War of the Griffins

Chapter 4

That insolent little brat won't stop my plans. Matthew paced through his office, his eyes narrowed, trying to find anything he could take his anger out on. He scanned the area around his desk and let out a growl as he grabbed a photo of his brother's family. He stared at it for a moment before another sharp, low growl escaped his lips. Though it was the sound of glass as it broke that all but filled his ears as he sent the picture into the wall farthest from him.

"I have to find a way to stop her foolish little attempts to stop me and my brother," he hissed as he glared daggers at the shattered frame on the floor, "even if it means killing my niece."

"Father? Is everything alright?"

Matthew turned to see his daughter in the doorway, and he sighed as he tried to temper the flames of anger inside him before he nodded his head curtly. "Everything is fine Elizabeth, tell your mother I'll be out of here in a moment for lunch."

Elizabeth nodded, skipping out of the doorway toward the kitchen.

Matthew sighed softly, gripping the edge of his desk tightly. He winced as he heard a slight crack in the wood, a growl escaping his lips again as he let go. "My niece and her brat are going to be a thorn in my side, I just know it. Have to get rid of them... discreetly."

He took out his cell phone, dialing one of his contacts, before putting it to his ear.

What do you need Matthew?

"Your services Damien, there's a pest I need squashed." Matthew frowned, his eyes narrowing, "I need this done discreetly. Like an accident. You and I cannot be connected to this."

Name? And where can I find them?

"Carolyn MacCloud and Evelyn Crowe. You can find them at the old MacCloud Residence."

Shit man. Your niece? What happened?

"She's getting in the way of plans, just get it done Damien. Now," he hissed as he hung up the call, his eyes flashed as he slammed the phone down onto the desk.

"Soon, I won't have to worry about them. I can focus on taking over the court. My brother won't even know I ever betrayed him until it's too late." He smirked and his eyes flashed again. "I'll finish what my grandfather started. I will rule the court and gain the power he sought. If it's the last thing I do."

Damien stretched back, running his sword over the grindstone. His pointed ears stuck out from his short spiked hair, and once he was finished sharpening his blade, he wiped his sleeve over his brow.

I might go for a run before I plan out the job. Matt has been getting a lot more hostile lately since he found out about that Carolyn girl. Damien shook his head as he felt his body grow colder, almost as if icicles pierced each and every joint and muscle inside him.

His entire body began to ripple as he knelt, his eyes glowing a bright crimson before his shift completed. There instead of a man of six foot stood a beast of four with glowing red eyes. Black fur covered its body as it let loose a low howl, almost akin to a wolf yet more monstrous.

What to hunt today? Damien shook his furry head before bounding off, slipping through the opened door frame, closing it with a hard flick of his tail. He lifted his muzzle inhaling deeply, grinning as several scents filled his nose.

He bared his lips, his canine's gleaming in the light as he crouched, balancing his weight between his paws. There in front of him, he shifted his gaze around locking on to a deer happily nibbling on grass. He settled himself lower in the tall foliage, stalking ever so closer.

Snap!

In an instant, the deer looked up ears twitching before it bounded into the stream to cross. Damien huffed, jolting forward, the thud of his paws hard against the earth before the cool water soaked into his fur.