The end only comes when you want it.
And how badly she fucking wanted it.
Khalia pondered that while the blade cut into his flesh. Her momentum caused it to sink deeper, hitting the bone and causing her hand slip. His body shuddered then swayed as he staggered backwards. The peculiar sound of sizzling grew between them, spreading to the others in the vicinity.
Theo did a double take between the dagger and her. Raising his arm, he pulled the weapon out, whimpering when it made a sickly squelch. The blood on the blade boiled, its crimson color blackening, while the viscosity became tar. The smell pricked her nose and Theo's breathing became labored. Grinding his teeth, Khalia's ears twitched at the noise.
"...Lia Baby?"
The skin around the wound charred and flaked away in pieces, the blood changing to match that on the dagger. Attempting to raise his arm he grimaced, it went down limply. That's when he shifted. Immediately she observed his previous changes to be showboating. It made her despise him even more. Barely having finished a blink before he towered over her. Seeing that she wasn't going to dodge in time, she covered her head.
It did nothing to lessen the strike. His right leg connected with her cheek. Where she stood moments ago remained only blood splatter. She rag dolled into one of the bronze vases, shattering the ornate pottery before coming to a stop in the grassy field. The scream that left her was drowned out swiftly by Theo's roar.
Crawling to her knees she sat dazed. Sounds around her were muffled, hearing just the blood sloshing around in her ear. It poured steadily out the gash along the side of her skull. Running down the base of her neck and dripping on to her shoulder. Moving her tongue she crept it over her molars, flinching when she met two broken ones.
Dull cracking noises resonated through her body, the bones binding themselves back together. Agonizingly she stood wobbling ever slightly. Theo stalked over to where the dagger lay, resembling a sowing needle in his hand as he scooped it up. Throwing his arm back he tossed at her.
It stake the ground near her feet. She leaned to pick it up, taking her eyes off the monster.
"You're tricky. The hunter became the hunted. Unfortunately, you need practice."
She tensed at his words. In human form, his body wriggled under the rays of the sun. Contouring and twisting, sprouting fur in various regions before the tuffs sunk back into the flesh.
"A fight to the death? Is that what you want? I'll give you one chance to make it up to me Lia Baby. Get on your knees my Fated."
Khalia clenched her jaw and glowered as he spat those words.
"You're a rabid fucking dog. Diem should have put you down long ago. My friends, we didn't deserve your cruelty. I'll be damned if we die in vain."
She spoke evenly, taking notice of his faltering smile. He stalked closer to her and she scrambled to stand.
"Ah, someone's been oversharing. She was a good bitch through the entire thing. I even bought her a dress after, that shallow ingrate still took her life."
A spine-chilling howl rang over the garden. Everyone turned to the mansion, watching as the doors flew open. The women and children ran out. The men, petrified on the porch, soon sprinted behind their families and packmates, who beelined for Gian. Honey blonde hair bobbed in the crowd.
Caleesi.
Her and Milo limped along, a woman being supported between them. Far more bruises covered his frame, but he kept pace with the others. The shotgun, now bent, he held tightly in his left hand. The woman's torso was wrapped with Milo's bloody shirt. Her head drooped into his shoulder.
Theo rumbled, taking a step, then halting when Nyla and Gian flounced to the forefront. They stood stoically while the pack members ran behind them. Their eyes, a fiery amber, lit with disdain while their skin squirmed. Scoffing, he leered at the group before fixing back on her.
"Think you've won? Because you found a pack to hide behind? Least not forget, my lousy fucking Beta! Where is the exiled shit! Did you let him taste?"
Parting her lips she growled. About to speak a roar cut her off. It's ferocity made her shiver and her eyes flicked to a balcony. Theo followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing while he rapidly shifted. Just in time for Diem to pounce on him. A child's scream filled the area and Khalia shielded her face from flying debris.
Air licked her skin as their thunderous blows collided. Gian screaming for the others to get back made her look at the chaos. Clumps of fur and flesh created art on the ground as they swapped fist for claws. The center of Theos muzzle was split wide, and blood oozed over his fangs. On Diems left ear, the tip was missing, and large gashes littered his left arm.
Theo beat him in size and strength, towering a foot taller, he kicked Diem. The crack of his ribs made her flinch, and he skirted across the yard, pulling up the ground with him.
"Diem!" Her voice riddled with surprise, and she ran in his direction.
Like in the mountains, her effort was wasted. She didn't see Diem pull himself out the rubble, nor run past her. Only feeling a slight breeze to her cheek and lingering fur that drifted in a trail. A yelp made her swivel her head. Diem snarled as he ripped out the tendons behind Theo's knee before hastily repeating the process on the other.
Staggering, Theo had no time to react to the kick Diem sent to his backside. His spine popped as he tumbled 8ft away. Roaring, he attempted to stand, his body turning back human. Her mind drifted to a childhood memory of her and the neighbor's dog locked in battle. One of them didn't make it.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
"Shift."
Khalia's eyes met Diems. His eyes looked wild, but she saw something else. A surge of excitement boiled in her heart and spread to her limbs. It tingled at her fingertips, and she watched her nails transform.
"Get your revenge Lia, shift!"
*~*~*
Pulling himself up, Theo had no time to react when a severe pain went across his back. Staggering he turned, backing up against the fountain. Leaning onto it, he looked distastefully at the two Lycans.
On the smaller side, her rich sable fur pulled the colorful environment around her. Silver and white hairs dotted her muzzle, and blind hatred obscured her eyes. Fur wouldn't grow over her cheeks, leaving his branding on display. Claws dripped with the blood and sinew from his back. He grinned.
"The Yin to my Yang."
The two didn't acknowledge his chatter. Instead, Diem came again. Gritting his fangs, he leapt away in time as Diem devastated the fountain. Rolling onto his knees he winced, his shoulder sizzling softly. Looking down, the gaping hole appeared to breath. Flesh slopped off his shoulder blade, landing heavily in the grass as the infection spread. His ear twitched, and soon synchronized footsteps pulled his head upward.
They circled.
Never deviating their pace yet inching closer bit by excruciating bit. Khalia to down on fours while Diem stayed bipedal.
"...We'd make a good pack. It's not too late, I don't mind sharing Diem."
Again, they ignored them. Theo shifted once more, slower this time, growling at the two whenever they came too close. The chuffing from the Diem made him lash out, only to miss by inches, giving Parasita an opening for his vitals. Leaping, she sunk her canines into his foot, pulling away when he swatted at her face.
*~*~*
Parasita shook the fur matted meat from her maw, delight rushed through her at sight of the mangled appendage. Quick glances at Diem and she saw the same tenacious hunger. It bled off him, seeping into her bones and igniting a sensation unknown to her.
Was this how he felt during training?
Another opening made by Diem. She ran, attacking his knee and ripping the cap off. Theo howled, his leg giving way to the explosive pain. Neither gave him time to nurse the discomfort. She lunged for his torso, only to fake him out and allow Diem to sink his canines into Theo's contorted abdomen. More howls as the deadly waltz continued.
Piece by piece they baited, ravaging the beast of their nightmares. Khalia stayed silent watching Parasita and Diem, their perverse animalistic pleasure. She realized why Theo took such pleasure in the suffering he caused. Being the hunter is far more tantalizing.
Diem caught Theo's elbow between his jaw, the final injury of savagery. Clamping down, he jerked his head and twisted, ripping off his last able appendage. Theo fell on his gaping knees while his body gradually shifted back to that of a human. Flinging the arm a good distance, Diem reverted as well.
"Bet-Beta Diem. Glad to see brutality hasn't escaped you. Like your father, opportunistic and vile." Theo coughed out bitterness and blood as he sneered.
Diem bit his cheek glowering. Stepping back, he glanced at the panting Parasita.
"It's all yours."
Her tail whipped wildly. Standing, Theo weakly watched her change back into the woman of before. His blood coated her like paint on canvas. She growled at the admiration in his gaze.
"My h-hunt. Do you hope to regain your humanity?"
Khalia said nothing, walking and picking up the dagger she had set down. It was only then that a new scent seized her. It was heavy and tart. Secreting a savory saltiness that coated her taste buds, mimicking her favorite foods. Inebriation at its finest, her pupils dilated from the smell...and it was coming off Theo.
Fear. Sweet and succulent fear.
"It's over."
She took a step when he started chuckling. Just like at the campgrounds, rich and lively.
"Diem! You want to know what your sister cried out as I raped her! She screamed for you over and over. Diem, Diem, Diem, please stop! Please help me, Dad! Why are you doing this! Know what I told her..."
Khalia gasped, hesitating in step as she looked at her Beta.
"I said who am I to deny your fathers gift?"
She didn't see.
She didn't see in time.
"Diem stop!" Gian screamed before shifting.
Khalia felt force on her chest as she was shoved back and she hit the ground. The dagger flew from her grasp, and she cradled her head. Fumbling to a stand she cried out seeing Gian hold Diem. Birthed from darkness itself, his fur made hers look dull. His arms were wrapped tightly around Diems. The latter snarled, his eyes a color she's never seen. He pulled against Gian, causing them both to till the ground. All while, Theo panted heavily, a mocking smile on his marred face.
"He's going to kill Gian and Theo if we don't do something!" Parasita hollered.
"Diem!" Caleesi's voice carried over the noise.
Before Nyla could grab her, she sprinted towards her brother. Cursing under her breath, Khalia looked to the ground, eyes scanning for the dagger.
"W-was it something I said?" Theo let out a garbled chuckle.
Glaring at him she noticed the pale hue of his body. His breathing came with long pauses.
What happens if he dies before I kill him?
"Let's not wait to find out.... there!"
A tingle ran up her spine when she saw the bone hilt feet away. Howls rocked the air, and she turned in time to see Gian and Caleesi wrestle down a mad Diem. Gritting her teeth she broke into a sprint for the dagger. She didn't stop when she scooped it from the ground. Instead, running faster towards her target.
She was oblivious to the tears that ran down her cheeks. This was it. This chapter is over. Ending his life will usher a new beginning.
A new human beginning.
Reaching his decrepit form, she raised the dagger above her head. However, quick footsteps filled her right ear, and a blurred figure smashed into her side. Her lips parted while the air flew from her lungs. The dagger clattered onto the pavers as she hit the ground again.
"Khalia? No! Don't! Yvette!"
Groaning, she caught a few of the words from Nyla.
Yvette? That's-
Jerking her head, she saw the final moments, his final moments.
"...N-No."
In front of Theo, Yvette lowered herself, snatching up the dagger. Khalia jumped up, scrambling to close the 10ft gap.
"No!"
"For you, Micheal!" Sobbing, she raised the dagger and plunged it swiftly into Theo's heart.
Khalia stopped and clutched her chest. A pain worse than what she's experienced the past few weeks exploded in her body. Her eyes widened, and she heard a scream mix with Yvette's. Was it her? She couldn't tell. The only thing she could tell was that Theo's body fell limp, and he crashed on his side.
Swiftly, Nyla wrapped her arms around Yvette, dragging her flailing body as she broke down in sobs. The commotion from the others ceased, and she felt Diem probe her mind.
"Khalia I'm-"
Jumping up, she ran over to Theo, hastily rolling him on his back. Shallow breaths escaped his lips, and eyes became dull. When they landed on her, she saw a quiver of a grin.... that shit eating grin. Shakily he rose a hand, bringing it to her cheek. She flinched at his touch but didn't pull away.
"L-Lia Baby, forever my creation. Mine."
Like a candle, the light left his eyes. His hand slid off her cheek and slapped the ground.
"...No. No! No! No!"
Gripping the hilt, she yanked the blade from his chest cavity. Ignoring the blood splatter that sprayed her face she brought the dagger down again. She gouged his eyes, chipped his teeth, and cut his throat. Over and over the blade pierced him...yet nothing happened. He was dead alright, but not by her hands. The chaotic realization caused something to snap.
Coldness filled her body, and her vision blackened. Her body writhed and bones began to crack. A roar leapt from her lungs, and she set her eyes on Yvette before madness consumed her.