A/N: Thanks to Cara Mascara (glad you like it!), guardian music angel, Niffer01 (wait for it...), Love.Always.Alice.and.Jasper (soon, I promise!), and native-kitten.

The 'Chase: Live or Die?' poll is tied three ways just now, so get voting!

I have a song to recommend for this chapter, I think it reflects the tension and drama. 'Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo'

Review and Enjoy!

Power.

Aaron watched from across the street as they piled into the two cars, faces sombre. As they pulled away from the Yum Yum Tree motel, he slowly pulled out and followed them, remembering to keep a few cars between them like they always did in the movies.

He had always known the 'Sons of Ipswich' had a secret, but he'd never guess in was something this big. But he'd find out what it was, and then he'd tell the world, revealing them as the posers they were.

Tyler tried not to look at Jess as he pulled away from the motel, but it was hard not to, knowing that all he had to do was flick his eyes to see her watching him from the middle of the backseat.

They hadn't spoken directly to each other since yesterday's little discovery, and he had no idea what to think. What he had found out made him angry, sure, but it didn't change the way he felt about her, but he didn't know if he could say the same for her.

She had been avoiding him, finding something important she had to do every time he got a chance to speak to her. But she kept watching him, as if waiting for something. Her normally expressive brown eyes were shuttered, giving him no hint as to what she was thinking.

"Dude, the road!" Reid yelped from the passenger's seat, grabbing for the wheel. Tyler's eyes snapped away from the mirror, and he realised he'd begun to drift lanes.

"Sorry," he mumbled, straightening the car and keeping his treacherous gaze on the road ahead.

Jess, with the aid of her high-powered laptop, had managed to track the rogue Lycan, James Vargssen, to a large compound just outside of Salem. They had decided that Caleb and Pogue, along with the two wolves, would be the ones to attack. Deciding that it was unsafe to leave Sarah and Alex alone in Ipswich, considering Chase's past history of kidnapping, they would stay with him and Reid in the hummer 'till it was over. Apparently, Jess was needed for something confusingly technical, but as soon as she had done her part, she would return to wait with Alex and Sarah. The five of them were riding together quietly, nerves tense.

Talia, Will, Caleb and Pogue were in the Impala in front, Tal's driving perfect for once, not the time for games. They had agreed to ride together to go over their plan of attack again on the forty-minute drive. Reid had not been happy when he'd been told he would be waiting behind; however Tyler knew that for once it wasn't about being in the thick of the action, but rather about protecting Talia. He felt the same way about Jess, which was why he was only too happy to watch over her and the others.

Caleb and Pogue, as the only two who had Ascended, were given the task of accompanying the Lycans, but had been warned not to Use before Chase knew they were there unless it was life or death. They were planning a stealth attack, with Tal and Will taking out as many of the Coyote guards as they could before anyone realised they were there. It sounded like a good plan, despite the fact that Caleb and Pogue would basically be waiting around until the action started.

Tyler was a little disconcerted by the precision of their planning. It wasn't like they were synchronising their watches or anything, but they knew battle strategy, where the weak points were, how best to get into the compound without attracting attention. Talia had admitted that most of the time their job just involved chasing the rogue down, then cleaning up the mess, but because they were some of their pack's best fighters, they had been taught military strategy from a young age.

It suddenly struck Tyler that no matter how loved they were, it must have been a harsh way to grow up. He wondered just exactly what had happened to make these Shifters so highly regarded among their pack at such a young age. Even Will was only a shade over twenty, and yet he was still in charge of such a dangerous thing. Realising he'd might not have another chance to find out, he decided to bite the bullet and ask.

"Jess." All eyes fixed on him. "What really happened to Talia's parents? And why do live with a wolfpack?" At his question about Talia's parents, Reid spun in his seat to watch her, waiting for an answer, despite the fact he'd been like a bear with a thorn in his paw since he'd talked to Tal alone yesterday. At the thought of bears, Tyler suddenly remembered what they'd been told about Nicky, but he filed it back in his head under 'weird shit to deal with later'. It was growing to be a big list.

Jess was silent for so long, Tyler began to think she was ignoring him, but then she took a deep breath and began.

"Something you have to understand about wolves, and other Shifters for that matter, is that there are people who are natural born Alphas, leaders. People who aren't just physically strong and smart, but also have an inner strength that flows into the people around them, earning trust and loyalty. The Sarkas have always had it in spades, and they come from a long history of strong leaders.

"Talia's parents were Alphas of their pack, and they earned respect, not just from their own kind, but from the other races as well. Nine years ago, there was a rogue killing in their territory. They took care of it swiftly, but apparently, it was too late," she sighed, shaking her head.

"Too late for what?" Reid asked anxiously.

"Different Shifter groups have different rules they expect their people to follow. The only universal law is the ban on human flesh. Killing in self-defence is allowed, but to purposely hunt down a human is against our highest law. Most say it's because of morality, that hunting humans is like cannibalism; the reality being that Shifters who feed of humans always go feral. But even the most morally questionable of packs keep the law for a much more primal reason. Killing humans brings danger to the pack, and protecting the pack is the most important thing to any Shifter.

"I wasn't there at the time, but I was told what happened later. The rogue's killing had drawn the attention of Hunters. Humans, and the occasional witch, who hunt Shifters. No talks about what happened when they came, but I know it was bad. The pack managed to survive, moving to Chicago without leaving a trail to follow, starting afresh. But they had lost nearly thirty wolves, not just fighters, but elders and a few children too, as well as Talia's parents."

Tyler swallowed hard. The idea of anyone killing children, no matter what species they were, was horrendous. It was a wonder Tal didn't hate humans. Glancing over at Reid's he could see the desolation he felt reflected in his friend's eyes.

Jess continued. "Tal's oldest brother, Jacob, was nineteen when they moved. He was a little young to become Alpha, but it had been obvious from when he was a child that he was born to it, and so when his father died, the pack looked to him for guidance and strength. It was tough for him, losing his parents, being left in charge of his younger and very wild siblings, then suddenly having the entire pack looking for him to lead them.

"Since my dad left, my mom had struggled to look after my little sisters and I. We weren't part of a pack or anything, there aren't that many red pandas in America, so we we're pretty much on our own. When the wolves came to town and claimed their territory, my mom went to them, as Shifter rules dictated; and formally asked permission to stay, even though five female red pandas were no threat. Seeing how Jacob was struggling, my mom offered to help him by looking after the kids. Knowing that because she wasn't a wolf, she wouldn't be trying to play any games or influence his siblings, he took her up on the offer, giving us a place to stay and paying my mom well. Eventually we were adopted by the pack, and a few other loners from different Shifter species have joined over the years, making the Sarka Pack stronger than it's ever been."

Tyler glanced up to see a faint smile tug her lips. "Tal and I didn't get along at first, she was one moody pup, always snappin' and growlin'. But eventually she let me get close. Wolves are pack animals, they crave contact. I think it was easier for Tal to let me in because I wasn't a wolf, and I didn't know what happened. When we first started living with the pack, most of them steered clear of us, and Tal was the only girl my age that I had much contact with. At the time, my sisters were four, so I wasn't hanging with them. They're worse now though, there's nothing quite a bad as thirteen-year-old triplets." She gave a fake shudder. "Pure Evil."

She continued to talk about the pack, and no one else seemed to mind, Ty even caught a smile tugging a Reid's face a couple times. Tyler focused on the road, listening and remembering what Jess said, knowing if Jess was ever to be a part of his life, then so would the pack.

Talia pulled over to the side of the forest trail, seeing Tyler behind her doing the same. She looked over a Will, who nodded tightly once. "Let's do this."

The all stood between the two cars, Jess double-checking the equipment she needed.

"Let's go over this one more time," Tal declared, wanting to make sure everything went a smooth as possible. "You three," she pointed at Reid Alex and Sarah. "Stay here. If we're not back by dawn, you get out of here and call the number we gave you." She looked at Reid. "Don't Use unless you can't avoid it."

He nodded, having already lost that argument.

Pointing at Jess, Tyler, Caleb and Pogue, she continued. "You four come with us. Will and I will take out any guards, Jess'll do her thing, then Baby Boy will escort her back to the car. Caleb, Pogue, you'll be with Will and I. Follow our lead. We won't be able to talk in out fur, so you'll have to pay attention to body language. If we turn to our mid-form, it can be kinda freaky the first time you see it." She shrugged unapologetically. "And there will be blood."

They all nodded solemnly. Talia and Will began to walk towards the forest edge.

"Where are you going? Can't we watch?" Sarah asked, full of curiosity. The others looked eager too, except for Alex and Jess who were trying not to laugh.

Will shot Sarah his patented boyish grin, which had caused lesser women to melt in the past. "I'd love too, cupcake, but I doubt your boyfriend would appreciate it."

Sarah frowned, her face flushed.

Seeing her confusion, Jess laughed, "They have to get naked. Have you ever seen a wolf in a bra? It's frickin' hilarious!"

Talia glared at her friend, explaining, "Clothes don't Shift, only the person. Also my brother's a jackass, so just ignore him, the rest of us do," she smiled apologetically.

Will just wiggled his eyebrows obscenely at the still blushing Sarah.

Talia sighed, grabbing her brother arm and tugging him toward the surrounding trees, muttering, "Can't take you anywhere."

Following her, Will threw back his head and laughed.

Reid thought about what Jess had said, about Talia not trusting her at first, not connecting with other people, and he got the impression that while she might have this big huge pack as family, she didn't have that many friends. At least not ones she could be herself with, instead of the tough fighter they all expected. He felt his anger fade away as he came to a startling realisation.

It didn't matter that she hadn't told him what she was, because he already knew who she was, and it was a secret she didn't share with everyone. The idea of loving her despite the secrets no longer filled him with self-loathing, and although the idea of actually being in love scared the shit out of him, he knew he had the right girl.

It was then that it hit him. She'd shared a secret part of herself with him, given herself to him completely. Seen him at his worst and still accepted him. It all made sense. That last, desperate kiss before her confession, the way she hadn't actually said he didn't love him, the pain in her eyes as she said it.

She loved him.

All he had to do was get her to admit it. Easy.

Yeah, right.

He stood, anxiously waiting to see what his girlfriend looked like as a wolf.

She was beautiful.

Two wolves came trotting out of the forest's edge, eyes glowing in the shadows. One was larger, it's fur slightly darker, obviously Will, his mouth hanging in open in a lupine grin.

Talia was smaller, though still slightly larger than the regular wolves he'd seen at the zoo as a kid. Her fur was a bluish-grey, with black and cream accents. Her eyes were paler, almost white, but still somehow her eyes. She walked with the graceful control of a predator, sleek and lethal.

Beautiful.

The others stood, staring, still shocked despite knowing what would happen. Reid slowly walked towards Talia, and for once, her brother didn't try to stop him, though Reid could see Will watching warily from the corner of his eye.

Reid knelt down in front of her, raising one hand cautiously but steadily to her head, feeling the soft, thick fur under his hand. Giving her head a gentle stroke, he said, "Be careful Babe, this isn't over."

Her big eyes watched him for a second, then she nudged the hand in her fur, giving a quick nuzzle before backing off. Reid understood: Acceptance of his statement, nothing more. When this is over, they'd talk.

And he'd find a way to make her say those three little words.

Tyler walked through the forest at Jess' side trying not to snap too many twigs. Somehow, the three Shifters managed to walk through the dense forest without making a sound. Caleb and Pogue behind him, however, were about as quite as a herd of buffalo. He watched Jess as she carefully placed one bare foot, then the other, her eyes fixed on the ground. She was wearing a Lycra jumpsuit, her feet bare, the backpack on her back containing the equipment she'd need. She had said it was the best thing she could wear for her part.

Once the path was cleared by Tal and Will, she was supposed to make her way over the wall and to the small security hut nearby, in order to hack the security feeds and loop the security cameras so that they wouldn't be seen once they entered the compound. Then she was going to exit via a side door, which was locked from the inside, and leave it open for the other four. She had explained that she could climb better with bare feet and hands, and that the jumpsuit was flexible enough for climbing in, but easily removed if she needed to shift.

When they reached the edge of the forest and could see the huge wall nearby, the wolves stopped. Will turned to them and scratched his foot on the ground.

"That means stay here," Jess explained. Pogue and Caleb gave tight nods, needing to understand this for later.

Will and Tal disappeared, moving together along the wall. The four remaining waited, and ten minutes later, the two Lycans reappeared, none the worse for wear, licking the blood from their jowls, which Tyler tried not to look at.

Will nodded at Jess, and she gave him a nervous smile before pulling down her ski mask, which covered her normally bright hair, and ran swiftly towards the high wall. Not even pausing at the base, she jumped up, apparently finding holds and begining to climb. She was so fast; he could have blinked and missed it. My girlfriend is freakin' Spiderman!

Fifteen nerve-wracking minutes later, she re-appeared, running from the left, keeping close to the wall before dashing back to where they were waiting. She wasn't even breathless. "I saw two more Coyotes in the grounds," she told the wolves. "Happy hunting." Will nodded again, acknowledging her information then moving back towards the wall.

Jess nudged him, then began walking back towards the car. Tyler had no clue which way it was, but she seemed to know where she was going, so he was happy to follow. He finally had what he wanted, him and Jess alone. But he knew that this wasn't the time, while they were both worrying about their friends, so instead, he reached out and took her small hand in his, walking back in silence.

Talia was ecstatic, after weeks of being cooped up, waiting and feeling helpless, she was finally getting to hunt, finally getting revenge. She knew that her brother beside her felt the same.

They were stalking a few yards apart, the second last Coyote in their sights. He hadn't sensed them yet, they were behind him and down wind, approaching with utter silence. With instincts honed from years of hunting together, Talia and Will pounced with perfectly coordinated precision, Tal tearing his through out before he could make a sound, licking up the tangy blood that rimmed her mouth.

The made their way back to the back entrance where Pogue and Caleb were waiting, the tension rolling off them in waves. Signalling them to follow, they went in search of their last three targets.

Happy hunting indeed.

Caleb was uneasy, and one look at Pogue's face told him that his friend felt the same. It was obvious that the rogue was going to be harder to kill than the Coyotes, especially if he had Chase backing him up. Chase might even be a problem himself, despite the fact that Caleb alone was evenly matched with him for power.

Chase had had time to practise his powers, obviously learning things that we're in the Book of Damnation, like stopping Shifters from changing. He also didn't care how much he Used, and although Caleb and Pogue would do whatever they had to, they'd rather not come out of this looking like old men.

The two Sons were currently following the Lycans, who seemed to know where they were going. As they crested a small hillock, their destination became apparent, a large colony house, with a small lake in front of it. Between the lake and the house was thick copse of trees, which would provide good cover as they approached the house. A small path led from the building, curving sharply around the trees and disappearing out of sight, heading in the direction of the main gate.

Yards away from the protection of the trees, the wolves stiffened, the noses sniffing the air. Suddenly someone appeared at the turn in the path, only inches from them. They stared in shock.

Aaron Abbot.

"I knew it! I knew you freaks were hiding something!" he gloated, pointing a video camera at them. "Wait 'till everyone sees this. I got it all! The whole conversation about you and you're freaky little friends. Werewolves and Witches! I'm gonna be famous, and you're going to be over," he sneered.

"Aaron, you have to get out of here, it's not safe!" Caleb warned, worried about the noise.

"No way Danvers, this is just starting to get interesting!" Aaron laughed, euphoric. Will and Talia growled low.

"Get outta here, man! You're gonna get yourself…" Pogue was cut off abruptly as a shadowy form came hurtling out off the forest.

In a blur, it hit Aaron, and suddenly there was blood flying, Aarons throat ripped out, empty eyes staring at nothing, dead before he hit the ground.