The dining hall echoed with the sound of wild cheers.
"All the Werewolves: Beta Jack! Beta Jack! Beta Jack!" they roared in celebration, drunk on violence and victory.
Blanchette's face twisted, not in grief, but in pure rage. Her hands clenched into trembling fists.
"You piece of shit!" she screamed across the room, her voice like a lightning strike through the noise.
The cheers died instantly. Silence fell like a guillotine. Every eye turned to Blanchette.
"You killed him, you bastard! I'm going to kill you! You son of a bitch!" she shrieked and began striding forward.
But Merlin caught her by the arm, stopping her.
"Blanchette, he would kill you," she said, voice trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Blanchette stopped, fists still shaking, as Merlin released her. Jack looked over at her, then at Joshua's lifeless, blood-drenched body lying still across the stone floor.
One of the surviving werewolves grinned wickedly. "What should we do with them, Beta Jack?"
Jack barely turned his head, his voice hollow. "Do whatever you want with them. But make sure they suffer..."
(Like I suffered, Joshua.)
He collapsed to the floor, his forearm over his eyes as tears began to leak out.
What have I done? I killed my best friend.
The werewolf sneered. "You heard the man." He licked his lips.
The remaining werewolves advanced toward Blanchette, Merlin, and Lancelot, grinning, hungry.
Lancelot struggled to rise, slowly lifting himself off Merlin's lap. He moved to stand in front of the girls, sweat dripping from his brow.
"You're too injured to fight," Merlin said desperately.
"I don't care," Lancelot growled. "I won't let them touch you."
"Blanchette, stand next to me," Merlin said, pushing herself up. "I'll protect you." She raised her hands and conjured a flickering purple barrier around Blanchette.
"I can fight too!" Blanchette cried, pounding against the barrier.
I'm not good at making barriers, Merlin thought, but I can at least protect one person. I will protect Blanchette, even if it costs me my life. For you, Brother.
The werewolves now stood before Lancelot, eyes glowing with menace.
"Does this fool think he can protect anyone?" one snarled. "I'm going to enjoy fucking your witch girlfriend."
Rage filled Lancelot's eyes, and he swung, but the werewolf slapped him down like a child. The others laughed.
Merlin stumbled back and fell against the wall.
The same werewolf advanced on her, kneeling to pin her down.
"I'll go first," he said, grinning. "You guys hold the knight. I want him to watch."
Two werewolves held Lancelot down, shoving his face toward the scene.
"No! Please, I beg you!" Lancelot cried, eyes wide in helpless terror.
The other werewolves scratched at Merlin's barrier, their claws sparking against the glowing purple shield. Blanchette fell to her knees, covering her ears, sobbing.
"I want noble meat," one growled, saliva dripping from his mouth.
"Meat! Meat! Meat!" another chanted, clawing wildly.
The werewolf atop Merlin began tearing at her clothes. She screamed, kicking and fighting.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!!"
Lancelot wept. "Please! I love her! Take anything! Just stop!"
And then...
So this is what death feels like... Joshua thought. I can hear their screams... but I can't move.
A scream ripped through the hall.
What the hell am I doing? I'm letting my family die. GET UP, YOU PIECE OF SHIT.
Remember your pledge.
GET UP.
Joshua's body stirred. Blood gushed from his ruined face. His eyeball, still dangling from its nerve, swung as he slowly rose.
With grim focus, he shoved his eye back into its shattered socket, tore a strip from his hoodie, and tied it across his face to hold it in. His body trembled, but he moved, forward, relentless.
He reached the two werewolves holding Lancelot. With a hand on each of their heads, he crushed them like melons. Blood sprayed over Lancelot as their bodies collapsed.
Lancelot stared, breathless.
That face... I've never seen Joshua that angry before.
He smiled through his tears.
Joshua marched toward Merlin and her attacker. The werewolf paused, noticing Merlin had stopped screaming.
"What are you lookin..." he began turning...
But there behind him loomed a monstrous figure, with one glowing green eye, dripping blood, fangs bared.
SHUNK!
Joshua's clawed hand sliced the werewolf's head clean off. The head launched like a cannonball, crashing through the chests of the three werewolves clawing at the barrier. It smashed into the wall and exploded in gore.
The four bodies collapsed to the floor.
Merlin dropped the barrier as Joshua knelt in front of Blanchette. She flinched, eyes wide at his terrifying appearance.
He leaned in. His tongue brushed her forehead.
"You are very tasty," he said with a wicked grin. "Are you okay, my Little Red Riding Hood?"
Blanchette burst into sobs and hugged him tightly.
"Yes... Joshua."
Merlin and Lancelot smiled through their tears.
Blanchette released him, and Joshua stood. He turned, eyes burning, toward Jack.
"JAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKK!!!" he roared.
Jack jerked up in fear, eyes locking with the nightmare standing across the room.
"You bastard... you made my sister afraid... you hurt my best friend... and you made my future wife cry."
Joshua bared his fangs. His aura flared like a storm.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR THAT!!!"