Finally dealing with Adams had calmed Zachariah down. After dropping his pack off at their hotel he was back on the road. Now to talk to Dutton. He had to get this issue sorted out or he wouldn't get a night of sleep. In a week the council would gather and he would have to fly to Hawaii, which meant an extra month spent away from his pack.

He was soon brought out of his thoughts when the car stopped in the Bloodwood witch district. He suppressed his wolf controlling his aura making it almost none existence. The witches would not be enthusiastic about him being on their territory without permission, and confronting them would simply be a bother.

The cool breeze of the night met him as soon as he opened the door. Stepping out he buttoned up his blazer, strode up to the store and knocked.

"Come in my son," a raspy old voice called from inside.

Zachariah pushed open the door. The smell of sandalwood incense assaulted his senses. He looked around, the place had not changed much since he was a boy. The floors were still made of chestnut wood and the walls were painted the color of desert sand. The incense which Zachariah had smelled upon entry were lit and put in beautiful incense holders around the room, the smoke from them wafted around the room in wispy clouds giving it an eerie feeling.

At the end of the room sat Dutton, he was dressed in the same gray robes Zachariah had seen him in as a boy when his father had bought him to see the wolf doctor as a child. He remembered it as clear as day.

His father, a man of very few words and even fewer kind ones had taken him to get his wolf read when he was only twelve, fresh in his alpha shift. He had been scared but curious at the same time. When he brought him he had hidden behind his father, instead of pushing him forward like he always did when he saw fear in his son. His father had looked down at him his eyes the color of the blue sky with understanding and fatherly love. Putting a warm hand on his shoulder he told him in his gruff voice not to worry, he was afraid when his father brought him as well.

Dutton had looked at young Zachariah with his milky eyes and smiled, it was the smile of a man who knew the effect he had on others and wish to disperse his fears.

"Come my son," he had said to him reaching out his hand. Walking up slowly, Zachariah put his hand in Dutton's out stretched one and sat in front of him.

"Ah yes," his old voice sighed instantly. "You have a great destiny that awaits you my boy, a frightening one but a great one. You will lose many but you will gain so much more. The wolves will find themselves gathered once again against the forces that wish to see this world in ruins. You and another will fight to protect the homes of the wolves, our land, and our people. You will be strong my boy," he said a loving look passed over his face, "strong and brave. The blood of your ancestors floods your veins. You will be ruthless when necessary and kind when need but you will always be just. That much about your path is clear. You will face many hardships in your life boy, one cannot tell what they are or how they will affect you but you must remain strong and wise. Rise boy, your name is Zachariah, son of Julius, son Haden, sons of Malcomus Grimwore.

The name of your wolf and lifetime companion is Ezekiel the same name of the great wolf of Athens. It was said that he was a beast that roamed the dark of the forests Flinlam and the people there were afraid of it, but as invaders came onto the land the dark beast protected them, killing their enemies by the thousands. The beast was a ruthless force that took anyone who came in harm of the citizens of Athens. Although they feared the beast they also loved and respected him. It was through that respect that they gave him the name Ezekiel, the fearless beast of the dark. I can tell that that name is more than just a name sake I can feel his power even though he is just a pup. Yes you two will be very strong," he ended with a whisper and a nod of his head.

Julius Grimwore's face shone with pride as he looked down giving Zachariah one of his rare smiles. As they left his father ruffled his hair. Zachariah had learned long ago that in his father's silent language that meant he loved him and was proud of him.

Brought back from his memory of the past he walked to the end of the room and sat down. Dutton called for Milan his lanmar companion who had been with Dutton for as long as he could recall. She even looked the same, not a day over twenty. She bought cups of tea and set it down in front of the two men.

"So tell me why have you visited me boy, you're are so far from home," he spoke before sipping his tea.

Zachariah inhaled and described his dream to Dutton. The old wolf doctor listened on, his face began to break out into a smile, soon it became wider and wider until his face was beaming with the smile.

When Zachariah finished he was beginning to get irritated with Dutton who was now laugh out loudly, his whole body shaking in mirth.

"What is it?" Zachariah bit out.

"My son there is no reason to get angry, can't an old man laugh when he wants to?"

"If it is at my expense then no, you cannot," he replied. "What is so comical to you Dutton?"

"Your dream, that is all my boy. It is all quite simple, somewhere in this world you have a mate, and she's running from you."

Zachariah stared at the doctor outrageously. He was known across the land for his less than friendly demeanor, even the women whom he had been with were very few and far in between, they were terrified of him. He had been to the werewolf gathering of the mates and still had not even gotten a hint of his other half. Many had said he was to cruel too have a mate and after many years and hearing Ezekiel scoff at the idea of a needy she wolf, he began to believe it as well. Now that Dutton had proposed otherwise it was even difficult to understand, it had always been him and his pack, the people he would die for.

"Who is she?" he asked his voice filled with apprehension.

"How would I know?" Dutton answered. "I do not know anything except, she is your mate. A recurring dream of her is usually common amounts wolves who have not found their other half my son. Your descriptions of the forest is strange, you said it was silent yes?" Zachariah nodded affirming. "The forest is more about her than it is you, it seems that it is a part of her, hiding her and alerting her to intruders, a very strange woman indeed. That she is running from you tells me that she know who you are and if she know that then she knows what you are, and for some reason it causes her to run. You can't shift into your wolf in the forest which is bizarre in its own right, a wolf's home is the forest, unless for some odd reason she is perverse to the idea. That is all I can gather from that. You have piqued my interest boy, a very strange woman indeed, and with the power to defy you," he gave a short laugh "that is itself is a proud achievement. If you ever find this girl bring her to me and I will read her for you."

All of a sudden, Dutton's face became drawn. "Beware you boy I feel that many dangers are coming your way, if fate sees fit for you to witness those dreams then you must trust them, search for this woman."

Zachariah stood deeply in thought when suddenly his phone began to ring. Looking at the caller ID he gritted his teeth in annoyance, it was alpha Blair of the shadow moon pack probably calling to harass him about the meeting in a week. He excused himself from Dutton who had nodded his head and went out of the store.

"Yes?" he answered his voice short

"It's Blair with you." A cheerful voice replied on the other side of the line.

Zachariah inhaled slowly. "I am quite aware of that Alpha Blair."

"Why the flip are you always so grumpy Zee, I was just calling you to see if you were in the States. You and your pack are welcome to stay at my pack, k?"

If one ever met Alpha Blair they wouldn't think he was an Alpha at all. He was tall, lanky, and had hair the color of caramel taffy.A mischievous smile always graced his face and not for a second couldn't stop telling jokes. Blair didn't have a single serious bone in his body. To put it simply, was the exact opposite of Zachariah Grimwore. And if granted the chance, he took the opportunity to annoy the Siberian Alpha. From his childlike antics and jokes to his constant usage of the annoying nickname Zee, he irked Zachariah through and through.

Strange enough, his mate was his stark opposite. A bespectacled brunette doctor, she was previously a rogue wolf. Somehow she had lived amongst the humans doing what she loved most, learning. Almost Every hour of everyday she could be found studying. She believed in hard work and efficiency and hated carefree people. Believing it was her one and only reason was to toil hard in life, she worked three jobs, went to school, graduated at the top of her class and went straight into medical school. When Blaire met her she was on her way to Germany to work it a prestigious hospital as an ER surgeon. He had trouble making her stay, Zachariah remembered. She couldn't stand his lazy ways. But when she saw what Zachariah knew about Blair, that he was an Alpha worthy of his rank, loving of his pack and adoring of his mate, she accepted him. That still didn't make him any less irritating.

"How many times did I tell you not to call me with that stupid pet name? What do you want?" he hissed.

Blair sounded extremely hurt on the other side of the phone. "I was just trying to be nice and offer my hospitality to you, I know you're new here and everything."

"Enough of your pitifulness Blair, I will see you at the council," he snapped closing his phone. If Blair wasn't stopped while he was in his first stages, it would have been impossible to get him of the phone. Even he was not immune to the power of guilt Blair seemed to be capable of afflicting on anyone.

He pocketed his phone in anger when he turned around and looked at the store across the street. The letters above it spelled blood bar, the lights were off it seemed an the blinds were drawn, and yet he could feel someone looking at him. He felt that same burning he had felt at the restaurant when that female had looked him in his eyes. He felt as if someone was looking into his soul. Upon seeing nothing he turned around and went to say farewell to Dutton.

"I will be taking my leave, Dutton," he said shaking the old man's hand. "The council is in a week and I have somethings to do before then. I will make sure to pass by before I leave back to Sibira."

"Very well boy. Remember to bring that mate of yours with you," he smiled mysteriously.

Zachariah gave Dutton one last look before he turned around and left the store.

Walking out of the store he looked back across the street and halted, across the street was that female human. Not dressed in the same tight fitting dress but a pair of black pants and shirt, but the most surprising thing was what she held in her arms. A little boy, his head on her shoulder and her arms holding him in place. His wolf shifted in irritation. When she noticed him she froze.

Once again he stared and she stared back. Zachariah could see the displeasure even from where he stood, her emerald eyes were burning into his with anger. Zachariah felt something he hadn't felt in years, the same feeling he had when he met Dutton the blind only more powerful. Curiosity. This time it was she who broke away first, entirely ignoring him she unlocked her car and put the boy in carefully. She then walked to the driver's seat. What happened next Zachariah Grimwore would remember for the rest of his life.

Out of nowhere a large creature swooped towards her with its fangs bared. Zachariah didn't even think, he shifted. He felt his wolf bubble up from his stomach as his essence spread through his body. His eyes turned and bright turquoise and his canines elongated. Black fur sprouted over his body and his bones broke fully shifting into his wolf. He and Ezekiel launched at the creature and grabbed it in one pounce tearing it in half. The woman turned around alarmed. Her eyes darted between the huge black wolf in front of her and the creature. "Taintblood," she hissed looking at it.

Zachariah registered her words and looked down at the thing. The halves of its face, the color of cement were frozen in a scream. Black blood was spurting from his flesh that was also black, even it's brain was nothing more than a shriveled piece of black flesh. She was right this was a taintblood. But why is it so far from Alaska, their native lands.

"It smells foul, like death and rotten flesh." Ezekiel growled.

Just as his wolf had finished that statement he noticed that the woman was no longer looking at the thing in front of them instead she had her eyes trained on the street which had gotten strangely dark and deserted. But not entirely. At the end of the street he saw a vampire with about fifty taint bloods surrounding him.

Zachariah felt her stiffen. He tensed as well pushing her behind him.

Then they came.

Zachariah attacked. Slashing his claws he shredded the face of the closest taintblood. A shrill banshee scream was unleashed into the night air.

He heard the distinct beep of a car door locking before he went into full beast mode, Ezekiel took control.

The woman ran towards the battle. Reaching into belt she pulled two sharp silver knives and let them fly. Ezekiel heard a sharp whistle by his ears, looking in front of him he saw two throwing knives imbedded in the hearts of two vampires. They shrieked and turned into burning ash.

Silver knives he thought.

Ezekiel looked back to see the woman running their way with grace and speed. Taintbloods quickly crowded around her and she zigzagged avoiding each with the elegance of a dancer. She reached towards her chest and took out another set of knives. They could both see now that a long black belt was crisscrossed across her chest with several small sheaths attach to them, each sheath contained a throwing knife.

With the two in her hands she slit the throat of the nearest taintblood before grabbing another by the head and sticking a knife in his spine. Reaching behind her, she pulled out a long hatchet with a look of pure concentration. She locked eyes on the taintbloods as they came running towards. Before the creatures could reach, her she grabbed the first by his clothes and slung the hatchet decapitating him. Quickly bringing her weapon around behind her head, she cut of the hands of the taintblood who was about to sink his claws into her body.He squealed, the silver essence ran up his skin burning it like paper and turning into ash, it soon engulfed him whole.

Zachariah ran to join her. He leaped on one of them crushing its skull. They fought back to back, slashing and slitting with fury. Soon all of the savage beast were dead. Broken out of the haze of the fight, they both looked up at the vampire who had been watching the fight with an amused expression. The woman stared at him and so did Zachariah. He jumped down from the building rooftop and landed in front of them with a bow.

"Maxwell Redmond at your service," he spoke his British accent quite clear.

The woman was the first to react. "Who are you and what do you want with my son?" she asked less than kindly. Her eyes were bowering into this Maxwell person with calm observation. If it were not for the cold feeling that descended the street when she asked the question, Zaxhariah would have thought it an innocent inquiry.

Zachariah had not the slightest clue what was going on. He gathered that the taintbloods were after the woman son, but why?

"Well madam," the man began, "I am not at liberty to answer that question," he said with wave of his hand. "If you would kindly give the boy to us we will take it from here."

The woman raised her eyebrow and looked at the man as if he was the dog poop under her boots "I will do no such thing."

"Don't be foolish human," his face crumpling in furry, "you won't last a day alone. Our people will find you wherever you go. And we will rip you apart," he spat.

"You can try," came the cold reply. "But every person you send I will beat them down to the ground, before they can even flinch."

Maxwell threw his head back and let forth a long ridiculing laugh. "You think that you can outsmart the Undead? We have people everywhere, in all covens, in all packs, were ever you go you will be found."

Pan smirked, "you mean I can no longer outsmart you as I have been doing for the last past six years?" Pan bit back a scoffing laugh and continued. "You and your people haven't been very successful in finding us before, and the only reason you can now is because Sam has no control over his wolf, in a few hours he will and we will fade back into the night same as before."

Zachariah watched the effect of the woman's words on the changeling in front of him. The man's face turned red in fury, he hissed and launched himself at Pan. Zachariah moved his claw and with one swipe disemboweled him. The vampire looked at Ezekiel as if seeing him for the first time, his eyes were wide with fear.

"We......will come," he gasped the life draining from his body.

"We have to go," Ezekiel spoke his voice coming out in an animalistic growl. To Pan's ears it sounded feral but human, as if his voice was shifting and could not decide what to be.

She stared at him with coldly, "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Zachariah was taken aback, didn't he not just help her defeat the taintbloods? Any other woman would be jumping into his arms. But this ungrateful human wench was glaring at him as if he was the scum of the earth.

Zachariah shifted, he stood in front of her naked as the day he was born. Pan flinched and backed away from him. He stood half a head taller than her. Everything about him was the picture of a god, blond hair graced his head with tendrils ruffling and curling every direction. His skin was pale shone under the moonlight. His face as if chiseled from an Ice sculpture, bore a strong smooth sharply cut jaw with a long straight roman nose. Pan inhaled as she looked at scars across his face. Lighting blue irises watched her keenly as she took him all in.

His arms, not overly large or buff were beautifully sculpted with intricate black tattoos running from his long and taut shoulder blades down his arms to the tips of his fingers. Barely any of his skin showed underneath his designs, they acted like long sleeves covering his arms leaving his six packed torso bare and unmarked. He was truly beautiful. Biting her tongue she willed herself to control the fire that was burning in her veins.

"Don't look down, don't look down," she repeated to herself in her mind over and over again.

Finally getting the courage to turn from him she did only to be halted when he grasped her arm and spinning her back around towards him. He was only a hand span away from her now. Her breath hitched in her throat.

"You can either go out there on your own and brave the taintbloods who by now would have heard of their fallen comrades, or we can travel together with my pack and get where you want to get safely," He whispered in his thick accent. Pan fought the shivers that tried to wiggle down her spine. She wrenched her arm from his hand and cleared her mind and realized, he was right.

Stepping away from her in anger he asked, "where are you going anyway?"

"That's none of your business," she bit going to the car and unlocking it. Once she did she saw Sammy shivering wildly.

"Sammy," she cried ignoring Zachariah who had come up behind her.

"Mommy, it hurts." He cried pitifully.

Pan's eyes teared up as she kissed her little boy's forehead and whispered, "Don't worry sweetheart, it will be over soon. Suddenly, his bones cracking, a shockwave of a fear traveled through her. He will shift soon, she knew it. Between here and the rooms were probably hundreds of enemies there is no way she would make it alone, she needed the Grimwore.

Pulling Sam out of the car she turned to Zachariah with a proud unflinching look on her face. "If your offer still stands, we will take it."

Zachariah looked at the boy in her arms, one moment she was angrily refusing his help and after looking at the state of the child she was accepting it. Zachariah couldn't for the moment tell why he had helped the human, why he had even help her fight, why he did not leave her to die, why he even cared what happened to her and the child. He couldn't understand the meaning of the feelings he had gotten when he touched her. Even thinking about it made him feel strange.

"What do you think," he asked his wolf who was unusually quiet.

He growled softly. "We must help her."

Pan snapped her fingers in front Zachariah's face. His eyes were glazed over and she had spent enough time on wolf territory to know he was talking to his wolf.

His electric blue eyes flickered to her, "yes the offer still stands."

"Then let's go."

Zachariah shifted into his black wolf he was huge standing as tall as her chest, she reached for his fur, swung her leg over his back and got on.

"Where are you going?" he asked his voice once again gravely and feral.

"To the Midland woods,"

"Hold on tightly," he warned. He then informed Sasha in the pack link to bring the rest to meet him on the way. With a leap they took off into the night. Had they looked across the street to the windows of Dutton the blind they would have seen the old man smiling brightly. 

............................

Woow! That took a lot out of me. Thank you my faithful readers for getting me to 1k reads! I know i haven't showed my appreciation as of late but believe me I'm trying. Her's a new chapter. Yes two in a row. This is the first time I'm posting this so tell me if you like it or dislike it in the comments. Once again, if I've tickled your fancy give me a vote why doncha! 

Jackie out!