Arrow Inferno
Chapter 80: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks ~ Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… It's about to go down!

***

Reynard Wyatt looked up when the door to his sanctuary burst open. He was in there, going over the final plans with his Trusted Seven as he called his top strategists. The best time to come up with strategies was at dawn when their minds were relaxed and fresh after a good night's sleep.

"I thought I told you not to disturb..."

"We're under attack, Lord Command." The Jackal said urgently.

"How..."

"Wolves." The Jackal rasped. "They're on the compound. I don't know how they got in. Somehow, our strength and magic have gotten very weak. Some of our people are already dead."

"Go out there and find out who they're working with." The Lord Command roared. "Those mangy mutts could not have penetrated our shield unless they had help from a warlock. I don't think someone from within can betray us. That warlock you're working with..."

"It can't be her, Lord Command." The Jackal couldn't look his Lord in the eye. "She wouldn't risk the life of her only child." He sure as hell couldn't tell the Lord Command that his contact might have caused their current predicament. That would be like signing his and his wife's death warrant.

"Maybe she would." Reynard Wyatt barked. "People can be stupidly loyal. Seen the girl?"

"I will check up on her." The Jackal turned to go.

"Bring her to me, if she's still alive." Reynard bellowed. "Petra, Zack, and Frank...to the heights." He instructed three of the seven seated around the table. "Try to get the power strengthened." The three instantly shimmered and disappeared from the room. Then the Lord Command looked at the remaining faces around the table and gave a sinister grin. "Let's show those werewolves what we do with dogs who don't know their place."

***

Outside, it was a blood bath. The wolves tore to pieces any warlock they came into contact with. The warlocks somehow realized that besides the fact that their sleep had been rudely interrupted, their powers were not working as they were supposed to. They knew that their best bet was the use of fireballs. And those deadly balls rained down on the wolves. Unfortunately for the warlocks and fortunately for the wolves, the warriors of Stanwood Pack received their training from the very best. If you were taught how to fight by an alpha who is an Ojah to boot, you don't have any choice but to be smart and fast. The warlocks had the shock of their lives. The wolves were always so quick to dodge those deadly balls, the warlocks would have applauded their skill if they could take a time out. About four wolves got injured but they were still strong enough to fight. Some of the warlocks ran, others cloaked themselves. But thanks to the spell that Deloris had cast, cloaked warlocks couldn't stay cloaked for long. They just weren't that strong.

'Group two, take the west wing.' Stan screamed on the link of the werewolves. 'Don't leave any of those psychos alive. Vincent, take the east wing with your team. I hear there are some prisoners in the dungeons down there. Release them. Hopefully, they're strong enough to help us.'

'Roger that, boss.' Vincent responded as he charged towards the east wing with his team. They were having a blast.

'Pete, let's take the south wing?' Phillip bellowed onto their link. 'Looks like the majority of our filthy friends are hiding out over there.'

'Sure.' Pete responded as his wolf charged forward. 'I saw a young boy throwing fireballs from that side. He's the one who wounded Malik and Alex. His arse is grass.'

'I'm coming with you guys.' Stan rasped as he jumped and tore out the throat of one scary-looking warlock who was in the process of levitating off the ground whilst reciting some incantations.

But just as Phillip, who was still in his human form started forward, Ryan appeared beside him.

"Deloris and I are going after Reynard," Ryan informed Phillip. "Gloria, Paige, and Camilla have already joined the fight."

"Okay. Be careful at all times, Ryan." Phillip advised. "Stay close to Deloris. She's experienced and knows how these people operate. Get out if it gets too hot." He growled. "Promise me..."

"Watch out." Paige, who was also still in human form screamed, making both Ryan and Phillip look up just in time to see two purplish fireballs hurtling towards them.

Ryan raised his hand and sent the balls right back to the warlock who had thrown them, causing her to explode instantly. Just at that time, a young boy with a full crop of blond hair stepped forward with a big fireball in his hand. His intention was clear.

'The boy.' Pete screamed and charged towards the boy. 'I'm going to enjoy this.'

Stan charged towards the boy at the same time. Phillip turned his head to look at the boy and froze when their eyes locked on each other's. The boy, who couldn't seem to tear his eyes off Phillip, seemed to have completely forgotten about the fireball in his palm. For Phillip, time stood still. Although the boy arrested his attention, he could see from the corners of his eyes that Stan and Pete's wolves were almost upon the boy. And that was when he screamed for the very first time in an alpha's voice;

"Don't hurt him." An alpha's command. The wolves froze.

The boy, who'd been the target of both wolves, looked so focused on Phillip he seemed not to notice the confusion around him. When he heard someone mention the name of the gorgeous man who had stopped the wolves from attacking him, he finally tore his eyes away from the man and looked down at the fireball in his palm. He suddenly didn't feel like using it... couldn't bring himself to hurt that man standing about ten meters away from him. He knew that Mary would be pissed after all the trouble she'd gone through to ensure that he could handle a fireball without getting burnt. After all, he wasn't like them.

Troy closed his palm and instantly put out the ball of fire inside. Then with one last look at the man whose eyes made his heart flutter inside his chest, he turned around and ran off.

'What the fuck was that?' Stan growled on their link.

Phillip turned his eyes from the spot the boy had disappeared and looked at his friend. "He's not a warlock." He said aloud, simply.

'So what?' Stan growled angrily. 'This is a battle, Lip. And everyone inside this fortress is an enemy. Well, except the prisoners. You heard what Deloris said. Their plan is to annihilate us. That boy has wounded..."

"Let it go, Stan," Phillip said quietly. Too quietly. None of the pack members gathered around knew the struggle that was going on between Phillip and his wolf at that particular moment. In the end, however, the human won. He made his wolf understand that there were more important matters to handle which couldn't be ignored. The survival of his pack came first.

"Phillip?" Ryan murmured.

"Don't ask." Phillip rasped. "See you later." With that, the alpha shifted into a large grey wolf and charged towards the south wing. He was confused, he was restless, he was angry, and he needed to vent. What better way than to unleash terror on the people who wanted to wipe out his entire species?

No warlock was left standing in Phillip's wake.