Arrow Inferno
Chapter 82: Stanley ‘STAN’ Norris vs. Ian ‘WILL’ Williams ~ First run!

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The two wolves stayed in the woods until it was dark. The black wolf had so much fun frolicking in the woods as Stan knew it would. Although Will's wolf seemed to be a natural, Stan taught it a few tricks. They hunted together and feasted on their kill. When they'd taken in their fill, they swam in the cool stream and then relaxed on the bank after.

'That was fun.' Will's wolf gave a happy sigh as it snuggled closer to his mate.

'Still angry?' Stan murmured. Will's human was awake so Stan was hoping that had at least toned down the wolf's anger.

'I am. But not as much as before.' The black wolf chuckled. 'I'm more horny than angry now.'

'We'll talk about your horny state later.' Stan laughed softly. 'How are you finding being a wolf?'

'I honestly didn't know I'd love it this much.' Will's human responded. 'It's absolutely exciting and fulfilling.'

'Good to know you like me.' The black wolf grinned.

'I didn't say I liked you.' Will's human drawled. 'I'm still watching you.'

'You can't not like me.' The wolf snorted. 'I'm you.'

'You need to prove yourself first, buddy.'

'Enough, children.' Stan laughed, flicking his tongue against the snort of his mate. It was fascinating hearing Will bicker with his wolf. 'I have enough love to go around.'

'Yeah, you don't have any choice but to love me.' The black wolf snorted.

'That's where you're wrong.' Stan chuckled. 'I don't have to love you. The bond we have is all that's required of me.'

'Really?' The black wolf sounded shocked.

'Yep. But with you, I didn't stand a chance.' Stan rasped. 'I fell before I even knew what was happening.'

'At what point?' The black wolf murmured, snuggling even closer.

'I can't tell the exact... shhh...' Stan's wolf stood up and drew in a deep breath. His irises took on a preternatural glow and his ears stood up straight as he listened attentively. 'What is it?' The black wolf asked with a yawn.

'Rogues.' Stan breathed as his hackles rose. 'I can smell them.'

'I thought y'all dealt with the problem.' Will's wolf sprung to his feet. 'Let's go hunt them.' With that, he charged into the woods.

'Oh, no you don't.' Stan growled as he sprung forward and tackled his mate down. 'Be fucking still and listen to me, you hothead.' The sense of urgency and seriousness in Stan's voice got through to his mate who went still. 'This is not a game. These are rabid beasts. They're very dangerous.'

'Well, I'm more dangerous.' Will muttered, drawing a groan from his mate.

'You're not dangerous, just angry. And being angry doesn't make you strong. It rather makes you vulnerable because you don't pause to think before you act, Will.' Stan's eye darted around. 'Remember how y'all take time to strategize when you go on a mission?'

'Uh-huh.'

'We're going to do that now. I've already called Kate and her team. Two of the rogues escaped the last time. I suspect they are back. The pests!' he growled with anger and exasperation. The last thing he wanted was to put his mate's life in danger.

'Just two?' Will snorted. 'We're two. We can take them.'

Stan rolled his eyes inside his wolf. 'I won't be able to handle it if you get hurt, Will. Please. I'll be the happiest mate if you wait for me here.'

Will's wolf laughed. 'That's not going to happen and you know it.'

'Shit, they're coming closer.' Stan groaned.

'That foul smell is them?' Will started moving away from Stan. 'Stinking motherfuckers.' Then he was off.

'Fuck.' Stan growled and then took off after his mate.

They didn't have to go far. They came upon the two rogues who looked every bit as dangerous as Stan had said. Both snapped, snarled and got into a half-crouch, clearly ready attack. 'Get the fuck behind me, Will. Now!' Stan growled but Will had a mind of his own.

'Aw just take one. I'll take the other.' With that, he lunged at one of the rogues who also lunged at him. But for the seriousness of the situation, both wolves hurtling towards each other above ground would have been a beautiful sight. Even as Stan screamed within his wolf, his wolf let out a terrified growl, dashing towards his mate and the rogue. But the beta came to an abrupt stop and his growl died in his throat at what happened next. Just as the two wolves were about to clash, Will strangely shot up and soared higher above the rogue. It seemed as though he actually paused mid-lunge, moved higher until his adversary was below his level, and then moved on top of the rogue. That move definitely defied the laws of physics and that was what caught the attention of both Stan and the other rogue. They both stared in abject shock.

Even as the shocked rogue raised his head to look up at the black wolf flying over his head, Will's paw smacked it hard across his face. The rogue fell in a daze. Will was on him in a blink, pinning it to the ground and applying pressure to his throat with a paw. Just the slightest increase in pressure would have cut off the rogue's air and killed it. But the black wolf didn't go in for the kill. After writhing for a few seconds, the rogue was out cold. It all happened so fast both Stan and the second rogue looked confused.

When the second rogue realized what had happened to his colleague, he charged at an unsuspecting Stan with his fangs bared. Will didn't miss it. The fear he felt almost paralyzed him...almost! Will didn't think the fear he'd felt the first time he'd met Stan's wolf, that time he'd come face to face with the wild boar, or all the times he'd faced deadly opponents in the line of duty came close to the terror he felt that very moment. He knew that even a warning shout from him wouldn't do much help. For him, it seemed as though everything was happening in slow motion.

Out of the corner of Will's eyes, he saw some wolves burst into the clearing where they were. But he just knew they wouldn't be able to get to Stan in time. The terror, desperation, and misery that flooded Will was so intense it felt like a tremendous energy within. And that energy thrummed through him, demanding a reaction from him he couldn't even fathom. All he knew was that his greatest wish that very instant was to get to that rogue before those rotten fangs got into his mate.

One moment the black wolf was watching his mate and the rogue and wishing so hard, the next moment he was actually beside the rogue. The black wolf didn't hesitate... He tore out the rogue's throat with just one quick, hard strike...and he felt good doing it. Will heard the collective yaps that went up but was shaking so much and panting so harshly he couldn't even bring himself to turn around and face the wolves. His eyes remained on the rogue, watching fur melt into flesh as life flowed out of him.