Shadow of the Eclipse

Chapter 4.

Jax's eyes glowed as he unleashed Rafe. His wolf was eager to tear something apart after dealing with that nuisance of a cat all morning. Suddenly, three wolves leaped out of the brush and charged for him.

Only 3? Rafe snorted. Seems like an insult.

The first one launched itself at Rafe, trying to bury its razor-sharp canines deep in his throat. Rafe dodged his attack as the other 2 circled around behind him, swiping at his sides. Rafe caught the one in front of him by the neck as he lunged forward again. In one swift move, he relieved his enemy of his jugular and left him gurgling on the ground.

The second wolf dug his claws into Rafe's shoulder, which only angered the wolf. He spun quickly while evading another attack by the third and ripped the throat completely out of the second. It dropped to the ground with a satisfying thud.

Rafe and the third wolf circled each other. Suddenly, eyes appeared all around him. Growls came from every direction.

Still considering it an insult. Jax mocked his wolf.

On the contrary. Rafe chuckled. It's finally a fair fight.

He braced himself, preparing for the onslaught of enemies.

Thundering footsteps came from behind.

Shit. Rafe muttered without having to look, he knew. Of course, they brought bears. This was going to be slightly more difficult than he thought.

******

Dammit! Van cursed. The scene before her was a mess, to say the least. Bodies were scattered all around.

He held his own well. Kita remarked approvingly as they approached.

Sure. But where is he? None of those wolves are Rafe. Van questioned

Where was Jax? What if he was dead?

"Shit." she cursed under her breath. She couldn't have that prick's death on her conscious. No, he couldn't die until she kicked his ass and made him beg for mercy.

Kita lifted her nose and inhaled deeply.

Got it. she said as she locked on to Rafe's scent. She sped through the brush following it's trail.

"What are you doing?!" she heard Silas' angry growl fading behind her. But she didn't care. She wasn't waiting for orders. He'd have to forgive her later.

"Son of a- River. Rei. Follow her." Silas barked. River and Rei didn't hesitate and raced off in the direction of their friend.

"The rest of you fan out. I only need one of these scumbags alive." He kicked a corpse for emphasis. " Destroy the rest. I will meet up with our border patrol and see what the hell happened. " Silas commanded. His warriors didn't waste any time following his instructions.

Kita slowed as she came to the edge of the trees. The rocky slope in front of her lead to the bank of the river below that marked the border of the pack's territory. She crouched low, observing and calculating her next move. River's grey wolf, Beck, crept up on her right while Rei's wolf, Raven, was on her left. Raven had a beautiful brindle colored coat. Van used to tease her that she looked more like a tiger than a wolf.

Rafe had chased the intruders to the edge of the water. The current was rough and the water was high from a storm earlier in the week. The two wolves snarled viciously, barring their teeth and snapping their jaws at Rafe.

Rafe didn't flinch. Though clearly very wounded, he held his ground.

Whats the plan? River mind linked Van. She was about to answer him when a massive black werebear jumped out of the woods and grabbed Rafe by the neck. It slammed him into a tree and pinned him there. The two wolves circled around. Rafe wasn't struggling against the bear. His body was limp, and his breathing was shallow. He growled in defiance, and it ended in a gurgle as the bear closed its massive paw tighter around his throat.

Get the wolves. Van answered River, linking Rei too. Be alert for any... surprises. She roared loudly as she leapt out of the trees and raced down the steep bank. The bear swung its head in her direction. It grunted and the wolves darted towards them.

Not much of a surprise. We've got company. River's words were full of sarcasm as three foxes charged out of the woods straight for them.

Now it's a party. Rei giggled in a way that bordered on maniacal.

Van wasn't listening anymore. She was focused on the bear. It was clearly the one in charge. It threw Rafe to the ground with a boneshattering thud. She heard a small whimper escape the wolf as he transformed back into his human. No longer possessing the strength to fight. The bear lifted its large paw and brought it crashing down.

Kita jumped at the last second. Launching herself between the bear and Jax. She roared in pain as the beast's claws ripped through her abdomen. She landed on her side on the ground in front of Jax. Sparing only a glance to make sure he was still breathing, she picked herself up and lunged at the bear, sinking her canines into its leg and throwing it off balance. Taking full advantage of its misplaced equilibrium, she charged it once more, causing the giant beast to fall on its back.

Kita pounced on the bear and pinned it to the ground, prepared to end its worthless existence. Her claws elongated, digging into the bears flesh. It let out a pained growl.

"Van, stop!" River was running at her in all his glory. She didn't take her eyes off of her target.

"Van we need him alive!" Rei shouted, also coming towards her. The foxes and wolves lay in heaps behind them.

Damn. Van didn't like this. The bear struggled underneath her but she held him in place. She felt blood trickling from her wound. It hurt, but luckily, all shifters were gifted the ability to heal quickly. Some quicker than others.

Kita let out a roar that let the bear know it was in his best interest to stay still. She had no qualms about killing a prisoner.

Soon several warriors arrived. They placed the bear in silver chains and took him away. Van shifted back. Rei tossed her some sweat clothes. She was already dressed and her wrist bandaged.

"Looks like you had fun." Van teased, pointing at Rei's bandage.

"Not as much as you apparently. " Rei said eyeing the wound on Van's stomach.

Van inspected the gash on her abdomen as she pulled the pants up. It was deep. and hurt like hell but it was already on the mend. It would be gone before tomorrow, a day and a half at best. She tugged the shirt over her head, covering the ugly thing before Silas showed up and saw it. That was the last thing she needed. Thankfully her Alpha had provided her some coverage in the form of sweats.

Alpha Tobias had a great idea to make clothing stations around the territory, which were always kept full. The idea came to him after a mishap where the pack saw more of his Luna than he deemed acceptable.

The clothes may have been ugly. But she'd take looking like a troll over dealing with Silas' endless pestering.

"Van!" She heard River call her name. He pushed himself through a few warriors who stood huddled around...something. River motioned her over. She exchanged puzzled glances with Rei and they walked towards the group together. "It's Jax." River said when they reached him. His voice was low and full of concern. Van pushed a few of the guys aside to see Jax lying where he had fallen. He was covered by a blanket now. His face was bruised so badly it was almost unrecognizable. "He's alive. But barely. And none of his wounds have begun to heal."

Van's head snapped up. She searched the grave expression on River's face.

"That's. ..impossible. " Rei offered in her silence.

Van looked back down at Jax. Just what the hell was going on?