Black Forest (boyxboy)

Zeke

Chapter 14

Raven, Cal and I paused at the end of the tree-line, scanning the ominous building in front of us for any signs of movement and life. I didn't smell anything and from the uneasy look on Raven's face she couldn't either.

Cal sighed. "They're expecting us, aren't they?"

I nodded. "I think they are. Will they know you're here, and who you are?"

"It depends, I guess." He shrugged. "It just depends on who finds me."

Raven clenched her jaw, thinking. "If Cal is up for it-"

"I'm up for anything if it means I can help Erin," Cal chirped, interrupting.

"Okay, well if Cal is up for it, we could send him in as a decoy. If we're lucky the guards will be confused as to why a human is on the premises, and this will hopefully give you, Zeke, enough time to sneak around them and slide in."

"Where will you be?" I asked, already disliking the idea. There were too many "if's" and "maybe's," which meant it was too dangerous to send my pack in. However at this point if I wanted Erin back, I may not have a choice.

Raven ran a hand through her hair. "I will be out here standing watch. If I see a guard going near either of your locations and you need to scram, I'll hoot like an owl, got it?"

Cal nodded. I didn't really like this plan though. I focused on Cal, who swallowed. "If she hoots, run like the devil is biting at your heels. If she uses the signal it means it's too dangerous, and unfortunately I have to put you guys over Erin this one time. If something happens to either of you while we go to rescue him, he won't be able to forgive himself."

"I still don't like this feeling," Cal muttered. "Doesn't it kind of feel like we're being watched or something? Like they're waiting for us to make a move? I don't even know..."

I put a hand on his shoulder. "I get that feeling too, and if you don't want to go in, that's okay. Your job will be to distract the guards, and Raven, you will go get Erin, okay? I'll stand watch instead. I don't like the idea of either of you being caught unaware. Don't do anything except that, and then leave."

Raven narrowed her eyes. "It's probably a trap, so what will you be doing?"

I sighed, cracking my back. "Protecting you guys."

I shifted into wolf form, and nodded at them to move. With a calming breath and an unfazed swagger that impressed even Aries, Cal put a hand on his hip and walked right up to the guards at the front door. Running a hand through his hair he smiled flirtatiously at them, and I watched, wondering how on earth he could be this calm.

Raven passed one last glance at me before running forward, slipping towards the back of the building to look for a way in. My fur suddenly bristled, and I turned around to face a - mildly attractive - adult, who had blonde hair and brown eyes. However, he would've seemed immensely more attractive if he wasn't baring his teeth at me in a grin that promised pain.

>Zeke, who is this?< Aries asked, unnerved. Normally Aries was all confidence, but right now there was something about this man that made Aries uncomfortable. How strong was he?

The man crossed his arms, flexing lightly as he stared coldly at me. "What, you're so ill mannered you won't even shift when someone is trying to speak to you?"

I shifted, and he raked my body with a sneer. "Who are you?" I growled.

He rolled his eyes before performing a mock bow. "I am Alain Alistair, older twin to Lucas Alistair, and brother to Erin and Cal, but only on paper." He cocked a brow at me. "Am I correct in assuming you are Erin's vile excuse for a boyfriend?"

I bit back a growl. "I am. And if I don't kill you for what you've done-"

"What I've done?" He guffawed. "Don't be silly."

>Zeke, you talk too much< Aries whined in my head, and I huffed.

Alain reached in his pocket, and as soon as I saw the glimpse of silver I shifted and rolled out of the way, dodging the bullet.

Alain whistled. "You're faster than the others were. This should be fun."

I growled and lunged, aiming for his throat. He raised the gun and pulled the trigger, and I narrowly avoided getting shot.

Shaking my head I stalked around him, looking for an opening. His stance was perfect, knees slightly bent with a gun in one hand and a knife in the other, but what surprised me was the way he watched the ground, head slightly tilted, as though he were listening for my movements.

It was almost wolffish.

Rushing forward, I whipped around, sinking my teeth into the hand that held the dagger, causing him to cry out and drop it. He hit my face, once, twice, until I was forced to leap away before he did any real damage. He glared at me, cradling his hand before he released a strange breath and shut his eyes.

Creeping behind him, instead of just jumping straight forward I ran in a zigzag line before going for his ankles. He leapt in the air, spinning, and his steel-toed boot slammed into the side of my face. I let out a grunt as the smell of metal clouded my nostrils.

Before I could recover, he shot three bullets, all of which barely missed me as I danced around.

Alain checked his gun chamber, humming. "It seems I only have one bullet left, huh?" He lined up the gun, aiming at me. "This shot will have to be good, right?"

As soon as the crackling of the bullet split the air, I was moving. I was one foot away, and I was about to sink my teeth in-

>Zeke, move!<

Raven?

Pain pierced my chest, and I looked up, stunned. Alain had a smirk on his face, as he wiped off a gun different from the one before.

"Even though that was my last bullet, Mr. Zeke, I never said that was my last gun." He tore off a sleeve from his shirt and wrapped it around his injured hand. I choked, coughing up blood.

I happened to see Raven behind him, but I shook my head and she stopped, snarling. If I was in human form I would have smiled at the sight of an unconscious Erin resting on her back, held closely in Cal's arms.

Alain turned around, spotting Erin, and his expression grew cloudy.

"If you're going to take Erin, take him and go. I don't have a lot of time," he started, looking at me once again.

>Go< I ordered Raven. She hesitated. >Go!<

Whimpering, she spun and dashed away. I collapsed. Something warm slid beside me, tense, and I struggled to get a look at who it was.

>It's me, Zeke. Maren< I instantly relaxed.

Alain glanced Maren with a disgusted look before kneeling in front of me.

"Believe me or not, it's your choice. I never intended to kill you. If you noticed, I pulled my punches. However, I only did it for Erin. Even though I hate his guts, I don't want him to hate mine, which he would've if I killed you." He put a vial filled with purple liquid on Maren's paws. "The bullet I shot you with was a normal one, but you'll find it difficult to heal because you bit me."

He laughed. "I honestly didn't think you'd come close enough to. But my blood contains minor traces of wolfsbane, which you must be having a reaction to. Drink this, and treat my little brother right or so help me god..."

I was too weak to shift back to human form, so I just lifted my head in a failed nod. He got the point. "But thanks for a good fight. It's been a while since I felt pain like that."

He pursed his lips as neither Maren nor I moved. "Oh for Christ's sake, here." He twisted open the vial and poured it along my muzzle messily before turning and leaving without a word.

Steadily, the feeling in my limbs drifted back in and I shakily rose to my feet.

"Erin," I breathed. "I need to see Erin."

Meh, idk how I feel about this but whatever. I love Alain so much you don't understand!! Who is your favorite character so far? Drop some comments lovelies, I read them all :))