Fourteen.
She turned to face him, she couldn't believe he'd actually came! Killian was holding her tight against him, but his ocean eyes were glaring straight at Victor. Emma noticed everyone in the plaza had reacted to his presence; many of them instinctively stepping back, some shapeshifting to their wolf forms or regrouping with their peers. Emma was sure she even spotted a few actually fleeing from the scene.
But the most scared was definitely Victor, not daring to look up and shaking with fear. Honestly, Emma felt not a single amount of pity for him; she was sick of his attitude, and if Killian could finally get him to see his place, so be it.
"What are you doing here?" She whispered.
"I couldn't sit while you were out here fighting this scum. And I have a few things to settle once you're done with him..." Killian's ice cold voice was definitely aimed at Victor, even his pack members didn't seem so sure about close to him anymore, as nobody wants to have to share the wrath of Killian Black.
But Emma wasn't like them, she didn't fear Killian. Instead, she felt so much more confident having her mate stood by her side, holding her. She glanced at Victor, waiting for him to make up his mind. Victor was already looking at her, though carefully avoiding Killian's piercing glare.
"We agree to your terms, but we would like to pledge allegiance to you, Emma. I promise to do as you said, I do recognise that I have been lacking as an alpha."
To her? Emma didn't understand why they would want to obey her instead of Graham. Weren't they suppose to form alliances with other clans, not a single person? It's like he wants to submit his clan to her, but Emma wasn't sure she wanted to be responsible for the Red Moon clan. Though, when she thought about it, it was almost like having ownership while Victor managed it. When their eyes met, she thought she got it. Her earlier words really did have an impact on him. Was it possible that she indeed did have alpha potential, as Blue and Graham thought. Emma exchanged a look with Killian, but he just nodded, his eyes still on her former alpha. He was clear; she could do whatever she pleased with them, so she turned to Victor.
"That's fine for me then."
"All right... The Red Moon clan, with me, Victor Whale, as its Alpha swear a total and willing allegiance to Emma Swan. May the Moon Goddess be our witness tonight."
A few people around them began to whistle and applauded. Graham and Killian both seemed satisfied, too, and her mate planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Well done, princess."
Emma couldn't help but smile and blush, still a bit shy. If she'd recalled correctly, that was the first time Killian had called her anything other than her first name. She leaned his head against his chest, tired, but his warmth was the best thing for her. Killian glanced down, Emma noticing him frowning with an angry expression all of a sudden. She'd forgotten about the blood running down her body from under her jumper. She shuck her head, trying to pull the over sized jumper further down her thighs.
"It's okay, it's not that bad."
But he wasn't listening to her, his eyes fixated on the trail of red running down from her hip to her bare feet. Killian turned to Victor, about to say something, but all of a sudden both Ruby and Emma's head spun round in the same direction. Neal's smell, she was sure. Ruby jumps ahead of her and started running towards the scent. It only took a split second before Emma was shapeshifting back into her white wolf form, escaping Killian's embrace, chasing after Ruby. She heard Blues voice behind her.
"Emma, no! Don't!"
Emma wasn't listening, or stopping. Running on all fours, she was just behind Ruby, following Neal's scent in the north west direction. She was sure he was close just a second ago, they couldn't loose him again. Ruby was much bigger, but Emma caught up with her with ease, proving she was definitely faster than most. They ran side by side, chasing the same person.
She heard, or sensed, other people running behind them, too, though none of them were able to catch up to them apparently. They had to act fast; she couldn't slow down. They chased him for what felt like a long time, and enter further into the industrial area of the city, running past several warehouses. Had Neal been hiding in the outskirts of the city all along? It was one of the most remote places in the city, so it would have made a good hideout.
She finally spotted Neal, running in his wolf form just in front of her. His mix of light brown, white and sand coloured fur was easy for her to recognise, even in the dark. He was fast, too, but definitely not as fast as Emma, and she was catching up quickly. It was only a matter of seconds before she'd have him. They ran towards the docks, somewhere she didn't recognise at all. For a second, she didn't actually have any idea where she was. From what she could see, there was nothing but old warehouses on their left, and the sea to their right. She was sure if Neal kept going North, they would end up entering the Sea Moon clans territory, and Emma definitely did not want to be going there, knowing they'd be attacked straight away. But she almost had him! Emma noticed she'd ran ahead of Ruby and lost her, but she couldn't worry about that now, hoping she wasn't too far behind. Ruby would catch up soon. Emma had to focus on catching Neal. Without warning, she saw him suddenly turn to face her. Unprepared, Emma tried to slow herself down as much as she could, but Neal seized the opportunity straight away and jumped on her. At first, Emma thought he was about to attack her, but instead, he pushed her to the side. Unsteady from trying to stop running, she couldn't defend herself, and in a split second she realised what he was doing.
Neal pushed her into the sea. He knew she didn't know how to swim. Emma's body brutally hit the surface, unwillingly gulping on the water. She tried to paddle, but was too disoriented from the sudden fall and the freezing sea that now surrounded her. She couldn't believe he'd got rid of her so easily!
She tried to find the surface, but she was choking, unable to breath. She was panicking, trying to fight off the water blindly, desperate for air. She felt numb and tired. A dark veil was taking over her, and her head was spinning.
Hang on!
Air! She took a deep breath, coughing uncontrollably. Emma felt herself being pulled from the water, and someone patting her back, trying to help her breath, pushing her wet hair out of her face. She hadn't even realised she'd shifted back to her human form.
"Are you okay?"
Emma recognised the voice straight away. She was the one talking to her during the fight! She wanted to answer the mystery woman, but she felt drowsy and just nodded while trying to catch her breath,
"It's okay, breath. Use the mind link to talk to me, don't use your strength."
How does she do that? Emma tried to formulate a clear thought, and felt her wolf helping her somewhere in the process,
Thanks.
She felt the woman shape shift next to her before Emma could even catch a glance of her. But when she looked up, she instantly recognised that creamy white fur and golden, amber eyes. She'd seen the wolf before, at the Red Moon clans main house, stood with Graham when they were headed home.
Don't worry, they'll be here soon. Ruby got him. Just catch your breath, your mate is coming. I've got to go.
Her voice echoed through Emma's mind.
Wait! Who are you?
I can't say, I'm not suppose to be here. Don't worry, I'll find you again. Don't tell them you saw me, especially not Gray.
Emma wanted to say something again, but before she could, the wolf was gone, and Emma was in no condition to try get up and catch her. She was exhausted and could only bare just lying on the ground. She closed her eyes, in hope to try and chase the dizziness away, when an unknown smell grabbed her attention: other wolves.
She heard growling, and tried to stand, but she was far to weak. It was no good. Emma looked up to see a bunch of unfamiliar wolves circling around her. They appeared menacing, and she was sure they were from the Sea Moon clan. She was in some real trouble. Lying on the ground, she was to tired to defend herself, or even shift into her wolf form. A guy in his human form goes ahead of his peers with a nasty look on his face.
"Well, look what we got here... A pretty mermaid just landed on our docks, boys! Are you lost, sweetheart?"
She answered with a growl. He was clearly making fun of her. Moon Goddess, why did she have to be defenceless and naked now?! The guy frowned at her growl, unhappy with Emma's response. She wished she could be more menacing than that, even her growl showed how weak she was at the moment.
In response, they all began to growl back, circling closer around her.
Suddenly, a black form flew above her, taking down a few wolves in its way, attacking them. He pinned one of them to the ground, snapping its neck in one swift motion. All of the Sea Moon clan took a few steps back, some getting ready to attack, some afraid. It took her a moment to recognise Peters fur, but by then, another beast comes.
He was pitch black, darker than night. Moving slowly, his teeth showing, the portentous wolf exuded the most dominating area she'd ever felt. He seemed even bigger, surrounded by shadows. Emma gasped. All of the Sea Moon wolves were focused on his presence, obviously weary of him. No one dared to move an inch.
Killian finally reached her, standing over her naked body, in an obvious protective position. He was guarding her, looking straight at the man who had spoke to her with killer eyes. The guy gulps, his gaze switching from Killian to Emma back and forth. The terrified look in his eyes said it all.
"I... We didn't know, we just... Wanted to check on her... It's-"
But Killian's eyes were still on him, without blinking. He was not growling, or even moving, but even Emma could feel the anger from where she lay. Peter let go of the neck his fangs were sunken in, and shape shifted. Emma avoided her gaze towards the naked teenager in front of her.
"Hey! I thought you guys wanted to play, what's this?"
Peter was having far to much fun with the terrified clan.
"We don't want to cause a fight. We just came to check why intruders were approaching... And you attacked us first!" He showed his injured comrades, still lying on the ground. Emma couldn't tell if they were unconscious or dead, but the amount of blood on the asphalt was not good. Peter obviously didn't care.
"So what? Do you want to complain? You guys should have stayed on your turf, instead of coming and taking a peek at my brother mate while she was vulnerable."
"We didn't know who she was!"
Peter just shrugged. Above her, Killian lowered his head, gentle pressing his muzzle against her cheek. He was worried about her. Emma raised her hand to lose her fingers through his fur. She was so tired, she felt like she could just fall asleep right there, on the ground. She heard a car coming, and rushing steps coming towards them.
"Emma!"
Blue. She approached Emma, covering her in a large coat. Finally, someone who was bothered about her naked body lying there! Killian had tried to cover most of her with himself, but still. He got up, and Emma heard him changing back too. When she looked up, he only wore a pair of jeans despite the cold, so she could see his bare torso. She'd never realised just how muscular he was. She looked away, though she was probably too cold to even blush.
Suddenly, she felt strong arms pulling her up, and Killian was carrying her. It was a bit embarrassing, being carried like a little princess against his chest when she was wearing nothing but a coat. And in the middle of a territory dispute, to add. She was soaking, tired, and probably stunk more than she could smell.
"Can't we just go home already?" Emma asked. Peter turned to her with a pout, visibly annoyed that she was ruining his fun. Killian didn't care though, turning to leave the dozen hostile wolves behind him and headed for the car, Blue following close behind.
"What about Neal?" She asked, hoping for an actual response.
"Ruby got him, don't worry."
Behind them, she could hear Peter growling. He and the Sea Moon wolves hadn't moved. When they reached the car, Killian sat in the back, still keeping Emma in his arms.
"Peter!"
The youngest Black brother couldn't disobey, but he still gave a glare to the guy.
"Next time, guys."
He ran quickly to join them, finally jumping in the car before Blue started to drive. Emma noticed a few wolves outside that must have came with them, but they all quickly dispersed as soon as the car started up. She tried looking for the creamy white wolf from early, but didn't recognise anyone.
"What about Graham?" Emma wondered.
"He stayed behind to take care of things with the Red Moon clan."
Emma nodded. Why did the white wolf not want Graham to know of her presence? She assumed the wolf was from the Eclipse Moon clan, but it seemed much more complicated than that... And how could she mind link with Emma? She was definitely not from the Red Moon clan, and aside from that, only relatives or bonded mates could do such a thing.
Blue turned the heater on, and Emma started to feel the warmth straight away. With her head resting on Killian's shoulder, she felt his fingers gently running over her damp hair, and his other hand around her waist, holding her close.
What a day...
