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Chapter 4: Silent Nothing

But I know very well that one day, somehow, his loved one will come back to avenge his death. And by that time, my death won't be that easy.

I woke up in cold sweat. It has been long since I've woken up like this, drenched in my own sweat and fear. I sat up; why would I suddenly be dreaming about Ruberg from fifteen years ago I have no idea. He was a past thing that I should just erase and forget, but it never seem easy. After meeting with that damn annoying brat of a fur ball Marcus, memories of Ruberg resurfaced.

Suddenly my blood turned cold.

Could he by any chance be related to Ruberg?

I wanted to smack my head. Ruberg was married after all, he could have kids. Ruberg's surname was Dmitri, what was Marcus's surname again? No wait, I haven't asked him before; I didn't even bothered asking, anyway.

"Just to talk; you guys own this place, isn't it? Why aren't you chasing us out?"

Marcus said that. Is that why Ruberg attacked Nathaniel last time? Because we were threatening his power by bringing in a male werewolf?

I closed my eyes and I let out a long dreaded sigh.

"Mom?"

My eyes flung open and I moved a little to see the speaker standing at the door.

"Yes, Nathaniel?"

"Are you ok?"

I smiled, "Yeah, I'm fine. What's wrong?"

"I could smell your fear and worry from across my room. Bad dream?" Nathaniel asked; his face cringed with worry.

Another thing about werewolves; they smell emotions.

I didn't see Fragrance anywhere near the door frame but I got a feeling that she probably is awake too, listening in as Nathaniel checks up on me. Can't blame them from being worried all the time; I am after all the only human one here.

Nathaniel didn't need me to say anything else; he crawled into my bed and lay there beneath the covers with me. I hugged him and buried my face into his chest. Every time I have a bad dream, Nathaniel will come willingly into my bed and cuddle next to me. Even now when Nathaniel is sixteen years old, he never complains. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes, trying to get some sleep.

But sleeps are hard to come by when you're worried.

"Three hours, max. Be careful, ok?"

Fragrance rolled her eyes at me, "You said that all the time, Adele. Stop worrying; you'll grow white hairs sooner than you think! Plus, we're the werewolves, remember?"

I drew out a long sigh, "Yes, yes. But a silver bullet in the right places could kill you. You're not as immortal as you think, you know." Fragrance rolled her eyes at me again but I ignored her.

Nathaniel passed me the whistle made of metal that glisters against the moonlight, "Blow this if anything happens, ok? You be careful too, mom."

I took the whistle from him and hugged the both of them tightly, "Gee, when did you became the parent?"

Nathaniel smiled and I patted his back, "Now, go have fun."

The both of them gave me a playful smile before phasing into their werewolf form; clothes removed first, of course. In less than a minute, two big furry wolves, one black and one russet colored stood before me on their hind legs. I smiled at them and they smiled back their wolfish grin. With one last glance at me, the both of them ran into the woods, disappearing into the night.

I sat on the little stool chair I've brought along on every trip like this and placed a hot chocolate between my hands as I stared into the night. We always choose the same spot in the woods; the higher hill is where I'll be sitting guard, watching down for any approaching danger so I could warn the kids before they meet them. It is a little clearing we found the first time we came here. I would always sit here with Lucky, our friendly old collie as we watched over the two.

It was just a little pass nine when I heard something. There was something else in the woods, and I am not talking about those cute little furry black bear. I instantly tensed up and Lucky was growling softly next to me. The only two werewolves that Lucky recognized as friend is Fragrance and Nathaniel, the rest would be enemy. So when Lucky stood up with its hair standing and him growling at the trees behind us, something unfriendly is definitely there.

I had pulled out my Firestar and had it aimed towards the trees. Lucky's growl had gotten more intense so I was guessing that whoever it is must be getting closer. And that isn't good.

"Show yourself or I'll shoot."

I said in a very cool voice. At first there was nothing; no sound, no movement, nothing. But than it happened.

I was knocked sideways so hard I fell at least a foot away from where I was standing. I couldn't exactly see the face of the attacker but I know it was male, and a werewolf.

I could hear Lucky's growl and bark form not so far away, he seems to be fighting someone else too. I struggled to get the wolf off me but of course I was weaker compared to a big giant werewolf on top of me and without the Firestar I was nothing. I struggled to kick him off but it kept pinning me down and trying to bite. I used one hand to block its face from coming any closer to my neck and using another hand; I reached down to my flat-heeled black boot and pulled out a jagged knife.

It was a special made knife, jagged sides with the highest silver content possible in steel. It's small and couldn't do much damage. But it'll be a real pain if you're a werewolf.

With a swift motion I took a swipe at the werewolf's face, trying to aim higher where the eye is but it sensed my attack and blocked it. I didn't get to do much damage but only sliced open the side of its face.

It let out a long painful howl before leaping back off me to where I supposed his 'friends' were, one fury paw holding the side of its injured face.

Yeah, silver can be such a bitch.

I did a flip and I was back on my feet. Lucky had jumped back to join me by my side and I held the knife firm in my hand. I scanned the ground for the Firestar and saw it just a little far off to my right. There were more than two werewolves, maybe four or more. One of them, maybe a female since it was smaller sized compared to the rest of the pack was growling at me in a very unfriendly way. The rest of them however, looked very calm and didn't seem to be threatening.

Who could they possibly be? Could they be…?

First thing first; I have to get the Firestar. It's the only weapon that could do more damage compared to this hand knife. I eyed the Firestar from the corner of my eye, trying not to put too much attention to it. But they saw it and were ready to pounce on me if I jump for it.

I need the Firestar badly but in this condition, I'll be down before I even have the chance to touch one inch of it. I need distraction and I need it bad. I looked at the only weapon in hand and an idea started to form in my head. I held the knife steadily and smiled slyly, I did what they least expect me to do; I threw the knife directly at one of them.

I jumped for the Firestar as soon as the knife was out of my hand. I heard growls behind me and I instantly rolled on my back as soon as I got the Firestar in hand. The wolf that lunged towards me stopped halfway when it saw the Firestar aiming directly at her. It backed off a little and I stood to my feet, weapon still aiming at them.

Lucky gave off a happy bark and out came two familiar wolves. I didn't turn my head to look at them as they approached me, but when they stood next to me with their teeth bearing at the strangers, I shifted my footing to a more comfortable stance.

"Change back before I shoot." I said in an even voice.

None of the wolves made a move to phase so I let go a shot at one of the wolves, the bullet barely scrapping pass the skin but the silver still burns. The poor wolf howled in pain and a few of them gave me their 'supposed' death glares.

I sighed, "I could kill you and I will. Silver bullets works way better than your claws and you know it. So change back or I will shoot; this time it'll be more accurate."

This time the wolf that I've hurt earlier with the knife phased back, the others following suit so I was guessing he had to be the leader. When the phasing was complete, they stood out into the light so we could have a better look at them.

"Damn, Adele, I was just fooling around. No need to be so serious."

Marcus was nearly naked except for that little remaining piece of clothing covering the lower part of his thigh and looking so goddamn sexy but I restrained myself from looking anywhere below his waist.

I waited until Fragrance and Nathaniel are back to their human form before aiming my Firestar skyward, still not trusting them to keep it away.

"It didn't look like you're just fooling around, Marcus. And I've gone through too many near death experiences to take lightly of attacks like these."

When everyone is in their human form, I can see easily who was it that I've hurt earlier. One was Marcus with a long line on the side of his face and next was his little brother with a little scrape on his left bicep. The wound stopped bleeding but it hasn't close up yet. Silver does that to werewolves; they hurt like crazy and heal slowly. I wouldn't want to have a wound created by silver if I were a wolf.

Marcus and his gang didn't bring any extra clothes so they were bared completely. I removed my black leather jacket and threw it to Marcus, "Cover your self up, please."

Marcus raised an eyebrow at me, amusement danced in his eyes. I glared at him and threw another set of spare clothes I've brought along for emergency towards the wolf girl and her boyfriend. "Get dressed at least."

Fragrance and Nathaniel had already done dressing up and was watching them from far. We prefer to stand a few good feet away from them. Lucky sat by my feet, eyes never leaving the new wolves.

"What's your name?" I directed the question at the other members of the pack. The only girl in the pack looked up to me.

"Cassandra."

"I'm Vern. And that Chinese guy over there is Chong." Cassandra's bulky boyfriend said as he nodded towards the Asian guy who was zipping up the pants Nathaniel gave him.

"You said before that you want to talk; let's talk."

When they gave me their surprised look I flipped, "Oh for God's sake, wipe that face. Now talk before I walk."

Marcus sighed, "Couldn't we sit in a warmer place with a cup of coffee in hand at the very least?"

"Cut the crap. I'm the one that is feeling the cold so talk."

"We want this place." Cassandra piped up.

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Are you the Alpha?"

She shook her head, "God, no."

"Then shut up."

She looked like she was about to snap at my head but Marcus laughed, stopping her. "Ah, interesting. Are you claiming yourself as Ulfric? Not your son? Do you know what it means by claiming that that you're challenging another Alpha?"

I tightens my grip on the Firestar, "I know damn well that."

"And I thought your son was the Alpha."

"I never said he was." I replied calmly. Fragrance and Nathaniel was staring at me wide eyed. We never mark this place as our territory but now I'm claiming to own it and as the leader of this little wolf pack; pathetic, isn't it?

"So you're claiming that you're the Ulfric?"

There is no backing now. "Yes."

Cassandra let out a low growl. Lucky was standing beside me now, body hunched and growling. Fragrance too stood in a fighting stance, ready to phase if anything bad happens. But Nathaniel just stood there, tensed. I felt like slapping myself with the butt of the Firestar. I am a female, what's even worse is I am no werewolf and yet I claimed myself as Ulfric; the leader, the one with the most power and control over the others in the pack. There wasn't any pack in the first place, now there is.

And I've just made myself the goddamn leader.

"Are you challenging me, Adele?" Marcus smiled, his pearly whites glister under the moonlight.

I cocked the Firestar and aimed it right at him. Marcus is freaking starting a challenge with me as Alpha. "I don't want to hurt you, Marcus."

Cassandra was breathing heavily beside him, her smile menace, "Challenge her, Marcus, one word from you and she will have to accept your challenge or she'll lose her title as Ulfric. Do it, Marcus, this place could be ours!"

I was getting a little annoyed at Cassandra. She is like a little devil whispering in a kid's ear encouraging him to take the cookie. Now I'm starting to have doubts about her being Vern's girlfriend. I can bet that if Marcus really did make Alpha here, she'll be begging to be his Lupa. What a bitch.

Marcus shushed Cassandra, "My dear Cassandra, we're not here to fight now, are we? Like I've said earlier, we'll just talk. Our claws and guns could be kept away momentarily." Marcus nodded towards my Firestar that is still aiming at him. I made no movement of keeping it, instead I just pointed it skywards.

"Don't threaten me, Marcus." I said, trying to sound as calm as possible. If Marcus really did challenge me here and now, I'll be as good as dead meat. Fighting with a werewolf with just a Firestar is a disadvantage. "Don't ever threaten me, you understand?"

Marcus smiled at me, "Then, how does dinner tomorrow sounds to you?"

"You never give up, do you?"

Marcus laughed, "No, I don't."

Cassandra was sulking beside Vern. I eyed her as I said, "We'll talk, but lose your guys first. I don't like too much people around, makes shooting troublesome."

Luke seemed worried, "You're not going to kill him, are you?"

"He really has no brains, does he?" Fragrance snapped beside me, she glowered at Luke so much that he seemed to shrink with fear. I smiled a little, wondering where she got this attitude from.

"No, I won't kill him." I threw Marcus a warning look, "But if he turns furry, I'll shoot. Deal?"

Marcus smiled, his eyes danced with amusement. "It's a deal then."

I turned to Fragrance and Nathaniel and nodded towards our jeep direction which is at least two miles away from where we are now. They nodded back, understanding what I was trying to say and we picked up our stuff, ready to leave. But before leaving I turned Marcus, "Oh and Marcus?"

He looked at me like a puppy waiting for some good reward, "Yeah?"

"Find my knife."

I gave him one last look and laughed to myself when I saw Marcus face fell before allowing Nathaniel to carry me up in his arms bridal-style and we took off towards our jeep, into the trees.

I know, it's short. But hey; at least I updated, right? So review, review, review! And Merry Christmas to everyone!