Big Bad Wolfie

I kissed Desi's hand with wet lips from all the tears that ran over them, and covered her head with the blanket she was lying beneath. I sniffled.

I thought I'd feel something.

I felt so much just a few seconds ago, and now it's all gone.

All I feel is my skin prickling with goosebumps, and something growing in my chest, but my subconscious knows I can't let it out right now.

I'm sure it's something adjacent to rage and sorrow mixed into an atomic bomb, but the numbness prevails.

I'm sure my instincts will know better than I do when to unleash it on me. Hopefully it's not at an inconvenient time.

I stood up and could immediately tell my eyes were red and vibrant by the way everyone looked at me tensely. Like they were on edge or afraid to do the wrong thing.

I don't know if they're right to be. I feel in control of my talent at the moment, but things like that have been known to change on a dime.

At least I'm well fed.

Or the werewolf blood that it smells like I'm drowning in would be a problem.

I've also been surprisingly good at coping with the magnified heavy breathing shrouding me and the feeling of eyes latched to my back like claws.

I think standing over the corpse of what used to be like a little sister to me offered some clarity for who the violence inside me should be directed towards.

It's not myself, not yet, and it's not the people in this barn.

It's those monsters out there who did this to her.

I looked to Brandon, who seemed to be the only one in the room that didn't look like he wanted to sh*t himself at the mere sight of me. Makes sense, he's the only one in here who's seen me like this with his own eyes.

Everyone else is probably just going based off terrible stories that are over exaggerated and embellished. Some were probably true too, though. Dramatic enough to make a good story without lying you're way through it.

Either way, I can't bring myself to care. All I care about is...

I don't know what I care about.

I need this all to end so I can figure it out.

"Let's get to the others," I said to Brandon. My heart felt like it had turned to stone. I could still feel the bomb ready to go off right beneath the surface and the hot tears stained to my face, but it's a weird feeling, because I'm so cold. "Let's end this."

Brandon nodded with determination in his eyes.

He gave Desi one last remorseful look, and I sent a quick prayer up to the moon goddess to keep her safe, and we were out of the barn.

No one bothered to try and stop me to dress my wounds. Brandon just threw a first aid kit into the bag strapped to his back.

"Stay safe everyone," I threw over my shoulder as I closed the door tight, somehow more somber than when I'd opened it. My mind immediately got to working.

There's already a plan in motion, and it's not even full proof. Barely based on a hunch.

But I wanna kick it into gear and get it over with now.

I'm angry.

Actually, I'm numb.

But I know I won't be when the bomb in my chest explodes.

Either way, I want to take action. Now.

We sprinted to where we new Wolfie was, sticking to the sides of buildings and alleyways over the main roads to avoid unwanted attention.

We obviously started running into more hybrids the closer we got to the front lines, but there were also more of our own warriors there to help.

I'm so relieved to finally be around people who can handle themselves. I hate being the only line of defense.

Also, now that my talent is activated and my reflexes and senses are heightened, the playing field is more level between me and the hybrids. That helped us to get to Wolfie as quick as possible. "Wolfie," I called when we finally reached him. I couldn't help the slight relief in my voice, even in my numb state.

He turned around with Happy by his side. Both of them are covered in dirt and blood. I can smell not aft of it is theirs, though. My heart slowed the slightest bit at that knowledge. They're okay.

In bad shape, but okay.

Just being able to see that Wolfie is alive with my own eyes after what just happened, felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

It didn't defuse the bomb in my chest, but it's a mercy from the moon goddess nonetheless, and I'm grateful for it.

"I have a new idea that will end this now. It's a risk, but if it works, the casualties would be reduced by ten times."

I waited with practically no patience to hear their reaction.

"Anything that'll get this over with sooner rather than later," Happy nodded his head in agreement.

The others didn't disagree, so I just went on telling them the alternative plan.

They listened closely, the frowns on their faces growing by the second. Some in concentration, and others, *cough cough* Wolfie, in disapproval.

"No way," he shook his head vehemently. "That's way too risky, Maria."

"The plan is already risky, Jason. This way, less people have to die," I tried to convince him, using his real name.

"No. This way there's a chance the hybrid king won't even take the bait, and if he doesn't, the whole plan falls through," he persisted.

I looked to Happy and Brandon for some support but found uncertain faces.

"He's got a point, Mari," Brandon frowned.

"Yes, but if that happens, then we

can just go back to the original plan and everything will be just as risky and uncertain as we left it," they considered it for a second.

"We don't even know if he's here," Happy pointed out.

"He is if our theory is correct," I debated.

"And if it isn't?" He asked.

"Then both plans will fail and we're all screwed," I informed them of what they already knew.

"Oh, right," Happy grimaced.

"But he's here, somewhere. I know it," I shook my head free of the doubts.

I've felt that itch of dread in the back of my mind for a while now.

It's easy to distinguish now because it's all that's been able to work it's way through the numbness.

It's him.

The king of monsters.

My talent is warning me of him. I know it.

"How do you know for sure?" Wolfie spoke with his brows set in sharp concentration.

"The same way I knew we were being followed in the woods," I told them.

I watched the recognition of the memory pass over their faces.

Then, Wolfie sighed. "I trust you," he told me.

The simple words at a time like this impacted me in a way that almost made the off, but I steeled bomb I myself in time. I could only nod because any further action would jostle the sensitive layer of rock that's protecting my heart at the moment.

Happy sighed too, "I guess I'm with him," he jabbed his thumb in Wolfie's direction.

I looked to Brandon to see if he agreed.

He shrugged, "I'm always with you."

Goddess, I love you Brandon.

"Alright then, you two get into position. We'll grab Rose and get this party started," I instructed surly.

This ends tonight.000000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐