Chapter Dire Dance
Nixon
As we emerged from the fog. Jax noticed two giant white wolves lying on the ground. Standing a few feet away from them was our prey.
“No more waiting Jax. Take him out.” And without a word back, both Arrow and Jax shot out. Orion had yet to shift. He was still in his human form. That doesn’t matter to me, though. You know the saying, don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. Because human or not. This fucker is dead.
Cay lunged first. Orion was able to dodge the blow by darting to the left. Right, where I wanted him. Jax swooped in with his mouth wide opened. Orion’s hand landed on his snout, and he pushed off. Leaping into the air, Orion landed behind my wolf. Cay was there again, swiping at Orion’s right leg. He left a gnarly gash in place as soon as he landed on the ground.
Orion howled out and hammered his fist into Arrow’s left cheek. He caused his head to dip down. Orion kicked up into his jaw with his left foot. And Arrow to flew back landing on his back.
“CAY!” I shouted. Jax growled and charged forward. He tried tackling Orion. But he stood his ground even with a bad leg. He pushed back against my wolf, keeping one hand on Jax. Orion used his right elbow to slam down on my wolf’s head.
Jax shook off the blow and focused back on Orion. Who was now a few feet. “How the hell is he so strong in this form?” I asked my wolf.
“He’s not strong.” He growled back, “This isn’t his strength. I can tell. Look at his leg; it’s already healed. That was a deep-ass gash. Even for a werewolf.”
Cay lept into the air from behind us. Using both hands, Orion reached as if he would catch Arrows massive form. Crossing his arms, Orion reached into the sleeve of his tux, and pulled out two silver daggers.
“CAY, WATCH OUT!” I shouted through the mind link.
Quickly Jax slammed into Cay. Orion chuckled from behind us as I shoved Cay out of the way. Jax took the first slash across his side. Quickly turning on all fours. My wolf jumped back as those two silver daggers were slashed in the air. Orion may be old, but he’s quick as hell.
“You may be wondering why I use these. Instead of my wolf.” Orion laughed, twirling to the side, aiming at Jax’s side. My wolf jumped out of the way, trying to avoid being hit again. The silver was burning up his side.
“It’s simple—my wolf is no longer with me. After my mate died,” he grunted and lunged at my wolf. “He retreated into my mind, never to be heard from again.”
Orion began his assault of slashes again. I couldn’t believe it. Jax was on the defensive side of this fight. “So I had to rely on science and hiring others to defend my pack. On the side, I mastered knives. The silver barely affects me any more.”
SLASH
Orion slashed the blade down, connecting with a Jax’s upper peck. “But I bet it burns like hell for you.”
“ROAR!” Arrow charged forward and latched on to Orion’s right arm. He shook and shook until Orion finally released one blade. Orion raised his left arm. The dagger was aiming at the top of Arrow’s skull. I won’t make it in time to stop him. I’m about to witness the death of my brother.
BOOM!
A white hairball tackled Orion to the ground, knocking him out of Arrow’s grip. I sighed in relief. Jax tried to rejoin the fight. But the silver was weakening his body. Becoming dizzy, he slowly lowered his body to the ground.
We watched on as two beautiful white wolves danced around Orion. It was a beautiful thing to see.
Aviry
Mia watched on, horrified.
Both Nixon and Cay’s wolves are fighting against Orion. Both of my weaknesses are risking their lives by going against him.
“Mia, we need to gain control again.” I Urged. “We have to kill Orion before it’s too late.
“I’m trying Aviry. I can feel the effects of the antidote working. We need to stay strong Aviry. Cay and Nixon can hold their ground.”
“But if they..”
“Don’t think like that.”
“Where the hell is Mark!?” I growled. “Now is not the time to stand back and watch! He should know better than all. If anything happens to either one of them, he’ll lose both of them.”
“Maybe he’s injured.” Mia suggested.
“Tsk, who, Mark. There’s no way in hell Mark was injured.”
We watched Cay and Nixon tag team Orion. At this point, I want the bastard dead. Yeah, I want to be the one who does it. But in this state, I can’t. So I’m relying on Nixon and Cay to get the job done.
Mia whined. “Aviry, he has daggers.”
I looked up to where they were battling. Sure enough, Orion was wielding two five-inch silver daggers. Nixon was able to knock Cay out of the way just in time. But now Orion is targeting Nixon as he slashes through the air.
“For an old bastard, he’s pretty quick,” Mia stated.
“That doesn’t mean shit to me.” I replied. “How’s progress going with movement, Mia?”
“I can move my head around now.” Mia looked over at Kia. “It looks like Kia is on the same page as me. Just a few more moments Aviry. This antidote is working fast.”
We continued watching helplessly. Nixon’s wolf was on the defensive. Arrow was searching for an opening while Orion was focused on his target. When Cay saw an opportunity, he growled and took hold of Orion’s right arm. After Orion slashed through Nixon’s wolf.
Arrow viciously tugged at the arm like a dog toy. The silver dagger fell to the ground. Turning his focus on my mate, Orion raised his left arm. The silver dagger was about to be plunged straight into his skull.
“MIA!” I shouted.
And faster than a ray of light, Mia took off. My brain couldn’t process what was happening. One minute my heart is screaming out for Cay. And the next, Mia is snarling and snapping at Orion’s face.
“KILL HIM MIA!” I shouted.
“Wanna hear a secret.” Orion chuckled. “That birthmark is your only weak spot.”
SLAM!
Orion timed his head but perfectly. Slamming into Mia’s forehead, she stumbled back, disoriented from the blow. Instead of seeing one Orion, she saw two. A sharp pain stung my head as well.
“I learned that from your mother.” Orion whispered as Mia staggered away from him.
The ground rumbled beneath Mia’s feet. It caused her to shuffle on all fours to gain her balance.
“Ah, Denver…” Orion sighed.
An earth-shattering roar sounded off. Kia was charging straight toward Orion. Orion held his arms out as if he was preparing to embrace her in a hug. Denver swerved from his path and ran toward Mia. Skidding to the side, she flanked Mia. Stabilizing her enough to gain her grip.
“Oh, so you came to help your sister. How sweet. Now, help daddy out by ending this damn war. And…” He put a finger in the air, “If you come with me without a fight, I’ll let those two live.” He said, pointing his finger at Arrow and Nixon.
Nixon was lying on the ground, now entirely shifted back into a human. I could see where the silver was buring the front of his chest. The sight made my stomach drop. Arrow was whimpering and licking at the womb.
Alpha Kane and Alpha Sam were by their side trying to aid in his recovery. But where the hell is Mark? Maybe he went to get help. It’s a severe injury made by silver which can be deadly. Nixon needs to be treated, or both him and Cay are in danger.
“Cay shift back. We need to get him to the packhouse. But you can help with the wound now. If he dies, you die.” But wheres Mark? Didn’t he already run for help? He wouldn’t abandon us would he? Not when we needed him the most.
“What!?” Orion laughed out loud. “You invade my territory, start a war, and want to leave without finishing this once and for all? Tsk, shame on you, Alpha Kane.”
“Orion, you bastard. What wolf uses silver on another.”
“One who doesn’t give a fuck about basic ass wolves.” Orion snapped. “You and your friends are about to die.”
Kia and I both growled. Standing together in unison. We both went to stand in front of the others.
“Oh, I see. You are want to protect those that are less than you. Very charitable indeed. So let’s make a deal. We will leave this place. Your “friends” will survive. And hey, who knows. Maybe in a few years when I have no use for you anymore, you can come back visit them. But then, of course, you’ll have to promise to come back home to our Dire clan. How does that sound?”
Kia and Mia took two massive steps forward, growling and snarling at Orion. “Come on girls. Focus on what the better choice is. Leaving with me voluntarily, or putting the final nail in the coffin for your friends.”
Another two steps from us. We were pushing Orion back further from our friends. Slowly closing in on him. I could hear his heart rate beginning to pick up.
“This will not end in your favor.” Orion snarled. His mood was going from calm to annoyed. “Just give it up. I don’t want to hurt you. But goddess, turn your head because you will both suffer. Far more than you can ever imagine.”
Orion finally growled and gave in. “Fine, then have it your way. Your friends will die, and you will beg me for my forgiveness.” He looked at me and smiled. “If I can’t have a happy ending, neither can you.”
Orion lurched his left hand back with his last silver dagger. He launched it, but his aim was off. Both Mia and I were able to dodge the attack.
Now that he is fully disarmed. Mia and Kia shot forward. They ran circles around Orion, looking for the perfect spot. A small dust cloud began to kick up around our prey. Mia lunged first, purposely missing to land on the other side of Orion. Orion jumped back, only to be bitten by Kia’s wolf.
Mia took her shot by slashing at Orion’s legs. He fell to his knees. Kia jumped back and we circled him again. This time Kia lunged first. Orion pushed his left arm out, practically asking for it to be bitten. Mia took hold of his right arm. Together both dire wolves pulled.
“AHHHHHHH!” Orion shouted.
Mia and Kia tossed both arms to the side. Orion, is now screaming in agony at the loss of his limbs. He looked up into the glowing reflection of our wolf’s eyes as they slowly approached him. They licked the sides of their mouths.
“Send me to mama girls..”
Both wolves lunged forward, biting and scratching at Orion. They were tearing him apart. Limb from limb. Orion was finally dead, and…
“AHHH!” I cried out, gripping my chest.
Mia whimpered and fell to the ground. “Aviry, what is this feeling?” Mia asked me.
It felt like our heart was being burned.
“CAY!” Alpha Kane shouted. He was holding the head of Cay, who was now lying on the ground.
Mia’s head shot up. She howled out, charging forward toward our mate.
Cay
Nixon and I worked hard to fight against Orion. After seeing Mia lying on the ground immobilized, Arrow went mad. He wanted to kill Orion. We fought and fought. Until Nixon knocked us of the way. Arrow was ready to protest, but then Nixon took a hit from a silver dagger.
We circle him looking for an opening. And when Orion struck he cut Nixon across the chest. We took that chance to get the dagger from his right hand.
Everything was happening so quickly. The next thing I know, Mia was on top of Orion. And Nixon was in pain from the silver. He would survive the hit if it were treated early. Kane and Jared ran up to the stage.
They were arguing about what to do. The medic was on the field helping others. Kane called out for Alpha Sam to find someone quickly. But he wouldn’t be fast enough.
So Kane asked me to help. I was trained in medicine; I just need to find the materials. I stood up, ready to run and get what I needed. But as soon as I stood. I felt a sharp pain…
Before I looked down, I looked up to see the most fascinating thing. Two giant wolves were running around Orion. They leaped from side to side in unison. One would distract, and the other would attack. It was almost like a dance. I was so entranced by them. I didn’t even register my pain…my infliction…my death.
Mia howled out and faced me. I was falling to the ground in slow motion.
“CAY!” Kane shouted out.
And that’s when everything hit me all at once. A silver dagger was protruding from my chest. Mia’s beautiful light dimmed from her eyes. I blinked, and there was my gorgeous hell on the earth angel—my mate Aviry. She was crying out for Mark.
“MARK!” She shouted. “Help! Please don’t abandon us! Cay and Nixon need help!” She cried, and she crawled over to me and Nixon’s side.
She’s calling out for my father. She doesn’t know that he passed away. I don’t want her to think that he’d leave us. Goddess knows she has been abandoned enough. Even now, I can feel that I’ll be doing the same soon.
She sat in between Nix and me bawling. Nixon reached up to comfort her, “It’s… it’s going to be...” But he burst out into a coughing fit.
I could see the hurt in her eyes, and I needed to talk her through this. I promised I’d never leave her, but I am dying right in front of her.
Mustering up all the strength I had. I gripped Aviry's hand. “Look at me Aviry. Mark…dad is gone. He died.”
“No!” She cried. “What the fuck is happening. This is not ok! You can’t leave me. You promised you’d never leave me.” She cried out, breaking my pierced heart even more.
“I know. But, this is something I can’t control Aviry,” I said before I began coughing. She took my head in both of her hands. The touch was soothing. But I could feel my life slipping away….
“Don’t leave me. You can’t leave me, Cay. Please stay, or take me with you.”
I wish I could stay with you Aviry. I want nothing more than to be with you forever. For so long, I waited for my mate. And although we never completed the bond. I know in my heart that you feel the same way I do for you. My eyes focused on the love of my life: my strong, fierce warrior Aviry Mills.
When I first saw you. I knew you would change my life. And when I discovered that you were my mate, I was so happy. It may have taken some time for you to come around to me But you finally accepted me. I was never going to give up on you. I never wanted to leave.
I wish I could say all of this to you. But I refuse to leave this world without saying the one thing I always wanted to tell you.
“I love you, Aviry…”