The Howl of Vengeance(2/2)

The flickering neon light of the security panel reflected on Ava's switchblade as she adjusted the latex mask over her face.

The transformation was complete—she was now Lyle, Henry's right-hand man. The cool night air bit at her skin as she approached the heavily guarded gates of the Thomas estate. Two guards stood at attention, their silver-tipped rifles gleaming under the floodlights.

"Lyle," one of them nodded, his voice gruff. "Back so soon?"

"Orders from Henry," Ava replied, her tone clipped and authoritative. She mimicked Lyle's southern drawl perfectly, her heart pounding in her chest. The guard hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Didn't hear anything about it," he muttered, crossing his arms.

"You think Henry runs everything by you?" Ava shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Move aside, unless you want to explain to him why his errand got delayed."

The guard exchanged a glance with his partner, who shrugged and stepped aside. "Your funeral," he grumbled, pulling the gate open. Ava strode past them, her boots crunching on the gravel path. The tension in her shoulders didn't ease until she was out of earshot.

Inside the manor, the air was thick with the scent of old wood and polish. Ava moved with purpose, her eyes scanning the corridors for the telltale signs of the silver weapons vault. She had memorized the blueprints, but the layout was more labyrinthine than she anticipated. A low hum of voices echoed from a nearby room.

"You think Henry's got a plan for this mess?" One voice asked, tinged with uncertainty.

"He always does," another replied, though the confidence sounded forced. "Just keep your head down and follow orders."

Ava slipped past the door, her footsteps silent on the plush carpet. She reached the vault door, her fingers flying over the keypad. The code she'd extracted from Lyle worked, and the heavy door swung open with a soft hiss. Inside, rows of silver weapons gleamed under the sterile light—swords, daggers, and bullets, all designed to kill her kind.

"Time to even the odds," she whispered, pulling a small explosive device from her jacket. She set the timer and began smashing the weapons with a sledgehammer she'd found in the corner. The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed through the vault, but she didn't care. Every second counted.

As the timer ticked down, Ava darted out of the vault, her breath coming in short gasps. She retraced her steps, her mind already shifting to the next phase of the plan. The explosion rocked the estate behind her, the shockwave sending a ripple through the air. She didn't look back.

Outside, the night was alive with the sounds of battle. James and Henry clashed in the courtyard, their swords meeting in a shower of sparks. Ava's lips curved into a grim smile as she melted into the shadows. The tide was turning, and the Lee family's victory was within reach.

James' claws tore through the last of Henry's guards, the metallic tang of blood mixing with the crisp night air. The moon hung low, casting a silver glow over the sprawling estate as James, now a towering wolf, lunged toward the manor's grand entrance. His amber eyes glinted with determination. She's here. I can feel it.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of old wood and desperation. James' heightened senses led him down a dimly lit corridor, his paws silent against the marble floor. At the end of the hall, a heavy oak door stood barred. He growled low, his voice a rumble of fury. "Emma," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. With a single, powerful strike, the door splintered open.

The room was small, lit by a single flickering bulb. Emma sat hunched in a corner, her face pale but her eyes fierce. When she saw James, her breath hitched. "James?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Is that really you?"

He shifted back into human form, his bare chest heaving as he knelt before her. "Yeah, it's me," he said, his voice rough but tender. "I told you I'd come for you." He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You okay?"

Emma nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I knew you'd find me," she choked out. "I just… I didn't know how much longer I could hold on."

James pulled her into a tight embrace, his heart pounding against hers. "You're safe now," he murmured into her hair. "We're getting out of here."

As he lifted her into his arms, Emma clung to him, her fingers gripping his shoulders. "What about Henry?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "He's not going to let us go."

James' jaw tightened. "Henry's busy dealing with the mess I left outside," he said, his tone dark. "His silver weapons are toast. His pack's falling apart."

Emma glanced up at him, her eyes wide. "You did that? Alone?"

He smirked, though there was no humor in it. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."

Outside, the chaos was palpable. The once-imposing white wolf pack was in disarray, their ranks shattered. The flickering flames of torches cast eerie shadows on the battlefield.

The flickering chandelier cast jagged shadows across the ornate Victorian room, its crystals trembling as if sensing the tension. James gripped Emma's wrist, his voice low and urgent. "We're leaving. Now."

Emma's wide eyes darted around the room, her breath shallow. "But Henry—he's not here. It's too easy."

"Too easy?" James smirked, though his jaw was tight. "Since when do you complain about easy?"

Before she could retort, a faint click echoed through the room, like the sound of a trap springing shut. James froze, his instincts screaming. "Get down!"

But it was too late. A silver bullet tore through the air, striking James square in the chest. He crumpled to the floor, blood seeping through his shirt. Emma screamed, dropping to her knees beside him. "No! James, stay with me!"

His hand trembled as he reached for her, his voice barely a whisper. "Emma... run."

The door burst open, and Ava and Noah rushed in, their faces pale. Ava's eyes locked on James's lifeless form. "Damn it, Henry planned this."

Noah grabbed Emma's arm, his tone firm. "We need to move. Now."

As they fled the room, the distant howl of the Lee family's wolves echoed through the night, a chilling reminder that the danger was far from over.