Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 59 P2: Alpha of the Paramount Pack

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Lycer's POV

I jolt awake. 'Celestial?' I look to see her also awake, equally startled. 'Please tell me that's your mate.'

She whispers back, "Definitely not."

I'm quick to stand, moving myself to stand in front of Celestial. She pushes herself up with a struggle. The second coat falls to the ground. She doesn't bother to retrieve it.

I study the forest, scanning the trees to find if anyone is watching.

"Maybe it was just-"

A force hits my side and sends me spinning to the ground. Cold and wet earth weaves itself into my fur. My jaw bounces as I come to a halt.

The growl sounds again.

I push myself up as an ache forms in my jaw. A wolf with an inky black fur, greasy in appearance, snarls at me. The left side of its face and body have no fur, instead veins protrude. And the eye on that side seems to sink deeper into its face. 'Karlin?' He doesn't respond.

I glance to the direction I flew from to find Celestial backing up as she eyes the scene in front of her. Her eyes catch mine. I give her a subtle nod.

Karlin growls again. By the time I look, he's running straight for me. I run to the left, causing Karlin to launch to nothing, tumbling to the ground much like I had just done. I back up cautiously. He catches himself, claws sinking into the wet earth. He's fast to launch himself again. This time, I'm ready.

I side step him again, biting into the fur of his side as he comes to an abrupt halt not far from where I was previously standing. Blood invades my mouth as my bite is more successful than I initially thought it would be. Karlin growls, ripping himself away from me and his now separated chunk of flesh. I spit it straight at him; it lands not a foot away as he backs up.

He prepares to attack again and I prepare to defend. Defend my freedom. Defend Celestial's freedom. Protect Celestial.

Like the previous attempt, I'm ready for his launch. I turn my head inward and jut my shoulder into his oncoming throat. He whines at the assault. Steadying himself on his feet, he growls a sound deep in his chest. I let out my own growl. It echoes off the trees into the sharp air. Karlin's ears go back momentarily at the sound. Then he growls again. His fur, save for his furless left side, spikes up. He chops at the air, a threat. I snarl back, not as loud as my growl before.

Then he looks back at her. In the split second I glance in her direction, he takes off running. 'Don't do something you'll regret!' I spin on my heel, chasing after him. I nip at his heels and he kicks back, leaving him in an awkward gallop. 'Karlin!' I leap, tackling him to the ground. We roll several times before I land on top. 'Hurt her and I'll kill you,' I threaten. He doesn't respond.

His eyes don't even glaze over as I link him.