Into the Wild

Every rustle of leaves, every creak of a branch beneath their boots was as well-known to them as their own names.

Above the treetops, a silver crescent of a moon had appeared. The three brothers walked through the close hewn woods; Dave led with his tall frame moving silently, sure. Behind him, Dean and Dan were exchanging good-natured jibes in low tones, the stillness of early morning broken by them.

"Think you're getting a little slow there, Dave," Dean said with an impish grin, leaping over a root and tapping Dan lightly on the shoulder to catch him into the game.

"Slow?" Dave returned, his tone accompanied by a glance in the direction of his brother that did not include breaking stride. "I'd like to see you keep up with me on the training grounds." He spoke casually enough; a small smirk pulling at his mouth.

Dan was the youngest and let his stride match to fall into step with them. "You two always gotta find something' to fight over, can't these patrols just be peaceful and quiet for once?"

Dean laughed and playfully dug his elbow into Dan's ribs. "Little brother, peace and quiet are overrated. We're the guardians of this territory, where's the harm in a little fun?

Dave gave them a sidelong look; his jaw was set in its serious line. "Keep your eyes on the ball, you two. We're out here for a reason. It's our responsibility to keep the pack safe, not play games."

"Lighten up, Dave," Dean said, though he sobered, knowing his brother was dead serious.

But with every step Dan felt the urge to speak his mind take over. "Still… don't you ever get tired of just… this?" He waved his arm at the path through the trees in front of them. "Routine patrols, circling the same spots, seeing the same shadows."

Dave shrugged briefly. "It's necessary, Dan. You know that.

Dan let out a quick sigh and turned a shoulder as if to imply that something was back there that he might want to see. "Just once it'd be nice to—"

He suddenly stopped dead, cocking his head to one side. "Wait a minute… you guys hear that?

Dean and Dave stopped, suddenly alert, as they listened. In the silence, a low, soft moan threaded its way between the trees. It was one of those sounds which sends gooseflesh up the back and speaks volumes of pain and exposure. The three exchanged a wary glance.

Probably just another trick," Dave muttered low. He gestured for his brothers to follow him and took a few cautious steps forward. "Could be a setup. Stay close."

They moved as one, struggling through the heavy undergrowth as they converged on the noise. Dave's keen eyes made out the figure slumped at the bottom of the tree, not so distinct in poor light. Tangled hair fell across her face and obscured her features, with her body quite still.

Dean frowned, crossing his arms as he overviewed the scene. "Seriously? We're supposed to buy this? Damsel in distress in the woods?"

Dan nodded skeptically. "Yeah, it's almost too easy. What do they think we are?"

Dave said nothing; he stared at the still figure. Another cautious step forward and he lifted his foot to nudge her shoulder with it, expecting a reaction from her. "Alright, enough. We're not falling for—"

Silence. She didn't budge. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, and as they peered closer, a thin line of dried blood was distinguishable trailing off her temple.

The bravado that normally occupied Dean's tone wavered for a moment as he turned to Dan with a concerned expression. "What if. she's really hurt?

Dan's curiosity got the better of him, and he crouched lower to study her up close. Very carefully, he moved the lock of hair covering her face to see pale skin and delicate features. "Look," he whispered, his voice very low. "The back of her head. It's bleeding. And she looks like she's been out here for a while, by the looks of it.".

Dave's eyes went soft, but his posture remained defensive. "If she's really hurt. she's a stranger to our pack," he said tightly. "And we don't know what she was doing out here."

Dean shrugged, eyes darting around as if expecting someone to pop out of anywhere at any moment. "Well, if this is some sort of trap, it's a darn convincing one.

They didn't say anything for a minute or two, each digesting the reality of her situation. For all practical purposes, she was alone and vulnerable and apparently in genuine need of help. Whatever suspicions they had just didn't quite weigh as heavy right then.

Dan spoke first; his voice was low, even, firm. "We can't leave her like this, no matter who she is."

Dave turned to Dean; Dean turned back-wordless understanding, sibling-speak. Years of fighting back-to-back, growing up together had forged an unbreakable bond between them. Not a word was spoken as each knew what the other was thinking.

Finally, Dave nodded and let out a soft sigh. "Okay, we take her back to the cabin. We find out who she is when she's safe.

Dean and Dan needed no further cue. Dan heaved gently at the woman's shoulders, Dean carefully supporting her legs, but between them they could handle her weight and moved together with quick, deliberate, and very careful steps.

They walked in silence, the heaviness of the moment draped about their shoulders like a thick cloak. It was Dean who finally broke the silence as they trod through the woods; his voice came out soft, but reflective: "You know, we have faced a lot of things in these woods, but… this feels different."

Dan nodded, much of the humor gone from his expression. "Yeah. There's something about her. I don't know what it is, but… she doesn't seem like just anyone."

Dave squeezed a little tighter, looking down at the unconscious woman they carried between them. Though his mind was alive with questions, he didn't let his attention waver. "Right now, she's someone who needs our help. That's all that matters.

The path to their cabin seemed longer; every step took them deeper into what they didn't know. None of them had so much as felt the tiniest inkling of a mate bond-no surge of instinctive connection-yet here they were, still moving under some unspoken compulsion of duty.

Reaching the clearing near their home, Dave announced in his most solemn voice but with a note of determination, "We will get her inside, ensure she is stable, and then find out what happened."

Dean nodded quickly, giving the woman an inquisitive look. "I'll get the medical supplies. And maybe some extra blankets," he added with a wry smile as his protective side came to the fore.

Dan chuckled but his eyes were grave. "Just don't use up our whole first aid kit on her. I don't want to be stuck with just band-aids next time I stub my toe.".

They laughed briefly, but it was not a truly lasting moment. The sooner their attention was back on the woman in their arms-the mystery she represented and the decisions they'd be forced to make in the hours ahead.

They gave each other one final look before taking her inside, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that would put their lives on a course they would never have envisioned.