Anais could feel pressure growing against her magical barrier as the wolves surrounding her pressed in, barely held at bay by the shock of the electricity surrounding her. At this rate, she’d be able to gather enough mana for a counterattack long before they could do her any harm.<br/><br/>Slowly, she opened her eyes, just in time to see the biggest wolf of the bunch charging straight toward her. Lightning coursed through its massive, shaggy form, making its fur stand on end, but its desire to breed the spirited young female proved stronger than the pain. With a snarl of exertion, it sprang forward, crashing through the barrier with the force of its leap and slamming hard against its half-elven prey.<br/><br/>Anais gave a startled cry as she hit the ground, her sabre clattering to the ground beside her. Pain lanced through her, made worse by the sensitivity that followed channeling so much mana, and stars danced before her eyes. With the full weight of a dire wolf on top of her, she couldn’t do anything more than squirm uselessly beneath it.<i>Stay calm. You can still fight if you just stay calm.</i><br/><br/>The proof of the wolf’s intent pressed against her thigh, just inches above the hem of her tunic and her bare skin. Even with the fabric separating them, she could feel the throbbing, unfamiliar heat of it. She knew what it was, but she’d never actually<i>felt</i>one before. A sudden, terrifying panic filled her, making her green eyes glisten with the promise of tears. She’d never even imagined that her first time with a male could be like<i>this</i>.<br/><br/>The wolf reached down to take her tunic in its jaw, the smell of its hot breath washing over her, then<i>CLUNK!</i>With a yelp of pain, the wolf went flying off of her and tumbled to the ground.<br/><br/>Trembling, Anais climbed to her feet, thankful that her savior couldn’t get a good look at her face. “Thank you,” she said in a quiet, shaky voice, and rubbed her eyes on her sleeve. From what she could see, she’d been saved by a voluptuous woman wielding a silver-tipped cane. Maybe she was just imagining the outline of the least suitable outfit for a trek through the woods she’d ever seen.<br/><br/>She glanced around as she picked up<i>Theneras</i>, glad to see that Sabriella and the princess looked to be having a bit more luck than she was. Once she had her sword firmly in hand, she straightened, facing the wolves again. What she saw made her breath catch in her throat. The wolves were changing; as their bodies became even more twisted and muscular, their blood-red members swelled to an even more appalling size. Had the virus reacted to their desperation?<br/><br/>“I’m Anais,” she said, getting ready to slash at any wolves who tried to get at her or her mysterious rescuer. “I’ll watch your back if you watch mine.”<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>