Chapter II:
Forgive me Father for I Have Sinned.
The rain was so heavy and the darkness so black all that could be seen was amid lightning bolts and the horrors were indescribable. Winged creatures were dragging people away screaming and Jerico was unable to move. He saw one of the creatures swoop down at him and the glowing eyes it had locked on him. The creature dove closer and he saw it's sharp claws and human like shape but the long fangs made him fear. It got closer and closer until it was right on top of him.
Jerico yipped in surprise, which in turn roused Shira from her slumber. She was quick to nuzzle him trying to comfort him and calm him down from the nightmare. Not a word was exchanged between the two yet again they knew what the other wanted to say. It was just something a person picked up after spending a long period of time with the other.
He put a paw on her cheek softly, "It was the dream again..."
"I know... Do you know what they are now?" Said Shira softly as not to wake the rest of the pack being that it was still just before sunset and they could probably use a bit more sleep.
"No... but I know that they have something to do with me. Maybe the dream is my past."
The femme licked his cheek again and wagged her tail a bit playfully, "Your past doesn't matter. Your future is changeable. But your present is here and that is what matters. Make every day count and live it like it's your last. You never know if it is."
He looked at her quizzically and smiled a bit turning to her and getting on all four quite easily being that his arms were much longer than a normal human's and definitely more muscularly defined. His entire body was generally more muscular than any human or wolf which sometimes made it a bit dangerous for his friends but he had learned the extent of his strength and how to control it quite well in play.
Shira ran a bit into the woods behind the tree he had been sleeping against and he was quick to the chase seeing that she was definitely not running as fast as she could. She wanted to be caught. He was playing his own game and not running very quickly either much in the same manner a wolf would run using his arms and legs like he had no arms and four legs.
The werewolf pounced at the fleeing wolf that quickly changed direction and was out of his reach laughing as she ran. Jerico skid to the side a bit sinking his claws into the ground to let him turn better and was soon chasing after her again and leaping as they broke into a valley from the forest tumbling together until they reached the bottom and Shira's nose was pressed up against his own.
They laid there like that for a bit both feeling their hearts beating faster. Jerico felt weak for the first time in his life. He had never felt this weak before and by a simple wolf. She nuzzled him gently and licked his cheek like she always did since they were pups but this time it felt different.
She stood there perched on Jerico's chest just looking into his eyes and put her nose against his again, "Jerico... I..."
She was cut short as an alert howl was raised in the forest and both of their ears perked up. It was more than an alert. It was complete distress and Jerico knew who was calling. It was Stalker, his father.
Shira was quick to hop off the wolfman's chest and started running as fast as she could to the forest and where the pack was staying. Jerico was also quick to join the run to see what was wrong catching up with Shira rather quickly and passing her completely trying to get there as fast as possible.
When he cleared the forest and entered the clearing the sight he beheld was like his own depiction of hell. There was blood everywhere along with parts of wolves. Some still quivered and twitched and a few whimpered in pain yet there was no sign of the attacker. Jerico looked about cautiously but heard Shira's approach and quickly turned to stop her from seeing what was in the clearing. He leapt at her and tackled her to the groud just outside the clearing and shushed her.
"Jerico what are you doing!?" shouted Shira
"No Shira you don't want to see it!"
"Jerico let me go!"
She squirmed and writhed her way out of his grip and leapt into the clearing. The sight had struck her dumb as she looked over the carnage with tears welling in her eyes. Her pack, her family, had been slaughtered. Jerico closed his eyes and winced at the mournful sound that erupted from her maw. He couldn't stand to hear the pain that was echoing through the forest now.
The ebon male walked back into the clearing and started searching for survivors but knew that it was unlikely that he would find any. He pushed over a body and wretched at the sight beneath. Tak's head was there horribly mutilated to a point where he was almost unrecognizable but the wolf's body was not with him.
Jerico quickly turned his gaze away covering the front of his maw with his forearm not wanting to smell the blood anymore. Tears were threatening to flow but he had to be strong for Shira right now. It was very much possible that she was and he were the only ones left. Her moved along and when they were done they noticed that Stalker and Storm were missing.
It went without words for the both of them to start using their noses to find the two missing comrades. Jerico caught the scent before Shira and was off like a bolt of lightning breezing past Shira who was trying desperately to keep up. It was astoundingly far from where the massacre happened that they found the wolf they were looking for.
Storm was badly injured and obviously had been running on a broken leg. He lay against a tree partially hidden by a nearby fern. Jerico squatted down a bit and pushed Storm softly trying to rouse him and sure enough the lupine opened it's eyes slowly only to growl and snap at the werewolf.
"You! It's your fault they are dead! Get away from me you filthy half- breed! You're no better than the humans!" snarled the black alpha ready to rip the were creature open with his fangs.
Jerico didn't know how to respond. Was Storm blaming him for not being there when it happened? Was it really his fault?
"Storm... What was it? So I can hunt it down and kill it for what it has done" growled Jerico deeply enraged that something would even have the gal to attack his pack and leave him to blame.
"Vampires! They were looking for you!" Storm lunged forward a bit making Jerico jump back slightly. He didn't want to fight the Alpha.
Shira finally leapt through the last bit of ferns and joined them, which only seemed to make Storm even angrier.
"What happened Storm?" said Shira in a rather disturbingly calm tone considering what had just happened. Jerico feared that maybe the trauma was too much for her to handle.
"While you two were off running about and playing a vampire attacked the pack and took Stalker because of Jerico! I knew that mutt was trouble when Stalker brought him to the pack! We have already lost blood over your hide before you could even hunt!" Spat the enraged wolf at the confused and unsettled wolfman.
"What are you talking about?" said Jerico in a soft tone.
"Tashka! Stalker's mate died saving you from that road... from the vampires that surely killed your parents! They should have left you for dead but your father... he thought it a crusade to raise you like us and you repay us by running off and getting seen so the creatures could find us here! You would be dead had it not been for Stalker and Tashka!" Storm lunged at Jerico hitting him hard in the chest and biting at his neck viciously knocking the surprised werewolf over on his back and dazing him.
Shira leapt at Storm and knocked him off of Jerico growling at the alpha that looked at her rather surprised. "You to will be taken from me by this... Abomination? If I can't have you then no one will!" Snarled Storm biting at Shira but never made contact.
Jerico had leapt from his position and bit the alpha on the nape of the neck throwing him into a nearby tree making the Alpha yelp and go limp as Jerico stood there panting heavily. Shira nudged him softly with her muzzle and he turned quickly with a loud growl almost being a roar.
Shira yelped and backed away slowly shaking. The black werewolf quickly realized what he had done and stopped quickly, "Shira... I'm sorry I didn't mean to... it's just. I can't control it when it gets out like that..."
Shira walked forward a bit and nuzzled him softly her whimpers of sadness over the loss of her pack and everyone she had once known and loved. They had been there only moments before she had led Jerico off away from them. Had she not led him on then he could have probably fought the monsters off.
All Jerico could do now was hold the wolf close to him trying to comfort her. He felt the blow just as much. Had he not played with her and stayed serious for once he would have had a chance to save them. He would have given himself over if they wanted him that much.
"Shira, You can't stay with me... You'll end up getting hurt." Said the werewolf softly his ears folding back and tears welling up in his eyes. He couldn't bare the thought of Shira being hurt because she was around him. It didn't make the choice any easier though. Being without her would break his heart but it was for the best.
"Jerico... How could you say something like that? And now of all times! When I need you most you're going to leave me alone? What's wrong with you? I know you are trying to look out for me but I'd be safer with you than away... I'd die without you." Said Shira softly looking away from the wolfman.
The thought hadn't struck Jerico before. She would be alone in this unforgiving land without anyone to help her or protect her. He had to be there for her but he also had to find the ones that did this. They knew something he didn't and that was something he required.
"I'm sorry... I wasn't thinking I just... Shira watch out!" Shouted Jerico as Storm leapt from the underbrush and snapped his jaws down on Shira's paw making her yelp but Jerico hit the wolf with one of his powerful arms sending it flying again and leaving a long gash on it's cheek.
Storm whimpered in the brush but soon the air was filled with maniacal laughter as the wolf leapt back at Jerico the mark completely gone and Storm's skin moving in a peculiar way.
"No..." Said Jerico looking on in horror as he realized what had happened when he bit the alpha. It seemed his curse was not specific to humans at all. Storm stood there completely changed bits of fur and skin left on the ground in a heap from his former self as he growled and lunged at Jerico with his newfound strength.
Jerico quickly pushed Shira to the side and took the full force of the hit tumbling back into the woods. Quickly finding himself in a very bad situation on his back with Storm over him unable to control that rage of the werewolf curse that now ran through his veins making him nothing more than a savage beast, a real monster that killed without remorse or thought.
Jerico had to act quickly and set the Alpha down knowing very well that he couldn't kill the demon Storm had become but he did know that he could hurt him to a point where he and Shira could get away. With that in mind he knew that he could use his massive jaws in this fight without worry and clamped down on the Alpha's shoulder hard hearing a snap as the clavicle broke under the might of his jaws and shaking his head violently the flesh tore under his sharp fangs.
Storm howled in agony and hit Jerico across the muzzle with his paw smacking the pinned wolfman's head against the ground hard making it bounce back a bit. Storm took advantage of the bounce and swiped with his other paw racking his claws across Jerico's face making deep red lines that let blood flow freely nearly blinding Jerico as it pooled in his eyes.
Jerico was getting pummeled under the might of the enraged Alpha and Shira watched on with terror as it all happened in front of her and she knew she was powerless to help her beloved Jerico, "Storm stop it!" she shouted in vain to the deaf ears of the savage beast.
Jerico had to act so he swiped blindly at the werewolf that had him pinned and contacted tossing the creature and quickly he got to his feet. The line on his face had healed and the blood was no longer halting his vision in the dark of twilight. He could feel the beast inside of him wanting him to let it free so it could tear the Alpha to pieces but he couldn't allow it free for fear that it may harm Shira.
The two wolfmen leapt at each other teeth gnashing and claws ripping and tearing at the other refusing to stop and let the other win. Jerico gripped Storm by the throat and threw him hard against a tree but Storm just got right back up and tackled Jerico to the ground again.
Jerico was panicking. He didn't think Storm would have so much ability so fast. Storm leapt at him again and Jerico quickly stuck his legs up and tossed the male getting back to his feet and picking up Shira in his arms to run. They had to get away from Storm now. It would be the only way until Jerico could get one of the human's guns with the silver bullets.
"Shira I want you to look back and tell me if he's getting closer I have to concentrate on the road ahead." Shouted the black male.
"Jerico... he... he bit me" Whimpered Shira softly.
Jerico hadn't known the last bit of information but couldn't stop. He kept running as fast as he could through the forest paths he knew well from his hunts and days of wandering with the pack. He was heading strait for a cliff and he knew it.
"Jer faster!" Shouted Shira in desperation. Storm was closing in on them quickly unhindered in movement like Jerico.
Jerico put on and extra burst of speed branches and twigs from the trees slashing at his skin and tearing his fur out as he ran past them. There wasn't time to be careful he had to get away from Strom now. They burst from the trees to the barren rocky cliff.
"Trust me Shira" said Jerico holding her with only one arm and leaping from the cliff face only to turn and grab at the rocks with his claws digging them into the hard substance and sending a few down into the water of the river below making a loud splash.
Hopefully the plan had worked and Storm would think them in the water and flowing downstream. Shira had screamed a bit on the way down but hushed now knowing the plan instinctively required silence from the both of them. They could hear Storm at the top of the cliff his panting and growling primal in nature. He had no control of the beast he had turned into and that made him even more dangerous being unpredictable.
Jerico listened carefully and heard the alpha run back into the trees thus queuing his climb back up. There were long claw marks in the stone that were easily noticeable as they climbed and Jerico couldn't help but feel his paws burning with pain as he had worn almost all of the claws away from the stunt. He knew they would grow back but it still left him more vulnerable and with a bloodthirsty lycanthrope running loose that was the last thing he needed.
They reached the top of the cliff again and sat down panting hard. Jerico took the first opportunity to check Shira's paw and saw that it was true what she had said. She had been bitten, which meant she to would change. Jerico felt his heart drop at the thought of her trying to kill him like Storm. He knew he wouldn't be able to fight back against her. He could never harm Shira.
"Jerico... am I going to turn into a monster?" Said the femme shaking rather violently in fear and pain.
"No... it's just a nick." Lied Jerico. He didn't want her worried.
Shira crawled into his lap and her held her close to himself closing his eyes and praying to the mother earth that she would spare Shira from the curse of the werewolf. He knew that his prayers were in vain but he couldn't just give up on her.
"Jerico, before, in the valley, I tried to tell you something... it's that I..." The grey wolf was cut off as Storm burst out of the trees again.
It was like everything went into slow motion for Jerico as he leapt to his feet tossing Shira to the side and flipped Storm over his head and off the cliff in one fluid movement. Jerico was smarter than the Alpha and made sure that he had done the job right.
Storm was down in the river struggling for breath and heading downstream where Jerico saw a winged figure swoop down and snatch the Alpha up. Jerico couldn't see what had taken him. The fog that was always present in the gorge had obscured the creature too much for a positive identification.
Jerico turned and yipped in surprise as Shira stood there looking strait into his eyes panting heavily making Jerico back up a bit but he soon realized that he was at the edge of the cliff and had no where to run.
"Sh... Shira you don't want to hurt me... It's Jerico. I don't want to hurt you." Said Jerico slowly. His pleas fell to deaf ears as she took a step forward the beast inside blinding her yet still she had not attacked. Jerico wondered if she would at all. Maybe because he was just another like her she was just looking for submission to put her place in the hierarchy of the pack. The male had no other choice than to submit.
Jerico slowly got down into a prone position and Shira seemed content in his submission. There was still a wolf in there. Jerico could see it in her eyes when she looked at him. The rage was gone and she sat there looking a bit dumbfounded. The black male could tell that she was confused and horrified at what she had become. Without something that needed to be killed nearby she should be able to communicate.
"Shira?" Said Jerico softly moving towards her slowly.
"Jerico... you lied." Said the female whimpering softly.
"I know... I didn't want you to panic. I'm sorry." Sighed Jerico.
"Am I going to turn into what Storm was? Am I going to end up trying to kill you?" Said Shira with fear in her eyes.
"No... Storm wanted to kill me before he ever changed. His instincts were forcing him on until he reached his goal. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him." Said Jerico finding a seat next to Shira. She shied a bit away not wanting to touch him fearing that if she did it would hurt him. Jerico broke that by embracing her softly like he had always done when he wanted to comfort her.
"Jerico... I love you." Said Shira softly looking deep into his eyes, "That's what I've been trying to say all this time...I love you."
The rain was so heavy and the darkness so black all that could be seen was amid lightning bolts and the horrors were indescribable. Winged creatures were dragging people away screaming and Jerico was unable to move. He saw one of the creatures swoop down at him and the glowing eyes it had locked on him. The creature dove closer and he saw it's sharp claws and human like shape but the long fangs made him fear. It got closer and closer until it was right on top of him.
Jerico yipped in surprise, which in turn roused Shira from her slumber. She was quick to nuzzle him trying to comfort him and calm him down from the nightmare. Not a word was exchanged between the two yet again they knew what the other wanted to say. It was just something a person picked up after spending a long period of time with the other.
He put a paw on her cheek softly, "It was the dream again..."
"I know... Do you know what they are now?" Said Shira softly as not to wake the rest of the pack being that it was still just before sunset and they could probably use a bit more sleep.
"No... but I know that they have something to do with me. Maybe the dream is my past."
The femme licked his cheek again and wagged her tail a bit playfully, "Your past doesn't matter. Your future is changeable. But your present is here and that is what matters. Make every day count and live it like it's your last. You never know if it is."
He looked at her quizzically and smiled a bit turning to her and getting on all four quite easily being that his arms were much longer than a normal human's and definitely more muscularly defined. His entire body was generally more muscular than any human or wolf which sometimes made it a bit dangerous for his friends but he had learned the extent of his strength and how to control it quite well in play.
Shira ran a bit into the woods behind the tree he had been sleeping against and he was quick to the chase seeing that she was definitely not running as fast as she could. She wanted to be caught. He was playing his own game and not running very quickly either much in the same manner a wolf would run using his arms and legs like he had no arms and four legs.
The werewolf pounced at the fleeing wolf that quickly changed direction and was out of his reach laughing as she ran. Jerico skid to the side a bit sinking his claws into the ground to let him turn better and was soon chasing after her again and leaping as they broke into a valley from the forest tumbling together until they reached the bottom and Shira's nose was pressed up against his own.
They laid there like that for a bit both feeling their hearts beating faster. Jerico felt weak for the first time in his life. He had never felt this weak before and by a simple wolf. She nuzzled him gently and licked his cheek like she always did since they were pups but this time it felt different.
She stood there perched on Jerico's chest just looking into his eyes and put her nose against his again, "Jerico... I..."
She was cut short as an alert howl was raised in the forest and both of their ears perked up. It was more than an alert. It was complete distress and Jerico knew who was calling. It was Stalker, his father.
Shira was quick to hop off the wolfman's chest and started running as fast as she could to the forest and where the pack was staying. Jerico was also quick to join the run to see what was wrong catching up with Shira rather quickly and passing her completely trying to get there as fast as possible.
When he cleared the forest and entered the clearing the sight he beheld was like his own depiction of hell. There was blood everywhere along with parts of wolves. Some still quivered and twitched and a few whimpered in pain yet there was no sign of the attacker. Jerico looked about cautiously but heard Shira's approach and quickly turned to stop her from seeing what was in the clearing. He leapt at her and tackled her to the groud just outside the clearing and shushed her.
"Jerico what are you doing!?" shouted Shira
"No Shira you don't want to see it!"
"Jerico let me go!"
She squirmed and writhed her way out of his grip and leapt into the clearing. The sight had struck her dumb as she looked over the carnage with tears welling in her eyes. Her pack, her family, had been slaughtered. Jerico closed his eyes and winced at the mournful sound that erupted from her maw. He couldn't stand to hear the pain that was echoing through the forest now.
The ebon male walked back into the clearing and started searching for survivors but knew that it was unlikely that he would find any. He pushed over a body and wretched at the sight beneath. Tak's head was there horribly mutilated to a point where he was almost unrecognizable but the wolf's body was not with him.
Jerico quickly turned his gaze away covering the front of his maw with his forearm not wanting to smell the blood anymore. Tears were threatening to flow but he had to be strong for Shira right now. It was very much possible that she was and he were the only ones left. Her moved along and when they were done they noticed that Stalker and Storm were missing.
It went without words for the both of them to start using their noses to find the two missing comrades. Jerico caught the scent before Shira and was off like a bolt of lightning breezing past Shira who was trying desperately to keep up. It was astoundingly far from where the massacre happened that they found the wolf they were looking for.
Storm was badly injured and obviously had been running on a broken leg. He lay against a tree partially hidden by a nearby fern. Jerico squatted down a bit and pushed Storm softly trying to rouse him and sure enough the lupine opened it's eyes slowly only to growl and snap at the werewolf.
"You! It's your fault they are dead! Get away from me you filthy half- breed! You're no better than the humans!" snarled the black alpha ready to rip the were creature open with his fangs.
Jerico didn't know how to respond. Was Storm blaming him for not being there when it happened? Was it really his fault?
"Storm... What was it? So I can hunt it down and kill it for what it has done" growled Jerico deeply enraged that something would even have the gal to attack his pack and leave him to blame.
"Vampires! They were looking for you!" Storm lunged forward a bit making Jerico jump back slightly. He didn't want to fight the Alpha.
Shira finally leapt through the last bit of ferns and joined them, which only seemed to make Storm even angrier.
"What happened Storm?" said Shira in a rather disturbingly calm tone considering what had just happened. Jerico feared that maybe the trauma was too much for her to handle.
"While you two were off running about and playing a vampire attacked the pack and took Stalker because of Jerico! I knew that mutt was trouble when Stalker brought him to the pack! We have already lost blood over your hide before you could even hunt!" Spat the enraged wolf at the confused and unsettled wolfman.
"What are you talking about?" said Jerico in a soft tone.
"Tashka! Stalker's mate died saving you from that road... from the vampires that surely killed your parents! They should have left you for dead but your father... he thought it a crusade to raise you like us and you repay us by running off and getting seen so the creatures could find us here! You would be dead had it not been for Stalker and Tashka!" Storm lunged at Jerico hitting him hard in the chest and biting at his neck viciously knocking the surprised werewolf over on his back and dazing him.
Shira leapt at Storm and knocked him off of Jerico growling at the alpha that looked at her rather surprised. "You to will be taken from me by this... Abomination? If I can't have you then no one will!" Snarled Storm biting at Shira but never made contact.
Jerico had leapt from his position and bit the alpha on the nape of the neck throwing him into a nearby tree making the Alpha yelp and go limp as Jerico stood there panting heavily. Shira nudged him softly with her muzzle and he turned quickly with a loud growl almost being a roar.
Shira yelped and backed away slowly shaking. The black werewolf quickly realized what he had done and stopped quickly, "Shira... I'm sorry I didn't mean to... it's just. I can't control it when it gets out like that..."
Shira walked forward a bit and nuzzled him softly her whimpers of sadness over the loss of her pack and everyone she had once known and loved. They had been there only moments before she had led Jerico off away from them. Had she not led him on then he could have probably fought the monsters off.
All Jerico could do now was hold the wolf close to him trying to comfort her. He felt the blow just as much. Had he not played with her and stayed serious for once he would have had a chance to save them. He would have given himself over if they wanted him that much.
"Shira, You can't stay with me... You'll end up getting hurt." Said the werewolf softly his ears folding back and tears welling up in his eyes. He couldn't bare the thought of Shira being hurt because she was around him. It didn't make the choice any easier though. Being without her would break his heart but it was for the best.
"Jerico... How could you say something like that? And now of all times! When I need you most you're going to leave me alone? What's wrong with you? I know you are trying to look out for me but I'd be safer with you than away... I'd die without you." Said Shira softly looking away from the wolfman.
The thought hadn't struck Jerico before. She would be alone in this unforgiving land without anyone to help her or protect her. He had to be there for her but he also had to find the ones that did this. They knew something he didn't and that was something he required.
"I'm sorry... I wasn't thinking I just... Shira watch out!" Shouted Jerico as Storm leapt from the underbrush and snapped his jaws down on Shira's paw making her yelp but Jerico hit the wolf with one of his powerful arms sending it flying again and leaving a long gash on it's cheek.
Storm whimpered in the brush but soon the air was filled with maniacal laughter as the wolf leapt back at Jerico the mark completely gone and Storm's skin moving in a peculiar way.
"No..." Said Jerico looking on in horror as he realized what had happened when he bit the alpha. It seemed his curse was not specific to humans at all. Storm stood there completely changed bits of fur and skin left on the ground in a heap from his former self as he growled and lunged at Jerico with his newfound strength.
Jerico quickly pushed Shira to the side and took the full force of the hit tumbling back into the woods. Quickly finding himself in a very bad situation on his back with Storm over him unable to control that rage of the werewolf curse that now ran through his veins making him nothing more than a savage beast, a real monster that killed without remorse or thought.
Jerico had to act quickly and set the Alpha down knowing very well that he couldn't kill the demon Storm had become but he did know that he could hurt him to a point where he and Shira could get away. With that in mind he knew that he could use his massive jaws in this fight without worry and clamped down on the Alpha's shoulder hard hearing a snap as the clavicle broke under the might of his jaws and shaking his head violently the flesh tore under his sharp fangs.
Storm howled in agony and hit Jerico across the muzzle with his paw smacking the pinned wolfman's head against the ground hard making it bounce back a bit. Storm took advantage of the bounce and swiped with his other paw racking his claws across Jerico's face making deep red lines that let blood flow freely nearly blinding Jerico as it pooled in his eyes.
Jerico was getting pummeled under the might of the enraged Alpha and Shira watched on with terror as it all happened in front of her and she knew she was powerless to help her beloved Jerico, "Storm stop it!" she shouted in vain to the deaf ears of the savage beast.
Jerico had to act so he swiped blindly at the werewolf that had him pinned and contacted tossing the creature and quickly he got to his feet. The line on his face had healed and the blood was no longer halting his vision in the dark of twilight. He could feel the beast inside of him wanting him to let it free so it could tear the Alpha to pieces but he couldn't allow it free for fear that it may harm Shira.
The two wolfmen leapt at each other teeth gnashing and claws ripping and tearing at the other refusing to stop and let the other win. Jerico gripped Storm by the throat and threw him hard against a tree but Storm just got right back up and tackled Jerico to the ground again.
Jerico was panicking. He didn't think Storm would have so much ability so fast. Storm leapt at him again and Jerico quickly stuck his legs up and tossed the male getting back to his feet and picking up Shira in his arms to run. They had to get away from Storm now. It would be the only way until Jerico could get one of the human's guns with the silver bullets.
"Shira I want you to look back and tell me if he's getting closer I have to concentrate on the road ahead." Shouted the black male.
"Jerico... he... he bit me" Whimpered Shira softly.
Jerico hadn't known the last bit of information but couldn't stop. He kept running as fast as he could through the forest paths he knew well from his hunts and days of wandering with the pack. He was heading strait for a cliff and he knew it.
"Jer faster!" Shouted Shira in desperation. Storm was closing in on them quickly unhindered in movement like Jerico.
Jerico put on and extra burst of speed branches and twigs from the trees slashing at his skin and tearing his fur out as he ran past them. There wasn't time to be careful he had to get away from Strom now. They burst from the trees to the barren rocky cliff.
"Trust me Shira" said Jerico holding her with only one arm and leaping from the cliff face only to turn and grab at the rocks with his claws digging them into the hard substance and sending a few down into the water of the river below making a loud splash.
Hopefully the plan had worked and Storm would think them in the water and flowing downstream. Shira had screamed a bit on the way down but hushed now knowing the plan instinctively required silence from the both of them. They could hear Storm at the top of the cliff his panting and growling primal in nature. He had no control of the beast he had turned into and that made him even more dangerous being unpredictable.
Jerico listened carefully and heard the alpha run back into the trees thus queuing his climb back up. There were long claw marks in the stone that were easily noticeable as they climbed and Jerico couldn't help but feel his paws burning with pain as he had worn almost all of the claws away from the stunt. He knew they would grow back but it still left him more vulnerable and with a bloodthirsty lycanthrope running loose that was the last thing he needed.
They reached the top of the cliff again and sat down panting hard. Jerico took the first opportunity to check Shira's paw and saw that it was true what she had said. She had been bitten, which meant she to would change. Jerico felt his heart drop at the thought of her trying to kill him like Storm. He knew he wouldn't be able to fight back against her. He could never harm Shira.
"Jerico... am I going to turn into a monster?" Said the femme shaking rather violently in fear and pain.
"No... it's just a nick." Lied Jerico. He didn't want her worried.
Shira crawled into his lap and her held her close to himself closing his eyes and praying to the mother earth that she would spare Shira from the curse of the werewolf. He knew that his prayers were in vain but he couldn't just give up on her.
"Jerico, before, in the valley, I tried to tell you something... it's that I..." The grey wolf was cut off as Storm burst out of the trees again.
It was like everything went into slow motion for Jerico as he leapt to his feet tossing Shira to the side and flipped Storm over his head and off the cliff in one fluid movement. Jerico was smarter than the Alpha and made sure that he had done the job right.
Storm was down in the river struggling for breath and heading downstream where Jerico saw a winged figure swoop down and snatch the Alpha up. Jerico couldn't see what had taken him. The fog that was always present in the gorge had obscured the creature too much for a positive identification.
Jerico turned and yipped in surprise as Shira stood there looking strait into his eyes panting heavily making Jerico back up a bit but he soon realized that he was at the edge of the cliff and had no where to run.
"Sh... Shira you don't want to hurt me... It's Jerico. I don't want to hurt you." Said Jerico slowly. His pleas fell to deaf ears as she took a step forward the beast inside blinding her yet still she had not attacked. Jerico wondered if she would at all. Maybe because he was just another like her she was just looking for submission to put her place in the hierarchy of the pack. The male had no other choice than to submit.
Jerico slowly got down into a prone position and Shira seemed content in his submission. There was still a wolf in there. Jerico could see it in her eyes when she looked at him. The rage was gone and she sat there looking a bit dumbfounded. The black male could tell that she was confused and horrified at what she had become. Without something that needed to be killed nearby she should be able to communicate.
"Shira?" Said Jerico softly moving towards her slowly.
"Jerico... you lied." Said the female whimpering softly.
"I know... I didn't want you to panic. I'm sorry." Sighed Jerico.
"Am I going to turn into what Storm was? Am I going to end up trying to kill you?" Said Shira with fear in her eyes.
"No... Storm wanted to kill me before he ever changed. His instincts were forcing him on until he reached his goal. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him." Said Jerico finding a seat next to Shira. She shied a bit away not wanting to touch him fearing that if she did it would hurt him. Jerico broke that by embracing her softly like he had always done when he wanted to comfort her.
"Jerico... I love you." Said Shira softly looking deep into his eyes, "That's what I've been trying to say all this time...I love you."