Ulrich listened to the growling pack as they tried to choose sides before he led the way into the clearing. Ulrich recognized the man that had attacked Alois and Conor in the woods as he turned to growl at the unwanted intruders. The others turned to frown at him, growling at the wolves by his side. Ulrich smiled pleasantly as he walked up to the so-called leader. It was clear he was struggling to stay in control of his pack and Ulrich saw that as a sign of weakness. By acknowledging this man as their alpha still put him in charge of negotiations. And if he was in charge, Ulrich could use him to get what he wanted in return.

"My name is Ulrich, alpha of this territory. I believe we have had some sort of misunderstanding that has led you to attack one of my own and take somethings that belong to us. I have come to retrieve them." Ulrich told him coolly as the alpha growled. He glared at the young alpha in hate as one of his wolves spoke up, taking away his power.

"We were misinformed about the attack on your wolf. As for the others, the human has seen too much, and the wolf belongs to our pack." The stranger told him as the old wolf growled. Ulrich looked at the younger wolf who was trying to take control. He was older than him, in his thirties at least making Ulrich wonder if he could be bargained with. Though he struggled with the idea that he had just claimed Conor as his own.

"This is not your place to speak, Tarmoc." The older wolf growled as the other wolf snorted.

"You are not alpha here, not anymore Kalmar. Your blindness to our pack needs has left us vulnerable." Tarmoc hissed as he threw out his arms to encompass the rest of the wild pack behind him.

"I don't care who is alpha or where. I just came for what is mine, human and wolf both." Ulrich told them interrupting the growing fight between them. Kalmar eyed the dark-haired boy as his silver blue eyes glared at them.

"We have met before." Kalmar growled as Ulrich bowed his head in agreement.

"The day you attacked one of my own and chased him out of the woods. Yes, I remember. I am not here about Alois; however, I am here for the two you kidnapped from a house under my protection within my territory." Ulrich told them as he began to pace and look around, glancing at the forest around him. Kalmar growled at Tarmoc as he started to speak.

"We meant no offense to you or your territory, but our prey wandered in, and we attacked when we saw the chance. We had been chasing the woman who stole one of our own." Tarmoc told him ignoring Kalmar as the old alpha paced angrily. If Ulrich continued interacting with Tarmoc he would be stealing what was left of Kalmar's power making him worthless. Though Tarmoc was already worthless, unwilling to give Conor up without a fight. Perhaps Kalmar could still be reasoned with. Ulrich sighed unimpressed as Tarmoc stiffened. Kalmar smiled at this young alpha; he knew how to play the game.

"Exactly what do you want with us? You bring an army ready to fight and yet you simply talk." Kalmar told him as Ulrich paused to glance up at him. clearly, he hadn't been open enough.

"You don't know? Well then let me put it this way, I am here for the son of Mai Torrez and the son of Benjamin Webber. Conor and Zack. The human and wolf. The two boys that belong to me and my pack. My mate and lover. My human friend. Must I go on?" Ulrich asked as the two other wolves frowned at him.

"You know her name?" Kalmar asked as he tried to process the rest of what Ulrich had told them. The other wolf growled confused.

"I should hope so. I have been sleeping with her son after all for the last few months." Ulrich told them picking up a rock to inspect it. Tarmoc spit at him as Kalmar waited quietly.

"Disgusting fag. You think it's just okay to wander around fucking any guy you like? A real man has balls, not a fucking pussy." Tarmoc growled at him as a red wolf growled back. Ulrich held up his hand to keep Hass quiet.

"Let him get it off his mind. Besides, Miles was better at the insults, but not as good as me. Right, pansy?" Ulrich asked his brother who growled at him, making Ulrich smile. "Whether you like me or not isn't my problem. My problem is that you have that which is mine and I will fight to get him back." Ulrich told them as Kalmar smiled. Tarmoc hissed and they all paused as a black and white wolf dove in font of Ulrich.

A gunshot went off, splattering Tony's blood across Ulrich's skin as the wolf fell in a heap at his feet. Kamron howled as he watched his son fall, launching himself at the gunman, hidden in the trees. Ulrich stared shocked at the black and white coat slowly getting stained red. Tarmoc saw his opportunity and took it, slugging Ulrich in the jaw. He paused when Ulrich simply stood there, not even budging from his attack. Ulrich grabbed his throat and lifted him into the air letting him cough and struggle as Ulrich wiped the blood from his lips.

"We tried to do this the easy way." Ulrich told him in a deep growling voice as his pack launched themselves at the other wolves in a frenzy. Kalmar stood unfazed as the two packs collided watching as the young alpha beat his replacement. Perhaps he had gone soft in letting the pack think they could just simply replace him. It took more than just desire to be alpha after all. Kalmar sighed and wandered off through the chaos back to the hut. He had heard the human screaming making him wonder where his daughter was and why the defect was out of the cabin. He entered the run-down shack frowning at the two dead wolves and an angry tied up wolf. He paused when the sweet scent of blood filled the air and he crossed over to the window to inspect the splattering of his daughter's blood. Delilah broke free and shifted in a rage growling at Kalmar.

"I noticed a strange wolf entering the cabin and came to investigate. They have taken your daughter." Delilah told him as Kalmar slapped her.

"Don't think I don't know that you tried to kill her behind my back. What we had was simply an arrangement. You wanted power; I needed a strong partner. That was all. You know I never loved you bitch. There was nothing else between us. What I had with Rebeca was love. I followed your lead when you dragged our affair out into the open because it was what needed to be done for pack law. I killed the only woman I ever loved for you, and I will never do it again." Kalmar told her as she hissed. She turned back into a wolf and lunged at him, Kalmar growled as he took the hit, crashing through the broken window back out into the clearing with the rest of the pack.

 The packs shifted as they watched their Alpha and his mate struggle in their fight. Tarmoc saw his chance and changed into his wolf form launching himself at Ulrich's exposed flesh. He growled when he got a mouthful of grey fur. Where do, these wolves keep coming from?! Tarmoc dragged the wolf down realizing he had no fighting skills and that killing him would be easy...

Conor skirted around the edge of the battle watching closely without engaging in any of the fights. He was still trembling a little from shock that changing had actually worked. He glanced down at his dark grey paws noticing that the fur on his back was lighter. He wondered what he looked like and if he resembled any of the other wolves. He paused when a loud crash sounded, and two wolves smashed through the broken wall of the cabin. Looks like that crazy female wolf had gotten free. Conor growled as a hand touched his back. He paused to see Ben with his gun ready frowning.

"I can't tell the good guys from the bad guys." Ben whispered at him as Conor frowned realizing he was right. Though anyone preparing to attack his boyfriend had to be a bad guy. Conor raced out of the bushes leaping in between the dirty brown wolf and Ulrich. He yipped when the other wolf grabbed him painfully and pulled him down. A second gunshot rang out making everyone turn to growl at the human in the bushes. The bullet had pierced the brown wolves hip forcing him to release Conor so that the boy could escape.

"I didn't kill him, but if he hurts Conor again I just might." Ben told Ulrich with a shrug, aiming his weapon at the injured wolf. Ulrich frowned confused as he glanced at the brown wolf growling at the grey one by his side. Conor? His Conor? Blood speckled Conor's coat where Tarmoc had bit him causing Ulrich to growl. Conor glanced up at him with his honey amber eyes whining softly as Ulrich growled deeper. He turned his attention to Tarmoc as the brown wolf stepped back in fear.

"You don't have what it takes to be alpha. I would rather see my own brother as alpha then let you roam the earth any longer." Ulrich growled as he changed quickly and attacked him. Conor stood by Tony's body as he silently swore and cursed like a bloody sailor. Pizza?! Ulrich was god damn fucking Pizza?! Oh, the things he regretted. Conor huffed as something moved by his feet. He jumped a little making Ben chuckle at him. Ben had moved Tony over so that he could get a good look at him. The wounded wolf growled at him slightly as he regained consciousness. Ben put a hand on his muzzle as he murmured softly at him. Conor stood beside them cautiously as he watched Ulrich wipe the floor with the would be alpha. The bullet it seemed had lodged itself in Tony's shoulder causing the wolf a lot of pain and blood, but nothing he wouldn't heal from in time.

"Thank god you are going to be all right." Ben murmured at his son's lover as Tony whined softly. A wolf came over to investigate them licking Tony's muzzle and huffing at Ben. Tyson still wasn't a fan of human's but he was starting to see the benefit of having one who knew what he was doing around. He sniffed Conor as the smaller grey wolf growled at him. Tyson turned back into human frowning at Conor as he wrinkled his nose. Conor knew him. He was the jerk that had picked a fight with him over Alois.

"You look like a bloody grey fox. Not very threatening for an alphas mate." Tyson told him in a bored tone making Conor try to look at himself again. "Did you know and just lead him on?" Tyson asked as Conor growled.

"I have a feeling Mai is the only one who knew anything. The rest of us just think we know." Ben told him as Tyson nodded. "How are the ribs?" Ben asked as Tyson shrugged.

"They're fine. You protected my brother just now so I'll say we are fine, but if you ever hurt him again, I swear to god I will kill you myself." Tyson told Conor in a dark gravelly voice. He turned back into his dark red and black form and hurried away to join the fight. The entire wild pack had begun to gather from out of the woods and were attacking anyone they could. Ulrich walked back over to them with his white coat stained red. He had his eyes on Tony and missed getting hit in the side by the next bigshot wanting to become alpha. Conor growled and wanted to join the fight only hesitating when Ben grabbed him.

"We need to get Tony out of here. Ulrich can handle himself." Ben told him as Conor growled. He paused when a fucking lion approached Ben from behind. Conor leaped between them growling at the other wolf and the others behind him. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt Tony or Ben if he could help it. Ben turned and swore at the massive beast as it shook out its fur. Its golden tan coat darkening in the fading light. Ulrich joined them in his human form covered in blood and dirt.

"Father. Pack." Ulrich told them as he bowed his head in respect at them. "I was trying diplomacy, but as you can see, it failed." Ulrich told them disappointed. His father changed, laughing as he wrapped an arm around his son's shoulder.

"My son, you are young and new. Older wolves may have trouble respecting your claim to alpha and you will have to deal with a few setbacks as you earn your place. You may not be pack, but you will always be family. How can we help?" Damien asked as Ulrich hugged his father for the first time in years.

"We need to gather up the strays. Some of them are armed and dangerous. Then we need to get the wounded out of here." Ulrich told him as his father nodded.

"Let us deal with the strays. You take care of your own." Damien told him as he kissed his forehead. He turned back to the rest of the pack and they nodded heading out into the woods. Damien smiled and left joining the hunt next to his beautiful mate. Ulrich was glad to have his father at his back as Tyson snorted at his hip.

"Don't be jealous daisy. It will ruin your pretty face." Ulrich told him as his brother snorted. Ulrich smiled and pet his brothers head, chuckling as his brother growled. A loud yipping noise drew their attention back to the two wolves fighting near the hut. Conor growled as the grey female tore into the rusty colored male wolf. She was slowly going mad. They could feel it, like a sickness in the air. She was losing her human side and soon nothing would remain, but the blood thirsty wolf. She needed to be stopped. "I know I said no killing..." Ulrich started as Tyson nodded in agreement. Some wolves needed to be put down for the survival of the pack. Tyson charged across the way ramming into the grey wolf as she aimed to kill the male she was fighting with. They fell back through the cabin wall causing it to partially collapse. The male struggled to his feet and howled, letting his power as alpha call the wolves to him.

Mai and Zack paused when they listened to the eerie howl echo through the trees. Sabina growled hurrying off through the forest to answer her father's call. Alois paused thoughtfully as he sampled the air. He shifted briefly to explain.

"The alpha has fallen and is calling in his pack. I don't know what that means for our side of the frenzy, but we should be prepared to run into trouble." Alois told them as Mai frowned.

"Kalmar, Sabina's father was the one who called out." She muttered as Alois shifted back to his wolf form sticking close to Mai. Zack followed with the gun at the ready frowning at the darkening sky.

"We are going to have trouble getting back to the car." Zack murmured as Mai paused to glance at him.

"We'll be okay. If our pack is safe, we will be okay." Mai told him pulling him in for a brief hug. He nodded into her shoulder as they hurried back to the others using the rest of the light as their guide. Alois kept his ears and eyes open for trouble as they neared the crumbling shack. Sabina had already made it to the field sitting by her father's side as he petted her black coat slowly. Mai shoved Zack down into the bushes holding a finger to her lips. They sat quietly watching as Mai found Conor next to Ben and Tony. It had been so long since she had seen him in his wolf form she had almost missed how big he had grown. Her little wolf pup. She held Zack's nervous hand as they waited with Alois, to see what would happen next.

Kalmar continue to pet his daughters sweet face as he looked around at the other wolves. Most of his pack had abandoned him, and most of those had fallen under the young alphas attacks. He sighed as he looked around at the wolves who despised him for his infidelity. For sleeping with the woman, he loved, he had caused so much hatred and pain. He had sworn that he would only kill Rebeca for his crimes, but now, he wasn't so sure. Sabina whined at him as he smiled sadly. She could not remain by his side if he was going to take control of what was once his. His beautiful exotic flower would have to die. It wasn't her fault really. It was all his. She transformed in his arms to look at him with her blue eyes and dark ebony skin. So much like her mother.

"Kalmar stop." Mai told him hurrying out of the bushes. He paused to frown at her as Sabina looked at them confused. "You don't want to do this." Mai told him as he laughed. The sound hurt and made the wolves around them whine.

"You think I want to cause pain and suffering? I made a mistake. It is time I correct it." Kalmar told her as he grabbed Sabina by the throat. He couldn't look her in the eyes as she struggled against him. He gasped when a wolf attacked him from behind forcing him to drop her. The red and black wolf growled angrily at him in warning as Sabina coughed and choked. Tears slid down her face as she watched her father struggle to be the man he wanted to be and the man he needed to be. He had treasured her for too long and now he was trying to right his wrongs. Sabina sat crying as a grey wolf leapt at her from the rubble. A gun shot went off as Sabina jumped staring at the dead grey wolf at her feet. She turned to look at Mai who was staring at the dead wolf confused. Mai turned back to look at the woods where Zack stood with the gun at the ready. Mai frowned at him as he shrugged unapologetic. He hated that bitch.

"What have you done?!" Kalmar asked as he lifted his dead mate into his arms.

"Sabina is one of ours now and we will fight to protect her." Mai told him as Kalmar got to his feet growling.

"First my brother and then my daughter and now my mate?! Do you intend to take everything away from me?!" Kalmar roared at her as she held the gun at the ready.

"Amos didn't tell you about us because he knew you would have to choose the pack over him. He didn't want you to kill him out of guilt, so he forced you to kill him out of anger. We knew his time was limited, but that didn't mean we didn't treasure our son. Everything I have done has been for Amos and Conor. Shooting you would not make everything right, but neither will killing your daughter." Mai told him as Conor watched his mother nervously. Someone pat his head and he leaned against Ulrich's thigh for comfort.

"Sabina was a mistake." Kalmar told her as she shook her head in disagreement.

"Delilah was the mistake. You choose power over love, but love will always be stronger. Look at your daughter. Your love for her is what kept her alive all these years while everything around you screamed for her death. If that is not strength, I don't know what is." Mai told him as Zack came to stand beside her. Alois sat watching carefully at their feet as Kalmar frowned at the pack around him. If he hadn't caved to pressure to mate with this vile woman, then would he have had the strength to lead as alpha? Would he have been stronger?

"You make an interesting point, sister-in-law. However, that does not change the fact that my mistake is what caused this disaster in the first place. She cannot remain." Kalmar growled as the pack nodded in agreement.

"Then why don't we propose a compromise? A war trophy of sorts." Tyson asked as Ulrich watched his brother.

"The girl in exchange for your crimes against our pack. She will no longer be your concern and we will part on peaceful terms." Ulrich told Kalmar as the old alpha stood tall and bowed deeply.

"A small price to pay for your generosity. If we should travel this way again, we will make sure to inform you of our intentions beforehand. We only ask that you give us time to take care of our dead before we move on." Kalmar asked as Ulrich nodded slowly.

"I would like to speak with you further on behalf of your pack. Though I understand it isn't my business, I would like to offer you assistance, if you need it. Since it sounds like we will be family." Ulrich told him as he rubbed Conor's head. Kalmar glanced at the grey wolf and smiled.

"You looked so much like him. We will be in touch." Kalmar told him carrying his dead mate into the crumbling building. Tyson watched him go before glancing down at the young woman beside him. She sniffled lightly watching her father go knowing she would never speak to him again. He went to pet her head as she got to her feet and hurried over to Zack.

"You really do love me! You have saved my life twice now!" Sabina told him as Zack blushed and tried to push away from the naked clinging girl. He glanced at Mai and mouthed help me desperately as she tried not to giggle. Tyson frowned as he glared at her back. And what was he? He saved her life too. Twice if she wanted to keep count. Once when Kalmar tried to choke her and a second time by putting that idea in his brother's head. He frowned at his grinning brother as Ulrich turned his attention back to Tony.

"It might be easier to get him down in his human form." Ben told him as Ulrich nodded. Ulrich knelt on the ground beside him, sharing his strength with Tony, helping him complete the change. Ben ripped off his shirt as he quickly bandaged Tony's wound. Tony was fading in and out of consciousness as a second man joined them.

"This is Karmon, Tony's father." Ulrich explained to Ben as Karmon lifted his son into his arms.

"Gehen wir nach Hause." Karmon told his son as Tony passed out in his arms. Zack made his way over to them with Sabina hanging on him.

"Is he going to be ok?" Zack asked worriedly as his father hugged him.

"I think he will be just fine. Let's go home, shall we?" Ben asked as Zack frowned, but nodded. They wandered after Tony as Mai grabbed Sabina.

"How are you doing?" She asked as Sabina frowned back at the hut.

"It hurts, but I will be alright." Sabina told her as they walked. Mai paused as she crouched and hugged her furry son to her.

"What would I have done if I had lost you too?" Mai asked him as he whined softly. "It's been a busy, crazy day. Perhaps we should go home and talk about things." Mai told him as Conor nodded. Ben hesitated and turned around to frown at her.

"Speaking of home, I have a feeling yours won't be live able for a while. You are welcome to stay with me and Zack. We have a guest room that isn't being used and Zack and Conor can share a room until your place is ready. Since the boy's go to the same school anyway, this should save you a lot of hassle." Ben told her as she nodded. Zack frowned for a moment as he considered it.

"Having a brother sounds cool." He told his dad as Ben blushed at his son while Zack walked away. Conor smiled happily at the idea and ran up to Zack grinning. Ulrich smiled as he watched Conor wag his tail. Damn his mate was hot. Ulrich paused as he realized what he was thinking and changed his thoughts to Sabina. Now was not the time to be thinking of pleasure as he walked naked back down to the car.

"Since you belong to us now, I should inform you that it isn't polite to flirt with other people's mates. Or at least not while they are hurt and wounded." Ulrich told her as she pouted at him.

"I can't help it. Zack is adorable!" Sabina told him spinning around. Ulrich smiled as he watched her. Yeah he knew how that felt.

"Even so, flirting with a human mate of one of the pack isn't polite and we won't stop him from killing you once he is better." Tyson growled. She paused to pout at him as she let her eyes roam his bare skin.

"You must be the single older brother." Sabina told him with a purr watching him glare at Ulrich. "Zack told me Ulrich had a single brother, last he checked." Sabina told him as she circled him while they walked.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Tyson asked her as she came to a pause. Ulrich was trying not to smile at his brother's annoyance. That attitude was why he would never be alpha. It was hard for a pack to follow an alpha who felt their problems were stupid. And Tyson thought everyone was stupid.

"Just surveying the real estate. Trying to decide if I want to become an investor." She told him simply as he glared at her.

"Like I would be interested in some random stray. I still have my pride." Tyson told her in a huff. First, he saves her, and she blows him off and now he is eye candy? Damn whore, he secretly hoped she chocked on a rabbit. She watched him quietly as he grumbled under his breath. She was about to ask him something when she tripped and squeaked. Ulrich let out a short laugh as Conor stood between her and his mate. Conor knew her well enough to know she would shift her gaze to someone else if Tyson was an idiot and rejected her for too long. Sabina didn't chase after cars. Tyson had caught her fall and glared at the little fox wolf as he walked beside his brother. Ulrich patted Conor's head happily as Sabina turned on him.

"You could have just said you were interested in me." Sabina told Conor with a wicked smile. Conor snorted at her as she giggled. She turned into a wolf and tugged on his tail making him let out a yelp. He turned on her as she hid behind Tyson laughing happily. Mai frowned as she watched her with a sigh.

"Sabina, stop picking on your cousin. You are coming home with me until we figure out what to do with you. Chances are you have never been to school or worn clothing before in your life. We are going to have some work to do." Mai told her as she thought about it quietly. Ben paused to glance back at the wolf before glancing at Mai. "She will stay with me in the guest bedroom." Mai told him nervously as Ben smiled. Mai squeaked as Sabina tackled her from behind.

"Oh Aunty! This is going to be so much fun!" Sabina told her as Mai sighed.

"Speaking of school, how would you feel about Zack and Conor transferring to Skymar high? The funds would be covered by the pack." Ulrich told the adults as Zack and Conor exchanged glances. Skymar high was a private school for special (mostly well funded) students. Graduating from there meant a free ride to almost any college of their choice.

"Will they still be living at home?" Ben asked as he rubbed his son's head. Ulrich shook his head as he considered it.

"They have dorms the students stay in..." Ulrich paused as Mai raised her hand to stop him.

"Conor is not staying with you. Sorry, but I can only bend so much. He may be your mate, but he is my son first and I will not allow him to be sleeping with you every night in high school. After he becomes a legal adult by human law that's up to him. But mommy says no." Mai told him as Conor gave his mother the please shut up look.

"Unfortunately I agree with Mai. I am not against the school, just cautious about roommates." Ben told him as Zack blushed and growled. Why were their parents being so stupid?

"Great! Then how about this? Tony transferred earlier this year and doesn't have a roommate now, something I am sure he has enjoyed while he practices for his performance. Since Ulrich will be transferring over, we can stick him in with Tony. Then Conor and Zack can share a room together across the hall. Alois and Hass share a room across from Gabby and me. Normally Girls aren't allowed in the same dorm, but daddy Damien pays them a lot of money to keep the wolves together. Of course, this also means we have patrols and other adult supervision to make sure we are all sleeping in our own beds and not with each other." Marie grumbled near the end making Hass chuckle by her side. She was beautiful in the fading light even with the blood of their enemies staining her skin. Ben glanced down at his son as Zack gave him a look that made him laugh. He hugged him to him as Ben sighed.

"I would feel much better knowing you were staying with Conor than with your boyfriend." Ben told him as Zack stomped away from him.

"God, you're so embarrassing." Zack grumbled as Conor followed after him. Ulrich smiled as he watched the two stomp away in embarrassment over their parent's concerns.

"Of course it won't be for a while yet so you can talk it over. Sabina, since it sounds like you will be staying with Mai, would you be interested in trying school? You are a little old to be starting so late." Ulrich paused as she got in his face growling.

"Just because I am old doesn't mean I am stupid. There is nothing wrong with trying and failing, but there is everything wrong with failing because I didn't try." Sabina told him in a huff walking away. Ulrich stared at her confused as Tyson laughed.

"Let's get home, I need a shower." Tyson told him as Ulrich nodded in agreement. They loaded into the van as Zack sat beside Tony and his father. Tony was asleep as Zack quietly watched over him. Conor sat beside him laying his head in Ulrich's lap. They had made it back late and Ben had to look around for the head lights before he headed back to Ulrich's place. They had a lot to do, but in time Ulrich felt that life would work itself out. If he had Conor everything would be alright.