The Pack

by Donna Flynn

  Alec heard her scream, knew he had to get to her, so she would not face the shift alone. He had blocked her from remembering the last shift, but now she would recall it all. Every instinct told him he had to get to her before anyone else found her while she was so vulnerable and he picked up his speed. She screamed once more as he pounced through an opening in the woods to a clearing where she laid on the ground her body reforming into her wolf.

  Her breathing was ragged, her eyes filled with terror as he approached. His wolf was protective of its mate, wanting to care for her and help make the change easier. Mentally he called to her, but fear blocked her from responding. He knew he had to take control, to make her understand he was the dominate one, but he didn’t want to anger or scare her more than necessary.

  She finished the shift and lay still on the ground watching him warily as he walked to her side, growling as he shoved his massive nose into her belly forcing her to stand. She snarled and tried to fight flashing him her sharp canines, but he nipped her non-to gently in the rear and she let out a surprised cry hurt clouding her eyes. It was not the time for sympathy, so he ignored his own self-loathing and began shoving her towards the woods forcing her to safety. After a few attempts to flee in the other direction he nipped her again sharply making his intent clear and she gave in allowing him to direct her.

  *****

  Lucan and Gregory ran through the woods following the scent of their young charges, but the overwhelming scent of others in the area were a concern and they kept vigilante for attack.

  The first group of wolves they encountered were Mather’s, the confrontation could have been deadly if the older Alpha hadn’t burst through the forest and took control ordering his pack to strand down and let them pass.

  They were not so lucky with the next group, their scents were untraceable, so they came upon them unaware of their presence. The largest wolf did not hesitate to attack Gregory, his massive body slammed into his with enough force to roll him, but Gregory was no weakling. He bounced back tumbling the other wolf, going directly for his jugular, a deadly and efficient attack that left him the victor.

  Two others circled Lucan both flashing their teeth menacingly as he waited calmly for their attack. They moved together, one tearing into the flesh of his side as the other lunged for his throat. A huge mass of fur interceded tackling the lunging wolf to the ground giving him time to tear the other off and roll him underneath his own body.

  He looked to where the other wolf lay motionless under his father and knew Mather had finished him off. He wasted no time following suite ignoring the howls of agony as his teeth tore into the wolf’s neck ripping the arteries there. The wolf would die, there was no way for him to recover from so much blood loss, but the need for revenge, to make him pay for his part in harming Mercy was strong and he bent his head again prepared to inflict more injury.

  The baying of his Alpha stopped his attack and he lifted his head to look at Gregory who gave a shake of his head before taking off, never questioning that he would follow. It was the reason he had bowed to Gregory, letting him rule over him, he had such leadership skills that one was simply compelled to do as he ask without question. He leapt from the near dead wolf and ran after him with Mather in hot pursuit.

  *****

  Alec ran behind Mercy pushing her to her limits, trying to keep ahead of the other wolves that followed, stopping only to fight with any who caught up them. Rage made him stronger and he easily defeated those who stood in their way, but as they made it back to the last, stretch of woods before her home Mercy stopped so quickly he almost ran her over.

  He moved in front of her meeting the eyes of a lanky bedraggled wolf who howled loudly calling out to his pack. Alec heard them respond, as they closed in on their prey and within moments, they circled blocking any chance of their escape. Mercy let out a little whimper and he brushed along side of her offering comfort despite his own fears they would never escape.

  The other wolves sat on their haunches keeping them corralled, making no approach as the scraggly wolf leapt closer. Alec’s wolf moved into its path to protect its mate and the wolf snarled looking for another way to get to her, but Alec kept his calm stopping him at every turn.

  He knew the wolf had to be Blade. If his thin straggly form did not give him away, then the greasy scent that permeated his fur did. It put him at a disadvantage having to protect Mercy and fight off another wolf, but as long as he was able to keep her safe, there was the chance that his father and Lucan would arrive to save her.

  Blade gave him no time to plan, he jumped quickly, his teeth bared ready for the kill and Alec leapt towards him wanting him as far away from Mercy as possible. They meet mid air and tore into each other their teeth gnashing, their sharp claws tearing into each other’s flesh like freshly sharpened swords. Despite his smaller size, it was clear Blade was used to fighting and he went for places on Alec’s body that would cause the most damage.

  Mercy let out a howl as another wolf moved in on her and Alec immediately looked her way distracting him from the fight. Blades claws ripped into his side leaving deep gashes behind. Blood that matted in his fur and crippling pain that threatened to down him, but he managed to turn and get in a good shot of his own before jumping next to Mercy just in time to deter the other wolf.

  With the amount of blood he was losing, he knew it was only a mater of time before he could no longer protect her. If he was going to save her, he had to place a disabling blow and somehow he found the strength to attack. His massive paw tore into Blades hind leg slicing deeply into the tendons and muscles.

  Blade let out a cry of distress and stumbled to the ground, but managed to rise again dragging the leg behind him. His pack closed in distracting Alec, so he did not see him coming at him until his teeth sank into his neck ripping away fur and skin as he tried to pin him to the ground.

  Alec fought with everything he had and got away, but his wounds were severe and blood loss made him dizzy and weak. He stood before Mercy praying for the strength to protect her until someone came to help, but was doubtful anyone would find them.

  Mercy watched the fighting aware she was the reason Alec was losing so badly. His focus was on saving her, not the wolf that attacked him. He staggered close to her anticipating another attack and she saw the large area of fur and skin that had been torn away. Blood pumped from the wound, its red tint an eerie compliment to the fall colors of the leaves on the forest floor. Only on adrenaline kept him upright, she felt his pain and knew he was trying to hold on long enough to save her. He loved her enough to sacrifice himself to keep her alive and she realized she had to do the same for him.

  Alec backed up resting his head on Mercy’s back, using her to keep himself upright until he attacked again. Blade bayed loudly, his pack following his lead all of them confident they had won the day. The wolf stared at them anticipating Alec’s death, almost grinning when he stumbled next to Mercy fighting to keep himself upright.

  Mercy stared at the wolf, its soulless black eyes reminding her of the past. Impossibly, she knew that this wolf was the one who tried to kill her and who had succeeded in killing her parents. Now he was trying to kill Alec and she knew she could never live if he died.

  Alec stumbled next to her and she knew he was done so, when the wolf advanced she did the only thing she could think of and threw herself in front of him deflecting the final blow meant for him. A dumb move cost her dearly. Her body slammed into a giant oak tree, the air rushing out of her as her bones shattered under the impact before she fell to the ground in a broken heap.

  Blade snarled and bared his teeth and advanced towards her, ready to kill her for interfering, but he never had the chance. As he leapt for her Gregory’s massive form barreled into him knocking him to the ground far away from Mercy and his son. Seeing his son and his mate so badly battered, broke Gregory’s well-known control. Blinded by rage he showed no mercy on the wolf that had dared to harm his family. He made quick work of ripping into hi
m with his sharp canines until Blade shuddered under him and took his last breathe. The other wolves slunk backwards towards the wood line, but his own pack and Mather’s were there waiting to corral them.

  Gregory, having been victorious, stood over the dead wolf, blood coating his fur and running from his jaws as he howled fiercely to signal his pack and the others in the forest that he was victorious.

  Mercy watched it all through bleary eyes horrified by what she saw and what she had become. She was now the very thing that had killed her parents and Gregory who now watched her with his piercing blue eyes was the wolf she had saved so long ago.

  Lucan advanced on her in his human form, but her only concern was Alec and she began pulling her battered, broken body across the ground towards where he lay barely breathing in a pool of his own blood.

  Gregory shifted and ran to his son’s side falling to his knees, running hand over Alec’s fur, tears clouding his eyes as he spoke softly to him. Alec answered with a soft canine whine and his father looked to Mercy nodding.

  Mercy knew he was asking him to watch over her and it tore her heart out that even as he lay dying he worried for her. Sorrow gave way to anger and she forced herself to move quicker ignoring the pain it caused. Lucan seeing her struggle lifted her in his arms and laid her next Alec then took a step back. She poked Gregory with her nose, rolling painfully onto her back exposing her belly to him knowing instinctively he was the only one who could help her shift.

  Gregory nodded and laid his hand on her fur understanding she had given herself over to his Alpha, an enormous gesture he prayed she would not regret later. “Shift,” he whispered. Her fur changed and her body contorted bringing her back to human form entirely too quick to heal her own wounds effectively. He tried to slow the shift down, but she fought him, quickening her transformation, so she could aid Alec.

  Lucan came to her side wanting to see to her wounds, but she turned away and placed her hand on Alec’s chest ignoring his attempts to help her. Her eyes closed and her body stiffened as she focused her healing energy into him ignoring the pain each movement caused to her own body.

  Her energy moved through his body mending the damage and more than once she feared he wouldn’t survive, but she hardened her resolve and pushed on until she had done all she could. As she moved back inside her own body, she felt his hand clasp hers tightly and she knew he was aware what she had done.

  “I’ve done all I can the rest is up to you,” she told Gregory, blood rolling from her bottom lip to drip to their connected hands.

  “Shift son,” Gregory commanded forcing what he knew would be an excruciating, but necessary transformation.

  Alec’s howls turned into human screams as the change took over and his body reshaped itself. It was the last thing Mercy heard before she passed out.

  “Clear the way, we need to get them home!” Gregory called out to his pack as he sat next to his son cradling his head in his lap. Never had he thought he would lose the only truly important thing in his life and now thanks to the little girl who once saved him, his son also lived. He owed Mercy more than he could ever give and prayed she would one day allow him to call her his daughter.

  “Mercy?” Alec whispered his free hand falling on her head stroking her hair as she lay silently over him her breathing almost nonexistent.

  “We will do all we can son,” his father told him.

  “How could you let her?” he whispered. “You should have saved her.”

  “It was not my choice.” Gregory answered solemnly.

  “I will take her home,” Lucan said kneeling down to lift her in his arms grimacing when he saw the extent of the damage to her body. Her left arm hung at an awkward angle, blood seeped from where her ribs had taken the impact of the tree and were now protruding from her skin. Her face was mottled with bruising, her right cheek swollen, blood pouring from a jagged wound there and her breathing barely registered. The fact she had not even whimpered when he moved her was very telling of the sacrifice she had made. By shifting so quickly to save Alec, she had given up her chance for a full, easy, recovery.

  “Lucan,” he turned as Nina walked into the clearing her soft presence calming him instantly. “Bring her home.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Nina went to work immediately upon their arrival at the house, repairing the damage Mercy sustained as best she could.

  As time passed, Lucan’s shoulders slumped lower and lower. Nina remained silent, but the expression of sadness on her face when she came back into her own body spoke volumes. He feared the worst, prayed for the best, and was slowly losing his sanity with every passing second.

  The clock ticked loudly as if goading him, he growled loudly, moved across the room, grabbed the clock from the wall and crushed it on his hands before falling to his knees sobbing like a child. “Why did you let this happen?” he screamed looking heavenward. “How can you take her from us like this?” He lowered his head and sobbed, tears of rage and frustration falling freely down his face.

  Nina’s arms wrapped around him from behind and she pressed her face against his back. “She’s fighting, that’s all we can ask for.”

  He turned swiftly and laid his head against hers seeking the comfort only she could offer. “How bad is it?” he asked, his voice shaking as he ground out the words dreading her answer.

  “She sacrificed her own health for Alec’s. Normally she could have shifted slowly and repaired most of the damage, but by the time I got to her, the bones had started mending. I had to break and reset each one, one rib pierced her lung and another broke through her skin.”

  He gasped as the enormity of what she was telling him crashed down on him. “What are her chances?” he asked woodenly.

  “I’m optimistic. Give her a chance to live before you mourn her loss.” She hugged him close hoping to ease some of his fears, but she was not entirely sure if the young girl had the strength it took to survive such massive injuries.

  “This is my fault I should have told her sooner, taught her to embrace her Were side, it might have helped her today.”

  “It would not have mattered. She sacrificed herself for her mate, you can find no fault with that,” she reminded him.

  “He let himself be a shield to keep her safe until we came, he does not deserve to lose her. None of us deserve to lose her,” he told her his voice breaking.

  “Luc?” Gregory walked to his side and placed his hand on his shoulder looking worriedly towards the bed.

  “We don’t know,” he told his Alpha without even questioning what he wanted to know. “How’s Alec?”

  “He was awake and wanted to get to Mercy, but I sedated him heavily until we know what is happening and he has a chance to heal,” he answered. “If you do not mind I will stay until I can report something to my son.”

  “Yes of course,” Lucan said rising form the floor offering his hand to Nina and pulling her against his side.

  Gregory lifted an eyebrow, but said nothing about their closeness before moving to a chair beside the bed and taking Mercy’s hand in his own. “Fight little one, your whole life waits for you,” he said his eyes suspiciously moist.

  A knock at the door had Nina moving swiftly to answer it ushering in a local doctor who knew what they were and worked with her in the past. Nina and the doctor did another thorough examination and decided the best course of action was to cast her arm and wrap her ribs so the bones would heal over correctly if she survived. The thought sobered Lucan, at once and he reached in his pocket for his phone knowing he had to alert his brother about her condition. As he prepared to dial, the door burst open and Cade strode in followed by a dark haired blue-eyed beauty that looked on the scene with a sympathetic eye.

  “What happened?” Cade asked walking to the side of the bed his face paling as he looked down upon his baby sister’s battered body.

  “Trevor happened,” Mather, answered walking into the room behind them.

  “What the hell is he doing here?
” Cade asked the venom in his voice as he ripped off his leather jacket and prepared to attack his father.

  “Cade don’t,” the dark haired woman said softly.

  “It is alright Hailey, I deserve his scorn, but now is not the time. We can argue later after my daughter recovers,” Mather said completely understanding and accepting his son’s anger.

  “She’s not yours,” Cade denied furiously, but Lucan placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.

  “He is her father Cade. I will explain it all after this mess is cleared up, but for now take my word he is no threat to her.”

  Cade shifted out of his reach, but held his position ready to pounce. “Explain now.”

  “It seems your brother, my son and heir, thought Lucan might come back and take his place as future Alpha. He decided to join forces with Blade, who offered him help keeping his position in the pack, but he failed to recognize that he was being used by a group who wanted to infiltrate our packs and take over.” Gregory nodded having already heard what Mather had found out, but the rest of them stared at him waiting for an explanation. “A group of rogue werewolves have banded together. They think we are weak for hiding what we are from humans and they want it to change, no matter what they have to do to make it happen. No one who is sane would ever follow them, so the only way they could do suceed was to kill every living heir to each relevant pack and place one of their own in the position. It is common knowledge pack heirs are fierce in battle so they killed them by shooting them with poisoned silver bullets. When the time was right they planned on killing the existing Pack Alphas and having their members taking over, but Blade made a mistake when he went after our children, one he did not live to figure out.” He looked to Gregory. “It was not hard to get his pack members to talk, most of them were unhappy following him, but he used their families a threat to keep them in line. We will have to discuss how best to proceed and communicate this to other packs, I have the feeling Blade was only a small part of this.”