Sakura stirred and raised her head, disoriented and unsure how much time had passed since the explosion. Her ears tilted back, and she clenched her teeth, trying to make sense of the situation.
Feeling remorseful for the chaos, she muttered, "Shite, my fault, lads. That wasn't part of the plan."
Lying by the base fence, Jack groaned and asked, "Sakura, what have you done?"
Sakura quickly defended herself, saying, "Look, I didn't know that the lab was goin' to explode, I didn't?"
In the silence, Sakura strained to pick up the muffled sound of claws tapping on the concrete, gradually approaching her. She quickly rolled onto her back, wagging her tail in relief when she found Athen's imposing wolf's form looming over her. In the distance, sirens blared, signaling the escalating situation.
Athen smirked as he reassured her, "Come on, we need to make a trade for the kid and get our twins back."
Concerned about Javier's well-being, Sakura asked, "Is Javier okay?"
Athen nodded with a grin, saying, "Yeah, I brought them to the gate while you were out cold."
Sakura tentatively touched her head with a paw and questioned, "Did I bump my head on something?"
Athen chuckled and replied, "The first transformation can be disorienting. So, can you get up, or do I have to drag you?"
Without wasting a moment, Sakura swiftly rolled onto her stomach and trailed behind Athen, with Jack close on their heels as they made their way to the gate. They noticed the gate guards were absent from their stations as they approached the entrance.
As they approached, the little wolf pup stared in awe at Sakura's towering form beside Athen. His bright eyes sparkled with admiration. "Wow, who are you?" he asked.
Sakura smiled warmly, her voice calm yet commanding. "I be the one who saved your life, Javier."
Javier stood frozen, unable to find the words to respond. His pack nudged him gently, encouraging him to keep moving toward their home. But he could not stop glancing back at Sakura, his gaze lingering on her as though he'd just discovered what admiration—or perhaps even love—felt like for the first time.
Jack walked beside Sakura on her right, his form dwarfed by her presence, while Athen flanked her left. Michael trailed slightly behind them, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings to protect the group.
As they returned, Jack glanced up at Sakura and asked, "How long do you think she'll stay like this, Athen?"
Athen replied, "She'll master shifting soon enough. The more time she spends like this, the faster she learns to control it. It's part of the process."
Sakura sighed. She added, "Aye, it won't be easy, but I'll manage."
Michael smirked from the rear. He said, "You won't have to manage alone. We've got your back."
"Right," Sakura said, her smile softening the sharp edge of her imposing form. She turned her attention to the Mexican wolves ahead, her voice rising with authority. "Now, let's pick up the pace. We need to get back before nightfall."
The pack quickened their steps, moving through the fading light.
The pack sprinted through the towering rock structures that formed an entrance, their footsteps echoing in the desolate landscape. The home was filled with miles of colorful sand and towering, withered cactuses. Finally, they reached the heart of the territory, a vast canyon where the Mexican Wolves called their home.
Sakura stood in awe of the natural wonders surrounding her in the Chavez Canyon. The elevated sandstone rock formations seemed to reach up into the heavens, casting striking shadows on the canyon floor. The narrow canyon walls displayed intricate patterns and were painted in warm, vibrant hues.
"Athen, this place is unbelievably beautiful," she exclaimed, a sparkle in her eyes.
Athen chuckled. "You are the only one I know who would make the world your home, while the rest only welcome their cultural beliefs."
"I am fascinated by the world. The diversity of human's across the globe is remarkable. It's amazing how people can be so different despite sharing the same planet. And it's not just the people; the incredible variety of environments and landscapes, too."
In the distance, a small river meandered through the rocky landscape, providing a lifeline of greenery and vibrant desert flowers that clung to the edges. The air was scented with the earthy perfume of desert plants, and the tranquility of the place was only occasionally interrupted by the distant calls of wildlife.
"Looks like we're here," Athen said.
The canyon continued to unfold its wonders, revealing hidden alcoves, mysterious caves, and concealed oases that served as shelter and sustenance for the local Mexican Wolves.
Javier's spirit was contagious as he dashed past the pack of loyal Beta wolves and nimbly weaved between Jack's sturdy legs. With a joyful leap, he vaulted onto Athen's powerful back and gracefully ascended his spine, springing off the wolf's head with a dancer's grace to land softly on Sakura's sturdy back. Javier gazed out at the vast, untamed landscape around them.
His heart brimmed with happiness, and he chuckled as he shared his thoughts, "My father is in the large cave with my mother. I hope they missed me as much as I missed them."
Sakura responded with an affectionate smile, playfully bobbing her head. "More than ya know, lad. Hold tight, I don't want to waste a second more."
Javier nodded eagerly, his claws gripping her fur as they ventured deeper into the heart of the canyon, heading towards the Alpha Mexican Wolf's cave. It was the happiest day of his life. Freedom called out his name that day.
The entrance to the cave, a grand stone archway, held intricate carvings with centuries of wind and water etched into the sandstone. The cave opened into a spacious chamber with a high, vaulted ceiling. Its walls contained ancient symbols and markings, each telling stories of past generations.
The Alpha Mexican Wolf sat peacefully on a raised platform. He raised his head and cried, "My son, is that you?"
Javier wasted no time; he joyously leaped off Sakura's back, landing securely in his father's outstretched arms. His mother, sharing the joyous moment, gracefully pounced off the platform to join the wonderful family reunion.
The Alpha's mate kindly asked, "What is your name? I cannot thank you enough for rescuing my baby."
Athen spoke on her behalf. "Sakura is the Alpha Leader of an entire clan of werewolves of Paradise Island in Japan. We've come a long way to help our werewolves, so it was only right to help you, too," he said.
"You didn't just save my family. You saved my entire pack. I cannot thank you enough. I rarely do this, but today, I bow to you, Alpha Leader," The Alpha said.
Sakura exchanged a puzzled glance with Athen, their expressions mirroring their confusion. She gently spoke, "Please, call me Sakura. I am not the leader of this pack; you are."
The Alpha Mexican Wolf responded, "You misunderstand. My pack would love to live on Paradise Island to escape the military's oppressive tactics, which would turn us into monsters."
Sakura took a moment to absorb the situation before responding, "Our island is currently at war. Once it is safe, we'll be more than willing to assist you in relocating to our home, but regrettably, it might take some time. Do you believe your pack can hold out until then?"
With gratitude, the Mexican Wolf Alpha replied, "Yes, thank you, Sakura."
Athen advanced cautiously, his voice firm but not aggressive. "I'd hate to be rude, but we would like our friends back."
The Alpha chuckled. "Right, those two."
Two Beta wolves approached, their expressions grim, flanking the twins, who trudged forward with their heads hung low, ears pinned back, and tails tucked firmly between their legs. Shame radiated from every step as they avoided meeting Athen's piercing gaze.
"I trust you two have learned your lesson," Athen growled.
The twins nodded, daring a quick glance upward—only to freeze in shock as their eyes fell on Sakura's towering form. Their jaws dropped simultaneously.
"Sakura, is that you?" Alex blurted out.
"No way!" Alec chimed in, his wide eyes darting over her imposing figure as if he could not believe what he saw.
Sakura chuckled. "Hey, boys," she said.
Athen interjected with urgency, "We'll explain later. Let's get on that aircraft and head home." Their story would have to wait for a more suitable time.
Sakura and the pack wasted no more time. They knew that the threat to their home on Paradise Island was imminent, and every second counted.
The pack ran in the dry desert landscape with an urgency toward the private jet that awaited them.
"We're almost there," Athen shouted. "Don't stop for anything."
The private jet stood on the remote airstrip ahead. The old man, leaning on the aircraft wing, cigar still in hand, nodded as they approached.
The pack boarded the jet and buckled up for the quick departure.
Michael's voice was stern. He demanded, "Take us back to Paradise; everyone is in danger."
The old man captain, recognizing the gravity of the situation, wasted no time. The plane's engines roared to life, ascending into the sky without delay.
Sakura's adrenaline was pumping inside the cabin, and her anger overrode her fear of flying. Athen placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, trying to soothe her.
"Everything will be okay," Athen said.
Sakura, however, needed more time to convince. She turned to him, her eyes filled with fear. "I need to contact the island and let them know what's coming."
Jack said, "Hailey and Alexa, they're connected to the island. If you know how to do it, you can reach them."
Sakura nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, centering herself. In her mind, she reached out to the twin warriors, calling out to them in the void.
"Oi, Hailey, Alexa, are ya there? It's me, Sakura. We haven't spoken yet, but I need your help. Are ya there?" Sakura asked.
To her surprise, Hailey replied, "We hear you, Sakura. How did you reach us so fast? No one taught you."
Sakura conveyed the situation's urgency: "Aye, I had some supportive boost from Irish Kami magic. I did. But the island is in danger. The humans are comin', and my father is with them. Prepare for war."
Hailey and Alexa, true to their warrior nature, did not question her command. Sakura's heart raced with anxiety as the private jet glided toward the vast expanse of the ocean. The island lay ahead, awaiting their return and the imminent confrontation with the looming threat. The battle for their survival had now commenced.