They faced off, Xavier ready to shift as the smell became putrid with the strength of it. Serena fought the urge to vomit, bile rising up in her throat as she coughed and spluttered. Pairs of red eyes could be seen through the bushes, snouts and teeth pulled back in snarls. There were at least eight of them and Serena felt panic at the sight. Her healing magic would not be that useful in this kind of situation, instead pulling herself back as she shrank against the tree trunk.
Xavier shifted before they could attack, clothes ripping to shreds as Shadow took over, Stefan forming a barrier between himself and Serena as she watched helplessly. Stefan couldn't do much either but he could send them tripping over branches or sinking some of the earth beneath their feet. Sadly he was restricted
