The Alpha's Mutt
Before the Storm

After a final early morning meeting with all of the battle leaders to ensure that everyone was clear on each detail of the plan. I had arranged with the witches for Hugo’s safe passage to the battle site while Farris tracked down coverings that Hugo could use to keep his sensitive flesh from being exposed to the sun. The witches had assured that they could spell the windows in the vehicle where he rode so that you could still see outside but the sun would not be able to come through them. However, just in case Hugo were to be exposed when someone opens a door or something, it was safest to take all precautions.

Currently, everyone was outside in front of the pack house. We had gathered the majority of the Pariah and Elwood packs together. The only ones who were not here were the ones who were going to stay behind to take care of the pups and protect the territory. All the healthy members of Bristlecone were present. And the witches were all there as well.

We were giving each wolf their team assignment so that they knew which of the leaders that they would be following once we arrived on location. Our hope was that as soon as we were all at the outskirts of the vampire territory, that the groups would separate seamlessly, and each begin attending to their separate assignments. If everything went according to plan, then we should have the vamps mostly surrounded before they have a chance to react.

“Mysti, I have just had a report about a large group of wolves on the border.” Farris mindlinked me. “I am headed there now to check on the situation.”

“Alright. Please let me know if you need me.”

“Of course.”

I did not hear anything more from Farris for several minutes which had me a bit concerned. Then I noticed one of Farris’s wolves fetching Percy and leading him out in the direction of the border breach. I thought this was a bit odd, but I tried not to focus on it and instead forced myself to concentrate on the task at hand. I just kept reminding myself that if Farris needed me, then he would call for me.

Shortly after, Farris emerged from the trees followed by a rather large group of wolves. I was confused for a moment until they started to shift back into their human forms and Relic’s face lit up at the sight.

“Trudy!!!!” He cried out as he rushed towards one of the females, an older she-wolf with long, dark, braided hair.

I hurried behind him, eager to replace out exactly what was going on. Though I had my suspicions.

“I see we have some guests.” I mentioned to Farris as I approached him.

“Yeah. It seems that the Hemmings River wolves made it just in time.” Farris remarked.

“We are sorry for our late arrival, Alphas. We were trying to gather as many volunteers as we could before we left. But when the twins informed us that you were getting the vampire’s location, we knew that we could not wait any longer, so we headed here immediately.” A stern looking wolf explained as he stood next to Farris with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Well, I certainly could not allow my family to go into battle without me.” The older she-wolf, Trudy, interjected as she, Relic, and the twins approached.

It was obvious that she was Relic’s mate and the twins’ mother. The twins looked so much like her with their dark hair and round faces.

“And we are grateful to have you all here.” I assured. “I am Alpha Mysti of the Pariah Pack. And you have already met my mate, Alpha Farris of the Elwood Pack.”

“Alphas.” The stern wolf offered with a nod of respect. “I am Beta Earnest of the Hemmings River Pack.”

“And I am Trudy, Zeta of the Hemmings River Pack.” The older she-wolf formerly introduced herself. “Our Alpha sends his apologies for his absence. Unfortunately, before you discovered the cure, the virus did quite a number on our pack.”

“That is understandable. And we are simply grateful to have any help that we can get. Though I do hope that you will not be too exhausted from your travels. We were hoping to get underway here rather soon.” Farris admitted, expressing his concern that they had already been traveling that morning.

“You don’t have to worry about us.” Trudy assured. “We actually arrived last night but we knew that you would be busy with the ritual. So, in order to not add to any chaos, we simply made camp beyond your border. I assure you that we are all well rested and ready to join the fight.”

“Glad to hear it.” Farris visibly relaxed knowing that today’s plans were not in jeopardy. “Mysti, how about you and Relic take Beta Earnest and Zeta Trudy inside to go over the current battle plans. I will stay out here and help the Betas finish assigning the teams. I would like to try to be out of here in an hour and a half, two at the most.”

“Agreed.” I confirmed. “If you all will follow me, we will get underway.”

With that we got back to work. We found it was fairly easy to add Hemmings River into the plan without really disrupting what any of the other teams were already doing. Having more wolves really just made it simpler to surround the vamps with our numbers.

Farris and the Betas were successful in getting all the other wolves to the groups that they needed to be in. Then I met with Emlyn once more to give her final instructions before I handed the pack camp temporarily over to her, this time she would be staying behind to protect the pack. After what happened at Bristlecone, she was still healing, and it was best if she sat this one out. Plus, it was best to leave, at least, one higher ranked wolf behind. I was leaving my Gamma and Farris was leaving his. They would lead until we returned.

It was just about time for us to shift and head out. So, I went into the basement to fetch Hugo and get him into the spelled vehicle before joining the rest of the wolves to run. We decided that it was best for the wolves to travel on foot, as we thought that a parade of vehicles pulling up to vampire territory would probably draw some attention. In our wolf-forms within the trees, we could be stealthy and were more likely to go undetected for longer.

I made certain that Hugo was covered from head to toe, even putting a hat on his head and sunglasses over his eyes. Then I hurried him over to the black SUV that he would be traveling in. I put him into the back and put a blanket with him so that he could cover himself further if it was needed for any reason.

“Are you good to go, Hugo?” I questioned as he settled in.

“Yes, Alpha. I should be fine. Thank you.” He assured.

“Good.” I stated before pausing to take a quick glance around, ensuring that we would not be overheard. “Hugo, don’t ask any questions and do not tell anyone what I am about to tell you.” I instructed.

“What is it, Alpha?” He questioned, the sudden concern evident in his voice.

“When we get to the battle, I need you to stick with me. No matter how far back the rest of group falls, you need to keep with me.” I urged.

“What do you mean?”

“You and I will be the fastest ones on our side of this battle. If we are quick enough, we can end this before any of our loved ones are killed.” I paused, looking into his eyes to express the seriousness of what I was saying. “It is up to us, Hugo. You and me. You show me the way through the building, and I will take out Belial. We cannot bring anyone else inside with us, they will be in too much danger. We have to end this…the two of us.”

Hugo hesitated for a moment as he studied me, likely trying to ascertain if I was completely serious or not. He knew that this meant I would be going against Farris’s wishes. He was also aware that I would not do something like that often. But in this case, I felt it necessary. If Hugo and I could get in there on our own, we had the chance to stop this before the battle got too out of hand. Before too many lives were lost. We were faster than the others and we needed to use this our advantage.

“Can I count on you?” I pressed, needing an immediate answer.

“Yes, Alpha. You can count on me.” Hugo affirmed with a look of certainty on his face.

“Good. Then take this.” I instructed as I handed him a small glass vile.

“What is this?” He asked, though one look at the contents and he instantly knew.

“My blood. I want you to drink it once we get there.” I explained.

“No, Alpha. I can’t.” Hugo protested.

Which I had, honestly, expected. We had discouraged him from drinking from any of the wolves as it was not a habit that we wanted to start. But beyond that, I was his Alpha. If he was going to drink from any wolf, it would not be any realm of comprehension to think that he would do so from an Alpha. However, special circumstances required special consideration. I knew that my blessed blood would be more than enough to fuel him for what was to come and if he was going to be my partner in this, then I needed him strong.

“This is not up for debate, Hugo. You are going to need to be at your best in order to survive this. You and I are going straight into the mouth of the beast. We won’t have any backup with us if anything goes wrong. We cannot afford to make mistakes. Now please, for both of our sakes, take my blood.”

Hugo sighed before relenting with a nod of his head.

“Okay, Alpha. But only because I want us BOTH to make it out of this in one piece.”

“Thank you, Hugo.”

After leaving Hugo, I went to join Farris amongst the wolves, as the highest-ranking wolves, we would be leading the run to the vampire territory. When I arrived, Farris was already shifted into his wolf-form, standing proud at the front. I quickly shed my clothes and shifted to join him. I took a moment to appreciate him in his wolf-form. His long, silky, midnight black fur and the way that his golden eyes stood out, brightly, against it. His muscular form and impressive stature. He really was a sight to behold, and I knew that I was one lucky she-wolf. I only hoped that I could continue being lucky for a little while longer.

“Are you ready?” Farris questioned through our mindlink.

“As ready as I will ever be.” I sighed.

“Do not worry. We can win this thing as long as we do it together.”

“Yeah…together…”

I gulped down the lump that suddenly formed in my throat and we headed off. Our army of wolves, witches, and one vampire, following behind us.