By His Side
Chapter Thirty Seven
The nomad vampires had travelled from Canada down through the wilderness for days. Pickings had been slim until they had
reached Seattle where they had been able to sample from the city's homeless and transient population. The unfortunate result
in a city that size was that as long as the bodies were disposed of thoroughly, no red flags would go up, none of their victims
would be missed. The nomads weren't overly concerned with anything remotely linked with their food, other than it's ready
availability, but they did care enough that they didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to the disappearances. They had
migrated all the way from Russia searching for new hunting grounds and being careful had been a successful strategy for them so far.
But then, they wandered into the Olympic National Forest.
That was their first mistake.
They continued moving west intent on reaching the coast and turning south.
That was their second mistake.
They spotted a big fire in the distance on a beach below the cliffs where they stopped to reconnoiter. They assumed there would
be food available in the area with this evidence of civilization so they circled round to set up an ambush near a group of cabins.
That was number three.
Brady was one of the youngest wolves, but he was big and strong and had an especially keen nose. His senses were on high alert
since he was working one of his first patrols as a solo. Collin would be joining him shortly, but the first three hours had been on his
own. He was proud to have been trusted to this challenge. It proved that his Alpha had confidence in his growing abilities.
He loped along through the Northern circuit of the perimeter patrol lane, enjoying the solitude and the clean, clear twilight air. He
loved his home. He loved being a protector and a warrior. He didn't fear his future being wasted since Bella Black had used her
inheritance to improve educational opportunities on the Reservation. He might have to stay in La Push, but he would still be able
to expand his mind and contribute to his Tribe's future. He couldn't think of anything or any place he'd rather be.
It had been so long since Brady or any of the Pack had scented a vampire, it was a shock to his system. His hackles rose up and his
lips peeled back from his canines as he began to follow the trail he'd crossed. When the smell bloomed into multiple hits, he threw
back his big head and sounded the alarm. Thank God Collin was already on his way to join him. His brother was there in his head instantly.
'What is it Brady? You got somethin'?'
'Three of 'em, Coll. Out of the blue. North end.'
In seconds, the rest of the Pack began popping into his head. He relaxed a bit knowing his brothers and sister were on the way. He
replayed the scents into the Pack mind and they could all see his location. He heard his Alpha's instructions and then heard the reports
of the new fellow and his granddaughter also coming to join them. Eight wolves, a panther and a hawk against 3 leeches. This was going
to be a massacre!
The three nomads were totally perplexed. The first wolf howl had surprised them. Not because it was a wolf, nor were they aware of what
kind of wolf it actually was. They were surprised because they had not seen or heard anything around them. And that wolf howl was louder
than anything they could imagine. It was so loud it sounded close by and they couldn't understand why they had had no warning whatsoever.
Their hesitation was just a tad too long, but just exactly long enough for the Pack to descend upon them in the clearing. They stood back to
back to back, stilled in confusion, not yet understanding that their time was rapidly coming to an end. They had never seen any creatures like
these before and could not comprehend the imminent danger.
The Pack surrounded them. A couple of the wolves seemed a little sheepish at the sheer numbers they had produced to handle only three
vamps. It had simply become a novelty for them. Nobody wanted to miss this, especially when they heard that Clive and Marguerite were
joining them. The nomads began to shift uneasily, trying to find even the smallest of openings to escape, even as they were stunned in
fascination at the menagerie before them. In addition to the impressive collection of giant wolves, a huge black panther and an immense
hawk had arrived to hem them in. They weren't sure if they should run, or stay to enjoy the zoological presentation. They began to relax
somewhat when the gathered animal specimens did not approach closer than a specific distance away.
They were completely agog when suddenly one of the wolves began to shimmer around the edges, only to morph into a human man, copper
skinned and dark haired. His blood smelled delectable and the fact that he was stark naked did little to instill any fear or allay their hunger.
They all turned to face him and spread out to attempt an approach for attaining some dinner. But then, he spoke.
"What do you think you're doing here?"
One of the nomads answered him almost involuntarily, his voice was so commanding.
"We were just passing through the area looking for accommodations. We're on our way down the coast. You wouldn't know of any good
restaurants in the area would you?"
The nomad licked his lips and gave the man a lascivious once over with his eyes.
The naked man let out a booming burst of laughter.
"Oh sure, I know of several nice places. Where did you 'folks' come from? You have an accent that's unfamiliar to me."
"We come from Minsk, in Old Russia. We're planning to settle down somewhere in the southern part of California. We hear it's 'beautiful'
there. Lots of rain and lots of lovely people. Friendly."
"Russia, huh? Well, I suppose I should welcome you to the United States, but I'm afraid I can't let you continue on your southern migration."
"What do you mean? Who are you to stop us? You don't know who you're dealing with, do you?"
"Oh yes, I know EXACTLY what I'm dealing with. It's you three who are in the dark."
At this brazen taunt, the nomads took a few steps toward Jacob, sniffing his blood, eyeing his pulse point in his neck, letting their hunger dull
their other senses and instincts, like self-preservation. There were several rumbling growls from the rest of the assembled animals. The
vampires were completely ignorant of the danger surrounding them.
Jacob thought this had gone on long enough and had established that these three were alone. He looked over to the panther and nodded his head.
"Clive, do you and Marguerite fancy doing your demonstration for us now? You know, a LIVE demo, rather than just a practice run tomorrow?
Hey Embry, call Seth. Tell him to herd the girls into the panic room and come join us, he's gonna wanna see his girl in action."
The dappled grey wolf nodded at his instruction.
Clive, with his flair for the dramatic, phased to human to answer his young friend. The nomads were astounded, but still, stupidly, unafraid.
"Jake, we would be delighted. Thank you for the privilege. Magnet? Ready?"
The hawk flexed her wings and settled them back into her sides. Clive bowed to the Alpha and brought his panther forth again. He stalked
around the nomads slowly, watching as they circled with him, always facing him. When he was satisfied at their relative positions, he let out
a jungle cat scream that caused the Pack to cringe en masse. The nomads, however, could not cringe. They were frozen still. Jacob couldn't
resist walking right up to the closest one. Its eyes rotated wildly in their sockets, being the only bit that would still move. The Alpha reached
up with one hand and rapped his knuckles on the vampire's chest. He put a finger into his shoulder and gave him a little shove. The vampire
simply rocked slightly back and forth like a statue. Jacob couldn't help the chuckle that came from his mouth.
"How 'bout that? They're 'weebuls'. Man, Clive, we could've really used you a few months ago when we had 20 of these fuckers comin' at us
at once. Okay, Maggie. Show us what you got, sweetheart."
A sandy colored wolf skidded to a stop at the edge of the clearing looking worriedly at the hawk. The huge bird of prey looked back at him
trying to convey her feelings to him. 'Don't fret' she seemed to be saying. 'This is my thing.' She also had an air of pride about her as she
lifted off, as if she was pleased at the opportunity to show him what she could do. She flapped her wings a few times and gained altitude
above the clearing. After circling overhead only once, she folded her great wings into her sides and dove down in a huge arcing swoop,
leading with her talons at the last second and snatching a vamp in each claw as she redirected her flight path toward the sky.
"The parking lot at the old abandoned warehouse would be a good place," Jacob called out to her.
"It's just over this ridge behind us," he pointed in the right direction. Then he addressed the rest of the assembled group, jerking his thumb
over his shoulder at the third vampire.
"This last one obviously ain't goin' anywhere. Come on, I'm gonna go watch this."
With that, he phased back to the huge russet wolf and bounded off in the direction he had sent the hawk. The rest of the wolves and the
panther leapt as one to follow him into the forest and over the hill. It took only a few minutes for them to reach the edge of the old industrial
park where he had sent Marguerite. They gathered in a long line at the edge of the expanse of concrete and watched entranced as the bird
circled higher with its baggage. When she reached the desired level, she released one of the leeches from her talons. It was a bit unnerving
to watch the creature plummeting like a skydiver with a malfunctioning chute. The wolves wouldn't let it bother them though. This thing was
already dead, technically anyway.
Just as Clive had described, when the vampire struck the hardened parking lot, the shards splattered in a huge cloud, most too tiny to even
see. It wasn't hard for the collected members of the Pack to imagine the effect on a sunny day. Some of the splinters glinted in the moonlight
giving off a twinkly effect. The bird had released the second captive only moments after the first and before it struck the ground in a similar
explosion of fragments, she had turned to wing her way back to the clearing to fetch the third one. In mere moments she swung in another
arc, scooped up the last bloodsucker and headed back to the parking lot. Once she dropped that one, she wheeled around and returned to the
beach. As Clive had assured them, there were no pieces big enough to burn, so the Pack and the panther made their way to the beach as well.
Once there, everyone phased back and threw on shorts or other coverings.
"Holy shit, Clive! That was nothing short of spectacular!" Embry marveled. All the wolves were suitably impressed with their new compadres'
M. O. Seth sidled up to Marguerite as she joined them, adjusting the straps to her sundress.
"That was amazing, Maggie! You are really somethin' else." He gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek but then pulled her into a smothering, warm
hug. She gasped at first but then settled into him with a sigh.
"Thanks. It's nothing special really. Just what Gramps and I were born to do."
"Gramps?! Gramps?! I'll thump your ear young lady!"
Seth pulled Marguerite away and behind him. "Not on my watch, mister. She's mine to protect. You'll just have to scold her with words from now on."
Marguerite laughed and placed her hands on Seth's shoulders from behind. She lifted up on her tiptoes and peeked over him at her grandfather.
He reached around and held her to his back securely.
"So there, Gramps! No more ear thumping! I've got a bodyguard now!"
Seth turned his head to where her face was snuggled beside his neck and gave her another kiss.
"You better believe it, baby. I'll guard your body all day, anytime, anywhere. You just say the word."
The woman behind him placed a warm wet kiss on the side of Seth's neck, making him jump a little, and shiver a lot. She then put her lips
right up against his ear and whispered softly.
"Word."
Seth's eyes bugged out and a goofy smile bloomed on his face. The rest of the group on the beach, who had naturally heard what she had said
to him, laughed uproariously as Seth turned and grabbed Marguerite, throwing her over his shoulder and running at top speed down the beach
toward the far edge of the wilderness surrounding them. Leah turned to Jacob and shaking her head in resignation said, "I don't think you'll be
able to put him in the patrol rotation for a few days Boss man."
Jacob nodded in sage agreement.
"I'm pretty sure you're right Leah. S'okay. We can handle things without him for a while I think. So, Clive, suppose you tell us the rest of the history
of your ancestors in Norway or Denmark or wherever it was?"
"It was both of those along with Sweden and Finland. We were scattered around. This goes way back now."
With that the panther entertained the Pack with a brief history of his family's origins and how the relationship between him and his granddaughter
had developed into the deadly tag team they had become.