Casmas Clan: Josiah and Clara
Chapter Nineteen

~ Josiah Albert was a fierce fighter, Josiah would give him that, but he just didn't have the brute strength Josiah did. Dodging his snapping jaws, Josiah couldn't understand how Albert had been the Second for as many years as he had been. The wolf wasn't powerful enough to be Beta, nor any of the other higher standings in a pack.

Deciding enough was enough, Josiah went in for the kill. He easily dodged Albert's snapping jaws once more, then used his heavier bulk to shove Albert to the tiled floor. Josiah lunged for Albert's throat before the wolf could recover, wrapping his jaws around the fragile column. He dug in deep and then shook his head from side to side as fiercely as he could. The loud cracking noise moments later was quite satisfying to his ears.

Josiah dropped Albert's dead form to the tiled floor, panting heavily. He was wounded deeply in several spots along his flank and back, but elation overpowered the pain. Lifting his head, Josiah turned away from Albert's body and scanned the den. He was worried but held no fear for Clara. He knew Dermet was with her, protecting her for him while he dealt with Albert.

The Killt pack was outnumbered now three to one, with more Casmás joining every few minutes. Josiah was beginning to understand now why the other packs and Clans were afraid of the Casmás Clan; their sheer numbers. Realizing none of the other members of the Clan needed his help, Josiah turned his attention to Dermet and Clara.

Dermet had his back to the room, kneeling before and reaching toward Clara. Josiah's wolf perked up; did something happen to her? Eyes narrowing and snarl forming, Josiah began heading in their direction. Nothing, absolutely nothing better had happened to Clara.

Not even halfway to them, Josiah's eyes widened as his world tilted on its axis. Three large wolves were charging at Dermet and Clara. Josiah gave a warning howl for Dermet as he began rushing for them.

~ Harvey Harvey just finished off his adversary when he was shoved by Catalina. He turned in her direction to bite her in retaliation, but she was no longer around him. Lifting his head, he stared around the large, destroyed room, searching for her. There! There she was with her back to him and nearly across the room, running as fast as she could.

'What is she..? Oh hell, that's not good!'

Harvey was in motion before he completed his thought, hoping he would make it on time. Why the hell was the Alpha in human form during the middle of a battle anyway? Dermet was old enough, intelligent enough, and been through many, many battles to know that was a huge mistake. If not a fatal one. Harvey was desperately hoping this would not be a fatal case.

Harvey pushed himself harder, the three wolves were nearly upon Dermet and the Alpha didn't seem to realize they were there or sense the danger. A howl pierced the loudness in the den, giving the three wolves pause as they attempted to discern if it was from their side or not. Good, that split second of pause was just what he needed. Harvey knew it was the pup trying to help Dermet and was glad for it.

~ Clara Clara tried to summon another lightning bolt but was just too tired to pull it off. Instead, she was forced to watch helplessly as the lion quickly twisted around to confront the wolves charging them, but he was too late. Clara screamed as the first wolf, a large red one, slammed directly into the lion's chest and toppled him back into her.

The three of them fell backward onto the ground in a tangle of thrashing arms and snapping jaws. Clara cried out again as a sharp, piercing pain erupted from her right shoulder. She hadn't heard anything snap, leaving her to surmise she had been bitten once again. Tears freely flowed as attack after attack got past the lion's defenses and hit her instead. Clara tried to get away, but she couldn't breathe, couldn't move, as the two bodies above her kept her pinned to the floor and were steadily crushing her.

Blood began covering her on all sides, while the lion desperately attempted to fight off the vicious attacks from the wolf. Still trying to get out from beneath the thrashing forms, Clara watched a white wolf circling them, waiting for its chance to join in the fray. Clara immediately quit struggling to get free, knowing the instant she did, that wolf would be on her. In her weakened state, she would be killed by it in minutes.