The Last Umbrian

by Jason Buckland

  Returning Home

  “How did you end up with these lot anyway?” Lucy asks as we walk through the fields. Since the last town we decided it’s too much of a risk and stuck to the fields. “I was looking for my friend that had disappeared. Sarah and Luke came looking for me and I ran. They caught me as their wolves and Luke turned me.” I tell her not afraid to share “did you find your friend?” she asks holding onto my arm “rather he found me. I was on the floor bleeding and he found me then left me” I tell her the words leaving a sour taste in my mouth. “Why on earth did he do that?” she cries outraged “because I was a lycan and he’s a werewolf” I tell her and she stops dead. “He left you to lay there bleeding and afraid because you was different. Some friend” she snorts wrapping her arm around mine and her touch calms my dormant anger. “What about you how did you end up with the hunters?” I ask curious about the girl that always seems to be smiling. “I was put into care at around five and the couple that adopted me were hunters. They told about how you are monsters that do round killing people and such and offered me a chance to join. I agreed and was soon sent off to the group you found me with and now I’m here. With a group of strangers, one of whom tried to kill me now a werewolf and heading to a lycan pack.” She says giggling towards the end. “Quite the tale” I laugh her giggle infectious “nothing compared to yours. Abducted child of legend, raised by the enemy to be found and return home” she says speaking like a salesman selling an idea. We walk along together and her presence at my side makes me feel happier than I have felt in a long time. Maybe is the slight skip in every step or the brightness in her gaze since she joined us. “Jason!” she cries suddenly and falls to the floor sobbing in pain. “Lucy!” I respond falling to her side before being pulled back by Luke. “It’s okay Jason she’s changing. It’s not easy for most people on their first turn.” He says into my ear and let’s go and I’m straight back to her side “it’s okay Lucy I’m here. You’re changing its going to be okay” I whisper as she changes unable to respond. Her arms and legs shorten and move to below her body. Her spine grows outwards covered in a mix of white and light grey. Her hands and feet shorten and form paws. When finished she stands there on four paws as high as my shoulders. Her light blue eyes looking around nervously her clothes lay on the floor ruined, her body now covered in light grey and white fur. “It’s okay Lucy I’m here” I sooth and she turns her head to face me and I can see the fear in her eyes.

  She walks around slowly but soon realises how easy it is and is soon running and jumping obviously pleased with herself and we watch on with a smile our face. “I’m sorry Lucy but you’re going to have to change back if anyone sees…” Ryan says and she shakes her head nodding towards the bundle of ruined clothes. “We are almost there now. You can surely put them back on till then” he groans and she shakes her head again and looks at both me and Luke and it doesn’t take a genius to work out the problem. “Come on Lucy we can head down the field a bit and I’ll hold up a towel” Sarah laughs picking up Lucy’s clothes and her bag before the pair walk off leaving the three of us to sit and twiddle our thumbs. “Did you know my parents Ryan?” I ask hopeful “I knew them quite well but then everyone did. Your dad was the alpha of the pack. The leader.” He says looking down at his feet “so who’s in charge now” I ask curious and Ryan says nothing “I think it’s safe to tell him now Ryan” Luke says and Ryan shoots his a glare of daggers. “Tell me what?” I ask my curiosity raised “the pack we are going to isn’t just some random pack. This is your pack. They are the lycans that had you not been taken would have been your family and the alpha of that pack is my dad.” Luke says “and you didn’t want to tell me this because?” “Because he might not welcome you with open arms, without an Umbrian as alpha he was the only option and once wolves climb up the ladder they don’t want to go back down.” Ryan says shaking his head obviously angry at Luke for telling me “then why did you find me?” I ask my excitement turning to fear. “Because he banished us, we argued you had to be found but he wouldn’t have it. He told us to leave and never return.” Luke says and the sile disappears as quickly as it appeared. “So I’m going home but the alpha, my uncle doesn’t want me there and you three aren’t welcome there. I guessing this is going to all blow up when we get there.” I say and neither of them reply. “Let’s say we get there and he wants us to leave what happens then? I ask irritated I’ve only been told this now. “Then there will be only one option. I’ll have to challenge him for the right to be alpha” Luke says and Ryan’s outraged “are you crazy Luke!? He would tear you apart” Ryan shouts “we have no other choice hopefully the fact Jason’s there dad will see sense and step down.” Luke says sadly and a tint of fear coats his voice. “Is he like me?” I ask not sure how to phrase the question. “A descendent, no. only your family is not the pack” Ryan explains “then ill challenge him” I proclaim and the other two look at me like I’ve gone crazy. “ you said it yourself I’m stronger and faster than any other lycan” I argue before they start but they argue anyway “ that may be but you don’t have a clue how to fight, especially not as a lycan, you’ve only been a lycan once for not even five minutes” Ryan protests “ if he fights like he does as a human as a lycan there won’t be a problem” Lucy says behind me and turning around I find her stood with Sarah her clothes torn and stretched but wearable. “I’ve seen other lycans fight and none where as fa
st as you were as a human.” “He’s right you two, he’s the one that has to fight Leon. He has to prove he’s more than just a name.” Sarah adds and the pair are left speechless. “I’m not afraid. This is what I was meant for.” I say softer the tension lifting. “I would have been alpha after my father if I wasn’t taken so it’s only right I fight for it myself” I add and the pair nod reluctantly. “You do realise that once you demand it there is no going back and it’s a fight to the very end?” Luke asks sadly “so I’d have to……” I ask and he nods glumly “and you are okay with that?” I ask and he shakes his head “I’m not okay with it, he’s still my father but the power of being alpha went to his head. He’s not the man he was.” he says sadly before rising and walking away. I start to follow but Ryan shakes his head and I sit back down. “Leave him go Jason. He has lost a lot” Ryan says sadly “he could have stayed. Been alpha after his father you know?” “Then why didn’t he?” “Because he wanted to find you, this whole journey was his idea. He wanted to hunt you down. He wanted to find his cousin.” He says quietly almost afraid of being heard. Sarah and Lucy sit there listening intently “then is his dad my uncle?” I ask “yes by law, he’s married to your mothers sister” he explains and a smile crosses my lips “I have an aunt?” I ask and he smiles “yes Jason you have an aunt and uncle” he says and then the realisation hits me “and I’m about to widow her” I say solemnly “no you will be saving her. My father is a horrid man, violent and abusive. The pack is falling apart with him in charge. Only by you killing him will you save the pack” Luke says reappearing his eyes firm but the skin around them remains red and wet. “I’m ready to fight him but I don’t know if I’m ready to be an alpha. I know nothing about your world” I say nerves hitting me hard. “You are an alpha Jason. I’ve seen it from the first moment I saw you, you refused to back down to me on the first day we met, you were willing to risk everything for us by going into the town alone and you showed a wealth of compassion is sparing Lucy. Courage, compassion and self-sacrifice. Three things an alpha must be, three things you are.” Luke says proudly and looking around me I see the feelings echoed on the face of everyone else there. “We will be at your side Jason. All of us” Lucy adds and I look at her shocked “don’t you look at me like that I’m never leaving your side” she snaps “nor am I” ads Sarah “I’m not going anywhere. We are all in this together till the end” Ryan adds and the show of support makes my eyes fill with water. “ then let’s go back home, all of us” I declare and with our heats full of pride and friendship rather than fear we head back home, them to the home they know and was ripped from them and me to my new home. As we pass through the next field what must be the packs home comes into view. A large but crumbling down what must have been a manor house. The once beautiful garden once tended to by staff is now and weed paradise, the walls are covered in climbing plants, the bricks underneath hidden. The closer we get the worse it looks and I wonder if it has always been like that or is it only now. “It looks terrible doesn’t it Jason? It wasn’t always like that. Once it was beautiful with so many people there the work was always done and it looked beautiful.” Ryan says nostalgically and the sight of the building seems to hurt him more than anything else. “I know it might be tempting but no one change or we will be in more trouble than we are already in” Ryan commands and there’s a silent agreement “oh look here comes the welcoming committee” Luke laughs and in the distance I can see them three people walking towards us and within a few minutes we are face to face. The first is a man in his early thirty’s, his bald head a stark contrast to his long light brown beard. Slightly overweight but moves with the grace of a dancer. The second is a cold and sharp women every part of her anatomy slim and extruded, her eyes colder than ice and harder than stone and finally in front is a man who stands with the posture of a queen with light wispy grey hair and dressed in peculiar black and white suit. “Don’t take this the wrong way when say I’m glad to see you but you aren’t welcome here” the suited man says sounding genuinely pleased “good to see you too old friend. We will be welcome. Have you met my new companion?” he asks and the trio’s eyes fall on me. “And you are?” the man asks the warmth done from his tone “Jason. Jason Umbrian” I reply simply and their jaws drop to the ground. “It can’t be! You found him?” the old man cheers almost leaping off the floor “we kind of found each other.” Ryan chuckles and everything seems to be going smoothly till the chubby man sniffs and his eyes fall straight onto Lucy. “You brought a werewolf with you!?” he roars outraged stomping towards her but freezes as a growl escapes my throat “you think I’m afraid of you boy?! Come here and we can see if you are an Umbrian” he growls back and I can only take a step before Ryan places a restraining hand on my shoulder. “That werewolf is a companion of ours and will be treated with the respect she deserves. He request an alpha to alpha meeting” Ryan says confidently “ you are aware that by doing so you are declaring yourself a separate pack, you forfeit all affiliation with us” the suit asks and Ryan nods “ I do” he says reluctantly. That’s it all our eggs have been thrown into one basket. “ and who is your pack’s alpha?” he ask looking at each of us one by one “ I am” I declare and the man smil
es almost expecting it “ well then if you would follow me and I’ll take you to the alpha” he says turning around and the trio walk ahead of us the fat one grumbling under his breath.

  At the house it’s not long till a crowd has gathered. Whispering and murmuring as we walk together. Many growl deeply at Lucy and make threats but she stands tall and smiles back. heading inside we find it in a better state the hallways are clean and airy an look freshly painted, pieces of wooden furniture and framed pictures cover the hall way before he have to head up the stairs in a single file line and final come to our stop. He suited man opens the door and straight away must regret it as he’s hit by a wave of abuse “didn’t I tell you I didn’t want to be disturbed! You stupid excuse for a lycan! A gruff voice shouts and you can hear him take a vulgar glug from a bottle before throwing across the room. The bottle must have been intended for the suit but I move faster than anyone can stop me and get in the way catching the bottle mid-flight and I see the thrower. Long oily shabby hair covers his forehead and a beard covers the rest the hair dampened by spilled liquor. He clothes are filthy and he stinks of sweat booze and things I don’t want to think about. If the man sent to greet us was fat he is obese his stomach poking out his top and his trousers under great strain. A strong odour of the worst cheese wafts from his bare feet. “Who the bloody hell are you?” he shout jumping to his feet outraged at my intervention. “I’m Jason Umbrian. I asked for this meeting” I say simply repulsed by the man “Lies! The Umbrian’s are gone!” he shouts outraged squaring up to me and I don’t back down. This mans as intimidating as my little sister (yes I still think of Lauren and David as my brother and sister) “no dad they aren’t” Luke says stepping into the doorway and the colour drains from his face. “You aren’t welcome here anymore” Leon hisses and Luke doesn’t move or respond “so what do want Jason? Why did you call this meeting and bring all those I sent away back?” the man’s spews spit covering my face as he slurs “I’m here to take back my parents pack. I’m here to challenge you” I say my eyes burning and my blood burning. “And if I refuse?” he says and it’s the chubby man that speaks “you can’t refuse, an alpha is obliged to defend his right to lead. To deny his challenge is to be disgraced by your pack and banished” he says his voice blunt and strong. Leon backs away from me terrified. “Okay….okay but we do it outside” he says and barges past us to be in front as we head down the stairs and back out the front door to find what looks like everyone has gathered to see what’s going on. Leon stops in what must be the courtyard a bare square of concreate. “This is my territory and we shall fight by my rules” he says and eyebrows are raised everywhere. “ there is no rules” I reply coldly and start to change almost enjoying being able to change I stand there and wait for him to change and looking at him in wolf form is almost comical the belly remains and looks horribly out of place and his eyes can’t focus from whatever he was drinking. I march on him straight away and swing for his face with open claws. His duck isn’t fast enough and the last two claws catch the side of his cheek. He leaps at me and we roll across the floor both our jaws snapping open and shut searching for the others skin but finding only air. Using the muscles in my legs I kick him off and he flies through the air landing back where we started with a thud. I quickly pull myself to my feet and run across the gap between us and give him a swift boot to the chest sending him rolling wheezing, blood dripping from his mouth. He lays there with his back to the floor and I take my time walking over. Standing over him he swings a feeble paw at my chest that I catch in my own and yank pulling him to his feet only to head-butt him back down. Blood stains my head and I’m not sure if it’s his or mine the collision has stars circling but not for long. Looking down I find him changing back as he slowly crawls away from me his nose horribly broken and his entire chest black and blue. Confused I look round hoping to see a friend for guidance but find no one. I’m alone. And as I watch him crawl away slower than a snail I change back my head throbbing and my body covered in scuffs from the tumble and sting at the touch of the cool breeze. “You win…okay…you…” Leon pleads holding up his hands in surrender. “No that’s not how this works you know that” I reply my voice mocking. “You can’t kill me” he says a smug smile crossing his face “and why not that’s how this works” “because…because” he stammers. I just shake my head and tut “because if you do I’ll kill her” a woman hisses behind me. Turning around I find Sarah walk out from the crowd, holding a knife to Lucy’s throat. “What are doing Sarah I thought…?” I start but she buts in “you thought that you could wander in her and ruin everything. I was promised to become his mate as alpha if I killed you but you had to ruin it so you are going to walk away and leave taking your werewhore with you” she shouts and I slowly back away from Leon holding my hands in the air. “You don’t need to do this Sarah.” I sooth hoping to convince her but she says nothing her gaze fixed on me. “Do think we will just take you as alphas because you threaten one when you were beaten? We will not take you as alpha anymore” a stranger in the crowd says and soon everyone is in arms and the colour drains from Sarah’s face. “Let her go Sarah. Please” I ask hoping there is some chance she will let go. Slowly she lowers the knife and drops it to the floor. Lucy now free starts to walk towards me then stops, winks at me and spins around with a right hook that knocks Sarah to the floor in heap out cold. “Don’t call me names you will hurt my feelings” Lucy says kicking the fallen girl. I’m at her side the blink of an eye lifting her chin so her eyes meet mine before gently brushing her hair behind her ear “are you okay?” I ask tenderly “no that punch hurt my hand” she laughs and I hold her close. “I’m not letting you out my sight again” I whisper in her ear and I want nothing more than to stay there but there is another matter I have to deal with. I find Leon still laying there still bleeding and trembling his eyes on the fallen Sarah but I’m not the first one to him “You what! You would leave mum and have her?!” Luke roars outraged as he emerges from the crowd his body mid change and as I start to intervene Lucy place her hand on my shoulder and whispers “I think you have done enough. Let him have it out” and as I watch
him walk towards him fuming as he changes I realise that I can’t let him. “Luke! Don’t” I shout and he looks at me confused and angry at my intervention. “You will never forgive yourself for this” I say as I walk towards him. “He’s an animal, a disgusting waste of space that just tried to kill Lucy and destroy my mother’s heart and you want me to let him go?!” he roars spiting over his own father. “No I don’t want him to go free” I reply placing a hand on his shoulder and glaring hard at the trembling Leon “this task falls to me not you. The fight isn’t over till one side is dead” I say aloud for all to hear and slowly Luke changes back and walks over leaving me looming over the crippled excuse for a lycan. Reaching down I pick up the knife that was held to Lucy’s throat a moment ago and bring it to his. I do it quick and hard not giving myself a chance to hesitate or for him to plead and as the blood stains my hand and the life leaves his eyes everyone around me cheers and chants. Congratulating me and patting my back. In the whirlwind of excitement I don’t get to check on my friend but I do him say in a mix of joy and sorrow “the true alpha is home”

  “Stop moving you big baby” Anne groans as I squirm once more as the damp cloths press against the side of my head. It turns out that the blood was both mine and his and it fine till someone touches it. “I told you its fine” I argue but the old woman just shushes me and continues to dab at the wound and shakes her head. “I can’t do it like this, I’m going to have to get rid of some of this hair” she says disappearing searching for some clippers and I consider leaving but Lucy would shoot me, as would Anna. When she repairers she holding both a set of clippers and a pair of scissors. “ god boy its only hair no need to feel emotional” she laughs at my distraught expression before setting to work snipping at my hair and the curl fall to my feet and the sight saddens me. “oh lord” Anne gasps before putting down the scissors and says to me quietly “you might want to hold onto something” and I grab hold of the arms of the wooden chair hard and just in till as I feel her pull at something in my head and it takes all my willpower not to scream but once it stops I can feel the wound heal in seconds and looking at Anne hoping she holds out the problem. One of Leon’s fangs had snapped off and lodged itself into my head and as she drops it into my hand still red with my own blood a wave of guilt comes over me. I took his life I killed him and I can never take that back. “Don’t you dare start feeling guilty!” Anne snaps and I look at her stunned “he made life here for everyone a misery, he abused anyone weaker and almost destroyed this pack. You have saved this pack and you saved Luke from a guilt that could have driven him mad. Sometimes the wrong thing is the right thing to do” “but what if…” I start but her normal warm gaze has gone hard and stops me in my tracks “don’t start what if’ing. What could happen doesn’t matter. What matters is what is happening.” She remarks and I nod my head in agreement. “I guess that’s a perk of being an Umbrian, not all of us heal like that, we heal fast a broken bone mends in a couple of days but that’s amazing even by our standards” she notes drily as she cuts over the rest of my hair to make it level “I didn’t know that, I don’t know much about anything. How am I going to lead a pack when I know nothing about the pack?” I ask her finding the old woman’s counsel wise and blunt. She puts it as it simply and I like that. No sugar coating the truth with Anne. “The same way you lead the group you travelled here with. Listen to those around you, led by example. The pack is only as good as its alpha, an alpha must mot lie or fail his promises or the pack will fall apart. The only thing holding us together before you arrived was hope monkey see monkey do. In normal times Leon would have been taken down straight away” she says her voice whispering off towards the end “normal times?” I ask and I hear her exhale deeply at the question. “The hunters have hunted us to the edge of extinction. The packs around the wold have lost contact. There is so few of us left that we can’t afford to fight like we used to. The word thinks we are monsters, myths but we have lives, friends, and family. We bleed the same blood and feel the same pain. Does being different mean we are dangerous. A few bad apples don’t always mean that the bunch is bad.” she ends with and I feel like it’s a topic she wants to drop so I do thinking over it myself to the gentle hum of the clippers and wonder if maybe this is what they mean by I will bring freedom, maybe I’m supposed to reunite the lycans and werewolves and stop the hunters. I lose myself so deep in thought about it that I barely notice the absence of a gentle hum and realise Anne has finished. Running a hand through my hair I realise that thankfully it’s not as short as I feared it would be but the curls that I once hate but grew on me now lay on the floor. “I wonder what your girlfriend will think of the new cut” Anne laughs “I don’t…..” “Oh come off it Jason. That werewolf girl has your heart in her palm. I saw the way your heart dropped when she was in danger and his way you ran to her. That’s love boy and we lycans only have one chance at love” she says sadness tainting her voice “what do you mean one chance at love?” I ask curious “we lycans are and old fashioned bunch. We don’t marry like humans do but nor are we animals. We are what we call mated. This is our marriage but it’s far more binging. Each party presents the other with a vial of their own blood which is dubbed over their forehead by each party’s family. The alpha wold say a few words and its over but there is old magic at work. The blood vanishes and from then out both lycans can see the others emotions. They will know any pain, sadness that the other feels or there happiness.” She explains and while I’m sure I have a long while yet till I would even consider it there is no reason why I can’t find it interesting. “But you’re only…… how old are you?” she asks almost surprised that she doesn’t know “I’m eight…..no I’m nineteen. My birthday was a few days ago” I tell her and she looks at me outraged. “And no one did anything?! Ryan and I will be having words!” she scowls and I smile “its okay Anne. I forgot about it myself.” I tell her but she’s not sa
tisfied “no this won’t do at all.” She moans and disappears out the room leaving me to follow and find my way around my new home.

  More rooms than I can count but most have been converted into bedrooms full of bunkbeds with one or two draws, most belongings stored in bags. As I walk down the hallway people greet me by the name of alpha rather than my name and it unsettles me a bit. They have placed their faith in me and I hope I can repay it. “there you are I’ve been looking for you for ages” the familiar voice of Lucy laughs behind me “sorry it took a bit longer than thought to clean and I guess I got lost in the hallways” I chuckle and before I can ask why she’s grabbed my arm and is dragging me down the hall way and outside where Luke and a woman in her thirties is waiting. Her long hair a light blonde and her eyes are the same icy blue as Luke but her face is warm and kind and as Lucy disappears as quickly as she appeared “I can’t believe it. I see you but I still can’t believe it” she sobs her eyes leaking happy tears “Jason meet my mum, your auntie” Luke says a happy smile creeping onto his face. walking over slowly she wraps her arms around me and squeezes so tight my ribs creak “ thank god for bringing you home to us safely” she sobs before letting go. “What happened to you hair? The stress of being alpha getting to you?” Luke laughs and I shake my head smiling “not yet, Anne had to cut some of it away to clean me up so it all had to be trimmed” I tell him and memory of what and I who I just killed hits hard and I see it hit them too “sorry I…” “Don’t be. He wasn’t the same man I mated with. You done what had to be done and what should have been done” she says firmly and I see the same strength of spirit that Luke possesses. “Jason!” Ryan shout flying around the corner and almost crashing to the floor “what’s wrong Ryan?!” I ask startled “it’s Lucy. Some of the lycans are…” he starts but I don’t let him finish “where!?” I growl and he waves back to where we came from and I’m gone running as fast as my legs can carry me a growl trembling my throat and I leave them to follow behind as I find them.

  A circle of lycans all crowded around one person. Lucy “what’s going on here!?” I shout and everyone freezes turning to face me and breaking away to reveal Lucy in her wolven shape growling and snapping but also limping and bleeding. I dart to her side and I’m outraged to see her light fur stained red. “Who don’t this?” I growl still holding Lucy closes and calming her down. No one answers “WHO…..DONE……THIS?” I roar leaving Lucy’s side as turning to look at everyone in the crowd and all step back other than three men. All at least six foot and build like tanks stay stood there arms crosses looking almost pleased with their work. “We did” the biggest of the three says plainly as if this is nothing. He doesn’t get a chance to move as I leap across the space between us and knock him to the floor. I land blow after blow to his head and feel his nose crumble up under my fist. Two pairs of arms grab me from behind and toss me off but only onto my feet and pull the other man up. The crowd separates and makes a circle like kids watching a fight at school but no one is cheering, they watch intently as the three break apart and circle me and Lucy looking to jump me on three sides. Looking around me for a way to at least get Lucy out of harm’s way I find Anne stood in the crowd with other woman stood at her side their arms ready and she mouths the words “throw her” I wrap my arms around her quickly and she groans in discomfort but I don’t stop swinging around and tossing her in the direction of Anne and her friends. Holding out their arms she lands in their grasp but knocks them back and only with the help of those behind them do they stay on their feet. The crowd consumes her and the three are outraged their gazes fixed on me. “How dare you bring a werewolf here!” the man with a broken nose growls but doesn’t make a move on me as they continue to circle me. “I’m going to give you one chance, the three of you. Leave now and I won’t hurt you any more” I say calmly composing myself. “Funny. I said the same thing to her” he laughs and the pair at my sides rush me expecting to take me of guard ducking under the left attackers swing I swing with my left and feel his ribs bend under the blow. The left attacker swings for where my head now is and I feel the air moves as it slides just past my ear as the breezes tickles my head. Distracted I don’t have time to react to the man with a broken nose and catch a kick to the side of the head. The kick sends me to the floor dizzy I crawl trying to get room but they are on my quickly grabbing me by my arms and twisting them behind my back and I don’t struggle, it would be pointless. “You broke my nose boy, now I’m going to break your jaw” the man laughs as sends a right hook swinging and I’m seeing starts. Blood fills my mouth and I spit it into his face. “ I’m going to say this once, let go now and I might not kill you” I growl and feel myself start to change but find myself stopped dead by a quick combination of left and right. “Your no Umbrian, you are no alpha” he laughs and the rag boils over, I don’t change but I feel the strength in my limps return. He swings an uppercut towards my stomach and I react faster using the strength in my legs to push myself backwards and the three of us fall to the floor, they let go and I roll to my feet. One start to rise but a swift kick to the temple and I doubt he’s going to rise for a long time. The other of the pair outraged swings for my temple which I simply block with my arm swinging with the other cracking into the side of his ribs and I feel them snap this time the previous blow softening them for now. The pair lay on the floor not moving and the final third stands there frozen in fear. “ you should have ran” I growl and he turns to run with his tail between his legs but since the fight began both Luke and Ryan have arrived and worked their way through the crowd. The numbers game is now in my favour “ neither of you do anything unless he tries to flee, this is my fight” I order my voice sounding nothing like mine almost relishing the fight and the pair step back staying ready to stop any attempt to flee.
Realising that he’s got no alternative he charges at me and swings a wild right hand ducking me fire a left handed punch straight into his chest. The combination of his momentum and m strength sets his ribs shattering and he falls to his knees wheezing. I circle back around him and look him straight in the eye as he kneels there and for a moment I stop. My mind so torn, my human morality and my lycan instinct waging war over his life. I can hear the other two still breathing as I stand there and I look at the man in front of me I’m lost as to what to do. Looking at the crowd in front of me I see Luke and Ryan stood there waiting and as I see all those watching then look back at the man knelt in front of me I decide. “You will leave and never return. I will not accept anyone in this pack that attacks others who live here be them lycans or werewolves.” I order and pull him to his feet. He says nothing just walks past me, his friends joining his side. The crowd parts like the sea for Moses and as the three disappear into the distance I wonder if I’ve made the right choice. The crowd disperse as quickly as it had gathered and soon it’s only me, Luke and Ryan stood there once more. “You made the right call Jason” Luke smile clasping my shoulder sounding more like a wise uncle than a cousin of the same age. “They fear another tyrant like dad, today you should you are not what they fear” he adds and I smile grateful for the reassurance. “Where’s Lucy?” I ask concerned about her “she’s gone with Anne Jason, she’s tending to her as we speak” Ryan replies and I set off in search off. As we walk people look at me in a way new to me, slightly intimidated but there’s something else something I haven’t seen before. “Why does everyone look at me like that?” I ask the pair hoping they know. “They admire you Jason” Ryan says simply and I’m dumbfounded “why admire me I have done nothing to deserve admiration” I reply “really? So you didn’t risk your life to become alpha? No one said you had to but you did.” Ryan says and the look in the eye says the same for him. coming back to the room I had only left an hour before I find Lucy now back as her human self-sat on the end of the table her beautiful smile a ghost of its normal self her lower thighs bandaged, the fabric of her top stretched by bandages “ are you okay?” I ask holding her face in my hands turning it gently to find her cheek a dark grey bruise. “Werewolves don’t heal like us” Anne explains before I can even ask the question. “It’s fine.” She says waving away my concerns “no it’s not fine, I shouldn’t have left you alone” I apologise feeling guilty “no you shouldn’t have to, I’ll leave in the morning” she says dejectedly “No.” I burst out and she looks at me stunned “you are family and this is your home” I declare and he smile melts my heart. “Luke, Ryan get everyone together in whatever room is big enough. I would like to speak to everyone” I order and the pair disappear as soon as I’ve finished and start spreading the word “ family…….”Lucy mutters under her breath and I look at her puzzled “ I remember where I saw your name” she cries almost startled by the memory but her face tells me it’s not a nice memory. Her normally golden tanned skin is a pasty white and her smile is a ghost of its former self “your family…there was a list…..” she starts fading in and out of reality. “Lucy relax” I sooth resting my hands on her shoulders comfortingly. “There was a list with pictures, I didn’t realise who they were but they said they are top priority and all had the last name Umbrian. Two were crossed off but there was two that weren’t. One had missing written next to it and I think that was you. “And the other one?” I ask my heart in my throat “the last one said wrong race” she says sounding as confused as me.

  “Do you have any idea what that means?” I ask and she shakes her head hanging it in shame “I do” Anne says behind us and looking back at her I find her sat there almost itching to tell us “I’m sure the others told you that it’s said an Umbrian is to bring the lycans out of hiding but like all tales it’s been altered and miss heard and the hunters have a different belief. The hunters believe that the Umbrian is going to start a war, a war between humans and lycans, a war that humanity with all its weapons and technology would lose” she says sadly and the penny drops “ so the other Umbrian is a werewolf” I say and she just nods “ did the list say where the other Umbrian is?” I ask Lucy and she shakes her head. “I just saw the names and pictures, I’m sorry” she says and I smile gently. “Don’t be. Thanks to you I know I have a brother or sister out there somewhere.” I say and the thought send a wave of hope though my spine. “Jason. They are ready” Luke says quickly poking his head through the door way and with a deep breath I rise and head out to speak to the people who now look to me for leadership. Everyone has gathered out in the courtyard and for the first time I can see exactly how many people there is here. A rough head count gives between thirty and forty men, woman and a handful of children stood there waiting. All murmuring stops as I walk out and all eyes watch me curious as to why I have done this. They part as I walk into the crowd and whisper alpha under their breath and I continue till I’m in the centre and stop. Those closest back away leaving me in a clear circle and for a moment I freeze afraid but the lycan alpha instinct kicks in and the words start to pour out “ I’m sure most of you heard that today I sent three lycans packing for attacking a werewolf but let me make it clear. That werewolf is responsible for me getting here in one piece and I promises her a home. I keep my promises. We are all family here and I will NOT take any excuses for violence against family.
No second chances you are gone! BUT if anyone from the outside tries to hurt anyone in MY family they will suffer worse.” I cry and fall silent and wait for a moment for the crowd to respond and for a moment no one says a word and a man only a few years older than me pushes through his brown hair a mess and his clothes covered in mud his hands shaking and for a moment he hesitates before stammering “ What about the werewolves that came before telling us to leave?” “What werewolves?” I ask softly hoping not to frighten the already petrified man. “ a pack of werewolves came and said that they would come back in seven days from that night and that we must be gone by then” he says and although I feel no anger at the man my voice is half human half growl “ where did they go?” I ask forcefully “we didn’t see but that was six days ago” he stammers obviously intimidated and I see the same fear in the rest of the packs eyes. “Do you want to leave?” I ask him and he looks at me shocked “do you want to leave your home?” I ask again plainly “No but…..” he starts but with a raise of my hand he stops “Does anyone want to leave their home? Raise your hand if you do” I shout and all hands stay down “but we can’t hope to stop them from throwing us out.” The shaky man protests and I waves for him to continue “they can fight of wolves, we can’t.” He starts and I straight away jump in like a small child “and why can you?” I ask genuinely curious “because we haven’t got a…..” he starts and then stops as I raise an eyebrow and he smiles realising what I right in front of him “ I’ve just got here I’m not going to lose my home that quickly. Now who wants to stand up for their home?” I ask passionately and soon everyone is cheering and laughing and shouting my name but I don’t let it get to my head. It’s one thing to say you will be ready to fight another to actually fight “we need to prepare. I want anyone unable to fight to go to the basement and wait. Anyone else I want you to go get ready. I will try and resolve this without conflict but if it ends up that way then I want you ready” I shout and the crowd disappear is hushed whisper of excitement “are you sure about this Jason. You’ve barely changed let alone lead a pack in battle?” Ryan asks sceptical “I don’t think it’s going to come to that I reply and has puzzled “I’ve been thinking, when I went home I meet a couple of werewolves and they were determined that was their territory and since then each town out in this direction has been taken so I think…..” I start explaining but Luke beats me to the punch “that it’s the same werewolves” he says and I nod “and how does that help us?” Ryan asks lost “one of those werewolves was my best friend as a human. I’ll admit we didn’t part on good terms but if he truly was my friend it may not come to fighting” I say hopeful “and if tis not him? Or if he’s not the friend you thought he was” Ryan asks “then he better pray I’m in a good mood” I growl and wave away his buts leaving to get changed. I’m not going to fight in ripped clothes and covered in dirt. I start to walk away then stop in my tracks turning to face the pair and chuckle “is there any spare clothes?” I ask and the pair burst into fits of laughter and join me inside

  Inside the house is a hive of activity as everyone prepares, men and woman getting ready to fight and only then do I realise that there is no weapon of any kind “you don’t use any weapons? No guns or knives or anything?” I ask and Luke shakes his head “only three things can pierce a lycans skin, another lycan, a werewolf or silver and the same applies to them. If this goes south it will be sheer paw to paw scraping” Luke says as we continue walking and I wonder if maybe I’ve made the wrong call. I feel so split in my mind but this is no time to worry about myself. I’ve made my decision and will stand by it “it’s not much but it’s yours” Ryan says standing back to let me enter first. The room is small the walls with a fresh paint of cream paint. A light wooden bed, chest of drawers and a small circular mirror are the only furnishings. “We went around camp earlier and got any clothes we could find. We can get some of your own later.” Ryan says and I’m stunned that people will be willing to let go of their belongings for me. From what I’ve seen they don’t have a lot”

  “Thank you.” I say simply and the pair turn to leave to get ready themselves. “One last thing, I would recommend wrapping your hands. Any protection is a good idea” Luke says smiling reassuringly before shutting the door and leaving me alone. Opening the draws I find them stiffed with clothes of all styles and colours and I’m overwhelmed by the kindness of people that I have known for only a few hours. Digging I find a pair of light grey joggers, a plain black t-shirt and light blue hoodie. Looking at the tattered clothes on the floor I wonder about what Luke said and set to work tearing long strips of cloth and wrap them around my hands and wrists tucking the leftovers into the wrap and stay sat there for a moment staring at the blank wall in front of me and Its strange, I’ve lost everything I had yet I feel like I’ve just come home. Looking in the mirror I see someone else looking back, my hair shorter than it’s ever been and darker than before but is my eyes that have changed most, harder, stronger the brown has a slight red tinge to it. My train of thought is stopped by a collection of knocks on the door “come in” I shout and as the door opens the figure of Lucy appears. The bruise on her face hidden slightly and the bandages evident under her clothes “the others told me what’s going on.” She says worried “you don’t need to worry. It’s going to be fine” I reply hopefully sounding more confident than I feel “ I think I should be with you” she says and before I can protest she shushes me with a finger “werewolves are just as loyal as lycans are. If they find me hidden they might think I was kidnapped or something. Maybe having a werewolf at your side can help she says and as much as I hate to admit it she’s right “but your hurt. If they attack…..” I start drifting off holding her hands in mine and loss myself in her eyes and I feel my heart leave me at become hers “then I wi
ll tell them that you saved me, risked your life for mine” she says firmly and I know trying to argue with her will be pointless. “This will all work out fine you’ll see”

  Night falls and with its blanket of darkness comes an eerie silence as we wait. I stand with only Lucy and Luke beside me. The others wait to the side as we wait. The light breeze numbs my face and sends chills down my spine. Lights glow around us making patches of light on the black ground and then I hear them, their footsteps light almost undetectable and I hear mummers in the group, incoherent whispers of excitement, fear and unease. No lycan makes a sound as they pass light in the dim lights, men and woman dressed in all sorts of styles but all their eyes fixed on the three of us. A few growl at the others but they don’t respond. I don’t get a good look at the leader of the group till he is stood right in front of me. Three of them splitting off from the main group to meet us on equal terms. The first I see is new a girl with long black hair and a pair of glistening green eyes but the other two I know. One an old man with grey hair and a grey beard and the other with a long mop of long brown hair and pale blue eyes. “Jason?” he says stunned to see me and I smirk “the one and only” I reply and mummers of confusion fill the air but with a hand all lycans stop and Connor looks at me almost afraid. “Only an Umbrian could have lycans that disciplined” he says and I don’t says a word letting the realisation do the talking and I see a flicker of unease creep into his face. “That may be but the threat still stands, leave or we will….” The old man starts gruffly but I don’t let him finish “No. you will not threaten us in our own home.” I growl and I see him ball his fists weighing me up trying to stare me down but failing and that stops him “why do you want this is the first place?” Luke asks and the three remain silent. “Why?” I ask forcefully and I get my answer “because the hunters took our home. We have no territory” he says and the honesty calms the air “ all of this is pointless, are you going to leave or is it a fight?” the old man shouts angry and looking around me at both the werewolves and lycans I see everyone willing to fight, to die and I can’t let that happen. “I have a proposal. There is no need for everyone here to fight, to die.” I start and the old man buts in

  “And what is this proposal?” the old man sneers “I challenge the alpha of your pack to the rights of leadership” I shout and the air fills with the gasps of two races “Jason! What are you doing?” Lucy cries but I don’t reply keeping my gaze on the man in front of me “a lycan can’t lead a werewolf pack, we don’t……” “You don’t what… you seem to be dictating everything so I see no reason why not?” I reply and a deep growl is the only response I get “I want it to be three, three werewolves, three lycans. Last race standing wins” he growls and I look to Luke who nods ready to fight. “Who else would be willing to stand by my side to fight?” I shout and every lycan hands raises in the darkness. “Alpha I didn’t give you the warmest welcome, let me give the same to them” a voice calls and emerging is the chubby but swift man from my arrival and I nod. “I have my three, where is yours?” I reply confident but all that is shattered when Connor steps up to the plate and pushing his way through the crowd is a muscular man standing over me with thick black hair and razor sharp hazel eyes. No one moves for a moment as if waiting for a sign, a signal and as I stand there inhaling through my nose I catch a scent that sets my stomach churning. Silver “wait” I shout as the three werewolves charge and they look at me confused and hopeful “can’t you smell that?” I ask hoping someone will be able to confirm my suspicions “ smell what?” the old man laughs obviously thinking that I’ve gotten cold feet “ silver” I sneer and as the word leaves my mouth the world erupts in chaos. Volleys of bullets hit everything around me wood, cement, lycan and werewolf alike are caught in the fire many falling injured. I throw myself over Lucy protecting her with my own body and I feel a bullet nestle itself in the back of my thigh burning like a hot coal held to my skin. As the volley dies out I slowly rise groaning softly from the pain in my leg and as I try to take a step I find my leg weak and unable to hold my weight. Looking ahead of me I find the old man and Connor tending to those hurt. “Help anyone inside that’s hurt” I shout and find that over half of my pack has been hit and leave tending wounds to arms, legs and bodies. “ get your injured inside too” I shout meeting eyes with the old man and he hesitates “ DO IT” I shout and he looks at me stunned but not by my tone but by my offer “ you heard him get the wounded inside” he shouts and they hobble past me inside and left outside is thirty of us, a mix of werewolves and lycans “ that’s the first wave, they want to frighten you more than anything, now they will march in to cut you down” Lucy says and I realise we need to act fast. “We need to work together to stop this” I say to the old man and he nods “what do you have in mind Umbrian?” he asks and the use of my last name as a title falls strangely on my ear. “We need to isolate them, split their group up and overwhelm them.” I say and as I look around me and look at the lights I form a plan. “Can you see in the dark?” I ask and he scoffs “of course we can. Why would you ask?” he says not clicking on “ smash the lights, all of them now” I shout and everyone sets to work smashing any bulbs, blowing out any candles and soon we are plunged into complete darkness but we’re running out of time. I can hear their footsteps coming, in step and soft trying to stay undetected “split up, move fast and light and watch each other’s backs. We might be two different races but to them we are one problem. We fight together” I say loud enough for everyone to hear but so the hunters don’t and we scatter, rather they scatter I limp my leg numb and a dead weight. I’ve barely moved when the hunters arrive. Dressed in dull grey
uniforms with guns in their hands and knifes at their side. I hear nothing but their movement and breathing as they split around the courtyard and play straight into our hands. I can see the werewolves slip around getting right next to them without being seen only heard rattling the hunters, sending them spinning aimlessly and breathing faster and faster, serving only as a signal to us that they are ready for us to close in. in a wave of black we charge into the groups only seen when it’s too late. Screams and gun shots fill the air. As I change to join the fight the bullet in my leg buries itself deeper and I let out a roar of pain and everything falls silent as all eyes fall on me. My red eyes no doubt stark against the black. The world is fully visible in black and white and I waste no time charging into the nearest group that are slowly backing away, werewolves circling waiting for an opening. I leap over one werewolf and hit the group like a bowling ball hitting down the pins and set to work cutting into hunters left right and centre, the werewolves close in finishing off any scraps and within seconds the groups seven lay on the floor still and bleeding out, their blood forming into one great pool. I turn looking for a new target but find a group on the back foot. A group of hunter wearing what must be night vison are cutting their way towards the building not caring if attackers are finished only intent on reaching the house, growling softly to the wolves I nod my head at the group and they join my side happy to follow my lead, I run across the ground on all four, silent as death as I leap through the air pouncing on the hunter in the rear and grab him to the floor bashing his head into the floor and I hear his skull crumble. The group aware of my presence spin round ready to shoot but I’ve already moved and they have just turned their backs onto a pack of hungry wolves, everywhere I look I see the same tactic used and the same result. Dead hunters. Soon none are left standing and for a moment I stand there not expecting it to finish that easy breathing deeply gritting my teeth against the pain in my leg and listen as one by one lycans and werewolves begin to howl together the high and low notes twisting together in perfect natural harmony and I can’t help but join in and in my howl I find every emotion I’ve bottled up inside leave, sadness, fear, joy, every feeling found in one long note and as we change back one by one, werewolves and lycans side by side I feel a sense of pride as we are victorious and we set aside our petty quarrels for the greater good but I can’t shake the feeling that this is only a skirmish in a great war and we just gave away our position.