Wehren - Beginnings (Book 1) & Redemption (Book 2) (on hold)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“The girl means something to him.” I project to the pack. “We have to keep him from killing her.”

“Right. Ryan, with me, right flank. Kyle, Pete, you take left flank.” Said Zeke, my second in command, a place he definitely earned. Thinking of all the war he has seen, I wouldn’t want anyone else covering my back.

At this point we were closing in; I could hear the girls labored breathing and racing heart. She was holding her own running through the forest with her hair whipping behind her. It was remarkable how well she could see. A normal human would not have been able to maneuver through the dark trees. I wonder if she realizes how different she is. The smell coming from her was fear and blood mixed with…something else. She looked about thirteen, no match for Vladimir, especially when the bloodlust took him. You would think after this many centuries he would have developed some self control. But he hadn’t. I have come across countless scenes of violence, caused by his lack of discipline. He seems to be looking for something, but what, I don’t know. I feel like I am always a step behind, but not this time.

“We are not going to let him take her! Put some lead in it!”  Everyone was able to hear my thoughts at the same time, due to the pack bond.

As we chase after my brother and his prey my mind wanders back to that day…the image of my brother standing in the glow of the fire, covered in the blood of everyone that I held dear. The malice I saw in his eyes and the look of insanity plastered across is face. I think he lost his grip on reality that day. I can’t let him do it again.

Ahead of me the girl breaks into a clearing and stops abruptly, coming face to face with my brother. She seems to realize she is in trouble because she picks up a stick and faces off against him.

“Plucky, isn’t she.” Say’s Ryan. “I am impressed, most of his victims try and hide or stand there screaming.”

“I can’t let this happen again!” before I know what I am doing I follow her into the clearing, knock her down, and mark her.

“Vasek!” Vladimir shrieks at me. “I will kill you for that!”

“She’s mine now.” I growl at him. “Just try and take her. You know you can’t beat me.”

I glance back at the forest and the rest of the pack emerges. “Take up position around her, no one gets by; rip the throats out of anyone who tries.” The six who follow Vladimir start to fade back into the trees, not wanting to die today.

“This group is a little smarter than the last ones.” Zeke says with a hint of a laugh behind the comment.

“Rumor must have gotten out about how they found his previous groupies.” Ryan quipped.

I glance at the girl, who at this point is sitting up, aware of the conversation, but unable to hear it. She really is unusual.

A low growl starts emanating from Vladimir. I turn and lock eyes with him, my cool silver with his bright red, seething with unspoken hatred. “I will kill her, and I will make it last. When I took Chessa and that brat I was too quick.” A feral snarl escaped his mouth, and saliva started to run down his chin at the thought of more bloodshed. “I will make you watch! You won’t be able to do anything about it!” he screamed, his eyes taking on a slightly crazed look.

Unable to hold my anger in check any longer, I launch myself at Vlad, who answers in kind. I sink my teeth into the soft area under his chin. He yelps but is able to squirm out, turning he bites my leg while we roll, I get another grip on his neck but it isn’t solid. Reason wins out over anger, and Vladimir runs into the forest, following his pack mates.