Red String {EDITING}

Arrow's Arrival

Blagmoor Castle was abuzz that morning, even more so than usual, especially at breakfast. Despite how everyone was smiling and talking normally, Lyra could feel it. An element of tension. Something was coming. And it was coming soon.

Everyone was on edge, their sharp ears straining to hear everything within the grounds of the grey-walled fortress they called Blagmoor Castle. Well... Everyone except from Rylan and Blaze who were far too busy having a stare-off at the dining table they were sitting around.

"Would you two give it a rest?" Blu sighed. "We need to get down to business."

"You know they'll be here soon..." Alpha Black said, running a hand through his messy blonde hair. "We need to prepare."

"Oh dear Goddess..." Thorn rolled his eyes, watching as the two men continued to glare at each other. At least until Lyra cracked them both over the head with a frying pan.

"Well..." Blu blinked. "That's one way of dealing with it..." He said, watching as Blaze slumped forwards onto the table.

"Oww." Rylan rubbed his head, wincing slightly as he turned to watch Lyra put down her weapon of choice.

"Listen to them, Rylan..." She sighed, resting both hands on his knees as she stared at him imploringly. "Unless you want Omega Taurus to kidnap me again."

One hand closed around her wrist, yanking her off her feet and into his lap in an instant. "They won't touch you." Pale blue eyes bore down into her brown ones. "I'd never let them take you."

"Focus, Rylan." Blu ordered, yanking his attention away from his mate's lips, and onto the map that was now sprawled across the table. "We still have no idea where Omega Taurus's main base is..."

"It's somewhere in the Eldwood Forest up north." Thorn said.

Blu closed his eyes. "The Eldwood Forest is massive. We've been searching through it ever since Arrow found some information about their base..."

"Arrow thought he'd located it. That's why he left on that mission with his team." Thorn folded his arms. "Hopefully he'll report back with some form of good news."

"We can only hope..." Rylan said, staring at the forest drawn on the map. "He should be arriving back any day from now."

"He could be another two weeks for all we know."

"Blake is right." Blu sighed, glancing over at the grey-eyed blonde. "We can't rely on Arrow getting back to us. He could be anywhere right now."

"What are you going on about?" A purple-haired figure slumped against the door, blood coating his pasty white face, his purple hair dyed red. "I'm right here."

"Arrow?!" Hunter was at his side in an instant.

Pink eyes met Rylan's. "We've got a problem."

***

"Lyra!" Rylan tossed a sword her way. "You know how to use that, right?"

"Of course." She rolled her eyes, sliding it into the sheath at her waist, glancing at the other Alphas as they armoured up. Some of the others were already outside in wolf form, keeping a watch on the castle.

Omega Taurus were coming.

Arrow had told them that much before promptly collapsing and being carried off to Blagmoor Castle's hospital. Hunter was there too, preparing all the medical supplies in case of an emergency.

Rylan was by her side, like always, though this time he was dressed in a set of light black armour, covering his chest, arms and legs. It was a matching set to Lyra's own armour, though hers was much lighter, with more leather than metal.

"That looks better than I expected on you..." Rylan remarked, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

"How were you expecting it to look?" Lyra asked, smiling slightly as she glanced down at the shiny new armour. It'd been made as soon as Rylan had found her, so she hadn't had a chance to wear it before that day.

"Well... It doesn't leave very much to the imagination..." He mumbled, biting his lip.

"Hurry up, you two." Blu grabbed them both by the arm, hauling them up the stairs and out of the armoury in the basement. "We don't have time to-"

A howl pierced the air.

Lyra's eyes narrowed, one hand clenching the hilt of her sword. "They're here."

"So it would seem." The Alpha clad in black and blue armour spoke, just as they raced out onto the snowy white field.

Rylan blinked, staring at the white flakes tumbling down from the cloudy sky. "Snow?!"

"Frost is here." She scowled.

"I've already bagsied him." Thorn said, appearing next to them in a set of white armour. "I still have to pay him back for what he did to my wings last time."

"Are we taking any of them in alive?" Blaine materialised out of thin air, purple and black armour glinting out from under his black coat.

"If we can." Her mate shrugged. "Blaine can teleport any we catch straight to the cells."

"But if comes down to us or them, then we'll have no choice." Blu said, pausing as a blonde snout nudged his leg. "What's up, Blaze?"

"That's Blaze?" Lyra peered down at the wolf, her eyes narrowing on the wolfish green eyes staring back at her, watching as he stared out across the field.

"Where are the others?!"

"They're scattered throughout the forest and grounds..." Blu said, just as a black wolf appeared out from the bushes.

Lightning crackled in Lyra's hands.

"Relax." Her mate's hand clamped down on her shoulder. "It's Dusk. He's friendly." He said, watching as the other Alpha swiftly disappeared behind the nearest tree. A man appeared moments later, striding towards them in just a set of loose black trousers, his umber skin glistening under the snowfall which was getting heavier by the second.

"I'll make this quick." Dusk muttered, shivering slightly as a small gale picked up. "We've detected no signs of an ambush or any underhand trickery, which means they're probably going to come at us head on." His arms crossed across his chest. "They'd only do that if they're confident in their strength, so some of the others will be joining you here soon. Me, Black and Knight will be remaining on watch around the grounds, just in case they happen to try anything funny."

"Thank you, Dusk." Rylan nodded, watching as the Alpha swiftly returned to four paws.

True to his word, five minutes later another few Alphas joined them, tooth and claw at the ready. That was handy, though, since that was when they came into view.

Omega Taurus.

-----

ILLENIS HERE

Finally.

It's here.

The final showdown... Well... Of this book anyway.

So hang around till next time, where they'll hopefully be some action. Hope you all had a good Christmas wherever you are.

See ya.

-----