Wolfborn: Picking Up The Pieces

Eyes On Me

Dakota's roar filled the room and both males exploded into a flash of fur. The deadly hazel coated form of Zachary lunged after Dakota's neck, barely missing it by an inch as the Alaskan dire jumped back. Their fur bristled as the duo faced off. The crowd shot back a good few feet, each Alpha flying to their respective mates and getting them away as quickly as possible from the fray as the pair had at it, teeth snapping as Zach lunged and missed Dakota's throat by several inches. It had been quite some time since he had been locked in the heat of battle, yet the adrenaline was fuelling him to move with the grace of a young warrior. Rearing his head back and exposing his belly for a few moments, he was suddenly bowled over, sending him skittering across the marble as he struggled to grapple the smooth floor. A yelp escaped him as Zachary's paws collided with his ribs. How could he fight back, especially with Melanie Blood-bonded with this male?! Not only that, but the young they had created together-- they were present, and what a gift, might he add! Suddenly, the entire world was upon his shoulders and his head was whirling. He had so many to protect, to fight for, and here he was, sprawled on the floor. Move! Melanie's wolf urged Dakota only for the Alaskan dire to do as he was told. He shot his paws, running towards their enemy.

He rolled, kicked and then shot to his paws, skidding before propelling himself forward. Snapping at Zachary's heels, he waited for him to rear his hind legs up and latched onto one of his sprawling legs. A shriek escaped Melanie and she collapsed in agony, immediately causing his jaws to throw open, his ears flattening as his attention bounced between the ravenette and her injured husband. Blood pooled on the cold surface of the floor in spatters of garnet. Quitting now? Zachary's wolf snarled, voice rattling between his ears. Dakota whined. He didn't want to hurt him! He couldn't, otherwise Melanie would feel every bit of tearing flesh, or maming. You haven't got any fight in you, huh, old man?!

His head wrenched around. Melanie!* he thought towards her, only for Zachary to charge him once more. Dakota, this time, hopped back upon his hind-legs, giving him the opening he needed. The tawny wolf dove in and his teeth met the flesh just below his ribs. Thatcher's wolf squeaked and cried out, yelping continuously as he swept with massive paws, knocking the smaller canine aside with a powerful blow. He could feel the wound throb, garnet staining his flawless alabaster pelt. Melanie, I'm sorry! Raising a paw in agony, he kept his head low and peered over at the young woman, every instinct within him willing him to go to her, until suddenly Zachary let out a growl.

NO! YOU, FOCUS ON ME!

Dakota felt his anger return then in one ball, burning brighter than the sun. His head reared and the whites of his eyes showed, cloudy and non. DO NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO, WELP! With that, the two clashed, barking continuously as they snapped at each other's faces. Dakota ducked and smashed the top of his head up into Dakota's chin, and as he was careening back, bewildered, he reared and slammed his powerful legs down over his shoulders, bones cracking beneath his weight. Melanie's whimpers and cries of misery were drowned out as he closed his jaws around Zachary's ear and tore, leaving half of it hanging.

He swatted Zachary to the side and sent him sprawling, the tables turning as he approached, muzzle smeared with blood and his lips curled up in aggression. Michelle's grasp from where she held her sister in fear and comfort tightened. I oughta put your sorry ass down, boy,* his wolf projected. *But, like any Alpha, I'll let ya plead y'r case and go free. One condition: you leave me n' Blackmane alone, and there won't be any trouble... This includes my Alphess. His growls rumbled deep within his chest, whines of pity coming from the wounded Alpha at his feet. Zachary looked like a frightened Omega with the position he was taking on. With one paw, Dakota held his head down upon the cold ground.

Yield n' I'll let ya leave! his wolf urged. Zachary strained and then deflated, giving into his demands. With that, Dakota huffed and turned away, head lowered as he looked through eyes uncertain at the woman who carried his young. Daniel took a step toward him, only to flinch and cry out. "ALPHA!" he shouted, but he was too late. Somehow managing to fight the agony within his dislocated and battered shoulders, Zachary lunged toward him. Wheeling around just in time, Dakota realized he had come from his blind side, and with a snarl, he bucked and caught him by the mouth. Melanie choked aloud. Her jaw felt as though it was being crushed between Dakota's canines. Her breath caught and then she was choking. The untamed agony set in and Melanie collapsed to the floor. Her jaws parted as blood seemed to bubble up within her mouth choking her, choking Zachary simultaneously as they struggled to breathe.

Thatcher threw Zachary to the ground, the sound of flesh, cartilage and bone breaking free from its socket tearing out into the shocked silence. The ravenette's voice filled the entire mansion, reverberating off the walls as the battle came to a close and he dropped Zachary's severed jaw at his paws from where he had tossed him clear over his head, his limp, suffering tawny frame sliding across the floor until it hit Michelle's feet. Dakota panted heavily, blood was dripping from his gored chin and throat, as he looked upon Zachary's sputtering, jawless form. The Alpha slowly but surely began to die, his quivering sides growing still.

Thud, Thud, Thud.

The final heartbeats were distinct within Melanie's chest which allowed the Alphess to gasp out loud in an effort to catch her breath. The attachment between her and Zachary had ceased and thus the ravenette had regained her freedom.  "Melanie! Mellie are you alright?" Michelle demanded, her hands coming to gently caress her sister's cheeks. Their matching jade pools meeting for the first time in months full of bewilderment. "He- he's dead.." Melanie whispered softly. As Michelle nodded in confirmation. "Your pup's father, I'm so-" Her sister's finger pressed against her cracked lip. "Don't be." Sadness lined Michelle's gaze, as they both remained locked in on one another. "He had it coming. If it wasn't Dakota. It would have been me." "But you loved him-" Melanie protested. "I loved an image of what I thought he was." Michelle confirmed. Her sister's head turned to look at Dakota who now held on Sophie so tightly. "You chose better." "I never chose.." The Alphess corrected, "he never wanted me." Her eyes parted from her sister's face. Unable to continue the exchange of words as the other girl helped her up.

"I've never seen a male fight like that unless he was fighting for his Alphess."