Chapter 17 Many Moons to Come

                                    

                                          
April's gentle rains and warmer temperatures had succeeded in banishing winter. The pine trees were no longer surrounded by their bare brothers and sisters. The leaves were green once more. The forest was no longer a world of white, gray, and pine needles. It was alive with color. Thanks to the wildflowers.
                          
It was a shame those very same flowers were now coated in red, wet splotches and were being serenaded by painful howls. 

                          
"Tyson, Sandra, stand down." Ash loped forward, surrounded by dozens of wolves Ivy didn't recognize. "We don't wish to hurt you." Save for a handful, the wolves who had joined Ash in exile.
                          
Sandra, a light gray Beta with slight Alpha tendencies, growled. "I would take such proclamations more seriously if we weren't already bleeding. Such a brave Alpha you are, ordering your entire pack of traitors to attack three adult wolves who were looking after pups."
                          
Tyson, a dark gray Omega with white paws, snarled in agreement.

                          
Ivy had never seen the forty something mechanic bare his fangs at anyone before.  Watching her former babysitter prepared to attack someone made her blood run cold.
                          
"That is only because you attacked us first." Kendra strode forward the picture of arrogance in her wolf form. "What did you expect us to do?"
                          
It was sheer dumb luck that she and Kenji hadn't been noticed yet. Ivy thanked the moon that she had other forms of magic in her blood besides the shifting kind as she cast a Notice Me Not Charm. It would have to do until they could figure out a plan.
                          
"You were banished." Tyson barreled towards Kendra, fangs snapping in pure, raw fury. "You knew what would happen if you showed your face in our territory again. Coming here was a declaration of war."

                          
Kenji's scent spiked with terror as his anxious gaze found Ivy's. "What should we do? If we shift, they'll hear us and we'll lose the element of surprise, but they're outnumbered."
                          
He was right. If they didn't do something, the odds were not in Sandra's and Tyson's favor. They couldn't win against a pack that size. Not without help.
                          
There was really only one choice. They needed to stall for time while their other pack members arrived. "When the music starts playing, I want you to shift as fast as you can and attack. Aim for Ash, Kendra, and Jared. They're clearly in charge. The others will likely give up without an Alpha to guide them."
                          
"Music? Ivy, what are you talking about?" Kenji frowned, confusion written all over his fury face.
                          
"You're foolish. You're going to die. You're no Alpha." Kendra met Tyson's charge halfway and the two crashed onto the ground together. 

                          
Mud, dirt, and water went everywhere as they each vied for dominance. 

                          
She didn't have time to explain. Ivy took out her phone and started playing her ring tone at maximum volume. It was hard not to be distracted when Hungry like the Wolf started playing out of nowhere.
                          
"Am I going crazy or is an 80's song playing?" Jared blinked, looking around for the source of the sound.

                          
Ivy didn't waste time replying as she began to shift. Desperation poured through her veins as human skin gave way to russet fur and she got down on all fours. Her hands and feet morphed into powerful paws with cruel claws and her teeth became fearsome fangs in record time. The sound of her bones changing was nothing more than mere background noise as she hurled herself towards Kendra.
                          
"Get away from him!" Ivy slammed into the other she-wolf, knocking her off of Tyson. 

                          
Kenji likewise had already transformed into a wolf. He wasted no time in taking advantage of Jared's confusion. The colossal sized Beta smashed. "Oh you're definitely crazy for Mating a bitch like Kendra, but you're not imagining the music."