The sound of someone else surprised both Ethan and Eva before the metal pole Ethan had abandoned earlier smashed into Ethan's skull with a dull crack. The force threw the blonde male off of the female under him with a grunt, air suddenly rushed into Eva's burning lungs causing her to cough and roll on to her side in time to see Maria drop the pole with a metallic bang and a small dark brown wolf charge at Ethan, pouncing on him in a series of snarls and growls. The size of the beast made Eva think it was a juvenile and while there seemed to be no grace to its attack, the bared white teeth and pink gums and angry copper eyes showed spirit as the lithe wolf dodged any attempts Ethan made to strike it.
"Eva!" Maria crouched next to her friend, breaking Eva's dazed attention on the fight scene in front of her. "Oh goddess are you hurt?"
"Hip." Eva rasped, her lungs and heart greedily trying to pump oxygen to her deprived muscles before motioning to the wolf that was snapping at Ethan as he fought back. "who the hell is that?"
Ethan's eyes were black as his wolf attempted to take over, brown fur sprouting from his pores as claws and teeth extended. Blood now stained the side of his head from Maria hitting him and matted his blonde hair. His shirt was torn and bloody from when the small wolf had scratched him. Even in human form Ethan towered over the little brown wolf but as his wolf began to emerge it was obvious he was a monster.
"No " Eva shook her head. "You need to help me pop it back in. I don't know how long Kade can hold off Daniel."
"What?" Maria barked in alarm.
"I'll explain everything, just help me get it back in!" Eva pleaded, glancing up when there was a yelp and Bethan's wolven form crashed into a stack of rotten pallets not too far from them. "Now Maria!"
Eva screamed when Maria rotated and pulled her leg down, the joint slipping into the socket with a pop. Bile rose in her throat and for a moment she felt light-headed, her vision blurring as her body fought against the pain. She didn't have time to dwell though as Ethan was recovering from Bethan's mauling, his wolf snarling as it stalked towards his defenceless sister.
"Get Bethan out of here." Eva gritted out to Maria as she pushed herself to her hands and knees. "I'll deal with Ethan."
Kalla let out a howl as she took over, her teeth baring as she lunged at Ethan's wolf, the force of the she-wolf barrelling into him, sending Ethan sprawling to the ground. The wolves rolled, snapping and snarling in a flurry of teeth and paws, eyes flashing with feral rage. Ethan's wolf was able to shove Kalla off but the she-wolf was on her feet immediately. She was smaller than the hulking form before her but Kalla showed no signs of being intimidated, her rust-red and grey coat puffed out to make her appear bigger and teeth and gums bared at the male. Her hip was agony but Kalla never backed down from a fight, forcing the pain to the back of her mind for now.
Ethan charged, aiming to get Kalla on her back so he could go for a kill shot but Kalla moved out of the way just in time. One of Ethan's razor sharp claws still caught her side though, tearing a long gash through fur and flesh. Pushing through the pain, Kalla whipped around, pushing herself up into a leap as she twisted, landing right on top of the male wolf sending them both crashing to the earth in a cloud of gravel and dirt.
Just like that, silence descended into the night broken only by Kalla's panting.
The Mad Alpha was dead.
Kalla threw her giant head back as she let out a howl into the cool air. It was a sorrowful sound but one that resonated with the strength of an Alpha female and Luna of the Hellhound - Silver Moon super-pack.
The sound of howling all around filled the night air in reply as reinforcements appeared in human and wolf form, some bloodied from an unseen fight. Kalla dropped her headas humans and wolves bowed to her. Her hip and side were agony but she forced herself to stand tall and proud as her pack showed respect to the she-wolf for taking down Ethan. She looked to Maria who was holding an unconscious Bethan as Duncan came to her aid, both looking to Kalla and bowing their heads in respect and awe of their friend.
"Where's the Alpha?" Someone asked, making Kalla's ears prick forward.
Daniel.
Eva took over once more, her bruised and bloody frame shivering from the cool night air. It did little to quench the fire of her heat but it helped take the edge off enough for her to think. Duncan stepped forward, pulling his shirt off to give Eva something to cover her naked form with.
"Kade is holding him off inside." Eva finally spoke once she had pulled the shirt on. "Ethan gave him something he bought from a witch that turned him crazy."
"No, Ethan said that the only cure was Daniel has to mark me. Otherwise he'll die." Eva explained. "I have to do something before that happens."
Eva didn't wait for her friends, her heart was racing and as she headed back into the old warehouse, her body protesting with every movement as she fumbled her way through the darkness. Sure enough, Kade and Daniel were exactly where she had left them except now huge rusty chains were wrapped around Daniel's arms and over one of the exposed metal beams. Kade was resting against a wall looking worse for wear with a black eyes and various scrapes and cuts littering his body. The moment Daniel sensed Eva's presence he snarled, thrashing against his restraints to try and get to his mate.
"You shouldn't be in here kiddo, he's farfrom recovered." Kade spoke up ignoring the threatening growl Daniel sent his way.
"There's no time." Eva cut him off. "The only other way is for usto complete the marking process."
"I know that but I don't know how long Daniel has and if I don't do this I could lose him." Eva pointed out. "I want to do it."
Kade was clearly not happy with the decision, his silver eyes flicking to his best friend who simply snarled at him like a wild beast. Sighing, he nodded in agreement, looking back at Eva with a sardonic look on his face.
"Thank you Kade." Eva smiled sadly. "And it'sgood to have you back."
"I know." He gave a crooked smile and started towards the exit. "Oh and tell him I'm going to kick his ass if he hurts you."
Eva watched the beta leave before turning to her mate. Daniel's predatory eyes had been watching her the whole time, the intensity setting her skin on fire.
"Okay, so I'm just going to let you go…" Eva muttered, keeping her eyes locked on Daniel as she movedto the locking mechanism that held the chains taut.
The terrifying train of thought kept her distracted until her hand finally wrapped around the old metal lever. Daniel had been silent the whole time but Eva didn't have to look behind her to know that he was simply waiting like a predator for the moment he could strike.Taking a deep breath, Eva pushed the lever into the unlocked position, tensing as she waited for Daniel to suddenly jump her. However after a few seconds nothing happened and Eva turned her head to see why her mate hadn't come at her. To her surprise he was still standing there. The chains had loosened and no longer bit into his muscly arms yet Daniel remained still like a statue, the moon-filled night casting dark shadows across his features.
Still Daniel didn't move and Eva felt her heart drop into her stomach. Was he okay? Was she too late and the poison was now killing her mate? The thought sent panic flashing through her like electricity and she quickly moved over to Daniel to check on him.
"Daniel? Daniel, say something." She barked as she tugged Daniel'sarms out of the loops of restraints and then cupped his face, looking up into those stormy blue eyes. "Daniel please, do something!"
Eva gasped when Daniel's arms suddenly wrapped around her waist like a vice, pulling her flush against her mate's hard body. Above her, Daniel's eyes flashed amber and a possessive growl rumbled in his chest and throat.
"Mine." He snarled, flashing wickedly sharp fangs.