The Last Umbrian

by Jason Buckland

PAINFUL PAST

  Hobbling around I check on those around me crossing my fingers that none of ours have been harmed. My prayers are not answered. Five lycans and seven wolves lay on the floor their bodies stiff, their eyes blank. I’m lost for what to do next. I don’t know who’s died and how to act so I do the only thing I can. I hobble around closing their eyes. Werewolf and lycan alike. As I rise from closing the eyes of a fallen lycan I find Luke stood there his clothes in tatters and blood coats his arms. None of it is his. “Your hurt” he says as I hobble towards him my teeth grinding together. “It’s fine. I must sort all this out first then I’ll get it fixed” I reply gesturing at the mess around me. “It’s obviously not fine, go and get yourself looked at. Ill handle this. I know what to do” he says sternly and I head his counsel. “Fine but if anything happens find me straight away don’t go alone” I order as I walk away “of course”

  As I limp inside I find something I had never expected, the lycans now on the mend faster are helping the werewolves, laughing together, supporting each other and as I limp past them they nod and smile, each step is agony but I don’t let it show. I don’t know why I won’t but my body refuses to budge as I make my way around trying to find Anne, the only one that knows how to get the bullet out but I’m stopped by a very angry Lucy who looks torn as to slap me or hug me. Thankfully she chooses the latter. “I could hear all the noise outside, I thought that maybe…..” she starts breaking into at the end. Holding her closer to my chest I whisper into her ear “I’m never going to go anywhere. I will always come back” a light awkward cough behind us breaks the reunion and turning gingerly around I find the old and Connor stood there together, their clothes stretched their trousers with huge holes in the legs and tops stretched to almost twice the size “ thank you, we came here threatening to take your home but instead you made it open to us” he says his voice full of gratitude and respect. “We don’t need to enemies. The hunters are the enemy” I reply and he nods in agreement. “You’re hurt” Connor says pointing at my wounded leg and a smirk “it’s just a scratch. It’s nothing to get worried about” I reply but he shakes his head. “No it’s not. Its silver, if too much gets into your system…..” he says wavering off and I catch his drift. Lucy’s grip on the arm tightens in fear “sit down. I can get it out” the old man says and I’m hesitant to let him “if you don’t let me take it out it will only get worse, the others are far too busy to stop everything for you. Trust me, you saved our lives now let me save your” he pleads and gingerly I drop to the floor stretching out my legs. The old man moves to inspect the wound, pocking and prodding making me wince in pain “you changed with the bullet inside didn’t you” he asks rhetorically and I don’t reply “you’ve healed over the bullet, I’m going to have to cut through the skin to get to it. Connor find me a scalpel or something small and sharp” he says and Connor disappears leaving me with the old man and Lucy. “You took that bullet for me didn’t you?” she says almost ashamed as Connor returns with what a tiny knife “I’m sorry but this was all I could find” he says looking at both the old man and I “it’ll do. I recommend biting down on something. This will hurt” he says and ripping of my top I fold it roughly in to a ball, the touch of Lucy’s cold hand sends shivers through me and as I bit down on the torn clothes tasting of dirt, sweat and blood I brace myself as well as I can. Connor grabs hold of my hand and I feel the knife press against my skin but it doesn’t cut through it presses into it making a deep mark but my skin doesn’t break. “That’s not good. The Umbrian blood is running thick now, I can’t pierce your skin like this” he says and something Luke says runs through my head “only a lycan, and werewolf or silver can break our skin” I pull the fabric from my mouth and know what has to be done. “ change and use your claws” I say and his face drops in surprise “ your realise that is very risky don’t you, I could do a lot of damage” he says almost afraid of doing it “ this bullet will do more damage if you don’t” I reply and he nods “ ill open up the area around it and you’ll have to get the bullet out Connor” he says and Connor nods ready . The old man changes there and then and stands there as big as a cow and built like an ox, his fur a sleek black and his eyes a vivid purple. I promptly put the fabric back into my mouth and brace myself as well as I can before giving him the nod.

  Pain fills my brains his claws cut into my skin in five separate places, my sight fills with red and black. The cloth muffles my screams .I almost lose consciousness as I feel Connor search more the bullet pushing skin and muscle out the way. Vomit rises up my throat till I hear a sigh of relief and I feel myself healing almost instantly and the pain subsides dramatically. My sight slowly return to normality and I find the floor around my leg covered in my own blood but my leg is perfectly fine, no scars, no nothing. “Well that wasn’t fun” I laugh pulling the fabric out of my mouth and the others chuckle though the Old mans is more a wolven pant. The old man walks off disappearing as quickly as he appeared leaving Connor to pull me to my feet. “I’m sure it wasn’t” he says smiling and for a moment it feel like nothing’s changed. “I’m going to go and see if anyone needs some help.” Lucy says walking away briskly leaving the two of us alone. “Your girlfriend seems nice” he laughs nudging me playfully in the shoulder “she’s not my girlfriend. I’ve only known her for just over a day” I argue blushing sounding like a small child. “You saved a lot of lives today. First stopping all-out war between our packs and then letting our hurt inside.” He says
sounding in awe of my actions “I only done what was best for the pack. I don’t want anyone hurt, not when I can prevent it” I say honestly and he smiles “you say that like a true alpha. I can see how you rose to the top so quickly” he says sounding more proud than jealous “I didn’t try to be alpha. It just happened.” I tell him honestly recalling the whirlwind of events. “I never would have thought you was an Umbrian.” He says honestly “its mad how things play out sometimes isn’t it? Did you know my parents weren’t my parents at all?” I ask and he nods “you had different smells, they smelt fake, manmade but you smelt different. A strong odour, an earthy, gritty smell. I thought maybe you was adopted and didn’t know” he says and an awkward silence falls between us “so what’s your alphas name? He seems nice” I ask and he chuckles. “He doesn’t say, he’s just alpha. It’s what we have always called him” he says “well that’s going to get very confusing isn’t it” I laugh and he joins in. “We will have to think of a new name for you” he jokes “I think just using my actual name would be okay.” I say and he shakes his head. “Too informal. And I’m sure there is bound to be another Jason at some stage.” He says and gets to work trying to think of a new title “why did your alpha call me by my last name anyway?” I ask him trying to change the topic “I don’t know probably some old fashioned rule” he says and I see an idea pop into his head. “Umbra. That’s what we can call you.” he says and I laugh “do you really think that would catch on?” I laugh and he nods seriously “I think it will. If it’s heard enough. That’s what I’m going to call you from now on” he says seriously. “Jason!” Luke shouts running across the room shoving anyone in his way “there’s a problem, you need to come quickly” he says and disappears as quickly as he arrived. I give Connor a look of farewell and dart after the flustered Luke. We run back outside and in the distance is a faint glow lighting up both alpha and Ryan who stand over something obscuring anyone’s view “go away” alpha growls as we approach not looking “no.” I reply simply and he turns around grimacing “sorry I thought it was someone else” he says sheepishly and moves over so I can see what they are trying to hide. It’s not something but rather someone. Someone that I never imagined I would see. “Jason?” he says his face stained with blood as it runs down his face from a wound hidden by his hair. “You know this hunter?” alpha asks stunned by the revelation and almost accusing me of consorting with the enemy “I wouldn’t say that. He’s one of the hunters that took me” I reply and alphas rage turns from me to him. At first I thought that when I found them again all I wold want to go is hurt them but as I stand here looking at him lying there part of me feels almost sympathetic “we didn’t take him! We was just charged with raising him.” he protests looking at me with what feels like real love in his eyes “it’s true we were not your real parents but we loved you like a real son. The hunters wanted to take you away so we ran to keep you safe.” He pleads and in my head a war rages as to believe him or not. “Don’t tell me you are listening to this!? He and his friends just tried to kill us all and did kill some of us including you” Ryan protests angrily growling loudly at the hostage “I can help you. I know their plans, their….” He starts pleading as he sees his affiliation with me won’t change anyone’s mind. “I can tell you where your half-brother is” he says and everything stops. “Where?” I growl disgusted at the fact his love was just a ploy “a werewolf pack back home. They sent him there to prevent him becoming a lycan.” He says oblivious to the fact they are here. “You mean the pack that arrived here today? The one whose home you just destroyed?” I laugh and his eyes go wide in disbelief “I can…..” he murmurs all his bargaining chips played and lost. “No. you will tell us your plans or I’m going to make your life hell. You see us as monsters right? How would you like to be one?” I whisper, his very soul freezing form the cold of my voice. “Let’s start with how you found us” I say and he hesitates but the growls from alpha and Luke are enough to hurry him up “the benefits you claim, the services you use, bank cards, credit cards. Anywhere that’s suspicious we cheek” he says looking down at the floor ashamed to tell us. “Why did you attack us, a group as small as yours had little chance?” alpha asks and he refuses to say a word. “Answer the question!” I shout getting right into his face “we wasn’t here for a slaughter. We were here for you. The new leader is very interested in you.” he says and eyebrows raise across the board. “The hunters have a new leader?” alpha enquires and get his answer without any prompts “yes. He has pulled back all searches for packs and is using every available resource to find Jason” he says his eyes fixed on me. “Don’t call me that. The name you gave me is not who I am anymore” I growl all the love I once felt for the man gone with the wind. “It doesn’t matter what I call you or what you do, we will find you and we will take you to him.” he laughs at my defiance and his love is shown for the façade it was “where is he?” I growl but he only laughs louder “do you really think that I would know that? We ae told nothing. We are only the pawns, the soldiers.” “Then no one will miss you when you are gone” I sneer as I feel myself star
t to change. “You won’t kill me Jason, what would mum think and David and Lauren? Can you really do that to them.” he says and for a moment I stop and he smiles smugly. “No Jason wouldn’t, but Jason doesn’t exist anymore.” I say blankly “then who are you?” he asks slowly not happy where this is going. I lean in close to his ear as I change and feel my teeth lengthen and fur start to grow and growl gently sending shivers down his body and say “ I am umbra, I am the end of the hunters” and as he pleads and begs I wrap my fangs around his neck and slowly start to sink them in, ribbons of blood running down my fangs staining my tongue with the bitter taste and I freeze my mind flashing through the memories we have together. Every birthday every Christmas and slowly I let go, my mind my own once more and as realisation of what I’ve done sets my hearts racing and my limbs shaking. I look at him lying there four circles of blood in his neck and spin around looking at the carnage around me my head goes into meltdown as I realise what I’ve done. I was drunk with a strength the likes of which I have never felt before. My breathing is fast and shallow as I look at my hands to find them sticky with blood. “what do you want us to do with him umbra?” alpha asks and I’m confused “ Jason!” he shouts and I spin around frightened and see him stood there a concerned look on his face “ what shall we do with him?” he asks looking to me for answers and I feel myself slipping again “ make him the monster he want to kill. Scratch him alpha” I order the strength taking control one more “but…..that……” he stammers then realises my plan “no...No please don’t. No Please!” he squeals as alpha changes and walks towards him and as his screams fill the air a sick smile crosses my face. “Go back to your leader and tell him what you want but don’t forget to give him my message. This is an act of war, you have brought the fight to our door. Now I am going to bring it to yours” I growl but he doesn’t move laying there sobbing “GO!” I shout and he leaps to his feet flinging himself to the floor before scampering away drops of blood hitting the floor leaving a trail of red. “Are you okay Jason?” Luke asks worried “I…I don’t know…..I…” I stammer so confused. My actions from my body but not my mind. “Go and rest. I’ll explain later. Il handle this.” Luke says firmly “no I’m the alpha I should….” I start but he refuses to listen “and you’ve also only been a lycan for a few days. Let me handle it. I know what I’m doing. I’ll find you when I’m done and we can talk” he says firmly and I can’t argue with him. “Promise me you will find me if anything else happens” I demand and he nods “oh course.” As I slowly make my way in I have to dodge bodies and tread around pools of blood and bile fills my throat, the smell enough alone to set me gagging. Everywhere I look I find family and friends holding each other in comfort and sadness and I feel guilty. He said that they want me so if I hadn’t been here then no one wold have died. I don’t say a word to anyone as I walk around the house in a daze but somehow finding myself one of the many bathrooms and stand there staring into the mirror. My face and hands covered in blood and as I wash it off tears begin to roll a steady stream of sadness and pain mixing with the red of rage and hatred. I lost control. I went wild and killed. I want me. I wasn’t human I was an animal. I look at my reflection disgusted and smash a fist into it smashing it into pieces. The tinkle of falling glass a welcome distraction from the world and I feel my fist throb from the impact but my skin stays strong. “Your dad smashed the exact same mirror when he first arrived here” the familiar voice of Anne comments not angry just reminiscent. “I lost control Anne with Leon and now with this…I…I killed people” I stammer the words making my throat hurt “why? Why did you kill those people?” she asks “Leon because it was the only way to help you and the hunters because they attacked us” I reply simply “is it wrong to protect your family? Is it wrong to keep those you care about safe?” “But I wasn’t me! I felt different” I shout before falling silent again. “It was you! A lycan isn’t half wolf half man. Its different shell with the same filling. A lycans wolf is only as evil as the person behind it. You were in control Jason you just let go of that man’s throat!” she shouts and what she says makes sense. “It’s not just that Anne. They said it’s me that they wanted. If I hadn’t been here……” “Then Leon would have still been alpha and we would all be dead” she says bluntly and I look at her stunned “this is not your fault. Those that died would have died if you was here or not. Those out there alive, they are your fault. In the space of a day as alpha you have made peace between two packs and fended of a hunter attack. You are not a monster. You are an alpha and a darn good one so far” she declares and I feel a weight lifting from my soul. I still feel guilty about killing and I’m sure I will till the day that I die but remembering why helps. “Go and get some rest Jason. Everything’s under control.” She says her voice full of concern before disappearing as quickly as she had appeared. As I make my way towards my room I’m greeted by countless werewolves and lycans sat in the hallways talking, laughing and I see all division forgotten in an instant. Many just tip there head in greeting and some call me by name but not the name I was given at birth. The name I called myself, the name that I laughed would never catch on but it has, spreading like wildfire and as I hear it more and more it feels less and less strange. “Umbra”. Walking into my room I find Lucy sat on my bed looking blankly at the wall so deep in thought that she doesn’t hear me enter. “Are you okay?” I ask although I can tell somethings wrong. “Oh I’m fine just a bit frazzled.” She says not looking at me “it’s okay Lucy. It’s over” I say rubbing her shoulder trying to calm her down.
“It’s not though is it? They know where we are now. They will come back.” she says and I want tell her they won’t, that we can live in peace now but I don’t want to lie to her. “They might but we are ready. We…..” “We can fight every night? We can lose friends every day? You might be able to but I can’t! I can’t spend every day sitting here worried about you” she shouts before snapping silent her cheeks turning a bright red. “We won’t. No one else is going to die. I say as I lift her chin gently so we are looking into each other’s eyes “ we will be free, we will live in peace” I say delicately brushing tears from under her eyes. “how can you promise that?” she asks “because till the last breath leaves my lungs I will not rest till we do” I say softly and she smiles hugging me softly forcing the pair of us to fall softly, laying together on top of the quilt “I’ll hold you to that promise Jason” she yawns and I smile “I know you will.”

  Waking in the morning I find myself alone once more and as I sit up stretching I long for her company again. Sitting there I feel cold and realise I’m still in the tattered clothes of last night. Routing through the draws I try to find something to wear and settle for a plain black and white combo with some faded jeans. I can find no shoes so I settle for some socks. The hallways that where full last night are now bare only discarded bandages and spots of blood are the only evidence of the crowd last night. I come towards the closed doors to the courtyard and hesitate with my hand on the handle, take a deep breath and push the door open to find the floor bare, all the bodies gone and not a spec of blood or bullets on the ground, all that’s left is the holes. Tiny circular holes turning everything into Swiss cheese. Droves of people sweep the floor gathering anything previously missed or start to take down anything broken. “How on earth did you do all this?” I ask Luke once he’s delegated instructions “I didn’t. I came out this morning and all the hunter bodies had gone. The werewolf and lycan bodies and their families have gone to the crematorium” He says saddened by the losses but also confused. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I ask “we have friends there and they won’t ask questions. We have covered our tracks for centuries Jason.” He says confidently “what about the hunters? “ “The hunters have never attacked in public before. Its safe Jason don’t panic” he says reassuringly “Do you think the hunters gathered them?” I ask curious referring to the dead bodies “maybe though they haven’t bothered before. I’m not going to complain but it’s strange, all of it, they aren’t stupid they would have known we would overwhelm them at that time. It was suicide to move in then” he says oohing and ahing and while it puzzles me too there is more important things to worry about “is everyone okay? There was nothing else?” I ask hoping my withdrawal had made me miss anything “no everyone’s fine and on the mend, most of us are healed already but the were’s take longer” he says just stating a fact rather than taking a dig. “I think there alpha was looking for you earlier, didn’t say why just asked me to tell you to find him when you can” he adds and I smile. “Thank you Luke. For everything” I tell him and leave him to manage the clean up outside. Back inside they’ve started cleaning up with everyone able and some that shouldn’t be scrubbing the floor or bagging bandages most ignore me as I walk past deep in conversation and the air is full of laughing and small talk. I find alpha sat there talking to Connor the pair of them talking fast and loud but among the crowd there conversation is garble till I get closer I shouldn’t really eavesdrop but my curiosity gets the better of me “ he practically saved our lives” Connor replies to something I missed obviously angry “ and I’m grateful for that but its better he doesn’t know” alpha says and it doesn’t take a genius to work out who “he” is “ why? Why not tell him? He deserves to know” Connor cries outraged and stepping out the shadows I ask simply “deserves to know what?” with my arms folded looking at the pair expectantly and they exchange worried glances. “Come on tell me I haven’t got all day” I say frustrated hating secrets. “It’s….” Connor starts but a cold look from alpha stops him “I cannot have people around me I cannot trust. Tell me what’s going on” I order growing more frustrated by the second. “It’s your brother, half-brother” alpha says and my heart starts to race at the mention of the last blood family I have. “What about him? Do you know who it is? Is he here?” I ask excited. “ we know who it is but he isn’t here” he says and I can see he’s reluctant to tell me where he is but seeing I won’t let it lie he groans “ he and a few others stayed behind when the hunters took our home, fought them so we had time to escape we haven’t heard from any of them since” he says sadly and taking a deep breath to stop my hands from shaking I comprehend the news. “There is a chance he got away” Connor says trying to help but failing. I walk away without saying a word as my emotions run wild, anger, sadness, pity, back to anger again. I can’t leave to find him. The pack is my first priority and the hunters could return any time. Every time I get close to finding someone they slip away. “Umbra” Connor shouts the name that seems to slowly taking over and I stop turning to face him. “Your brother is my closest friend and not a day goes by that I regret leaving him behind but he is just as strong willed as you. If anyone escaped he would have. Don’t lose hope” he says before leaving once more and I wish I hadn’t listened but Connors right I can’t lose hope. There’s a chance he’s okay and as long as there’s a chance there’s hope. I turn my attention to what Luke was saying about the hunters. Why march in then, why not wait till we had fought and tired ourselves? Why were they so intent on reaching the house? It was almost like they were looking for something in there we wasn’t looking for a slaughter. We were looking for you. As I stand there it all becomes clear. All the pieces slot into place. I run back through t
he crowd back to where alpha and Connor sit panting and the pair look at me stunned “I know what they were doing. Meet me in my room in ten minutes” I pant and disappear again to find Luke and Ryan. It takes an age to find them both, eventually finding them with a pair of werewolves sharing a bottle of what smells like whiskey and laughing. “Ryan. Luke” I shout and the pair look at me on the verge of being tipsy and smile “my room now” I order and the pair realise instantly somethings wrong and bid farewell to the pair in front of them and join my side without a word until we reach my room where alpha and Connor are waiting “Okay Jason what’s going on?” Luke asks confused “I think I’ve worked out what the hunters were doing here last night” I say and no one says a word “the survivor said they have ditched everything in an attempt to find me. I thin last night they had an idea I was here so they moved in bringing him with them certain that I wouldn’t kill him.” I say and heads nod across the board “so now they know you are here why haven’t they moved in with force?” Ryan asks “I don’t know I think they are waiting for something. I think that we will find out what soon” I tell them and silence falls as the same thought goes through our mind. Can we hold them off again? “So what do we do know?” Connor asks eager to do something “there isn’t much we can do but wait now” I tell him and I can see he hates the idea. “ so we just have to sit here and twiddle our thumbs while they move on their plans?” he spits answering his own question before storming out the room outraged quickly followed by alpha who looks at me apologetically as he leaves. “That’s not everything is it Jason?” Luke says before I do a thing. “It’s too much of a coincidence that the hunter arrive at the exact time the werewolves do.” I say speaking my mind, trusting the pair. “You think they are setting us up?” Ryan asks stunned at the suggestion. “Not all of them or maybe not any of them. I could be wrong but….I don’t know something just doesn’t feel right.” I says not able to explain hoping they will understand. “What do you want us to do?” Luke says proudly ready to do anything I ask. “For now nothing. While we have no proof I will not risk destroying what we have. There is too much on our plate without splitting everyone.” I say and they nod “smart. I’ll keep an eye out for anything strange” Ryan says before excusing himself. “That’s not what’s bothering you either” Luke says smiling lightly and I can’t help but smile back. “No it’s not but this more personal than pack related” I say and in a moment all protocol of alpha to beta vanishes and it’s just two friends and Luke plops himself on my bed eager to listen. “It’s my brother” I say and his chin touches the floor “have they found him?” he asks almost more excited than me “no they lost him. They said that when the hunters attacked them my brother stayed behind to get the others time to escape” I tell him and I see him think wondering what the best thing to say is. “There’s a chance they might have taken him captive but I can’t do anything because I belong here” I say sadly and he looks at me understandingly. “Now you are the one with something bothering them” I laugh at his expression “I know werewolves are incredibly loyal so for them to leave others behind……..” he says before drifting off “you think they are lying” I say my heart dropping. “No werewolves don’t lie but I don’t think they are telling you everything” he says “I’m lost” I say holding my head in my hands “me too” he says and we both chuckle softly at the predicament like two school children that failed to study and now face the consequences. “What can I do Luke? I don’t even know who I am anymore. How can I lead a pack” I say my faith gone. “You know who you are but you won’t accept it. You are the alpha that arrived and changed everything. You are the alpha that showed compaction to his enemies. You need to stop fighting who you are let it free. Trust yourself. These are not alpha instincts or lycan instincts they are your instincts your beliefs.” He says looking at me hard. “But I…..” I start but a deafening bang stops me dead and as the smell of silver fills the air I don’t need to say a word as both Luke and I dart to the room and run to the front door to find my captor stood there smiling a light gun in one hand with two other hunters both men over six foot, one darkly tanned with a face like thunder the other as pale as the other is dark but just as disgusted as he looks at us. As much as the three are a horrid sight another sight is worse. Laying in the middle of the triangle is a werewolf, still in its wolf form in still stands tall and proud even with the silver muzzle over its jaw and chains holding each pair of legs together turning the bare skin bright red. Dried blood coats the metal and the prisoner’s feet from burst sores. More and more wolves and lycans arrive all of them standing behind me growling furiously but the trio don’t move, their faces stay a blank canvas. “ we haven’t come to fight, we came to talk” he says raising his hands but that doesn’t settle anyone’s nerves “ you better talk fast because each second I look at you I draw closer to killing you myself” I growl my alpha instincts kicking in “ I don’t think you will Jason, you are really going to want to hear what I have to say” he says smirking confidently and I take a threatening step forward making the two hunters at the back raise their guns and point them at the wolf in front of them “ now Jason would you be so quick to kill your brother?” he says so calmly it takes me a minute to hear. “We came to propose a trade. Him for you” he says simply and my world freezes as we stand there and I met eyes with the wolf in front of me. His eyes the same deep blue and in his eyes I see everything I need to hear. He doesn’t know me yet he knows what I feel, what I’m going through. He is ready to go if it’s what I decid
e but I see the pain in his eyes and a wicked thought falls into my mind. As I watch Ryan, Connor and many more waiting outside. The hunters think they hold the cards but they have just walked into the wolves pit and they are hungry “take off his chains and muzzle and I give you my word that I will come quietly." “That’s not enough. I want your word that no one in your pack will harm us till we have left” he says and looking at Luke who shakes his head in silent plea “I give you my word. No one in my pack will harm you as we leave” I say and his smile widens as whitey bends down to take the shackles off the wolf while the others stays aimed till he was walked past them till he stands behind me. As he passes me I make my way towards them my head held high but I don’t walk alone. Every werewolf in the room moves with me growling and the three hunters look around confused as the doors fly open behind them and they are meet with a wall of hungry faces and snapping jaws “ you gave us your word no one in your pack would harm us” he shrieks as the trio are closed together surrounded. “And they won’t. Werewolves and lycans can’t be in the same pack. They are just guests and I believe they are here because of you” I say and sweat drenches his face shivering in fear his face quivers “Jason…please…..” he pleads the trio pointing their guns at one werewolf before flicking to the next and the next. “I’m not the one that can call them off and that isn’t my name. Anymore. I am umbra. I am the end of the hunters and the rise of the lycans “I say my voice steady and emotionless as the horde descends and the trio of hunters disappear. Looking over to where my brother stands gingerly his eyes looking around him his gaze full of uncertainty. “Luke. Take him to my room and get him some clothes. I’ll be there in a moment” I order but as Luke begins to reach out to him to help him he backs away with his back raised. His eyes falling on my in a plea of help. “I don’t think that’s going to work” Luke says backing away slowly and I step forward and as I reach out to scoop him up he doesn’t resist. My legs creek and arms ache as I rise and walk down the hall being as gentle as I can. No one follows disbanding without being told only Luke and a few others remain to clean up the mess. I place him on my bed and start routing though my draws to find him clothes throwing them over my shoulder and wait tapping my foot as he dresses. My heart is racing at the thought of meeting my brother and with a gruff “I’m done” I turn around and find myself eye to eye with my brother. My real brother. He stands at the same height as me but while I have the physic of a runner he’s built more like a wrestler. His hair longer than mine could ever be, a perfect black and straight as an arrow. His mouth looks like it hasn’t smiled in months and his eyes are red, puffed up balls of flesh.

  “You need to rest. Take my room.” I say starting to walk out the room the reality too much for me. “No umbra you need to stay” he says and I’m not sure what to make of the demanding tone in his voice but curious I stop and turn around. “You are being played just like I was. That old man calling himself alpha and Connor they are working with the hunters. They travel the county finding packs to join then tell the hunters and then begin the cycle again. The last pack they took was mine.” he says full of anger and betrayal “so why did they help fight the hunters that attacked?” I ask confused. “That was a test. They are expendable. You are not. They thought I was drugged and I heard everything. Even today was a set up. They want you to think you are safe, that you are in control. They want to catch you. I don’t know why. They thought I was the one but my blood wasn’t right. Umbrian blood is supposed to be lycan. They want your blood umbra.” He says bluntly being honest with me “why me? I get I’m an Umbrian and stronger but why go through the trouble of trying to catch me? What would they gain?” I ask confused. “You are the only lycan able to hold onto control as a wolf, you and anyone you turn are stronger faster. Their skin impenetrable and self-healing. They want you to lead their army Jason. They want you to become the driving force in wiping us out” he says and I’m stunned. “I wouldn’t never do that!” I protest outraged “I’m sure you wouldn’t but they seem certain that you will if they get hold of you.” “So what I’m supposed to run and hide? Make sure I don’t get caught?” I ask him “no. we have to go from being the prey to being the predator. I know where they are. They have friends of mine still in cages. They have grown arrogant and over confident and think we are weak. Let’s show them what two Umbrian’s can do.” He says eagerly his voice full of detest for his captors. “I can’t leave them here alone. What if the hunters come here?” I argue

  “They won’t. They are actually waiting for you to go and rescue the others” he says smiling “so why would we go there and do exactly what they want?” “Because the plan was for me to be dead and you to march in in a craze. But now there is two Umbrian’s pissed at them. Cool, calm and ready but there is one problem. As soon as we leave the mole will tell them” “so we have to get rid of the moles” I say raising an eyebrow “just alpha and Connor. The others only followed out of fear” he says and I nod “are you in any state to fight?” I ask and he laughs “I’m an Umbrian. I’m always ready to fight” jumping to his feet the weariness has vanished as his body heals and we set out in search of the fakes, the old man and the best friend. As the two of us walk through the building we draw looks of curiosity from everyone we pass. Many welcome my brother home but he ignores them focused on our objective. We march into the dining room and find the pair sat there with Ryan and Luke talking in hushed whispers. My brother starts to move forward but I hold him back. “Ryan. Luke. Move away. They are the ones that lead the hunters here” I say firmly and they rise to their feet but don’t move away growling angrily eager to stay and fight. “Move away. This is to be fair” I say and reluctantly the pair walk away. Alpha and Connor don’t move staying seated looking calm at their discovery “fair. Two werewolves against a werewolf and lycan both of which are Umbrian’s. Yes that’s fair” alpha comment dryly “and its fair that werewolve
s and lycans had to die because of your betrayal.” I hiss “this world isn’t fair. It was us or you and we caved and saved ourselves.” Connor pleads “has it all been a lie? A trap for me to fall into?” I ask and he nods. “From the start. I knew who you was and what you was destined to be. It was my job to get close to you.” he says no hint of apology in his voice and as the pair sit there almost happy for us to kill them I think about what Luke said as I feel myself start to change. “You won’t let him kill me Jason. You’re still my friend” Connor says and I smile “no I won’t” I say and a smug satisfied smile crosses his lips but as my throat starts changes and my teeth lengthen I growl out “because I’m going to kill you myself.” The rooms a flurry of fur and fangs as we change a pair of white and grey wolves against a pair of Umbrian’s. Alpha dives for my brother and the pair roil across the floor smacking into the wall breaking the plaster. I’m about to rush to his aid as Connor leaps and digs his teeth into my forearm making me howl in pain as I pull him off and toss him across the floor rolling and rolling in a ball of fur. Momentarily free I check on my brother to find him limping with alpha marching towards him growling. I leap between them growling and swing my claws at his face pushing him back. My brother tries to push past me to fight but I don’t let him pushing him back gently with my foot making his growl softly in irritation. The pair of liars regroup and move forward as one. Without a second thought I charge at the two moving faster than anyone can follow, running on all fours my claws cutting into the floor and tackle the pair to the floor. Their whimpers are music to my ears as I fell bones snap from the collision. Connor lays there unable to move nursing his back leg but alpha rises shakily to his feet defiance in his eyes. Marching towards him intent on finishing him he bursts into life moving like a bullet leaping like a rabbit clattering into my chest with all fours, his claws rip at my skin and I feel my own blood flow. He doesn’t get a chance to sink his teeth into my neck as a black shadow pounces across my chest and knocks him to the floor. I don’t need to look as I hear alpha whine and wheeze before falling silent, hitting the floor with a dull thud and our attention falls on Connor. He lays there now in his human form sobbing nursing his injured leg and I feel terrible. As I look at him I remember the day he left me and I fill with anger but then I think of everything else and I can’t. “Go.” I say almost not wanting to say it and he doesn’t move either in disbelief or just doesn’t hear “ go before I change my mind” I shout and he doesn’t waste time pulling himself to his feet and begins to limp away “ No one is to harm him. Let him go” I shout my voice echoing across the walls but I don’t move trying to regain control the emotions tearing my apart “You could have died trying to fight them alone” he says plainly “could have but then you could have died too. You shouldn’t have fought.” I say in a more heartfelt tone “it had to be done. Who taught you to fight?” he asks changing the subject “no one. I’ve only been a lycan for a week.” I tell him and him looks at me surprised “a week? How on earth did you become alpha within a week?” he says curious “it’s a long story” I say shrugging my shoulders not eager to talk about my first kill “come find me once you’ve cleaned yourself up. We need to leave as soon as possible “He say rising and walking out leaving me with the two bodies. “I don’t know what the hunters done to put in that position but I swear they will not hurt anyone again. This has to end. This will end.” I say softly as I close their eyes and walk out the room to find Luke and Ryan stood there waiting. “It was them all along” Luke growls outraged “yes but they won’t be any trouble anymore” I say sadly “I’ll arrange the clean-up but what happens now? The hunters will realise their dead” Ryan asks sounding afraid “now we fight back. Aaron know where there camp is holding countless lycans and werewolves captive. We are going to free them” I say “what about everyone here? If you take everyone there to fight then who will defend them?” Ryan asks angrily “just me and Aaron are going. I want the pair of you to lead them in my absence.” I tell them and they don’t know what to say. “That’s crazy. Two of you against an army of hunters?” Luke says looking at me like I’ve gone crazy “two of us is all it takes” I reply confident “at least let me come with you” Luke pleads “no. I need you here. I’ll be fine” I say although I would love to have him at my side “I understand. It’s crazy but I understand. Good luck telling Lucy.” He says smiling before leaving with Ryan in tow. Routing through my clothes I realise that in the space of a few days almost half my clothes have been ruined. Taking a mental note to try and replace it I change into a fresh set. I’m about to head out the door when Lucy stops me leaning up against the door way she blocks my path, the scowl on her face showing her anger. “Why did you have to kill alpha?” she asks sadly brushing my cheek. “They were the ones that brought the hunters here. The tracking us was a lie. They have been using our own kind to find us” I say sadly slightly upset about the way things have played out “so you had to kill them?” she asks calmly “yes. If I let them leave they would have told the hunters and then we would be in big trouble” I say almost apologising to her. “I understand.” She says hugging me tight an embrace I return but she doesn’t seem convinced “what’s wrong Jason?” she asks breaking away from me “Aaron and I are leaving. The hunters have werewolf’s prisoner so we are going to get them back” I tell her “and what if the hunters come here?” she asks frightened “then Luke and the others will keep you safe.” I tell her reaching out
“you’re going alone?” she says puzzled “just Aaron and me.” “Why do you have to go? It’s the werewolves fight not yours” she pleads holding my face with both hands. “It’s our fight. The hunters don’t discriminate so neither can we” I reply and she smiles “I knew there was a reason I feel for you” she smiles peaking my on the cheek with her ruby red lips. “Promise me that you will come back” she says sternly holding my gaze “I promise” “where’s your brother then? I want to tell him to keep you safe” she demands “I’m going to find him now” I tell her and together we walk out her arm linked with mine and as she walks at my side I feel complete. It doesn’t take long to find Aaron sat there being tended to by Anne and the sight makes me laugh to myself as I her his protests fall on deaf ears “ I’m fine really” he says overwhelmed by the mother hen that is Anne “ no you are not fine. Those chains left horrid silver gunk all over your legs and it was to come off” Anne argues scrubbing at his lower legs with a cloth so hard I’m surprised he has any skin left at all “Jason! Please tell her that I’m okay” he pleads as he sees us walk in but only but smiling I don’t say a word. “I don’t know what you’re laughing about Jason, I’m looking over your next” Anne scowls and it’s the turn of Aaron to laugh at my expression “I’m fine Anne. I heal remember” I tell her and she shakes her head. “That doesn’t mean it won’t get infected does it.” She says and my face drops “go on you. You’re worse than your brother” Anne laughs and Aaron eagerly hops down and seems almost stunned at the lack of pain. “You must be Aaron” Lucy says sweetly holding out her hand “I am. You must be Lucy. I’ve heard a lot of things about you” he replies his eyes flicking from her to me and back again. “Okay yes we are together now can we please behave like grownups” I groan holding Lucy close as she beams at me obviously happy. “Of course. Have you told her?” he asks and I nod eager to hear what he has planned. “Have you ever been in the town of Rathcoole?” he asks and the mention of my old home sends a wave of nostalgia over me. “It’s where I lived before I came here” I tell him “perfect. In one of the houses there’s a secret basement leading into a network of tunnels and rooms. They are being held down there. To get down there we will need to get one of the hunter to open it. Once inside we will have to move quickly the hunters will move in as soon as the alarm is raised. Then there isn’t much we can do but run” he says leaving me to sit there and think over it. “Perfect. Let’s do it” I say eager to free the captives and Aaron smiles at my eagerness “the hunters will have no idea what hit them”

 

  “How did you end up with the werewolves anyway?” I ask Aaron as we walk. The air is chilly for this time of year as the sunset painting the sky with purples and oranges. “I was five when they attacked. They stormed the house with such force we couldn’t hope to fight back. bullets flied everywhere and all I could do was stand there screaming mummy” he starts scoffing at himself “ I remember one of them levelled a gun right at my head and was about to shoot before dad tackled him to the floor. RUN! RUN! He screamed at me so I did I ran out the back door and I didn’t stop running. I never looked back. I ran till I collapsed from exhaustion and when I woke I was laying in the bed of the werewolf pack’s alpha with him sat at my side. He took me under his wing and raised my as a son” he finishes and a lone tear rolls down his cheek. “What about you how did you end up with the lycans? And become their alpha so quick?” he asks wiping his face almost ashamed at the showing of emotion “I had been raised by the hunters for all my life without knowing it. Connor had been my best friend for my human life then Luke and Sarah found me tried to what I thought was kidnap me and I ran into the forest and Luke turned me. I left with them and arriving at the camp I end up fighting the alpha. My uncle for the right to lead and won.” I tell him leaving out Lucy. His hatred of hunters so deep I doubt he will see it my way. “It’s not always like this. Fighting, killing it isn’t the way we are. The hunters have pushed us to this so know it’s time for us to push back. “Do you know my name?” I ask out of the blue and he looks at me confused “no one knows the name mum and dad gave me I was hoping you might know” I ask hoping, praying for an answer “they did name you Jason. That is your name.” he says smiling and I’m glad to put the identity crisis behind me. “We are almost there so we need to lay low. The entire town is a hunter’s nest. We need to find someone alone and find out the house with the stairwell down.” He says whispering into my ear “I know the house with someone. Well they should be” I say and he looks at me surprised and eager. “Let’s go to my house” “how are we going to get there though?” Aaron asks as I take lead. “We walk in.” I say full of confidence as this time it doesn’t leave me. Walking back down the streets I walked down as a child pulls of my heart strings as memories flood my mind but I don’t cave in. I’m here for a reason and I’m not going to let anything distract me. Neither of us say a word and move quickly blending in as we draw closer to my house. The sight of the familiar four walls should be a joy to behold but it’s not my home anymore. Coming to the door I slowly push down on the handle and find the door unlocked as i
t opens with a gentle crack. The house is exactly as I remember it and so is David who stands in the middle of the stairs his jaw dropping as he sees me stood there. “Mum!” he scream running back up the stairs terrified of me. Aaron walks in behind me and closes the door behind him and we don’t have to wait long till the woman I thought was my mum for long emerges from the kitchen completely un aware we are there to her eyes fall on the pair of us and the mug in her hand slips loose from her hand falling onto the hard tile floor smashing into a thousand pieces the tea inside covering the floor. “We need your help” I say calmly but she doesn’t reply. Doesn’t even move. “ you are going to open up the tunnels for us” I demand as I walk towards her making her tremble on the spot “ please don’t hurt me Jason” she quivers and I smile “ I won’t. Just do as I ask and I give you my word you won’t be harmed” I tell her and slowly she walks past me and towards the sitting room. As she opens up the door once more Aaron seems to grow nervous. “Come on Aaron lets go” I instruct and he heads down ahead of me leaving the shaken woman behind. The room stinks of silver churning my stomach so much I have to pull my top over my nose to filter the worst. “Here we might need these” Arron says tossing a pair of silver pistols to me “I don’t know how to use these” I agree as I look at the weapons “it’s simple. Point and shoot.” He replies sliding a pair into his trousers and pushing the door to the tunnels open and side by side we enter the hornets’ nest. The empty hornets’ nest. The halls so white its blinding and air so neutral I can’t smell a thing. “Where is everyone?” I ask Aaron as we walk cautiously Aaron leading in the unfamiliar surroundings “ I don’t know and as long as the others are here I don’t care” he says harshly as push on through the building passing countless doors all of which must lead somewhere but Aaron seems to know where he’s going so I don’t question him. We are about to go round a corner when he swings back hugging the wall and with a finger on his lips tells me to be quiet. “There’s two guards outside the door.” He whispers reaching down towards the guns at his side “you start shooting now we’ll have the whole lot down on top of us.” I whisper with venom “do they know what you look like? Human?” I ask a plan forming in my head. “No I was a wolf the whole time. If I changed they would know who I was” he replies still not clicking on “then you can be the boy that calls wolf” I say smiling and knowing fills his eyes. Taking the gun from his side he lays them on the floor quietly he takes a deep breath and jumps into the fire “Help! Quick! Wolves!” he screams running towards them and I can only imagine what he must look like as I stand here waiting. I can hear them coming their footsteps betray them as they run. Whooshing around the corner I crack one in the face with a backhand of the guns handle and he falls to the floor still but alive. The second moves fast ditching the gun and pulling out a small military knife but I can tell by the smell it’s not silver. Swinging for my face I don’t even bother moving as it hits the side of my face stopping dead and although it hurts I don’t flinch and the man in front of me freezes in fear a quick right hook to the temple and he’s out for the count. Raising my hand to my cheek I soon move it away as my cheek is so tender touching it feels like it’s about to fall apart. Rushing around the corner I find Aaron trying to push down on the door failing. “get out the way” I shout as I charge at the door building up as much speed as I can before crashing into the door with such force that it flies of the hinges and as I stand up brushing myself down I get to look at the prison I have unveiled Cages fill the room stacked on top of each other all holding a lone wolf. So small that they can barely move, a tiny mockery of a food and water bowl sits in the corner. The slam of the door reverberates around the room and one by one their heads perk up eager to see what’s going on and hope fills their hearts. I run to the nearest cage the wolf inside so skinny its ribs are visible and fur matted into horrid clumps. I reach out to the bars but have to let go as the bars burn into my skin “the bars are pure silver. One of their tricks to try and break us” Aaron spits his hands just as red as mine but looking down I can see the burns heal within seconds and I know what I have to do. Gritting my teeth as the flesh on my palms melts I grab the bars again locked cage door and pull ripping the door of with relative ease. The captive inside looks at me half grateful before darting out the cage and joining the side of the others. I fly down the room tearing off door after door. Lose myself in the action blanking out everything else so to not feel the pain till there is no one left trapped and looking up I find the room full of wolves stood waiting all eager to follow. Aaron not me. “Lead them from the front show the way out. Ill cover the rear” I shout and in huge wave we run through the door and through the halls towards our salvation. We coat through unchallenged till our safety is in sight till my ears are touched by the sound of heavy footsteps behind us. Close behind us. Arron starts leading the out waiting at the threshold of my old home I stop to join him standing against the wall to let the wolves out. “Get the home safe. Look after them for me” I say to him the sadness making my voice quiver before as the last wolf slips through I push Aaron out the way and slam the bolted door shut on myself. Quickly scouring the room I pick up another gun even though I have no idea how to use them and march back down into the pits of hell. They have barley come into sight around the corner when I start firing all over the place driving them out of my depth with the weapons improvising on the spot. “There’s no point in that Jason. We can talk like human beings.” A gruff voice shouts stepping out from them his hands in the air. His grey hair barley covering his head and light green eyes seem faded. “Talk about what?” I shout back still holding the gun aimed at his chest. “About the fact that you have it all wrong. We aren’t the ones you should be fighting” he says confident that I will listen and when I don’t say a word he continues “we are not humans. We are a team of werewolves and lycans. We make sure the rules of our race are upheld. We are the police force of wolven kind and you just helped in a mass prison breakout. I’m not angry at you, just disappointed” he says shaking his head in disappointment. “You’re lying.” I hiss unable to believe I’ve been tricked like that
“we are hunters but we hunt rouge wolves. They are lying to you Jason. We didn’t kill your parents. Your parents were two of our best. They left when you was born but that didn’t stop them hunting them down. We saved you from being killed by the very people you help.” He says speaking to me like a child that refuses to listen. “I can prove it.” He smiles raising his hand gesturing one of the armed guards forward who follows without question. “Change” he commands and no sooner have the words his mouth has the man changed into a wolf. His fur a light grey and of average size in werewolf terms but his clothes are still together somehow changing shape with him now fitting him just like it had as a human. “Go. Go back to your friends. To your brother and find the truth for yourself. We will not follow. We will wait here” he says as my hand trembles not in fear or tiredness but from the horrible feeling that he could be telling truth. “Wait there is one thing I don’t understand. When I came home just after being turned why they had left. Mum and dad?” I ask and he stops turning around he says quickly “because we believed that you could turn them around. The last Umbrian is a lycan like no other. We thought that you might be able to stop it.” He says leaving quickly before I can ask another question so with a mind full of questions and confusion I leave the tunnels and head into my old home to find the place ruined the furniture shredded, the wooden floor scratched by the claws and I feel slightly guilty. Sat on the now ruined sofa though is a bundle of just folded clothes. A pair of black combat trousers and a black camo jacket with only a note sat on top saying the choice is yours. I scoff at the idea I would wear a hunter uniform and dart out the door leaving my home one again to begin the long walk home to find out the truth. I’m coming close to the house when it becomes apparent that something has changed as I find cars abandoned in the road their doors left wide open and their engines still running. Dots of blood cover the floor and the vehicles. “HELP! PLEASE!” a woman screams ahead of me just out of view and even as tired as I am I cannot ignore a cry for help like that and I’m disgusted by what I see. Five wolves surround a woman clutching a baby to her chest sobbing in fear for her life and the child’s as the wolves snap and growl toying with the mother. Running across the top of an abandoned car I leap into the middle landing just in front of the woman petrifying the wolves in front of me. “What are you doing!?” I growl outraged at what they had done, what they were doing but obviously they don’t reply just look at me confused “Jason? You’re alive” Aaron gasps emerging from the distance his hands and face dripping blood, his clothes tattered and I know what he’s done. “what are you doing Aaron?!” why are you doing this?!” I shout sick to my stomach at the sight of him. “What I always planned to do. Lead the fight against humanity” he laughs. “By killing innocents? By slaughtering families? You are the sort of werewolf that makes us hated” I growl “no one is innocent. How many of our families have been slaughtered for no reason!? MY Family! I had a fiancé and daughter! Then the humans came and killed them, tried to kill me. I swore that day that I would do everything in my power to stop them but the hunters didn’t want that. They want to keep hiding to keep living in segregation so they arrested me and anyone that agreed with me. Ask anyone and they will say that they want to be free. Why should we have to hide because of what we are?” He shouts angry and full of belief in his cause “this is not the way to do it Aaron.” I plead even though it’s futile “violence is the only way humanity know how to solve its problems but this is a war it will not be able to win. We have allies everywhere. The greed of humanity for power is a sickness we can prey on.” He says proudly as the five wolves close in on me and the woman Aaron’s speech reminding them of their fight, their struggle. “Do not stand in the way Jason. You might be the last pure Umbrian but even you cannot fight off all of us alone” he says almost pleading but I’m sure he knows I will not stand aside. “Please not my baby. Save my baby please I beg you” the woman shriek offering the baby to me ready to sacrifice herself to save the child. “What’s her name?” I ask her and the calmness of my voice steady’s her “Emma. Her name is Emma” she sniffs realising I’m on her side “I can save your daughter but to do that I will have to leave you. Are you sure?” I ask her sending the wolves sprinting towards us not wanting to let me slip away. “ yes please save my daughter” she says steeling herself as I slowly take the child from her holding her in my arms as it gurgles happily in my arms barely five months old dressed in a bright pink dress. I don’t waste a second leaping over the nearest wolf barely avoiding its snapping fangs landing with a thud I tighten my hold on the child and run my legs already aching under me but I ignore it and run both my and the babies life hanging on the result of the chase. The hunt is on. All I can hear if the rhythmic thud of my feet on the floor and the yapping of the wolves behind me slowly getting louder. Their legs fresh and the adrenaline flowing in their veins but I don’t give up hoping they might get bored and give up but that’s only a false hope to keep my legs moving and hold back tears I know they won’t give up. Werewolves and lycans never give up.

  So now I’m left with a choice. Do I keep running with the false hope of escape or stop and try to fight while looking after a baby a feat that sounds impossible. Two options both almost certain to end in failure. I reach the end of the trail of abandoned cars and stop as a plan forms in my mind. I dash to the nearest car with its doors open and lay the child on the back seats praying that it will not move before flicking the locks on the doors and slamming them shut making the baby start to cry the noise making my heart ache like nothing I’ve ever felt before. “Finally you stopped running. I thought you would run forever” Aaron laughs changing back his clothes torn, the blood on his face and hands dried and cracking. Peeling of like a snake’s skin. “You don’t have to do this Aaron.” I plead as his followers start to push towards me intent on reaching the child in the car “ I’m afraid I do see if you are not going to help us then you are going to stand in our way so it’s best to settle it now” he says grinning like a chaser cat as two wolves close in on me “ then you leave me no choice” I reply ready as I change and as I stand there flexing out in the familiar form I see a sense of unease creep into the wolves as they stand routed to the spot. “What are you waiting for? Kill him” Aaron shouts and they move in.
The first wolf, a light brown skinny thing leaps for my throat but I simply swat it away with my huge palm sending him rolling across the floor. The second an ox of a wolf with a light grey coat seizes the distraction and sinks his teeth into my shin, his teeth only stopping at the bone and I howl in pain trying to kick him off but his jaw is locked and all I achieve is dragging his fangs trough more skin and muscle. The third and fourth wolves start to move round to the opposite side of the car and to thought of the child in danger sends a new wave of strength through my veins and also a rage I cannot control. Reaching down I grab the latched on wolves head his both hands and slowly pry his jaw open and with my razor sharp claws I rip open the wolf’s throat, the blood runs like a torrent before I drop it to the floor and leap over the car and swing at the pair of wolves missing the first but catching the seconds face ripping through its cheek sending it whining way holing a paw to its face. The missed wolf looks at his fallen colleague and back at me before turning around with its tail between its legs its friend whimpering as it stumbles to keep up with him. I stand there panting thinking that its over before something crashes into my back smashing my face into the floor and I feel my nose pop. I roll over using all the strength in my shoulder shaking the attacker off an climb to my feet but as I put weight onto my injured leg I feel it give way and like a shark my attacker Aaron moves in. circling me, toying with me as I growl at him my body drenched in blood a ix of mine and theirs. I limp around the car trying to keep a line of sight but he moves so fast that with my injures leg I have no chance to keep up and he clatters into my chest smashing me into the floor sending the wind from my lungs and a stars flying but I have enough sense to reach out and stop his fangs from sinking into my throat his saliva coating my face as I struggle to hold him back till an unknown force tackles him off me and as I pull myself to my feet I find him squaring off with another lycan but this lycans fur isn’t black. It’s silver. One after one werewolves appear all clad in the hunter uniform and Arron realising that he’s out matched runs moving so fast that my eyes struggle to follow. The silver lycan changes back and as I thought the hunter silver stands in its place. With the threat gone the adrenaline leaves my blood to be replaced with pain. Sheering pain form my injured leg as I limp towards the car where I hid the baby, each step a new level of agony filling the world with red and sends my eyelids fluttering. I’m only a few feet away but it feels like miles and as I fall onto the door and look in on the baby still laying there sniffling a light smile closes my face before the blood loss and pain become too much and I slide down the side of the door the skin on my face stretching trying to hold me up till it hits the cold tarmac. I lay there gazing into the distance down the road towards my home. My friends and slowly it disappears consumed by light. Coming towards me obliterating anything in its path till reaches me and the world disappears in a flash.