Big Bad Wolfie

Abaddon stared at the man he ordered to shoot me mere seconds ago that's now lying dead on the ground.

He no doubt noticed the obvious signature of the blackened skin and instant death for most.

Others weren't so lucky as to get struck somewhere near the heart or brain, and so they writhed on the ground as the poison rushed through their veins, tearing apart nearly everything it touches until it reaches those precious organs.

I could tell the moment he recognized it.

For a split second his face showed the fear that fills all of us when we think of these things.

But it hardened and shot up to meet my slightly panicked gaze.

"Hybrids," he growled.

I nodded.

This is the f*cking Blood War all over again.

The Blood War: The sequel!

: The second one.

... Continued.

: Part two.

Okay, I'm done.

Jason's POV

I watched with a slack jaw as Abaddon's warriors completely lost interest in us or Maria and fired blindly into the woods at whoever just attacked them from behind. "What the f*ck just happened!" Zach yelled, wide eyed.

I looked at my parents, hoping they wouldn't say what I thought they were going to.

"It's them," they said simultaneously, both glaring darkly.

So darkly, I don't think I've seen my mother with such an expression since she looked the man who killed my brother in the eye before she ended him.

No. Not man.

Monster.

Hybrid.

They're practically interchangeable at this point, though.

Abaddon hopped out of the tank and stared into the woods like the rest of us.

Clearly no one was expecting anything like this to happen. Both sides need a second to recuperate.

After a few moments, he swiftly turned toward my Maria and started marching toward her.

My muscles tightened as I had the urge to jump in front of her before he got to her.

Before I could act on any of my instincts, Abaddon abruptly stopped right in front of her, said something I couldn't make out and, stuck his hand out to her, like he was expecting her to shake it.

I frowned.

Who in their right mind would shake this guy's hand after he just stormed our territory? Does he really expect her to -

Maria grabbed it and gave it a firm shake with a crisp nod.

"What just happened?" Zach voiced my thoughts.

"History is repeating itself," My father explained cryptically with a far off look in his eye.

(A/N: There's been a lot of looking and gazing and glaring and watching in this chapter, and I apologize for that haha. It's a little weird. I'll try and fix it when I go back and edit the whole book.)1 Now's not the time to be mysterious, father!

"That doesn't explain why Maria just —"

She appeared in the doorway, effectively cutting Zach off.

Abaddon close behind her.

Well this is different.

Malaki growled at the sight of Abaddon so close to Maria. We know how he feels about our mate. He doesn't need to be anywhere near her.

"Hello friends," Maria spoke swiftly, seeming to glide into the room. "Meet our new ally," she gestured to the vermin Abaddon.

'I can't believe that not that long ago we were that guy's b*tch'

Now's not the time to go through an existential crisis, Ki.

"What are you talking about, Maria?" I asked as she came up next to me.

"The enemy of our enemy is our friend," she shrugged and slammed a map of the terrain on the coffee table, already beginning to study it.

"This isn't Star Wars Maria, that's not how the real world works," I snapped.

"Well it is now," she called over her shoulder.

"Yeah, get over it," Abaddon commanded and stomped over to the map as well.

Am I missing something here? I know everyone came together the first time to stop the hybrids, but are these two really capable of working together just to do it again? "Where did you even get this map, Maria?" Zach frowned.

"We're in a crisis and you're still worried about the map?" I frowned back.

"I ripped it off the wall on my way up here."

Of course she did.

Zach just sighed.

"Jason," My father swiftly caught my attention, "notify the troops that hybrids are at the front border and not to attack until we have a strategy figured out," he ordered.

"Of course," I said as I group mind linked the pack and gave them the new information.

"I need to notify my house and the backup, as well," Maria started, looking up from the map.

"I'll do that," Zach stopped her, "You all figure out a plan," he dug his phone out of his pocket and started to scroll through it before he left for some quiet.

She gave a short nod and went back to analyzing the map.

I joined her, Abaddon, and my mother around the table while my father watched the hybrids draw closer and Abaddon's forces be depleted.

I couldn't help the sour look that came to my face when I looked across to Abaddon, but if he and Maria are willing to put aside their differences, he must be of some use to us and us to him.

And if I've learned anything about the hybrids, it's that we're going to need all the help we can get in defeating them a second time.

Now that there's no element of surprise and they're probably pissed as f*ck.

I turned to my Maria as she drew air designs around the map with her finger. "What are you thinking?" I asked her.

She frowned, "It depends what Happy has to update about my backup. They were told to come around the back of your pack to remain undetected, but if the hybrids had the same idea, we're in trouble." "Well then, I have good news," Zach responded as he came back into the room. "They made it in without any trouble and they're coming up through here," he dragged his finger along the Wide Tooth River that practically leads to our pack house's back yard. "but the bad news is, warriors are reporting the hybrids have gotten past the border here and here," he pointed to opposite sides of our land.

My mother frowned. "And they're probably making their way around the back to surround us."

"So we're all in agreement it's too late to evacuate the civilians?" Maria concluded, her voice hesitant.

My mother sighed sadly. "... Yes."

Abaddon just stood glaring down at the map. Probably a means to avoid looking out the window at all costs.

I don't want to feel bad for the guy or his house.

But so many people are being slaughtered out there as we speak.

So many of his people, and just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If I was in his position I'd be in much worse shape than he is.

I suppose that's a perk to being a heartless jerk, like him.

"So what?" Abaddon suddenly snapped. I had to clench my jaw to avoid snapping back.

Fighting with each other won't get us anywhere.

"Do you have a plan?" He finished, looking to my Maria.

She frantically ran her hands through her hair, showing cracks in her under control exterior. "We don't know enough about their numbers or their whereabouts to come up with a good offense, but they do say the best offense is a good defense."

"Who said that?" Zach raised a brow.

"I bet they're dead now," Abaddon rolled his eyes.

Such a pessimist.

My mother sighed, "That's not how the saying goes."

Maria let out a huff, "Well we're going to prove this one's true too!"

Abaddon growled. "Jason, just tell us everything we need to know about your warriors," he snapped, clearly over it.

"Yes," Maria turned to me in agreement, "give us all the tea while we brainstorm."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐