In the dimly lit, oppressive room, the guard mercilessly lashes Dominic’s back once again, eliciting a pained groan from me. Despite the brutality, Dominic remains stoically silent, his lips tightly sealed. I find myself confined to a chair, helplessly watching as Jack and Jake navigate the space freely.
“Why did you escape?” I implore Jake, my voice tinged with tears, but he callously mimics my words. “Hoe, did any long dick get into your hole again?” His words cut through the air like a cruel jest, and the guards revel in derisive laughter.
“Jake, why would you say that?” I blink, unable to believe the callousness in his tone. The guards, seemingly amused, escort him back upstairs as if his behavior were expected.
Mockingly, they declare, “You both can make love till we return”, fully aware of our chained predicament, rendering any escape futile. Desperation sets in as I call out to Dominic, who, though weakened, struggles to respond. Studying his pallid lips and enervated face, I yearn for a way to alleviate the torment surrounding us.
“Stay resilient, I beg you. Your pack relies on your strength.” I whisper tearfully, and he nods gently. As I attempt to shift into my wolf form for escape, he vehemently shakes his head in disagreement. A gulp escapes him as he musters energy to speak.
“If they catch you shifting, they’ll inject you with silver, and your wolf will be lost forever.” He warns. My mind races, recalling Dominic’s stabbing and the survival of his wolf.
“But when you stabbed Dominic, his wolf endured.” I counter.
“I understand your perspective, but extracting words from me won’t be fruitful.” He retorts. I glance at the guards brandishing fiery whips, advancing towards Dominic. A vicious lash to his neck leaves a visible mark, eliciting a painful groan from me again.
Unable to bear witnessing his suffering, I resentfully acknowledge that he alone bears the torment. Chained and untouched, my emotions churn. My wolf whispers violence as I discreetly survey the guards in the room. Two stationed at the rear door, and two alongside us. My eyes, momentarily ablaze with a wolfish hue, revert to normal to conceal my intentions.
“Sir, please come over. I have words for you.” I call out to one of the guards, who promptly responds to my plea.
“Please refrain from harming her in any way. She’ll be very sweet in bed, tonight.” The guard tormenting Dominic smirks, his words laden with malice.
“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to enjoying her talents in my room tonight.” The approaching guard adds crudely. As he draws near, I seize the opportunity to whisper in his ear, “Come closer; I can’t stretch my lips. Let’s make it a secret.”
In a swift, calculated move, I sink my teeth into his right ear, tearing it off as my wolf surges to break free from the chain. He crumples to the ground, writhing in pain from the unexpected assault. Urging my wolf to shift quickly, I am perplexed when the groaning figure before me remains human-a revelation that a fellow human has been inflicting torment on a wolf like me.
The guard torturing Dominic reveals himself as a werepire, distinct in his movements, signaling more than just a werewolf. Though he freed Dominic from his chains, a knife now presses against his throat, warning against any approach.
“Rette die kinder.” Dominic urgently whispers. Despite not residing in Germany or a German-speaking country, I comprehend his statement, having heard it mentioned before. Faced with the dilemma of whether to intervene, memories of Dominic’s reproach linger-his complaint that I could have saved the children and left him to survive.
I alter my course, ascending the stairs upon spotting the guard I had previously injured, lifeless on the floor. The guard secures Dominic with chains and begrudgingly follows me, harboring a vengeful intent to attack once apprehended. Undeterred, I press forward in search of Jake and Jack, their elusive scent cunningly concealed. Frustration builds within me, manifesting as a low growl, as I forcefully breach each room, determined to locate my children. The liberated kids within the rooms express joyful screams as they flee over the fence, suggesting an extended captivity. Persistently searching, I discover my children in various rooms, but upon reaching the final door, my attempt to force it open is thwarted by the guard below. Growling in defiance, he prepares to transform into a wolf, only to be interrupted by Dominic’s swift descent. A syringe filled with silver pierces the guard, eliciting agonized groans as he reverts to his human form and collapses, writhing in pain. Despite his affliction, he hastily retreats, utilizing his vampiric abilities. With the obstacle removed, I enter the room, reverting to my human form as Jake and Jack rush to meet us both.
“Why did you exert yourself to rescue us?” Jake inquires, skepticism evident, while Dominic attempts to draw them into a comforting embrace. Both Jake and Jack, however, rebuff the gesture, maintaining their distance from both Dominic and me.
“We’re not safe here. Let’s go!” Dominic urgently alerts, but the kids lean back, rolling their eyes in apparent nonchalance.
“Kids, come on. I love you, okay?” I express my affection, sending a blown kiss their way, yet they remain disengaged.
Amidst the tension, a distinct snap echoes as my attention shifts to Dominic. His bones audibly realign as he transforms into his wolf form, deftly scooping up the two resistant kids as we hastily evacuate the premises. Our pace remains unbroken until we reach the safety of Dominic’s pack. We opt to stay on the outskirts until fully restored which makes us refrain from entering the pack’s territory.
The kids, however, disrupt our cautious approach with their excited screams, drawing unwarranted attention. Desperately, I press their lips down, questioning them emotionally, “What’s wrong with you two?”
Dominic interjects, “They’ve been conditioned to act against us, to escape whenever they’re in our presence.”
“How is that possible? What werewolf ability is that?” I playfully inquire, struggling to believe such incredulous claims.
“It’s not a werewolf ability. Only a vampire can sire that.”
“Sire? They’ve been sired?” I respond incredulously.
“Yes.” Dominic asserts confidently.
“What do we do then?”
“Follow me closely.” He instructs, and as I tightly clutch the kids, we trail behind the pack, sneaking into the pack’s territory unnoticed after masking our scents.
Ensuring secrecy, I firmly close the door behind us, wary of any attempt by the kids to escape. Despite initial skepticism, I find myself gradually accepting the credibility of Dominic’s words.
Observing the kids’ menacing demeanor and their thwarted actions, I discreetly approach Dominic, whispering into his ear, “Isn’t there a potion that can cure them?”
“Of course, there is.” He responds, somewhat too audibly.
“Are you so foolish to whisper, assuming we won’t hear your secret?” Jake rudely accuses, and although I sense an underlying spell influencing his behavior, I don’t hold it against him. The pack healer should have a remedy for this vampiric infection.
“Should we consult the pack healer?” I inquire of Dominic.
“When you do, we’ll reach him first and execute our plans, which you might term as ominous.” Jack giggles, casting doubt on their appreciation for the rescue. Despite their ungrateful words, I resist the urge to attack, recognizing a need for a more strategic approach.
“I’ll see you soon.” Dominic announces, moving toward the door. Instinctively, I pull him back, restraining his movement.
“You can’t leave me with these possessed kids.” I tearfully plead, and he responds by enveloping me in a protective hug. As he pulls away, a sword swishes behind him, narrowly missing its mark as Jake attempts to stab him.
“Why are you like this, kiddo?” I question, but Dominic silences me.
“Do I truly have ownership over the kids?” He queries, seeking confirmation.
“You don’t trust me; that’s what it means.” I retort.
“Give me a damn answer so we can find a solution to this on time!” He insists, frustration evident in his voice.
“I-I don’t know.” I stutter, meeting his sharp gaze with nonchalance. He proceeds to implement his plan on the kids, forcefully grabbing Jack and delivering a deep bite to his neck, causing a loud groan. Jake attempts a rescue, but I restrain him, realizing Dominic has faced similar situations before. As Jack remains in the grip of Dominic’s teeth, I start to wonder if Dominic harbors vampire abilities himself.
Jake is on the verge of biting my fingers to free his brother, and my wolf threatens to thrust, jeopardizing Dominic’s plan for Jack. As Jack’s lips turn pale, Jake screams for his brother’s release. Dominic gently places Jack on the floor, and I boldly inquire about his actions, frightened by the sight of him biting through my kid’s nape.
“You can’t understand now.” He replies, attempting to reach Jake, but I intervene.
“Check on your son; don’t hide one from treatment.” He concludes. Hesitant about Dominic’s intentions, I want to check on Jack.
Suddenly, Jack sneezes multiple times, diverting our attention. His weakened voice prompts me to approach him motherly. Meanwhile, Dominic reveals, “He’s no longer sired. Take him to the pack doctor for full treatment.” I quickly comply, but as I descend the stairs, I catch a whiff of smoke emanating from the lower parts of the pack.