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The bayous of Louisiana had always been neutral ground, a place where supernaturals of varied breeds could co-exist without conflict. But tensions had been rising of late between the vampiric and lycan factions - and none so more than between their two rulers.
For long words have reached Tyler that the vampire king has held his mate for a reason which he know nothing of. And he sort to get her back.
Rage and jealousy consumed Tyler's wolf spirit as he howled a challenge to Michael beneath the swollen harvest moon. The pagan drums of his pack accompanied his unearthly cry, carrying it far into the endless bayou mists where the nosferatu lurked. Tyler would reclaim his woman or die trying in a cleansing of blood and honor.
Michael, ever arrogant in his ancient power, emerged amidst a chorus of baying gators. Golden eyes glimmered with dark mirth as he taunted the virile alpha. Tyler wasted no time on words, launching himself with terrifying velocity. His claws rent vampire flesh but Michael was not the first of his kind for nothing.
The ensuing battle shook the avian rookery and stirred the alligators from their mud. Two primeval titans locked in a battle to the true death, where only one primal sovereign would emerge. As dawn stained the witch-moss draped trees, a gore-drenched figure rose victorious, proving once more why his dominion was unquestioned among the shades of the bayou. The bayou had run red this fateful night as Cara's two devoted mates battled in a frenzy for her affections. Their primal natures eclipsed all reason, leaving only bloodlust and betrayal in the wake of their ravaging claws and fangs. Helpless to turn their wrath, Cara could only watch in anguish as Michael and Tyler tore into one another with unbridled savagery.
With savage roars that shook the earth, Tyler and Michael threw themselves at each other with everything they had. Their bodies collided with bone-crunching force, massive paws and razor-sharp fangs seeking any hold to tear and rend.
Tyler's werewolf form was massive, all corded muscle and matted black fur, but Michael was his match - centuries of battle-honed strength and vampiric resilience made him nearly invulnerable. They seemed evenly matched as they wrestled back and forth under the light of the moon, tearing chunks from each other only to instantly heal.
Michael managed to hook a claw into Tyler's tough hide and fling the werewolf off with a spray of blood. But Tyler rolled and sprang back on all fours with a snarl.
"You can't win such a duel against me"
Michael said mockingly launching himself straight back into the fight. Their claws and teeth flashed furiously as they grappled, each seeking the decisive blow to end it.
The fight was brutal and primal, two alpha predators battling for supremacy. With a vicious crunch of bone Tyler managed to clamp his jaws around Michael's shoulder, shaking violently. But Michael roared in fury and grabbed Tyler by the scruff, hurling him with incredible force.
Tyler crashed through a stone wall in an explosion of rubble, then staggered to his feet with cuts and gashes already sealing over his heaving flanks. For a long moment the two beasts stared at each other warily, sizing the other up for any new weaknesses.
Their eyes met - twin orbs of molten amber and silver, houses of untamed carnal fury and wills of absolute steel. With synchronized snarls they surged together once more.
It seemed the vampiric King would emerge the victor, bearing down upon the weakened lycan with a sickening smile. But Tyler's love and bond for Cara rallied his failing body for one final act of desperate violence. With a bestial roar he lunged, driving his taloned hands deep into Michael's chest. An almost orgasmic ecstasy twisted the wolf's face as his claws closed around the vampire's stilling heart.
Michael was shocked by Tyler's attack as blood spilled from his mouth.
Horror flooded Cara at the sight of Michael's blackened eyes dimming for the last time. Grief and wrath swelled within her celestial soul until something snapped - a great wellspring of blinding power that obliterated all thought and reason. Raw magic, untamed since the dawn of creation, coursed through her mortal vessel.
When awareness returned, Cara found herself standing amidst utter devastation as far as the eye could see. The bayou was scorched and smoking, not a single organism left to profane the hallowed silence. All save one - Tyler lay curled at her feet, whining and cringing in submission. She had somehow banished the savage beast within, restoring his soul to humanity once more.
Tyler looked upon Cara then not with hunger or possession, but wonder. In that glorious, terrible moment she had transcended the limitations of earthly form, revealing herself as the goddess she was created to be.
Both he and Michael were shocked to see Cara in such magistic form, she was standing like an angel defending from the heaven as raw magic flow through her body like bright light.
The scent of blood was thick in the air, the bayou torn asunder by their savage duel. Both Michael and Tyler felt guilty as they both watched Cara lay eyes closed, features deathly pale on Michael's arms.
At some point in their frenzied clash, one of their blows must have struck too close which made her release such powers of which they don't know where it came from.
All wrath and fury fled the combatants in an instant, replaced by horror. With wordless cries of denial, Tyler rushed to her still form, nosing frantically for any signs of life. Michael caught the faintest flutter of her heartbeat, and jerked his head up with a panicked yelp.
Tyler understood, and folded his massive form to allow Michael to gently sling Cara's limp body over his shoulders. Together they bounded from the ruins, great paws eating up the ground as they raced towards the treeline bordering the compound at top speed.
Her condition was dire - even Michael's supernatural senses could tell she was fading fast. Though he did not fully trust the werewolf at his side, Cara's survival took precedence over any rivalry. With a grunt he pointed Tyler ahead, urging him to take the lead to the nearest safe haven that could aid her.
Tyler nodded once and poured on more steam, heading for the only place that could help - the heart of his ancestral territory, where his strongest healers resided. They crashed through the forest like avatars of vengeance, heedless of obstacle or injury as Cara's feeble breaths grew ever more shallow.
As the majestic pines gave way to open plains blanketed in starry night, towering stone spires came into view silhouetted against the indigo skies - Redmoon Keep, spiritual and political seat of Tyler's clan since time immemorial.
Wolves' howls rang out in alarm at their approach, but Tyler roared a command and the sentries fell back, allowing the urgent duo to bound straight into the crowded encampment.
Ordering Michael to follow, Tyler led them on a beeline for the largest longhouse, throwing his massive bulk against the roughhewn doors with enough force to buckle the ancient oak.
Within, moonwashed shadows flickered and filled with alarmed cries as frightened wolves scrambled to make way for their alpha. At the far end, a grey muzzle lifted from grinding herbs, ancient eyes widening at the scene before him.
Tyler leaned down to gently lay Cara upon the worn ceremonial table, nudging Michael to do the same. Their coats were matted with her blood, remnants of their savage battle, but none dared question their ailing celestial's presence. All awaited their alpha's decree.
Tyler met Michael's haunted gaze and jerked his head meaningfully at the elder healer, dismissing any hostility between them for now in favor of Cara's care. Together they stood vigil, praying that Cara regain consciousness.