Ch 8

“Okay, just let me do all the talking when we meet the alpha.” Blade whispers to Zadie as they follow the brown and black werewolf ahead of them.

The others surround them, making a circle in case they try making a break for it.

“I don’t understand what alpha wants with a Slayer and a good for nothing vampire.” The black werewolf named Mason grumbles from behind them.

“You're still new to this, so your nose isn’t as keen as ours.” Another response.

“What’s That supposed to mean?” Mason demands with a deep growl.

The brown and black wolf looks back at the other wolves, “Enough, we’re here.”

Walking towards the cracked cement steps with chips missing here and there, looking as if they will fall apart at any moment. An abandoned two-story building rests in front of them. A large wooden sign hangs on it with the first word completely unreadable, old with age. The second word, however, is a bit clearer. Zadie makes out the word School just before they enter.

As soon as the doors are shut behind them, four werewolves go off on their own, hurrying into closed doors around them. The brown and black werewolf is the only one who remains.

Zadie hunkers down behind Blade, not wanting to be seen. The large brown door at the end of the hall opens, revealing a large lounge. A fireplace sparks and crackles on the far wall.

A girl stands there staring at the fire with her strawberry blond hair glowing against the fire's light falling to her shoulders. Zadie peeks around Blade just as the brown and black wolf morphs into his human form. Zadie quickly hides behind Blade again, not wanting to see a naked man.

“Get dressed. Thank you for bringing them here.”

The naked man nods, striding to the left exiting out a door.

“So, what are you two doing in my territory?” She turns around, her amber eyes shooting Blade like knives.

“Like I said before, we’re only here because I was questioning Elsbeth Moonfall about the Rogue vampire. We were on our way out of your territory when your pack showed up wanting to pick a fight.” Blades crosses his arms, very annoyed by all this.

“Well, I’m sorry for my pack's hostility, but they were just protecting our territory.” She moves away from the fireplace sitting on the red velvet couch nearby.

Zadie doesn’t move from behind Blade's back, not wanting to draw any attention to herself.

“Please make yourselves comfortable.” She gestures to the twin crouch across from her.

Blade moves, sitting on the couch, leaving Zadie standing there alone.

Zadie introduces herself nervously, ”Hello, I’m Zadie.”

“I am Cinder, alpha of the Night Howlers pack.”

Zadie gives a shy smile then quickly sits beside Blade on the couch. The doors open, two men walk in. The naked man from before, now clothed, stands beside Cinder while the other smaller male stands behind the couch Zadie and Blade sit on.

“You wanted to talk?” Blade says, not letting his guard down for a second.

“Yes, first, can I see your slayer mark to confirm you are who you say you are?” Cinder crosses her legs, leaning back into the seat. Her royal blue shirt reads

Property of Nobody.

“I’m surprised you know about it; not many do.” Blade pulls his T-shirt down slightly. He swipes a finger over his upper chest, a black circle appears with the letter SO in it, then quickly disappears.

“Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of Slayers.” Cinder looks away from his mark, gazing into Blades eyes, winking at him,

Blade pulls his shirt back up, still composed. The man built like a tank with a crew cut rolls his eyes at his alpha’s flirtations towards the Slayer. Zadie feels someone sniff the back of her neck, sending chills down her spine.

“Wait, this vampire also smells like a human. Now that I’m up close, I can smell the difference.” The curly black haired boy says from behind Zadie.

He goes around the couch, sitting next to Zadie.

“Yeah, that’s what I meant earlier when I said your nose isn’t as keen as ours, Mason.”

“If you would have just explained, Clovis, it would have been easier to understand.”

“Some things are best learned by oneself.” Clovis glances at Zadie with a look of curiosity in his eyes.

“Anyways, did you need something from the Slayer Organization?” Blade says, getting back on track.

“Yes, actually.” Cinder leans in closer as if what she’s about to share is a secret.

“I have a member of my pack who recently went rabid.”

Blade's eyes widen, “And you haven’t reported this to the Organization?” Blade stands in a flash.

“No, because they would just use her for some science experiment. She’s locked up. Everyone is safe, don’t worry.” Cinder waves her hand as if it’s no big deal. Blade turns to the fireplace, his shoulders relaxing. “At least it’s not running amuck in the streets.”

“What exactly is a rabid werewolf? I’ve heard the term before. Just don't have a clue what it is.” Mason chimes in, sitting on the edge of the couch intrigued; Zadie learns forward also interested.

“For example, when an animal is bitten by another animal with rabies spreading the virus to said animal. It’s like that, except it’s with werewolves and humans being much more aggressive.” Clovis walks to the fireplace, “No one’s quite sure where it originated from. Some speculate a werewolf got bitten by a wild animal who had it mutating once transferred to the new host.” Clovis explains as he stokes the fire.

Blade turns to everyone. “It’s very deadly to humans and werewolves. Other outer wolders don’t seem to be as affected by it. However, cases have been popping up in two other cities. Hearing someone here in Fantasia city is infected raises a red flag that must be reported immediately.” Blade pulls his phone from his pocket. Cinder quickly stands, snatching it out of his hand using her wolf speed.

“Don’t make any hasty decisions.” Blade glares at Cinder, not bothering to try getting it back, knowing it would only cause a fight.

“There’s no cure for it. Having a live subject to test possible vaccines on would be valuable. The Slayer Organization has some of the best scientists at our disposal.” Blade tells her the facts.

Cinder growls deeply at Blade's words. Clovis and Mason watch with anticipation, ready to jump to Cinders aid if need be.

Zadie silently prays that Blade will not say another word that will upset these werewolves, not wanting both of them torn to pieces.

Suddenly there's a loud crash, moans of pain followed by heavy footsteps. Everyone's head snaps in the noise's direction. The door slams open, and a wolf pup enters the room, seemingly getting larger by the second, growling while baring its canines as white foam drops from its mouth. Its bloodshot eyes look around the room at all the now standing warm bodies.

“I thought you said it was locked up?” Blade turns to Cinder.

“She was. I guess she got out.”

Blade pulls his silver dagger back out, getting in a stance ready to define himself. “If you stab her with that, she will surely die.” Clovis barks at Blade.

“Well, I’m not going to let her kill me nor infect me.”

The giant white wolf pup steps closer to them, observing them. It stands four feet tall, looking to be about six feet long.

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.” A little girl's voice echoes in Zadie's mind.

“I won’t let it come to that.” Cinder and Clovis run towards the wolf in an attempt to restrain her. Nonetheless, the wolf smacks Clovis with a giant paw sending him flying into the wall where he’s rendered unconscious as he slumps to the floor.

“Everything is ok, just calm down, Luna. We just want to help you.” Cinder soothes her as she slowly approaches her.

“Stay behind me.” Blade instructs Zadie without a hint of hesitance to his voice.

Zadie remains behind him, her hands begin to quiver. She clenches them into fists, trying to stomp out her fear.

Zadie spots Cinder only a few feet away from the Snow White wolf. Zadie glances at Mason, noticing he is no longer there. She searches around the room, spotting him sneaking to the other side of the wolf as Cinder distracts her.

“We’re going to figure out how to make you better. You just got to hang in there.” Cinder smiles at the wolf with hope.

The wolf pup shakes her head, trying to get a hold of herself.

“It hurts so much, Cinder. I don’t know how much longer I can take the pain.” Zadie hears the little girl cry out.

Mason springs high in the air, landing on her back. Luna snarls, jumping up and down in an attempt to shake him off. But, instead, the floor begins to vibrate from the force.

“Liar, you just want to get rid of me!” Luna yells in betrayal.

Cinder grabs hold of Luna's neck to calm her down, yet it has the opposite effect. Luna starts slamming her body against the walls trying to get them off. Mason finally falls to the floor after the fifth hit.

“Should we do something?” Zadie says, feeling helpless just standing on the sidelines watching the horrible scene take place.

“We can’t help without the risk of getting infected, I have no idea how to calm her down, and I don’t want to kill her unless there are no other options... it’s starting to look that way.” Blade comes to a conclusion as Luna slams into the wall an eighth time.

Cinder hangs on to Luna's neck, ignoring the pain she’s in, hoping Luna will soon tire herself out.

Zadie begins brainstorming, trying to figure something out, so no one ends up dead.

Although Luna soon realizes she’s getting nowhere by slamming Cinder against the wall, she stops a moment catching her breath.

“If you can settle down and revert back into your human form, Luna, we can talk. We’ll figure something out.” Cinder tells her as she gently pets Luna's soft fur.

Zadie hears the girl start to cry, “I can’t trust anyone; you will just end up throwing me away too.”

More foam leaks from the wolf’s muzzle. She coughs, blood shoots out onto the floor.

“It hurts, hurts, please help me.” A low rumble builds up in the wolf's throat, the wolf abruptly starts rolling over on the floor.

Cinder hears a few cracks as her ribs burst with pain from having the heavy wolf roll on top of her. Cinder releases the wolf's fur, laying still unable to move on the floor.

“Alright, I got to take her down before she kills someone.” Blade strides forward, Zadie follows behind him.

Luna pushes herself up, eyeing the Slayer, who holds a shiny silver knife in hand, ready to end her life like it means nothing.

“Your name is Luna, right?” Zadie steps out from behind Blade. “Hi, My name is Zadie.”

Blade starts to stop her, but Zadie holds up a hand cutting him off.

Luna sniffs the air catching the girl’s scent. She smells nice, like lavender.

“Listen, I know you’re in pain. I want to help you. But, is there any way you can calm down first? We don’t want anyone getting seriously injured, now do we?”

Zadie gestures to the three unconscious people on the floor. Luna looks around at them, noticing what she has done.

“I never meant to hurt anyone,” Luna sobs.

“I know you didn’t. You just want us to understand what you’re going through.” Zadie replies softly.

Luna gazes down at Zadie, “You can hear me?”

“Yes, I can.” Zadie notices out of the corner of her eye that Clovis is beginning to wake up.

“So you’re different like me?”

Her fluffy tail begins to wag slightly with excitement.

Zadie’s unsure what she means by that. Blade shifts his weight as he watches Zadie speak with this creature.

Luna takes Blades’ sudden movement as a threat, feeling the anger and pain rise up once more in her. She lunges at Blade. He quickly holds up his silver dagger, ready to strike her, ending this madness once and for all.

Time slows down for Zadie. She doesn't want Luna killed, nor does she want Blade infected by this virus. Before she has time to think it through, Zadie stands between them just in time, feeling Luna's sharp canines sink into her shoulder as claws scratch her back.

Zadie falls to the floor with Luna's muzzle still firmly attached to her shoulder. Zadie isn’t sure if it’s from the sudden pain, but Luna seemed to be shrinking.

Blade recovers from the shock of seeing Zadie take that bite for him then hit the floor.

He runs over to the wolf, silver dagger raised in the air, ready to strike down on the wolf when someone grabs his forearm. Blade glares, turning to Clovis.

“She’s going to kill her. We have to stop her!” Blade yells, not understanding his motives.

“Slayer, look,” Cinder says, standing as she points. Blade follows her finger to the wolf. To Blade's surprise, a small child with short white hair has taken the wolf's place.

Clovis takes his jacket off, placing it over Luna. Blade relaxes as he kneels down beside Zadie.

“I’m alright.” Zadie comforts him, seeing the worry in his eyes.

“I’ll be damned.” Cinder says as she walks over with one hand holding her ribs.

Luna is fast asleep with her head lying atop Zadie's chest. Luna has light red blood smeared on the corner of her lips and chin.

Zadie tenderly pets Luna's hair, glad she and Blade are okay. “White hair huh, reminds me of someone.”

“What was that?” Blade asks, not catching what she said.

Zadie shakes her head, “Nothing important.”

Clovis scoops Luna up in his arms, “I’ll take her back to the basement and stay with her for now.” Clovis then walks off with her.

Blade helps Zadie sit up. She winces in pain from the movement.

“Thank you for your help.” Cinder says, staring at Zadie in amazement that a vampire would risk her life for a werewolf.

Zadie gives a pained smile, “It was nothing. I just did what anyone else would have done.”

Cinder sits back on the couch, relaxing as her broken ribs slowly begin to heal themselves. Blade carefully helps Zadie onto the sofa across from Cinder.

Mason groans as he gets up off the floor, holding one of his shoulders.

“Good, your up. Go grab the first aid kit in the bathroom,” Cinder orders. Mason grumbles under his breath, walking to the far door.

The door Zadie and Blade came in through opens, the rest of the pack enters the room. Cinder turns to them,

“Well, I’m glad no one died. Otherwise, all of you would be in serious shit.”

A couple of them look to the floor, embarrassed. One scratches their head, another rolls his eyes.

“I hope you had a good nap because you're all on night shift tonight.”

They all groan in protest.

Cinder sits up, hiding the pain. “Now go and get us all some food and make it enough for our guests too.”

They all scurry back out the door, not having to be told twice.

Blade walks over to Cinder, holding out a hand, “My phone?”

Cinder smiles, having forgotten she took it. She pulls out his phone from her waistband leggings. “Sorry, it kinda got broke in the skirmish.”

Blade takes the now broken phone from her, putting his other hand to his head in frustration.

“You two can stay here for the night then leave in the morning.” Cinder offers them.

Blade looks back at Zadie, who gives him a sweet smile despite the discomfort she’s in. Blade nods agreeing to it, knowing Zadie won’t be able to go anywhere for the night.

Mason then walks back into the lounge with a first-aid kit in hand. He hands it to Blade, then says he’s going to bed, walking back out of the room again.

Blade goes to Zadie's side. She moves her torn shirt to the side, revealing the canine bite marks along with her blue bra strap around her shoulder. Blade opens the kit and begins cleaning the wound.

Right now, Blade’s glad they make every Slayer take classes for first-aid use. He’s had to use it a couple times on himself during a few jobs, but this is the first time he’s treated someone else's wounds.

“I...uh... wanted to say thank you for saving me from getting infected.” Blade daps some cleaning alcohol on the wounds with a cotton ball.

Zadie flinches from the sting, “I just figured since I’m half-human, it wouldn’t affect me as much, plus I didn’t want Luna to be killed.” She explains as she gazes at Blade, his dark hair just barely hanging over his focused eyes.

Cinder closes her eyes, trying not to eavesdrop on their conversation as her bones finish healing themselves. But, because they are only a few feet apart from each other, she can’t help it.

“Yeah, that was a bad call on my part. Unfortunately, I was just out of options.” Blade begins putting ointment on the wounds.

“I’m just glad you're both okay.” Blade looks up at Zadie’s tender smile, her alluring lavender eyes pulling him in as if he sees a whole nother galaxy that resides there. Blade forces himself to look away, fearing he may get lost in them. Instead, he puts the large square badges on the wound.

“Done with this side.”

Zadie sits up, letting Blade sit behind her, cleaning the bite marks on the back of her shoulder.

“So why don’t you tell me your story, half breed.” Cinder says, wanting to pass the time. Zadie sighs then begins telling her how she and Blade met, leaving out only a few details.