Hello there to all of my readers :) Thank you all for reading this far and being really supportive along the way. I just wanted to say that I will be going back to posting twice a week now that school is about to start soon, and I'm busy with getting ready to move. I might have to lower it to even once a week, but hopefully it won't come to that. Thank you for understanding, and I'll keep writing and posting more for you :D
It had taken some convincing to get the humans to ride on the wolves' backs once they transformed, but they seemed to enjoy it once they got moving. Feliciano carried the short one, Kiku, and his brother carried the other small one, Yao. Elizabeta carried the quiet one, Matthew. She didn't show any signs of discomfort even though she was carrying a grown man while still recovering from her own injuries. Antonio took Matthew's brother, Alfred, and Gilbert had the two squabbling ones, Arthur and Francis. That left Ludwig to carry Vash and the one that complained a lot named Roderich.
The only reason Ludwig suggested this mode of transportation was due to time. Humans were much too slow on their two legs, and even with some of them doubled up, the wolves could move much faster through the forest and quieter too. They were on the eastern side of the forest just as the clouds above them started to rumble with thunder. The cloud coverage would help hide them while they ambushed the camp, but it could prove to be problematic if it began to rain. Ludwig hoped it would not.
Ivan's lair came into sight sooner than they thought due to the large fire they had burning right in the middle. It was a stroke of luck that none of them had been anticipating. In the dim light cast by the fire, Ludwig could see the outlines of what looked like a cage in the distance. His heart ached as he thought of little Lili trapped in that cage. How long had it been since she was taken? The days all seemed to blur together into one continuous nightmare that he had lost count.
An angry growl lodged in his throat. "Remember the plan," he whispered. "Gilbert, you're up."
The white wolf broke through the bushes they were hiding behind while dragging a smaller wolf behind him by the scruff. All eyes were on him as he entered the enemy lair. Ludwig watched as Ivan padded out of the largest of the haphazard structures behind the fire with curiosity in his violet eyes. The large wolf approached Gilbert casually, but everyone was aware that things could change in the blink of an eye.
"How unusual to see you trespassing on our territory," Ivan said, almost with amusement.
"Like you're one to talk," Gilbert growled. He dragged the small wolf forward and practically threw him on the ground in front of the rival pack's alpha. "I'm here to make a deal, scumbag."
"Ravis!" someone near the fire shouted when they recognized the small, shivering wolf.
"I do not think I can make any deals with people who are so rude."
"Then you don't get your pack member back," Gilbert threatened.
Ivan just laughed darkly. "That is of no consequence to me. I can always make a new one just like him."
Ludwig felt Elizabeta grow tense next to him. For a moment, he thought she was going to break cover and go after the sandy wolf, but she didn't. Their trap would be sprung soon anyway. All they had to do was wait for the signal from Vash.
Just then, something howled from behind the camp, and Ivan's pack froze.
"Attack!" Ludwig roared as he and his pack leapt out of the bushes.
Vash and his men rushed into the light with their guns raised, the clearing now completely surrounded. Hysteria passed through the wolves being attacked, but Ivan didn't even flinch. He immediately turned on Gilbert and lunged at the white wolf's throat. Luckily, Ludwig tackled Ivan before he could make contact with his target. By then, shots were being fired and chaos ensued. Wolves tussled on the needle covered ground while others dodged the flying bullets. Ludwig got to his feet and looked for the cage.
He was about to run for it when something heavy landed on his back. "You don't get to touch my brother," a sinister voice hissed in his ear as he fell back down.
The other wolf sunk its fangs into his shoulder, and he cried out in pain. Normally a wolf bite would have been nothing, but Ludwig's wounds had yet to heal completely. Black spots danced in his vision as the pain grew worse. There was nothing he could do to shake off his attacker. Suddenly, the weight was gone, and Elizabeta was pushing him to his feet.
"I'll take care of her," she muttered venemously. "You go get Lili."
The silver wolf that had attacked Ludwig watched Elizabeta with a deep hatred in its eyes. Elizabeta growled before lunging at the other wolf. They tumbled away locked in combat. Ludwig searched through the darkness again for Lili's cage. Someone had thrown Antonio into the large fire and scattered burning wood across the clearing. That had caused the light to dim, but it grew brighter than ever as sparks lit up everything they touched. That included Lili's cage.
When Ludwig arrived at the cage, another wolf was already there. It was trying to put out the flames licking at the wooden bars, but its attempts were mostly unsuccessful. "No, no, no, no, no," the wolf murmured. "Lili? Please wake up! You have to move before the fire gets you! Lili?"
Ludwig pushed the wolf aside and clamped his teeth down on an unburnt section of the cage. He pulled with all his might until the door began to loosen. With one last heave, the door ripped off its leather hinges, and Ludwig threw it out of the way. Lili appeared to be unconscious at the bottom of the cage. He nudged her with his nose hoping to get some kind of reaction out of her. A whimper, or a moan, or a twitch of her hand. Anything.
"Lili," he called.
She didn't move.
"Lili!"
Still nothing.
"Lil-"
The air was knocked out of Ludwig's lungs as something sent him flying through the air. He landed on his shoulder and barked out in pain. Everything was so sore that he found it hard to get to his feet, his legs wobbling with the effort. Ivan panted nearby with a crazed grin on his face.
"So, you think you can come burn down my home, yes?," he asked. "Do you think you can do whatever you like and not pay for it? I will make you regret ever being alive."
They both sprang at each other simultaneously. Teeth flashed and blood flowed as they tore relentlessly into each other. Neither one of them allowing the other to get the upperhand. Ludwig dodged a particularly fast blow when he saw something in his peripheral vision. A wolf was cautiously approaching Lili's cage. It was Lovino.
"You're going to be the one who pays, Ivan," Ludwig growled.
"Do not think your love for that girl will save you."
Ludwig froze. What did Ivan just say? The large sandy wolf took advantage of his hesitation and knocked him off his feet. The world flipped upside down as Ludwig landed on his back, hard.
"This is not a fairytale, my friend. You do not win just because you-" Ivan paused as he looked back at the now empty cage. Lovino must have taken Lili because neither of them were anywhere to be seen. Without another word, Ivan took off for the forest.
Rain began to fall from the tumultuous, obsidian sky. Thunder rolled through the clouds and melted into the sound of gunshots. It all sounded so far away to Ludwig as he ran. He ran as if his life depended on it, which in a way it did. Lili was in danger. Even a swift, lithe wolf like Lovino was no match for the sheer strength Ivan possessed. If Ludwig didn't catch up to him soon, it may be too late.
Lightning tore through the sky and filled the forest with light and shadow. It was followed almost immediately by a earsplitting boom. Ludwig's paws scrabbled through the wet earth for traction as he continued his pursuit. There was no sign of Ivan, Lovino, or Lili, but he didn't let that bother him. As long as he didn't stop running, he would find one of them eventually. Another flash and another boom shook Ludwig's vision and caused him to stumble. He regained composure, and as he did so, he saw something that made his heart stop.
A large sandy wolf had its teeth sunk into the shoulder of a small girl with blonde hair.
Ludwig's vision became tinged with red. His blood felt like fire in his veins, and a pained bark flew from between his bared teeth as he charged. Ivan barely registered the other alpha's presence before Ludwig snapped down on his neck. The sandy wolf released Lili's arm with a grunt of annoyance. He rolled onto his back with so much force that it flung Ludwig clear of the wolf and knocked the air out of his chest. Ludwig rose to his feet with a shakey wheeze and glared at Ivan with intense disgust. The other alpha male's scruff bristled aggressively, but he seemed to be smirking in amusement.
"Your feelings make you vulnerable," he said provocatively. "It would be a shame if you caused this girl any more harm." Ivan moved toward Lili's unconscious form and sniffed around her head. In a flash, he had his fangs pressed into her neck.
"Bastard!" Ludwig roared as he charged again.
"Take another step and I snap her neck."
Ludwig had no choice but to stop in his tracks. He bristled with rage and watched as Ivan released the girl's neck and prodded her cheek with his paw.
"It would be so much simpler if you made her one of us." Ivan tilted her head so that her lips parted ever so slightly. "Perhaps I will do you a favor and turn her for you. You obviously do not have the courage to do so."
"Don't you dare!" Ludwig hissed. He was about to jump toward the sandy wolf when a bang reverberated through the trees. At first, he thought it was more thunder, but Ivan stumbled, and Ludwig knew it must have been a gunshot.
"Get away from my sister." Vash stepped out of the darkness with his rifle raised, wisps of smoke still seeping out of the muzzle.
Ivan turned toward his new opponent with unmistakable rage burning in his eyes. "You dare to attack me?!" He tried to lunge at the human, but Vash let off another shot that hit the large wolf square in the chest.
Something caused the bushes to rustle, and Lovino appeared with a slight limp. His eyes went wide when he saw the scene before him. "Crap, what did I miss?"
"Take Lili and run!" Ludwig commanded. He shifted back into his human form to hoist the girl onto the brown wolf's back. "Make sure she gets to the village. We'll take care of Ivan."
"Yeah, yeah. I got it," Lovino said with a nod. He trotted into the wet underbrush as fast as his injured leg would take him. The two were out of sight in moments.
"Why do you help them?" Ivan croaked at Ludwig. Blood ran freely down his fur in dark rivulets from several gunshot wounds and teeth marks. "You will regret helping them. They will never see you as equals or allies. Your sentiment will be your undoing."
Ludwig pushed his hair out of his face. The rain had ruined his usual slicked back hairstyle, but now was not the time to worry about that. "That may be, but bearing grudges only fosters more hatred. The cycle will never be broken as long as we think like you, Ivan."
"You are weak," the sandy wolf growled. "You do not dare stand up to them. Together we can rid the forest of this human plague."
"The fight is over. It is pointless to continue to resist." Ludwig looked to Vash and back to Ivan. "Leave or the human will kill you, and I won't try to stop him."
"Wait!" Vash yelled, but Ivan had already turned and disappeared into the forest.
Rain still fell from the sky, but the storm seemed to be moving out. Thunder could only be heard in the distance and was faint compared to the sound of rain pattering on leaves. Ludwig let the water wash away his fatigue. This battle was over, but he knew it was not the end of the conflicts that seemed to haunt this forest continually. Not even close.