The Beasts of Baye Road

The Half One

Ropes burned around Blanca's wrist. Her flesh around her ankles burned. Blanca yanked the ropes, sending the soldier flying into the wall. She grabbed the rope around her feet and sent the other man to the floor.

Karl’s yells were louder than Matteo's howls. Despite his wounds he fought off Hansi. Matteo ripped off Hansi's grey fur. Blanca picked up a thick plank of wood and smashed a soldier’s head. She picked him up and hurled him at on rushing men at the door.

Karl sucked in a breathe. The ropes fell to the floor. His clothes turned to confetti as his grey wolf broke free. He howled and raced to help Kyla. More soldiers ran to the castle. The ground shook as a shimmering white wolf took out half the bottom staircase. Cooper zipped ahead of her and shot a soldier through a wall and into the night.

Gianna stopped and titled her head at Blanca.

‘Not now Gianna.’ Blanca said through clenched teeth.

Hansi landed on the floor in a heap. Matteo shook his head and wobbled. Hansi picked himself up. He set his head back and howled. The ground beneath them quaked. Susanna and David stood on the landing.

‘Guys, they’re coming!’ Susanna cried.

David shifted into a grey wolf and pounced off the landing.

Hansi’s mouth opened to reveal a set of razor teeth. The castle rambled. It threatened to cave in on them. The beasts broke the rest of the door, tearing the wall down too. The soldiers scattered. Gianna threw her frame into the army of red eyed beasts.

‘Get out all of you!’ Susanna commanded and several beasts cried before darting out the door.

Hansi growled, but he knew the white wolf was too much for him. Matteo was about to launch himself at the remaining monsters when Hansi’s body jumped on him, sinking his teeth into his neck.

‘Matteo!’

Blanca threw herself on Hansi her black claws dug into his fur and through the skin. Hansi howled and Matteo collapsed. Blanca plunged her claws into his skin again searching for his heart.

Hansi struggled but Blanca wouldn’t release. She tossed her head back and sunk her teeth into the wolf's neck. Blood filled her mouth. Hansi whimpered and wiggled until he managed to toss Blanca across the room.

Blanca watched the wolf run out through a whole on the wall before the cracking and fire raced through her bones.

***

‘I don’t understand,’ Karl grumbled.

‘We won,’ Kyla grimaced.

‘Yeah, but where did they go?’

‘Who care Karl, we won.’

Cooper chuckled and pulled Kyla against his chest. The sun rise, chasing away the mist and the darkest night in Baye Road.

‘I hope they never come back,’ Susanna stared at the miserable streets. The cries of innocent victims would forever haunt her. Blood would forever taint the streets.

They left West Baye Road behind and arrived in town square. Blanca blinked herself awake. She was pressed against Matteo’s bare chest. She sighed and took in his sweet scent.

Everyone rushed inside when they got home. Matteo put Blanca down, he let everyone go in before guiding her to a bench. They sat in hitting silence.

‘You’re the gift that keeps giving, Blanca.’

‘I didn’t lie.’

‘You just don’t tell the truth.’

Blanca lifted her head to meet Matteo’s eyes. ‘My Dad was part wolf and part something else. He was an abomination. I could never inherit my Mom’s power. She told me to never expose myself. Half bloods aren’t accepted in packs.’

‘I know. There hasn’t been one in years.’

‘I’ve never even transformed. Never fully…’

‘What about Gianna's Dad?’

Blanca lifted her shoulders. ‘We grew up with a nice human we called Dad. He isn’t Gianna’s real father, who knows who is? Mom doesn’t talk about him.’

Matteo rattled his head. All he wanted was to crawl under his covers and sleep for hours.

‘I’m a monster Matteo.’ Blanca whispered.

He brushed hair out of her face. ‘You’re not. You’re a powerful wolf. I’m going to help you.’ He kissed her forehead.

‘The beasts are they… gone. For good?’ She asked.

‘No, they vanished when you injured Hansi. They might return at least this time we’ll be ready for them.’

Matteo looked at the mansion and exhaled. It would forever be a testament to a horrible night. He lost his father and became Alpha all at once. Blanca stood and gripped his hand. He couldn’t leave her that way. He had to find a way to help her, but his pack wouldn’t be so welcoming of a half blood.

‘Aren’t you going to marry Gianna?’ She asked.

Matteo chuckled, ‘I don’t have to. It would be good for the pack, but we have to help you first.’