TRIGGER WARNINGS: This chapter contains scenes of violence, fighting, and gore
Biscuit ducked further, and instinctively nuzzled his head under Ollie's neck to remain hidden. No one was projecting any thoughts at the moment, and there was nothing but silence as the pack stared down this intruder.
But the intruder was a part of Biscuit's family. Or, had been a part of Biscuit's family, before he left. His uncle Samson.
Behind Samson was another wolf. She was younger and smaller, and stood silently, her stark white fur and eery blue eyes a disturbing contrast to the dark shade of the forest.
Thankfully, he had never shifted into his wolf form in front of this particular relative. Perhaps, if he stayed quiet, he'd go unnoticed.
Max sprinted forward, placing himself between the intruder and the pack, and stared the other, bigger wolf down. Who're you?
I could ask you the exact same thing, Samson replied coolly, who the fuck are all of you?
We're nobodies. Just passing through, is all. We were just about to leave.
Nah. Samson rustled his head. Max's ears were bent, and his teeth were bared, but Samson remained docile, almost friendly, and his tail wagged lightly, and his ears were relaxed. You were waltzing through our forest, stealing our herbs, and hunting our elk.
Max froze, almost imperceptibly, before continuing. I didn't see your name written on that shit. The forests belong to everyone.
Not this one. Samson paced slowly and deliberately around Max as he spoke. Now, look, I'm a decent man. I don't like trouble for trouble's sake. I keep the peace if I can. So, I'll cut you a deal. That sound like a good idea, Laika?
Samson turned to the white wolf beside him, as if to gage her opinion. She said nothing, but it didn't seem to matter to Samson if she'd answered or not, as he looked back at Max regardless.
Max's eyes squinted. What?
Samson walked closer to the rest of the pack, and was greeted back with snarls, bared teeth and claws. Biscuit huddled closer to Ollie. If Ollie was concerned by his behavior, he said nothing.
Give us your weakest pack member as compensation, he said, and we'll just forget this. It'll be water under the bridge.
What will you do to them if I do? Max was still staring after Samson, but his eyes briefly glanced over to Biscuit, for only a second, before fixing forward again.
Well, that doesn't really concern you, does it? After all, once he's outta your hair, he's ours to do with as we wish. Samson's thoughts had a joyful lilt, and Biscuit imagined that, had he been in his human form, he'd be laughing. But, if you want most of your pack out of here alive, you'll listen to common sense.
Max stayed silent, his gaze trailing over the rest of his pack.
Biscuit knew what he would choose. He knew Max had it in for him already. So, instead of waiting, he opened his mouth to speak-
I'm the runt, Ollie pressed forward, pushing past Diesel.
Dude! Diesel barked, What are you doing?!
You can kill me, Ollie continued, but just leave everyone else alone.
No! Max spoke up, and sprinted between Ollie and Samson. You're not getting anybody. Go fuck yourself.
Have it your way, Samson said, right before jumping forward and capturing Max's throat in his jaws.
No! Diesel leaped forward and snapped at the back of Samson's head.
The white wolf- Laika - sprinted forward and intercepted Diesel. She struck him with her claws, leaving a trail of red on Diesel's side.
The four wolves lashed out at each other, snarls and spit and blood splattering onto the snow.
What the hell do we do?! Fluffy looked at Gunner for any type of instruction.
Before he could answer, another massive presence shot out of the trees and tackled him to the ground. It was another enemy shifter, this one large and black with crimson eyes.
Gunner and this new wolf gnashed teeth and claws, and the new wolf backed away several steps, growling lowly. Gunner did the same, limping away but holding eye contact, giving them a few feet of distance.
This new wolf bared its fangs, it's sharp teeth glinting in the low moonlight. If ya'll are going to intrude on our territory like this, we'll just have to make sure you don't leave. I'm going to tear you to pieces, and when I'm done, I'll serve up your parts to the rest of our pack.
Gunner had no response for a few seconds, only glaring down this new enemy, but then, his eyes widened in surprise... and recognition. Wait. You. I remember you.
With a newfound viciousness that Biscuit hadn't seen before, Gunner's calm disposition gave way to bloodlust. Murderers! Monsters! I'll kill you!
Gunner, what are you doing?! Fluffy shouted, but Gunner ignored him and charged forward.
Gunner tackled the other shifter, and the two lashed out at each other, tearing chunks of fur, and even skin, off with their teeth and claws.
Biscuit looked to the rest of the pack to see what they intended to do, and it seemed, without Max and Gunner giving them orders, they were at a loss. Rambo was pouncing around Max and Samson's brawl, cheering them on unhelpfully but not stepping in, and Biscuit was kind of grateful he didn't, since he doubted the older wolf would stand much of a chance.
Titan stuck closely to Fluffy, Sparky, Ollie, and himself, his ears and tails bowed in fear.
Sparky took an inhale. Okay, guys, just stick close to us-!
At that moment, another wolf entered the fray, this one with black-and-grey-speckled fur, and tackled Titan from behind. Biscuit's heart sank as he heard a whimper.
Titan! Fluffy jumped forward and gnashed at the newest enemy, his larger size quickly toppling the fight in his favor. Sparky hesitated, but followed after him.
Titan had lied on his back, an action that acted as a type of peace offering, but the instinct to fight back kicked in, and he leapt up and gripped this new wolf's face with his jaws. Sparky joined in and attacked the enemy's hind legs, and soon enough, all three pack members were overpowering this new wolf.
All of this happened within a matter of minutes, and amongst the confusion, Biscuit stood frozen. He wasn't a fighter. He only attacked if it gave him a chance to run away. But he couldn't run, not with all of these enemies and allies caught in the mess...
Should he run?
He heard a long howl of agonized, and looked to see Gunner being pinned down and bitten on the side of his face by the black wolf. The sharp fangs figged into his cheeks and nose bridge, and Biscuit saw blood and skin getting exposed.
Gunner! Max shouted back, turning to see him. Samson took the opportunity to grab his throat, pinning him to the ground. Max gave a howl of his own, this one more somber than pained, as he fell to the ground.
The black wolf on top of Gunner chuckled in his mind. I can't wait to take a chunk out of you-
Ollie rushed in and went for the back of his neck, his teeth sinking in and catching on the black wolf's scruff. The enemy snarled and clawed at Ollie, releasing Gunner's face. He swung the younger wolf off and snarled at him.
What do you think you're doing?! The black wolf cackled, Haha, you must really want to die!
Taking advantage of Ollie's lack of sight, he weaved around his head and scratched Ollie's face, earning a high-pitched keen.
Biscuit had seen enough. He knew he had to act soon. If he didn't, then they were all going to die.
Rushing in while the other wolf was distracted, Biscuit leapt forward, caught the black wolf's jugular in his teeth, and bit down, as hard as he possibly could. Then, with a sickening crunch, he yanked away with all of his strength.
The black wolf's throat had gushed blood, and, with a final exhale, he fell over, bleeding out into the snow. His red eyes glazed over.
Ollie looked up at Biscuit, but before either had a chance to catch their breath, the lone wolf was knocked over by Samson.
Biscuit looked over to catch a glimpse of Max lying in the snow, completely motionless-
You bitch! Samson roared as he dug his claws into Biscuit's belly, drawing six deep wounds, and Biscuit whimpered instinctively as a cry for help. Now you've fucked up!
Please, Biscuit pleaded, Don't kill me!
Hearing his thoughts for the first time, Samson froze, staring down into his eyes. He then spoke back, so only Biscuit could hear his thoughts. Wait. It's... you. Biscuit.
Uncle, Biscuit whined, a plea for mercy. Samson looked far too pissed to offer any.
You goddamn traitor! Samson howled, You coward! You bastard-!
He never was able to speak his next words, as Gunner, with a sudden burst of rejuvenation, ran over and grabbed the back of his neck, dragging him off of Biscuit and exposing his underbelly to the open air. Ollie! Kill him!
Ollie ran in and bit at Samson's stomach, tearing it apart in a few, uncoordinated bites. Samson howled in pain, and Gunner dropped him, and his guts splattered as he collapsed.
Die slowly, bitch, Gunner hissed, his tone cold and resigned. Ollie and Biscuit gave him a concerned and frightened look.
Unfortunately for Gunner, but fortunately for everyone else, Samson perished once he hit the snow. He glanced at Biscuit one last time, and then died, the light fading from his eyes.
With two enemies dead, Biscuit had his attention less divided. He still felt weak from the claw marks in his gut, and looked to observe what else was happening.
In the time he'd been fighting for his life, Sparky, Fluffy and Titan had killed the speckled wolf, and all three were panting in exhaustion. One of Titan's legs looked broken, and the bigger wolf was whimpering.
Leave now! I won't tell you again! Everyone looked to see Rambo standing in front of Diesel, who laid with streaks of blood visible in his dark fur.
In front of them was Laika. She was now the only enemy still alive. She was staring past Rambo and Diesel, down at Samson's body.
All of the remaining pack members stood, staring her down and snarling, as if daring her to fight alone.
She seemed to understand that she had no chance in a one-on-four fight, and sprinted away without a word, back into the forest.
Finally safe, the rest of the pack relaxed. Gunner, as if realizing what had happened, sprinted over to where Max lay.
Max! The pack leader had a huge gash on his side, and his breathing was labored, but he was still alive. Oh, Max, look at you. I'm so sorry...
Gunner, Diesel said. He tried to stand up, but his injured legs struggled under his own weight, and he collapsed back to the ground. Your face...
Don't worry about me. I'll recover. We've got to hide somewhere quickly. Who knows if that shifter will come back with some more friends.
It was going to be a long night.
Comments (2)
See all