Fan Fiction ❯ Shape Shift 1: La Manada ❯ Chapter 2

"So talk, Prank. What's going on?" asked Diablo. Prank sighed. "Riot is here. With his Pack. They want to 'play with the Kittens'." There was a round of cursing and swearing from the Pack, but Trickster and the girls were lost. "Who's Riot?" asked Trouble. "And who are 'the Kittens'?" Jinx added. "Riot is Prank's older brother and 'the Kittens' are you," said Echo.

Hours later, Trouble shook her head and sighed. "So, lemme get this straight: There's a rival Pack in town, led by none other than Prank's dear big brother, Riot and they want to 'play with the Kittens', who are us. This is a bad thing because: A, we don't want to play. B, Riot is related to Prank and that'd be just too weird for Chaos. C, Riot hates the rest of you guys because you chose to run with Prank and not him, therefore, D, he's gonna do whatever he can to hurt you all. How am I doin' so far?" "That's enough, Trouble," said Discord, quietly. "Starting to wonder what you've gotten yourself into?" Chaos asked Trickster. "I chose the right Pack," he said. She nodded and went to Prank's side. He leaned his head against her thigh. Jinx stood up, pulling Echo with her.

"We'll worry in the morning. Right now, we'll go to bed." A slow smile spread across Trouble's face and Chaos pulled Prank to his feet. "Let's go, Loverman." Diablo had tossed Disorder over his shoulder already. Leaving the rest of the Pack shaking their heads, the four couples trailed up the stairs.

"Jesus Fucking Christ," Prank swore, gazing at the bruises and claw marks on Chaos' body. She raised his head to face her. "It's okay. They'll be gone by morning." He sighed and leaned his head against the headboard of their big bed. "But it still hurts right now, doesn't it?" "Prank, I'm fine. It wasn't your fault. Now, shut up and kiss me."

"Tell me something," said Trouble, lying in Discord's arms. "Hmm?" "Why is it supposed to be so good with us?" Discord sighed and tangled his fingers in her long hair, pulling her close. "Because it's forbidden."

"The elders told us that a vampiress was the most dangerous creature ever created. That she would trap you in her mind web, like a mortal, then kill you," said Echo. "And that's why we are forbidden?" asked Jinx. Echo nodded. "Then what the Hell possessed you to be with me?"

"Why did you take the chance and get involved with one of us?" asked Chaos, tracing designs on Prank's chest with her nails. He turned and faced her, propped up on one elbow. "Because another elder pulled us aside and told us the real reason: a vampiress is too easy to fall in love with. If we fall in love with an outsider, we might leave our Pack and eliminate a bloodline for future pups."

"But it's also the possibility of children," said Diablo. Disorder's head snapped up at the word. "But we can't-" "Have children? No, not with another vampire, but that's not your fault. It's the vampire, not the vampiress who can't have children. Wolves don't have that problem. We're born, not made."

"Then any pups or kids or whatever they might have-" Trickster began. "Would be powerful beyond belief," said Clash. "And unfortunately, there's a lot more Wolves than Kittens," said Anarchy. Clash nodded. "About a 50 to one ratio in the world. So, Kittens are considered a rare and valuable treasure to the renegade Wolves, like Riot, and us who don't follow the old Laws. Riot only wants them for the power they can create." "He'd pass them around his Pack until they got what they wanted, then he'd kill them." "We aren't going to let that happen," said Trickster, with conviction. Anarchy looked at him. "You're gonna fit in just fine here."

"Tell me again why we want them," said Sabotage. Riot gave him a sideways glare. "Lots of reasons, but the main two are all that really matter." Rebel sat down. "And they are?" "So that my brother and his Pack can't have them and for the power they can give us." "Don't you mean the power we can take from them?" Renegade asked, from across the fire. That brought smiles from the others. "That's where it gets fun," Unruly said. "So, how are we gonna split 'em up?" Rebel asked Riot. "There's 10 of us and four of them. I'll keep my brother's for as long as I need her. The other three can be shared. Rebel, Renegade and Unruly will get them first, until they bear each of you a child. Then it's Sabotage, Necromancer and Creep. After them, of course, are Deth, Hellhound and Disturbance. Then, we'll get rid of them." "And what if we want to keep them?" Necromancer challenged. "You can fight for them if you wish," Riot said, sitting back.

"And what of us, Riot, my love?" The entire Pack leapt to their feet as the four Shi-Wolves entered the clearing. Charm approached Riot, slowly. "Wake up, Charm. We're through," Riot said. Amulet, Confusion and Siren followed their Lead Shi to the fireside. "We know. And you know what we want," said Confusion. Disturbance rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, you want Prank and his Pack. You're pathetic." "No, they're horny," Rebel said, laughing. "Silence, Dog," said Siren. Rebel's eyes narrowed and a low growl escaped him. "Anyway, boys, we have a proposition," said Amulet. "You usually do, to anything with two legs," Hellhound mumbled. "What is it?" asked Deth. "We want to help you get those Kittens," said Charm. Creep looked at her sideways. "Why? What's in it for you?" Hellhound slapped the back of his head. "The other Pack, you dumb shit." "Exactly," said Siren.

Chaos sat up, wide-awake. Beside her, Prank stirred, opening sleep-blurred eyes. "What is it? What's wrong?" She was silent for a moment, listening. "I don't know. Something's up." He glanced at the clock. "Yeah, us, at six a.m. What woke you up?" Prank sat up, pulling her onto his lap. She twined her arms around his neck. "I'm not sure." He kissed her. "Don't worry so much, Baby. You're just nervous because of last night." "Yeah, maybe."

Trouble's eyes snapped open. Discord's arms were locked around her, but he was sound asleep. "D?" He stirred. "Discord, wake up." His eyes opened, slowly. "Huh?" "Something's wrong?" "What? What is it?" He was wide-awake now. "I'm not sure." "Then how do you know something's wrong?" "I don't know." Discord sighed. "Baby, you need to relax. Now, try to get some sleep." He closed his eyes to follow his own advice.

"Shit!" Echo opened his eyes at Jinx's yell. "Wha-?" She had jumped to her feet on top of the bed. "Something, someone, somewhere," she mumbled, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Jinx, lay down, you're losing it." He tugged on her shirt and she landed on her butt. "Now, what's up?" "Something, someone, somewhere," she repeated. "Honey, I love you, but you're nuts," Echo said, rolling over and burying his face in the pillow.

"They sense us," said Rebel, staring at Chaos and Prank's bedroom window. "How?" Siren asked. "Because they're Kittens and we're Wolves," said Riot, listening for sounds of the Pack downstairs. He heard Clash speaking quietly to the new one, Trickster.

"…They began fighting over everything as pups. When they came of age, they split. Anarchy was just a pup and there was no way I was gonna let him grow up as part of Riot's Pack. Nine others and some Shis followed Riot. Then we found these four and forgot all about Riot, until now…"

"Let's go," said Riot, suddenly. The pack followed him into the trees, melting into the darkness.

Disorder relaxed, her breathing slowing back to normal. Diablo hadn't even stirred when she'd woken. Whatever had set of her internal alarms was gone. She sighed and moved closer to Diablo, dismissing the feelings that had brought her out of her dreams.