Kris

2749 Words
Emma POV I was not a member of Ryan's pack, so we had no link to communicate. But as we entered the woods, Ryan stood by my side, his presence reassuring. The sounds of twigs crunching beneath our feet echoed through the dense forest, mingling with the distant chirping of birds. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, a reminder of the hidden dangers that lurked within. Ryan, familiar with the area, took the lead, his keen senses guiding us. Although my trust in him had grown after my brother's conversation, caution still lingered within me. The truth would be revealed today, and if Ryan proved to be an enemy, he would soon realize he had underestimated me. As we approached one of the abandoned buildings that Ryan had mentioned, the air became tainted with the scent of rogue and vampire. But then, amidst the overwhelming odors, I caught a faint whiff of Kris. "Not good, Emma," Inara whispered in my mind, her voice filled with concern. As we cautiously moved through the area. I followed Ryan as he swiftly shifted behind a tree to speak, the leaves rustling under his weight, creating a soft melody in my ears. "We must be cautious of their weapons if they are with the hunters," Ryan said. He shifted back into his wolf form. I stayed close behind him. A few warriors were assigned to watch my back, their presence providing a sense of security. As we approached the second abandoned building, the air was heavy with silence. Inara, with her keen senses, scanned the area diligently, her eyes darting from one spot to another. Suddenly, we spotted them - traps meticulously laid out, meant to ensnare unsuspecting intruders. A soft growl escaped my throat, catching the attention of the others. It was futile to think we could surprise the rogues inside; they would have sensed our presence long before we arrived. My eyes locked onto the traps, their glinting silver nets hidden beneath the overgrown foliage. These traps were not to be underestimated, as my mother had warned me. They were designed to hold even the strongest captive, rendering escape nearly impossible. Carefully, we navigated around the traps, Inara focused on deciphering the various scents that surrounded us. Kris's scent, once familiar, now appeared weakened and different. He had been transformed into a vampire. I growled. It wasn't me who directly caused this to happen to him, but because he was associated with me, he suffered. "What do you want to do?" Inara asked in my mind. "Save him and bring him to Jennifer. He will struggle at first, but we can't abandon our plan just because he's different now." I replied. The door burst open to the building and Inara let out another loud growl, ready to teach these fools a lesson. They would pay with their lives for what they've done. The warriors and Ryan attacked the rogues, and I allowed them to. But when one approached me, Inara immediately attacked. We were fast, strong, and showed no mercy to our true enemies. Ryan and his warriors showed their strength as they helped. The small structure hid a decent amount of enemies. More came to aid them, and now I had two rogues and a vampire on me. Some think I have no clue how to fight because I've been sheltered in my kingdom, but they're wrong. Inara was having a blast taking out these fools, even though we don't condone their actions. I deftly evaded their every attempt to capture me, my senses keenly attuned to the chaos unfolding around me. Snarls and growls reverberated through the air, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of flesh tearing as I sank my teeth into one of the assailants, tearing a chunk of his side away. His pained howls, now mixed with the metallic scent of blood. But something was amiss. The blood lingering on my snout sent a searing, acrid sensation through my nostrils, overpowering the scent of the surrounding woods. Ryan, sensing my distress, glanced down at one of his defeated enemies, his gaze communicating a sense of urgency. They must have ingested something undetectable to our senses. With this realization, I resolved to rely on my claws instead of my jaws. My eyes darted across the chaotic scene. Two of Ryan's warriors lay on the forest floor, fueling a surge of anger within me. Despite the dizziness creeping into my senses, I relentlessly slashed my claws, maintaining the upper hand against my remaining foe. As I pressed on, the distant sounds of the hunters lurking in the shadows became faint. Dread filled every fiber of my being as I sensed Clay's presence. Clay was dragged into the dangerous situation, his act in jeopardy. I worried about his ability to keep up the facade amidst this chaos. The heavy metal door to the shelter creaked open once more, its rusty hinges screeching in protest. As we fought, the deafening bang filled the air, sending vibrations through the ground beneath our paws. A strange, acrid gas hung in the atmosphere, assaulting our sensitive noses with its pungent stench. “It’s messing with me, but I can manage,” Inara said. As more of Ryan's warriors fell, I swiftly maneuvered through the chaos, dodging the enemies I was still engaged with. The fur on my back stood on end as I sensed the enemy closing in, but I pushed forward to shield my comrades from their advance. Ryan, though struggling, displayed sheer determination, his alpha blood keeping him on his feet. Engaging the enemy, I noticed that they too were affected by the battle, their movements slower and less coordinated. I swiftly dispatched two adversaries, feeling their warm blood sticking to my fur. One of the enemies I was fighting finally managed to strike me with their slashing claws, eliciting a snarl from Inara as we turned to face them. The sensation of pain surged through my body, the searing sting reminding me of the danger we were in. With a burst of speed, I lunged at my attacker, overpowering them and pinning them to the ground. The crunch of leaves beneath my paws added to the intensity of the moment as I threatened to rip their neck from their body. I bent down, the leaves crunching beneath my paws, threatening to rip his neck from his body. The sound of my growl echoed through the forest as I moved my paw, slicing through my enemy's throat with a sickening sound. His blood filled the air with a metallic scent, mingling with the damp earth. He reverted back to his human form, lifeless and still. Liz finally revealed herself, emerging from the shadows with Clay by her side. As our eyes met, I could sense his fear, hidden behind a strained attempt to keep a straight face. The tension hung in the air, palpable and suffocating. “Bring her in alive,” Liz commanded Clay and the concealed group. "Kill the others," she ordered, her voice laced with authority. My muscles tensed, ready to strike. This was my chance to eliminate her, but she was cunning. In a swift movement, she used Clay as a shield, pressing herself into his arms. Her touch on our mate sent a surge of anger coursing through me, mixing with the adrenaline pumping through my veins. Inara seethed inside of me, her anger clouding the air. "She's touching our mate," she growled. I tried to refocus her attention. "We must stay focused," I urged. Three more hunters emerged from the woods, their scents cleverly masked. One of them aimed for Ryan, who was in the midst of taking down a remaining vampire. The sharp crack of a gun pierced the air, and my instincts kicked in. I sprinted towards Ryan, shielding him with my body as the bullet tore through my flesh. The searing pain was unimaginable, radiating through every fiber of my being. “Capture her, don’t kill her!” Liz yelled. I held on, the pain making it hard to keep my Lycan form. "You got this, Inara," I encouraged her, my voice strained. I charged towards the hunters who had attacked with Ryan, our warriors now fallen to the ground. We were outnumbered, but our strength, speed, and training gave us the advantage. Ryan fought alongside me, his movements proving my earlier suspicions wrong. It was clear he was my ally. In the corner of my eye, I saw Liz leading Clay inside, a flicker of unease crossing my mind. One of the hunters set off another gas, and I instinctively pushed Ryan to the side, away from its path. The acrid scent of the gas filled the air, stinging my nostrils. I knew Ryan couldn't withstand much more. Kris's faint scent reached me as he was dragged out, still undergoing the transformation. "Kill him," Liz ordered Clay, testing his loyalty. I couldn't allow that to happen, but I also couldn't risk Clay's safety. "Or can you?" Liz's words hung in the air, taunting Clay, as I took down another hunter. I caught onto the scent of one final hunter. In the distance, I saw a figure holding a weapon, aimed directly at Clay. Liz, acting with calculated indifference, was using him as a pawn in her game. The sight of her betrayal made my stomach churn. "Do it now," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice. Clay, refusing to comply, shoved her away with a forceful thud. His eyes met mine in a silent apology. As the next gunshot pierced the air, a deafening explosion. Clay, realizing the imminent threat, tried to react but was too slow. However, my instincts kicked in, propelling me forward to intercept the bullet for him as well. Inara whimpered as it hit us. "Silver, can't hold on much more," she cried, her voice strained. "I knew it," Liz laughed, her voice laced with a mix of triumph and madness. "You're protecting him," she accused looking at me, her words a venomous hiss. I closed my eyes, focusing on my power, feeling the storm and electric energy surging within me. The strain of their attacks was taking a toll on my body, yet I refused to yield. "You die today," I vowed in my mind, my determination fueling my resolve. Liz aimed her weapon at Kris, her intentions clear. My heart pounded in my chest as I hesitated, aware that I may not reach him in time. But before I could react, Clay reached into his belt and swiftly stabbed a knife into Liz's neck. The sight of her falling to the ground in shock was a twisted satisfaction. In the distance, the sound of retreating footsteps echoed, a hunter fleeing from the chaos. Ryan joined us, shifting into his human form. He swiftly knocked Kris out, ensuring he wouldn't escape. Clay's actions had blown our cover, but I couldn't blame him. He had saved Kris, putting his life on the line. Exhausted, I shifted back to my human form and fell to the ground. "Make sure she's dead," Ryan ordered Clay. Clay checked Liz's pulse, confirming her demise. As I tried to stand, my weakened body betrayed me, causing me to stumble. Clay immediately came to my aid, picking me up and shielding my nakedness with his own body. "Follow me, and fast," Ryan urged Clay. Clay hesitated, his grip tightening around me. "I really don't want to stand naked in the forest all day, and Emma needs medical help. She has silver in her system," Ryan voiced his concerns. Clay's protective hold on me never wavered. "Ryan is safe," I mumbled weakly in Clay's arms, my voice barely a whisper. "He knows about this place. I've tracked him to this area before," Clay stated, his distrust lingering. Ryan, sensing the tension, addressed Clay directly. "It is true. I've been here to track rogues who caused harm to my pack. I am no enemy, although I respect your hesitation. I judged you wrong. We may not be in the clear yet, so we must be fast. We need to get Emma and Kris to safety. So I ask you to work with me," Ryan reasoned with a tone of sincerity. With a newfound understanding, Clay reluctantly agreed, his grip on me firm and resolute. Ryan turned to check on his warriors, a few of them slowly getting up and shifting back into their wolf forms. "Bring Kris to our medical facility," Ryan ordered his warriors. "Jennifer's," I whispered. "My pack lands are safer now," Ryan said. "Then Clay will be allowed without being restrained," I stated firmly. "I'll allow it," Ryan agreed, his voice tinged with caution. "But I advise you to keep the fact that you are mates secret, unless behind closed doors," Ryan advised. "Clay has proven himself enough in front of me to have more freedom on our pack lands," Ryan continued, his voice carrying a note of authority. "But that being said, he is still your slave as well, Emma, for now." I nodded, understanding the delicate balance we had to maintain for now. "I know," I replied softly. "I have a tracking chip, and so does Liz. It will alert everyone if she is in danger," Clay informed. "Destroy the hunters' bodies that are here as well,"Ryan instructed his warriors. I was struggling with the silver coursing through my system, I could feel the weight of the two bullets still lodged inside me. Violent coughs wracked my body, echoing in the air. The scent of metal hung thickly, mingling with the sharp tang of blood that filled my mouth. Through the haze of pain, I heard Clay's worried voice, his words laced with urgency. The sounds of his voice were accompanied by the distant murmurs of Ryan, their conversation blending together in the background. “Follow me quickly!” Ryan urged. “She’s been poisoned by silver, and she won’t get better until we remove it.” My consciousness flickered, and I vaguely heard Ryan say to Clay, “I’m taking out your chip; it’ll hurt.” Then, as we entered the car, I heard him say, “I need you to try and remove the bullets from Emma while I drive.” As the car began to move, a warmth enveloped me, seeping into my body, bringing a small measure of comfort. I forced my heavy eyelids open, meeting Clay's gaze. His touch, though painful, brought a sense of reassurance, like a gentle caress. I hissed as his fingers brushed against the bullet's entry point, the sensation intensifying the pain. "Focus on me," he said softly, his voice filled with concern, as a searing pain shot through my body. I winced as he moved the first bullet from the wound. "Stay with me, Emma. You need to stay awake," Clay urged, his voice strained with worry. I could feel his hand applying pressure to the second spot, his touch both firm and comforting. The pain intensified, causing me to curse under my breath. "It's too deep," Clay murmured, his frustration evident. "Alright, I need you to keep applying pressure on that spot and the other one. Emma can't heal properly with silver in her system. Keep her bleeding under control as best as you can and keep her conscious," Ryan instructed, his voice steady and authoritative. "You're her mate, so even your touch will help her," Ryan reassured Clay, attempting to keep him calm. Clay's voice trembled with regret as he spoke to me, "I failed at keeping up the act. I'm sorry." "You did what was necessary," I whispered, my voice strained. "They already figured out who I was, and you did what needed to be done." "The headquarters is Liz's father's estate," Clay revealed, his words punctuated by a brief moment of silence. "Wait, are you sure about that?" Ryan questioned Clay, his tone filled with uncertainty. "Yes, I asked, and I'm certain it's the truth based on what I saw and the tight security they have," Clay replied confidently. "In no way did you fail. We've been searching for the location for years," Ryan reassured Clay. As exhaustion began to wash over me, I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of the moment. "Emma, stay awake," Clay's voice boomed. "I will," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I'm simply resting my eyes, for I know I am safe with you."
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