* * *
The large red wolf loped through the forest. He inhaled deeply as he ran, searching for her scent. He had just caught her scent when she screamed hoarsely. The fur on the back of his neck stood up, and he raced through the trees.
He ran past a large tree and howled loudly when he saw the leech drinking from her. The leech dropped the woman and turned towards him, his eyes widening with fear.
“No! I beg you! Do not – “
Growling viciously, the wolf leaped on him and knocked him to the ground. As he buried his mouth in the leech’s throat, the vampire grabbed his shoulders and tried to sink his long nails into his skin. Before they could penetrate the thick pelt, the Lycan ripped his throat open. The vampire clutched at his throat, making a weak gurgling noise as blood flowed thickly from the hole. Already the wound was trying to heal itself and, snarling loudly, the Lycan tore the leech’s head from its body.
The vampire exploded into ash and the wolf turned to the woman lying on the ground. He approached her slowly and, crying and gasping, she shuffled backwards and held her hands out pleadingly.
“No, please, stay away…”
The Lycan whined softly and shifted into its human form. James knelt beside her and reached for her. She twisted away from his grasp and, still crying, crawled to Tia’s body lying motionless on the ground.
“Tia, oh please, oh Tia.” She moaned softly as she reached the dog.
Incredibly, the dog was still alive but it was panting harshly, its body twisted in an unnatural shape and blood trickling from its mouth.
Bree screamed with grief and reached for the dog with a trembling hand. Before she could pick her up, James was pushing her aside. He picked the dog up, it shrieked in agony, and Bree pounded weakly on his broad back.
“Stop!” He demanded harshly. “I’m trying to save her.”
He held the small dog to his chest and turned away, shielding Tia from her view. Bree sobbed loudly as Nicholas, panting lightly, ran up beside them. He was wearing just pants and he crouched next to Bree and held her against him, rubbing her shoulder soothingly.
“She’ll be okay Bree. She’ll be okay.” He muttered.
For nearly twenty minutes James stood quietly as Bree shook and shivered against Nicholas. He was as warm as James and she leaned into him, trying to absorb his warmth as she stared at James’ broad back. Tears leaked continually down her face, and she couldn’t stop the small keening noise from escaping her throat.
Her breath caught in her throat when Tia whined softly. James grunted with satisfaction and turned around.
“Tia?” Bree whispered.
The dog was lying in James’ arms and at the sound of Bree’s voice, her tail began to wag. Bree stared in shock and disbelief as James knelt and placed the dog on her lap. Blood still stained the fur around the dog’s mouth but her body and limbs were straight and smooth.
“Gods be damned.” Bree said faintly as she lifted Tia. The dog licked her face enthusiastically, and Bree stared at James with a touch of fear.
“What – what did you do?” She whispered.
“I’ll explain later. Come, we must keep moving.” James answered.
He looked to Nicholas who nodded. “They’re both dead.”
“Good.”
He leaned down and scooped Bree up, ignoring the way she cringed, and scowling at the holes in her throat. He strode quickly through the trees until they had returned to the spot where the other Lycans had appeared.
He placed Bree gently on the ground and dug through one of the leather bags, pulling out a pair of pants. He put them on, picking up the sword and scabbard from the ground and buckling it quickly around his waist. Bree put Tia on the ground. She watched in amazement as the dog ran to James and barked excitedly.
Nicholas was pulling on a shirt and he frowned. “Quiet fuzzbutt. There may be others.”
Bree blanched at the sight of the two dead men lying a few feet away. She felt weak and confused, and the sight of their bodies was making her feel nauseous. She couldn’t believe they were dead. She took a few shaky steps closer until she was standing over them. The large one, Tony, had been particularly cruel to her and she surprised both James and Nicholas when she spit on his face.
She staggered away from the bodies and stared at the two brothers.
“Bree, are you okay?” Nicholas asked gently.
She didn’t reply. They were Lycans and although they had been kind to her, she knew what they were capable of. She backed away as James approached her.
“I won’t harm you Bree. I promise.” He held his hand out to her.
“Stay away from me.” She whimpered.
“I won’t harm you.” He repeated.