Wolves of the new dawn

Taking one for the pack

*Freesia*

I laugh as I run toward Raze and Jo, the infectious joy of their play igniting a spark deep within me. My heart beats faster, buoyed by the thought of becoming part of their world.

Honestly I can’t remember ever playing like this, feeling this carefree, not even as a kid. It is exhilarating… but suddenly, that warmth is shattered by the sound of chaos erupting in the distance.

“Freesia!” Raylee’s voice breaks through the laughter, her expression shifting from happy to alarmed. I turn to see people… some in human form, others in their magnificent wolf shapes… running toward the compound, their faces twisted in panic.

“A drone! A drone is coming!” one of the men shouts, his voice frantic as he rushes past us.

My heart drops as I grasp the meaning of his words. Drones. I’ve heard about them… mechanical beasts that can wreak havoc from the sky. My body stiffens as instincts kick in, and I look to Raze, whose protective instincts ignite with the urgency of the moment.

“Jo!” Raze calls, his voice a booming command that cuts through the panic. He drops to one knee, wrapping his arms around her. “You have to go inside. Now!”

“Dad, what about you?” Jo’s voice trembles, her small body shaking with fear. And I remember that it was a drone that killed her mom.

“Go with Freesia!” he orders, his gaze piercing mine. In that moment, there’s no time for hesitation. I reach out, grabbing Jo’s hand and squeezing it tightly, trying to convey the reassurance I feel slipping away.

“Come on, Jo!” I urge, my voice firm as I pull her toward the compound’s entrance. Fear races through me, but I won’t let her see it. “We need to run!”

As we sprint toward the walls, I can hear Raze issuing commands to the others, his authority cutting through the din. “Torren! Get everyone inside!”

I glance back just as Raze transforms, his body shifting and twisting into the towering form of a wolf. The sight is both awe-inspiring and terrifying, his sleek dark fur shimmering in the sunlight as he stands ready to defend us. There’s a fierce beauty in his wolf form, but it’s overshadowed by the urgency of the situation.

We reach the entrance, and I push Jo through the narrow opening, urging her inside the safety of the compound. “Stay close to Raylee!” I shout, my heart racing as I turn back to the chaos unfolding outside.

“Freesia!” Torren’s voice cuts through the fear, his eyes wide with alarm. “Get inside!”

But as I look back, I see Raze charging toward the drone, his powerful form moving with a primal grace. My breath catches in my throat. The drone hovers ominously above, its mechanical eye scanning the ground below, searching for its prey. Panic rises within me, and I can’t help but step back outside the walls, my heart hammering in my chest.

“Raze!” I scream, the sound tearing from my throat as I watch him launch himself toward the menacing machine. He’s a force of nature, a predator unafraid of the danger that looms ahead.

A worker fleeing the drone stumbles, falling to the ground, and I hold my breath, frozen in horror. Raze doesn’t hesitate. He lunges, throwing himself in front of the man, shielding him with his massive body as the drone fires.

“No!” My voice breaks, a shrill cry echoing in the air. I can’t believe what I’m witnessing.

Raze takes the hit, his powerful frame absorbing the impact, but he doesn’t falter. With a fierce growl that reverberates through the clearing, he springs forward, his jaws snapping at the drone’s propellers. Metal shatters, and sparks fly as he takes the machine down.

But the victory is short-lived. Raze stumbles, his body collapsing to the ground, and I feel my heart shatter at the sight. “Raze!” I scream again, my voice raw with desperation. I turn to Torren, who stands frozen, shock etched on his face. “Get the medic bag! Now!”

I race toward Raze, fear propelling me forward as I reach his side. The world blurs around me, the sounds of chaos fading into the background as I kneel beside him. His powerful form lies still, blood pooling beneath him, staining the earth a dark crimson.

“Stay with me!” I plead, my hands trembling as I reach out to touch his fur, feeling the warmth ebbing away and he changes back to his human for, shrinking before my eyes. “Please, Raze. You have to stay with me.”

His eyes flicker open, and in that moment, I see the fierce spirit within him. “Freesia…” he rasps, his voice barely a whisper.

“Shh, don’t speak. Help is coming!” I choke on my words, tears blurring my vision as I feel the weight of fear press down on my chest. He’s the Alpha, the protector of this pack, and yet here he lies, vulnerable and wounded.

“Jo…” he murmurs, a faint concern crossing his features.

“She’s safe! She’s inside!” I assure him, my voice breaking. “You have to hold on, Raze. Please!”

Just then, Torren rushes back, the medic bag clutched tightly in his hands. “What do we do?” he asks, his voice frantic.

I rip the bag open, my hands shaking as I pull out bandages and antiseptic. “We need to stop the bleeding! He took a hit from the drone!”

Raze’s breathing is shallow, and I can feel the panic rising within me. I press my hands against his wound, applying pressure as Torren works beside me, his hands steady and sure.

“Stay with me, Raze,” I whisper, my heart in my throat. “You’re not allowed to leave us. You’re not allowed to leave me.”

I can feel the bond between us pulsing, a tether of strength and connection that refuses to break. And in that moment, as I fight to keep him with me, I realize that I want him to be more than just my protector. I want him to be my partner, my love. I want to build a life with him in this wild, beautiful place.

As Torren wraps the bandages around Raze’s wound, I lean closer, my voice steadying. “You’re going to be okay, Raze. I need you here. Jo needs you here. You’re our Alpha.”

His eyes flicker with determination, and I can see the fire still burning within him. “Freesia…” he whispers again, a faint smile breaking through the pain.

“Shh, save your strength,” I urge, my heart aching for him. “Just hold on. You are going to be okay.”