Alx' P.O.V.

I needed a good distraction today. I've been training all morning. Got here before the chief did, and I think I'm on her fourth lesson. I've started doing push up before the next lesson.

"Shit, Have you been here all morning?" Chris.

"Yeah." up. "I've been slaking." down. "So, I thought I'd catch up." up.

"Well, dam. You're making me look bad." Chris joining me. "Next time." up. "Just tell me." down. "And I'll come torture myself with you." up. "Then," down. "We can both look good." up.

I huff a laugh at that. "Yeah," up. "ok." down.

-

We've started sparring. Chris being the only one brave enough to volunteer. 

"You're going easy on me." Chris, taking a strike at me.

"Well, yeah." simply dogging it. "I still need you in good condition after this."

"That's not how training works." Chris

My focus shifts as I see Nickey running towards us at full speed, tears running down her cheeks. Will runs to her asking what's wrong, but she runs right past him. Running closer to us, huffing and puffing, out of breath. 

Chris goes stiff, seeming to know what's going on. "Where?" 

It's Shayla!

Nickey points in the direction she came, her little legs unable to carry her any further. 

Without a second thought, Chris shifts into his wolf, bolting off. I swiftly follow stead. 

- 

Chaos.

Nothing but chaos.

People and pups running everywhere. 

Rouges scratching and scraping to get anything they can.

Why does it always have to be rouges?

Smith's in quarter-shift, beating the shit out of every rouge he can. He got back just at much as he dished out. But he's a much better fighter. 

Chris spars no time pouncing on a rouge biting and clawing at it. 

A rouge lunges for one of the pups. I jump in to save it. But before I can someone else does. Shielding the pup from harm. Getting a gash to the back in the proses. Acting like nothing happened they turn around swiftly. Kicking out the rouge's knee and delivering a blow to their head. "Dam it, kid! Get out of here!"

Shayla!

'KILL THEM!'  

'Gladly.' I attack them. One bite is all it takes. 

Without giving it a second thought, Shayla finds another opponent. Giving them blow after blow. They take a swing at her head. She doggies it just in time. They try again, and Shayla ducks. But this time they left themselves open. Taking the opportunity, Shayla punches them in the ribs. Hocking their leg with her foot, sending them crashing into the ground. Before they even have the chance to do anything, she kicks them in the head. Knocking them out. If not worse.

That was a good kick.

A fighter for sure.

Another rouge goes for her. My teeth tear into their torso before they can do so. I can feel claws in my back. Facing my attacker, ready to tear them to shreds. Shayla kicks them off me, earning their attention. They swing at her. Blocking the hit, she takes their wrist breaking it. They go for a kick but missed, leaving themselves unstable. Taking advantage of this, Shayla grabs them by the shoulders and forces their head into her knee. Knocking them out. Her head jolts up, looking in front of her. 

Three rouges have Chris pinned. 

Shayla runs forward, to his aid.

Ridding myself of my opponent, I join her. Digging my teeth into one's shoulder, pulling them off Chris. Shayla kicks in one's knee. Allowing Chris to overcome the last one. Swapping their positions, he removes their head with one bite. Moving on to the next.

Somehow Shayla's opponent has her in chock-hold. She struggles to get free. Something changes in her. I don't know what, but something. She stops struggling. She forces all of her weight forward. Pulling them with her. Throwing them into the ground, freeing herself. She takes some much-needed breaths.

They're not on the ground for long. Shayla delivers a blow to their head, but it doesn't do much. And she left herself open. They punch her in the ribs. She doesn't even flinch. 

But that was a clean hit.

It must have broken something.  

I run to her aid.

Two more rouges come at me. I make swift work of them. Only to be met by another.

Looking back, I see Shayla has them in a chock-hold. Legs locked around their torso, keeping her in place. Despite their efforts. They send her crashing into the ground. But she doesn't waver, she stays in place. They dig their claws into her arms and legs, trying to get free. Shayla only tightens her hold. Pulling at their neck with all her strength. They go limb but Shayla holds her position. Holding them for a moment longer, only letting go when she feels safe to. Pushing them off of her, she gets up. I can see how fatigued she is, but she still scans for her next opponent. 

I finish with mine and do the same. Finding Smith delivering the last blow to his opponent. Chris slashing open his opponent's neck. And the bodies that lay on the ground around us.

We wait. Waiting for another one to come charging at us. But no one else comes. We still wait a moment longer. Nothing comes.

I odder that the border patrol is to be dabbled. 

How the hell did they get in?

'Seam's like that's the last of them, Alpha.' Smith. 

'Injuries?'

'Non that won't heal, Alpha.' Smith.

'Get the Chief here. Throw those that still breathe into the cells. I'll deal with them later.'

Shayla stumbles, unsteady. Chris shifts back, grabbing her arm to support her. Even in her state, she places her hand over her eyes. I walk over to her side. Even on all fours, I'm still quite a bit taller than her. I inspect them both. Chris is hurt, yes. but most of his injuries will heal on their own. Shayla on the other hand. Covered in cuts. Who knows how many injuries lay under the surface.

Why must I see you hurt again, mate?

'Get something to put on. I've got her.' she leans against me. Calming me down. 

Returning with a pair of boxers on, Chris picks Shayla up. Paying no mind to the wound across his chest. Carrying her to town. I follow. Staying close.

This might be fun.

'Doc' ready a room or two.'

'Will do, Alpha.'

"Please open your eyes you're freaking me out." Chris.

Shayla removes her hand from her eyes.

People gather in the streets. Hearing about the attack. Watching us in silence. 

Yes, look at your Luan. Look what she's done. Despite the way you've treated her. Take note.

Shayla sees Nickey in the crowd. "Put me down."

"You can hardly stand. how the hell are you going to walk?" Chris.

"She's just a kid. She doesn't need to see me like this." Shayla.

Reluctantly Chris puts her down. Keeping a firm grip on her arm. Keeping her steady.

Shayla stands straight and takes a breath. "Let go." 

Chris growls at her.

"Let go. I can do it." Shayla

He does as asked.

"Thank you." Shayla, as she starts to walk. Slow. Really slow but otherwise ok. Hard to believe. But she's doing it.

Nickey comes running towards Shayla. Both Chris alf move to stop her. Shayla puts her hand up asking us not to. Nickey runs right into Shayla. Without hesitation, Shayla picks her up. the pained look that crosses her face as she does so, tells me it's no small task. Nickey starts to cry into Shayla's shoulder. 

"Hay, hay. It's ok. It's over now. Everyone's ok." Shayla, patting her on the back. Trying to soothe her crying "You did such a good job today."

"I did?" Nickey.

"Yeah, you did. You were really strong, and really brave. Thank you for that." Shayla, stroking her hair.

Nickey's mother walks up to Shayla to retrieve her child. She stares at Shayla, stunned but grateful. Her expression turning to one of concern and sympathy. "Come, Nickey. Let's leave her be. I'm sure she's tired." Taking her child, in her arms. "Thank you."

Shayla just nods.

The mother's eyes widen. "You're nose is bleeding, dear."

Shayla lifts her hand to her nose, inspecting the blood on her fingers. "Well. That's not good."