7

"Old Father, please" the General simpered. "Anything, I will do anything. Please, do not chastise me."

"This is mine. They are mine, little pup. You go back and tell yours that these are mine, I will rip your fucking throats out before I let you touch her again!" Ford was in full temper, his heat filling the hub as Myfanwy screamed with agreement, leaning out of her aviary to see who had angered her handler.

"Please, it was a mistake, we did not know"

Ford stepped forward, fluid and graceful as he looked down at the cowering man, his lips peeling back as a low growl emanated from his chest. Tosh's fear was pungent to his nostrils and his need to protect his little sister overrode the current game he had been playing.

It seemed to resonate around the hub and Myfanwy glided down to land in the walkway handrail, feeling the danger lurking below and smelling blood in the air as she snapped her beak to applaud him.

"Old Father, I beg for my pack" the general took a knee, bowing his head and exposing the back of his neck, then placing the palms of his hands on the grating.

The other Unit members had finally realized the danger and had scuttled behind their leader, also kneeling to bow.

Ford bristled, the growl becoming louder and more ominous as his eyes started to change their shape to more like sapphire almonds.

"Get the fuck out of my lair!"

They didn't need telling twice, racing for the doors and as they reached them the General turned and his own eyes were glowing as his teeth gnashed, "I will tell my elders of this."

"Of course you will" Ford snorted, "I will meet with them if they wish. I will gladly explain the reason for my choice of den-mates. But I would warn them if I were you. I am not the one with whom to fuck!"

"No insult intended Old Father" the General swallowed as his lips peeled back to show his teeth.

"You will tell your elders that I am displeased with your actions, I am insulted that you think you can meet my gaze" Ford looked down his nose, "Tell them … tell them that the Game is on - if they wish."

The General balked and another young male member of the squad whimpered as he pulled at the General's arm.

"Listen to your brother and fuck off" Ford snorted, "If one single hair on Toshiko's head is touched by one of your filthy paws, I will hunt down your entire bloodline … don't think I won't. It wouldn't be the first time I sought revenge."

"Yes Old Father" a woman spoke, stepping around her General, "We know the stories of your powers."

"You have no idea" Ford grinned and his fangs now gleamed, "I have never really displayed my full power. You little children only ever needed a slap, not a beating."

"Please" the General said, pulling her back, "My pack is blameless in my bumbling here."

"Then you are willing to take my wrath?"

"As you see fit" the General swallowed as he stepped forward.

"No. I do not wish to take your throat" Ford waved him away, "I will give you a pass. Just one. Because you remind me of my brother with your long coat."

The Unit pack scarpered with their tails between their legs and Ford watched with satisfaction as the CCTV showed the female slapping her General angrily once they were safely free of the hub.

"Knew she was his mate!" Jack scoffed.

"Bloody Werewolves!" Ford snorted, "Always forgetting that they are not top of the food chain."

"I should have picked it" Jack snorted, "Little upstarts. Now it all makes sense, bloody lycanthropes."

"Not all, just selected groups of enforcers. The powers that be have used them for hundreds of years. It took quite a bit of … convincing … for them to realize that mine were going to trump theirs every time."

"So, werewolves in Unit, werewolves in Heddlu. Military? Politics … fuck. Stupid question. Your brother stands next to the fucking queen!" Jack said with growing awareness.

"Now you know why" Ford smiled, the true smile Jack loved, "Only thing that will ever protect her from a lycanthrope attack. Holmesinians are the few creatures in this universe that scare them."

"So I just saw … old father indeed!" Jack snorted.

"I am. Andy, and many others grew up at my feet" Ford sighed, "They are right to fear me. I once tore one apart in a rage when he killed one of his own pups. I didn't mean to, I just saw the poor child's body and lost it. Even Mycroft couldn't stop me."

"Mycroft." Owen spoke for the first time, "Mycroft Holmes, the Queen's advisor. Are you telling me that he's one of those … Lycian thingiees?"

Ford turned to look at his pack and felt the first tendrils of fear as the adrenalin waned.

"Mycroft Holmes … wait!" Owen gaped, "You're a Holmes?"

Oh god, what had he done.