Ivory above

Terry POV

Ivory was complaining at the beginning when I told her that first she would learn how to fight in her human form and went on me with all her werewolf attitude. I would say it was typical, werewolves have a general tendency to put too much faith in their wolf form. According to me, it's a very bad idea, many confrontations especially with hunters and rogues happen in the middle of human territory which effectively makes shifting not possible.

That was the strategy I usually used when I was hunting the rogues. I used to make the first attempt on their life in a crowded area, which forced them to instantly flee into the nearest secluded place, where other hunters were already waiting. And as a human, I always had bigger chances with werewolves in human form, even though I know how to kill a shifted werewolf and I was and probably still am very good at it.

I explain my reasoning to Ivory without details, she shouldn't know why I have this kind of knowledge. We were training every day during the last weeks in the basement of the bar and she is very dedicated to her job. Pearl usually sits with Doggy's head on her lap and watches us.

So today I decided to take both of them into the woods, they haven't shifted in a while and I know it's not good for them. I made sure we were not seen in our hometown and took them quite far away to make sure we will be far away enough from any pack. It was actually the first time I was able to have a proper look at their wolves and I must admit I'm astonished.

Ivory is very big and brown, her pelt seemed to shine pure gold in a sun, there is lots of dignity in her stance, she is a high-rank wolf that is for sure. Pearl is snow white like I heard most of the omegas. Although I don't know much about omegas besides them being the weakest. They rarely become rogues or take part in a direct fight with anybody, they also rarely leave the pack's territory, simply because that way they are safe.

Pearl wanted to play in her wolf form and both Ivory and I played with her. It made me remember the moments when I had been playing as a child with dog pups, long before we started being trained to be merciless killers.

Doggy was the most confused. I didn't want to take him with us but Pearl was begging so much that I gave in. The poor animal didn't know what to do. First, he was trained to kill so when the girls shifted he was ready to attack instantly and yet I didn't allow him. Second, werewolves usually attacked him back or ran away from him, this was the first time a wolf was showing him no hostility and was actually encouraging him in mutual play. Pearl's wolf was dead set on that, poor Doggy was very confused. This afternoon was actually the first time I've seen Ivory smiling, and it really means a lot.

During our ride home, I suggested shopping, the girls are only wearing one set of clothes Aunty Mae bought for them and if they are to stay for three months they will need many things. I am not a big fan of malls but I had no idea that teenage girls in shops are in fact, little devils. Pearl is all over the moon with everything she can touch or pick, I literally run after her all the time and Ivory has turned out not to be any better. The moment Pearl comes to with another jumper she wants I spot a couple of men eyeing us from the corner of the shop. And I know that there is a high chance their rogues.

Girls didn't get scent suppressants today, because we are far away from packs, and the pills are not easy to obtain even for Aunty Mae so I decided we need to save it as much as possible. Fuck, I should be cleverer than that. Among the rogues, females are rare, they are usually males and usually, they spend years not seeing a female of their kind. Fuck, how I could be so stupid!

"Girls, we are going back now," I say and they both seem to understand immediately that something is wrong.

The moment we enter the car, Doggy starts growling and I see them on the other side of the street. I know that predatory look, I know that they simply don't leave us alone. as I start my car and drive in the direction of our home but I know that they are following us, and I have to make sure that we will be able to get rid of them before we reach our hometown. Pearl is oblivious to the situation but Ivory watches me very carefully knowing that something isn't right, smart girl. But I know also what I'm doing when I chose not so often used road and stop my car on the wayside:

"Ivory I need you and Pearl to do something," I say "You need to shift and run around 25 miles north-west from here to the clearing with the river, I will take a road a little around but I will be there first because I have a car. You know that we are followed?"

Ivory nods so I continue:

"Make visible traces okay? They will think that I left you alone, okay? And Pearl will wear this, just in case," I reach to take Doggy's collar out of him, it has got a tracking device, very advanced.

They don't argue, deep inside me I'm not okay that I demand from them putting themselves at risk, but this is how it is at war. If we all must safely go back home this must be done right and I must be done without any hesitation.

"Ivory, will you be able to run not too fast and let them get closer after you run 17-18 miles? When you reach the clearing you ran as fast as you can to the river and go with it, it will take you to the swamp I have found you before. You will wait there till twilight if I don't come for you till then you will go to the bar. Do you understand? "

Ivory nods and I ruffle her hair, Pearl to my surprise is quiet, she may not understand clearly what is wrong, but she understands the seriousness of the situation and obeys without any question.

I drive very fast checking all the time on my phone that they are following in the right direction. As I park my car after coming to the spot I lock Doggy in the car, I don't need him now. I take my long-distance gun and put it on the roof of my truck, I have now a perfect view of the whole clearing. I am an ideal shooter, even Jordan was pricing me for it and Jordan was rarely pricing anybody.

I stabilize my breath, it has been so long, and yet there are skills that you never forget, and I guess taking life is one of them, especially rogues' lives. I check my phone, just a little longer.

The girls emerge through the woods and run as fast as they could, and right after them, I see 5 rogues. Now when they are in an open space they separate and start circling my Jewels, making quite a big space between themselves and that is precisely what I wait for. I point at one of them, get ready and pull the trigger.

There is no loud sound, only the whimper of pain when the first of them falls to the ground. Girls don't stop running, when they reach the river I manage to shoot two more, the fall of the first of them made the confused and kind of easy to kill, for sure they didn't see it coming. But the two last seem to finally get some cautiousness because they both dart to the opposites line of trees making me choose which one of them I have to kill next. I make that choice.

The dead silence comes to the clearing as four wolves are lying in the grass, I hope all are dead, I don't like to prolong anybody's suffering if I don't have to. But I don't have time to go and check on them not yet, I think as I let Doggy out of the car and take my knives.

Both I and my friend slowly go deep into the woods, I know the last one must hear us, unlike the werewolves hunters don't move without the noise no matter how hard they train. I move slowly upfront, I know that the last one is close unless he decided to run away. I want him to hear me, I want him to come to me. I pay attention to Doggy who walks close to me, he isn't young enough so his instincts are slow, so then rogues attack me he does give me the warning but too late.

The big, furry beast jumps at me, since I was warned too late he manages to push me down and bites into the hand I've managed to shield my head. I have only one chance I know that. It takes only a moment, before I may feel the crack of bones in my hand with my second one I sink my long silver knife into the rogue's throat.

The most basic mistake the wolves ever commit is exposing themselves the moment they taste the flesh of the opponent. It may work for other werewolves but not for the opponent who carries a weapon and has killed many, very many of their kind so far. But still, I must've got older, since now I have a broken hand which bleeds, I hope the bone is only cracked, not fully broken. I push the dead body off of me and stand, Doggy whimpers.

"Don't worry buddy, not your fault," I say trying to smile as my jaws clench because of the pain, there was a time when I had injuries like that on regular basis but I guess you getting used to living without pain came to easy for me and yet after I manage to take care of my hand the best to my abilities I still make an effort to check if I only have left dead bodies behind me.

Next, I call Aunty Mae and ask her to get the girls home first and then come to help me. It takes her about two hours to come. I have time to suffer and reminisce. Jordan liked to throw werewolves to the pits with dogs and enjoyed the howls of pain and terror. The first time he showed me it I puked and he laughed like crazy, I think I was 16. Even my grandfather, who was also a bloody killer without any consciousness, thought that it was too much. I was actually thankful that we hardly ever caught any werewolves alive, but when we did... The toughest managed to endure 3 days, I think that was a record.

When Aunty Mae comes I'm already used to the pain. We pull the dead bodies into the woods and tow my car with hers when she takes me to the hospital when they stitch me and do an X-ray, as I've hoped the bone is cracked not broken. The doctor isn't persistent about my wounds because I tell him that my dog bit me, poor animal will now have a criminal record and he did his best.

Aunty Mae preaches on our way back about my irresponsibility. She is right about that though, I was only supposed to take the girls for a run, shopping wasn't planned and it turned out to be a dangerous situation. In our situation discretion really is the better part of valor.

"I guess I wanted to let them have some fun" I finally say and she looks at me strangely, she has this smirk on her face saying "I got you".

Pearl jumps in my arms the moment I enter through the door, I hiss a little in pain, but honestly, I don't care. I'm so happy they are alright.

"Daddy, are okay? Pearl listened, Pearl was scared but she listened to Daddy" she gives me smile as bright as the sun and I just give the same to her.

"Yes Pearl, you did very well, I'm very proud of you. And of you", I say in the direction of Ivory, who stays at the end of the corridor biting her lips. "Good job Ivory."

She gives me a faint smile and asks:

"Are you alright?"

"Yes kid, everything is alright, I'll be just a little in pain for the next few weeke. I guess we will change our roles, and you will have to take care of me."

"Yes, Ivory and Pearl will be your nurses," Pearl chirps enthusiastically and pulls me, thankfully by my healthy arm, to the couch.

Aunty Mae wishes me good luck and goes downstairs, as Ivory proceeds with preparing the supper and Pearl starts the fashion show. She wants me to see her in every outfit I've bought her today.

"Are we forbidden to ever go anywhere since now?" Ivory asks as she gives me the food she has prepared.

"No, we just have to be more careful"

"I wish we could go again, it was fun to be there... with you," she whispers, I barely hear the last part but I do. And this warm feeling, the happiness I guess settles itself in my soul.