B F Worlds - Pack Bonds

Copyright 2019 by BF Worlds. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

PACK BONDS

Chapter 1

The sound of police sirens filled the night as a contingent of squad cars sped toward a raging flame, followed by a fire truck and an ambulance. A news helicopter flew over them, cameras bringing vivid footage of a residential fire that had already engulfed three properties to viewers all over the city.

Amid the chaos, no one noticed the old moving truck heading in the opposite direction, despite the strangeness of the hour. It pulled into the driveway of a large house fallen into disrepair, set back from the road and neighboring an abandoned residence in worse condition.

It drove over the weed-infested lawn, coming to a stop at the bottom of the porch. The back door was drawn up from the inside and two people; a young woman carrying a teenage boy on her shoulder and a dark hair girl who shouted directions to others inside.

Dean shrugged her burden to a more comfortable position before marching up the steps of the porch. The front door was thrown open by a woman with bright red hair tied back in a loose ponytail and tired hazel eyes. Rosa stared at Deans captive. Is that a halfling?

Yeah. Dean shouldered her way into the house. She tromped down a long hall, sticking her head through every doorway she came across, guided by the smell fresh linen. She stopped when she came across what she assumed was the living room.

It was devoid of any furniture. Dozens of futons were lined up on the wooden floor, seven across. Rachel rested on one, her previously pinched features relaxed in peaceful rest. The hulking form of Rudolph sat hunched by the side of her bed, William sitting on the other side with the collar of his lab coat turned up.

Oi, doctor. Get over here!

William jumped at her shout, quickly getting to his feet when she waved him over. She grabbed him by the shoulder once he was in range and guided him to the opposite end of the room where she laid down her burden on one of the futons. This is Izekiel. Hes in pretty bad shape so he needs your attention first.

Hey, Dean! Rosa huffed, hands on her waist. Thats a halfling. And if he is with you, he must have been at Franklins house. As in, he was fighting for the Council. We arent treating an enemy.

Hes not an enemy. Hes one of mine.

What the hell does that mean?

Dean turned to the older woman, taking a menacing step forward as she snapped her teeth. It means that he is with me. That boy has importance so he is not allowed to die. If anything threatens him, I will personally step in to intercede it.

Gods, girl. Rosa met her gaze. Before, Dean would have turned away to keep the peace, but she was excited from the recent battle and itching for another fight. She held the stare, her lips curling up in imitation of a snarl. The tension grew between them as Rosa refused to look away, unwilling to surrender.

Just before the two could come to violence, they were interrupted by a stampede of changers entering the house. Viktoriya entered the room, supporting Dugen. Hes suffering from silver poisoning. From the smell, it hasnt spread far but we need to cut it out now.

Ill handle that, Rosa said, waving for Viktoriya to set him down. Will, you can work on the boy. Dean, I need you to hold him down. Is that alright with you?

Fine.

Dean walked toward the futon Dugen had been laid down on. Viktoriya caught her arm, beckoning for her to lean down as she stood up to whisper to her. I didnt ask questions at Franklins and this isnt the time for them either. Its also not the time for you to start fights with allies.

I dont start fights. I end them.

How about you avoid them, Viktoriya hissed. At least for tonight. Weve got injured wolves to stabilize. Do this alpha crap after we know everyones going to live.

Dean huffed, sucking down a deep breath as she told herself to relax. For now.

Would you look at that? She can be reasoned with. Rosa smacked Dean on the shoulder. Get it in gear, daughter-in-law. Weve got a patient to see too. Vikky, Jerome is out getting food, but he should have set up the other rooms. Theres water and extra bandages in my car around back.

Got it. She scampered off, dodging between the crowd of changers laying down the injured.

Dean focused her attention on Dugen, kneeling beside him. His transformation left him naked and she could see the gray of silver poisoning spreading out from a wound in his shoulder, sweat beading down the side of his face as his body struggled to fight it off.

Rosa turned him over so he laid on his front, giving her access to the gash in his shoulder where the silver-tipped spear had pierced him. She leaned down, sniffing loudly. Only traces. I dont think the blade chipped off, thank the gods. This should be quick and painful. Dean, hold him down by the arms.

Obviously. Dean threw a leg over his waist, straddling his back as she pulled his arms tight against his side. How long is this going to take?

Why, you got somewhere to be? Ah, damn. I forgot tooh. She held out her hands as William appeared with a tray of surgical instruments, a pair of gloves, and a bowl of water. Will, youre the best.

Im just about dead on my feet. After Tobias, there was the police thing. Then Pruella came knocking. Maybe youve forgotten but I took two lightning bolts to the chest

AAGGHH!!

Dean grunted, her arms straining as she forced Dugen to remain still while Rosa cut away pieces of his flesh. The guard commander continued to scream for a full minute before he blacked out.

Huh? Were you saying something? Rosa dropped the gray tinged flesh shed cut away onto a cloth and put her bloody instruments into the water. Raise his arm so I can bandage the wound.

She complied and the older woman slapped some gauze on the wound, expertly tying the bandages over it before slapping his shoulder. Good as new.

Like magic, Rudolph appeared at her side with a trash can. Rosa dumped the diseased flesh shed cut away and slipped off her gloves. Then she briskly washed her tools in the water before placing them back on the tray. Alright. Whos next?

Rudolph took the bowl full of dirty water, handing her a new one. Then he pointed across the room where a man was groaning in pain before disappearing. Right then. Nurse, shall we see to our next patient?

Dean sighed as she got to her feet. Exhaustion weighed on her eyes, but she forced them to stay open. Shed sleep when the work was done. Can I at least do the cutting this time?

Dean finally sat down as the sun began to rise, leaning against the wall closest to Rachels futon. The worse of the injuries had been taken care of. Luckily, no one would die of their injuries, though a quarter of them wouldnt be moving anytime soon.

Good job. She looked up as Viktoriya slid down the wall beside her. Looks like everybody is going to live.

Great. Dean leaned over, resting her head on Viktoriyas shoulder. She felt the surface she was lying on stiffen and sighed. I know youre still mad at me, but can you forget that for a moment? Its been a long night.

Viktoriya relaxed. Her hand found Deans and she twined their fingers together. You did do a lot today.