ok some apologies are in order but thanks if you hung in there!

Chapter 10

Fabian groaned as he rolled on his side his body felt like his dads anvil after he had been pounding on it all day. Opening his eyes he winced quickly lifting a hand to it he sighed in relief he hadn't lost it he just had a cut from his brow down his cheek it stung since it was still open but he was happy to still be able to see out of it. Lifting himself into a sitting position he looked around he was in a small wooden cage across from him he could see more but they had children in them they were all crying and calling out for their mothers.

Clearing his throat he winced it was dry and hurt when he breathed those witches had done quite a number on him. Grabbing the wooden bars he looked around a bit more he saw one of the witch hunters, Gretel, she was in a cage not far from his she was out cold it seemed he hadn't been the only one roughed up by the witches.

Looking around his cell he found a few pebbles here and there scooping them up he licked his lips it would be harder with only one eye open but he had to try. Taking aim he let one fly sadly the bars deflected it. Huffing he took another one throwing it this time he managed to get it inside the cell but nowhere near Gretel again his aim wasn't so good with only one eye. Throwing the whole handful at her cell he smiled wincing from the cut on his lip as she started to stir, groaning the witch hunter sat up holding her head she looked around squinting when she saw Fabian.

"what happened to you?" she asked

"I could ask you the same thing"

Looking down at her torn and muddy clothes she sighed rubbing her face she looked around again.

"so were at their Lair?"

"so it would seem " muttered Fabian.

"what happened?"

Sighing he brushed the hair out of his face wincing as he touched a goose egg on the back of his head.

"I was leaving the shop when I was dragged away by two witches I did tried to get away but when I started to fight back they got mad at me once we were deep in the woods they beat the hell out of me"

"how's you eye?"

"hurts like hell but its not cut just my eye lid"

"good try and keep it clean or you might loose that eye"

"yeah… hey if you're here then shouldn't your brother and Nika be here too?"

Gretel swallowed not meeting his gaze.

"what happened?"

"I don't know we were ambushed by the head Bitch and we fought her she was so much stronger then us even with Nika there she stabbed hansel after that I don't know what happened I was thrown against a wall and knocked unconscious"

"but Nika's a wolf shouldn't that give her some advantage over a witch?" Fabian was getting worried now if something happened to Nika he wouldn't be able to live with himself he had to know what happened.

"the way she explained it to me witches are stronger then wolves in the monster food chain and wolves are the equivalent of guard dogs so she's probably still around she's just stuck taking orders from Muriel" Gretel explained watching his shoulders slump.

"but… cant she fight it?"

"not that I'm aware of"

Fabian slumped against the bars of his cell hissing in pain as the cuts and scratches on his arm brushed against the rough wood. He had to find a way to get to Nika. Looking around his cell he noticed the Troll making its rounds tossing bread into the cells. When it stopped at Gretel's cell it handed her a rag to clean up with as well as some bread. Licking his lips Fabian decided to try and get some news.

"excuse me but have you seen a wolf? A giant one with brownish black fur and brown eyes?"

The troll stopped at his cell staring at him it looked down before throwing bread at him.

"hey!"

The troll huffed lumbering away.

"please! I need to know she's alright"

The troll stopped , its shoulders slumped looking over its shoulder at Fabian it held a sad look in its eyes.

"wolf… do witches bidding"

With that the troll left them Fabian couldn't help but feel useless his Nika was stuck taking orders from a witch and here he was trapped in a wooden cell.

"Fabian , I can't promise anything but Nika's strong and I'm sure with the right thing she would be able to free herself from the witches hold"

Fabian nodded looking around his wooden cell he hoped Nika was ok.

…..

Patrolling the area Nika kept her head down and her ears open the witches were coming by the dozens and it was suffocating her. The number of witches trying to influence her was getting worrisome they could sense her the moment they were in the area but Muriel's influence kept her steady. She never thought she would have something to thank the dark witch for but were it not for the dark witches influence she would have gone mad by now and a mad wolf is never a good thing.

Lifting her snout she caught the scent of rotting flesh and death shaking her head she huffed there was no one out here but them their wretched stench proved that. Making her way back to the Lair she paused Muriel was calling out to her with the influence. Wincing she took off through the tunnels she knew where they were, a cliff side on the northern side of the mountain it was large enough for the ritual and for all the witches coming.

Her claws dug into the stone and dirt of the caves floor picking up speed she saw the cave opening leaping through it. She took those few seconds to assess the situation there were two witches drawing their wands on Muriel but the dark witch made no move to get her own it was a show of strength. The Bitch. Landing in front of the dark witch she growled at the two attackers making all the witches gasp. She knew she was quite a sight her sharp fangs were only an arms-length from their hands her brown fur against the sunset show the slight red in it making it look like fire yes she was quite a sight.

"you see I have taken precautions for this sort of thing and mutiny's wont work not here, I am the highest and strongest we will do this my way, besides this is for all of us when I finish this ritual fire will never worry us again"

Muriel was taunting them just like she did everyone else sauntering over to the crouched wolf she lazily stroked her side the same she would any other animal, but Nika was a giant compared to said witch making it so even when she was crouched the witches hand would barely reach her side. Tilting her head Muriel smirked at the cowering witches.

"you know you two have been rather troublesome for the last few decades"

The witches froze swallowing audibly Nika could smell their fear they were ready to wet themselves at this point.

"I don't think you deserve to have this gift that the ritual will bring us… wolf"

Growling Nika didn't need to be told what to do she lunged at them knocking the wands out of their hands using so much force her claws had ripped their hands off black blood splatter the ground, but Nika didn't stop ignoring the screams of the witches she grabbed them both lifting them into the air she roared slamming their heads together. The strength behind the hit crushed half their bodies along with their heads black blood was everywhere. Looking at the crushed carcasses in her claws Nike huffed throwing them off the cliffs edge looking at the other witches their fear burned in her nose at least they were scared of her, most witches brushed off wolves seeing them as mindless beasts.

"now that that's been taken care of is there anyone else who thinks they can challenge me?"

All the witches lowered their heads in submission to Muriel said witch smirked soaking up their fear and submission. The power this witch held was almost astounding with her natural ability as well as her manipulations she had secured her power and with Nika in the mix she had more than enough leverage over the other witches.

"good "

Nika growled she wanted to bite the witches head off so badly but the influence was keeping her on a tight leash as it was. Muriel raised a brow lifting her hand she made a "come here" motion with her finger. Nika fought it for a moment hesitating before she was crushed by the slightest weight of the command letting the influence win Nika slowly padding over to the dark witch her ears went flat when she saw that familiar smirk on the witches face. Muriel leaned in close whispering in the wolf's ear.

"If you behave I may let you see him but I won't tolerate any hesitation to do as I ask so tell me wolf will you be a good pet or do I have to give you more… incentive?"

Nika could just push her off the cliff, tare her head off , plunge her claws through the witches chest and rip out her heart for all to see but no matter how angry and close she was to destroying the Bitch she couldn't. The only reason she hadn't was Fabian as long as he was in the witches clutches there was no fighting her. Lowering her head she pressed her nose to Muriel's outstretched hand the witch smiled in her triumph petting the wolf's head.

"now then stay here the fun is about to begin and I want you here to see it all"

Nika wanted to sneer in disgust but stayed silent there wasn't a possibility of things going her way. Taking her place on one of the stones she waited for this whole nightmare to begin.

…

The witches swarmed the tunnels grabbing the children from their cells Fabian watched as the crying children were chained together. The red witch smirked grabbing Gretel the witch hunter fought them but the three witches were too strong dragging her out of her cage they chained her to the end of the group. The troll from earlier pulled them along the witches followed except for the red one she hung back once the others were out of sight she turned her attention to Fabian giving him a predatory smirk.

"you know human "she spat human as if it were a bad taste in her mouth. " I find it boring around here with the exception of the new pet I don't see why your still alive"

Swallowing he backed away from her he didn't want to know what she was planning but from the looks of things he didn't really have a choice. The red witch slowly stalked towards his cell her eyes shied with glee at his fear she drank it up.

"I figure I should just get rid of any wastes of space and I bet you know who I'm talking about"

The red witch didn't even wait for him to answer using her superior strength to rip off the door to his cell throwing it off to the side. Walking in her smirk grew as she stalked closer once she got close enough he threw a handful of dirt in her face clasping both hands together he slammed her jaw. Not looking back he ran having no clue where he was going but the sound of guns being fired caught his attention Hansel must have come to save his sister.

Using what strength he had he pushed on finally making it to the end his eyes widened at the chaos before him witches were running some were fighting others were trying to escape without being shot. Somewhere in this mess was Nika looking around he pushed off the wall entering the fray dodging a few witches he ran to Gretel who was busy shooting down some witches as they grabbed their broom a snake witch was about to sneak up on her. Grabbing the biggest rock he could carry he charged at the witch catching her off guard he cracked her skull with the stone her screams caught Gretel's attention turning she quickly shot the witch.

"Fabian what're you doing out here?"

"A red witch tried to kill me after you were taken I managed to get out but I need to find Nika"

"that bitch ordered her to fight Edward!" shouted Gretel shooting another witch out of the sky.

"edward?"

"the troll, his name is Edward when Hansel came the troll turned on the witches but Nika is still stuck maybe now-"

"HUMAN!" roared the red witch tackling Fabian to the ground he cried out as she squeezed his arm to tightly he could feel it start to break. Gretel went to shoot her but the dark witch had taken to trying to curse the witch hunter to hell and back. Punching the red witch with his good arm she chuckled spitting out black blood she rammed her fist into his side breaking his ribs. Gasping for air he watched her reach behind her revealing her wand she grabbed him by the throat slowly crushing his throat before bringing her wand down stabbing him in the chest.

The pain was excruciating he couldn't stop the scream that left his throat the witch laughed her black eyes filled with crazed glee. She pulled her wand out of his chest raising it once more only for something to tackle them from the side he felt something dig into his shoulder as they rolled the weight on his chest was gone and her screams filled the air. Wincing her looked around above him was the red witch held by her shoulders as a wolf slowly tore her apart roaring in the witches face till her body was ripped in half black blood rained down on him but he didn't notice as fire seemed to crawl under his skin.

Grabbing his shoulder he grit his teeth the fire in his blood spread he couldn't fight the pain it was too much. Looking at Nika one more time he closed his eyes being consumed by the inferno in his blood.

….…

Seeing Fabian beaten, bruised, and bleeding like this made Nika see red she had torn that witch apart but now she had to get him some place safe. The attack on the red witch had hurt him too looking around she saw that most the witches were dead but Hansel and mina were just clearing out the blood moon was starting to fade. Picking up Fabian by the back of his shirt she took him deep into the forest she wanted to get him to Mina's cottage but Muriel was giving off a distress call. Growling she took off in the witch's direction if she was going to the witch she would have to bring Fabian with her.

Once close by she could hear a fight already under way Hansel was failing to beat the shit out of Muriel. Setting Fabian down behind a large tree she stepped out into the morning light Hansel and Mina turned to her giving Muriel the chance she needed to grab Ben using him as a hostage. Now things were getting bad all of her pack was here and in danger she needed to get ben and mina to safety.

Charging forward Muriel smirked thinking she had an advantage Nika leapt behind the witch spinning around she raked the witches back. Muriel screamed just as Hansel shot the bullet missed Ben and went straight into Muriel's shoulder. The dark witch hissed throwing ben into Hansel the force of the throw sent them both flying into a tree. Muriel spun around using her influence to cause a splitting head ache Nika fell on her side she could barely stay conscious the pain was excruciating. Muriel was about to use her wand when someone's magic sent her flying across the clearing relieved of the pain Nika looked up surprised to see Mina with her wand out usually the light witch didn't use it and in battle it seemed extremely out of place.

Shaking her head Nika managed to get to her paws by now Muriel had gotten her bearings she saw mina's wand and smirked.

"there is nothing more hilarious then the sight of a light witch with a wand"

Mina licked her lips quickly deflecting Muriel's attacks as best she could but the light witch needed help grabbing the closest tree Nika ripped it out of the ground throwing it at Muriel. Seeing it coming she deflected it giving Mina just the shot she needed to grab Muriel and throw her through the doors of the candy house. Falling to her knees Mina panted heavily never having been so scared in her life, Nika joined her Nuzzling her shoulder careful not to knock the witch over. The sound of running feet made Nika look up Hansel had his gun aimed at her rolling her eyes she nodded to the candy house glancing from the giant wolf to the rotting candy house he nodded before running inside.

"you had me worried Nika honestly I thought she was going to kill me or worse have you kill me"

Nika really wished she could talk right now she wanted to assure her pack sister that she would never let such a thing occur but Ben's groaning reminded her of where they were. Nudging the light witch Mina got the hint leaning on Nika for support they made their way to ben Mina was quick to check for injuries seeing nothing vital she joined him leaning back against the tree. it was then that Nika heard a second pair of running feet lifting her head she saw Gretel nodding towards the candy house Gretel groaned when she saw it.

"you gotta be fucking kidding me!"

running inside Nika nudged the other two if they were gonna take car of Muriel then she needed to get them out of there or at least to where Fabian was. Nudging Mina again the witch sighed using Nika to stand up she helped ben to his feet they weren't going to go very far just to the spot where she had Fabian he was going to be unconscious for a while it seemed. Coming to a stop Mina and Ben looked at her in confusion nodding to Fabian Mina set Ben down and quickly looked over Fabian's wounds. Mina looked from Fabian to Nika making her worry a little his wounds seemed to have healed the cut on his eye was just a scar and that was worrisome how could he heal so fast if he was human?

Nika gave a whines as if to ask what's wrong?

"Nika do you- did you bite Fabian?"

her eyes widened she looked at Fabian trying to think of when it could have happened then it hit her. The red witch. when she had attacked the witch they had all three tumbled she bit into the witch but its possible that she bit into Fabian as well. Her ears went flat she had bitten him but she didn't even know if he wanted to be changed sure she wanted to but that was only if he wanted to and that was supposed to be years from now if ever.

"Nika I don't think he would mind honestly I think it saved his life"

Nika tilted her head in confusion.

Mina pointed to the hole in Fabian's shirt blood surrounded the hole Making Nika whine.

"he was stabbed in the chest and judging by the amount of blood it was deep but by changing him it stopped the bleeding and fixed his other wounds" Mina smiled assuring her friend and pack sister that this was a good thing.

"what do we do now ?" asked ben wincing as he took a deep breath his ribs were probably bruised.

"we leave"

looking over her shoulder se saw the witch hunters beaten and bloody but alive.

"I assume she's dead?" asked Mina.

"very much so " Hansel limped to Mina taking her hand they both smiled shyly at each other.

"again what do we do now?" asked Ben taking Gretel's hand still leaning against Nika for support before he shifted his weight to Gretel.

"we go back to the town and tell them we solved their problem" said Gretel

Nika was careful in picking up Fabian they had a ways to go before they returned to the town even then she was going to have to stop at Mina's cottage for clothes and a place to put Fabian.

"agreed"

...

"just read it already Ben" panted Hansel

they were in a desert, it was hot, there was sand everywhere, and they just wanted to take a rest. Edward was pulling a wagon full of witch carcasses that they had collected over the last few days alone they would soon go in to collect the bounty. Gretel agreed with her brother it had been a while since they had heard from their friends and she was curious as to how the transitions were going.

"alright, alright... Dear hansel , Gretel, Edward and Ben hey why am I last?"

"because your the youngest now keep reading" Hansel and Gretel fist bumped at ben's huff.

"things have finally quieted down as of the last full moon Fabian is now officially a wolf even if it had taken a few moths for him to fully adjust to the idea, Nika is happy of course and they have been doing patrols of the territory to keep me and the town safe in your absence. on that note there hasn't been any witches in the area but the two have kept their eyes and ears open. I wanted to let you know that Fabian has started building a house one he says should be able to house all of us and then some so that no matter the distance we will all have a place to come back to and call home."

Ben looked at them smiling brightly Hansel rolled his eyes meeting Gretel's it was a bit of a surprise not that they would ever admit it but they were a little touched by the young wolfs thought.

"Hansel I wanted to talk to you and Ben don't you dare read this part it has- "

Hansel was quick to snatch the letter from Ben he quickly scanned the letter as they continued to walk Ben crossed his arms as Hansel smiled lightly at what ever it was Mina had wrote. Gretel rolled her eyes her brother could be such a love sick idiot sometimes chuckling to himself Hansel stuffed the letter into his back pocket smiling lightly he shook his head wiping his nose he stopped walking.

"well there it is"

on a sand dune stood a giant sand rock lair.

"that looks like the right one so who wants to go knock?" Hansel smirked lightly looking to Gretel who mirrored his smirk.

"Ladies first sis"

so that's that the end of the story sorry it took so long but think of it as an early Christmas present to all you readers hope you liked it - echoxknox out!