Chasing Wolves (completed)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Meg-Elaine

Dodging a monstrous paw, I see an opening and take it, Jabbing my blade up under its chin and killing it. That's one of the advantages of having a sword instead of daggers; you don't have to get as close, thus preventing many unnecessary risks.

There's a lull in the fighting and during that split second I hear the door open. I turn to it, grateful to Eli for having my back so that I can take my eyes away from the fighting for a second, and see Lin, looking at Iz with surprise. He turns to look back inside and I barely see Rob and Lanny from over his shoulder. Lin appears to be trying to restrain them and keep them in the building, even though Rob's straining against his arm and has already pushed them all to just outside the door.

Rob looks around past Lin, astonishment written all over him as he takes in the carnage that is now everywhere in the church's clearing, and looks like he's about to say something. He never gets a chance as, out of nowhere, a Were knocks Lin away and sends him flying into the garden, its claws raking across Lanny's neck and Rob's chest.

Iz screams behind me from where she just killed one near the trees and I can't help but stand here in shocked silence as the horror of what happened slowly sinks in.

A black blur flies by me, knocking me off my feet, and I watch as Romulus' Wolf attacks the Were that came out of nowhere and wrecked so much havoc. In a second Rom's bitten into its neck and killed it, dropping its body before going to sit beside Lanny and whimpering at her. She lifts her hand, patting his snout as her body trembles in between convulsions. Her body's losing blood too fast for there to be any way to save her and they both seem to know it, accepting it and spending their last moments together side by side. He puts a paw on her neck and I can only imagine he's trying to staunch the blood- but it doesn't work, it just continues to ooze past his fur onto the stone walkway. She gives him one last smile before her body shudders and she lies still.

He howls, the sound changing into a scream of despair as he changes back to a human and clutches her blood-soaked body to his chest, seemingly willing life to return to her.

I take a step towards him, trying to offer any comfort I can, and he growls at me, clutching her closer protectively. I should have known better; after all I've been through I've learned that comforting words count for nothing and that simple time to grieve by yourself is much more appreciated.

Turning back to the fighting I nearly walk into Eli's chest and I can't help but wrap my arms around him as he quivers with pent up emotions. He squeezes me back, way too hard for comfort, but I don't complain.

Isadora

I watch as Lin flies into a tree by the church and crumples to the ground, not moving. On autopilot, I run over and kneel by his side, taking his head into my lap as some of the blood on my dress transfers itself onto his shirt. His eyes are closed but before I can start panicking I see his chest rise and fall evenly; he's alive! After a few not-so-gentle smacks to his cheek he stirs, making me exclaim in delight as he opens his eyes and looks into mine. Relief floods through me and all I can do is smile as I lean forward and kiss him. "Are you okay, sweetie?"

He looks around dazed for a second before shaking his head and groaning as he pulls himself up to sitting. Clutching his head he finally answers, "my head hurts, but otherwise I'm fine. What happened?"

Removing his hand, I tilt his head forward and notice the little stream of blood that's already stopped running from a cut at the back of his head as I explain. Let's hear it for quick healing. "You were thrown by a Were and knocked out when you hit the tree." I point to the offending tree and he gives it a little glare before noticing something over my shoulder.

"What's going on over there?" He points over my shoulder and I follow his gaze to where everyone but Meg is gathered around the door to the church. Meg is off killing the last of the Werewolves. Perfect timing, too, the sun is just starting to light the horizon over the trees.

I pull myself to my feet and he follows before I can offer my hand to help him. We link hands as we walk over to the others and Eli sees us and moves out of the way as we approach. His face and eyes are red and it takes a second for me to realize he's been crying. I ask him what happened, gaining everyone's attention, and everyone takes a step away from the three figures in the middle.

I notice Romulus first, his snarling face startling me for a second before my eyes drift to what's in his blood-covered arms. My mind spends no time dwelling on the fact that he's naked, and instead I'm suddenly frozen in place as I take in Lanny. What I can tell from her body, what's not crushed against Romulus' bare chest, is that she's covered in still-fresh blood, her eyes closed as her body stays perfectly still.

With the realization that she's dead I give a little sob as my chest aches, leaning into Lin's arms as I feel him struggling to breathe.

My eyes drift once more and I scream as I take in the other person on the ground. Rob's so pale; far too pale to be healthy and it takes me a second to look away from his face to realize why. His chest is bright red, blood completely soaked through the shirt that's been tied onto him to staunch the blood.

The most delicious smell I've ever smelled assails me and I practically start salivating. Realizing that its his blood (my brother's blood!) I nearly gag from revulsion. I've never smelled exposed human blood before and it's far too delicious, even more so than vampire blood.

With the shock of everything that's just happened and the after-effects of my adrenaline high, I succumb to the darkness, gladly embracing the chance to escape this madness.