Queen's Awakening

The Enemy

Nicole's POV

"Come on girl push hard. This is the last pup. I can see her head. One more push." Chasen encourages gruffly. I'm so tired. My body is so weak. It's taken to much abuse. My body's normal ability to rejuvenate is used up. His hand rests on my belly. I'm caught off guard by the feeling of warmth spreading from his hand to my body. It gives me that last bit of strength I need to push my daughter into the world. I can't help it. I cry out in pain as my body gives way to my last cub. I fall back to the floor limply. He gently cradles my cub as he takes her to clean up. I watch him through weary eyes. What a waste a healer's touch in a man whose desire is only to kill. He places my daughter with her siblings. He gazes at them with a smirk.
"You did good woman. Bringing these cuties to the council will get me in good graces with the idiots." He chuckles. Seeing him approach I'm wondering if my time is up. He once again kneels close. He pulls me up to aide me to push the the placentas from my womb.

"Why are you still helping me." I ask.

"Habit I suppose. I've helped deliver plenty of babies." He grumbles as he cleans away the evidence of birth.

He stands and stomps away. I know he's planning to kill me. I'm thankful he doesn't seem in any hurry. Then again maybe I should be frightened he could be trying to think of ways to make a spectacle of my death. He's know for it. I wish he would let me hold my babies while he makes up his damn mind.

"Dad they are coming!" One of Chasen's sons yells.

"So prepare the guns," Chasen answers causally.

"No Dad they all coming." The young man sounds panicked.

Chasen walks to the window and peeks out. He looks at me. I smile. He looks at my son the only one of my babies I had held and he realizes my treakery. As a hunter he would have noticed if I had been contiunesly reaching out to someone. It had made sense making my son's heartbeat as my children's beacon.

"Clever girl," he chuckles. "Smith, Wesson take the truck get out of here. Go to the compound. I guess they should be warned."

"What about you Dad?" The boys argue.

"I have something to do first. I'll follow on the bike." He smirks at me. His sons don't argue any further. They disappear out the door. He pulls his oversized hunting knife out of its sheath as he approaches.
"You really know how to ruin a man's day."
Kneeling he presses the tip of the knife against my chest. I take a deep breath trying to control my emotions.

"My, my what a big knife you have. Are you compensating for something Shamus?" I say hiding my fear with sarcasm. He laughs a slight silver shine in his grey eyes.

"I'm almost sad that you won't ever know the answer to that." He says with an almost seductive tone.

He gently places his hand over my eyes like he is trying to spare a child an ugly sight. I try to struggle away. Feeling the cold steel knife at my throat makes me freeze. I feel his breath on my face.

"You've been a worthy adversary Queen Bitch." He whispers. I feel the blade slide lightly across my vulnerable throat. It stops short of cutting my jugular. I'm startled by the soft brush of his lips on mine. I don't dare move his knife is still at my throat. I fight the urge to bite him in retaliation. I won't he's a x hybrid. The thought of giving this monster the gift of shifting makes me sick. He pulls away his hand falls from my eyes. He looks as sickened as I feel.

Shamus's POV

I was going to kill her I had planned it to be violent. Then I go and cover her eyes like she's some innocent. Why couldn't I do it. I've killed females of her kind before in combat. She's chained helpless and weak from giving birth. It wouldn't have been very sporting of me. That's why it has to be I'm not going soft. Fuck I kissed her. She's an animal. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I look at her naked in chains. She glares at me. I almost smile. What a scrapper. The sounds of howls bring me back to my dire situation. Her mates are coming followed by several packs. Not my Idea of winning odds. I don't even have any guns. They're in the truck my sons took. I sheathe my knife grab my duster and hat and make a run for it. I mount the bike in a rush. I turn to see them coming. I crank the bitch over it roars to life. But I can't resist the urge to watch the beasts coming. Her mates are berserk. I grin the war is coming. I kick the bike in gear and speed off leaving the wolves in the dust.

Nikki's POV

I stop short of chasing the fucker. The sound of the heartbeat is drawing me into the house. I find the source and nuzzle the babies with my muzzle. My mind is calming. I breath in their scents. I hear a moan and turn to my mate. She's chained. I go to my knees to nuzzle. I hold her gently. I can think again and my body shifts from beast to man.

"Nikki." She sighs. Jason and Tom have followed me in. They kneel close to Nicole relieved to find her still breathing. Yennefer enters the room. She wrinkles her nose at the lingering smell of dead shifters. She shifts to her human form and begins to search in hopes of finding the keys to the chains. She finds them on the fire place mantel. She quickly releases Nicole. I lift her in my arms. Yennefer lays one of our daughters on Nicole's chest. I cradle them both. She hands two babies to Tom and one to Jason. She then rescues the poor panther cubs from their cage.
"Get me out of here" Nicole moans. weakly. I quickly do as she asks. As we pass through the front door She sighs as the cool morning breeze hits her bare skin.

I see my truck pull up. Courtney jumps out. I roll my eyes in agitation. Do any of my wives ever listen to me. I asked her to stay behind for her own safety. I sigh now is not the time to argue with her.

"Did you get him?" She asks.

"No he got away." I grunt. She's quiet after that. She just helps get Nicole and our babies wrapped up and into the truck. She hands me a pair of jeans with a smirk.

"Thought you might want these."

"Don't need them as a wolf. I'm going after him Court. I can't just let him get away." I grit my teeth.

'Nicole needs you by her side right now. That prick can wait. He's not going to go to far. She says pushing the jeans into my hands. I glance at Nicole who is passed out. Courtney is right. I have to care for and protect her right now. Chasen's death will have to come second, but it will happen and soon..