“Well, what do you have?” In a rundown part of Portland, an orc and an elf stood opposite each other.

“She’s guarded, but none are ever close by,” Kolar said. “Whenever she leaves, she takes a few with her. She spends most of her time moving around, or with a sorcerer.” He sneered. “They are lovers I believe.”

The elf frowned. “Lovers? Are you certain?”

“I am.”

“What do you know about him?”

“Not much, except that he arrives same time every day to train,” Kolar said, folding his arms and scowling. “I asked around, and apparently he was part of some attack by the Gilden clan. Killed a few of theirs and ended up in the middle of it. His name’s Richard Halls.”

“Richard Halls?” The elf tapped a finger against his cheek, the rings on his brown-colored hand, glittering. “And what about the party you said she went to?”

“Some gathering of wolfs and other weres.” Kolor shrugged. “Left with some white-haired she-wolf.”

“I see. Well, for now, don’t raise any suspicion. Just keep watching and find out anything else you can.”

Kolor nodded. “And my payment?”

The elf flung a small bag to the orc who caught it deftly in one hand. Kolar smiled as she opened it to reveal a number of glittering crystals. “Good doing business with you.” With that, the orc turned and left, but the elf remained. He brought a hand up to his ear and tapped the magic communication device. “Karim, you there?”

“I’m here, did you confirm?”

“I did. It was the white-haired wolf,” he said. “Tell your men they can move in.”

“Capture?”

“No.” The elf considered the options they had. “Make her an offer, a deal. If she bites we can cut her loose after we’re done. If she doesn't, then take her.”

“Understood. You still want me to prepare for the snatch?”

“Yes, his highness does not wish to wait.” The elf glanced around the crumbling building he was in. “He wants her now so he can ship her home to her grandparents. She won't be able to resist once she’s back where she belongs.”

“Ok, but I’ll say it again, those orcs are going to cause a problem.”

“Maybe, but by the time they find out, she'll be in Egypt, surrounded by an army. She’s not their blood, only a close friend. I doubt they’ll start a war for her, not at this time.”

“Very well.”

The elf ended the call, and sighed, wondering if the path they were taking was the right one. The prince's plan was sound and true for the most part. Once she was out of the states, she and her orc allies could do nothing, and DOSA would not get too involved. A little bribe and oath to aid should keep them away. But, he also couldn't help but think there were things they were missing. He’d had his men scouring the city, and on the surface, all seemed well, but deep down, there was chaos. Witch clans at war, and the criminal element was running around searching for something. Not to mention, the ender that was apparently in the city. He’d only found out because their liaison had access and quickly had informed them.

He shivered and prayed he never had to come across one of them. They were named well. When one was sent after you, it was the end. Unless you were a god or someone of greater power. Any average or even above-average para would be doomed. An ender was a walking death sentence or worse. Enforcers were also bad news, but at heart, they were just skilled super soldiers. Commandos. No less deadly, but they didn't possess the vast range of abilities and insidious intelligence.

There was an old human movie, he watched once. About a robot coming from the future and another following him. Terminator, he recalled. That’s what they were, except a hundred times worse.

“Pity the fool who called them down here.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Although, what was it the underground was after? It must be valuable if they were moving around like this while an ender was about. The ender might very well purge the city just for fun.

The elf walked out of the building, trying to shake the feeling that things were about to go very wrong.

*****

Annalee was not accustomed to receiving visitors that weren't weres. Certainly not elves dressed in tactical body armor with magically enchanted guns, and though they were not aimed at her, she shivered every time she looked at them. As a were she was durable, but she had no magical protection, and those bullets would tear through her. If they managed to sneak into her room like this, then they must have a reason and knew who she was. She wouldn’t be surprised if their rounds were made to kill paras like her.

And just after she’d made some progress with Zara. The elf had seen the problem and had said it was fixable. She didn't want to risk it, but it was some hope. More than she’d had before.

“Please, don't scream or shout.” In front of the half dozen armed elves was another, dressed in a black suit, and with a slimy smile on his pretty face. He waved a hand and the soldiers, she couldn't think of what else they were, moved to the corners of the room.

“Why?” It was the only thing she could say. Why were their elves in her room? Why did it look like they would kill her if she said the wrong thing? Why wasn’t she waking up from this dream? She stopped pinching herself. No, this was definitely not some dream.

“Why?” The elf smiled and stepped forward. “Simple. I’m here to make you an offer.”

“You couldn't have used the front door?”

“This is a very delicate offer.”

“Ok…” She licked her lips nervously. “And what is it you’re offering?”

“This pack, for you to lead. Power and not a small amount of wealth.”

Anna blinked. “Huh? What?”

“I represent a very powerful group, and we could very easily help you take control of this pack, and grow in power.”

More questions rose in her head, but the first to come out was a shock to even her. “How?” She was surprised it hadn’t been “Fuck off.” Or “I’d never betray my pack like that.”

“We can go into the details later. We have mages, wealth, and connections enough to rid obstacles and empower you.”

“For what?”

The eld’s smile was cold. “You’ve recently been in contact with an elf by the name of Zara, I believe. All we want is for you to set up a meeting with her, at a time and place we choose. Tell her to come alone, and that it's urgent. We will handle the rest.”

“Zara?” She shook her head. “What do you want with her?”

“That is not for you to know. For now, understand that this is a limited-time offer and there are other ways.” His eyes went cold, and the soldiers shifted, raising their rifles slightly. Anna felt anger flare but clamped down on it, and instead thought about what the fuck was going on. First and foremost was the fact, she was taking the offer. It was that or death. Besides, if Jacob and Zack were gone, then she wouldn't even need Zara. If she led, then she’d be in charge, and she wouldn't have to fix Jacob’s problems for him every time he fucked up or dumped a girl who came crying.

“I’ll do it, but how do I know you won’t just kill me?”

“Simple. The same reason we’re not just kidnapping you, and forcing you to do what we want. I could swear an oath but I will not burden my soul with such a thing. And, you don’t have a much of choice. I do apologize for that."

That wasn't enough for Anna, but what could she do? She felt like screaming. Why had things turned so… crazy. First her alpha and his son and now this. Maybe she could call DOSA.

As if the elf was reading her mind, he held up her phone. He threw it to her and smiled. "Call them. Please, call them." The look in his eyes was obvious. She'd find no help from them, and calling them might very well get her kicked from the clan. The pack rarely ever relied on DOSA. She could argue she'd been scared for her life which she was but then there was the risk of the others finding out about the offer.

And what would these elves do in response? They'd take her or just kill her. She was trapped. "Ok." Her voice sounded hollow. "I'll do it."

"Now. You'll do it now and make it convincing. I'll give you the location and time."

Anna unlocked her phone and sighed. For a second time she pinched herself, but no luck there. This nightmare was real.