*Awoo*
A howl split the night, sharp and commanding, answered by a chorus that made the forest tremble. Outside the cabin, four massive wolves circled, their throats rumbling with guttural warnings toward the trees, perhaps in hopes of scaring away whatever lingered there.
Then, the darkness blinked alive—dozens of eyes ignited in the darkness, glowing an unnatural green that bled through the trees. The countless pairs of eyes had the four surrounded. The four refused to back down, holding their ground and firmly guarding their territory. For a moment everything seemed calm, as if it was just another normal evening, that is until a wolf stepped out of the shadows. The dim red light from the moon shone on its reddish fur making it appear as if bathed in blood. It's majestic figure carried an oppressive air, his eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight. His steps brought a chilling aura on the wolves in front of him.
"..."
"…Pathetic."
The single word rolled from his maw like thunder. His voice was a growl wrapped in contempt, low and resonant. The sound slithered through the trees, making even the shadows recoil. The wolves guarding the cabin stiffened, their hackles rising, yet none dared to move.
He lifted his head, the crimson sheen of his fur catching the moonlight, and with deliberate grace he stepped closer. Every motion dripped with predatory grace—measured, unhurried, yet brimming with lethal promise.
The four watched as stepped closer, their eyes burning with anger and a hint of fear. Lloyd moved to block his path, his massive figure no less imposing. A dangerous growl escaped his throat in warning.
"What is this? A mere mutant dares to stand in my way?" The alpha scoffed, then glanced at the three who had their fangs bared at him, "Ha, you dare bare your teeth at your alpha?!" He released a stronger aura threatening to suppress them. However it seemed he had miscalculated this time, the wolves before him weren't the same weak pitiful defects they were ten years ago. He realized they were unmoving, completely unfazed by his threat. He paused, the chill wind of the forest swept across the group carrying a faint scent. His nose caught the scent then chuckled.
"Interesting, looks like you are hiding something fun why don't you ring out to play with us for a bit?" His gaze swept across the four, who had visibly stiffened at his words, then moved behind them.
When his gaze locked onto the cabin, the air grew heavier, suffocating. He paused for a bit then broke into a smile.
He bared his fangs in a cruel grin, eyes narrowing as if savouring the fear that rippled through the pack.
Lloyd frowned, his golden eyes glowing, seemingly alive, his deep voice showing just how angry he was at the moment, "Don't even think bout it. You are not allowed to lay your filthy paws on her." His voice seemed to be backed by the forest.
"You dare stand against me?" he hissed, his tone both mocking and deadly. "This forest… this night… it all belongs to me."
With every step forward, the ground seemed to tremble beneath his weight. The green-eyed horde behind him stirred, restless, awaiting his command. He paused only a breath away from the cabin's defenders, his presence suffocating, his aura pressing down like a storm about to break.
"Step aside, or else…"
"Or else what?!" Lloyd was fuming.
"Heh." He smirked and signalled to the horde behind him, *Awoo*. A deafening howl sent them running towards the cabin. A bad sense of foreboding washed over Lloyd and the others.
The attack from the intruders was not a surprise to them but their numbers were. They were simply too numerous to fend off. The four brothers fought with calculated moves, landing each strike with deadly precision. But the other side were not to be trifled with either.
From the side the alpha who launched the call watched with cold eyes as the brothers fought with desperation not knowing what storm was brewing.
___________
In the silent cabin, Mireille was curled up on the bed feeling all sorts of discomfort. She wanted to sink her fangs into something, her blood boiled at the thought of seeing blood. Her mind unconsciously wandered to the past when she had first awakened as a vampire, 'How I wished I had eaten more back then, I wouldn't have been feeling so empty now.' In her daze she revisited that bloody night. A sudden sound snapped her out of her daze. She looked up at saw a stunning white wolf before her, "Alex?" 'No, this is not Alex.'
The wolf before her had a slightly smaller frame compared to Alex's wolf and her fur ends were black and silver, her gaze were locked on Mireille with predatory violence. Compared to Alex's beautiful purple eyes, this wolf had blue eyes-clear as the mid-day skies.
"Who are you and how did you get in here?" Mireille's brow furrowed in annoyance and concern. 'How did she get past the four without them noticing? Were they in trouble?'
"Hahaha, relax bitch-oh wait you're not even qualified to be called a bitch, tch. Filthy human. You dare covet what's mine? You'll be coming with me, whether you will it or not." The wolf spoke such toxic words shattering the brief illusion of grace and elegance that surrounded her figure.
'What a shame, a great beauty ruined with such a bad character, tsk, tsk, she has such a divine voice too, how pitiful.' Mireille watched the wolf with indifference as she lamented in her heart, wiping away invisible tears.
"Well, for one I don't know who the hell you are-not that I care though. And I'm certainly not obliged to follow you, besides there's nothing about you I can trust. I'm sure I don't know you so there's nothing of yours I've stolen."
"Oh dear, you don't have a choice. And I certainly hate to repeat myself." With that the wolf charged towards her and in with a swift swipe knocked her unconscious.
Mireille's vision went black as she slumped down to the ground, in the last moment she felt resentment and regret, resentment at her own weakness and regret for burdening the brothers once more.
Laura looked down at the figure sprawled out on the ground with disdain and hatred. She hated why she was able to get what she couldn't. 'I'll make sure you regret this and wish you were never alive.'
Lloyd felt an inexplicable unease, like something really bad was about to happen-he was about to lose something. 'Huh? Why do they seem to be withdrawing?' The previously aggressive attacks from the other-side receded like a tide. The four thought they'd seen the disparity in strength and decided to give up.
Lloyd saw a white wolf approach the alpha carrying a figure on it's back. Time stalled, everything around went silent all he could see at that moment was Mireille's lifeless being taken away.
The alpha gave a mocking smile before disappearing with Mireille's figure, the white wolf stared at Lloyd meaningfully before leaving, trailing behind the alpha.
The pack received the command to retreat. They scattered into the woods heading back to their lands.
Back at the brothers end, Lloyd stood frozen in disbelief.
"...d! Lloyd! Snap out of it." Zave called Lloyd a third time before he regained his senses. Without waiting for a word he dashed inside the cabin, heading straight for her bedroom.
Bang! The door flew open, almost snapping off its hinges from the force. Lloyd scanned the room frantically, he rushed towards the bed and lifted the covers, but the figure that was supposed to be there was nowhere to be found.
Lloyd's heart was pounding uncontrollably, it felt as if it was being gripped by an invisible force. He could not understand why things had turn out this way. Wasn't he strong enough? Why was he always unable to protect what mattered most— just like before…