Battle Within

Chapter 1

Ashley advanced on her, slowly showing off her teeth, finger nails growing longer.

Magnus took a step back, worry and desperation in her eyes as she pleaded with her daughter to stop.

"Please Ashley stop this please!" nothing seemed to be able to detour Ashley. Magnus knew she had to pull the trigger but, the gun she held wouldn't move shaking she started to cry, hoping one of her team would come soon. Then as Ashley made her final move Magnus raised her gun. Within seconds Magnus stood there eyes closed holding a gun, smoke flowing away from the barrel. She opened her eyes slowly to see a giant white and black wolf standing over her daughter. Both were snarling at each other, the wolf had her pinned.

"Magnus!" someone called behind her.

She turned to see Will running toward her pointing his gun towards both creatures. Magnus quickly jumped between him and them.

"No Will wait" she begged turning she saw Ashley struggle against her hairy capture. But with a swift kick the giant wolf was forced off her, before it hit the floor Ashley had disappeared.

Magnus let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and soon Henry and John were running towards them. Will pointed his weapon at the wolf fear and curiosity in his eyes. Magnus turned to the wolf which stood in front of her and within an instance turned into a very naked young woman.

"Better late than never Lara." started Magnus as she pushed Will's rifle to point down to the floor.

"I hit a bit of traffic on the way here", replied the woman with a small grin. "Um... Do you think I could get some clothes?"

As if on cue Henry had is sweater off and sundered up to her. "It's good to see you again Lara". He said handing her the sweater.

Pulling it around her shoulders and with a zip said "I missed you too bro!"

Will stood there stunned and confused. But knew now wasn't the time, he waited till Henry escorted the new arrival out of the hall. Magnus stood staring at the spot on the floor her daughter just occupied. Still holding her gun she felt Johns hand slip into hers and remove it. Knowing she still had strong feeling of hate towards this man she leaned into his embrace and let him hold her a hug. After a few moments she took a deep breath and pulled away.

"I expect u have questions Will?" She asked looking at the young man.

"Yes if course, that girl.." started Will.

"Werewolf actually is what she prefers to be called. I didn't inform any if you because I wasn't sure if she could come or not," answered Magnus.

"She called Henry brother?" asked Will.

"Yes, they aren't related, when I found Henry I also found Lara. They were the only ones left alive in that settlement. To this day no one knows what happened there. Lara was with us till she was 17, then she went back in search of her people and decided to remain with them," answered Magnus

"And what good is she to us?" asked John.

"Will you saw her take Ashley out? Lara is stronger than most of her kind through a unique breeding practice her people were participating in. She is what her people call a high wolf, her breed is pure none of the weaknesses of human and all the strengths of a wolf" stated Magnus.

"So you're saying she can help defeat her?" questioned Will.

"Or capture her." replied Magnus.

"Helen," whispered John in a soothing voice. "We might…"

"No John and don't ever think it! We will bring Ashley home!" yelled Magnus before walking out.

Henry couldn't believe it his best friend was back. His favorite childhood memories flooded his brain of Ashley, Lara and him. But his smile disappeared as Lara neared Charlie's cell. She looked within to see him slumped over the toilet vomiting, she held her head low and closed her eyes.

"So much has changed since I was here last, ever since Helen told me about Ash I just keep thinking what if," she said staring at Charlie.

Henry smirked at Lara's nickname for Ashley. "I learnt that over the last few weeks we can't think about the 'what ifs'. We gotta look to the future."

"Your right my friend," smiled Lara. Giving Henry a side glance she notices his shiver and asks "How long since u have shifted?"

"I sorta did the other day why?" asks Henry.

"You need too; can't you feel the itch the ache of it?" asked Lara turning towards him. "Look at you, your antsy you need to run."

"Run eh? I think it would rather tear something apart." stated Henry walking away.

Lara quickly grabbed his arm before he could get away. "Why else do you think in here for? Yes I'm here to help with Ashley but I'm also here to help you. Don't you think I had the same problems as you? I left because I started dreaming about ripping all your throats out. I had to sleep in the shoo because I was so frightened of me changing and hurting one of you. So I left and I went to our people learned from them and it got me through. Look at me Henry you might think that the thing inside of you is nothing but a blood thirsty beast, but like you and me it has feelings, when you learn to control it. It will become your best friend."

Henry looks at her; he can feel his other half clawing at him wanting to come out and knows she right. "When do we start?"

"By the looks of you I think we should start now. I suggest you take your clothes off now you will just rip them, let's just say you will go through a lot of clothes," she laughed as she pulled off Henry's sweater she still had on. Within seconds the same snarling white and black wolf was standing in front of him but this wasn't the same at all it was calm and gave him a curious look.

Henry smiled and made the hand gesture for her to turn around. With a snort the wolf turned and sat down. After a few minutes went by Lara began to wonder what was taking so long, but as she was turning her head Henry's wolf form jumped over her and turned giving a playful bark. The two took off through the sanctuary. As they made their way towards the exit Nikola was coming in and narrowly missed being tossed aside as the two sped past him.

"Damn dogs!" he yelled after them

Unaware to the two friends as they headed towards the woods, a fairly large man was watching from the shadows. He watched the two for awhile before vanishing.