A week had passed, of nothing but racing around, waiting for something to happen. It was quiet for the most part, something both Delilah and I appreciated. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that things aren't going on beyond our watch.

Over the course of the week I encountered a few wolves, none of which with any ties to Riggs or other members of his pack, thankfully. I had been on full alert, sniffing about for even the slightest trace for any of their scents. My decision to ask for help from Micah and Delilah was a good one. It lessened the chance of having a Hound slip past our guard and attack the vampires, and allowed me to spend more time in Shreveport.

Having her around was a good thing. Delilah watched over the Bon Temps vampires and other supernatural's, while I focused mainly on protecting Eric and Sookie, as well as Pam.

With Eric's help, Delilah and I had acquired a small home for us to share while we stayed here. I rarely dropped by, most of my things were still stored in Sookie's closet, although it didn't matter, I had a closet full of clothes at home. A home which I would have stayed at, if Eric hadn't decided that it would be best if I stayed close to Sookie. I thought the idea ridiculous, but agreed, and reluctantly.

I hated the place. It reminded me far, far too much of the home Alistair and I had shared.

When I sheltered him, that was the one time I had ever thought of leaving my old life behind and remaining with him until we both expired. That is, until my old pack mate and…very close friend Riggs, discovered I was hiding a vampire and reported me, thus having me exiled from the pack and sentenced to be bound to the Pit. Chained by iron and surrounded by a barrier of salt, I was unable to leave the Underworld for a hundred years.

During that time, I was whipped and beaten, attacked savagely by other Hounds and demons until I was able to break free…and slaughter them all. Ever since then, the younger generations who sentenced me have since held a vehement hostility toward me. The Elders, which I am one myself, have forgiven my misdeed and have long forgotten it as well. The pup's actions towards me, one of the original litters of Hounds, only increased tension between us, and drove me to leave the Underworld.

I am to be treated with respect. They treated me like nothing more than an animal. I could have killed them all. Especially Riggs. To think he would have understood my love for Alistair, for he fell for a human, one whose soul he was to take, but chose to spare and protect. An unspeakable crime; but his was forgiven without a second thought.

I soon killed his human afterward.

And I suppose it would be wishful thinking to hope Riggs hadn't slaughtered my vampire out of revenge for the death of his love.

. . .

With no sign that anything was to happen, no negative energy, no sudden migraines due to trouble with either Sookie or Eric or anyone else, I headed back toward my home after watching over Merlotte's from the woods for most of the day. I was bored and exhausted, having not slept since I stayed with my Keeper at Fangtasia. I locked the door behind me and trudged down the hall toward my bedroom and flung the door open. Any harder, and I'd have put a hole in the wall. Eric wouldn't be happy about me causing damage to the place already.

I laughed quietly at the thought of just how pissed Eric would be at having to make repairs already to the house he didn't even want to buy in the first place. I never wanted the home, but neither Sookie or Bill were comfortable with housing two reckless Hounds, and Eric simply didn't have any space for us. So he bought this somewhat large, two floor, three bedroom house on something-or-other street, a few blocks away from Sookie, and Merlotte's, for us to stay in. I looked around the large room.

Eric had allotted me the master bedroom, fully furnished with a large king size bed, two sleek, black, empty dressers and a flat screen mounted on the wall. Aside from the television, the walls were bare, save for one or two shelves placed on the wall above the bed. The room was painted a dark grey, giving the room a modern feel. A stark white comforter sat upon the mattress, and, I can't lie, it is comfortable. I traced my fingers along the soft fabric and tugged the corner of the blanket back and slid under the covers, not before ridding myself of my pesky clothes.

. . .

"Adrian, Adrian! Get the fuck up!"

I shot up, fangs bared and growling, startled by how Delilah had chosen to wake me. I reached down to the floor and pulled my t-shirt and underwear on hastily and hopped out of bed, following her out into the living room. Groggy and bleary eyed, no less. The living room was fully lit, and it felt like all of the light fixtures in the house were turned on. I shielded my eyes and approached her, asking what was wrong.

"Bill and Sookie are coming over. There's a pack of wolves surrounding the house. He sensed them when he went to drop Sookie home after their date."

I groaned. "What time is it?"

"About 2:30. A.M."

Damn, I slept that late? I've gotta try and sleep more.

"Let me get dressed, then we'll head on over. Does Eric know about this?"

Delilah shook her head feverishly, causing strands of her curly, dark brown hair to fall in her face. She brushed them behind her ear and sped over to the door when the doorbell rang, causing me to jump. I should have heard them coming, but my lack of sleep has weakened my senses a bit. I sat on the sofa with my head in my hands as Bill and the human rushed into our home and stood, glancing between Delilah and I before speaking.

"Adrian, are you okay?" Bill asked.

I stood. "Yes, I'm fine. I haven't slept in a while, so that has weakened me. Not much, but still. I should be fine by the time we reach Sookie's."

"Yes, about that," Bill said, his pale face seeming to darken at the mentioning of his lover's home. "When we came closer to her home, I sensed the wolves' presence. I thought it best to get her away from the house."

"It's a good thing you did. You wouldn't want to take any chances," Delilah said. "Riggs is most likely behind the wolves. I have no doubt about that."

"Neither do I," I cut in. "He's probably got them to help go after the vamps, and since you're affiliated with my Keeper, and more importantly me, Riggs is after you as well. We'll head on over, check the area out. If we're lucky, maybe I'll get to kill one of them."

Delilah cleared her throat. "I understand your abhorrence for Riggs and anyone associated with him - believe me, I don't like him either - but, instead of killing them all, why not try to bring one in?"

"Why? We already know who we're after. What's the point of keeping them alive? Letting them live is giving them the chance to return. And that's what we're trying to prevent. Remember?"

"Yes, but do you have any idea about Riggs' whereabouts?"

Sookie stepped forward. "I think Delilah has point, Adrian. Why don't we try to capture one? Eric or Bill could glamour one of them and ask about Riggs. This could help a lot."

"I'd rather kill them all," I grumbled.

I agreed to capture at least one of the wolves, the rest I could dispose of in whatever way I chose, be it fire, or a slow, painful disemboweling. Delilah and I rid ourselves of our clothing and shifted, leaving the house and heading toward Sookie's. I could tell her mind was focused on keeping the peace and shedding as little blood as possible, but I wanted the exact opposite.

I want them all torn apart, choked to death by a noose made of their own innards, a warning to Riggs and all those who work with him. Death is inevitable. That they cannot escape. And when I find them, I will become Death. Riggs, his wolves, his pack, and his humans will tremble before me. I will devour their souls.

I growled loudly and ran faster, and unbridled rage rising inside me, Delilah huffing behind me, fighting to keep up.