Arric left the she-wolf sleeping in his tent with two of his gammas standing guard and went back to join his men. Trailing their scents, he met them in the woods on a hillside overlooking the black wolves' grounds.
“Status?” he said, crouching low beside Bishop.
“How is the she-wolf?” York; one of his gammas and good friends asked.
“She will live,” Arric replied.
“Great!” York said.
“Who is she?” Jarom, another of his men asked.
“No idea. I suppose we will find out when she wakes up,” Arric replied, taking a glance at the dark-haired werewolf and then reverting his gaze to meet Bishop’s.
“Yeah … Status. There are still a significant number of the black wolves scouting the grounds…”
“Doing clean up?” Arric asked, assessing the grounds.
“Yes, and …” Bishop pointed to a secluded area of the grounds. And Arric could see about twenty heavily armed guards parading the corners.
“We are still trying to figure out why they are there… I mean it looks like no one was speared,” Bishop added.
“Any sight of the alpha and his luna? I heard they have a daughter…” Arric asked.
“They are dead…” Jarom replied in a quite solemn tone.
“We saw them set them ablaze … they burnt all the bodies,” Caineghis; another one of Arric’s men said, sounding a tad infuriated. “I suppose burying them was too much of a bother.”
“Even though they don’t seem like they are in a hurry to leave…” Bishop said.
“If I know our dear alpha Roffe Barther very well. Whatever is in there is his reward and he isn’t leaving without it” Arric said as all eyes settled on him.
“What do you think is in there?” Bishop asked with an earnest gaze.
“Something worth killing for…” Arric said in a tight voice.
“I suppose our job is done here then. We get to save one at least…” Caineghis said with gritted teeth.
“I think that bear trap saved her,” said York.
“Hmm…” Arric said. His eyes darted in their sockets as he continued to survey the grounds.
“Our job is not done here, is it?” Jarom said.
“I know that look. What’s the plan, Boss?” Bishop said.
“Since we are here … why don’t we make sure alpha Roffe Barther doesn’t have his happy ending … just like the ones he murdered,” Arric said, his eyes gleaming coldly in the dark.
“Whatever the plan is, I am so in…” Caineghis said with a malicious grin.
“Can we do it with like a lot of casualties?” said Jimothy; one other of Arric’s men that had been quiet all the while. Arric chuckled.
“Only if it is absolutely necessary and jeopardizes the mission…you know the rules,” Arric said. His men grinned. He chuckled, shaking his head. But he understood perfectly why they felt the need to avenge the innocent's blood unnecessarily spilled for something Arric was certain would be senseless.
“Get your dart guns ready. We are going to find a way to the other side of the grounds undetected, make certain those guards don't stand in our way, and then find out what is inside that building. If I am correct in what I think it is, Bishop, call Danny to get the helicopter ready.”
“Using a helicopter would kind of announce our presence, boss,” York said, “I am certain we can carry whatever is in there.”
“If it is that easy to cart away, I doubt Alpha Roffe Barther’s men would still be here. Armed and waiting. And yeah, a helicopter would announce our presence but by then any one of those fuckers who isn’t tranquilized would be dead,” Arric said and geared into action. His men promptly followed his lead.
They crept through the shadows, using their heightened senses to detect any guards or obstacles in their path. Arric signaled to the others to draw their tranquilizer guns, ready to put any opposition to sleep without making a sound.
As they approached the guarded building, they sprang into action. One by one, they took out the guards with precision shots from their tranquilizer guns, ensuring they would not wake until after they had completed their mission.
Arric tried the door to the guarded building, finding it locked. With a quick snap of his powerful claws, he broke the lock and opened the iron door. Strolling inside, they discovered an expansive room with a massive vault framing the side walls. The men exchanged glances, their eyes widened in amazement. Arric walked to one of the vaults that were already opened and saw gold blocks lined in iron briefcases. When he walked to another section to break the locks and looked inside he found jewelry and gemstones.
Bishop let out a low whistle, impressed by the sight before them.
“Get Danny,” Arric said, barking out a series of commands, directing his pack to start loading the gold and jewels into their backpacks. They worked with speed and efficiency, knowing they had limited time to complete their mission before the guards woke up and alerted alpha Roffe Barther. A few minutes later, Bishop left and came back with three other men.
“Boss,” the three greeted and watched in awe at what they had come to cart away.
“Take your time,” Arric said in a voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Sorry boss,” Danny, the biggest of the three newcomers, said and geared into action.
As they loaded the last of the treasure, Arric could hear footsteps approaching. He signaled for the pack to be ready, as about ten armed werewolves rushed through the door.
“What the hell?!” one of them said. His eyes widened in horror and then transcended into a rage, gleaming with fury. “Who the hell are you?” he growled.
“Boss?” York said in a somewhat silent inquiry. Arric let out a sigh of resignation.
“Well, I did say when it is essential,” he said, causing alpha Roffe Barther’s men to look befuddled. And before they could make sense of what was happening. Arric, York, Caineghis, and Jimothy shapeshifted and scaled through the air, tearing the guards apart. By the time they paused to breathe, the formerly pristine marble floor was sleek with blood.
“Let’s get out of here,” Arric growled.
Danny and his team left with the helicopter while Arric led his team back the way they came with their packs heavy with some of the treasure disappearing into the night with alpha Roffe Barther's spoils.
Returning to camp, Arric gave orders for his team to pack up and ready to leave. Working side by side with them to clear up the camp.
Afterward, he carried the still unconscious she-wolf into a waiting helicopter. Settling on the seat, he waited for everyone to get on board before instructing the pilot to take off.
Soon enough they were flying over hilly plains covered with snow. He lowered his eyes to the beauty in his arms and wished for the umpteenth time that she would not blame him for his father's sins. When she steered in his arms, and her eyelids fluttered, he went very still.
Arric watched as the doctor continued to examine Eirika and then she breathed a sigh of relief. "See here … this hole indicates the bullet went through and did not dislodge in her stomach," she said, showing Arric a hole in Eirika's back. "This is good. You are very lucky, Luna, the bullet missed your baby, we just need to be sure it missed vital organs too." Dr. Michelle Riverclaw worked quickly to patch up Eirika's wound and stop the bleeding. Eirika was in agony, but she stayed still, knowing that the doctor was doing all she could to save her. As soon as Eirika was stabilized, Dr. Michelle Riverclaw said, "We need to get them to the clinic." Her voice was urgent. "And make sure they get the proper care." Arric nodded, his eyes never leaving Eirika and their newborn child. "I'll take care of them," he said with determination in his voice. Arric called out to Danny who was waiting by the door with the others. "How are they? Luna and the pup?" Bishop asked eagerly. "They are
"So… another defenseless victim, huh? That's a surprise," she said and continued to laugh almost hysterically now. Mauro came to stand beside her and pulled her painfully by the hair to force her to lift and tilt her face upward and stopped laughing and also to get her close enough to stab her stomach. But Eirika could not be deterred. "Seriously, Mauro, tell me… I'm going to die anyway right? There must be human blood in you somehow," Eirika taunted still. "You fucking bitch!" He snarled. "Soo that's a yes… I thought so too," she said and before he could react, she plunged the knife she had pulled from the rack earlier under his armpit, pushing it deep enough to puncture his heart. His eyes widened in shock. When he tried to stab her still, she gripped his wrist and with a loud growl continued to push the knife through his body with every strength she could muster, shaking from the effort. "You must be dense to think I would be that easy to kill," Eirika snarled, "I killed your
The night was cold and crisp at Narrow Creek Manor - the perfect weather for the Lycanthropes to come out to play. At the back of the imposing building, a bonfire was roaring, casting flickering shadows across the clearing where the makeshift dining table was set up. The table was long and sturdy, crafted from a thick slab of oak. It was surrounded by rough-hewn log benches and cushioned chairs, where the guests sat. The aroma of grilled meat and roasted vegetables wafted through the air, making everyone's mouths water. Arric sat at the head of the table with Eirika. Beside them were their guests: Aricel and his human girlfriend, Gwenna, Shadowclaw and his son Nigel, Zenesha and Arric's regular crowd: Bishop, Craineghis, Jimothy, Danny, Jeff, Jarom, and York, who was still recovering from his injuries with his mate; Dr. Michelle Riverclaw. There were also other alphas from smaller packs and black guards who were now the founding members of the enforcers. Arric raised his glass of w
The summit venue was decorated with colorful banners and flags representing each region and all packs. In the center was a circular stage, elevated to provide a better view to all attendees. The seating arrangement was divided by region, with each pack occupying a designated area. The Northern Packs were situated to the left, with Arric and his entourage taking up the front row. The Black Wolves, who controlled the transition zone between the North and East, were seated to the right. Alpha Aricel, who had taken over the Grimtooth Growlers Pack, and The Swiftfang Walkers Pack, occupied the second row, representing the West. Alpha Shadowclaw, who represented the Silvertooth Nightstalkers Pack and the South, was seated in the third row. The other smaller packs who wished to serve as witnesses were seated behind them. The expansive space was equipped with all the necessary amenities. There were comfortable chairs for the attendees, refreshment stands that served a variety of drinks
Bishop filled Arric in about the extent of York's injury. The stab wounds had caused severe damage to his kidney and thus had to undergo major surgery. Arric listened as Danny transported them to the East, his face lowered and his elbows resting on his knees. "Did they say how long it would take for him to get back on his feet?" Arric asked. "The doctors said a few weeks but then he is a werewolf," Eirika replied. Arric nodded. "He is going to be fine, Alpha," Bishop added. "He must, Bishop," Arric replied almost to himself. Everyone on the craft studied him with a compassionate gaze. "How did you two meet?" Eirika asked. "I met him not too long now… like four months? And it feels like I have known him my whole life…" Arric chuckled despite himself. "I met him when he was three years old," Arric replied. Eirika gasped. He nodded, giving her a side glance. "Now you know I'm an old man in a young man's body," he added. Aricel laughed. "That is something…" Eirika said with
"Tell me please…" he added in a fervent plea. "He is not out of the woods yet, but he's fighting, everyone is keeping vigil, praying…" she whispered against his chest. Arric let out a low growl. "I can't lose one more brother…" "I love you so much, Arric," she whispered. "I can't lose him too. The doctor said he could hear us, so I forbade him to leave us. I could almost hear him laughing, and teasing me," she said and then burst out crying. Arric tightened his hold around her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Shh… it's okay, baby," he cooed, crying quietly too. Arric hadn't expected Bishop to be so daring to let her come to the blackguards' pack. He couldn’t believe that he would so blatantly disregard his orders but then having her there with him, holding her – his sweet, beautiful mate, and knowing she felt as strongly about his men as he did, made him feel happy. The storm that had been raging in him for the past hours calmed. He was almost in shock at her effect on him. "Why