Chapter 5 - The Narrow Escape or not

Elsa slipped back into her bedroom, her heart still racing from her adventure. She had managed to sneak back into the house without her parents noticing, or so she thought. She changed into her nightclothes and climbed into bed, trying to calm her mind and fall asleep. But her thoughts were filled with Jack and the thrill of her nighttime escapade. Outside, Ryker and Viktor huddled in the shadows, their eyes fixed on the cottage. "We can't attack without reporting back to the alpha's mate," Ryker whispered, his voice laced with frustration. "We need clearance from Kara before we make our move." Viktor growled, his eyes gleaming with impatience. "I know, I know. But it's hard to resist the temptation. The girl is a prize, and her family is vulnerable." Ryker's expression was stern. "We can't risk it, Viktor. Kara would have our heads if we disobeyed her. We need to wait for her signal before we strike." Viktor snarled but nodded in agreement. "Fine. But I can't promise I'll be able to control myself for much longer. The hunt is on, and I can smell the prey." Ryker placed a restraining hand on Viktor's shoulder. "Patience, brother. Our time will come. And when it does, we'll make sure that Mera and her family pay the price for their defiance." As they spoke, Jeff watched from the shadows, unaware of the danger that lurked just beyond his family's doorstep. He had seen the two men lurking in the darkness but had not heard their conversation. He shook his head, chiding himself for being paranoid. It was just his imagination playing tricks on him, he thought. Little did he know, the danger was all too real, and it was only a matter of time before it struck. With a final glance at the cottage, Ryker and Viktor blended into the darkness, their eyes fixed on their prey. The hunt was on, and it would not end until Mera and her family had paid the price for their disobedience. Ryker and Viktor arrived back at the wolf fortress, their paws padding softly on the stone floor. They made their way to Kara's chambers, where they found the alpha's mate pacing back and forth, her eyes fixed on them as they entered. "Well?" she demanded, her voice low and urgent. "What did you discover?" Ryker bowed his head, his tail wagging slightly. "We found the girl, Kara. Elsa, the daughter of Mera and Jeff. She's... different. Special." Kara's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" Viktor stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "She's got the scent, Kara. The scent of the ancient ones. She's the one we've been searching for." Kara's expression was calculating. "And her family? What of them?" Ryker snarled. "They're hiding something, kara. They're protecting her, keeping her from us. But we'll get to her. Oh, yes. We'll get to her." Kara's tail twitched, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Good work, Ryker. Good work, Viktor. You have done well. But I want Mira brought back alive. I want to kill her myself." Viktor's grin grew wider. "As you wish, Kara. We'll bring her back, alive and kicking. And then you can have your fun." Kara's expression turned cold, her voice dripping with menace. "See that you do. I want that girl, and I want her mother's life. The pack demands it. And I will not be denied." Ryker and Viktor exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with understanding. They knew what was at stake, and they knew what they had to do. The next evening, Elsa sneaked out of the cottage as usual, her heart racing with excitement. Her parents, Jeff and Mera, were busy in the kitchen, oblivious to her departure. They didn't notice until they heard the door creak shut, and by then, Elsa was already gone. "Elsa?" Jeff called out, but there was no answer. Mera's eyes widened in panic. "Jeff, she's gone! Our little girl is gone!" Jeff's face was set in a determined expression. "We have to find her. Now." But before they could take a step, Ryker and Viktor emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with a hungry light. Mera's body began to shift, her limbs elongating, her senses heightened. She growled, her teeth bared, and pushed Jeff behind her. "Stay back, Jeff," she snarled, her voice barely human. Ryker and Viktor sneered, their bodies beginning to shift. They grew larger, their fur thickening, their eyes glowing yellow in the dark. The two pairs faced off, growling at each other. The air was electric with tension, the forest silent except for the sound of their heavy breathing. "You're not taking our daughter," Mera snarled, her fur standing on end. Ryker sneered. "Oh, but we are. And there's nothing you can do to stop us." With a fierce cry, Mera launched herself at the hunters, her teeth snapping mere inches from their faces. Ryker and Viktor retaliated, their jaws wide open, ready to strike. Mera launched herself at the hunters, her teeth snapping mere inches from their faces. But Ryker and Viktor were too strong, too fast. They dodged her attacks with ease, their jaws wide open, ready to strike. "You're no match for us, Mera," Ryker sneered, his teeth bared. "You should have stayed out of this. You should have never fallen in love with a human." Mera snarled, her fur standing on end. "Our love is not a crime! Jeff is my mate, and I will fight to the death to protect him and our daughter!" But her bravery was short-lived. With a swift bite, Ryker knocked her to the ground, her body crumpling in a heap. She lay there, unconscious, her fur matted with blood. Jeff screamed, his voice echoing through the forest. "Mira! No! Oh God, no! They'll pay for this.I swear it!" Viktor turned on him, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. "You're next, human," he snarled, his jaws wide open. "You're next for daring to love a wolf. It's forbidden, and you know it." Jeff tried to run, but Viktor was too fast. He pinned him to the ground, his teeth bared. "You should have stayed away from our kind," Viktor growled, his hot breath on Jeff's face. "Now you'll pay the price for your defiance." Ryker joined in, his teeth snapping mere inches from Jeff's nose. "Yeah, you should have just stuck to your kind. Now you're coming with us, and you'll face the consequences of your actions." Together, the hunters dragged Jeff and Mera's unconscious bodies deeper into the forest, their paws padding softly on the earth. "Viktor, you take care of the human," Ryker said, his voice cold. "I'll go after the girl. She couldn't have gotten far. And when I find her, she'll join her parents in our little prison." Viktor nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'll make sure he doesn't escape. And when Kara finds out about their little family, she'll be thrilled." Ryker turned and loped off into the darkness, his eyes fixed on the trail ahead. 'Elsa, you're mine.'he thought, his heart racing with excitement. 'And soon, your whole family will be at our mercy.'