "DON''T FUCKING TALK ABOUT HIM!"


    "Max, there is hope for him.....we just haven''t figured that out yet. We don''t even know how to reverse the spell, but we''ll get there."


    Max folded his arms and glared at Shadow.


    The blond witch sighed in defeat. "Alright, if we''re keeping him, we have to make sure he''s going by our rules."


    "What kind of rules?"


    "Whatever keeps everyone in harmony. Whatever keeps us from getting killed. The rest is up to you!"


    Max scoffed. "Why me?"


    "Cause you''re already becoming a leader. I''m passing the torch to you!"


    Max sighed, then nodded in acceptance.


    Shadow then continued. "You have a lot to learn though, and I''ll help guide you. That will be my part...but Max."


    Max tilted his head.


    "Just so you''re aware, in case if this new guy you let into our home is a threat we''re unsure of, I''M standing guard, as well as Zack and Rose."


    Max tsked. "You guys really don''t trust him, do you?"


    Shadow didn''t say a word.


    Max sighed. "I''ll take that as a yes." He looked at Shadow. "I''ll give him some rules to follow if he wants to keep his home; but just in case...I''ll do the same and keep watch."


    Shadow nodded in acceptance. "I appreciate that."


    The boys clapped each other in the back, and walked to the secret entrance.

 Chapter 6: Hunter

    He stood a ways outside their camp grounds and watched the sunset over the castle, that appeared to be faded from the distance between them.


    Fuck that castle, he thought.


    He looks over his shoulder to see the new kids hanging out and watching him like he wasn''t even aware.


    Pff, idiots!


    He folded his bulky arms and turned back to the sunset.


    Suddenly, the one named Max walks over to him as he smiled. Hunter didn''t show any welcoming expression, just a blank face.


    "Hey, uh..." The boy began. "Look I know this was your home..."


    "Not was, IS!" Hunter interrupted.


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    "R - right. Anyway, since you''re now with us, and my friends claimed this our home too...there needs to be some ground rules."


    Hunter said nothing.


    Max nodded. "For one, if we all want to survive, we need to treat each other like family. No harm will be done in this place - "


    "Pff!" Hunter exclaimed as he turned to face Max. "You think I''m a threat." He concluded.


    Max sighed. "Well...my friends don''t feel very.......comfortable in your presence."


    "I don''t care. This is MY home, and I''m not leaving it!"


    "And you''re not going to leave it, but listen....just one rule, no harming each other."


    Hunter chuckled. "You''re nervous about my history. Mica must''ve also told you about the infamous assassination that took place."


    Max rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, yeah?"


    "Eden was the one that started it, she planned it from the beginning. If you think I''m a threat here, then you''re wrong! All I need is peace! And if you can give me that, that will be lovely."


    Hunter then walks off infuriated...he then stops short, and turns around to face Max yet again. "And tell that dog to stay out of my face when I sleep. I don''t like to be watched."


    Max was at a loss for words as Hunter stormed off.

 Chapter 7: Shadow

    He was having a conversation about Hunter with Zack and Rose, until suddenly, he sees that Max was approaching them.


    They all turned to him. Shadow folded his arms. "Does he know the rules now?"


    Max rubbed the back of his neck. "KIND of?" The brown haired kid sighed. "He claims he just wants his peace, he will be happy if we all just leave him alone."


    Zack nodded. "Fair enough."


    "Another thing..." Max began, as he turned to Shadow. "He knows you''ve been watching him last night...he doesn''t like that."


    Shadow sighed. "Shit."


    Max then turned to the rest of the group. "But look guys, he''ll be fine. As long as we''re distanced from him...we''ll be fine!"


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    Rose folded her arms. "Very well, then." Zack nodded in agreement.


    But Shadow just shook his head, and gave Max a stern look. "Alright, fine. I still don''t trust him, but you have my word that if he starts to act funny --- " Rose suddenly grabbed his arm.


    "Gabriel, things will be fine."


    Shadow held his breath, then sighed. "Alright...."


    Max looked at him again. "Shadow, if things go south with him, then I''LL take care of it. In the meantime, let''s just stick with us...let him adjust and get used to us...and maybe we can fully get along with each other."


    The blond witch sighed once again. "You win."


    ..............................


    That night, a noise startled Shadow awake. He sat up to see who was present; but nobody was except for him, his friends, and his sister.


    Before he can fall back to sleep, he heard the noise again. It sounded like it came from Zack''s direction.


    Curious, he crept over to him.


    He noticed that his friend was whimpering and shaking in his sleep.


    ........................

 Chapter 8: Zack

    He was back in the Village, strolling happily in the warm summer breeze, the winds taking him on his next mission: Sally''s.


    He walked up to her house and knocked on the door.


    While he waited for her to answer, he looked at the beautiful cottage she owned. Suddenly, he jumped when Sally''s favorite cow, Speckle, mooed at him. He laughed and walked over to her, but before he can attempt to pet her, the cow immediately ran from him like he was a harmful creature.


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    His brows furrowed.


    That''s strange....


    Suddenly, he heard Sally''s door creak open. He smiled as he walked back to the entrance to say hi to her, but instead of a warm welcome from her, Sally greeted him with a gun pointed directly at his head. He face was so stern and cruel, like he was anything BUT human.


    Terrified, he slowly raised his hands and backed away from the door. Suddenly, he can hear guns cocking all around him.


    The whole village were pointing their guns at him!


    He turned around, and saw his father stand before him, with his OWN gun in his face.


    Zack panicked. "Father please!"


    Suddenly, a loud thunderous boom was heard, then everything turned a blinding white.


    ..........................

 Chapter 8: Zack (part 2)

    Zack shot up from his sleep and gasped.


    "It''s alright Zack, you''re safe!" Shadow whispered.


    Zack took a second to catch his breath, then looked right at the other blond.


    Shadow gave him a concerned look. "You good?"


    Zack squeezed his eyes shut as he gulped. "I''ll survive."


    Shadow patted him on the back and walked back to his spot. Zack hung his head low.


    God damn! The past is behind him, why is it coming back up? It''s done, it''s over!


    His father hated him, and wanted to kill him! Zack couldn''t blame him for that...after all, he IS a freak! It was HIS fault that he chose this fate.


    "It''s...my fault..." He mumbled.


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    "What?" Shadow said, as he got up and went back over to Zack. He tilted his head. "What''s your fault? There''s nothing wrong with you."


    Zack hesitated to speak. "It''s my fault I''m a beast."


    Shadow shook his head. "No, it''s not your fault. It''s just.....fate." He reassured.


    Zack looked at him, and suddenly found himself asking, "How have you tolerate this all these years? Being.....something the world fears? I mean, there''s two sides of you that''s feared by all witches...how - how do you live with it? How?"


    Shadow hesitated to speak. He looked at the floor.


    Zack sighed. "I''m sorry I''ve asked."


    "No, those are good questions. And the truth is....I don''t. I just....ignore it. Ignore the fact that I''m...." Shadow then sighed and looked at Zack.


    "Why do you ask? Is it because of what happened to you in the Village?"


    Zack nodded. "Yeah, but you broke the curse, and we were free, so they still fired their bullets..." He chuckled to himself. "It''s in the past. I''m fine, don''t worry about it. Just another bad dream."


    Shadow smiled and nodded his head, and turned back to his spot once again. Zack looked up at him and whispered. "Shadow?"


    The other blond looked at him.


    Zack continued. "I''m sorry you feel that way."


    Shadow shrugged his shoulder and lay down with his head resting on his hands. "Is what it is."


    Zack nodded and slowly fell asleep.

 Chapter 9: Shadow

    The blond witch couldn''t fall asleep.


    He tried with all his might to push those feelings aside...but for some reason, he couldn''t.


    Why not?


    He pushes everything aside like it''s NOTHING!


    It IS nothing!


    So, why is this eating him up?


    Ignoring what''s being thrown at him....is best for him.


    So why couldn''t he ignore this one?


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    Suddenly, his mind raced faster, making him flash back to when he was a different entity.....threatening to kill Max.


    But he DIDN''T kill him, Max saved him!


    Another flashback forced him to see his nightmares that swam deep in his subconscious mind: The Red Cloaks, the fire that murdered his and Rose''s parents......the bloodthirsty wolves that his among the shadows.


    He forced the memories to hide before he can remember more incidents. The pain in them were too strong, stronger than the mental blockade he used to stop the images.


    Oh shit, what kind of herb did Rose put in the infusion?


    He crawled over to his sister''s satchel, and fished out a clean, wooden cup with a stirring spoon. He also pulled out a pouch containing dried apples, cinnamon sticks, and a small jar of honey, and what looked like lavender.


    He took the pot from its holding place over the dying fire, and went outside to get clean water.


    ............................


    After a while, his infusion was finally ready for him. He drank slowly, hoping the effects from the lavender will kick in faster.


    Once the tea was finished, Shadow was finally lulled to sleep.

 Chapter 9: Shadow (part 2)

    He stood in the middle of the forest. Looking around, he realized it was dark, and cold as ice.


    Suddenly, he got the feeling he wasn''t alone. He slowly turned around, and there stood a black wolf....snarling at him....waiting.


    The sense of this creature made Shadow feel uneasy.


    Before he could even think about running, the black wolf lunged.


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    .............................


    Shadow awoke from his sleep, screaming.


    "OH SHIT!"


    Rose, who was sleeping next to him, opened her eyes as he stood up. She raised her head.


    "Is everything alright?"


    Shadow panted and looked at her, and forced a chuckle. "Just another bad dream." He replied passively.


    Rose sat up. "You want me to make you some tea?"


    Shadow shook his head. "Already had some."


    Rose nodded her head. "Oh, okay." She then went back to sleep.


    Once again, Shadow suddenly felt the familiar sensation he had in the dream. He slowly turned around, and there stood the black wolf with obsidian eyes.

 Chapter 9: Shadow (part 3)

    He looked deep into the wolf''s eyes and saw something devious in them. The energy made him shiver.


    Is this - is this how he really behaves?


    Suddenly, he jumped when he heard the entrance open. He looked around and saw that everyone was still asleep.


    So who was coming in?


    As if he completely forgot the form that haunted him seconds ago, Shadow shifted and braced himself.


    He heard footsteps coming towards them.


    To warn his friends of dange, Shadow tilted his head back and howled.


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    Immediately, Max and Zack shifted and braced themselves as well. Hunter woke up and looked curiously at who was walking in. Rose had her magic ready.


    Shadow growled at the mysterious figure.


    "Don''t fight, I know him!" Hunter declared.


    Shadow shot a look at the other black wolf, and snarled. "It better be!"


    The mysterious figure emerged. He appeared to be a dark haired boy. A teen about their age. He looked around in confusion.


    "Who are you people and what are you doing here?" The boy exclaimed.


    "Twitch, they''re with me!" Hunter shouted.


    The boy''s brows furrowed. "HUNTER? How did you get here without his knowledge?"


    Hunter looked at him with an expressionless gaze. "That fool has no match for my wits!"


    The boy turned to the rest of the pack. "Who are they?"


    Hunter looked at the other boy. "Newcomers."


    "So I see."


    Howl and Scratch looked at each other, while Shadow continued to stare at the boy known as Twitch.

 Chapter 10: Twitch

    Twitch looked from the confusion of the group, to the sternness of Hunter''s gaze.


    He sighed.


    Hunter folded his muscular arms. "So you''ve escaped...I take it the others are right behind you?"


    Twitch heard the one boy known as Max, whisper to himself. "Others?" But Twitch didn''t turn to him, his eyes locked on Hunter''s. "No, they are not. I...I lost them, sir."


    Anger was showing in Hunter''s eyes, making Twitch tense up.


    "We''ll discuss this later..." Hunter said very sharply.


    Twitch sighed from the stress he was building up.


    But Max didn''t drop the subject. "Who are these ''others''? There''s more of you?"


    Twitch then began speaking through teeth clenched. "I will not be discussing."


    The strange wolf known as Shadow, stepped closer to him and snarled. "This is DEFINITELY something to be discussed!"


    "Gabe..." Rose whispered. "That''s enough."


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    Shadow didn''t drop his gaze on him though. Ignoring the girl, he pushed. "If you want to stick with us, WE need to know who will be joining in the pack!"


    Twitch then glared at him, then looked up at Hunter. Max looked up.


    Hunter sighed. "Fine! Twitch, begin!"


    He then looked at Shadow and began, but was cut off from the black wolf. "I''m not Max!"


    Twitch sighed and slowly looked at Max like it was the hardest thing he can do, and glared. "Hunter and I and a bunch of others are a part of a group I''m sure Hunter has explained to you?"


    Hunter then looked at him. "It was Mica who told them."


    Twitch looked up at him with surprise. Evelynne''s pet? He continued. "Alright. So, the guys I''m referring to are Crescent, Winter and Silver. They are of importance to this colony. Along with Beast. They''re still trapped in Azazel''s castle!"


    The boys and the girl looked at him in shock.


    "AZAZEL?" Max exclaimed.


    Twitch looked up at him and nodded. Hunter then leaned in and whispered that Azazel was once their friend. He nodded again.


    "Yes, him."


    Howl froze, while Shadow growled low in disappointment. Rose put a hand on her face.


    Still in shock, Max asked him. "How - how did you get there?"


    Twitch began to explain. "Azazel found us one day, and invited us to seek shelter in his castle. We asked him what else he can offer us, than a castle we emptied. You see, we have a base way beyond this land. He offered us immortality and also a way to change shape at will. So, we took the offer. And we''ve been prisoners there ever since, because of his trickery."


    "Fool just wants people to dominate." Hunter mumbled.


    Twitch nodded. "Right."


    "So, how did you escape?"


    Hunter cleared his throat. "I escaped through the north tunnel..."


    The boys looked at him in confusion.


    Twitch then explained his own escape...