Author's note: Wow, updated this story twice in the same month. I'm amazed at myself. But I should be updating this story more often now, as it's become my main focus. I'm hoping to get it finished this year, but it might take me a bit longer. The more I write, the longer the story gets for some reason. Anyway, hope you enjoy, sorry for the latest cliffy, and please review.

Disclaimer: I only own the werewolves. Everything else belongs to David Goyer, New Line, and Marvel. Though I would happily accept the rights to Nomak. Anyway, please don't sue me. I am very poor and not even in college yet. Have mercy on me.

CHAPTER EIGHT: PASSION OFTEN FUELS, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S JUST FOR FUN

Valora paced the length of her room, her arms stiff at her sides, fists clenched. Her eyes were pure black, And every so often her skin darkened as bones tried to shift and contort beneath her flesh. Canines elongated, nipping her own lip and giving her the sweet taste of liquid copper, her old habit needed desperately now. It was all she could do not to track down Meira and challenge her.

The only reason Valora didn't was because Meira wasn't a fighter. Oh, sure, when she lost her temper she would forget that herself, but she wasn't in a position that gave Valora any right to challenge her. Meira wasn't an official fighter and she claimed to have no interest in Vladimir.

Females were only allowed to compete to see who was the most worthy of a male was if they both desired him. And Valora, as a member of Vladimir's offensive security team, couldn't attack Meira who was a scientist, not a fighter. Not for this.

Of course, right now Valora wasn't so sure it was Meira's fault or her own, or something else altogether, but she wanted someone to blame other than herself. And she didn't just blame Meira - at the moment, she wanted to claim Vladimir for a kill as much as a mate. Possibly wanted the kill a bit more, for a while anyway. The wolf was holding a severe grudge, after all, and it made her want to lash at everyone.

Bastard. He wanted it, damn it, he wanted it! If he hadn't there wouldn't have been something hard pressing against me, there wouldn't be claw and teeth marks healing in various places on his skin.

Valora growled as she fumed while pacing, her mind trying to find a way to get back at him for this. She'd lost rationality for the moment, but it would come back before she could really get herself in trouble. The wolf was vindictive, but not enough to make her suicidal. Actually getting back at Vladimir for what he'd done would get her in serious trouble, unless she fought him and beat him in a fair fight, earning his title of Beta.

Or the right to claim him.

Pausing as she started to turn, reaching one of the walls of her room, Valora unclenched her fists and placed her hands on her hips, chewing her bleeding lip a bit more. She absently licked up the blood, her eyes staring at the wall ahead of her, unseeing.

I could possibly take him. Not in the state he's in now. I know him well enough to know that any fight he's in for the next month he'll be more ruthless than usual. But if I wait it out, train more, build up more strength, I might could. If I lose, I just stay on this team, nothing but a security guard who gets to go out on hunts only when I'm allowed. If I win, everything will be perfect.

Lips slowly forming a wolfish grin, Valora started up her pacing, but now her mind was plotting, planning. She told herself, her wolf, to be patient, that soon she could howl in victory if she just waited and trained herself enough. If she worked hard enough, everything would fall into place. She could earn herself a better position, more freedom, the mate she wanted.

Valora laughed softly to herself, amusement growing. She could even reject Vladimir, teach him a lesson, show him what he had shown her. But she wouldn't, she knew that deep down. She wanted Vladimir. He was a worthy male, and he had earned her respect and affection over the years she'd been in his team. She wanted him for more than just the primal lust, and those factors weren't going to go away any time soon.

Just my luck to fall for someone hung up over what he can never have, thereby sticking me in the exact same position, Valora mused to herself as she finally started to calm, body sagging as the adrenaline from her anger and excitement left her drained but anxious.

The female werewolf sighed and walked over to her bed, plopping down ungracefully in an unladylike position. She absently smirked, closing her eyes. For some reason, she suddenly couldn't help but think how appalled her grandmother would be at her posture.

What a time to think of that. I'm planning on getting back at my Beta and leader for rejecting me after tearing all my clothes off, my idea of payback is beating his ass into the ground and then claiming him, and I'm here thinking of how Grandmother would be furious and mortified by the way I'm lying here on my own bed.

Smirking wryly to herself, Valora sighed again, softer, her mind slowly calming down as well. She knew if she didn't get into a better position she'd doze off and wake up uncomfortable, but she didn't care. She was too comfortable at that moment, and she wanted to escape the harsh reality for a little bit.

Donovan stared down at Aysel, the sight familiar yet not. It was rare for him to be on top, not that he minded, but it made the sight of her beneath him, clinging and clawing and moaning his name, seem almost foreign. He was so used to her atop him, her head thrown back as she guided them both towards searing hot pleasure.

But he was thrilled she had submitted herself to him for once. He had been surprised when they had cleaned up and come back to their chambers only for her to slowly undress before him, head slightly bowed. He'd started to undress as well, but she'd placed her hands on his, her slender fingers gently squeezing his hand as she shook her head.

"Let me, please," she had whispered, her voice pleading for once, not demanding, not dominate. She had made it clear that this time was one of those times when she wanted him to be dominant, to hold her protect her, please her and let her please him and make it clear that she could always count on him, trust him, look to him for strength.

Normally he was the one who needed strength. Normally he was the one beaten in the sparring room, her form on top of his, her teeth and claws and eyes letting him know who was top dog of the relationship. Donovan didn't mind though. Donovan knew it was what Aysel needed, and in many ways he did too. But when she needed him to take the dominant role like most other males, he did, and tonight was no exception.

He had been gentle, almost gingerly touching her, pleasing her, wanting soft moans and breathless gasps, not lustful growls and frantic whines. He'd wanted to make love to her, not rut like they usually did. He didn't mind it rough or animalistic, they were part animal now after all. But it had been so long since they had made love properly, and he wanted it, and tonight it was about giving her what he wanted.

Donovan still remembered how loving she had been, undressing him, letting him know that tonight, for whatever reason, she wanted to make love too. He had seen it in her eyes, felt it in her touch, smelled it in her scent, tasted it in her kiss. He had held her to him tightly, tenderly when she was done. His mouth had been soft against hers when he'd claimed her lips, but claim them he did.

That's all he had been doing, claiming her, reaffirming that despite her dominance, she still belonged to him, that he still possessed the only thing he truly cared about now, the most precious thing he had almost lost. In a way he had lost part of her, but not all of her, and that was all that mattered.

She lived. And she belonged to him.

Letting out a roar, Donovan came as he cherished those thoughts, and he could feel her trembling beneath him as her own howl emerged. The sound was music to him, made him feel alive, worthy of her, made him feel that he had made up a little more for his sins against her, for not being there when she had needed him most.

Aysel clung to him, her hold tight, almost painful. More protective than possessive tonight, as if she had relived the memories and was afraid she would lose him, would lose herself. She buried her face in his neck as he nuzzled her and kissed her shoulder and whispered to her.

He promised her he wouldn't let her down again, that he was hers, only hers, that he would never allow them to be parted, that he would do anything for her, that he was whatever she wanted him to be, whenever she wanted him to be it. He whispered assurances that she would survive, that she was strong, that they were together, always.

Donovan held her as she slowly calmed from her fear and her pleasure, he stroked her hair as she fell asleep beneath him. He kissed her neck and reluctantly went to sleep as well, holding her.

Ulric smirked to himself, immensely enjoying the situation he had walked into. It was what he needed really, after the pissing match between Vladimir and Nomak. That had severely dampened his mood, but now, now he could have some fun and relieve the leftover stress. And it had been so long since he had been able to get into a rumble.

Melantha will kill me when I get home though, he thought to himself. His mate had tried to convince him to let her come along, but he had refused. It had not been the prettiest sight then, both Alphas' stubbornness making the short debate more vicious than it could have been had they used their sharp claws and even sharper canines against each other.

While normally Ulric would love for Melantha to come along, to watch her movements should fights arise, to see the way she carried herself on outings like this, he had wanted to be alone. His anger at his Beta and his "guest" had put him in a foul mood - perhaps it was more because his wolf was restless and unhappy with the lack of hunting Ulric had done as of late - and he did not want even his mate around as he cooled down.

Melantha had argued that he needed someone with him and that she wanted to help him cool off. She had added that she was restless and eager for something to do, for the chance to let her wolf out, to dig her teeth into her prey, any sort of prey. There had been almost hurt and a good amount of resentment in her eyes when he had refused her. But she had let him win in the end, only after Ulric stated he was making this decision not as the dominant mate, but as a stubborn male who wanted his way right now.

"More like a stubborn, willful child who should just be punished and not listened to, but very well. Go have your own fun and soothe your own temper," she had stated with a sigh. His Alpha female had then told him she would either be with Silvia or in their chambers upon his return and promptly walked away.

Now that he was in better spirits and his mind was clearer, he felt somewhat guilty for his selfishness. He could see Melantha had been right in her arguments, and Ulric internally reprimanded himself. Should she want to kill him - or torture him, which with her would be even worse - once he arrived home and found out he had met up with Blade and the remains of the Bloodpack, he would allow her to.

In all our years together, I still wonder how I manage to keep her with me, the Alpha male mused as he brought himself back to the present situation at hand. If he was to go home and face death - or worse, if she was in a particularly vindictive mood - he might as well enjoy this as much as possible.

Ulric smirked as he took each of the vampires in - Snowman, Reinhardt, Damaskinos' own daughter and usually the leader of the Bloodpack, Nyssa Damaskinos - the human familiar, and then he once again stared at the infamous Daywalker.

"My dear Nyssa, so good to see you're well. I had heard you were nearly killed during one of the reaper attacks," the Alpha male stated as he shifted his gaze over to her once more, smiling so that his canines were bared slightly. "I am glad to see you're recovering," he continued, his tone deceptively civil, casual, even conversational. He was a politician of sorts, after all.

The hybrid beside her turned to her, and behind the shades Ulric picked up the slightest hint of surprise at the familiarity between the vampire princess and the werewolf before them. The princess for her part kept her composure and ignored Blade's questioning look, her dark gaze directed on Ulric, baleful and wary.

"This is the Head Alpha of the werewolves," Nyssa stated, though only Blade and the human were unaware of who he was. The two male vampires in the rear stared at Ulric with recognition and caution. The human, who had appeared he was ready to piss his pants was all but cowering now. And Ulric could smell he had pissed his pants. Blade merely looked at Ulric with distaste and hatred. Nyssa's gaze never faltered, and never altered.

"What did you do with Whistler?" was the first thing that came out of Blade's mouth, and that earned him some slight respect. He had concern for his companion, that was honorable. Though his tone was rather amusing in a annoyingly arrogant way, but that was youth for you. His gaze never softened or wavered either, which earned him a bit more respect.

Good thing for them that their presence lightened my mood. Had they made it worse, I'd be done with them already, the old werewolf mused, and his silver eyes shimmered with his amusement, probably confusing and even worrying the group in front of him. Except for Blade, but that was to be expected.

"Don't worry, he's in good, familiar hands at my home," Ulric stated, earning an arched eyebrow behind the black shades. "An old friend of yours is taking care of him, perhaps you'll remember her - Karen Jenson," he informed the Daywalker.

The slight change in Blade's expression gave away that he did remember Karen, very well by the looks of it. The look on blade's face intrigued Ulric and he once again wondered over the events that caused Blade and Karen to part ways - but Karen had been unwilling to tell, and it would be off topic to ask the Daywalker.

However, Ulric was the only one who caught Blade's shift in facial expression, as the Alpha male noticed Nyssa had glanced at blade from the corner of her eye, curious of who this old acquaintance was. There was a distinct flicker of jealousy in the vampire princess' eyes when she saw the way Blade's reaction to the name.

Ulric nearly burst into laughter at that. It was just too classic and reminded him of a bad cliché.

"How do I know the both of them aren't dead?" Blade asked, either unaware or ignoring Nyssa's own reaction to this latest turn of events. His tone indicated he was used to being lied to by leaders and lowlifes. It also gave Ulric the impression the Daywalker wasn't sure if Ulric was both, or just a leader who might possibly be telling the truth.

Silvery gray irises turned paler, the color of pure silver, cold, emotionless, spreading out slightly, pupils narrowing and becoming more lupine. That was the only sign of Ulric's slight irritation, and even that was merely shown because he allowed it. Not just because he didn't feel like covering it up. He also wanted to see if the others would notice and freak out.

The human apparently did, because he looked like he might shit his already soiled pants.

"You don't really. I'm a complete stranger, and the leader of a race you probably deem as dangerous and deserving of death as the race of leeches you're being forced to work with," Ulric stated, and there were three hisses in reply. Ulric ignored them. "But why even bring Dr. Jenson up? I've no reason to want to toy with your emotions. I just want you and your group out of my way. Hunt down the rest of the reapers for me, you'll be doing not only yourselves but myself a favor. I won't have to send my own out to keep tabs on them or just wipe them out," Ulric explained with a shrug.

Reinhardt shifted slightly behind the Daywalker and the vampire princess, and Ulric briefly glanced over to the Bloodpack member, lupine eyes narrowing. Reinhardt froze, his hand the slightest bit closer to one of his handguns.

"Don't be that stupid in front of me," Ulric stated with aggravation. "I'm not in the mood to be insulted with idiocy."

The male vampire's jaw clenched and his hand lowered and went slack. There was spite in his eyes, visible despite his own shades, but it was quickly turned on the Asian vampire beside him, as Snowman held a slight smirk. The glare from Reinhardt made it disappear from Snowman's mouth, but it was still seen in his eyes.

He was always the most respectable, and honorable amazingly enough, of the bunch. Snowman and Asad. It would seem the princess' favorite didn't make it out though.

Ulric didn't think on that long though, returning his attention to Blade, who appeared amused despite himself. No real surprise there, as Ulric knew even an idiot could predict animosity and ill will between Blade and Reinhardt.

"I am simply here to find out about a reaper that got away from my group. I would merely leave you to locating it yourselves, but I get the feeling that at least one of you wouldn't feel right letting me walk away from this without giving you information on Jared Nomak," Ulric remarked, earning dark glares, more likely directed at Nomak and not the werewolf himself. Smirking, he continued. "Don't worry about him. He's alive and well. The rest of the information I won't tell, so let's skip ahead to the obligatory fight scene, shall we?"

Nyssa appeared angry and slightly worried at Ulric's attitude, Snowman had his hands on his Katana, the human looked like he wanted to just run, shit himself, and piss himself again, Reinhardt seemed to be eager to try and tear Ulric's throat out, but Blade just smirked.

Apparently, he appreciated making quick work of the pleasantries and getting straight into the fun as well.

Ulric was tempted to go fetch his cane, but he didn't need it right now, and he could maneuver the fight back to where he had left it. He hadn't wanted to bring it along because the vampires and the Daywalker would pick up the scent of silver sooner than the scent of werewolf. Besides, he wanted to see how Blade fought against an unarmed opponent first.

"Well, if you insist," Blade quickly replied and attacked. He was fast, especially for a half vampire who was still mortal, but not fast enough. His attack was dodged, Ulric retreating back into a wider area space to give them more room and get them away from the others a bit. Blade recovered from his failed attack quickly and came at Ulric again, kicking at the werewolf's midsection.

Ulric twisted and dodged, his fist hitting Blade's knee with not even half his force. Probably not what Blade would want if he knew, but Ulric couldn't go all out on him yet. He wanted this to last a little while.

The vampires and the human stayed out of the fight for now, but all of the vampires seemed to be itching to join the fray. They hopefully weren't stupid enough to though. Actually, no, that wasn't hopeful, he wanted them to be that stupid.

Ulric hit Blade in the chest with his open palm, sending the Daywalker stumbling back, but he recovered in time to dodge a kick to his head. The werewolf alpha twisted as Blade retaliated with a hit to the side of his ribcage, but it was blocked and then Ulric aimed his fist for Blade's neck.

Blade avoided it, dodging to the side and kicking Ulric in the gut, but the lycanthrope backhanded Blade into the wall with a bit more force. The Daywalker shook his head, dazed only of a moment, and then he ducked and dodged a kick, coming up with on of his own, heading for Ulric's neck. His ankle was grabbed by Ulric and Blade was thrown into the ceiling.

There was snarling from both fighters, but it was softer with Ulric, more like a low, throaty growl that barely made its way up to the mouth and out. His eyes became more lupine as he stared at Blade, meeting the gaze that was visible through the shades even in the dim lighting. The slight change wasn't from anger though - Ulric was just starting to enjoy himself.

The Daywalker recovered swiftly again and the two were at each other's throats once more. Ulric slashed with claw tipped fingers at Blade's chest while Blade aimed a blow to Ulric's abdomen. Both attacks were dodged though Blade didn't dodge enough, and the scent of his blood met the air.

Ulric grinned and licked his claws as Blade glanced down at his shoulder, but ignored the slight wound and grabbed one of the silver stakes from his thigh. A soft snarl came out almost like a chuckle, and Ulric grabbed the wrist holding the stake, twisting, but Blade twisted his body with it, keeping Ulric from breaking his arm, and elbowed Ulric in the side of the neck.

The blow earned a growl and Ulric paused momentarily, the slight discomfort making him very annoyed. But his moment was all Blade needed and the Daywalker yanked his arm free, stabbing Ulric. He aimed for the heart but Ulric recovered and moved fast enough to avoid that hit, and the stake embedded in his left shoulder.

Blade let go of it and took a step back, as if he expected the stake to work. He stared at it and looked up at Ulric's face, confusion and annoyance registering when it did nothing to Ulric.

"I see Damaskinos didn't tell you about my immunity," Ulric stated, fully lupine eyes shimmering with more amusement than annoyance, though he had allowed his canines to lengthen. He reached up, yanking the stake out of his shoulder and looking at it with distaste before tossing it away.

Nyssa came up to Blade, her expression one of shame and embarrassment. "Sir Ulric is immune to silver, Blade. I thought my father had informed you," she whispered softly, apologetically, but all she received from Blade was an icy, disgusting glare.

"I'm getting sick of your father leaving out so many details. Like the truth," he snarled at her, and the vampire princess bowed her head, saying nothing more.

Ulric grinned. "Nothing to say in defense of your father, Nyssa? Glad to see you finally realize you can't say anything. It's always quite sad, watching you and your kind defend him blindly," he stated calmly, his tone condescending.

Reinhardt and Snowman came up to stand behind Nyssa, both glaring at Ulric. Neither said anything, there was nothing to say. And it was known that Reinhardt and Damaskinos weren't overly fond of each other anyway.

Nyssa kept her head down, though her fists were clenched. She appeared to be biting her lip to keep from saying anything, and her discomfort and frustration brought Ulric nothing but entertainment.

"It doesn't matter," Blade finally stated, looking back at Ulric. "I'll still kill you, or find a way to make you talk," he continued, charging at Ulric. He was promptly grabbed and slammed into the ground.

Ulric smirked and bared his fangs, growling softly. "No, you won't, Blade. I forgot to mention something else. I was holding back." With brutal force, Ulric picked Blade back up and hurled him down another tunnel, backhanding Nyssa when she tried to attack and distract him. Once he was certain the female vampire was either unconscious or too out of it to attack for another few minutes, Ulric strode towards Blade as the Daywalker struggled to get up.

Reinhardt wouldn't be a concern - he looked like he found it amusing. Snowman was seeing to Nyssa, more honor bound to make sure she was alright than to protect Blade.

Blade shakily stood and regained his senses, barely in time to block Ulric's next attack - claws coming straight at his face. He held up both arms, blocking Ulric's hand and then grabbing his wrist, but Ulric pulled his arm close and kneed Blade in the gut before slamming him into the curved wall of the tunnel.

With a snarl, Ulric hit Blade in the throat with his palm, causing the Daywalker to groan and cough, trying to breath. Ulric tried to hit Blade again, but he was able to shove the werewolf back, sagging slightly. Smirking, Ulric kicked, but Blade managed to recover in time and grab Ulric's leg, shoving it away.

The Daywalker pulled out his sword, snarling at Ulric as he charged. Ulric leapt up and gripped the ceiling with his claws, crawling a few feet and landing behind Blade before he could turn. As Blade started to, Ulric lashed out and backhanded Blade into the other wall

"I don't want to kill you, Blade, so stay there, and I'll just walk away," Ulric informed his opponent. He wasn't overly surprised when Blade shook his head, pushing himself away from the wall and moving into a fighting stance. "Well, just because I don't want to doesn't mean I won't," Ulric stated with a shrug and moved towards his determined enemy.

The scent of reaper met Ulric's nose though, and soon footsteps met his ears. Pausing, Ulric cocked his head slightly, moving to turn. He caught the blade of the Daywalker's sword when Blade struck at the distracted Alpha, holding it there and ignoring the blood starting to trickle from his hand. He turned and saw a tall, armored figure come into view, holding a huge, sledgehammer type weapon.

"Lighthammer?" the familiar, and somewhat dazed and confused, voice of Nyssa murmured, and Ulric sensed her approaching, but she was obviously focused more on Lighthammer. The others were close as well except for the human, who was slowly backing away, probably thinking of just running and heading back up to the surface.

Well, after everything that's happened and now this intruder's presence, how could one blame the poor mortal? After all, it's obvious who and what this is.

Lighthammer was one of the Bloodpack members, Ulric was well aware of that. Lighthammer and his lover, Verlaine, were both part of the special team, though it was unclear if the two were lovers before joining or not. Obviously he had survived the tunnel battle.

In a sense.