The wolves went straight to the attack, going after Ramon in their twos. Their growls ripped through the air as they leaped toward him, claws extended and eyes glowing with feral intent.

Ramon’s hands shifted into claws in a fluid motion, the familiar burn of the change surging through his muscles. He caught the first wolf mid-leap, his powerful grip closing around the attacker’s throat. With a roar, he slammed him to the ground, the impact sending dirt and leaves exploding outward. The wolf yelped in pain, bones cracking under the force.

Sensing a second attacker behind him, he jumped to the other side with effortless grace, twisting mid-air. He caught the incoming fist before it could land, twisting the arm with brutal efficiency and dragging the man’s body down hard. The attacker hit the earth with a thud, gasping for breath.

Another car drove to the scene, and the fight intensified. More wolves poured out, their movements coordinated but desperate. The air thickened with the metallic scent of blood and the earthy musk of shifted fur. Dust kicked up in clouds under their feet, the sounds of grunts and impacts echoing through the border clearing.

Cade, who had driven a distance, suddenly turned the car around.

"What are you doing, Cade?" Jed asked, gripping the seat.

"I thought you were itching for a fight?" He asked, grinning sinisterly as the car skidded to a stop.

"Yeah, but—"

"No buts. We don’t have to like the guy to help him out. It’s all for the thrill."

He stopped the car right in the centre of the road and jumped out of it. Shrugging his shoulders with pride when he saw Ramon slam two bodies together, he leaped forward and joined the fight.

Ten minutes later, they had a row of bodies lined about. The ground was littered with groaning wolves, some shifting back to human form in defeat, others still twitching in pain. The air smelled of sweat, blood, and crushed leaves. Ramon’s chest heaved with controlled breaths, his muscles glistening under the fading light, but he showed no sign of fatigue.

"Whew, that was so fun! Sure we can’t convince dad to let us return to the border battleground?" Jed asked, looking around for some more faces to punch, his knuckles bloody but his grin wide.

"You can ask him that yourself," Cade said, already walking towards the car.

Ramon went after him and stopped him before he could go in.

"Why did you return to help me? I hope you know this doesn’t mean we’re friends now?" He asked, voice low and wary.

Cade scoffed mockingly. "Don’t sweat it, Ramon. It wasn’t for you. Just needed to exercise my hand," he looked to the sky and hissed. "It’s dark already. I’m out of here. Jed?!" He called.

Ramon would never admit it, but as he watched Cade enter into his car, he found a new respect for him.

He wasn’t like his father, that was for sure. It didn’t matter how much he pretended to be.

"Hey, sure my sister is really alive and you’re not just telling us what we need to hear?" Jed questioned Blane who was keeping an eye on the bodies.

"Maybe if your father wasn’t so stubborn, you’d be able to see for yourself," he replied in an uninterested voice.

"Jed!" Cade called.

"Yeah, my brother is always impatient. Anyways, my regards to Sonia. Make sure to tell her how better I’ve gotten in my combat skills." He smiled boastfully and turned around.

As he walked towards their car, Ramon made his way back to the bodies.

"See you later, sucker!" Jed said loud enough for Ramon to hear.

Ramon ignored him, but hissed in his mind. Everyone said he was rude because he was still so young. But his sister was also young, yet nothing like him.

He was just a wild one. If Ferins had even a lick of sense, he would have sent him to the battle ground to turn all that thrill up his sleeve into useful skills.

Shaking his head, he arrived beside Blane.

"They’re all still alive?" He asked, his eyes trailing across the fourteen bodies.

"Definitely breathing," Blane replied.

"Slade?"

"He crossed over to get some water. Said he’d be right back."

"Alright. I don’t need a host just one of them to tell me why they attacked. But from the look of things, they’re from the MoonRay pack."

"The markings, right?" Blane asked, looking at the similar carvings on their bodies.

"Bastards have a thing for drawing on their bodies. What was Jack thinking? I won’t find out it was him? This was why you were supposed to bring me his head!" Ramon hissed.

"I know, and I’m sorry it didn’t quite work out the way we envisioned."

"Nah, I think what we need to do is hasten up and fetch out the spies in the pack. Fucking tired of joking around. The more we hesitate, the more emboldened these bastards get."

Slade returned just then, and handed some water to both Ramon and Blane.

"You’re here. I need something from you," Ramon said.

"Whatever you wish, Alpha," Slade bowed.

"Tie them up, and send them to MoonRays borders. Get two men to drive those two cars to Bloodmoon."

"Yes Alpha." He agreed, no questions asked.

Ramon turned to Blane. "We need one body. Pick one, and push him into the boot," he said.

"Yes Alpha," Blane replied.

He chugged the water down his throat and threw the bottle behind his head.

Using the aching bodies of the wolves lined up as a path, he trod on them as he went to the car. Their wheezing was music to his ears. They would never forget the beating they received from Alpha Ramon.

He wasn’t going to dwell on their nerve to attack him just yet. All of that frustration was reserved for their Alpha.

With Slade’s help, Blane picked out one of the wolves that looked the most helpful, and together they carried him into the car.

He hopped into the passenger’s seat as Ramon started the car.

"Don’t forget my instructions, Slade," Ramon said.

"Yes Alpha."

He drove away, his sight set on Bloodmoon.

It was fully dark when they arrived. He drove straight behind and stopped the car.

Coming out, he threw the keys to Blane, who also stepped out.

"Lock him in a cell tonight. I’ll be with him bright and early in the morning. I need to know what the progress is with Moon," he said.

"I’ll handle it, Alpha."

He walked away, going straight for the house he had kept Sonia.

His heart beat tripled in action the closer he got to her. He told himself he was going to the house simply because of Moon. But when her thoughts filled his head, he couldn’t help but surrender to it.

It wouldn’t be long anymore, he thought. Soon enough, he wouldn’t be able to resist her.

He had made it to the centre of the pack when he heard a loud scream that made him turn right back.

Following its direction, he broke into a run. Panicking because the voice had sounded a little too close to Lorena’s.