As her mate turned to Scott, she heard the breaking of glass, her screams echoed into the house.
* * * ~~~ * * *
The world seemed upside down suddenly as a heavy body hit him and knocked him over onto his ass. The smell of blood, sweat and rage filled his nose. He’d heard Mica scream, had heard the breaking glass and Frank's warning resounded in his ears for them to get out of the house.
"Stay down!" Scott yelled.
"Victor, oh God!" Mica was screaming from the living room.
"Get Down Mica!" Scott yelled again.
The sound of more breaking glass and running feet made Victor push Scott off him. As he looked at Scott, he saw the blood running from his shoulder. He’d been shot. The man had just taken a bullet for him.
"Get them out the back door!" Victor growled out the order to the injured man. Scott looked at him a little stunned.
"Take Mica and Lea and run. Make sure she goes and get her someplace safe. Now!" Victor demanded. Scott scrambled towards where Mica had fled to the bedroom.
Victor shifted, half man, half beast and the howl that reverberated from his chest echoed out into the night air through the broken windows. Every Lycan for miles would hear the warning. They were under attack. He couldn’t leave his pack, he needed to defend them and he knew in his heart Scott would do whatever was needed to protect Mica and Lea.
Victor rushed outside from the side door. He rolled in beside the truck for cover. His bestial face scrunched up to sniff the air. The scent of Max, Rick and Morris assailed his nose and he heard feet rushing towards the house. With just enough of his face looking out passed the bumper he could make them out in the darkness. The heat of their bodies showed clearly to his animal nature. Rick had a rifle slung over his shoulder and the barrel was also giving off heat patterns. This was another advantage to being a Feral. The capability to see heat patterns at night. No other pack had the ability, only them.
The adopted members were trying to kill him. Kill his mate and now he was more than mad. The anger fed his beast and he shifted more. The thing of nightmares now waited in the shadow of the truck. It was ready to kill the attackers. Victor went off the deep end as he let the beast take over completely. It saw its prey, knew it must die and as one got too close to the truck it sprung.
The gargled sounds of Morris's cry died as quick as he did as the enormous clawed paw tore out his throat. He saw the body jerk, the blood sprayed out in a heated shower of crimson. The other two wheeled around. A look of shock played in their eyes only for a second and he felt them trying to shift. They too never got the chance.
The night air was filled with the cries to battle from at least seventeen Lycan's. All answered his warning for several moments ago. Lifting his head into the air, he returned the howl and now smelt more Lycan's. Dickson werewolves were here and Victor wanted blood.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Mica stared at the bundle in her arms, Lea growled with a tiny throaty sound. Scott came staggering into her room, his eyes glowing. He opened his move to say something just as she heard her mates howl of warning. It pulled at her, she felt the pain ripple over her body and felt the change try to take hold. It was a struggle to keep from shifting. As Scott grabbed her by the arm and dragged her toward the back door, every part of her felt panicked.
"Victor!” She tried to tug free to go to her mate.
"No, we have to protect Lea!" Scott's words were barely understandable as he pulled her harder in the direction he wanted her to go.
Scott nearly dragged her out the door, her inner wolf wanted to join the fray as her mate had commanded.
"Mica stop fighting me, we have to get you someplace safe. Victor needs to know you and Lea are okay. Come on!” He demanded as forced her down the back steps and towards the woods. The human part of her knew she needed to get Lea away from here.
She heard the furious battle going on at the front of her home, fear for her mate filled her. But she knew she needed to get Lea out of harm’s way.
"Scott, you're bleeding!” She stated as she now went with him.
"It's okay; I will look at it after. We need to get to the lake now!"
"The lake?" Mica asked as they ran.
"Yes, come on I have a four wheeler over in the woods.” He told her.
Before they could reach the cover of the trees and make their escape, her neck hairs prickled. Seven sets of eerie glowing eyes rushed towards them. Scott let out a snarled growl and stepped in front of her. The savage sounds which had echoed in the air from the front of the house had stopped just moments ago. Now an ungodly roar of hate and rage filled the air from some where's behind her.
The wolves coming at them did not slow down and as she made them out she saw the telltale silver streak in the facial fur of the lead wolf. It was her father. Lea howled in dismay in her arms and then all hell broke loose.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Alaric halted suddenly at the warning howl from within the small community. He felt his fur stand on end at the eerie sound that could only be that of an Alpha calling his wolves out. There were more response howls ripping into the night air and not all of them came from the town. He and his team of six wolves were nearly at Victor's home. He knew they should turn back, but he was hell bent on revenge. Alaric snarled back at his group and they followed. They crested out over a small knoll which overlooked several small homes. He was stunned at the sight he saw.
Fleeing from the back door of a small bungalow he saw a large man, who was not Victor, and a small woman. The woman was Mica. Within her arms she carried a small bundle and as the two fled he caught the scent of baby powder. He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight. Alaric felt the rage wash away and a new feeling of elation came over him. Mica was alive, his child was here and she carried a baby in her arms.
His orders to his Lycan war party came flooding back into his mind. Kill everyone, Lycan, human-male, woman and child. Not a single Feral pack member was to be left alive. His own orders would ensure that his daughter would be slain at the hands of his own men. The thought of the snipers waiting in the perimeters to take out anyone trying to flee had him bolting towards the three trying to escape the house.
Alaric needed to save her, he’d failed to keep her from Victor, had failed to protect her from whatever had happened to her during the Timber slaughter. He’d not let his child die. Would not let anyone else harm her. He had a second chance and now he needed to protect her from his own.
The large man stepped in front of Mica before they could reach her. From the shadows of the house a roar of rage resounded into the air and Alaric felt fear. His inner wolf whimpered at the sight before him. The massive humanoid fur covered beast was a Feral. His black furred body was reeking of blood and his eyes shone with an eerie inner light. He’d heard the tales of the Feral's, had heard they were more closely related to the two lovers cursed to be monsters than any other of the packs. But he’d never before seen one in this form.
Blood droplets dripped from the beast enormous claws and his fangs were as long as a polar bear. The sounds of two of his team fleeing could just be heard as the thing roared again. The bundle in Mica's had howled like a wolf pup in distress and he knew he was going to die as it lunged straight for him. The burn of pain he felt coursed over him as fangs and claws ripped into his flesh as it grappled him.
"No!" Mica screamed out in anguish as everything faded in blinding pain and darkness.
* * *~~~ * * *
Victor felt hands grab a hold of him as he tore into the leader of the Dickson pack. Rage had consumed him and he turned to kill whoever it was that tried to stop him. He grappled the owner of the hand and heard a muffled groan of pain from the body he easily slammed into the ground under him. He pulled back a clawed hand to tear out the enemy's throat and froze. Mica lay there still and motionless under him. His vision blurred and he felt himself shift to a man. He was about to kill his own mate.
The sudden pain of a set of fangs tearing into him ma
de him howl out as the others took advantage of his mistake and two wolves were on him. Their teeth were biting into him as he tried to cover Mica from their attack. He felt her under him, her body shuddered and he sensed her shifting. The scream of pain tore from her and her clothing ripped from the stress of the change. Victor felt her soft fur under his naked body.
Victor rolled off her and shifted. She was okay and now able to protect herself. Her howl into the night air sent shivers through his bestial nature. His mate was ready to fight at his side. Scott had also changed and entered the fray. Together they dispatched of the remaining attackers. The three of them howled their victory as the last of the wolves fled with their tails between their legs.
Looking the scene over, he saw Alaric laying motionless on the grass. Blood was weeping from his wounds. He stepped closer to finish him and heard the deep growl from Mica behind him. She’d just challenged him and it left him stunned. His mate was protecting her father and now even though the man and the wolf wanted the interloper dead he couldn't. Mica would never forgive him if he killed her father.
He snorted his displeasure at her and heard the sounds of gun fire in the distance. They were still under attack and as he scented the air he smelt the invaders, the blood and Shea. Victor wheeled around and saw the girl standing near the tree line. She held a squirming furry wolf pup in her hands. The all black fur baby was Lea. Shea looked to be in shock as she held onto his daughter for dear life. Lea had totally transformed and the sight left him in awe. Pride welled inside him, his daughter was like the first child of the cursed couple of their legends. The very first Feral line had been a she-wolf born as a shifter.
Scott scooted towards him and whimpered ever so slightly. The larger male was the same colour fur as his mate and as the other male neared, Victor growled. Scott lowered his head to the ground and rolled to his back. He was showing his respect and willingness to follow him. Victor yipped and he was suddenly getting his face washed by both Mica and Scott's tongues. Both nipped at his chin in a sign of submission to him. Again he felt like his true self. Leader and Alpha of the Feral pack.
He changed forms and stood. Both wolves shifted, he eyed them both, like him they had been injured, but Mica's and Scott's wounds already showed signs of healing, where his were not.
"Scott take Mica, Lea and Shea to Jolynn's, Mica knows the way.” He ordered.
"Victor." Mica looked at him pleadingly.
"Go...you need to be someplace safe with our daughter, Shea go with them. I'll find your mom and dad and let them know where to find you!” He said and with that Mica threw herself into his arms and kissed him. The passion in the kiss was something he’d yearned for since she’d returned to him.
Pulling her free from his lips, he saw Scott looking heartbroken at them. He felt bad for the other man.
"You need to know that Jake is a traitor, you can't trust him!" Victor said and saw the shocked look on all three of the others faces at hearing the news.
"I'll kill him!" Scott growled out.
"No, I'll deal with him. You can't tell anyone about this, not even Jenni!” He demanded.
"But she needs to know!" Mica spoke up.
"No, I doubt she knows, but just in case she does, you can't say anything to her. I love you Mica, I will come find you when the fight is over.” He told her.
"I love you too Victor.” She told him.
"Keep them safe!” He growled as he shifted.
"I will protect them with my life!" Scott told him. Victor knew he meant it. Scott gently tugged Mica out of his arms and led them away.
Chapter 29
Collin walked into his penthouse suite, hung his coat on the hook and removed his shoes. The quietness within his home was a welcomed thing. The light on the answering machine flashed, but he was in no mood to hear from his ex-wife Lorraine right now. She was the only one who called here. Their marriage had been a farce. It had served its purpose in the beginning of his plans and now that he had her fortune she meant nothing to him, other than the occasional romp in the sack.
After they had married and he’d swindled her of her inheritance. Collin used the money to build his empire with. Now she called to beg and plead for a hand out. A dark chuckle passed his lips. Stupid girl had never thought to have a prenuptial made. With his dark charm he’d seduced every last cent from her, leaving her penniless. The thought of having someone take her out had crossed his mind from time to time, but she also was a beautiful lady. When she needed money, she did anything he wanted.
Yes power was something he loved and Lorraine was good in bed, doing anything he wanted for a hand out, trying to weasel her way back into his life. Whenever he had sex with her, he always gave her a few thousand, and sent her on her way, telling her she was a whore. Maybe he’d call her tonight, relive his dark fantasy of his last time with Mica. How he wanted to hear her plead and beg for him to stop.
The rush it gave him had left him not enjoying any other women. Lorraine would play the game. He knew she was desperate for cash and he wanted to feel that power again. Collin picked up the phone and called her. She sounded excited to hear from him and he told her to come by in an hour. Tonight he’d enjoy her body and even though the striking redhead looked nothing like Mica, he knew he only had to close his eyes and make believe it was her.
Smiling to himself he poured himself a glass of wine. He stepped in front of the window overlooking the cityscape. Soon he’d have Mica back as well as his niece. Then he’d be what he was always meant to have been. The thought filled him with more excitement. A Lycan would stand here instead of a normal man. His DNA would be altered by either the she-wolf or her pup once he had them and they made the transfer needed to change him. Yes everything he wanted was becoming a reality.
The sudden vibration of his cell phone in his slacks pocket brought him out of his dark thoughts.
"Yes?"
"It's me! There's a problem!" Jake's voice sounded panicked and afraid.
"What’s wrong?" Collin answered dryly. He didn't want to be pestered with his cousin's money problems tonight.
"Dickson wolves rushed us and there are a lot of dead here!” He began and the hairs on the back of Collin's neck stood on end.
"Mica?” He asked in a near yell.
"She's fine, but we need your help.” His words were a plea.
"What about my brother?” He asked.
"He’s still here. He’s hurt bad but he will live. We are still under attack Collin!"
"Where's Mica and Lea?"
"On their way Carson...she's going to our cousin Jolynn's. They’re safe but we need your—"
Collin hung the phone up. He didn't care if every last Feral was killed as long as his prize was safe. Jolynn lived less than five miles from where he lived. Her small farmhouse was on the border of Carson City and now Mica was his. This very night he’d have her back and now he didn't need the services of his ex wife. Why play with her when he could easily have the real thing!
Dialing his eight man recovery team he gave them the order. Kill Jolynn and her family and bring Mica back to the facility unharmed as well as the baby. Tonight he’d fulfil his dreams and Mica would help him whether she wanted to or not.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Scott passed Mica a shirt from his knapsack and pulled on a pair of his jeans. All of them managed to squeeze on the four wheeler. He was thankful the two women were only small. Even though Victor ordered him to take them to Jolynn’s, Scott had a different plan formulating in his mind. He knew all too well that Carson City was way too far away to travel on this machine. His sister was waiting for him at the lake. With her would be at least five to six armed soldiers of the Flock. They would be safer there than at the veterinary assistance if Jake was a traitor.
The drive was almost a half hour away and he knew it would be dangerous. Not using the headlights, he drove in complete darkness. His eyes were still able to see almost as if it was daylight out. Mica's bite had cursed him at the same time
it had blessed him. While in a wolf form he felt compelled to kowtow to Victor. The animal within him recognized him as the Alpha. The man inside him had hated it.
However, what was done, was done. He was given the responsibility to safeguard the three on the back of the all terrain vehicle, and Scott would die before he let anyone hurt his most precious cargo. He loved Mica and Lea, but they were never going to be his. Still, he also knew they needed him, the pack needed him and part of him wouldn't let him leave, not now, not ever.
He felt the tug on his arm and leaned back so Mica could make herself heard.
"You're going the wrong way. It's to the left of here.” She told him.
"We will never make it to Carson. There is help waiting for us at the lake!” He yelled back to her.
"Help?"
"Yes, my sister is there.” He told her and felt her stiffen more.
"Scott, Victor said to take us to Jolynn's place!"
"We will let him know where you are once we have a phone, but until then we go to the lake!” He growled it out as a command and he felt the weight in his own words.
The sudden retort of a rifle echoed in the woods and he heard the soft thud and Mica's groaned. Her body slumped against him and she gripped him hard.
"Scott !” Shea screamed as another shot rang out. This time he felt the graze of the bullet on his cheek. It burned and the blood trickled down his face.
"There's a gun in my bag Shea. Shoot back!” He yelled as he fought to keep control of the machine. The near miss had him a little shaken.
The Lycan Wars- Revised Edition Page 19
