Disclaimer: Characters, story and even the plot belongs to Kelly Armstrong - I'm just trying out a different point of view!

Requested by a Guest

My hand tightened on Chloe's shoulder as the two werewolves came to a stop a few yards away from us. My body tensed, ready for a fight if needed, but I would prefer it not to come to that. We must be in their territory, but hopefully I could talk them into letting us go. Or at least letting Chloe go.

"We're just passing through," I said with a steady voice. I needed to keep things calm. "If this is your territory –"

The blonde werewolf cut me off with a laugh.

"Our territory? Did you hear that, Ramon? He's asking if this is our territory."

"I know you're werewolves," I quickly explained, "and I know –"

"Werewolves?" The one called Ramon cut me off. "Did he say werewolves?"

The blond lifted a finger to his lips and jerked his head at Chloe. I realized what they meant.

"She knows." I informed them.

"Tsk-tsk. That's against the rules, pup. You don't go telling your girlfriends what you are, even the cute ones. Didn't your daddy teach you better than that? Who is your daddy, by the way?"

I couldn't tell them even if I wanted to. Instead, I just glared, hoping that they would soon get bored and move on. It didn't seem likely though. These two were clearly trouble.

"He's a Cain," Ramon said.

"Think so?" The blonde squinted, examining me. "Guess he could be."

A part of me wanted to ask who the Cains were. But we didn't have time for it. Besides, it didn't really matter. I already had a family.

"If you'd met more than one, Liam, you wouldn't be questioning. That" - he pointed at me - "is a Cain. Three things every Cain has in common. Big as a house. Ugly as a mud fence. Dumb as a brick."

I brushed of the insults, but Chloe didn't.

"Then he's not -" She began before I hushed her. Deep down I appreciated her sticking up for me, but it was an inappropriate time to do so. I needed to keep their focus off Chloe and onto me, and she wasn't making it easy.

Liam stepped closer to us.

"Did you say something, cutie?"

Crap. I needed to distract him.

"We're just passing through. If this is your territory, then I apologize -"

"Hear that, Ramon? He apologises." Liam cut me off once more. It was getting irritating. Moving even closer to us, he continued to address me. "You have no idea whose territory you're on, do you?"

I searched through my memories of what dad had told me but came up blank.

"No, I don't know you. If I should, then -"

"This is Pack territory."

I shook my head. I could remember what dad had told me about. "No, the Pack is in Syracuse -"

"You think they claim one city?" Ramon said in a mocking tone. "Their territory is New York state."

"You do know what the Pack does to trespassers, don't you, pup?" Liam taunted. "Your daddy must have shown you the pictures."

I said nothing. I had never been told things in detail, only that I should stay out of the Pack's way.

"The picture?" Liam pressed. "Of the last guy who trespassed on Pact territory?"

I just looked at him, waiting for the inevitable explanation.

"Your daddy didn't like you very much, did he? 'Cause if he did, he would have shown you those pictures, so you didn't make the mistake you're making right now. The last time a mutt got too close to Pack turf, they carved him up with a chain saw. Then they took photos, and they passed them out as a warning to the rest."

I didn't believe that. Rumours like that are easy to start, and are good for keeping others away. But Liam and Ramon seemed to believe it. And so did Chloe.

I heard her take a sharp gasp beside me, clearly freaked by what they said. I carefully squeezed her shoulder, rubbing my thumb in an attempt to reassure her and keep her calm.

"No, I haven't seem them." I told the boys. "But thanks for the warning. I'll -"

"Who is your daddy?" Ramon asked, interrupting me again. Would I ever be able to finish my sentence? "Zachary Cain? You're darker, but you've got his look. You're about the same age, too. And that might explain why he didn't raise you right."

"Him being dead and all," Liam said. "But if it was Zach, then you should know to keep off Pack territory."

"Should I?" I asked, my voice void of emotion. I just wanted this conversation to be over.

"Don't you know how your daddy died? Dumb ass decided to join an uprising against the Pack, got himself caught. Tortured him to death, right up there in Syracuse." He looked at Ramon. "Think tey used the chain saw?"

I had enough of this.

"If the Pack's so bad," I cut in, "why are you on their territory?"

"Maybe we're the Pack."

I almost laughed. How thick do they think I am?

"Then you wouldn't be talking like you were, saying 'their' territory, what 'they' do."

Liam laughed. "Check this out. A Cain with brains. Must come from your momma."

"Do you want to know why we're here?" Ramon said. "A mission of mercy, and we're the ones praying for mercy. See, we hooked up with this kid from down under last year. We quickly found out why he'd left home."

"Man-eater," Liam said with a dark grin.

"M-man-eater?" Chloe stuttered beside me.

"It's a disgusting habit. Now hunting humans? Killing them?" His smile grew. "That's always a good sport. But eating? Not my style. Well, unless you count that time in Mexico -"

I could feel Chloe shaking, and decided to step in before he upset her further.

"So if you're allowed on Pack territory, I'm sure they won't bother me. I'm not causing trouble."

"Can I finish me story?" Ramon said. "So this Aussie, he's not very discreet about his bad habit. The Pack catches wind of it. Next thing you know, all three of us are on their hit list."

"The Aussie dude goes to ground," Liam said, "leaving me and Ramon holding the bag. The Pack doesn't care if we're man-eaters or not. We've had some run-ins with them before so, as far as they're concerned, we've used up our free swings. Batter out. They already caught up with Ramon once. Luckily, he got away. Or most of him."

Ramon pulled up his shirt. His side was pitted and puckered with healing scar tissue. It had definitely been close.

"So now you're heading up to Syracuse to talk to the Pack," Chloe joined the conversation. "Set them straight."

"That's right. Or that was the plan. But it's Russian roulette, see? We throw ourselves at their mercy, and we might never stand up again. Then we caught an amazing break."

He looked at Ramon, who nodded. For a moment, neither said a work. Liam stood their with an obnoxious smirk on his place, dragging it out. I had a good idea what his plan was.

"The break?" Chloe asked.

"I had to take a piss. About two miles north of here. Pulled of the highway, got out of the car, and guess what I smelled."

"Me," I said, realizing the full extent of what was going on. I started to look around for a quick route out of here.

"The answers to our prayers. A Cain?" Liam shook his head. "What did we do to get so lucky? The Pack hates Cains. Bunch of Neanderthals too stupid to keep out of trouble. If we hand them you, tell them you were the one snacking on humans..."

I tensed, ready to grab Chloe and run...

"Thinking of leaving, pup? That would be rude. You bolt, we'll have to grab your girl, hold on to her until you decide to come back and hear me out."

I knew I wouldn't be as fast if I was running with Chloe. Besides, the wolf inside me didn't want to run. It wanted to fight. But I couldn't let a werewolf fight break out next to Chloe, and these two seemed a lot more experienced than me. I haven't even turned yet.

I could feel Chloe starting to panic. I started to rub her shoulder again, in a gesture which I hoped would be comforting.

"It's okay," I whispered, knowing the two wolves would still be able to hear. "It's okay." I knew it wasn't.

"Sure," Liam interrupted. "It'll be just fine. The Pack aren't complete monsters. This poor orphaned kid just screwed up. He'll never do it again. They'll understand. He's probably got a -" He glanced at Ramon. "Fifty-fifty?"

Ramon seemed to consider it, then nodded.

"Fifty-fifty chance of surviving. And even if he doesn't, they'll make it quick. No chain saws for you."

"Why are you telling us this?" Chloe asked. I could tell what she was doing – she was stalling so I would time to come up with a plan to get out of here. She was trusting me and I couldn't let her down, for both our lives.

"Good question, cutie. Why not just grab him, tie him up, toss him in our truck, and deliver him to the wolves up in Syracuse? Because the Alpha isn't stupid. If we throw him a kid who's screaming he didn't do it, he might listen. See, there's only one way this can work. If your boyfriend comes along and voluntarily and confesses."

I snorted at the idea. "Yeah."

"You don't like that plan?"

I shot him a look.

Liam sighed. "All right then. Option two it is. We kill you and have some fun with your girl."

"I'll do the killing," Ramon said. "You can take the girl. She's a little young for me."

Liam grinned. Anger bubbled up inside of me. "I like them young." he said.

His gaze travelled across Chloe and my hands gripped onto her shoulders as I bit back a growl.

"Leave her out of this," I demanded.

"Never." Liam bared his teeth at me. "I was almost hoping you'd say no. Sure, I'd live a scapegoat to feed the Pack. But a little cutie like that, who already knows what I am? That's..." He smiled. "Sweet."

He gave her a look and she shrank back into me. When Liam moved closer, my arm instinctively wrapped around her, a growl vibrating up from my stomach in warning.

Liam put his arm out towards Chloe and I tensed ready for an attach. He pulled away and repeated the action, laughing at my reaction. I knew he was playing me, but I wasn't going to take the chance. Not when the risk was Chloe.

"Check this out," Liam said. "I think the pup's got himself a mate. Isn't that the cutest thing?" I ignored him, I couldn't be distracted. He leaned towards me, voice lowering. "It won't work out. It never does. Why don't you just give her to me now, let me help you get over it. Painful, but quick. It's the best way."

I moved Chloe behind me, wanting to keep her far away from the other wolves. But still not far enough.

"I think he's saying no," Ramon said.

"Leave her out of this." I growled.

Liam shock his head. "How can I do that? Look at her. So tiny and cute, big blue eyes all wide and scared." He leaned around me, trying to look at Chloe. "That hair doesn't do anything for her. I can still smell the dye. What colour is it really? Blond, I bet. She looks like a blonde."

I had to do something; anything. I just needed to get Chloe away from these bastards.

"If I go with you, she walks away," I said. "Right?"

"No," Chloe whispered. No one listened.

"Course she does." Liam said. God, I hoped this worked. It was a risk, but I had nothing else.

"Derek," Chloe whispered again. We still didn't listen. I put my hand behind me, gesturing for her to be quiet.

"Here's the deal." I said.

"Deal?" Liam laughed. "This isn't up for negotiation, pup."

"It is if you want my cooperation. I'll go with you, but the first thing we do is get her on a bus. After I've seen her leave safely, I'm all yours."

"Uh-huh." Liam rolled back on his heels. "Is your intelligence feeling a mite insulted, Ramon?"

"Sure is."

"You said you'd release her -"

"And we will. Once you've done your part. Until then, she's our collateral to make sure you do. And don't worry, we'll take good care -"

I took my chance, moving forward so fast that I managed to catch them both off guard. I grabbed Liam by the front of his shirt, quickly whipping him into Ramon. Both men went down.

"Run," I told Chloe, we didn't have much time.

She stood there, pulling out her knife.

"Run!"

I gave her a push forward. We needed to get out of there. We now had two angry and experienced werewolves after us. I watch her run off, pleased that she was actually doing what I told her. I moved back into the fight.

I moved back and caught Ramon and whipped against a steel fireman pole, his head hitting it with a twang.

Liam lunged me and I feinted out of the way. Ramon lay motionless on the ground as Liam and I faced off, circling each other. The adrenalin hit me. Liam lunged at me again, and I twisted, but Liam caught the back of my sweatshirt, yanked me off my feet and threw me.

I hit the ground in a slide, pain slicing into me, my lungs feeling compressed. Liam took his time getting to me, enjoying my pain as I struggled to get up, wheezing and coughing as I crawled across the floor.

Seeing Chloe move to come back and help was all the motivation I needed. I shot to my feet, ignoring the pain it caused, and broke into a run.

So that's part one. Let me know what you thought :)