by B F Worlds
"I don't think you understand what this means. You've been exiled. Every wolf in the city has your scent. If they so much as catch a whiff of you in this territory, they will attack you. All of them. Day and night, until you're forced to run. The Guards will hunt you to the borders and any pack allied with Franklin will chase you out of their cities. The isolation is what makes rogues, what drives them insane!"
"I've already lost my pack. Losing this one doesn't even compare to it."
"But I'm apart of this pack dammit!"
I'm an idiot. The anger was still clouding her mind so she hadn't grasped the ramifications of what Viktoriya was saying to her. "Will you hunt me too?" Dean asked quietly.
Viktoriya shook her head. "I couldn't, but Franklin might try and..." She took a shaky breath. "Wolves who help rogues are exiled. Wolves who defy the alpha are exiled. If he orders me to go after you and I don't-"
"Then you'll be kicked out." Dean nodded. "The solution is simple. Come with me now."
"...What?"
"Come with me."
"Dean, I can't just leave!"
"Why not? You've already said that, eventually, Franklin will force you out because of us. So come with me, right now. I can take care of both of us. We'll go to Rachel and we'll make a plan." She stepped forward and brought their foreheads together. "I don't want to leave you here to deal with my fallout. I promise, I'll try and fix this. But right now, we need to go."
She waited until she saw the panic recede from Viktoriya's eyes before she stepped back, flashing a bright smile. Her mate returned the smile, but the expression was flimsy, her lips trembling. "I-"
Dean saw Dugen's quick approach. She didn't see the syringe in his hand and wasn't fast enough to stop him from plunging it into Viktoriya's neck. The other girl's eyes fluttered and she collapsed into the Guard, unconscious.
Dean wanted to lash out but she couldn't make a move with her mate in the way. Her rage doubled in intensity when Franklin appeared next to him. "What the hell are you doing!?"
"I put her to sleep. She'll wake up in an hour or so, no worse for it."
"Why?"
"Why? Because I may be many things, but I am a man of my word." He reached out and gently stroked Viktoriya's hair. "This girl's father made a great sacrifice for me. He believed in me when no one else would. And all he asked for in return was one thing. He asked me to keep his daughter safe and I will do so. Even if what I have to protect her from is herself."
"I apologize for the rough methods," Dugen added, his face reflecting his regret. "But I also made a promise to Viktor. Something's coming for you Dean. I do not want to see my charge being caught in the crossfire."
Dean leveled a finger at the Guard. "You, I expected better from." She moved the finger to Franklin. "You. When I kill you, it'll be slow, and as painful as I can possibly make it."
"Again, those threats will mean a lot more in the morning. Goodbye Dean. This is likely the last time we'll ever see each other."
She bristled and took a step forward. Dugen pulled Viktoriya closer against him and moved in front of Franklin. "I don't want to fight you Dean. You need to save your strength if you're going to survive the night."
"That's not what you're actions are telling me. But you're right. This isn't the time for us to fight. Goodbye Franklin. You'll see me again." Dean took one final look at Viktoriya before taking off at a brisk jog.
CHAPTER 29
Viktoriya slowly opened her eyes. Her head felt foggy and her mouth had the cotton like feeling of deep sleep, but something was off. The sun wasn't streaming through her window and her mattress was cold and hard, like stone. And these weren't the walls of her room...
She sat up and stretched her hands out to feel for a clue to where she was, but she drew them back with a startled yelp when something burned her palms. The only thing that stung that way was silver and the only silver in the house was-
The scene from the driveway came rushing back to her. Dean! She had been talking with Dean. They were going to leave. And then…and then…
She tried to get to her feet, but her knees buckled, dumping her back to the ground. Had she been drugged? The only thing that could have weakened her immune system to the point where she’d be affected by poisons was silver. Most changers could recover from ingesting silver, but there were a few cases of extreme allergic reactions to the metal. If that had been used, it could have killed her… Someone had tried to kill her.
No. Not someone. Franklin.
The sound of howling touched her ears. If it was loud enough that she could hear it in the basement, the entire pack must be vocalizing. The notes were tinged with alarm that stirred her wolf, even though it was still woozy from the drugs. Something was going on.
With a grunt of effort, she pushed to her feet again, fighting the trembling in her limbs. Anger alone locked her knees and kept her standing. Franklin could have killed her. And for what? His stupid plans?
She grabbed the bars, ignoring the pain, and tried to slide the door open. The lock had been thrown but she yanked hard on the bars. It took everything she threw at it, not budging more than an inch, just enough give to make her think her efforts were working.
"Franklin!"
Eventually, the pain became too much and she had to let go. She lashed out with her feet, kicking the bars with enough force to make them rattle.
"Franklin! Let me out!"
The howling grew louder and she attacked the bars with renewed vigor. She stopped kicking and rammed the bars with her shoulder, the recoil making her bounce backwards after each attempt. A feeling like static electricity ran over her skin. The pack was preparing for a fight and the pack bonds were reacting, filling her with energy.
The only thing that could make them rally in such a way was an imminent threat capable of damaging the pack as a whole. A threat Franklin had sent Dean to fight alone.
"FRANKLIN! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!!!"
-
This time, when the phone rang, Morgan was seated on the back porch of the house, watching the guards move around the property with purpose. He stuck a finger in his ear to block out the howling at the front as he answered. "Hello?"
"Lake, where are you? And what the hell is that noise?"
"At a relative's. The music is a little loud. What's going on?"
"A gun store's been robbed. A single perp made off with an automatic shotgun, plus enough ammo to take out half the city."
The detective sighed. "Of course. When it rains, it pours I guess."
"What?"
"Nothing. Did you need something from me?"
"No. I was just calling to let you know to watch the shadows where you walk. I've got a feeling about this one. I mean, you should have seen the way this guy moved. They hopped the counter and took out the clerk before he could say boo. I didn't know people could move like that."
Morgan squeezed his eyes shut. He had a pretty good idea who the robber was. It seemed Dean Rock didn't appear to go down without a fight. Dammit, she's my partner. "Kate?"
"Yeah?"
"You still working the case right now?"
"Yeah. I'm at the station watching camera footage from the surrounding area, trying to see what vehicle our robber was driving and where they went. Coverage on that street is terrible. Looks like I'm going to be here for awhile."
"Do me a favor Kate. Stay at the station tonight. Or go home early and leave the videos till tomorrow. Just...stay off the streets."
There was a pause on the line. "What do you know Morgan?"
"Goodbye Kate." Be safe. He hung up and turned off his phone. Footsteps caught his attention and he tilted his head to see Dugen approaching him. "Commander. You need something from me?"
“Franklin has commanded that everyone stay the night, shore up our defenses. There's a storm coming. We're safer together."
"Roger that. Kind of miss sleeping on the grass in fur."
"Morgan?"
"Yeah?"
"She's
human. There's a line. Be careful that you don't cross it."
The detective hung his head, a heavy weight settling over his heart.
-
Evergreen removed the cloth over her eyes and looked over the soldiers gathered under the roof of one of her family's warehouses. She valued humans like a butcher valued the meat on their table. They were her job and she spent too much time with them not to develop a sort of fondness. Like pets.
Now, lined up in their uniforms, strapped with their weapons and standing at attention, they presented as tools worthy of being handled by her. She'd even go so far as to say she was proud.
A quick look at her watch showed it was almost ten o'clock. The streets should be clear. It was time to get her show started. "Gentleman!" she called loudly. "I'm sure you know why you're here. There's only one reason you could be here. One reason why you exist. And that is to HUNT!"
The hunters yelled in approval.
"Normally, I would tell you to be careful. I would tell you to use caution. Not tonight. Tonight, there are no rules except victory. Bring me our target's head and all of you will be greatly rewarded!"
The group broke apart and dispersed from the building. Evergreen checked her own equipment. House Verdant wasn't known for fighting. She had admitted to herself long ago that she would never be good at it. She had also learned that fighting wasn't always about being strong.
Her weapon of choice was a whip, a dark green vine with large red thorns protruding along it. The thorns contained a powerful neurotoxin. A single scratch could paralyze a human for twenty four hours. She hoped several scratches could overcome the legendary changer immune system. The Council was blinded by terror, but she could see the opportunity that had come barreling out of the woods. Dean Rock was worth a fortune dead. Alive, the girl was priceless.
"You have a creepy look on you face, Ever."
Evergreen huffed as another woman came to stand next to her. Her face was obscured by a large black hoodie and her hands were stuffed in the back pockets of baggy jeans, held up by a thick, green belt. "Watch your mouth, Ivy dear, or I'll add you to my garden."
"Scary." Ivy shuffled in place. "Are you going with them?"
"Of course."
"But why? Arctic and Sandstorm from House Storm are already out there with the legion; twenty four squads, ninety six hunters. There is more than enough firepower in the field."
"You foolish girl. This is why our family is the laughing stock of the Council. The legion consists of one hundred. The presence of four halflings is mandatory and I'll be damned before I let some other House steal the position. Our family lacks ambition, but I'm going to change all of that. I'm going to rise to the top of this world. And nothing gets done if you aren't willing to get your hands dirty."
"I don't see how hunting a dog gets you the world."
Evergreen laughed and headed for the exit, Ivy following close behind. "You'll see dear. Soon, everyone will see."
CHAPTER 30
Dean rounded the corner, firing blindly behind her. It didn't stop the hail of bullets at her back. She hissed as two went through her arm and dived to the right, hoping there was cover. It was pure luck that she fell into an alley and she hastily scooted close to the wall, obscuring herself in its shadow.
Someone moved into the alley's opening. With the light at their back, Dean couldn't make out what they were wearing. Was it a hunter? A civilian?
A bullet hit the wall beside her head, kicking up a cloud of dust that blinded her. Well, that answers that. Her eyes reflexively closed as she raised the rifle she’d taken off one of her attackers, and the shots went wide as she emptied the clip. She heard a muffled scream and the sound of her attacker dropping. That's forty. How many of them are there?
She frantically wiped at her eyes and stood up, cautiously approaching the entrance. With quick hands, she confiscated the hunter's gun and extra ammo. She was standing to run again when she was lit from the side by headlights. Dean raised the rifle but hesitated. Are those more hunters? Dammit, I can't see!
The driver gunned the engine. Dean wasn't quick enough to move and she was knocked backwards, the gun slipping from her hands. She flew into a building. Her head smashed into the wall with enough force to crack the aging brick. The impact knocked the air out of her and she slumped to the ground, dizzy. Blood poured down the left side of her face from a gash in her forehead.
She heard the car's doors open and several feet getting out. It was a single hunter squad; a Gold, flanked by Red and Blue, Green hanging far behind.
"Whoo!" Red hollered. "A car! We brought it down with a car! We'll be legends for this!"
"Why are you so happy?" Blue whined. "My car is ruined. I put a steel grill on the front and it's still totaled!"
"Hush, both of you," Gold chided. "Lord Sandstorm will be pleased with us for completing the mission. I'm sure he'll replace your precious car."
Blue scoffed. "Yeah right. My car is headed for the scrapyard. At least let me shoot the bitch. Something good better come out of this whole thing."
"What? That's bull!"
"Quiet Red. Blue, go ahead. Remember-"
"Two to the heart, one to the head." Blue stepped closer, pulling a knife from his belt. "But I always did prefer decapitation. Can't call yourself a hunter unless you're neck deep in the blood."
The wound on her forehead had closed and she was starting to regain her breath, but there was a worrisome twinge in her back. She casually used a thumb to clear the blood from her eye. "I'm really getting tired of you guys."
"You're tired of us?" Blue grabbed her by the hair, forcing her head up and as he placed his blade against her throat. Dean felt her skin burn from the contact with silver. "I've been sick of you. Of all you monsters, polluting this world God made for decent people."
"You work for one of those monsters."
"For now. But one day, I'm going to draw that bastard a second smile. Just like I'm going to do with you."
Dean kicked out, knocking him off her. The rest of the unit pulled their weapons while Blue scrambled to his feet. "How the hell can you move?" he shouted angrily. "Even if you're a changer, you're spine should have been snapped in two!"
She stood up. The twinge was still there but it was only an echo of pain. She raised her bloody hand to her mouth and took a long swipe of it, swallowing quickly. The beast surged forward and Dean moved out of its way, surrendering. She didn't have the luxury of trying to wrest away control, not if she wanted to survive. She just had to hope it wouldn't do too much damage.
-
Katherine Meadows waited impatiently at the red light, anxiously drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. She couldn't tell if she was worried or pissed off after receiving the cryptic message from her partner. Some lunatic was out on the streets with some serious firepower but, instead of trying to help, he was keeping secrets from her. Then again, she recognized the tone he'd used. Morgan was the laid back type. He never sounded tense unless something was seriously wrong and it killed her that she couldn't help.
Absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't notice the light turn green, so she was stationary when a monster came tearing through the intersection.
It's roar was what snapped her back to attention. The detective screamed and threw herself against her seat, her mind fighting to comprehend what she was seeing. It turned to face her and its red eyes sent chills down her spine.
Two cars swerved in front of it and men in colorful uniforms jumped out shooting. The loud report of automatic gunfire made her duck, but she peered over the dashboard to watch the fight.
The animal wasn't even being slowed down by the bullets. It swiped at the men with large paws, moving agilely to strike with all four of its limbs. The gunmen dodged, but it was faster. The beast grabbed one by the waist with its jaws, lifting him into the air. It shook its head viciously and the man was ripped in two, his blood splaying in a wide arc. Half of her windshield was covered in it and Kate felt her stomach turn.
>
The animal roared again and took off, easily leaping over the cars and disappearing down the street at incredible speed. The surviving men jumped back into their cars and gave chase, their tires screeching in duress as they gunned the engines.
Kate waited several minutes to be sure they were gone before she sat up. Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone and dialed 911, but she paused before hitting the send key. How was she supposed to report this?
-
Evergreen stepped out of her car as Ivy got out the other side. Two Greens were standing at the entrance to the park and they saluted the approaching the women. "Lady Evergreen," one of them said, "the target is surrounded in the park. Lord Arctic and Lord Sandstorm are currently working to subdue it."
"Those bastards," Evergreen swore. "They're going to ruin my prize."
Two black vans came to a screeching halt behind Evergreen's and sixteen hunters exited. A Gold came running up, popping a quick salute. "Lady, we received communication that the target was pinned down and brought the equipment you requested."
She grinned. "Excellent. Follow me dears."
-
To reach the battle, the group had to fight through a heavy wind that threatened to take them off their feet. Evergreen had her teeth gritted against the gale, but it forced her to her knees eventually. She placed a hand over her eyes and was just able to make out what was happening.
The beast was also having trouble. It remained on its fee,t but its claws were dug into the ground, its mane being blown wildly over its face. Though it was immobile, so were the hunters and Sandstorm himself, sweat beading on his forehead as he struggled to maintain the magic. Arctic was lying face down at the base of a tree, his back covered in blood. Evergreen laughed, but it was lost in the whistling of the trees. This was all the so-called strongest had to offer? Her rise to power would be easier than she thought.
After less than ten minutes, Sandstorm's stamina gave out. His arms dropped to his sides and the wind died down. The beast moved in an instant, knocking the halfling to the ground. His scream was swallowed by the large jaws fitting over his head.
