Disclaimer: Yep still don't own Vampire Diaries or any of the characters

The crashing of the trees indicated they were behind them. The occasional yelp and panting breath told him it was werewolves and not vampires. This might have been good news for Bonnie and Jeremy if it were not for the fact that although Klaus' plan had been foiled this night the group had not exactly endeared themselves to the pack. Stefan being a Vampire would never be safe with the Werewolves around and to be honest he saw them as the worst option for two reasons. One, they were not bound by the residential rules that Vampires were, if they wanted to enter the Boarding House they could and two, his death by their hands would be a lot more painful and torturous than what the Vampires would do. It really did seem to be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Bonnie and Jeremy were struggling with the pace he was keeping he could hear it in their ragged breath. Funnily enough Stefan had thought he had been going incredibly slowly especially considering all he wanted to do was get back to the boarding house to ensure Elena was there and safe. Of course a pack of wolves on their tail might just put a damper on that plan. He slowed down even more giving the other two a chance to catch some breath while still keeping them moving. Stefan was no where near out of breath and could have run for a lot longer. Even though he was loath to admit it human blood did have a tendency to strengthen him a lot more than animal blood did. Not that he had come anywhere close to over indulging but the half glass he had consumed before leaving for the evenings events still flowed through him.

"We have wolves after us," His remark was urgent but only loud enough that the other two just caught his words.

"We do?" Puffed Jeremy deciding that maybe he was a little to unfit to be hanging out with vampires, wolves and witches. Of course it did not help that he had been injured while leaving the old Witches house a fact he was trying hard to hide given their current circumstances. Stefan looked at him surprised that they could not hear the crashing behind. Maybe they were not as close as he thought.

"Guess that rules out the Boarding House." Bonnie gasped using a tree for support as she moved forward. "No protection there. Any ideas?"

Stefan nodded happy that he and Bonnie were on the same wavelength. He knew she was still not entirely happy dealing with all this Vampire business, however to keep those she cared about safe it seemed she had little option. He knew Damon was not exactly happy about how indebted they were to the young witch. Of course he was not sure what she would think about what he was about to put forward.

"Only one but I don't think you'll like it. The Lockwood dungeon." Having paused slightly Stefan was picking up on something, a smell that did not seem quite right. Was Jeremy favoring his right arm?

Both Bonnie and Jeremy paused in their running to give Stefan an 'are you kidding me look' before continuing to push forward. Their identical expressions might have been considered cute had the situation not been so dire.

"Caroline told me where it is." Stefan continued eyeing Jeremy curiously. "It's designed to keep Werewolves in so there's no reason to think it won't also keep them out, especially if Bonnie can help out."

Jeremy still did not like this idea especially if it meant entailed Bonnie using more energy than she already had this night. He also did not like the look that Stefan was giving him and subconsciously adjusted his coat over his right arm. He had to admit he was surprised when Bonnie nodded her head.

"Makes sense. We hole up till sunrise and hope the werewolves go after the bad guys."

"Bonnie?" Jeremy questioned concern filling his voice as he reached for her arm with his left hand.

"I'm fine Jer," Bonnie touched her boyfriend's hand in comfort before nodding again at Stefan. "Let's do this."

Stefan could not honestly say he liked the idea he had presented, especially considering it was still several hours till sunrise, however it was the best one they had for the moment. Taking the lead again he made the slight adjustment as they ran through the forest. He knew when the wolves got close enough for human hearing as Bonnie and Jeremy shared a look and picked up the pace. He knew their muscles would pay dearly for it later, assuming of course that they survived the night.

Soon enough, though not as soon as Stefan would have liked, they made it to the Ruins of the old Lockwood estate. The wolves were close on their heels and from the different yelps he estimated there were four of them. If it came to a confrontation before they got to the room they just might stand a chance. A slim one but that was better than no chance at all. Suddenly he skidded to a stop. Bonnie and Jeremy not noticing his delay continued forward just reaching the top of the steps.

"STOP!"

The command was so intense so urgent that they both stopped where they were. Stefan approached more slowly this time his olfactory senses picking up something up wind of them from the darkness they were just about to descend into. There was a noise from in front and then a soft pad as paws landed on the stone steps. A wolf emerged into the moonlit night its lips pulled back over its teeth as a low growl emitted from its throat. It hackles were up and its eyes held them as it moved forward.

It had to have been co-incidence that bought this wolf to this place, there was no way anyone could have guess that they would end up here and Stefan could not help but think of Tyler. However even if it were him that would not help them in his current state. Not with the animal in control. The three of them backed up as the wolf continued to stalk them. With four wolves behind them and one who he would hate to kill in front Stefan had no clue what to do next but he had to do something the wolf was now at the top of the stairs and was preparing to pounce.

The sound of gun going off caused him to jump and to his surprise the wolf gave a yelp and instead of pouncing bounded into the forest. Stefan looked over to see Jeremy standing there with what looked like one of Aleric's modified weapons in his left hand. Where had that come from?

"What . . .?"

"Wolfsbane dart." Jeremy responded putting the weapon back into his coat pocket. "Borrowed from Aleric's stash. Though I only have one dart left. And I'm pretty sure I just missed and grazed his shoulder."

The crashes behind them got louder and spurred the trio into action again. Stefan and Jeremy looked at each other and started heading into the dark. Bonnie however stated picking up some large fallen branches. She closed her eyes and within seconds the top had burst into a slow and steady flame. She handed one to each of the boys. Stefan took his with great care.

"Let's go." She commented heading down the steps the torch lighting the way.

They made it to the room without any further interruptions though the growls seemed to take on an added ferocity. Stefan wondered if the wolves had come across their fifth member. Stefan and Jeremy closed the heavy door and set about the locks while Bonnie stood in the center of the room obviously working on some spells. Growls and scratching could now be heard from the other side of the door as the wolves made their descent following the smell of their prey. The boys moved away from the door and glanced nervously at each other and Bonnie.

"Do you think it will hold?" Jeremy asked unconsciously cradling his right arm as the pain intensified. Bonnie still had not opened her eyes. The torches that lit the room flared slightly and there was a large bang against the door as one of the wolves slammed against it.

"I think we are about to find out." Responded Stefan the same nervousness that was in Jeremy's tone in his own. Despite his own dire situation his thoughts once again flitted to Elena and prayed that Damon and Caroline were keeping her safe, unaware of the vervain dart that had poisoned his brother.

Authors Notes: Thanks for the review and those that have marked the story as a favorite it means a lot. Next chapter will go back to the Damon/Elena/Caroline trio – not that I mean to keep you in suspense :D though it being the weekend means I might not be able to get it up till early next week. I'm also going to try and make the chapters longer whether this means joining the separated teams or not I'm not sure. Any way please let me know what you think so far.