27 : One Down

“I’ve heard of you. You’re just a boogy man. No one believes you have as much power as the story claims.” Vanderbend’s grip tightened a hair. Henry’s ears twitched. A rustling near the brush caught his attention.

The old man laughed, “Oh, I have so much more than that. If you decide at any point to back down tonight, and beg my forgiveness, I might just let you live. I could use someone like you on my team. So, think about it. Just know, that I won’t let that bitch live while my grandson continues to live in squalor. She’s just holding you both back. The by-laws are the only thing that has stopped me so far. Otherwise, I would have corrected this issue long ago.” Considering his choice of words, he sounded like he couldn't care less about any of it.

Henry’s hair stood on end. What exactly did that mean? He wasn’t sure, but he knew he didn’t like it. “Rose is my mate. Her son has all the makings of an Alpha. I don’t understand what you’re looking for.”

“Did you know, an alpha’s alpha can only come from a shiftless parent?” The words were quiet, as he brought Henry closer to his body, glaring down at Carlyle, who still hadn’t moved. Clearly this guy scared the crap out of sperm doner.

Henry trained his eyes on Vanderbend, waiting for his moment, “I didn’t.”

“Your own mother couldn’t shift. Now, could she?” Well, this just got real personal real quick.

“So?” Was Henry’s only response. He wouldn’t give this guy more fuel for the flame so tried to match his cool and calm tone.

“You couldn’t have been an Alpha’s Alpha otherwise. We only come from a strong breed that intermingles with a shiftless peon. But, your power can grow from sacrificing that peon. Look at this schmuck.” He waved his hand at Carlyle.

Henry looked down, unimpressed. “Yeah, so what? He’s useless. That’s not an alpha that can control other alphas.”

“He can.” The tentacle shook Henry. “He has quiet control of all the clans in the area. He can control them through their alphas. Though, he isn’t quite what I was looking for. But, he has done the job I wanted. Someone like you, who’s actually created a whole clan of alphas is far more interesting though. I’d not ever actually considered that anyone else would be able to.” He looked away, almost wistfully, turning his face toward the sky. "It’s nice that you can shrink.” The smirk that crossed his face made a shiver travel Henry's spine. “But true power comes from size. It was fun to see what the difference was though. And it's been oh so fun to watch this play out. I thought I would be horribly bored all week, you've certain brought the entertainment with you and made this whole event actually worth my time."

Henry had to focus on h is breathing. Was this sick asshole really making a game out of all this? Another rich, asshole elite that thought he could do whatever he wanted to whomever he wanted for a bit of sport? Henry kept his breathing steady. This wasn't the first time he'd handled men like this, but it was the first time he was so deeply invested in the outcome.

The blood pounding in his head drowned out the next words, but he saw it. Vanderbend was reaching that pinnacle moment. Steady.

He was at the most relaxed he was going to get, and if Henry waited a moment more, he would be at risk of the mood swing that was bound to happen, and he could lose his chance.

Since he’d been slowly letting his body shift the entire time to work toward his advantage, without changing the outside of his body, when it came time to finish, it was fast. It was also incomplete. He forced his front legs out like a goat. When Vanderbend dropped him, he landed on his still cat paws, but reared back kicking Vanderbend directly in the groin. So, he was a large cat with the legs of a goat. Then he was running, arming his body with bone as he ran toward his back yard. He knew he looked awkward. Not even quite able to call himself half goat half cat. However, he was running low on energy. And had to be careful.

He had to get out of there, so he let off a certain pheramone to let his own guys know where he was and that they should follow. There were far too many of his own alphas starting to surround him. It was only moments before the pack followed behind him. The second he broke through the tree line, seven cats came running out behind him. He ran toward the house, booking toward the back porch. Maintaining his awkward frame.

There was a small hole under the stairs. It was an entrance that only they could use. These creatures could close it off, but they couldn’t follow. Small stone tunnels would allow him and his men through. Anything bigger than a red fox wouldn’t fit. And these guys could only shift to a larger size. Aiden knew the house. He was one of two of the men that had been here before. But he was the only one who knew all the house’s secrets. Henry took defense, planting himself just before the porch. Aiden didn’t stall. He ran right under Henry, running for the entrance posing as an exit.

Problem was, upon seeing that it was human sized wolves following them, he was rethinking his form. A fucking cat-goat? Even if he won he’d be a damn laughing stock. He was also hitting his max. He wasn’t going to be able to be able to keep shifting all night.

Expecting the wolves to follow him, he was surprised when they all quickly veered toward the ocean. What were they… then Henry saw it. They were able to cut off two of his younger soldiers. They had fallen behind, and had hoped to find a place near the rocks that lined his property before the pebbly beach started, to hide.

But the wolves were already nipping at their heels. One took a sharp left, heading toward the trees. Only two followed him. Most followed the small yellow tabby into the sand. If he had time, it would have been his perfect hiding place. But they were too close. Seeing that Aiden had gotten the others in, and was now standing there staring at him. Waiting to know what to do. Henry nodded at him, giving him silent permission to go, and turned toward where the wolves circled the shivering cat on the beach.

Unfortunately, they had him surrounded. He was curled in a small furry ball, surrounded by drooling growling wolves. Vanderbend came waltzing out of the forest and started toward where the wolves surrounded the little yellow tabby. In his hand he held the little tuxedo cat. The asshole tossed Henry's man toward the circling wolves. The tabby's name was Brook's, and as he flew through the air toward the enemy, Vanderbend spoke in his Alpha tone, "Hear me and listen!" He announced, Brook's landed in the sand, his tail puffing up and twitching wildly. John, the smaller yellow tabby, perked his ears and looked up dreamily at their enemy. He was the newest to the group, and the least likely to be able to refuse a stronger alpha than himself. "Shift back now!"

Brooks puffed up completely with the effort it took to refuse the command, every one of his hairs standing on end. John wasn't so lucky. Unable to refuse the call, he did as told, turning back to the large blonde man he was. The second he did, the wolves attacked, ripping the poor guy limb from limb. Their fierce attack gave Brooks just enough time to escape. The only one who seemed to notice him was Vanderbend. A frown forming as he watched the tuxedo cat run. Henry ran out, placing himself between Brooks and their enemies as they ran back toward the house. Luckily, as cats, they were quicker than the wolves.

Aiden still waited for them, mewing in question as they all charged toward safty. Once under the porch they would be in a small entrance to the house. Once through the long narrow entrance, that nothing bigger than a cat could get through, they would be in the basement were Evelyn was being held. Henry kicked in the entrance, not wanting anyone else to have access. The more he went out, the more he gave away. Shaking his head, he exited into his basement. Brooks was on the floor crying and Evelyn was watching from the corner. Aiden had pulled Brooks into his embrace as he tried to calm the man. Poor Brooks was blaming himself for what happened to John. Henry was still trying to process the whole lot of it. Was this a game to him? Henry had lost a few men before, but those were elite mission where they received metals and honors. His stomach flipped as Henry realized the truth. He'd called that boy to his home to die. All because he'd not known how deep a hole he'd really fallen into.

When Aiden, his beta, gave him that knowing look, Henry thought he was going to be sick.

Then Rose's scream errupted from above, as Kia answer, "Don't you DARE touch my mom!"