* * * ~~~ * * *
Collin waited patiently in his office for the results of Mica's fresh blood sample. There had to be an explanation to the positive pregnancy tests. Now he gritted his teeth, he’d been more than happy with the thought of an heir. A Lycan heir at that, but yet again he was cheated. Collin was a multimillionaire, with deep connections in every walk of life from the top military heads of the government to small time circuit judges and criminal kingpins. He had his fingers into everything and left no trace of his dealing with any of them to cover his own back. Power was something he had in spades, but the only thing that he’d ever wanted seemed to be out of his grasp.
The rapid knock at his office door actually startled him. Looking at his guard, he gave him a nod to answer it. The more than excited faces of Dr. Martine and his lead scientist on the Lycan Hybrid serum walked in. For once neither of them seemed nervous.
"Well?” Collin asked getting to the point straight away.
"Well sir we have some fascinating news." Dr. Levets said as she fixed her glasses on her nose.
"Ah yes fascinating!" Dr. Martine echoed her excitement.
"Tell me.” Collin said and motioned for them to take a seat across from his desk as he sat down in his leather chair to face them.
"The blood work showed that Mica isn't pregnant as we first believed. Her cells, however, are mutating at astounding rates. "
"And that means what exactly?"
"Well, she no longer shows any DNA of a human genome or any of the Lycan strain either...she' becoming a new species all onto herself."
"A new species. Isn't that what these experiments were supposed to accomplish?"
"Oh yes, but we never anticipated these types of results."
"Explain...in English please!" Collin was already losing patience with the two.
"Well you see, she no longer carries any dormant Lycanthrope genes.... they have completely taken over. She’s the truest form of a werewolf you will see, other than the infant."
"What about my niece?"
"Well that's another interesting find. Her DNA is again different from her mothers. We believe it's because of the Feral bloodline. The ability to semi-transform should already have taken full effect."
Collin stared at them blankly. Baby boy Ferals had been known to be born in a semi-transformed state. It was one reason they always used kinfolk midwives. But no child stayed that way and it was a rare occurrence to begin with. Most lost the ability all together and never recovered it becoming plain kinfolk like him. It was why their bloodline was dying off so fast.
"Lea is only two months old, those effects shouldn't be possible!” He stated dumbfounded by the news.
"Yes we know, but her blood samples are proof. She’s a full out lycanthrope, most likely able to turn into something similar to a werewolf of old legends." Dr. Levets explained with too much enthusiasm.
Looking from one doctor to the next, he knew that if they had screwed up the test results this time he’d personally kill them both.
"Can you clone it?"
"Well...no!" Dr. Levets stammered.
"Why not?"
"It's too aggressive...it destroys the other junk cells to rapidly to get enough material to clone. However, we did see some interesting effects happen when we did a raw transfer to a lab rat.
"Again in English!"
"Oh well yes, you see we took a small bit of Mica's DNA from her new sample and injected it directly into a lab rat.” She stated and then sat there quietly.
"Okay and what the hell happened!"
"Well the rat died. But not until after it underwent an amazing metabolic change, as well as a DNA switch."
"What the hell does that mean!"
"It means it started to turn into a, for a lack of a better word, wererat." Dr. Martine finally piped in.
"We believe if a person with the dormant Lycan DNA was given a transfusion of Mica's blood or even bodily fluid for that matter, that they would eventually become like her... or die." Dr. Levets said the last part in a barely audible whisper.
"What about Lea?"
"Well there is another interesting case. Her DNA transfer did the same thing, however, the test subject died in a semi transformed state. We are performing tests on the rat's remains and will know more in a few hours."
"Tell me what you need. I want everyone to drop their other projects and work on this. It's the top priority." Collin said. A grin played on his face. His day was looking up.
Chapter 27
The two of them drove in silence. Alaric had made up his mind tonight they would strike at one in the morning. He’d moved the time ahead and now as the small convoy of vehicles turned down the access road, Greg worried that his plan may fall apart. Greg's last communiqué with his men was two hours ago and they told him things were quiet and uneventful. Most of the shaman women were exhausted from a battle down towards Denver and apparently it would take a few days for them to regain the strength needed to aid the pack. It was a bonus for Greg
Everyone would be in place soon. There were seven teams of seven werewolves, plus the five kinfolk snipers in position to take out anyone trying to flee. With only sixteen werewolves and a handful of skilled or trained Kinfolk, the feral pack would not stand a chance in hell of surviving this attack. This would bring the Amalgamation to attack any and all Alliance related peaks. They all knew it and were using this as a way to force a full out conflict. Greg knew Collin had orchestrated all of it. He’d more pull in the Lycan packs than many even realized.
The Hummer pulled to the side of the old dirt road two miles out from the Feral held territory. As Greg and Alaric got out, he heard the rest of the vehicles coming to a stop behind him. There were seven in this attach regiment. Turning to face his fellow Lycan's, Greg watched his Alpha stripped down and shift. They all knew the plan and there was no way in hell anyone would be left alive by the time the forty- nine werewolves in this pack were done.
Greg hoped that his men on the inside were ready. That this went off without a hitch. Alaric wanted to kill Victor himself; giving the order for no one else to touch him. In a few minutes Victor should already be dead as Rick was set up to take him down with his sniper rifle. Silently Greg hoped that when the dust settled, Alaric would also be a casualty of this invasion. Before he shifted, Greg sent the pre-made text to Max.
‘You have twenty minutes before Hell comes to town’
The seven of them moved in complete silence towards the sleeping community. His heart felt heavy for the women and children that would be slaughtered senselessly in this battle. Greg had never wanted for that to happen. It's not an order he’d ever give as an Alpha.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Frank walked into the old log home, he was tired and feeling the loss of Bryce. With a heavy heart he stepped inside the living room and saw Ajei standing there waiting for him. Stepping into his wife's arms, he held her close and she squeezed him to her chest.
"I'm so sorry Frank.” She murmured. As he kissed her cheek, he tasted her salty tears. She’d been close to his cousin as well, he knew in his heart if she could have saved him she would have.
"I know Ajei, just don't you ever leave me...okay!” He said, the thought of ever losing her had always terrified him, now more than ever.
"Frank death is the only thing that is a guaranteed in life.” She told him with a weak smile.
"How are the rest of the women doing?” He asked. Frank needed to change that topic.
"Tired, it will be a couple of days before we can do the Right of Beta. Several of them are nearing dangerous exhaustion levels. It was a bigger fight than we had thought.” She told him with great concern.
Frank knew it took a lot out of them, but in their future battles there should be more Lycans to help. Three new packs were looking to join the Amalgamation and one had nearly twenty Lycans in their pack. One was petitioning for Shea to be mated to their Alpha's son.
"Shea?"
"Your bear spirit
child is fine. She’s about the only one still up and on her phone.” His wife said with a grin.
"Let me guess...Ryder?"
"Yes, I think she’s infatuated with him."
Frank stepped away from his mate and headed into the kitchen holding her by the hand.
"We need to talk about that.” He said. He knew Ajei had already liked the idea of Shea being bonded to someone she was in love with. But he needed this new pack and she was the seal to them joining. Ajei looked up at him her eyes never telling what was on her mind, she was good at masking her feelings.
With a deep breath he steeled himself for the rebuttal he knew she’d make for Shea. "Colby Mires of the Mires pack has petitioned for his son to mate Shea!” He told her and this time her eyes darkened.
"Frank she’s meant for another!"
"But we need them to join."
"Shea will not want this."
"It's not her choice to make."
"It should be."
"If we were not at war it would be, but unfortunately I have to think of our pack and the Amalgamation too."
"She's your daughter Frank not a poker chip."
"Ajei—"
"Don't Ajei me. Have you learned nothing from knowing the Ferals? Look at Victor and Mica. They are in love and he as well as she would move heaven and earth for one another.” She lectured him.
"Yes but look at the cost..."
"Don't twist this—” Her words froze, he saw goose bumps run up her arms and the hairs on them stood on end. "Frank, we are not alone!"
Looking around he saw nothing, yet the air in the room felt chilled and a shiver ran down his spine. A spirit was here and by his wife's reaction it was not a nature one. Slowly a form became visible several feet away from where they stood in the kitchen and as he watched a man's ghost stood there. He’d never seen him while he was alive, only in pictures. But the family resemblance alone would have been enough to tell him who it was. Mike Feral, Victor's slain younger brother.
* * * ~~~ * * *
They had gotten back later than he’d hoped. Victor looked at his watch as Frank let him out and saw it was half past midnight. The lights were on in the house and as he walked up the step, he smelt a strange new scent in the air around it. Victor moved silently and slowly opened the door. Victor stood there frozen for a moment in disbelief as he stared at Scott. The sight that met him had him ready to kill. Scott stood there with Mica in his arms looking at her with lustful eyes and he’d just told her he loved her. “Get your paws off Mica!”
He could sense the other male begin to shift forms and he was a little taken aback. Scott was supposed to be a human.
"Stop!" Mica cried out as Victor felt his fangs and claws erupt to defend his mate.
"Get away from Mica!” He growled out again.
"No." Scott growled inhumanly, his eyes began to shine eerily in the light.
"No, something's wrong, Victor, he needs our help. He shouldn't be able to do this!" Mica said. She put her hand on Scott's arm and the man visibly calmed.
Victor had walked in to hear the words uttered from Scott's mouth. The man's declaration of love had not been returned but Victor may have interrupted Mica before she could answer.
"Why should I help him?"he asked hatefully.
"Because he's part of this pack!"
"He's trying to steal you from me." Victor heard the near snarl in his words and looked at the slightly larger man. He knew if they both shifted in here and fought, Mica and Lea would be in danger of getting hurt. That calmed him, but only enough to stop the rest of himself from going over the edge to his beast nature.
Scott stared from Mica to himself, then reached to the chair and grabbed his coat.
"You've made your choice. Good bye Mica” He said his tone angry and nearly guttural sounding.
"Scott, no wait." Mica pleaded. But Scott stormed out the door passed Victor and he felt both relieved and worried. What choice had Scott given her to make and why.
Mica grabbed her shoes and Victor stood in the way of the door. His mate glared up at him.
"Victor I have to go after him.” She said.
"No, leave him be. He will sort it out on his own."
"He needs our help. Scott’s turning into a Lycan because of me!"
"Mica you need to calm down. Rushing after him won't help him, it will confuse him." Victor wasn't sure why he was being so calm about all this, but part of him was thankful that he was.
Victor took out his phone and was ready to call Frank to let him know about Scott's condition, when Lea started to fuss in the bedroom. He looked to his still upset mate. "Go get Lea, she sounds hungry. I'll call Frank and they will take care of Scott."
"Victor he's my friend, please don't let them hurt him.” Her words told him Scott was more than a friend and his chest ached.
"I won't, I promise.” He whispered and gave Mica a quick gentle hug. She smelled of Scott and he fought for control again at the other man's scent on her.
Watching her walk towards the bedroom, he felt helpless to stop whatever bond that was deepening between her and Scott. They hadn't had sex, he’d have smelled that, but he’d touched her. Her hair and face smelled of the other man and Victor wonder what exactly he’d walked into. That question had to wait; Scott was a ticking time bomb. An uncontrolled male Lycan going through the change for the first time was always dangerous. They needed guidance and as an adult Scott would be more then hard to deal with if his beast took total control.
The cell phone in his hand rang and he stared at it for a second. It was Frank.
"Hey I'm gla—"
"Get out of the house now!" Frank yelled into the phone.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Scott was mad, Mica loved him, wanted him yet she couldn't bring herself to let go of Victor. When he stood there looking at the rage in Victor's eyes, knowing that another man was in love with Mica, he knew exactly how Victor felt. The pain of losing her had filled him that night in the barn when he’d nearly shot what he assumed was an enemy.
Mica had thrown herself into Victor's arms, sobbed his name over and over and Scott's heart broke. He knew he wasn’t doing the right thing by trying to get between them, but his heart only knew what it wanted and that was her. Leaving here would be best, staying would only hurt him. As he closed the door behind him he felt tears sting his eyes. The mission would be his only concern from now on.
The Flock wanted to make a change with the way the Lycan society worked. His sister Ann led them and with her, he’d learned to fight for what was right. They had only wanted to be seen as equals. For the past ten years they built their connections, had made inroads into every pack in most of North America. Now they most likely outnumbered either one of the Amalgamation or the Alliance. So far every move they made was in secret, watching and waiting for the time to make themselves known. They knew that it may come down to a real battle, but had he known what some of the costs may be.
He made it only a few feet from the house and saw a movement on the high bank of a knoll that over looked this area. It was in a heavily wooded section several yards to the east side of the house. It had been such a subtle movement and he’d thought for a moment that it was the wind in the foliage. He paused and watched as someone dressed in all black slunk lower. The smells of Max, Rick and Morris assailed his nose as the winds shifted ever so slightly. At first he thought nothing of it, but now he froze after taking only three more steps.
Scott saw the red line of light play out in the air. If he had still been normal kinfolk he never would have seen it. But with the more acute sight he now possessed, the red line glowed like a beacon in the night air. It played on the window to the kitchen of Victor and Mica's bungalow. He’d received enough time in specialized training from the Flock to know what it was. Mica and Victor were in the kitchen and one of them was about to die.
Chapter 28
Mica steed into the bedroom and smelt the diaper before she even got to the cradle. Lea was now
gurgling and as Mica looked down at her, she smiled. The sight of her precious child made her feel calmer. She seemed not too fussy yet and Mica grabbed the wet naps and a diaper.
"Hello beautiful!" Mica cooed to her as she changed her.
"Are you hungry, or do you want your Daddy?" a smile again crept on her face at being able to say that word. Lea gurgled back and Mica's heart lightened.
"Okay sweetie lets go take you to see your daddy.” She said as she lifted her up into her arms.
"You're getting so big sweetie!"
Lea was growing fast. It amazed her how time had seemed to go in only a matter of a couple months. Flashes of memory swept over her mind. The experiments and daily injects. The testing and strange questions they asked her about how she felt after each new needle or experiment. Collin was responsible for whatever was happening to her and Lea. Now Scott was infected somehow, most likely from her bite and she knew that if Collin found out about Scott he’d be hunted down too. A part of her felt a little more than guilty for that.
Nothing had worked out the way it should have. Victor should have been there with her when she gave birth to Lea. Should have been able to watch her come into this world. Instead it had been Scott, he’d risked everything saving her, but now she had to wonder to the real reason for it. He said he loved her, said he wanted and needed her but why then had he lied. They were friends and she somehow felt betrayed by the information she’d learned about him.
Mica walked out of the bedroom, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She was in love with two men and although in her heart she knew she’d never leave Victor, would never betray the mating bond they shared. She felt heartbroken that she and Scott would never be together. It was such a confusing feeling.
"Victor—” Her words died on her lips.
Everything happened in a slip second. She saw the red dot play on the side of his head as he stood a few feet from the kitchen window staring down at his cell phone. The kitchen door flew open and Scott stepped in. His eyes looked right at her, then his head snapped to look to Victor.
The Lycan Wars- Revised Edition Page 18
