Panic! At the Den

[Reece]

"Reece." Startled by the older Werewolf's arrival, Renn set his jaw, turning to completely face his pack mate. "I thought you were in Austria."

"News travels fast." Stepping forward, into the lobby, Reece looked down at the Den's groundskeeper. His voice was low; so low it almost sounded painful for the man to speak.

Straightening his shirt, Renn lifted his chin slightly to meet his elder's eyes, attempting to maintain an air of confidence, "Everything is under control, here."

Scoffing quietly, unamused, Reece almost smiled, moving closer to the pup, "Where is our Queen?"

"A-an effort is currently being organized t---" Renn cut himself off as the bigger Lycan stepped within reach.

"Pathetic." Crossing his arms, he didn't give the younger Werewolf the chance to finish speaking. "Stand down."

"Reece." Renn met his pack mate's stare, almost snarling as he stepped closer to the bigger Lycan. He wouldn't give up this opportunity so easily. "I've got this all taken care of."

Movement behind Renn caught Reece's attention, and he casually glanced over the pup's shoulder to see Evelyn staring at him. She inclined her head, speaking mentally to Reece. Other pups had gathered in the lobby, and stood in doorways and to the side of the hallway to see what would happen.

Reece's attention returned quickly to the disobedient pup before him. Placing a heavy hand on Renn's shoulder, he frowned, resigning himself to what was likely about to happen. "I take no issue putting you in your place right here." The last of his words came out with a low growl, looking callously down at the younger Lycan. "You're wasting time that isn't yours to waste."

Cracking his neck and shifting his shoulders momentarily, Renn's upper lip twitched slightly in anger, "I know what I'm doing, Reece." In an instant, his form doubled in size, his muscles and skin tingling pleasantly as he took on his Wolf form. Reaching for Reece as he shifted up, Renn was instead met with a streak of painful white light running through his mind as his body was sent sprawling across the lobby.

Reece had donned his Wolf skin the moment this pup spoke, sending a closed paw across the side of his head. It seemed his little brother needed a reminder about where he stood within the pack. Some humility would do him good; while he derived no pleasure from it, Reece would take it upon himself to remind the pup.

Renn slid across the floor, hitting a reinforced wall on the other side of the lobby as the Werewolves who looked on quickly scrambled out of the way. Growling as his vision cleared, he pulled himself to a crouched position as Reece walked calmly toward him. Pushing off of his hind legs, the Den's groundskeeper charged to tackle the older Werewolf's legs and push him to the ground.

Reece kept his stride, not phased by the pup's charge, letting him come close before moving quickly to the side and out of the way. Grabbing the pup rough by the scruff of the neck as he passed, Reece let his entire weight fall onto Renn, driving his muzzle hard into the ground as they fell. Sinking his teeth deep into his pack mate's shoulder, Reece shook his head with enough force to drive the point home, Submit.

Placing his claws on the floor, Renn tried to push to weight of the older Lycan off him, to little avail. His growling turned to a quiet whimper, and then silence. Hesitating for a moment, Renn finally stretched his arms out to the side, palms down, relaxing and shifting down to his human form.

As his pack mate's form began to get smaller, Reece removed his teeth from the pup's flesh, and moved back enough to stand, still wearing his Beast skin.

Renn's lip twitched slightly as he rose to his knees, bringing his hands up and folding them behind his head, keeping them in sight while he shifted around to face Reece. Glaring up at the Werewolf for a moment, it looked like he was chewing on the words first, to break them down into more reasonable bites. Finally he spoke, loud enough for everyone present to hear, "Reece's rank is true, his claim undeniable. I forfeit myself to be used at his discretion, and advise the cooperation of all under this roof." He lifted his chin high, exposing his throat to the older Werewolf.

Reece stood quietly as the pup spoke, his large, dark form looming over the younger Lycan. When he offered his throat, the beast stepped closer, placing sharp teeth around the man's neck, pressing them into his flesh enough to make a point, before pulling away, showing mercy.

Shifting down to his Human skin, Reece looked around the lobby. Evelyn stepped forward quietly. Meeting the woman's eyes, he spoke carefully. "Aid Perrin's boy with the rescue effort. I will return, shortly."

When Evelyn nodded her understanding, Reece grabbed Renn by the back of the neck, lifting him to his feet to lead him forcefully away.

Reece had little to say as they walked deeper into the basement. Renn, however, would glance back at his pack mate every now and then, offering some weak explanation, rubbing the wound in his shoulder. The entire white of his right eye had filled with blood as a result of the older Werewolf's first blow.

"Save your breath." Reece growled, pushing the pup forward as he slowed his forward progress, not interested in hearing why his brother felt so comfortable gambling with Alena's life.

Renn stopped as they reached the wall that would open to the cells on the other side. "You're wasting your time with these pups, Reece. They're of little use."

"Open." Reece placed a hand on Renn's shoulder, holding him firm, pressing his fingers into the lacerations he'd left his pack mate with.

Groaning quietly, Renn placed his hands on the silver plates, opening the door for his superior, and attempting to step aside.

Repositioning his grip to the back of Renn's neck, Reece forced the pup down the stairs, into the hallway. Renn tried to plant his feet into the ground to stall his pack mate's momentum; but the floor was too smooth to gain any traction.

Growling quietly, Reece lifted the pup off his feet, slamming his face into the first occupied cell they got to. On the other side, a tall, muscular young man met his gaze. Leaning in close to speak into Renn's ear, Reece held the pup hard against the glass. "Apologize."

Gritting his teeth, Renn placed his hands on the glass, trying to relieve some of the pressure pinning him. His efforts proved to be of little use. Reluctantly, he spoke, "I-I'm sorry." His words were quiet, his eyes unable to fully meet Okello's.

Pulling the pup back, only to slam him hard into the glass again, Reece growled, "Properly."

Renn groaned uncomfortably, speaking louder. "Nngh. I offer my -nnngh- most sincere apologies, Okello."

"Better." Reece scowled, pulling Renn away from the young man's cell, and throwing him to the ground before the cell right across the corridor.

Renn landed on his hands and knees in front of the glass containing Adele. His cold, grey eyes met the girl's golden glare.

The young woman in this cell slowly got to her feet as Reece stepped closer, standing over Renn. "Apologize." He ordered the younger Lycan. This captive seemed frail, almost a sickly pale; but he could almost feel the anger growing in her, looking at Renn.

Renn remained quiet, kneeling on the cold floor, as if he hadn't heard his pack mate's command. He kept his gaze hard, unwavering on Adele.

"Apologize here. Or in there, with her." Reece hauled the pup up, slamming his face into the glass twice.

His vision blurred, darkness creeping around the corners of his sight momentarily. When his eyes focused again, Renn spoke through clenched teeth, "I apologize. For my actions, Adele."

Acquiescing, Reece pulled Renn away from the young woman's cell. Punching a command into the panel nearby, the cell next to Adele's opened. Tossing Renn within, the glass closed quickly. "Here, you stay until our Queen returns. And if she does not; here, you rot."

Renn charged the glass as it shut, slamming himself against it. Too little too late.

Adele turned her attention to Renn, approaching the glass between them, crossing her arms.

Reece was about to let the blonde out, but after a moment observing, he turned back to Okello's cell, opening it to let the young man out first. Placing a fist over his chest, he introduced himself, "Reece. Forgive this fool. I ask your aid for the task at hand. I was told you have other pack mates on the run? With your help, they will be redeemed." Stepping over to the control panel for Adele's cell, Reece motioned for Okello to approach, speaking into the young man's mind, Perhaps a more... trusted face should free her. Is she well? He hit the command for the glass to Adele's cell to slide open, stepping back yet keeping within sight as the blonde came forth.

[Okello]

The lycan awoke to the commotion outside of his cell. Okello sat up, his head felt heavy, and drowsy. His memory of the past few days was a fog. They had been drugged; Reece was truly a spineless bottom feeder to do such a thing to a fellow lycan. Somehow, he knew he had been the fortunate one. Adele had suffered the worst; the larger focus of their interrogation, as she had last seen Pablo. Why would they do this? After he’d promised to tell them everything. Rubbing his eyes, the sight before him cleared. A larger lycan, one he was unfamiliar with held the rodent Reece against his cell. Demanding an apology. He shook his head. As if that would matter, the damage had already been done.



Standing as the large lycan turned to his cell, Okello stepped forward. It seemed they were being freed. He should feel grateful, he didn’t, none of this should have happen, but he was glad or more relieved to know he would soon see his friends again. Nodding to the man, Okello stepped out of his cell. He glanced down at Renn, as the new lycan asked him to forgive the fool. “That is unlikely. I can not forgive the man who threw me into a cage.” He said stiffly. It was wrong, they were meant to be pack, one pack. Not individual groups squabbling among each other. They were meant to stand together, work towards a single goal and purpose. It’s what his sire had claimed. Didn’t they all want the same thing to begin with, to rescue Alena? Okello gritted his teeth as the main continued to speak. His friends did not need redemption. Escaping this fate was not cowardly, or treasonous; they were the ones to be betrayed. No, escaping had been intelligent. It’s what they should have done at the beginning. Okello nodded as the man spoke mentally to him. No, she is not well. We were drugged… and Adele, she has suffered trauma recently, though she will not say of what. He stood in front of the cell door as it opened, extending an arm out to his friend. Adele, it seems we have been freed. Let us leave this place, I never wish to see it again.

[Adele Holst]

Okello hadn’t moved for some time; he lay quietly on the cold floor. Consciousness had left him, or sleep had found him. Either way, his body seemed to rest and relax easily, despite this purgatory they were left in. Perhaps he was right to rest and bide his strength; but the nightmares that plagued her left the young woman far from feeling rejuvenated. So, in an attempt to stave off sleep, Adele tried focusing her vision on the man in the cell across from her. A few times, she tried reaching out mentally to her friend when she began to feel darkness encroaching; but on more than one occasion, the heaviness of her eyelids proved to have a stronger influence.

There was a moment Adele had been awake, her head resting back against the wall, and she blinked. It felt like a blink; only a fraction of a second. Yet when her eyes opened, the blonde got the feeling that more time had passed than just the span of a blink.

From outside her cell, the young woman thought she heard some noise; a door opening perhaps. And then she saw Renn thrown violently in front of Okello’s cell. Reaching out to her friend mentally, Adele arduously pulled herself to her feet as another man came into view.

This Lycan wasn’t anyone the young woman recognized; but he was huge. Okello was one of the biggest men Adele knew, tall and muscular; but this werewolf seemed to be a little taller than her friend. And where Okello’s muscle definition was lean, this new man’s muscle mass could only be described as bulky.

Having stood, the young woman carefully stepped toward the glass door of her cell, watching as Renn was slammed face-first into the glass in front of Okello. Crossing her arms over her ribs, Adele’s brow furrowed, glaring a hole into the back of Renn’s head. She felt heat rise to her cheeks as this coward apologized to her friend; anger.

Standing mere centimetres away from the glass as Renn was tossed to his knees in front of her cell, Adele looked down at the older Lycan. Dark purple bruising had already formed across one side of the man’s face, stretching over a swollen eyebrow, across a temple, and into his hairline. Blood filled the white of the eye on that side of his face; he looked like he’d recently had his ass handed to him. Yet here he was, still grinning arrogantly at her through the glass, though he’d been forced to his knees.

Though exhaustion hounded her, making her muscles feel heavy and slow, confusing her rationale, Adele remained standing stubbornly. The desire to turn this lycan a darker shade of black and blue seemed to keep her on her feet. She growled quietly when the new werewolf threatened to throw Renn into her cell, under her mercy. Renn has proven himself to be a spineless wretch; more of a dog than a wolf. Yet he was pack, and though Adele loathed the thought of actually killing another Lycan; she welcomed the chance to beat this man down a peg or two.

She could see the muscles of Renn’s jaw clench as he resigned himself to apologizing, and she frowned. Adele’s golden eyes followed Renn as he was thrown into the cell beside hers. Watching the glass quickly shut, closing him within, brought only a small amount of satisfaction to the young woman. But when Okello was freed, she dared to hope. Maybe now they could save Alena if it wasn’t too late, and bring back Pablo. Odin, she prayed it wasn’t too late. If Alena was dead... she didn’t even want to think about that and what it would mean for her friend right now. But maybe, even if Alena had been killed, maybe they could still find Pablo. She and Okello and Amara and the others; they could find Pablo and go... somewhere. Somewhere away from Sweden and the pack that would be hunting Pablo for committing one of the worst crimes against their family possible. Somewhere away from all the vampires that would arise with the death of the Lycan Queen. They could find someplace to hide and ride out the storm...

In her hungry, sleep-deprived state, Adele could almost believe that plan could work, and she and her friends would make it out alright. Yet, in the back of her mind, she knew that if they found Pablo, and there was any doubt at all about Alena’s fate, her friend would not stop until he’d either rescued their queen, or avenged her.

Worry wrote itself across her features without the young woman realizing it. But as her cell opened and Okello spoke into her mind, Adele’s vision focused. Looking up at her friend, the blonde stepped toward him, stumbling slightly when exhaustion and lethargy tried to weigh her down. Reaching out to catch herself, a spike of adrenaline hitting her, she found her friend’s hand, easily keeping her steady. Falling in closer to Okello’s side, Adele pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, shivering slightly.

Eyeing the Lycan who’d freed them suspiciously, she kept close to her friend. As the older Lycan began leading them out of this room, Adele cast one last look back, glaring at Renn through the glass. She shivered again involuntarily; something about this whole area gave her the creeps, and she hurried to catch up with her friend as they left. Reaching out as she neared, the young woman slipped her hand into Okello’s, glancing away as he looked at her. While typically, Adele wasn’t one to seek out physical attention, and enjoyed her personal space, the thought of being separated from her friend seemed particularly daunting at the moment.

We’re going to need more help. Adele spoke mentally to Okello as they walked down stark white, sterile hallways. This place was unsettling; like nothing the blonde had known since becoming a werewolf. They followed Reece around countless corners, passed identical doors. Each hall looked the same, and Adele would have sworn they’d circled the same area a few times now, but the older Lycan walked like he knew where he was going.

Eventually they came upon a stairway leading up; and at the top, a closed door. As Reece opened the door, holding it open for Okello and Adele, the young woman faltered. They were home. Bringing her free hand to her ribs, wincing slightly, she cast her golden gaze up at her friend. They’d been in the Den this whole time? -Why...?-

Okello, we have to find...

Adele stopped when the Lycan who’d let them out began to speak, “Our strength is gathering. We will move soon. There is one last thing I must do to prepare.” Reece met first Adele’s eyes, then Okello’s. “If you require aid in any way, it will be given. Otherwise; rest.”