The Wolf In Me novel Chapter 25

Jake's POV

"Stretch,stretch,stretch. Great, now another side," I said as I was warming up the pack of wolves to get ready for the run.

"Great. Now I want everyone in line. Get ready to run in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, run!"

I clicked the button on the time watch and waited for the pack to come back within an hour. Luka has just come down to have a word with me about this afternoon plan.

"Do you feel that the pack is ready?" He asked scratching his thick beard.

"I believe so. Look at them. They are training seriously. They don't stop or complain one bit. They have become stronger and sharper. Look at Malakai's team over there. So in line and precise. Right?"

He watched them for a while just admiring them.

"I don't want to lose even one of them tonight. Let's hope they are sharp enough. The vampire's children are hidden below ground. It will take time to get to them. I want thirty of the packs to guard this area here, ten of the packs to guard point one of the forest, another ten packs to guard point two, and the last few of the packs to guard point number three. I will be going with dad this morning to find their hiding spot," he explained.

"Sounds like a plan," I answered. "But, don't you think I should come too? You might need backup," I suggested.

"No need. The less we are the better. I don't want them to sense our presence. They smell blood from fifty miles away."

I nodded and looked at the timer.

"Here they come," I told him smiling. Sure enough the first few started to show up.

"I'll let you to it then," he said as he turned to walk back inside.

"Well done everyone!" I said clapping my hands whilst watching everyone trying to catch their breaths back.

The guards closed the gate as soon as the last of the pack entered.

"Let's start the cooling down, then we get ready for breakfast," I said thinking of how hungry I was getting.

Luka's POV

My dad and I started walking slowly in the forest trying not to get our hearts pumped up as the vampires will smell our blood more easily. We sniffed each place trying to find any hint of their scent.

"Nothing yet," I whispered, feeling a little uncomfortable, wanting to just get everything over and done with.

"Shh. Don't talk," he reminded me telepathically.

Their hearing is as good as us wolves and we didn't t want them to hear us. We continued our search for hours until my stomach started to growl. Suddenly I heard the faint sounds of the vampires' moans coming from everywhere.

My dad pressed his index finger on his lips and we stopped for a moment to listen. He pointed at the direction from where the sound was coming and we started to walk slowly until we could smell their scent. The further we walked the stronger their scent got which meant that there was more than just a few of them in one spot. This could be their hiding place but until we were sure, we didn't leave. One day walker vamp that was outside, on his way back from his shift caught our scent.

"Daywalker," I told dad telepathically, "run".

We both ran as fast as we could in human form but as we were getting more tired and breathless, our wolves emerged halfway to our escape, leaving our clothes behind. The vampire that spotted us was chasing us with his vampire speed and managed to get on my back, clinging to my wolf's fur. Simba tried to bring him down with a high jump but it was to no avail. Dad's wolf growled and jumped over both of us and bit his finger off, removing his daylight ring. The vamp screeched and screamed until the sun boiled him inside out leaving his skin burnt black with smoke coming out from his skin.

I was shocked by the scene in front of me as I never saw one getting exposed to the sun.

"Run," my dad said shaking me off from my amazement.

We started to run as fast as we possibly could, hearing more screeching from the other vamps that heard the commotion.

"We found them. We found their hiding spot," I told Mei and Jake trying to catch my breath back. "They are on the far side of the forest hiding in a cave."

I coughed and turned to face dad that was also trying to calm down.

"Seems like you were chased," Mei said looking at both of us.

"One day walker caught us but thanks to dad, he is fully fried like an overcooked chicken in an oven. He bit its ring off and the sunburnt him alive. Do you still have it pa?" I asked curiously now gathering myself up.

My dad stretched his hand out between us four and opened the palm of his hand exposing the ring.

"He was one of the Gangrel clan. They know no fear. They are one of the few that brave the wilderness and the dangers that it brings. We must be careful of their elders as they tend to become more bestial physically and mentally, making them more aggressive and dangerous," dad explained.

"I am sure they have gathered all their clans by now, waiting for us to go to them. We should stick to our original plan. No mistakes or they will make fools of us."

He raised his eyebrows and handed me the ring.

"You see there?" He pointed at the golden ring that had a carving at the top. "This is the sign of their clan."

I focused my eyes on it to get a good view of every detail.

"Wolf?" I asked surprised.

"Wolf. That is their symbol," dad answered back.

"Why? How?" I was confused.

Mei stretched her nack to get a better view of the ring and Jake was silently listening.

"They do not fear us. Most of the time, they are the ones that carry the daylight ring. They are so strong that they dare do the dirty work themselves."

I moved my eyes at everyone trying to see if anyone had anything to say.

"We stick to the plan then," I said after a few seconds of silence.

I gave the ring back to dad nodding my head.

"Let's inform the rest. Jake gather every pack for me outside. I need to give them their positions and directions. No time to waste," I ordered.

I watched as I stood on the stage that was built the previous day for me by a few wolves from my pack. Everyone was standing in front of me waiting for me to start.

"Today is the day we end all of the Vampires. We do not want to give them the chance to expand throughout the whole world," I started.

Everyone cheered in response.

"Their dominance is nothing compared to our strength. We are the ones to rise and stand. Today we will not just fight for our kind, but we will fight in the name of all humans, werewolves, wolfs and good witches alike. No vampire will bring us down!"

Everyone raised their voice and arms, cheering and chanting "Hail king Luka! Hail king Luka".

Suddenly there came a gust of wind throwing some banners that were placed around the stage. Everyone stopped their chants and started to look around. A familiar scent filled my nostrils, yet I could not remember whose it was. The wind stopped as fast as it came and before me stood a tall young lady, with light brown hair and hazel eyes.

"Lylah?" I gasped with disbelieve.

I have not seen her in a very long time.

"How?" I asked not knowing what to say.

"I heard you needed a good witch to help so I found you here," she announced.

"You're a witch?" I looked at her up and down still with my eyes wide open.

"Yes. I was hoping I would get a different reaction then that though."

She giggled and looked at Mei.

"You are with child," she said smiling.

Mei smiled back moving closer to me.

"Congratulations are in order," Lylah continued. "Luka, I know you know me to be a different person, but I hope that you still trust me."

I tried to shake off my surprised look and cleared my throat trying to gather myself.

"Well, welcome to our packhouse. Our kind welcomes you. We have a free room for you if you like to join us. But, tell me, why did you choose to help us?" She looked at me with a smile.

"Well. You have been of great help when we worked together, remember? I have never returned the favour. Anyways, helping you kill those monstrous creatures that were created by our kind is the least I can do to pay for the mistake that was made by one of us witches."

Silence filled the air for a while.

"Let's discuss this further and give the vampires one last day of survival then. We might plan something even better than the original plan," I said convincingly, now being hopeful we might have a better chance at winning with an extra pair of hand.

I looked at dad that was at the corner of the stage watching silently and he was wearing a concerned look on his face. I could tell he didn't like the idea of a witch joining us or possibly postponing the fight, yet he didn't want to speak over my decision since I was the king of all wolves and werewolves alike. He just gave me one nod in acceptance and started to walk himself back in the packhouse.

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