Blood Lust

Chapter Six - A war between worlds

Lining up in their groups, the Oak Ridge warriors prepared themselves for the upcoming battle, Justin and Leo stood outside of the barrier, two dozen of his best fighters beside him as they awaited the arrival of Viktor and his army. Sending a silent prayer up to the Goddess to protect his pack and the pack’s of his friends, he shook out his arms, loosening up ready for the fight.

Just inside the barrier, Jason stood ready with his team, Daniel beside him and Vaya perched on a nearby roof, both having arrived the day before and insisted on taking part in the battle. Vaya’s bow was taught under her fingers as she glared unflinching at the shimmering surface in front of them, Daniel shifted into his large blonde Beta wolf that growled tensely as his fur rippled under the light breeze that flowed through the air.

A third team stood at the steps of the pack house had forty ish men and women, some shifted, others still in human form, ready to advance if called or protect if the Vampires broke through the first two defence lines.

Their Gamma, Lucas held a small team at the back of the territory, though they were confident the Vampires would not know of this entrance, Graham had already proved to them that it was a weak spot and they were not taking any chances.

Hazel was heading the warriors within the pack house foyer, Carmen and other trained wolves with her, standing guard over the entrance to the basement.

Finally, behind the Heavily bolted steel door, Graham and Carlos, the head trainer for the pack, stood guard in front of all the members who were unable to fight.

Halle was cuddled up next to Felicity, who held her tightly as she smoothed her hair, whispering comforting words as the young girl trembled slightly in her embrace.

‘Do you think my dad will be OK’ Halle whispered worried? ‘and Jason?’

‘I know it Halle’ Felicity replied confidently, ‘no-one is more stubborn than our Alpha, he will survive just because he’s to damn pig headed to allow some Vamp to kill him’

Halle gave a slight giggle as Graham glanced over at them, smiling tenderly at his heavily pregnant wife as she consoled the frightened girl beside her.

‘Alpha will be fine Halle’ he called out over the group, ‘no-one is getting through this door, I can promise you that’ he added with a growl as Felicity met his gaze with a shy smile.

Outside of the boundary, Justin kept in contact with his men through the mind link, ‘keep alert boys and girls, those Vamps are coming and they are going to do everything they can to get their hands on Halle’

‘No-one is getting our Halle Alpha’ One of his warriors growled determinedly, ‘she belongs to our pack and we will give everything we have to protect her.’

Pride swelled in Justin’s heart at his fighter’s words and the resounding growls around him as his warriors agreed with their comrade. They loved his babies like they were their own and he knew each of them would die before they allowed someone to take his daughter from the pack by force.

A soft swoosh in the air stilled the group as a large bat landed in the grass transforming gracefully into Viktor, the King of Vampires.

‘Greetings Justin’ he called out graciously, ignoring the snarls of the warriors that flanked the Alpha. ‘I hope you have given consideration to my request and decided to avoid conflict, I assure you that Halle will be well cared for at my castle, her every desire catered for.'

Glaring down at the Vampire who’s white skin glistened in the moonlight, Justin replied, ‘I am sorry, Viktor, but my daughter is not up for trade.’

Nodding with understanding, Viktor let out a loud sigh, ‘I understand your stance Alpha, and again, I apologise that it comes to this but I must protect my people and your daughter is the way to do that.’

Raising his hand, Viktor signalled and a flock of bats targetted the ground, transforming into their human forms as they rushed toward the Werewolves, fangs elongated as they tried to rip the throats out of the Oak Ridge defence.

Justin and his group shifted into their wolves, each one leaping toward a Vampire, tearing their heads from their necks. Blood started to flow down the mountain as wolf and Vampire blood oozed from the injured and dead. Justin made a bee line for Viktor who was trying to edge his way to the barrier a small vial in his hand that he tipped onto his tongue quickly before concealing it within his cloak.

Jumping onto the King of Vampires back, Justin tried to grip the man’s throat with his claws, Viktor easily throwing him off and into the nearby brush. Landing on his feet, the Alpha launched toward his opponent again, but was knocked off course by a second Vampire who barrelled into him, landing on top of his body and opening his mouth to reveal the venom encrusted fangs.

Kicking out, Justin caught his attacker squarely in the chest, sending him back into the fray. Scrambling to his feet, he turned to see Viktor already at the boundary, grabbing his accomplices hands and throwing them through the boundary to the waiting Werewolves within.

Letting out a howl of warning, Justin ran for the boundary, his pack behind him each one trying to bring down the Vampires that were swarming the force field waiting for Viktor to send them through.

A sound behind them, caused Justin to pause, looking behind him he saw a second wave of bats heading toward them. Sending out a link, Justin ordered all remaining wolves to return through the boundary. Looking between Viktor and the approaching Vampires, the Alpha made a quick decision, putting on a burst of speed, he threw himself against the Vampire King, pushing him through the boundary and away from its shimmering surface.

‘Dad what are you doing?’ came Jason’s voice through the mind link, his horror evident.

‘Only Viktor can get them through the barrier, if he isn’t stood there he cannot let through his reinforcements’ Justin shouted back opening up the link to all the members around them. ‘Keep the King of the Vampires from getting near the boundary!’

All warriors shifted their focus, the second defence taking on the Vampires that had been thrown through by Viktor, Vaya shooting arrows into the fray, hitting Vampire after Vampire straight through the heart with her wooden tipped arrows, the bodies of the targeted Vampires falling motionless to the floor. The remainder of the first wave advancing on the King, cutting him off from the boundary.

Wolves and Vampires fell as throats were bitten and heads pulled from bodies, death permeated the area as each group fought for their lives. Hours passed, both sides flagging from the battle but refusing to give up, finally Viktor, a large gash evident in his side, raised his voice, ‘Brothers! Take to the sky!’ he shouted as the remaining Vampires shifted into their bat forms immediately and rose into the air.

Turning to glare at Justin who was laying on the ground bleeding heavily, Viktor called out, ‘until we meet again tomorrow Alpha, don’t worry we will stay close’ as he shifted into his bat form and lead the way back to the boundary. Landing by the edge, he quickly pushed each of his fighters through the barrier before following suit, leaving the injured and exhausted werewolves on the ground behind them.

Sending word to the people within the pack house, the survivors soon found themselves surrounded by the other pack members, some taking charge of the dead, others helping the severely wounded to the clinic.

Crawling around, Justin searched desperately for his son, heaving a sigh of relief as he saw him sat against one of the buildings holding his side. ‘You OK son?’ he called as he staggered to his feet and made his way over to the young warrior, dropping down beside him and lifting his hands to reveal the deep cut in his side.

‘i’m fine dad’ Jason replied with a weak grin, ‘nothing a bit of sleep won’t fix’ he added lightly.

‘Dad? Jason?’ came Halle’s terrified voice as she raced over the flagstone path toward them, her mother close behind her. Dropping to her knees, her face paled as she saw their state, ‘Oh my Goddess’ she muttered heartbroken, ‘it’s my fault, you are hurt because of me.’

‘No Halle, you didn’t injure us baby’ Justin replied sternly as the girl started to sob.

‘Yes it is!’ she flared, ‘if I had just gone with them then you wouldn’t have had to fight.’

‘We will always fight for you Halle’ Jason growled, ‘no-one is forcing my little sister into a marriage. I will fight tomorrow, and the next day and the next day until there isn’t a single Vamp left to claim you.’

Her eyes clouding slightly with pain, Halle nodded silently, before hooking her brothers arm over her shoulder and helping him to his feet, walking him slowly toward the clinic.

She could hear her father behind her, her mother with him, talking in a low voice as she guided him along behind them, following her children as they made their way to Dr Nat.