"Shannon?" A voice called out to her causing her heart to leap into her throat, the stranger had disappeared and when she turned around she found Noah standing behind her. She could see his eyes widen with recognition for the first time since they had gotten on this road trip.
"I've wanted to get to know you a long time Noah..." Shannon blushed, feeling like the tween school girl she always was as she walked up to him ever so softly. "I ....always had a crush on you." She confessed, gazing down at her feet before meeting his eyes.
"I...I liked you too Shannon, I just never got to know you until now." He responded, as she took his hands, for a moment she could only hear the pounding of her heart, the wolf inside her threatened to spill out, wanting to tackle Noah and lick him all over until he was covered in her scent. She bit it back down and leaned in, standing on the tips of her toes she kissed him, it was the very first kiss in her life, and for a moment the cold air, the danger, the test, it all did not matter. All that mattered was the two of them at this very moment.
"A sacrifice has been determined." A larger voice rumbled, different from the stranger, deeper and more ancient than the previous one she had been talking to. "For as long as the Dragons protect your pack, the human Noah will remain here captive."
"NO!" Shannon screamed, her eyes glowing gold as she stepped forward infront of Noah, her fur rippling across her body. "If you need someone to be your captive, take me! I will stay willingly!"
The voice seemed to pause and then chuckle "You will give up your role as Alpha? You would lead your pack to ruin by leaving them in their time of need?"
Shannon shook her head. "I trust my Beta, she is young, but she is smart, she will lead them to victory over the Werebears." She said confidently, balling her paws into fists at the unknown voice.
"Let me stay." Noah stepped forward, placing a hand on her furry shoulder. "I'm not a werewolf, I can't do much, but if this is how I can help your pack, then I should be the one to stay!" He argued as Shannon looked back at him, her eyes widening in shock.
The voice seemed to take another deep pause, for a moment Shannon wasn't sure her heart was even beating, if it was the gaps between the beats could fill an eternity. "The bond you two share as admirable but can you truly know some one if they are keeping secrets from you?" The voice asked.