Daniel crouched down and leaned against the cold brick wall. He glanced up to the night sky. With no moon and stars hidden behind dark clouds, it was perfect for their needs. He ran through their plan, yet again, making sure that nothing had been looked over. They couldn't fail in their mission. Too much was riding on it.

It didn't help that no one had been able to get hold of Murphy or his team. Elise's were still on the road, so he had to assume Murphy wasn't far behind.

"Anything?"

He looked over to where Kaitlyn had taken up position. Dressed completely in black she blended into the building's features and was almost indistinguishable from it.

She didn't move. Her eyes were already focused on the scope of her semi-automatic rifle. "Nothing"

He studied Kaitlyn. Despite what Simon believed, she was a true warrior. The perfect match for Murphy. Even in her human form, she was a natural protector.

Ryan would be proud.

She was carrying on her father's legacy and doing everything within her power to protect his—their race.

A faint noise from below distracted him, and he risked taking another look over the small wall he had taken refuge behind. The courtyard in front of the hospital was clear, with the exception of the guards who were leaning against the front steps arguing about something. On the east wing's rooftop, four more made a half-hearted attempt at scanning the immediate area.

This would be their downfall. They were overconfident and not alert for any possible attacks.

Any word yet? Morgan asked, pushing through their link.

No, but Parker believes it's not uncommon in that part of the country.

Thank Luna, Giovani was able to reach his people.

As soon as they realized Elise's attack team was headed to the Chicago packs new site B, the pack was evacuated. It was a risk, but they were headed back to pack ground.

A beep echoed through his earpiece. Parker's voice, even as strained as it was, provided him a measure of comfort. "We're ready at this end, and the payload is on its way."

He tapped the unmute button. "We will be ready. The charges are laid, and we are just waiting for the final calculations for the south wall."

"Remember, you need to draw them out into the open if this has any chance of working."

He took a deep breath and cleared any doubt from his mind. If they were to come out at the other end in one piece, this needed to be by the book. He closed his eyes, and Parker's face swam into view. A heavyweight pushed down on his broad shoulders. In any other lifetime, he would not be risking everything like this. However, it was his duty to protect his people, no matter the cost to his life. His only solace was that if anything happened to him, she would be well taken care of. He could do that for her at least. A pain ripped through him at the thought of leaving her.

Daniel squared his shoulders. If they got through this, he was going to take her on a long vacation—just the two of them with no distractions.

Maybe we can finally have a conversation about children—or at least practice conceiving them.

He took one more look at the street below and let out a deep breath. "It's time."

Kaitlyn pulled her focus away from the rifles' scope and glanced at him. Her reserved slipped. For once, she looked vulnerable. "Be careful out there."

He threw her a reassuring smile and a half salute. "Just make sure your aim is true."

After nodding to the remainder of the snipers within her team, he left. It took him only a couple of minutes to make his way down the dilapidated stairwell and out to the street that ran parallel with the one the hospital ran along. "Are your teams in place?"

One by one the team leaders called out their team's designation and a confirmation.

Daniel steeled himself. It was now or never. "Positions."

As one, they moved into their assigned spots. Daniel and his team hugged the walls, careful to keep out of sight as they turned left onto the street that would take them around to the far side of the building and directly across from the hospital.

He closed his eyes and counted to ten.

B52s singing Hot Pants Explosion suddenly blared out from somewhere in the front of the west wing. The tune carried across to the guards at the front, as well as those on the roof.

The guard who had just won the round dropped his cards and spun around in the direction of the noise. "What the fuck is that?"

"Music," said a second.

The first guard snorted at him and headed down the steps and towards the west wing. Instead of staying at their post, the other five followed him.

The board guards patrolling the roof stopped what they were doing and peered over to watch their colleagues.

"Did any of you drop your phone?" the first guard asked.

The rest fumbled in their pockets and, one by one confirmed it wasn't them.

"Wait until they are all in place," whispered Daniel.

"Check that," said Tyler, his construction foreman, who also had experience with imploding buildings.

There were less than fifty steps to the phone that had been strategically placed halfway down the building. It had been smuggled to a hidden position right by the beam that by Tyler's calculation had the weakest stability.

The moment the guard bent down to retrieve the phone Tyler detonated the first underground charge. This was quickly followed by six more. The rumble, similar to rolling thunder only gave off a slight tremor to the ground. Daniel held his breath. This was the moment that would dictate what happened next.

Elise's guards, instead of moving away, stayed where they were and looked up and down in confusion. A moment later, the earth below them opened up, and they disappeared through a giant sinkhole.

Before they could react, the guards on the roof keeled over one by one as Kaitlyn and rest of the carefully hidden sniper's shots rang true.

Just as the last guard was taken out, the strategically placed explosions in the underground sewer tunnel did their job and the foundations of the west wing's north-facing wall crumbled under the force from below.

The strategy was a gamble. While the area around the vacant hospital was deserted and the nearest sign of life was at least five blocks away, the sound may have carried.

"Do you think it will work?" Simon asked as the last guard on the roof collapsed in a heap.

Daniel kept his attention riveted to the main entrance. "We're about to find out."

It took less than ten seconds from the time the front wall collapsed for Elise's forces inside the building to investigate.

As expected, the first to arrive were armed and suspected something more sinister. Once they realized the storm drain had collapsed and taken part of the building with it, the weapons were dropped, and they inspected the damage.

The first lot to arrive scratched their heads at the large sinkhole. Daniel heard one of them ask, "How the fuck did that happen?"

Daniel grinned. A lot of strategically placed explosives.

Clearly expecting the worse, another large group of Weres piled out of the hospital. Once they inspected the damage, one raced back inside. This was quickly followed by another three groups exiting the building.

He counted around sixty in total. There were still more inside. How many he couldn't be sure, but this was the only chance they would get.

Daniel stood up from his crouched position and tapped his earpiece. "Parker, we are going in. Is there any signs of movement anywhere else?"

"No, as far as we can see..." Her voice wavered. "Stay safe."

He heard the unspoken words of love from her. She'd almost said it, but held back at the last moment. They'd stolen a few moments before he left Joe's bar. Each one saying the words aloud they couldn't now. It wasn't fair on the others who were listening in to the open channel. They had not had the opportunity of possible last words with their loved ones.

With a bellow, he raised his arm to advance and raced towards the unsuspecting army.

Simon, who was only a short distance away, indicated to a new group of Elise's men who exited the building and swore out loud. "You have got to be kidding me."

He stole a glance to where Simon had pointed and understood Simon's shock. Two faces were easily recognizable. The two beta's who had run off with Tamas.

Which means their traitor of an Alpha is here.

Shouts and growls erupted as the two forces charged. Both sides a combination of Were's in human or wolf form. Hand to hand combat—as was their tradition. Daniel's wolf longed to break free. He was stronger in his wolf form, but with the Alliance force being so large he would be unable to communicate with the teams. Something that would be detrimental.

A measure of relief washed over him. At first glance, they were evenly matched. Perhaps they would get a fair fight after all?

They were within a few feet of each other when a volley of bullets sprayed into them. Two hit Daniel in the shoulder, and he faltered. Around him, Alliance soldiers closest to the hospital were taking the brunt of the gunfire.

With the first barrage, over a dozen of his men went down, dead before they hit the ground. Each one with a bullet straight between the eyes or direct to the heart. Even more, took multiple shots to their body, but carried on.

Fuck!

Another group of Elise's men had poured out of the building fully armed and had begun to fire as soon as they cleared the doors.

"We're on it," Kaitlyn said through his earpiece.

She and the others, hidden in the rooftops of the nearby buildings returned fire. The moment they did, Elise's shooters dived behind a low wall and focused on where the bullets had come from. Leaving the ground forces to close the distance.

"Man, that stings," Simon muttered as the two sides clashed.

Daniel ignored the irritating discomfort and plowed into the two nearest him. It didn't take long for him to incapacitate both. No sooner had they fallen, two more quickly descended on him.

"Make sure you stay out of their direct line of fire," Daniel called out.

Simon grunted as a fist made contact with his stomach. "You should have said something before the motherfucker shot me."

Daniel returned his focus to his new attackers. The first, a scrawny shaved headed werewolf with tattoos over most of his exposed body, lunged as his compatriot circled behind. He quickly deflected both men, but before he could move further into the battle zone, a light grey wolf flew through the air at him, jaws opened wide and teeth bared. His arm lifted to ward off the Were in wolf form and grimaced as the strong jaw clamped around it.

With his free hand, he clenched his fist and swung around and brought it down on the wolf's back. He then lifted the wolf into the air and smashed its body with full force into the asphalt. The wolf's bones cracked under pressure, and its jaws loosened to allow Daniel to break free. Before the wolf could recover, he locked the wolf's neck in the crook of his arm. With a single twist, the wolf's neck snapped, and its body grew limp.

Daniel quickly scanned the crowd, and uneasy feeling ran up his spine. While Kaitlyn and the others were keeping the shooters occupied, a few were still taking pot-shots into the crowd. Unlike the last volley of gunfire, they no longer had a clear line of fire, but some were still finding its mark. Most were non-fatal, but it was only a matter of time before their luck ran dry.

His heart grew heavy when he realized just how many of their people's bodies were scattered across the battlefield. They had lost too many good werewolves. A feral growl caught his attention as one of his enforcers tumbled to the ground taking his opponent with him. They continued their bout as they each fought for dominance. While they were a considerable distance from the main thoroughfare, it was still a wonder how there weren't sirens blaring in the distance.

Surely the gunfire has carried?

Satisfied his enforcer was fine, he reached into the crowd and pulled one of Elise's men from an uneven fight. He had only just taken care of him when four more raced towards him. With his still bleeding arm, it took longer than expected to disable them all.

His chest fell and rose as he drew much-needed air into his lungs. He prepared himself for the next wave. A short way off Morgan snapped the neck of his opponent. As he discarded the body, he looked over to Daniel and nodded.

While his old friend and mentor was hundreds of years older than the Werewolves that surrounded them, his fighting abilities hadn't diminished.

He grinned at Morgan, then waded into the nearest skirmish. The knowledge that they were killing their own wasn't lost on him. How had they been turned to the dark was something he would carry with him for a long time.

After he dispatched a few more of Elise's men, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest. He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. Somethings not right.

They had lost a lot of good people, but the tide appeared to be turning. The Alliance were in control of the battle.

This is too easy. Where are the Lycan?

Something stirred at the bottom of his stomach. Why is Elise not here?

Morgan called out a warning, and Daniel pivoted just in time to deflect a were in wolf form ready to attack. The wolf fell dead to the ground just as Kaitlyn cried out through his earpiece "Son of a bitch!"

He glanced around in confusion. When he turned towards the hospital's entrance at least two dozen of Elise's mercenaries, in full riot gear, stood in formation at the front entrance of the hospital.

They quickly broke into two teams. Their only focus was the rooves of the buildings Daniel's sniper teams were located. Shot after shot was fired as the second team raced towards the buildings.

He tapped his earpiece. "Kaitlyn, Eric, Vance get your teams out of there now."

"Roger that," they replied, almost in unison.

His next words died on his lips when Tamas emerged through the main entrance followed by a horde of grotesque creatures.

The chaos dulled into a silent hush as the rest of the Alliance force spotted the new arrival.

He glanced towards Morgan who was on the far side of the battle zone. From his shocked expression, he too wasn't prepared for just how foreboding the Lycan were.

Simon let go his attacker, and his jaw dropped. "You have got to be fucking kidding me."

Elise's men, those that still could, scrambled towards the hospital and took up refuge behind the Lycan hybrids

Daniel willed his heart to slow. While he had seen their likeness drawn from Murphy's encounter, nothing had prepared him for how massive and terrifying the creatures actually were. They were things of nightmares. Their misshapen bodies were out of proportion with nothing that resembled a neck. Oversized arms dangled as if they were dislocated and the sharpens of their talons matched that of the oversized teeth in the powerful jaws.

His initial surprise at seeing the Lycan turned to raw anger when his focus moved to the traitor. Of course, he would seek refuge here.

How Abraham's grandson, of all people, could be turned to such a dark and evil cause was beyond him.

Tamas sneered at Daniel. "We keep on underestimating you, don't we?" He raised his hand and clenched his fist.

Another set of armed guards, in full riot gear, pushed through the main doors and also raced towards the buildings, providing additional resource to the first wave.

He sent out a silent prayer his people would get out in time. Katherine, anticipating a possible breach of the buildings, had insisted on lines being set up to allow them to abseil down the buildings if required. Provided luck was on their side, they'd be on the ground and well out of sight before Tamas's men stormed the rooves.

Daniel turned his focus onto Tamas and contained his anger. The twenty-odd Lycan that stood in formation snarled, spittle ejected from their fanged jaws. They reminded him of rabid dogs itching to pull free of their leash. If he had to guess, the Alliance had a little over one hundred and twenty left standing from the original two hundred odd. Elise's remaining militia, they could handle. But the Lycan? With that many, he wasn't sure of the odds.

They were clutching at straws, but Baghurst's silver rain better work.

He resisted the urge to look up. If they had any chance, they had to draw the Lycan out into the open.

"Where is your psychotic leader?"

Tamas ignored Daniel's question. "How's grandfather? I hear not so well." He chuckled. "The old goat should have died. I knew I should have taken care of him earlier."

Daniel's fingers curled so tight he lost feeling in his hands.

Careful, he's just baiting you, said Morgan, pushing through their link.

He took a deep breath, and his jaw clenched together.

Tamas looked down his haughty nose at what was left of the Alliance force. He then refocused on Daniel. "I thought there was hope for you, but then you turned out to be just as bad as the rest of them when you accepted a human as a mate." Tamas spat on the ground. "You've condemned our proud race, and poising our bloodlines. We are the superior race. It's time we take our rightful place. We should be worshipped as gods. Not hide in the shadows and deny who we are. This is our birthright."

He should not have been shocked at Tamas's tirade, but he was. How had he not seen this side of him? The venom in the traitor's voice spoke of a deep seeded belief that was frightening as it was unexpected.

Daniel could no longer hold his tongue. "Your only birthright is to protect our people."

"Don't you see? That's exactly what I am doing."

He snorted. "By murdering innocents. You must be delusional if you that that is protecting our people."

Tamas waived his hand dismissively. "Collateral damage."

Rage burned bright. It was bad enough Tamas had betrayed them all, but to have no remorse about the death of so many innocent men, women, and children. He shuddered to think how many more Tamas's were out there. "You will pay for your crimes."

The corners of Tamas's mouth curled up, and his sardonic smile was replaced with laughter. "That I very much doubt. In case you didn't notice, I brought some friends who are more than happy to rid the earth of the likes of you."

On cue, the pit bulls behind him let out a menacing growl. The unnatural sound sent the hairs at the back of his neck bristling.

Tamas stepped to one side. "Kill them all."