#Chapter3

I turn around to where the stupid wolf is.

Ara – You don't decide for me.

Vampire – He also gave me this, told me you'd be interested.

The vampire pulls something out of his pants pocket and hands it to me. I take it and look at it. It's a photo of my brother. Rage fills me as I look at the picture, and my eyes change color to yellow. Just knowing they have him… I grip it tighter and tear off his head.

Ara – Give me my arrows, bows, and knives. (I say to him annoyed, without looking at him)

Eduardo – Axel, give her what she asks for.

I go downstairs to the door. Tadeo follows me, as does Eduardo. Then Axel arrives with my things and hands them to me. Ready, I turn to face the three of them.

Ara – You guys will go your way, and I'll go mine. Tadeo, I'll get your sister out. You two need to create a distraction.

Tadeo – Count on me. (He looks at the idiot and his beta)

Eduardo – Fine.

Axel – Yeah, and please be careful.

Ara – Thanks, but it's my job to watch your behinds.

Axel – Eduardo, she's your mate. Aren't you going to tell her anything?

Eduardo – Well... (Yolanda enters)

(Yolanda is the typical blonde, artificially enhanced, taller than me by a bit, fair-skinned, long blonde hair, with an envy-inducing figure. But not me. I like my body.)

Yolanda – Hi, love.

The darn idiot pushes me aside to get through and kiss Eduardo, who reciprocates while looking at me.

Ara – I'll see you all there. Excuse me, Alpha.

I give him a nod and a little bow. Eduardo stops kissing Yolanda when he hears me leave. He only looks at me without saying anything. Just before I exit, Yolanda speaks.

Yolanda – My love, why is this filthy guardian in our house? (She looks at me from head to toe)

Eduardo – Tadeo requires her services.

Yolanda – Tadeo, I didn't know you'd sunk so low.

What did she just say? She's calling me a whore? Oh no, she doesn't.

Ara – Listen, bitch, just because you're one doesn't mean I am. Not all of us are like you.

Yolanda – Love, are you going to let this stupid girl insult me? I'll soon be the moon of this pack.

Eduardo – Respect my girlfriend and future Luna, or I'll have you locked in the dungeon.

Ara – I don't care. I don't know why you want me here when you have your little tramp.

Eduardo – I won't allow you to talk to my mate like that just because you're my mate. That's not your problem. (He shouts furiously, his eyes turning red)

Axel – Everyone, calm down. Yolanda, she's Eduardo's mate. (The girl is in shock)

Yolanda – Is that true, love?

Eduardo – Yes, but I won't accept her as my mate. (He says with disgust and hatred)

Ara – And I won't accept you either, so excuse me. I've got a lot to do.

Eduardo – Before you go, apologize to my girlfriend.

Ara – No!

I turn and leave the house. As I'm walking, I feel someone grab me from behind and push me. I fall on my butt but quickly get up, irritated.

Ara - What's wrong with you, idiot?

Eduardo – I told you to apologize!

Ara – And I told you no. So leave me alone.

Tadeo – That's enough, you two. Yolanda's not important now. What's important is my sister.

Ara – You're right, Tadeo. Alpha, be ready with your warriors. I'll see you at the vampire's castle.

Without saying more, I walk away. I have two objectives in mind: to get Gabi and my brother out, but I have no idea what he's doing here…

(…….)

I'm hidden among the trees, waiting for the wolves to appear. I activate my enhanced hearing to listen for any sounds. My wolf eyes enhance my vision. I hear Gabi's voice and realize she's with my brother. Then I hear howling; it's time. Vampires start coming out, and I'm ready. Klaus, the vampire prince, comes out. His gaze sweeps over everything, searching for something or someone. Then he speaks.

Klaus – Guardian, come out wherever you're hiding. I have something for you.

Darn it. You'll pay for this. I climb down the tree and walk over to where everyone is. I stand in front of the wolves.

Ara – Here I am. Let them go, whether you want to or not, Klaus. Your call.

Klaus – I think I prefer not to. (He smirks)

Ara – Fine. Get ready to die.

I get into an attack position. Eduardo gives the signal for his pack to attack, and Klaus does the same. We begin fighting. As we fight, the darn vampire escapes. So, I grab one of my arrows, aim, and fire. He falls in pain. I take this chance to get Gabi and my brother. I shoot an arrow to create a rope to get up to the castle. I break a window and climb in.

(Tom is my adopted brother, a werewolf. He's tall, somewhat muscular, fair-skinned, green eyes, well-defined lips.)

Gabi – Guardian, thanks.

Ara – No problem. Let's go. Your brother's waiting outside.

She nods, and we head toward the window to climb down.

Ara – Hang onto this, both of you. (I say to them)

They slide down the rope. On the ground, Gabi runs to her brother, and I help mine.

I put him in a safe place, then go to help the other wolves. I shoot several arrows to kill vampires. They've got Eduardo from behind, about to stab him with a silver knife. I take aim with an arrow and give it a shot. The vampire falls back from the pain, and I take out the other vampire, who's about to stab Eduardo.

Ara – Ah! Darn vampire!

I clutch my side where he injured me, but I won't let it bother me. We withdraw from the scene. I grab my brother, and we hear two growls, but I ignore them. We arrive at Eduardo's house. Some warriors head to tend to their wounds, and others go to rest.

Eduardo – Axel, take them to the dungeon.

Axel – But... (Gabi interrupts)

Gabi – No! He's coming with me to my pack, just like Ara.

Eduardo – No! And that's final! I've said it!

Ara – Don't worry about us, Gabi. Ah… (I wince at the pain.)

Tom - What's wrong, Ara?

Ara – Nothing. I'm fine.

Gabi - No! You're bleeding!

Ara – It's nothing. Let's go, Tom, to the dungeon.

I take a deep breath to avoid showing pain. We leave the house and follow Axel to the dungeon. When we arrive, we go into the cell, and Axel locks the door before leaving.

Ara – Tom, how did the vampires capture you?

Tom – I was out partying with friends. On my way back home, I ran into one of them, and they kidnapped me.

Ara – Okay. Lie down on the bed and rest.

Tom – Ara, why didn't you say anything about your wound?

Ara – It's nothing.

I take off my clothes and mask, lift my shirt to examine the wound. It's pretty big and bleeding heavily. I tear a piece of fabric and press it against the wound to stop the bleeding.

I sit on the floor, leaning against the wall to rest. My eyes feel heavy, and everything starts to go dark. My eyes close…