Nightclaw: Blood Moon Apex

Chapter 15: Take Me Instead

Later that night, after everyone else in Darkveil Manor had gone to sleep, Carla took the burlap sack containing Bertie Baker's body, transformed into Nightclaw, and hastily made her way towards the poacher massacre site from the previous night.

Okay, General Vultur..... she thought to herself. We gave you what you wanted.....now please just leave us alone.

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At the now-former murder scene—which had already been completely cleared out—Remus, the Order of Blood's alpha, was already present and waiting on Nightclaw to arrive with Baker, still not aware that she and her team had accidentally killed him during the extraction. He heard some rustling in the greenery behind him, and, sure enough, Nightclaw eventually emerged with the sack.

I have him.....just as I promised, the female werewolf said. Let us hope this goes over well.

Remus gave a slight smile. Wonderful. Let's see it.

Nightclaw hesitated for a moment before opening the sack and showing the alpha Baker's body. It wasn't too out of shape, but there was a notable amount of dry blood inside the bag, as well as a few broken bones.

The cellphone used to locate Baker's safe house was also inside, as well as the eagle's beam muzzle that Vultur had previously given Remus and Nightclaw.

.....You all killed him? Already? Remus asked worriedly. General Vultur wished to kill him herself.....

I know, I know..... Nightclaw responded with a whimper. I messed up.....I messed up badly. We still have him, though, so.....better than nothing, I guess?

Remus turned his head towards the exact point where he and Nightclaw had met Vultur for the first time, then swiveled back around to Nightclaw and the sack. Okay. Let's put the muzzle on him and alert Vultur. Hopefully she's understanding.....

The two werewolves then gently fixed the eagle's beak muzzle over Bertie Baker's nose and mouth. As soon as it clicked into place, it began emitting a soft yellow glow, and Remus and Nightclaw could hear the sound of flapping wings getting closer and closer.

Sure enough, General Vultur had returned, with the majestic eagle wings on her tribal gear having gotten her to the meeting site very quickly. "I received your signal, and came as fast as I could," she greeted. "I assume you have done as I requested?"

General Vultur..... Nightclaw began, addressing the enigmatic eagle by her title to avoid disrespect. We ran into a little snag.....

"Define 'little snag'," Vultur ordered, her grip on her staff tightening slightly.

The red-furred werewolf unsealed the sack once again and dumped Bertie Baker's body at the general's feet, as well as the cellphone used to locate him.

".....You killed him already?" the general asked. Much to the werewolves' surprise, Vultur actually looked rather amused instead of angry. "Ha! And here I thought the Order had become a bunch of pacifist cowards." Her face then melted into a frown. "However, I asked for you to take him in alive so my forces could execute him. Now I should start thinking about the punishment for you two."

What?! Nightclaw exclaimed. But.....but you can't do that! We did everything you said! We even killed him for you so you wouldn't have to do it!

"But my kind lives to deliver justice," Vultur protested. "Especially to those who would defile Earth's species. Why do you think we orchestrated this poacher massacre?"