Chapter 10: Waking up

I sorry if this chapter seems a bit rushed but I'm a little pressed for time at the moment. But I did not want to put this off any longer.

Joey sighed as he watched over Yami, who was still asleep from yesterdays scurmish. The golden werewolf had been lucky to come across a long abandoned hunting shack. It wasn't much but it was certainly a welcome sight to see.

"C'mon Yam's you're tougher than this. Your pack needs you to be strong" the wounded alpha moaned in his slumber and shifted a bit. Joey had made the trek back to their den to fetch some deer pelts, so that he was comfortable when he awoke.

Joey sighed again, and stood peering out the shacks dirty window. He could just see the roofs of the castle towers over the tree tops. There his two pack mates were trapped within its confines, what did the humans want with them anyway?

"Nn..Joey" Yami gasped.

"Yami!" the blonde yelled happily, the Alpha was finally conscious. Joey jumped immediately o his side "How are ya feeling?"

"*cough* *cough* We failed didn't we?" the tan young man said sadly.

"Only the battle Yami, but this war's far from over. Can you stand up?"

"I think so" Joey took Yami firmly by the arm and slowly helped him rise to his feet "Thanks Joey".

Joey grinned wolfishly "It's what I'm here for. Hey Yam's?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think the King wants with our pack all of a sudden, we've never been bothered before?" Yami shifted his weight and wobbled a bit "I've heard rumors, that Pegasus likes to collect rare and unique animals".

Joey's brown eyes narrowed "He wants to put Yugi and Ryou on display?"

"Grrr, not if I'm still alive and kicking. There must be a way inside".

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look, but what about the sentries?"

"Hm we'll have to wait till night time. That way, they won't see us sneaking around" Yami said balancing himself unsteadily.

"Um, I think I better go it alone Yami" Joey added.

"Why?" the alpha asked slightly hurt.

"No offense bud, but you're still pretty banged up. You should rest".

Yami gave a frustrated growl, and leaned against the wall, he was the Alpha wolf damn it! He couldn't sit on the back burner while the only family he had left was in danger "You can't stop me Joey" Yami replied softly.

"I know, we Weres heal pretty fast anyhow. Think you'll manage by tonight?"

Yami nodded"Yes"

"Ya know they're my family too Yami" Joey added.

"I know, I just can't bare this…when Yugi is back safe with us, I'll tell him the truth" Yami said flattening his black wolf ears.

"You mean about your Grandpa?"

"Yes, I owe him that".

Back At The Castle

Yugi snarled and snapped when the adjustable snare of a catchpole closed around his furry black neck. It didn't hurt but the little wolf was frightened. These two strange young men, one with thick brown hair and another with strawberry blonde, had moved him to another part of the castle where the scents of many different animals assaulted his nose.

"I got him Valon, get the sedative!" Alister grunted, trying to keep Yugi still. Yugi yelped as an elongated sirenge stuck into his side and was quickly removed.

"Alright Alister let him loose" Alister released the catchpole and took a step back next to his cousin.

"Whew…Little guy's strong ain't he?" he breathed.

"Yeah no fooling, we'll wait until he's out to move him." Valon said.

"Good idea".

Atemu's P.O.V

I was laying on the mattress in my den when the sounds of scuffling and the frightened yelps of my little mate-to-be reached my ears. Poor Yugi, he sounded so scared. The pretty little wolf boy simply wasn't used to humans yet, I suppose none of them had given a good first impression. I listened as Yugi's frantic struggles lessened and the growling died away. As much as I like Valon and Alister they not've hurt my mate. They would pay most dearly if they did.

A few minutes passed, the iron doors of my enclosure opened and I watched as my keepers gently placed a drugged black wolf with a magenta tint underneath the shady oak. I could instantly tell it was Yugi by the wonderful scent that oozed from him. My lovely Aibou was here with me at last! With my tail wagging rapidly I ran to him and gently nudged his muzzle with my own. Yugi responded with a weak moan and didn't move, he must still be under. Upon closer inspection I noticed he now wore a silver collar similar to my own, Valon and Alister must have put it on him.

Not wasting anymore time I gently lifted my little Aibou by the scruff and half dragged, half carried him inside the den. As we lay on the mattress-all curled up, I could feel Yugi's heart beating rapidly.

"Yugi…can you hear me?" I asked nuzzling his ear.

"Mn-huh?" Yugi groaned groggily.

"Listen Aibou" I began, keeping my rich baritone voice calm and soothing "I need you to calm yourself, all this stress isn't good for your health".

"I'm..scared" the little black wolf whimpered.

It broke my heart to see my love so sad "No one is going to harm you Yugi, I promise. Why don't you rest, I'll protect you" I assured him, laying my head over his neck.

"Promise?" Yugi asked hardly able to keep his amethyst eyes open.

"I promise, Aibou".

Back In The Dungeon

Ryou was disturbed from his sleep by Bakura's nervous pacing, the poacher was walking back and forth from the wall to the bared door, anxiously peering down the dark passageway.

"Bakura?" the whitenette asked, his throat was dry-he needed a drink of water.

"Did I wake you pet?" Bakura said croaching next to the hay pile they'd slept in "You shouldn't be up, go back to sleep" he said readjusting the red robe, he had placed for Ryou.

"I'm fine now, but did the guards bring us any water? I could use some" the Omega said clearing his throat.

"Yeah I'll get it" Earlier the guards had left a pan of water and two bowls of porridge, before returning to their rounds, one gave Bakura a message.

"The guards say that Pegasus wants to talk to me" Bakura said handing Ryou the water pan.

"What about?"

The poacher shook his shaggy white head and laced his fingers "I don't know, maybe he wants to know about the rest of that mangy pack of yours".

Before Ryou could give a retort that his pack was not mangy, the sound of approaching footsteps on the cold stones silenced him. The albino could help but whimper, what if it was Marik?

"Don't move" Bakura whispered hastily standing up, to face the two guards that had come to collect him. His strong tanned physique was postured into a dignified and defiant mannor "well state your business" he snapped coldly.

"His royal highness requests an audience with you, poacher" Guard one said with a southern accent while Guard two opened the cell door.

Bakura paused at the door and looked back to give Ryou a reassuring smirk "I'll be back pet, just sit tight" and with he allowed himself to be escorted away.

"Be careful" Ryou mumbled, burrowing deeper into the warm scratchy hay and clutching the red robe tightly.

End Chapter

And there you have it, please review. Now I gotta !