-The Hunter

It was time for the hunt. I followed Aela outside of Jorrvaskr into Whiterun, weapons drawn we headed out running down the steps and through the town avoiding the suspicions of the guards. Anyone who got in our way would be slain tonight.

I heard heavy footfalls behind us, I glanced around as myself and Aela pushed through the Whiterun gates and out towards Skyrim. Farkas was hot on my heels, his two handed blade already drawn. The three of us ran out into the plains of Skyrim, the moon already high in the dark sky, the stars glistening down, none of us dreaming of Sovngarde. Aela howled to the moon, relinquishing her weapon waiting for her body to respond to the call. Seconds later, Aela's body contorted and twisted, her feet falling heavier than before. Fur sprouting underneath her armour and the air around her seeming to shake as she changed into what she enjoyed most. She grew taller and with her voice deepening she continued to howl until the cry of the wolf reverberated throughout the surrounding plains. We were far away from the other Nords that we would not be poached.

I followed suit and transformed painlessly, roaring as I flexed my newly created muscles, I barked and ran forwards, eyeing an innocent mammoth that would be killed with ease. I left the others in my wake and charged forward on my hind legs, dodging the onslaught of a hostile giant, preparing to pounce on the mammoth which the giant would only harvest for cheese. I leapt forwards sinking my teeth into the flesh of the gigantic beast, tearing through the flesh and leaving a gaping hole. Behind me I heard the others call, heavy breathing and the pounding of paws on the hard earth. Another werewolf leaped forwards, attacking the mammoth from behind, it sunk its jaws in the hind leg of the best. The mammoth let out a cry, swinging its head from side to side almost catching me with its huge tusks. I bit deeper, fresh blood seeping into my mouth, pouring down my dark fur; I slashed with my claw opening another gaping wound. The mammoth began to falter; with the combined attack from two werewolves the poor beast stood no chance. The giant let out an angry roar and smashed its stone and wooden club against the club, narrowly missing the third werewolf that teased its prey.

The mammoth collapsed, shaking the earth from its weight, dust rose up from the corpse, I snapped my head around and headed straight for the giant, running between its legs and slashing behind its knees. The giant stumbled forwards allowing the other werewolves to take their chances and attack. One pounced, grabbing the giant's weapon arm, forcing the giant to drop the club, the other werewolf jumped and slashed the giant's chest, and it let out a groan and began to slump backwards, blood splattering against the ground. I leapt forwards locking my jaws around the giant's neck and biting hard, I heard the crack of bone and gargling as blood mixed with oxygen.

The giant fell to the ground with a crash, I panted heavily, baring my teeth at the others proud of our success. I trotted over to the mammoth corpse and looked into its dead beady eyes, I looked at the others, Farkas already back in human form, putting back on his armour, probably shivering in his loin cloth in the bitter wind. I looked at Aela, who raised his head to the sky, I closed my eyes and howled, and I heard her responding to the call and she howled back with me.

Aela transformed back next, giving out a hearty laugh as she also pulled her armour back on, I stayed still, sitting back on my haunches. I was always the last to transform back. I let out a huff and stared unblinkingly at the others, Aela grinned teasingly, rummaging through the remains of the giant for any valuables. Farkas walked forwards, sheathing his weapon and running his supple thick fingers through my fur; I turned my head and tilted my head at him blowing hot air in his face. I hung my tongue out of my mouth and attempted to grin stupidly in wolf form, which both Aela and Farkas found amusing. Minutes later, I felt the ripples inside me, my arms shedding their fur, my long jaw retracting into my skull. The cold wind blustered against my half naked body, I too pulled on my armour and stretched to get used to my human form.

The night was slowly drawing to a close, we all knew that other giants would soon replace the one that had died, herding their own mammoths, in time we would also go on another hunt. We followed Aela back across the plains, our weapons drawn in case of an unexpected attack from a pack of wolves; they would be no match for us however.

Dawn was breaking by the time we reached the gates of Whiterun, the guards welcomed its Companions back. As we sheathed our weapons and stepped onto the stone pavement, we all looked at each other and smiled. The wolf inside at bay until its next awakening.