It was now dark, almost midnight, and Drew couldn't sleep. After the conversation he had with Laura in the kitchen, they ate and Drew loved every bit of it. They had retired to bed soon after eating but Drew couldn't fall asleep.
Laura was in a deep slumber as he slowly got out of the bed. She was tired, that much he knew and he didn’t want to disturb her for any reason at all.
He gave her a gentle kiss on her head as he moved downstairs silently. He didn't want to disturb her since they had a tiring day with the unveiling and all. When Drew got to the living room, he made his way over to the couch, slumping on it.
He didn't bother to switch on the lights, he wanted to bask in the comfort the darkness offered. As Drew sat there, a brief history of his life flashed through his mind as he thought about all he had done and achieved in all of his twenty-six years of existence as a human and five hundred years as a wolf.
Just then, he heard a loud crash. Drew jumped to his feet just as his wolf woke up in the start. Drew looked around the living room but he didn't find where the source was coming from.
He rushed upstairs, praying fervently that Laura was alright. He didn't know what he'd do if he found her injured or worse, dead. He burst through the door and heaved a huge sigh of relief when he discovered that she was okay. He moved towards her, checking her pulse and he sighed yet again when she was breathing normally.
Drew walked out of the room quietly. He had every intention of checking out the whole house, he knew there was an intruder somewhere but he just didn't know where exactly the person stood.
"Shall we?" his wolf growled.
"We shall but I need to do this in my form. I can't have you endangered, especially if the intruder is a wolf hunter." Drew said.
His wolf grumbled before rescinding power to him. Drew smiled, happy that for once, his wolf went back without a fight.
He made his way towards the back entrance of the building, his steps silent. When he got there, sure enough, the hedges that aligned the building were destroyed. Drew growled because he knew Laura loved those flowers.
"Who do we have here?" a voice said.
Drew whipped his head around and discovered that the voice was a masked figure who stood a little distance from him, holding a sword. On a closer look, he discovered that it was Laura’s stepbrother who was behind the mask.
"You. What do you want?" Drew growled.
His wolf was itching to break to the surface but he dumped him down. He didn't know if this man might be a wolf hunter, people who tracked down wolves.
"I thought you would know why I'm here. Where is my darling little sister?’’ the figure said.
"Why don't you come into the light and stop hiding like the fool you are," Drew said.
The figure proceeded to do that but when Brian saw him, there was no recognition in his eyes. The only thing Brian could figure out was the long scar that ran down his forehead to the base of his neck.
"Get off my property,’’ Drew said.
"And if I don't?" the figure said.
"You'll wish you never got here.’’
At that moment, Drew allowed his wolf to take over. He was quite surprised when Laura’s stepbrother turned into his wolf too. While Drew's was a jet black color, her brother’s was a deep red fur which was associated with one being in Alpha Jed’s pack.
Drew had never seen a wolf who had that color before and the only explanation was being in Alpha Jed’s pack and one who wasn’t from his clan.
"Leave before this gets bloody,’’ Drew growled.
His wolf scratched the ground, gathering momentum to attack the intruder. Drew could tell that his wolf was holding on to the last bit of patience he had and soon, the intruder would be no more.
"Bring it on.’’ the intruder said.
Drew attacked at that minute, tearing into a soft spot. He chuckled when the intruder gasped as he tried to control the large amount of blood that gushed out of his neck.
"I told you. Leave now before I kill you.’’ Drew said.
"No.’’ he staggered.
Drew was caught off guard for a bit when the intruder attacked him, taking a swipe at his arm. Drew howled as the pain grew worse. Now, he was convinced that he had to finish him off. He would leave no room for him to attack anymore.
"Cat's got your tongue?" the intruder taunted.
Drew rose to his full height, standing on his hind leg. He rendered attacks after attacks on the intruder, not giving him a chance to defend himself.
"Any last words,’’ Drew growled.
He had him in a firm hold by the neck, skillfully blocking his air supply. The intruder wheezed, clawing at Brian's hands for any form of release but it was futile.
"The clan would get you for this, you wouldn't escape this time. Alpha Jed and the entire pack would be coming for you and that bitch of a sister.’’ the intruder gasped.
"I think the only person who wouldn't be escaping this time around is you,’’ Drew said.
"I know but soon, they'll do to you what they did to your mother.’’ the intruder laughed.
Before Drew could render the final blow, silencing the intruder once and for all, he escaped like a flash with blood dripping down his injured arm. Drew growled in frustration, wishing he had killed him. He was too fast for him and Drew knew it was a result of thinking about what they did to his mother.
He knew his weak point and he had used it to his full advantage, escaping when he knew his attention would be divided. He was smart, Drew had to give him that but he knew that sooner or later, he would get a hold of him and this time, there would be no chance of escaping.
He sat still as he thought about the words of the intruder. Now, it was confirmed to him that he and his group were responsible for his mother's death. Drew closed his eyes for a minute, relishing the pain that swept through his body.
"Drew!’’ Laura screamed.
She rushed towards him, gripping her nightgown tightly as the wind picked up more speed, blowing everything in its wake.
"What happened?" Laura asked.
Drew remained silent, suddenly losing the ability to speak. There was nothing he could say or do now.
"Come, let's get you inside and cleaned up,’’ Laura said, helping him to his feet.
That was the moment Drew discovered that he was bathed in blood. Blood from the wounds gushing out from an open wound and some from the intruder's.
Laura helped him up, slowly leading him inside the house. When they got there, she set him down on the high-backed chair in the kitchen, pulling open the first aid box.
She decided to use the materials available rather than using her magic which might weaken him the more.
"I can't believe that a few hours ago we were here, laughing over a plate of spaghetti,’’ Drew said.
"It's okay, don't say anything. Just focus on healing." Laura said.
"He just attacked from nowhere.’’ Drew rasped.
Laura ignored him, she knew he was in a distorted state of mind and whatever he said now didn't hold much weight.
"Drew, please just keep quiet for now,’’ Laura begged.
"What if I can't save you?" he croaked.
"Then I'll save you,’’ she said.
"Ditto,’’ Drew said.
‘’Did you see the person that attacked you?’’ Laura asked.
‘’Yes.’’ Drew sighed.
He wasn’t sure if he should tell her who it was but she needed to know, it was her right to know. Telling her wouldn’t change anything since the deed had already been done. Whatever the outcome of his revelation, he was going to take it anyhow it came.
‘’Who was it? Who carried out the attack?’’ Laura asked.
‘’Alpha Jed’s son, your step brother,’’ Drew said finally.