***
In the next instant, Ryan was in the conference room, standing right beside Jeremy. “Hello.” He grinned at everyone as Jeremy stood up and enfolded him in his arms.
“Good job, honey,” Gloria called out.
“Thanks, mum.” Ryan’s response was muffled as his face was pressed against Jeremy but Gloria hear him perfectly. When Jeremy eventually released him, Ryan turned to address Philip. “Now, tell me what to do.”
“I’ve got this, babe.” Jeremy rasped as he took his seat and drew a yawning Ryan into his lap. “I’ll blast all of them to oblivion as soon they step onto our land.”
“No, you won’t.” Philip countered.
“What’s the fun in that?” Stan stared at Jeremy.
“There may be some innocent people in there, Jer,” Philip said. “We need to be sure of who we’re sending into the afterlife.”
“That’s true.” Jeremy breathed.
“So…” Philip looked at the people gathered. “Let’s plan.”
***
“Holy shit!” Mario exclaimed as the ground shook with two massive explosions, one rapidly following the other. “You cook a mean spell, woman.” He breathed as he and the others standing around, looked up at the balls of smoke and fire that darkened the sky above the Stanwood property.
“Finally,” Mary whispered, looking up with contentment and pride. “We need to attack now whilst there’s chaos. Sally, please check on the shield.” She instructed one of the warlocks who couldn’t seem to contain her excitement.
“Right away, Mary.” Sally began to move closer to the Stanwood property. The others watched and waited patiently as the warlock did her checking. When she turned around with a huge grin and gave them a thumbs-up sign, the others breathed sighs of relief.
“Perfect.” Mary nodded. “Is everyone in position?” She asked and then gave an encouraging nod when she saw the remaining two warlocks chanting to channel strength to their team.
“The dogs are ready to move in,” Mario responded. “Waiting for your command to shift.”
“Good.” Mary started for where the rogues stood waiting on her. “Sally, get the witches ready.” She called over her shoulders. “They move in five minutes after the wolves. Then we move in.”
“Alright.” Sally gestured to the nineteen remaining witches to come close to her.
“This is it.” Mary said when she got to her thirty-two rogues. They looked stoned. “You already know what I want.” The werewolves stared at her with unfocused eyes. They were clearly under a heavy spell. “This is your specialty. Fighting to the death. This time, your opponent is anyone you find on that land.” She pointed a thumb at The Stanwood Pack. “My spell has made each of you ten times stronger. Those wolves don’t stand a chance against you. Kill as many wolves as you can.” Too bad they were all going to die as soon as the pack was defeated, Mary thought. They made excellent lapdogs. She turned to address one particular muscular rogue with a mean look on his face. “Remember your mission. You should know her as soon as you lay eyes on her. I’ve shown you enough images of her. You don’t need her scent to be able to know who she is. Don’t waste your strength on the others. Concentrate on only her. Make her death quick. We wouldn’t want anyone coming to her aid. Have I made myself clear?”
“Crystal.” The rogue responded.
“Good. Now everyone, shift and storm in there.” Mary commanded.
The rogues immediately shifted into fierce-looking wolves and then charged onto the land of the Stanwood pack.
***
“Incoming…” Deloris actually squealed.
The mood of the pack members who waited in the clearing was that of excitement and anticipation. The pack didn’t look as though they were under attack at all. They looked very relaxed…almost as if they were having an outdoor movie experience.
Philip and Jeremy stood side by side with their arms folded across their broad chests, staring intently at the point where according to Deloris, the rogues were going to enter their land. Ryan sat comfortably on a stool, flanked by Deloris and the high priestess who had insisted on being there too. A bit further from them were Gloria and Joel. Paige and George stood together, closer to the mansion whilst Stan, Kate, and Pete stood a little away from them, closer to the group of warriors and assassins who were already in their wolf forms.
With the exception of Troy and his friends who had been instructed to stay inside the shield-protected mansion, the other pack members had been assembled in the huge arena, for fun games. Most of them had no idea that the pack was under attack. As Philip had told the others, leaving them blissfully unaware was better than creating fear and panic.
The sounds of angry growls and snapping were heard right before rogues burst into the clearing, looking like blood-crazed piranhas, going on an attack.
‘This is all for you, Stan.’ Philip drawled on their mind-link which he’d opened to every Stanwood werewolf present. ‘Do your thing.’
‘Thanks, boss.’ Stan’s grin was downright wicked. ‘Okay, boys…’ He addressed the wolves, ‘make mincemeat out of these rogues.’
‘With pleasure.’ Some of the wolves growled as they charged at the rogues.
For the werewolves present, it was a beautiful show of superior strength. Although the rogues fought with brute strength thanks to Mary’s spell boost, they were no match for the pack’s trained warriors and assassins. The pack wolves fought with skill and finesse, making their alpha and all gathered proud. When one rogue charged towards where Deloris, Ryan, and the high priest stood, the high priestess quickly pointed her wand at it, instantly turning the angry wolf into a cockroach.
“Seriously?” Deloris couldn’t stifle her laughter.
“Sorry.” The high priestess shrugged with an apologetic smile. “That’s all I could think of at that instant.”
“Can’t blame you.” Deloris chuckled. “They’re all pests so… oh, oh, witches…” She muttered when a number of women materialized out of thin air, chanting as they slowly approached. Dark clouds suddenly began to form.