Inaaya's heart beat erratically as she eagerly cowered behind Talisa's upright figure. She glanced over Talisa's shoulder with wide eyes as the woman pushed the fanged-man back with a firm hand. "Easy there, Kylo. She's with me."

Talisa's voice held a sultry and dangerous quality, much like Kylo's. It made Inaaya never want to cross Talisa, ever. However, Kylo didn't seem to share the same opinion. He smirked at Talisa, glancing at her hand on his stomach.

"I don't see what that's got to do with anything. All I want is a sip, Talisa. She smells delicious." Kylo released a snarl, finding Inaaya's eyes as he said the last words. His dilated gaze caused a shiver to run down her spine. It chilled her down to the bones.

Silas squeezed her wrist, giving her a reassuring nod. The warmth of his hand caused the goosebumps to dissipate a little and his nearness was an encouragement that she had friends who won't give her up.

"She's not a snack for you to have a bite of, Kylo. I suggest you continue on your merry way while the deal still stands good. We wouldn't want the peace between the two packs to break simply because you were too greedy and gullible," Talisa taunted him, crossing her arms across her chest.

Kylo's eyes narrowed and he barked out a short, sneering laugh. "Pack? You call that group of rogues a pack, do you? They aren't a pack, Talisa. You know this as well as I do," he said, his ridiculing eyes glancing at Silas who in turn let out a low growl.

Talisa raised her palm, holding Silas back. He obeyed, though Inaaya noticed how his fists clenched tightly, ready for an altercation. "They are a pack as far as our clutch is concerned, Kylo. Or are you so engrossed in your pack of mutts that you've forgotten where your loyalties should really lie?"

The other man who accompanied Kylo growled in disapproval of Talisa's words but remained still in his place, flanking Kylo. Inaaya watched as Kylo's eyes narrowed for a brief moment before his smirk returned.

"It's not me who has forgotten my place in this world, Talisa. You seem to have forgotten your very nature, your species. Befriending your food, bah!" He let out a mocking laugh and wiped his thumb over his bottom lip in a manner that caused Inaaya's heart to beat just a little faster. "Quiet down, will you?" he suddenly turned to Inaaya, annoyed. "That loud heartbeat isn't going to earn you any favours with me."

Inaaya gasped and Talisa held her hand gently, giving it a light, comforting squeeze. "Kylo, enough. Leave while you still can."

The challenge in Talisa's voice was clear, even to Inaaya. Perhaps that was what provoked Kylo to act so brashly. Inaaya felt a vice-like grip on her arm as Kylo pushed Talisa aside and dragged Inaaya into his arms, her back pressed against his chest and his forearm digging threateningly against her throat.

"Talisa!" a shocked scream escaped Inaaya at the sudden captivity while Talisa and Silas cried out for her.

Talisa had already recovered and was glowering at Kylo. Silas was in an arm lock with the other wolf but Inaaya couldn't quite tell who was winning in their struggle to help their vampire companions. Inaaya wrestled against Kylo's grip, her fearful eyes meeting Talisa's in a frantic worry. This was not good. Not good at all. Inaaya could already feel the panic building deep in her heart.

Talisa's eyes widened just a fraction, seeming to realise what was about ensue. She clenched her jaw as her gaze travelled back to Kylo. Inaaya watched Talisa clenching and unclenching her fists. By now, Inaaya knew Talisa enough to know that the woman wanted to let her limbs do the talking but it was her mind she needed in the game.

"Kylo, stop. You can't hurt her. She's the Beta's mate. His marked mate." Talisa took a warning step closer.

Kylo stepped backwards, dragging Inaaya along with him. Inaaya stilled in her tousles, feeling Kylo's cold breath against her neck. She could nearly feel the pointy ends of his fangs ready to dig into her pulse. As her hands balled into tightly clenched fists by her side, Inaaya dared not to gulp her panic down, afraid even the slightest of movements might cause his fangs to come just a bit closer.

"What Beta? There is no pack and there is no Beta. She's a rogue's mate."

Silas growled loud but otherwise remained quiet and ignored.

"You know that is not true. You know if you hurt her, if you kill her, there will be a war. A war which will find vampires on one side and werewolves on another. A war which won't do anyone any good. A war you will cause."

Talisa's strong words made Kylo falter for a moment. Inaaya was ready to attempt another escape from his arms but decided against it. Instead, she allowed Talisa's words to sink in, believing they had a better chance at earning her freedom than her meagre squirming and shaking.

It was a long moment after which Kylo spoke. His voice wasn't quite as confident now, his grip hadn't tightened again. "Of course... Of course, I won't. No werewolves will fight for the rogues."

"Are you quite sure? Wolves hold their mates in the highest regard. To have one be killed knowingly by a species they hate? I do think you're stewing a war," Talisa persisted, her entire aura transformed into just the right mixture of wisdom and nonchalance. She made it seem like she wanted merely to avoid a war and didn't care for what the outcome would be for Inaaya. Inaaya sincerely hoped it was just an act.

Inaaya felt Kylo's resolve shake but wondered if he would give up his pursuit just as easily. His icy breath tickled the skin of her neck again as he opened his mouth to speak, only to be shut up by the terrifying, nightmarish scene unfolding in front of them.

Inaaya saw a blur of lightning-fast grey-white fur bolting towards the man struggling against Silas and in a flash, the man's body fell to the ground and his head, now detached, rolled to one corner of the room like a bloodied football.

Kylo made a strangled noise of surprise as his grip tightened painfully around Inaaya's throat. Inaaya didn't notice, though.

"Axel, you're a fucking idiot!" Talisa ground out, reaching Inaaya's side in the blink of an eye, attempting to get Kylo's arm away so Inaaya could breathe again. Inaaya didn't care.

Just as Inaaya stumbled forward, free of Kylo's painful grip, the grey-white wolf ran past her, towards the two vampires. But Inaaya didn't see. 

Her eyes were fixated upon the pool of dark red liquid seeping out of the man's severed neck.

A crack appeared on the lid she had kept tightly around her emotions and the first one to take flight was her panic, followed quickly by her fear. Her breathing quickened, or perhaps constricted entirely— she couldn't tell.

Silas tugged at her hand while pushing her head away from the gory scene and into his chest. Inaaya pushed him away with a strength she didn't know she was capable of having when at the same time her knees were going weak. Though, gratefully, she kept her head towards Silas and away from the decapitated body.

"Vahin raho!" she whispered warningly as Silas took a step closer, raising her palm as she herself took a step backwards. Silas might not have understood her words but he did understand her gesture. Albeit helplessly, he stopped in his movements, helping Inaaya a great deal more than he could have known.

[Translation: Stay there.]

Kylo's anguished scream echoed through the quaint cafe, coming to an abrupt end. A loud thud sounded and then an aching silence. Inaaya couldn't bring herself to look, having already guessed what must have ensued.

The long, fearful moments of silence were broken by Silas. "Beta, their warriors will arrive soon."

"Yes, they will." Axel, having turned into his human form again, came to stand beside Inaaya, gently taking her hand.

Inaaya snatched her hand to her chest, her eyes focussed on the specs of red on his. "Don't touch me," she cautioned, stepping away. As her wrist pressed against her chest, she became acutely aware of how her entire body was trembling. It felt as if a sticky, prickling heat had surrounded her to never let her out.

"She's having a panic attack." Someone announced but Inaaya couldn't tell who. Her vision had gone blurry with silent tears. A heart-crushing fear had settled in her chest and belatedly, she wished she was back home. She knew what to expect there and that helped. Here, this violence— it was as unexpected to her as it was petrifying.

Axel reached for her again but she backed away.

"Inaaya please, let him. He will help calm you down. We need you calm. We need to run," a female voice reached her ears distantly and Inaaya shook her head vaguely in the direction Talisa was standing.

"No!" Despite the wobbliness of her voice, the resolution in her words didn't evade anyone. Moments passed. Inaaya slid down to the floor. Her mind latched on to the loud howling of the wolves for comfort, only to realise later that it was the sound of her impending doom. She wondered if Axel, Talisa and Silas would leave her to save their own skins. The thought only added to her panic. The heat surrounding her turned fiery.

"Oh so help me god!" she heard the distant female voice again as the howling grew closer. Was this the moment— the moment when they leave her behind?

Seconds later, Inaaya felt fingers pressing against her carotid artery. The howls became louder, her world came crashing down into the darkness and her body slumped forward.

☾☾◯☽☽

"Why did you have to kill the wolf? I could have explained Kylo's death— he brought it upon himself. But the wolf... you've started a war between the two packs, Axel."

Inaaya returned to consciousness, not yet opening her eyes as her other senses came back to. Somethings were a bit woolly and other things were sharp as a tack. She was moving, or rather, the car was. The air tasted fresh on her tongue, filling her nose with scents of flowers and trees and Axel.

Axel.

Creases formed at the corners of Inaaya's eyes as she again saw the grey-white wolf decapitate a man.

"He would have alerted the guards of my presence. I had misled them earlier and needed more time to finish the job," he said simply, sounding irritated.

"And what job was that?" asked Talisa and Inaaya could hear the gritting of her teeth.

"Saving my mate, whose life you so carelessly risk every time you step out of the house!"

Inaaya cracked her eyes open just as Talisa tensed in her seat. "I wouldn't have let anything happen to her. I had the situation handled. If anything, you spoiled the deal which I could have saved."

"The deal isn't what I care—" Axel paused, glanced at the rearview mirror then asked, "How're you feeling now, Inaaya?"

Involuntarily, Inaaya recoiled back in her seat. She could see the hurt expression on his face but could hardly be prompted to change it. Her breathing had quickened just a little. Her eyes fluttered closed and she let out a breath. Opening her eyes again a moment later, she glanced at Talisa.

"You knocked me out."

There was a brief silence as Axel and Silas glanced between the two women. Inaaya's eyes were unwavering from Talisa's as Talisa pursed her lips then shrugged casually a second later. "Being knocked out is better than being dead."

Inaaya looked out the window, her shoulders tensing further as she heard the distant howls growing closer once again. In her panic, she had latched onto what would have been their demise.

"Thanks," she muttered, knowing she had no right to bitch about them saving her life, not when they could have as easily left her for the dead. She was quiet then, feeling cautious, alert gazes on her but unable to meet them. She fisted and stretched her fingers, closing her eyes shut tight before they opened with a start, time and time again.

It was hard to keep the panic down. The images just wouldn't leave her alone. Blood dripping, no, flowing freely from that severed, shaking body. A visible shiver ran down her body, causing all eyes to be on her once again.

"Inaaya? Are you okay?" asked Silas from beside her. From her peripheral vision, Inaaya could see his hand hovering over hers, his fingers doubtfully reaching out for her before he slowly retracted. Inaaya released a breath she didn't know she was holding, glad for the lack of physical contact.

"How far—" she paused abruptly, her voice hoarse and breaking. "How long till we reach?" she attempted again, clasping her hands together tightly in her lap, her spine ramrod straight as she struggled to keep it together.

"Ten minutes. No more than that," came Axel's succinct reply. Inaaya shivered again but nodded nonetheless, sparing a brief, barely-there glance at the rearview mirror. A part of her was afraid to meet his eyes and see the killer in them her mind was making him out to be.

"Inaaya, I—"

"Not now, Axel. Please, not now," she whispered, biting down hard on her trembling bottom lip as her nostrils flared with the burden of holding of the emotions in.

True to Axel's word, Inaaya's misery somewhat ended as they reached the pack house within the next ten minutes. On shaking legs, Inaaya got out the car and walked a small distance away from the three supernatural beings accompanying her. Her eyes were fixated on the ground, her fingers fidgeting with the ends of her blouse.

An angry voice boomed and Inaaya jumped, yelping as she landed on the ground on her butt. Her whole body was shaking and a few tears leaked her wide eyes. The panic was building anew.

In front of them stood several high ranking members of the pack, flanking an extremely livid Eliseo. He looked ready to murder and for Inaaya, witnessing one was more than enough for the day. Her breath hitched in her throat.

Talisa and Dielle were beside her in a moment, helping her up. "It's okay, sweetheart," Dielle cooed softly, caressing Inaaya's tousled hair, "It's okay."

"Let's get her inside first and we can talk about what happened later," Talisa said, her eyes fixated upon Eliseo. Eliseo had taken a step back, his hands balled into fists by his side as he nodded curtly, then went back to staring at Axel, blue eyes glinting with anger.

Jace came forward and gingerly wrapped an arm around Inaaya's shoulders, beginning to lead her away from the group. Just as they were passing by Eliseo, he announced, "She's never going to interfere with pack business again. Ever."

A/N:

Woah. A lot happened in this chapter. 

What do we think of Axel's way of saving Inaaya? And what do we think of Inaaya's reaction to it? Do you think you'd have acted the same way or do you think she's overreacting? 

She's shunning out Axel but in her defence, seeing a decapitation isn't easy.

Quick Update:

Look out for the next update. 

(No, it's not going to be another chapter.)

Any guesses on what this one's going to be about? :D

Please don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter! ^-^