Fire
The flames raged as horror spread across their territory, destroying everything that dared to stand in its path.
Theo huffed as he broke through the doors of the grand hall, the heat from the flames all but scorched his skin.
All of his senses were on high alert as he navigated his way through the maze of flames. He hoped to all the Gods and Goddesses that his father was somehow okay in this madness.
The smoke was so thick it blinded him, so he called upon his wolf to help with his eyesight. The shift was not completed though, only just enough to help him see. His eyes glowed their strong shade of red, almost matching the dancing hues of the fire that raged around him.
Sight was a blessing but breathing however was still a struggle. A small cough racked out of him after a sharp inhale and suddenly, a hand darted out of the smoke. The unfamiliar person latched onto Theo and gripped menacingly, the force almost breaking bone.
“Get your damn hands off of me!”
Theo yelled and pushed the figure away from him and the man grunted out before removing his mask to show his face.
“Today is the day the Shadow Pack falls.”
Before another word could be uttered, Theo charged at the man with all the strength he had. With a forceful kick, he soared through the air shortly and landed in the man’s chest, knocking him to the ground.
Theo stepped on the man’s throat with every intention of crushing his windpipe. His victory was short-lived when suddenly the man grabbed his leg, twisting violently.
A scream of agony rang out, and the wolves of the pack howled out in response.
Theo pulled himself away from the man as he rose to his feet, essentially stalking Theo down. The man walked closer, each step more menacing than the last. His dark claws extended from his fingertips, cruel weapons ready to dig through flesh. A menacing smile grew on the intruder's face, a sick sense of satisfaction overcoming him.
“They can’t save you, no one can save you—”
His sentence was left incomplete and Theo watched as life left his eyes. His body fell to the ground, a pile of nothingness.
Theo’s eyes were set on the blade that was now embedded in the man’s back before another voice cut through the smoke.
“We have to go, Son.”
His eyes quickly shot up to the only person in the world he wanted to see in that moment and relief overcame him.
“Father, thank the Goddess you’re alive.”
“Trust me son, that coward was not going to be the man to take me off this Earth. Now get up,” he said, straining as he bent down before he lifted Theo up to his feet.
Theo winced slightly in pain but ultimately pushed the feeling away.
“Are you good to walk?”
“Yes.”
“Good, because either way, we have to get out of here.”
***
Hand in hand, they exited the burning building. The hopping pair got only a few feet away before the roof caved in as it collapsed into itself.
Theo stumbled on his leg, almost certain that it was broken. His father laid him down on the grass in the clearing before he set his eyes into the burning building.
“Farewell, old friend.”
A sentimental whisper was uttered with a sigh and the last of his weakness dissipated. All sadness of his loss left his body and he growled. The Alpha was now angered.
There were intruders on his territory, a danger to his people, one that would soon be eliminated.
“Go find Finn and secure the prisoner. I have a feeling that they might be here for her.”
“Father, I want to help you fight.”
The conviction in his voice was admirable and for that, his father felt proud. But still, he refused.
“I only need you to be safe, Theo, the Elders, and I will handle this. Furthermore, you’re injured. Now go.”
“Yes, Father.”
“And Son,” he said, and Theo stopped then glanced back at his father.
“I love you, Son.”
“I love you too, Father.”
That moment might’ve been the most genuine and painful exchange they had ever had. The words were felt in their hearts, though, and that was the most important part.
***
Theo finally got to the house Sophie was staying in, out of breath and in pain from this broken leg. His werewolf traits were helping him heal faster than if he were a human but in a situation like this, it was never fast enough.
Theo glanced back before he entered the house and what he saw was a sight that would stay etched in his memory for eternity. The elders of the pack were all in a line, standing strong and proud. They were the only defense between the attackers and their people but fear was an emotion that they did not possess.
The leader of the intruders gave an order and they all rushed forward, weapons in hand.
His father also stepped forward, and with the order, the elders shifted and lunged at the enemy.
The wolves tore through the lesser beings, showing just how superior their inner beings were. Screams of terror could be heard as far as the territory ran.
War had begun.
Theo knew at that moment that his father didn’t need him on the battlefield as he saw them fight. So with a clear mind, he entered the house to carry out his father’s wishes.
Theo ran up the stairs in a hurry in search of Sophie when suddenly a dark figure climbed through the window at the top of the stairs.
“No!”
He knew somehow that the reason for the break in was her even if he didn’t want to believe it. They were here for Sophie but he was never going to let them take her.
Theo ran to the top of the stairs and a single scream was heard from Sophie’s room. His senses went haywire and in a second, the door was reduced to splinters. The figure that burst through the door was no longer a human but a wolf, fully transformed as he stood in all his glory.
His gleaming eyes were set on the imposter that held Sophie hostage, her hand and mouth bounded as she tried to scream. The sound was reduced to merely a squeak in comparison to the growl that left the wolf’s muzzle.
No words had to be said because that one sound was enough.
The man only had a moment to think before Theo rushed towards him. In the la,t second, the man threw Sophie aside and jumped through the open window, falling three stories down.
A thud was heard and, satisfied, Theo shifted back quickly to his human form.
Theo rushed over to her in all his nakedness but her eyes didn’t dart away from him. He inspected her face and it wasn’t heated up either, no blush present like he thought it would be.
He was naked in front of her and it shocked them both when she didn’t look away; her reactions being nonexistent. If she were truly human, she would’ve had some form of reaction, surely.
Nevertheless, he untied her quickly, removing the tape from her mouth.
“Um…,” he hesitated shortly before asking the question that was most important.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-Yes.” Her words stumbled slightly, but Sophie cleared her throat before trying again. “Yes, I’m okay.”
“Good.”
His eyes darted around the room quickly, searching for something to cover himself up as his clothes were now a pile of shredded trash.
“There’s… Um… There’s a blanket on the bed,” Sophie muttered in reminder.
“Thank you.”
He wrapped it around himself, finally not naked in front of her. The silence would have grown insufferable but alas, it didn’t have the time. The moment their eyes connected, a sound echoed through the territory that sent chills down Theo’s spine.
It was like they both felt it somehow and at that moment, they both knew that another wolf was hurt.
A wolf of great importance.