Saturday, 3:30 am
Stefan stood on top of a storage building and watched the chaos below. The Council's army, led by General Nancer, had finally attacked from the east. The Silentshadow clan and their allies hurried from the south to join the fray.
He smiled. It was the perfect time to save his niece. He moved back a few paces and then ran toward the edge of the building. A foot from it, he leaped, somersaulted and shifted into a white wolf midair. He twisted and landed on the opposite building's ledge. His tongue lolled out. He belly-crawled along the ledge and entered an open window.
He must remember to thank his contact for helping him. Stefan knew where to go because the plans of Zina's little hideout had been smuggled to him several months ago. He slowed at the top of the stairs and sniffed the air. None of the scents were the ones he wanted. He continued down the hall to a second stairwell. This time he caught a faint whiff of Gerard.
His paws made no noise as he crept down the steps. He held back a growl. So many aromas--fear, lust, rage and resolve, swirled in the air. Mixed in were the personal odors of Zina and her people. He decided to follow Zina's trail. After all, that's where Laylah would be. Filled with purpose, he kept his nose to the ground and his ears perked as he pursued his ex-lover.
~***~
Donil dodged a blow from the werewolf before him. Zina's minions fought in all three forms--human, Werehum and animal.
Two could play this game. With ease, he shifted his hands to claws and viciously sliced into the Werehum before him. His opponent screamed as Donil's claws ripped into his chest. With a hard downward jerk, he tore shirt, skin, and muscle, leaving an exposed wound. The man's shocked look, right before he crumpled unconscious to the ground, bothered Donil for a brief moment. He reminded himself, as he changed his claws back to hands, that this was war and there would be casualties
Nimbly, he raced toward the building where Matt said Laylah was being held. He punched a guard in the face who blocked his path. He didn't wait to see if he was followed. He entered and paused as he peered about. He held up the DNA scanner, watching the screen before counting twenty blips near his location. None were the green that represented Laylah's DNA signature. He frowned.
::Where are you, Laylah? Help me find you.:: He wasn't surprised when there was no response. She could pick up thoughts sent to her, but she couldn't project any. "I have to try something else," he mumbled.
::Talking to yourself won't help my niece, Kitty Cat.::
Donil growled and spun around. He blinked, surprised at how close Stefan had gotten. He frowned at the wolf. He felt Stefan studying him.
The wolf sneezed. ::Now, you're getting it. You're too absorbed in the technology and not aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to your senses, Boy. You're an Alpha. Act like one. Use your senses, all of them.::
He glared but decided that pride needed to be set aside. He shut off the scanner and focused completely on Laylah - her scent, her laugh, her face and, most importantly, her mind. He stretched his dormant senses and felt…connection!
::There! I feel her, Stefan!::
::Lead the way, Kid.::
::I'm not a kid! But I'll argue about that later. Let's go!::
They traveled easily, encountering little resistance which made he wary. ::Something is wrong. Where are all the interior guards?::
::I'm not sure. Be cautious.:: Stefan urged.
::I'm not a novice. Watch out!:: Donil shouted as several blasts from a laser rifle came at them. He flung himself down and toward the left wall.
Stefan snarled and leaped to the right, pressing flat against the floor.
"Whew! That was close," he muttered at Stefan, who wagged his tail in agreement.
Stefan growled. ::I smell Gerard's men. I also smell Zina and Laylah. They're in the room around the corner. We have to get through the guards first.::
"Well, if it isn't the Alpha pansy and the traitorous cur," Gerard taunted. "How about we settle this right now?"
Donil peeked around the corner and considered their opponents ::I take Big Mouth and you take the rest?::
::Sounds good to me, Alpha. Don't do anything foolish. I can't stand to see my niece cry.::
::Don't worry, Old Man, it's all good. Neither do I. One, two, three!::
He gave a ferocious yell that was joined by Stefan's howl of challenge. They charged the enemy. Gerard's men flooded the hall and headed for Stefan, completely ignoring Donil who went straight for the grinning Gerard.
"Hello, Mr. Old and Slow. Ready for a rematch?" Donil grinned.
"Bring it on, Kitten!" Gerard snarled, leaped and changed into a dark brown wolf, the size of a miniature pony. His jaw was open and sharp fangs glistened with saliva.
He didn't give Gerard the opportunity to land near him. Instead, he jumped and shifted into his panther form. He stood about a foot taller than Gerard's wolf. Sleek, black fur covered toned muscles and four paws of wicked-looking claws.
The two males charged and collided. The momentum sent them into a hard roll. They bit and clawed, trying to get the upper hand.
::I'm going to declaw you and, then for kicks, I'll kill you, Little Kitty!:: Gerard vowed and lunged at Donil's right foreleg.
::Dream on, Windbag.:: He swiped at Gerard, who easily dodged the blow. He was getting nowhere like this and was tiring fast. He had to end the fight decisively.
They circled again, snarling and growling. Suddenly, Gerard feinted right and swiftly spun left and opened a gash on his left flank. Donil hissed and slashed Gerard's muzzle.
The wolf howled and backed away, his ruff standing up. ::Lucky shot, Kitty Cat. It will be your last!::
::I'm not the one who will die today.:: Donil had slowly pooled his Alpha energy for one concentrated burst. If he hit Gerard with it, he should be able to incapacitate the other male. He was ready to send it when he felt a small amount of extra energy trickle in and join with his own. It took a moment to recognize the source. He hadn't known Stefan could do that. He would make sure to thank him later.
::Play to win, Boy. Play to win.:: Stefan ordered.
Donil bared his teeth and let out a loud yowl that startled Gerard with its volume. Not wasting time, he threw the collected power at his enemy.
The blast manifested as visible sound waves that slammed into Gerard, knocking him off his paws and smashing him into the far north wall of the corridor. The wolf fell to the floor with a sickening thud and lay unmoving.
Donil grunted and shifted back to human. He looked down at his left leg. The gash from Gerard's surprise move was bleeding and healing at the same time. With a grimace, he wiped away the blood. "Good thing we're near a full moon. Otherwise I'd have to give up," he muttered.
"Good job! Here." Stefan exited a nearby room and tossed Donil some clothes. "I don't want you to give my niece a heart attack."
"What about you?" He pointed to Stefan's nude form.
"Me? I'm going wolf. She doesn't need to know me yet."
Donil frowned, shrugged, and put on the guard uniform. "Whatever. Let's go."
::Good-bye, my dream prince.::
He froze at the sound of Laylah's voice in his mind. Never had he heard such despair and loss. ::Laylah!:: His telepathic yell went unanswered.
He whirled around and saw Stefan's amazed expression. "You heard it too?"
"Yes, but it's not possible though. She shouldn't…never mind. Go, two doors down to the right. That's where she is. I'll be coming behind you to watch your back. Be careful, Kitty."
Donil smirked. "I will." He broke into a jog. ::I'm coming, Beautiful. Hold on a little longer.::