Author's Note – Okay, let me clarify… including this one, there will be two more eps. to go, including an epilogue chapter (so technically three more chapters) And I don't know… that last ep., the one before the epilogue, might be broke up into two different chapters (as in a really long ep., like I did with Stars of Passion) I'll just have to see how everything goes. I want to be able to get in everything that I've wanted for this story from the beginning, without this story burning out. And I have to admit; it's almost happened a couple of times. Which is why I've taken longer breaks than I normally do. But all of you have been so wonderful; it has helped keep me sane! And it has kept me typing.
And of course I'll have a soundtrack chapter which will list all the songs I chose throughout the series, as well as their lyrics, and hints to where you can either get the songs for free, or buy them really, really cheap!
As well as my final note to all of you in thanks for your support, as well as hints as to… other… Wolf Lake fics I'm already planning! That's right, people! You didn't think I'd leave you completely, did ya? (wink)
Truth is, WL has really been a lot of fun to write about, and although this series will always be my main WL fic, I have in mind two completely separate and different stories. But you'll have to read the author's note that I'll post after I finish this series to find out anything more about them! And about the other projects I'm already planning! (wink)
I also wanted to point out to you guys a new WL fic that has recently been started, It's entitled "The Moon's Calling" by Ashione. She's only put up the first chapter so far, but her writing style is amazing, and she's captured the chemistry between Luke and Sophia perfectly! Please give her new story all the support it deserves. It is really an amazing start to what I believe will be an excellent story! So if you haven't read it, please do so.
And now, on with the chapter…
Chapter Nine, Ep. 17 – "The White Wolves"
Summery – Sophia fights to save the life of a young girl caught within the throes of the Flip, while John fights to save not only his claim to Ruby, but his life as well… As the Hunters begin to infiltrate Wolf Lake, and the battle lines are drawn…
******
Sophia could feel her heart pounding in her ears as Matt guided her into the underground chamber of the hospital. She remembered what it had been like when she'd been here last, and it was a memory she never wanted to revisit again.
Her internal radar could sense the young girl beyond the door that they were pulling closer to. The whole world seemed to be moving in slow motion. As if none of this was real. As if none of it was happening.
But it was.
She could also sense that Luke was close by. Probably already in the hospital, making his way to her. His mind reaching out to touch hers soothingly.
But despite how much she wanted to just lose herself in his touch, she knew she couldn't. The temptation was strong to do so, because she knew then she wouldn't have to face what was lying ahead of her. She wouldn't have to face her destiny. Her birthright.
She felt the crystal pendant moving between her breasts under her shirt, and knew that there was no going back. She had already come too far.
She closed her eyes as Matt pushed open the door, and the screams of the poor girl echoed across the facility. Caught within the clutches of what Sophia knew felt like hell. As she opened her eyes, her heart sank at the sight of desperation and fear in front of her.
The young girl was hoarse from crying out in agony, her body writhing and twisting inhumanly on the bed. Restrained at the ankles and wrists. What appeared to be her boyfriend was standing at her side, his hand locked tightly within his unfeeling mate's grasp. He was standing there completely naked. The scent of the Flip thick upon his skin. It was obvious that he had made the change successfully.
But his girl hadn't been so fortunate.
But what made Sophia's heart sink even lower, was that she recognized the girl lying there. She had just talked to her yesterday evening.
The sudden compassion within Sophia pulled her closer to Skyler's bed. She watched as the girl's eyes flickered across Sophia's form. Probably not even aware of who she was. Hopelessness radiating from her waning battle against the inner wolf. One that she wasn't winning.
Sophia flinched as Skyler let out another ear-splitting scream. Her boyfriend looked at her in desperation. Silent tears of pain coursing down his cheeks.
"Do something for her! Please!"
Sophia saw the pain in his gaze, and her heart broke at the sight of him trying to hold on to the convulsing body of his mate. A mate who was so beyond hearing, seeing, or feeling anything at the moment but the pain.
Sophia felt a silent scream of denial claw at her throat at the cruel reality of their existence. What kind of life was this? Never knowing just how many friends, lovers, siblings, or children you would lose to the simple genetics of their species.
Sophia felt the heat of Luke's body as he came up behind her. His arms encircling her waist to being her closer to him. She hadn't even heard him enter.
Sophia closed her eyes against the tears glittering there in her lashes, and leaned the side of her face against his bare chest. Wanting nothing more than to disappear from the scene of violence and cruelty playing out in front of her. But no matter how tightly she squeezed her eyes closed, the image of the young boy; tears shimmering in their path against the sides of his face, as he clutched at Skyler. Sobbing openly at the sight of her mind and body buried within so much agony – was forever burned upon her mind.
******
The sounds of the attacking wolf's snarls were harsh in John's ears as he fought against the slashing weight of Tyler bearing down on him. Claws raking deep furrows in John's sides. Teeth straining forward to rip into his exposed throat.
This was Tyler's idea of a decent fight? Attacking when your opponent's back was turned?
John felt an unfamiliar rage shudder through him, as his vision turned red. He felt the wolf within rising to the surface. Anger lent strength to his body already starting to shift. Somehow, he managed to get his foot underneath the body of the attacking animal, launching him about twenty feet.
Tyler landed hard, but was already back up and charging at John with such speed that if any human had seen it, they wouldn't have believed that a wolf could move that fast.
But, if a human had seen it, they would have probably been more focused on the vision of a man shifting into the body of a large black wolf, just as fast. Quick enough to meet the attacking opponent head on with an attack of his own.
The steel gray wolf and the black one met with a flurry of fur, claws, and teeth. Snarling jaws snapping for purchase. In that moment, there was no Tyler or John. There was no human emotions or stigmas. They were two alpha males fighting for supremacy, and the right to the mate that they both wanted for themselves.
One thing was for certain... Only one of them was going to come out on top.
******
Presley didn't remember ever feeling this groggy, when she fought her way back up to the surface from the effects of the drugs that she had been shot with. When she finally opened her eyes, she wished she had stayed comatose.
She couldn't make out any details of her surroundings, her focus was still blurry. But one thing that she was aware of was that she was no longer in wolf form. Her human skin was completely exposed from where she was physically bound in place by thick leather cuffs around her wrists and ankles, and the weight a chain was pressing into the slight curve of her abdomen and digging harshly into her hips.
It was obvious that whoever it was that had captured her, didn't want her going anywhere anytime soon. But the way her head was starting to pound, and how weak and heavy her limbs felt, she couldn't have gotten out of there if her life had depended on it. Which, actually, she mused unemotionally, seemed to be the case here.
She saw someone moving closer to her, but was unable to make out his or her face. Presley swallowed nervously, her mouth and throat dry. She tried to open her mouth to speak, but no sound emerged. She watched as the shadowed form pulled out a syringe and before Presley could gather the strength to so much as struggle against her bounds, the needle slid home in the exposed blue vein of the underside of her arm, and she felt whatever it was being injected into her bloodstream. It burned like acid as it spread throughout her body. Dragging her back under the thick dark curtain of oblivion. And this time, she welcomed it.
******
"I don't know what to do." Sophia whispered quietly to Luke. Luke just shook his head. Not understanding why Sherman would have ordered Matthew to bring Sophia to this place, to be forced to watch this young woman die.
Luke could sense, as well as everyone else in this room, that Skyler had been locked within the Flip for too long. And after a certain time, there just simply wasn't any hope.
Vivian should have already ended her misery.
Sophia was too sensitive to watch this young girl die, especially after just recently going through the Flip herself. He was tempted to escort her out of there, when Sherman came up beside them.
"Luke, I need to talk to Sophia alone." Sherman's words were very much an order, and one that wasn't going to be denied.
Sophia's hand tightened sharply on Luke's arm. Not wanting him to leave. Luke looked down at her. Wanting it to be her call.
Sophia nodded reluctantly and her hand loosened. Dropping away. She folded her arms protectively across her breasts as she watched Luke exit, and looked expectantly at Sherman.
Sherman smiled tiredly at her. His fingers coming up to rub the bridge of his nose.
"We don't have much time, Sophia. I wish that I didn't have to put this on you so soon. If I had had my way, I would have chosen another time and place. But, frankly, that isn't the case today. Skyler is in trouble, and she will die if you don't help her."
"Help her how, Sherman? I don't understand any of this!" Sophia tried to catch her breath to keep from panicking.
"There's something I haven't told you about the abilities of the white wolf. Something that I haven't ever told anyone, and as far as I know, no one else possesses this knowledge."
Sophia swallowed. Taking a deep breath to calm herself. "What knowledge?"
"Rianna had a gift, Sophia. A gift that you, as her descendant and a white wolf might possibly have. It was documented that on many an occasion she had the ability to save one caught within the Flip. She saved the lives of many during that time period. With most of their species destroyed, and only a few left, every life was precious. They couldn't afford the death of even one woman, man, or child."
"And you think I have this ability?"
"Yes, I do."
Sophia shook her head. "I still don't understand. When I was caught in the Flip, Luke did a mind merge with me, and pulled me out of it. Why can't someone else do this?"
Sherman shook his head. "It's not the same, Sophia. Luke didn't pull you out of it. All he did was convince you to stop fighting the Flip. You were caught, not because you weren't strong enough to complete the Change, but because you didn't want to accept what you are. And it is a testimony to that strength that you managed to stop it from its completion. Luke created a mind merge to convince you that it was okay to be what you are. The rest was all you."
Sophia bit her lip. Looking over at Skyler. Knowing that there wasn't much time left.
"What about Ruby? She's older. She would have a better chance at doing this than me."
"There isn't enough time to track her down, and even if there was, there is no way to know whether or not she has this ability."
"But you think that I do?"
Sherman's gaze became even more serious. "I know you do, Sophia. The only thing is, you have to believe it as well if this is going to work. You have to know that you can do this. You have to be strong enough to accept this gift."
Sophia hugged her arms tighter across her chest, nodding slowly. This was it. This was a part of who she was supposed to be. What she had been borne for. She couldn't turn away from Skyler anymore than she could turn away from Wolf Lake and the Pack. Or from who she was.
"What am I supposed to do?"
******
Ruby was still in the shower when she felt the violence taking place outside the cabin. She didn't have to reach out to John through their mind-link to feel the swirling red of violence flooding his senses.
She was out of the shower in a blur. Bare skin dripping water over the wood planks, before her body started to shift into her wolf form. Running on instinct.
She didn't even pause as she hit the front window as hard as she could go. Her body a blur as she sliced through the shattering panes of glass. The sound and feel of the glass cutting into her paws not even registering, as she caught sight of her mate being attacked viciously by her greatest enemy...
Her husband.
******
Sophia took a deep breath as she sat down beside Skyler. Taking the trembling girl's hand. Yellow eyes looking up at Sophia in desperation from a face twisted and misshapen. A body malformed from the Change.
Sophia's eyes trailed over the writhing body. Taking notice of the hospital gown drenched in sweat. She remembered how just the feel of the mattress under her back had been unbearable, so she could only imagine how the gown must feel.
This was it. The silent but efficient killer of their species, and it once again proved that they were their greatest enemy. She felt her eyes start to burn, but she blinked them rapidly. Now was not the time to express her emotions. She had a job to do.
She looked up at Skyler's boyfriend. Eyes once again dry, and serious. Commanding.
:"What's your name?" she asked quietly. Studying him as he looked over at her. His face pain racked. Hopeless.
"David."
Sophia's gaze softened. "David, thank you for taking care of Skyler. But now, I need to be alone with her."
David shook his adamantly. "No, she needs me!" His hand tightened on the half-transformed palm of Skyler's.
Sophia's gaze once again hardened, and her tone broke for no argument.
"David, you have to leave now. I need to be alone with Skyler."
David turned back towards Sophia. His face twisting into a snarl as his body hunched closer over the girl protectively. Eyes flaring yellow.
"I will not let you kill her!" he growled out. Every bit a protective male Skinwalker.
Sophia's eyes flickered softly, as she suppressed her frustration. "I have no intention of killing her, David! I'm going to try to save her, but while we are currently arguing about this, Skyler is slipping away! So I'm ordering you to leave us both, so I can save her!"
David let out a shuddering breath as he acknowledged the truth of her words. Sophia waited. Looking back at Skyler, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Pulling his hand loose from her grip, he reluctantly stepped away.
Before leaving the room, he turned back to look at Sophia. His heart in his eyes.
Before he could speak, Sophia cut him off.
"I'll take care of her. I promise."
David swallowed painfully, nodded, and left the room. Leaving Sophia and Skyler alone.
******
"Sherman, I hope you know what you're doing." Matthew muttered as he watched the boy exit Skyler's room. Shutting the door behind him softly. Sherman just shrugged. Not answering.
Matt rubbed the back of his neck worriedly. Glancing over as Vivian entered the room. Her eyes narrowed as she saw both him and Sherman standing there.
"Would you mind telling me what is going on?" She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head to the side. Studying their expressions. "Why was I not informed of Skyler's predicament earlier?"
Matt looked over at Sherman. Leaving that question up to him.
Sherman tried to look innocent. "You weren't? Hmm. I could have sworn I left a message on your voice mail."
Vivian's jaw tightened. "I don't have voice mail."
Sherman paused for a moment. "Well, then. I guess you didn't get the message, V."
Vivian rolled her eyes up to the ceiling and shook her head. Her arms dropped down to position themselves on her hips. Looking back over at Matt. A flicker of curiosity as to why he was there.
"How is she?"
Sherman became serious. "Sophia is in with her now."
Vivian's head turned towards Sherman fast enough to warrant whiplash. "I'm assuming you have some reason for that?"
Sherman nodded. Barely able to hide the smirk going there. They still couldn't comprehend what Sophia was. Who she was. They still saw her as the half-breed.
Matt spoke up quietly. "Sherman believes that Sophia has some gift that will enable her to pull Skyler out of the Flip."
Vivian looked at Sherman in disbelief. "How can that be?"
"She's a white female, remember?"
"But, I've never heard of a white female, or any member of our race for that matter, having this ability."
"Are you so sure about that, V?" Sherman tilted his head at her. His tone almost mocking her.
Vivian looked away in exasperation, not meeting his gaze.
The room fell silent, as they listened to the sounds of the girl locked within so much pain in the other room. Waiting for a miracle.
******
(Soundtrack Suggestion – "Just For", by the artist "Nickelback" on the album Silver Side Up . When I first started this series I knew I was going to have to have a confrontation between John and Tyler, and I knew that this song would be the perfect POV for John. So much so that I had to reprint the lyrics here, so you'll see the exact meaning of the song…)
~~~~~~~~~
I
want to take his eyes out
Just for looking at you
Yes I do
I want to take his hands off
Just for touching you
Yes I do
And I want to rip his heart out
Just for hurting you
And I want to break his mind down
Yes I do
And I want to make him
Regret life since the day he met you
Yes I do
And I want to make him
Take back all that he took from you
Yes I do
And I want to rip his heart out
Just for hurting you
And I want to break his mind down
Yes I do
~~~~~~~~~
John didn't know where his instincts came from. He couldn't understand what it was that told him how to fight Tyler in this new and unfamiliar form. He just knew what he had to do. And the part of him that took over became a ruthless and dangerous killer.
Thunder echoed throughout the forest. The dark sound reverberating in his mind. The air was thick with the smell of rain and kindling electricity from the undercurrents of lightening starting to flash around them.
His hatred for Tyler ran deep. Made his blood boil. When he thought of all the things he had done to Ruby…he saw red.
They fought. They bit. They clawed. They twisted in midair, straining to take the other down before being taken down first. Inflicting superficial wounds. But John sensed Tyler's sudden uncertainty, and he surged forward. Wanting the taste of his blood on his tongue.
'Not much fun when someone is fighting back.' John's growl was heard loud and clear on the public mental path line used by all Skinwalkers. John knew without a doubt that Tyler was responsible for trying to blow him up, and in the process, killing Lenore. He knew that he had been responsible for Ruby's kidnapping. He knew he was responsible for more than one murder around here, and John didn't plan on letting him hurt anyone else.
He buried his snout further into the ruff of the gray wolf's neck. Ripping closer to his goal. Ignoring the sensation of teeth clamping on his shoulder. Crunching through muscle and down to the bone.
The black wolf ignored the pain suddenly streaking through his body, radiating from where the gray wolf's teeth were imbedded in his flesh. Trying to shatter the bone. Instead, the black wolf pushed for a firmer hold on the neck of his opponent. Burying his teeth deep and clamping down. The gray wolf's surprised yelp was muffled by the choking hold. But he still didn't let go of his grip on the black wolf's shoulder. They were both locked firmly within the dance of death.
But the gray wolf hadn't counted on Ruby.
Quickly evaluating the situation, she hit the gray wolf like the enraged female she was. Her teeth snapping at his muzzle, before reaching up and ripping into the side of his face. Mangling one of his ears. She pushed her body between that of the two battling males, trying to give her mate some relief. Back feet striking into the enemy's underbelly.
Tyler let go more out of surprise than pain. His teeth sliding out from John's pelt and wolven skin. Leaving a pretty deep and nasty wound.
Before Tyler could turn on Ruby, John lunged forward, knocking Ruby's smaller white, wolven body out of the way. He charged towards Tyler. His black pelt glittering in the oncoming darkness, and his black eyes glowing a fierce yellow. His mind a haze of intense rage.
Ruby quickly leapt back up, and followed him. Not about to let John fight Tyler on his own.
Faced with not one, but two enraged wolves bearing down on him, a gaping wound where John had ripped into his neck, his strength waning alarmingly, Tyler let out a fierce snarl, but made a hasty retreat back into the forest the way he came.
John wasn't going to let him go. No matter badly wounded he was himself. He charged in after him. But Ruby, being a little bit more in control than John, quickly cut him off. Snarling at him in warning when he tried to knock her out of the way again. She wasn't going to let him follow, when Tyler most assuredly had back up. John may have been injured, his shoulder mangled up pretty badly, but evne so, in his current state of mind, he probably could have finished Tyler off.
But not if Tyler's goons got a hold of him first.
They needed to get out of there before they came, and head to Sherman's where they'd be reasonably safe.
John fought his way back from the red haze of violence surrounding his wolven mind. Fought for control. He wasn't even aware of the constant low growls admitting from his animal throat, until Ruby shifted back into her human form in order to assess the physical damage done to his wolven body. Her palm came over the wound in his shoulder, watching as the blood slowed to a trickle as it started to heal.
"Shh," Ruby whispered. Pulling the black wolf closer to her. Knowing he would never hurt her. She buried her face in the fur at his neck and breathed deeply. Her heart still pounding in fear. Knowing she had almost lost him. She knew they needed to leave, but she couldn't help but sit there, just holding him.
John's growls stopped, and he let out a sigh. Somewhat back in control. He had never wanted to kill someone that bad before. But he couldn't exactly consider his 'human' instincts to the be the same as his wolven. He could already tell that he was going to have a problem learning how to control these new instincts. But he'd deal with controlling them, after he made sure Tyler was cold in his grave.
Thunder started to roll yet again, and a few drops of rain hit them. Ruby looked up at the sky, as the clouds opened up and a steady rain began to fall. Drenching them both.
******
(Soundtrack Suggestion – "To Whom It May Concern" by "Creed" This song has yet to be recorded on one of the band's albums, but can be found on the Soundtrack of "The Scorpion King". It really is an amazing song, and anyone who knows it, will realize just how well it works with the next scene. I could very easily see this song being paired with this next scene if it was an actual TV episode. Pop it in if you have it… if not… then what's wrong with you?!!! (laughing))
Sophia didn't know how long she sat there holding Skyler's hand. It could have been a minute, an hour, or a day. Time was starting to lose all meaning. She could feel it starting to slip away. Leaving just the sound of Sophia's heart beating slowly in her chest. The rhythm soothing in comparison to Skyler's, which was beating extremely fast and erratically. The sound jarring.
Sophia leaned over Skyler's face, smoothing back the matted hair clinging to her forehead. She felt the crystal hanging around her neck, slide out of her blouse to hang loosely around her neck. The pendant dangling in midair, suspended by the silver chain. She didn't bother tucking it back in, but left it where it was.
Sophia would later think back on this moment. She would try to remember how she had started it. How the connection had been formed. It was if something else entirely had taken over. Not her human side, and not her wolven. But something completely different. A part of her she had never realized she possessed.
It was if suddenly, all her fear had been pressed away into some crevice of her mind. All of her doubt and confusion. Uncertainty and desperation. Leaving nothing behind but the knowledge and the desire to save this girl.
And she knew she could do it.
Her mind reached out to Skyler through an unknown mind link that had been created upon physical contact with Skyler's forehead. Sophia's hand grasped the younger girl's firmly, as she tuned into the erratic heartbeat. Knowing she had to start there.
Compelling it to slow from its fast-paced race, she matched it to her own. Soothing it. Calming Skyler down with it. Forcing her muscles to relax against the turmoil within.
But that was only the first step. Reaching deeper with her mind, Sophia found herself following the glittering path deep into Skyler's mind. Submerging herself in the agony that surrounded the mind like a thick, black swirling cloud. Smothering the life from the younger girl.
Concentrating on what Sophia knew needed to be done, she merged her strength with what was left of Skyler's, and flooded that dark place with light. Dragging the small, barely flickering life force huddling within a tiny corner of her mind, into that light.
Aware that what she was doing was causing Skyler's body to arch up and off the bed, the sound of her shrieks ringing in Sophia's ears, but she knew she couldn't stop. She could feel Skyler's body starting to contort further. Making room for the emerging wolven form. Gritting her teeth, Sophia grasped even harder upon that life force, and pouring every bit of mental ability that she had into it, forced Skyler's human shell to give up the fight, and fully convert into the blondish red wolf suddenly laying in front of Sophia.
Slowly and carefully exiting Skyler's exhausted mind, Sophia broke off the contact. Acknowledging for just a brief second that Skyler had passed out, still in wolf form. But very much alive.
Sophia's relief was great as she realized that Skyler was going to make it. She was going to survive. But her sudden weakness was greater. Collapsing to the ground, Sophia passed out before her body even hit the concrete floor.
******
John and Ruby made their way through the forest in their wolven skins as fast as John's injuries would allow. The rain was still coming down steadily as the forest became as inky black as the early night sky. The clouds from the storm blocking all light that might have shown from the moon or stars.
The black fur of John's pelt slinked through the bushes, invisible. Shadowed by Ruby, the white of her pelt moving like a ghost over the forest floor. Casting concerned glances towards her mate, as he couldn't disguise the severe limp to his movement, not even in the surrounding darkness. Not from her.
He was hurting, but never once slowed down, or even let out a whimper when his movements continually jarred the gaping tear in his shoulder. A slight grinding sound was present. Either from torn tendon or bone, Ruby couldn't tell, she just wanted to get him to Sherman's as quickly as possible.
They traveled cautiously. Well aware that Tyler and his goons weren't the only potential dangers at the moment. They stayed well aware of all the movements of the various life forms in the forest. Cautiously searching with their wolven senses for any signs of humans. Finding none.
Satisfied that they were traveling unseen through the forest, Ruby brushed John's mind with hers. Flooding him with her soothing touch. Trying the ease the pain he was feeling.
John leaned over, slowing in his pace long enough to nuzzle her briefly in reassurance.
It was that pause that proved later to be the thing that saved their lives.
As they started to pace side by side again through the remaining portion of the forest, the leaf covered ground beneath their paws suddenly gave way, and they were both falling through the air, into a pit that had been created to trap any passing animals.
It wasn't the first time that the Skinwalkers of Wolf Lake had found similar traps. Some set by pranksters of their own race. What was different though, was the fact that several tall, sharp spikes had been set within the trap. Their tips barely visible in the darkness. Calling a quick warning to the other, they both twisted in midair, to avoid hitting the spikes. Instead, aiming for the spaces between.
John landed hard on his side. His injured shoulder shrieking in agony as it impacted on the ground, but he was otherwise unharmed.
Ruby wasn't quite so fortunate.
Managing to twist enough midair to avoid hitting anything vital on the spikes, her back hind leg still was speared clean through. Pinned firmly.
Ruby's wolven throat let out a scream of pain, as she felt the spike slice through skin, muscle and bone.
'Ruby!'John quickly shape shifted back into his human form to try to help her, but he quickly found that the spikes were too tall, and his arm was too injured to lift her up and off the spike she was impaled on.
Ruby tried to block the breath-taking pain knifing through her like a living thing. Trying to keep from passing out. She focused on sending a mental call on the public line used by all the Skinwalkers. But she quickly stopped. Knowing that if she did, Tyler would hear. And then things would go really badly. And in their combined condition, there was no way they could fight off another attack.
John knew it too, and looked around him in desperation. There was no way out of the pit, and even if there was, he didn't think he could handle leaving Ruby like this. Even if it was only long enough to get help.
Ruby tried to think beyond the pain long enough to figure out what to do. Something in her mind kept tickling on the edge of her awareness. And a question began to form. If she couldn't contact anyone using the public mental path, then maybe, just maybe, she could contact someone else through a pathway that she sensed already existed, even though she had never used it.
Realizing that she had to take the chance, Ruby sent a firm call along that strange mental path. Hoping that by doing so, she would contact the one person that she believed could track them down. The one person she knew she was going to have to trust her life and that of her mate with.
And that person just happened to be the only other white female in Wolf Lake.
******
When Sophia came to, she had been removed from Skyler's room, and was stretched out on a rather stiff old couch, her head pillowed on Luke's lap. Her father hovering close by, concern written on his face.
Sherman was standing in the corner, arms crossed. Observing everything with a calm demeanor. She saw Vivian sitting over in another chair across from her. Rubbing the back of her neck in an effort to relieve the tension. Her expression tired. Sophia didn't think she'd gotten that much sleep lately.
She looked back up at Luke, closing her eyes, as she felt his fingers brush over her forehead.
" You scared us there for a little while. How're you feeling?"
Sophia smiled at the concern she heard in Luke's tone. It never ceased to amaze her how much he'd changed from the hard, sometimes cold hearted, self-absorbed bad-boy that he'd been for so long. And that was still a part of him that she saw reflected in his eyes when he was around other members of the Pack. But never when his eyes met her.
If there hadn't been other people in the room (i.e. her father) she thought she could have grasped him by the back of the neck, and brought that mouth of his down to hers. Instead, she settled for a smile of affirmation.
"I'm fine." She whispered. Sitting up slowly. She was surprised that was wasn't weaker than she was. Other than a quickly fading headache, she felt just fine.
It was then that she noticed the cuts in Luke's exposed chest. None of them looked serious, but they were across her side, his chest, his shoulder. A longer set were on his thigh, and a small but deep cut was visible above his left eye.
Luke saw her concern, and he smiled at her wryly. Quickly telling her through their private mental path that he would explain later.
He gently supported her as she finally righted herself. Running her hands through her hair to push it away from her face, she looked towards the closed off room.
"Is Skyler okay?" she asked quietly. Glancing towards Sherman.
"She's fine. David's with her now."
Sophia nodded. Glad to hear that everything had worked out. A frown flickered across her face as she glanced at Vivian. The older woman was looking at her like she'd seen a ghost. Her face pale and her eyes confused.
Sophia looked away, and met her father's gaze. The corners of her lips turned up wryly.
"It's been a long couple of days, hasn't it?"
Matt chuckled, and started to answer, when he saw a strange expression cross Sophia's face. He suddenly became even more worried than before.
Sophia shot upright. Her fingers digging deep into the edge of the couch. Her face paled as she listened to something only she could hear.
Vivian's expression sharpened with concern, as Sherman stepped forward.
Luke grasped Sophia's shoulder. Sitting forward to try to read her expression.
"Baby, what is it?"
Sophia held a hand up. Hushing him. Closing her eyes, she sent a brief reply on confirmation back to Ruby on the strange mental path. Having done that. She turned to look at everyone in the group. Her mouth tightening as she stood up.
"John and Ruby are in trouble. They need our help, now."
Vivian stood up slowly. "What happened?"
"They've fallen into a trap. Ruby is in a lot of pain. I think her back leg was speared on something. The details are hazy. John isn't in any shape to help her either."
Vivian's eyes narrowed. "Why didn't she use the public mental pathway of the Pack?'
Sophia shook her head. "I think she was worried about Tyler and his goons finding them before we did."
Sherman nodded grimly. "Yeah, Tyler doesn't exactly play by the rules. If he could get rid of John when he's injured, he'll do it."
"What are we waiting for?" Matt muttered, herding everyone towards the door.
"Where are they?" Vivian asked Sophia as they walked out the door.
"Ruby didn't get a chance to tell me before she passed out."
"Then how are we going to find them?" Luke asked. Standing close to Sophia.
Sophia tilted her chin up. "I know where they are."
"How?"
Sophia took the lead. Starting to unbutton her blouse, as Matt and Sherman went ahead to give her privacy. Matt, Luke and Vivian were already changing out of their clothes as well, as they prepared to shift. Leaving their clothes scattered behind them.
"I just do."
******
John could hear the wolves coming closer. His body tensed, as he leaned protectively over Ruby. His eyes glowing with the barely suppressed male wolf so close to the edge. Wanting to rip anyone or anything that threatened Ruby apart with his bare hands. He was more wolf than man at this point. The echoes of her intense pain sounding off in his mind, despite her attempts to shield him from them. Their connection was strong, and in so being, he could everything that was happening to her, as if it was happening to him.
He couldn't help her. He couldn't relieve her pain. And his helplessness enraged him. Causing his body to tremble with suppressed aggression as he prepared himself to attack any who would harm her. He couldn't make her pain stop, but he could at least see to it that nobody added to it.
Ruby heard the growls admitting from John's throat. His rising tension. Sensing who it was approaching, she tried to wake up. Cautioning Sophia to move slowly.
'John! Don't! I called Sophia! They're here to help.'
John battled down his rage, and took in a deep, shuddering breath. His eyes still glowing. He watched as a white wolf came to stand over the pit. Her fur soaked with the still falling rain.
Sophia observed the following scene calmly. She could see clearly Ruby's white wolf form impaled on one of the upright spikes. Soaked with blood, water, and mud, barely conscious. The spear was keeping her from bleeding outright, but it was also keeping her from healing. And the strain of her body trying to fight its way around the wound in order to heal was visible.
John was crouched over her. His body naked and coated with the mud from the recently dug out pit. His eyes still glittering in warning, even though she could see him sigh in relief at the sight of her.
She also saw the deep ugly wound in his shoulder, where it looked as if a wild animal had torn into him. She could smell Tyler's scent, and knew who it was that had done the damage. And why Ruby had been so adamant that they not use the public mental path.
'Over here.' Sophia called to the others nonchalantly. Not giving any details. She had already told them that they needed to be completely quiet when it came to the public mental pathway. Sherman had gone to retrieve his car in order to transport Ruby and John once they got them out. He was already waiting at the edge of the forest.
Luke's gray wolven form came over to stand close to Sophia, looking the scene over. Matt and Vivian following close behind. The three started to shift back into human form to work together to free John and Ruby, while Sophia remained in her wolf form. Because doing so, helped her keep in contact with Ruby along the mental path that they seemed to share.
Simply because they were both white wolves.
******
"How are you feeling?" Sophia spoke softly, as she came to stand in front of John.
He was stretched out on the bed. Sherman was working on Ruby's wound, where she had been placed beside him. The wound had been severe, slicing through muscle and bone. But the sharpened steel spike had missed anything vital that might have proposed a more serious life-threatening injury.
Even so, the sounds of her screams when they had managed to lift her off the spike were not sounds anyone within hearing distance was going to forget.
Matt had already helped take care of John's wound, and it was wrapped securely. His arm in a sling, till his wolven healing abilities managed to mend the torn skin, muscle and tendon.
John shook his head. "Not too hot. But it's her I'm worried about." He looked over at Ruby, and stroked his palm down her slightly damp pelt. She had fallen asleep due to some "special" medication that Sherman had given her, and was resting peacefully. Her sides rising steadily with her even breaths. Sherman was still working on the wound. Packing it with a strange mixture or herbs and creams. John had given up asking what.
Sophia smiled gently. "I'm sure Ruby will be just fine."
John looked back over at Sophia. Studying her expression before speaking.
"Thank you."
Sophia ducked her head down shyly. Tucking a wayward strand back behind her ear. "Anytime."
John glanced down at her movements, and noticed the strange pendant around her neck.
Sophia followed his line of sight. Touching the crystal with her fingertips. "It was a gift. From one of my ancestors."
John nodded slowly. Figuring out from Sophia's expression which ancestor that had been. He looked back over at Ruby. His hand having never left her fur.
Sophia quietly excused herself from the room, and went over to curl up on the couch by Luke. Her body was surrounded by a large terrycloth robe. Luke was wearing a pair of jeans that were part of a collection that was always available at Sherman's place, to any Skinwalker that had misplaced their own.
She curved her body into his, and rested her head on his chest, her eyes closing as she let out a deep sigh. She was so tired, and this had been one hell of a day. She just wanted to sleep.
Luke absently stroked back her hair from her face, as he listened to her heartbeat slowing down as her body entered its much needed sleep cycle. He leaned his head back against the wall, and closed his tired pale green eyes. His arms comfortably but slightly possessively circled around Sophia's slender frame. Confident in his ability to keep her at his side. The faded pale pink lines of scars left from some of the deeper flesh wounds he had sustained earlier that day was prove to that ability.
Soon he was asleep as well.
******
"This has definitely been an interesting day." Vivian commented wryly to Matt as they stepped outside onto Sherman's front porch in order to keep from waking up Luke and Sophia. They didn't bother turning on the lights. They could see the other perfectly.
"That it has." Matt agreed as he hooked his hands in his front jeans' pockets as he leaned against the brick exterior wall. Smiling slightly at Vivian as she observed his casual pose. She glanced over at the road as she watched a car passing by. It's wheels splashing in the water coating the asphalt. She turned back to look at Matt, suddenly serious.
"That trap that we pulled John and Ruby out of wasn't created by anyone in Wolf Lake."
Matt tilted his head up to observe the rain still pouring down off the roof above them.
"Hmm, perhaps. There's no way to know for sure."
Thunder rolled around them. Echoing across the surrounding area and off the various houses.
Vivian shook her head at his casual tone. "I'm serious, Matt. That trap is exactly what the Hunters used against us back in the Dark Ages. They always left it as sort of their calling card." She spat out the last with disgust. The fire in her eyes visible.
"Hey," Matt cautioned softly, his hand reaching out to turn Vivian's chin back towards him. He met her gaze commandingly as lightening flashed. Silhouetting them both as they studied each other. Both trying to ignore the sudden flash of lightening chemistry arching right there, between them. Their own private light show.
"I take this just as seriously as you do, V. Don't ever think I don't."
Vivian observed him quietly. Her breath catching in her throat as his fingers still cradled her chin. She saw the desire reflected in his eyes, or was that hers? She wasn't sure. She only knew that she had wanted, needed, this man since she had first fallen in love with him so long ago.
And for an insane instant, she thought he might kiss her. But when his fingers fell away and he leaned back, she realized that that just might never happen. And it broke her heart. Hers, which she had conditioned for so long to be a hard, tough muscle that never felt anything. But with just a gaze and the touch of his fingertips, that could all change.
In some ways she hated that he had that kind of power over her.
And in other ways, she never wanted that weakness to leave her.
"Matt…" Vivian whispered. Knowing how her tone must be filled with longing and pain.
With him, she could be herself, without fear of reprisal or revealing too much to one who could be the wrong person. He already knew her soul intimately, whether he was willing to admit it.
Matt shook his head softly. "Shh…" Reaching out to grasp Vivian's shoulders, he pulled her to him. His arms going around her as she pressed her head into the curve of his neck. Inhaling shakily. Arms going around his back to cling to him. Never wanting to leave.
Matt closed his eyes, and allowed his hand to reach up into her hair, intertwining his fingers in the thick blond strands. Simply satisfying himself with the smell of her.
They stood there as the rain continued to come down steadily. Thunder and lightening running together like lovers of the skies.
And they stood there. Just…feeling.
******
Seemingly oblivious to cold rain pouring down upon them, two darkly clothed men strode over to look down into the abandoned trap pit. Seeing dispassionately the signs of a struggle within, and the swirls of blood still floating in the thick puddle of water/mud at the base of the spears. White fur still clinging to the tip of one of the spears, and laying deep within the pit.
One of the men looked at the other. One of them was was older, and obviously the boss. No words were spoken, but one of them left to go back to their abandoned vehicle. The same man would have been recognized as being the captor of Presley, if there had been any witnesses. The other one, his boss, turned towards the unlikely ally as he appeared from the bushes. His naked body glittering wetly in the rain. Marred by some fading bruises and cuts. Blond hair sticking to the forehead of the attractive but cold face. His eyes flickering gold obscenely as he smiled chillingly at the dark-clothed man in front of him.
"Looks like your trap didn't work out as well as you thought it would." the naked man taunted, looking coolly down into the pit. Recognizing whose blood that was still present.
The older man shrugged. "It's no concern of mine. We still have the other one to work on. She'll suffice as long as we need her. The only thing you need to concern yourself on is what we already discussed. All I need from you is to do your part, and you will have everything that you wished for."
The naked man just laughed. "Don't worry, I'll do my job. Nobody wants to see the Leaders of the Pack dead, worse than me. You just better not betray me." The last was spoken in a silken tongue wrapped in steel with its cold threat.
He turned away from the older man. Briefly exposing a large, deep cut currently healing on the side of his throat. Recently inflicted by his enemy. One that had managed to save himself yet again from death, not once, but twice in the same night.
But it didn't matter. He'd get the pleasure of ripping his heart out soon enough. Just like Ruby had ripped out his.
Slipping quietly back into the bushes, he shapeshifted quickly into his steel-gray wolven pelt. Quickly disappearing from sight. Leaving the older man and leader of the Hunters standing there in the rain. His face expressionless. He tilted his head up to look at the raindrops falling around him. Lit by the flashes of lightening and feeling the reverberations of the rolls of thunder as they echoed around the pitch-black forest of Wolf Lake.
****************************************
TBC soon in Chapter Ten, Ep. 18 – "Crimson Night"
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