He has me malevolently rush at them with my arms fully extended out at my sides … meanwhile, they’re evidently petrified from the overwhelming fear that Gilead has already instilled in their blackened hearts; seeing how they aren’t moving out of harm’s way … and, with three swift swipes; their bodies instantly drop to the ground, and uncontrollably twitch, as blood profusely spurts out.
Gilead has me savagely tear them to pieces. … Needless to say, when this one-sided melee is over, I’ve wound up ruining an ensemble costing nearly $5, 000; seeing how it’s completely covered in blood.
The carnage from this bloody massacre’s scene will need to be immaculately cleaned … making sure to remove all evidence; leaving behind no indication of the incident. So, I immediately call my personal assistant; and, instruct him to send a fully-equipped, clean up crew to my location, ASAP.
Now … what should I do about this unconscious, pitiful mutt that’s lifelessly lying on the ground? … Hmm … oh well, I suppose I have no other choice but to have her transported back to the hotel with us; once the clean up crew arrives.
********
Meanwhile; over in the outskirts of the Rainier Pack territory…
Bellona, in her wolf-form, comes dashing up to a group of five other Defensive Security Detail … ‘aka’ DSD …. members; who are also in their wolf-forms. They’re seeking out, what they believe could be, a rogue wolf who’s been discovered running about the woods in their territory.
There’s been a recent increase in the number of rogues trespassing into pack territories all across the nation … not to mention the rumors of a developing insurgency that’s rapidly spreading throughout the rogue community; along with reports of randomly isolated, terrorist-like attacks against established packs, supposedly undertaken by radical rogues involved in this movement.
On top of that; there’s also been some speculation that some of these attacks have been instigated, and funded, by established packs who’ve made secret alliances with these insurgents.
This has been the motivating reason behind the recent influx of arranged marriages being made to forge alliances between established packs; to increase their strength, and maintain a strong front against these increasing attacks. … And, it’s for this reason alone that Pomona is being placed into an arranged marriage with Casper Whitmore; to solidify the pending alliance between the Rainier and Stratus packs.
Bellona starts a mind-linked conversation with them…
“So … was this the same rogue that was seen trespassing out here last night ; or, is it a different one?
One of them tells her, “We think it’s the same one.”
“You think?”
“The patrol unit didn’t get that clear of a look at it last night; so, there was only a vague description of last night’s intruder … but, it’s fairly similar … except…”
“Except what?”
“Well … maybe it’s because it was at night, and the moonlight was playing tricks on their eyes, somehow; but, everyone that saw it last night all say the same thing … that whatever it was, it appeared to look almost transparent … sort of spirit-like.”
One of the other DSD members quips, “Great; so not only do we have to deal with rogue wolves … now we have to worry about rogue ghosts, too.”
Bellona rolls her eyes; and, slowly shakes her head before asking, “Whatever … were you able to locate the rogue, yet?”
“Well … I guess you could say, we kind of; for a short while, anyway.”
“What do you mean ‘kind of’?”
Another one informs Bellona, “A couple of our border patrol units spotted it, and started pursuit; but, the rogue managed to quickly evade them … and, they lost sight of it. … They say that this rogue is fast as hell; like lightning.”
And; another one wonders, “Are they even sure that we’re dealing with a rogue?”
Bellona asks, “What are you saying; that maybe this isn’t a rogue … but, a member of our pack?”
“No; its definitely not a pack member. … But, from their description of it; it doesn’t even sound like it’s a werewolf.”
“Huh?”
“Your typical werewolf is at least four to five times larger than an ordinary timber wolf … right … and, that’s one on the smaller side. … They said that this one was only slightly bigger than a timber wolf; maybe almost one and half times it’s size, if that.”
Another one adds, “And, they said that this wolf had bright, sky blue eyes. … I’ve never heard about any werewolf … or, regular wolf for that matter … having that type of eye color.”
“Me neither. And also, according to them; this wolf has fur as white as pure snow. … Which is why I’m thinking, maybe it’s just some sort of slightly mutated timber wolf.”
Bellona tells them, “We’ll still need to apprehend it; just to make sure of exactly what it is. There’s been a rising number of reports of pack territories being infiltrated by insurgent rogues. … So; let’s head out and find this wolf. It’s better to be safe, than sorry.”
“Agreed.”
Just before they get ready to disperse, another DSD member, in wolf-form, comes running up; mind-linking…
“Hold up, everyone. Just got orders from Gamma Stephen. We’re calling off the search. He wants everyone to go back, and return to their normal duties.”
These orders confound Bellona. “I don’t understand; why is my dad telling us to call off the search? He knows all about the recent threat of rogues tres…”
“It isn’t a rogue.”
“Wait … what? How does he know it isn’t a rogue?”
“Alpha Gordon received a call from a representative from the Stratus Pack’s entourage that’s out here meeting with the Grand Council, at the regional headquarters in Spokane; and, they informed him that one of their members has strayed off, and may be taking the opportunity to run in the woods around the area.