Yeah, here's the second bit. I was writing it before I received feedback on Part one, so there's probably the same mistakes.

Any ways, here it is. I know it's uber-short. >.<

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was only one thing to do. She took a deep breath - and slid into the water. It was warm and light, but her shorts and t-shirt weighed her down. A flurry of silver bubbles danced before her eyes, and far, far down - sand. Too far. She cursed herself silently for choosing the one place that there was a drop-off before surfacing.

Spotting a large rock about five feet away, she swam over and hid behind it, treading water.

"Ay-" her mother's voice was cut off abruptly. Ayra tensed and clutched the ridged stone with desperate fingers. A moment later, snarls shredded the silence. Terror sank under her skin.

She leaned away from the rock, craning her neck to see what was happening on the beach.

Her mother was sprawled on the sand, and four large wolves stood in a ring around her. The largest was an enormous white female with eyes as black as pitch.

Ayra. A whisper of thought - not her thought - brushed across her mind, as light as a dew-spangled spider web. She recoiled from the contact, and heard a low growl of amusement from the white wolf.

Do not be afraid. The voice was more pronounced now, as if it had delved deeper into her mind. She did not have the strength to reply. Her eyes, wide with horror, were fixed on her mother's spread-eageled body. What have you done with my mom? she screamed with her thoughts.

Nothing. She is simply unconscious. The wolf - she supposed that it was the Alpha female - replied calmly.

Why? Why did you knock her out? Ayra asked. Adrenaline spiked through her veins; she didn't pause to reflect on the fact that she was communicating telepathically with an animal.

The wolf bared her teeth in what Ayra supposed was a smile. You will find out soon enough. Now, leave the water. There is another world waiting for you.

WHAT? She asked scornfully. Another world? What kind of lame joke was this?

You will see. Patience is a virtue. The wolf flicked her tail and turned to face one of her comrades; a smaller black female. Ayra watched, fascinated, as they exchanged a message with subtle movements in their ears and tails; the merest glimpses through narrowed eyes. The ebony-furred wolf turned away in what Ayra thought was an abashed manner and gave an aggrieved whine. The Alphess took up a regal posture - ears slicked back, paws splayed - and barked at Ayra.

She must want me to get out of the water, she thought, and clambered onto the rocks. Despite the warmth of the sun and sand, she was shivering.

"What is this whole...mess?" she asked out loud. Her voice was tinged with anger.

Instead of replying with her thoughts, the white wolf swished her tail and led her pack into the trees. Ayra was too tired to do anything but follow - although she stopped and kneeled by her mother on the way. Her skin was pale and cold, and there was a sheen on sweat on her brow, but she appeared unhurt. Ayra breathed a sigh of relief and entered the woods.