Saturday, 4:30 am
During the fight with Donil, Zina had been in full bloodlust. Everything was going well until the prey stabbed her. She couldn't believe that wimpy, pathetic girl had found the courage to defy her. Enraged, she gathered her Alpha energy and slammed the telekinetic blast outward, starting a tremor that would bring down the building and kill everyone inside. She threw Stefan one last look and left him, Donil and the prey in the room.
In the corridor, she paused to pull the dagger out of her side. She flung it away. She would seek revenge. No one bested her. No one!
::Now, now, that was a waste of a good blade.::
She flicked her hair over her shoulder and ignored the two wolves at her back that blocked her only avenue of escape. No matter. She would be leaving. She had to start recruiting again. First, she had to take care of this last problem.
She snorted. "Oh, give me a break. Henry, isn't it past your bed time? Oh, wait, you only take cats to bed and not a proper wolf. It's why your brat is so weak. Lupine and feline don't mix. Don't worry. I took care of the abomination. She's dying as we speak. Come to me, my true Alpha mate. Let us rule together. Ditch the Council and let's start our own. My looks and strategy coupled with your smarts and money make the possibilities are endless."
She turned to the wolves who stared impassively at her. "Well?"
::Not today. We have loftier ambitions. You are, however, a thorny issue that I will rectify here and now.:: Henry bared his fangs.
Zina's fists clenched. He had rejected her yet again! "Very well, Backstabber. Pick one — quick and merciful or slow and excruciating?"
::How about D, none of the above.::
Her gaze flew to the south corner of the hall and she snarled. She shifted to Werehum and charged Isabella with claws swiping at the other female's face. Isabella, in polar bear form, avoided Zina's claws, displaying an agility that Zina was unaccustomed to seeing in bears. She bellowed her rage and prepared to attack again. ::Still sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, Bella?::
Isabella laughed. ::You have more to worry about than my nose.::
Zina heard a whisper of movement and spun to face her new attacker. It was Henry in Werehum form. Even knowing death stalked her heels, she had to admire his body ::It didn't have to be this way. We could have been great.::
::Only in your imagination, Zina. Now, dance!::
She let out a ringing roar and charged.
~***~
Jacques stared at the sun. A new day had arrived, yet it brought little joy.
He was stuck on a hill while others went to rescue Laylah. He didn't understand Henry's reasoning, not that his Alpha had bothered to explain. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself or his Alpha.
"Jacques, look. There's our Alpha!" Kenneth pointed to the middle building where dozens of Were streamed out and around Henry.
Jacques didn't see Laylah and his heart thumped painfully. "He doesn't have her." He tensed and made a choice. "Let's go. No more waiting." He ignored the other Betas' stunned expressions and raced down the hill toward his Alpha. He came to an abrupt stop a foot away from Henry. "Is she alive, my Alpha?"
Henry grunted. "Laylah, Laylah, Laylah! It's all you talk about. Careful, Jacques, that I don't start thinking ill of you. She is fine. So am I, though the she-bitch's blood has stained my fur and skin. Bring her to the mansion. She's grounded until further notice. I need to go change. Oh, and tell Alpha Yon that I shall meet up with him later."
"Yes, my Alpha." Jacques bristled at the orders, but remained calm until Henry was gone. He entered the building at a run and sneezed at the heavy coppery smell. He recognized the scent as well as the severed hand on the ground. "Guess Council law prevailed."
"Jacques? Jacques!"
He turned toward the sound and was nearly bowled over by a sobbing Laylah. She buried herself against his chest, clutching at his shirt and shivering.
"It's over, Laylah. Shh, you're safe." Over the hysterical teen's head, he saw movement in the shadows.
Stefan stepped a little into the light, his eyes going to Laylah.
::She's hurt, Jacques. Get her back checked out by a doctor. Zina clawed her pretty good.::
His gaze locked with Stefan's and he nodded. Stefan gave a mock salute and faded back into the darkness.
"Come, Laylah, let's get you home." He scooped up his precious burden. He kept her head turned so she wouldn't see the pieces of Zina that were strewn about. He made it to the limo and placed an exhausted and slumbering Laylah inside. Disaster had been averted and, now, maybe things could get back to normal.