Chapter Text
Adrenaline is a beautiful thing.
That, oddly, was the first thought that popped into your head as you broke through the tree line.
More like crashed through the tree line.
You knew your body was wrecked. Scratches all across it from the various twigs and underbrush you had fought through during your escape. Hands still chained together in metal cuffs. Your bare feet taking the brunt of the harsh landscape you were running, well technically stumbling, through. There wasn't anything protecting your skin from the harsh environment save for the lace bra and panties that were clinging to your body. That and the collar around your neck that prevented you from shifting and slowed your healing and regeneration abilities enough that you were more blood than skin at this point.
A jagged rock had you stumbling with a grunt and as you tumbled forward you saw an arrow bury itself into the ground in front of you. Missing you by an inch.
"Fuck!"
You shouted it as you regained your bareings and sprinted forward. Picking up more speed than you thought possible. Clenching your teeth together as the blood pumping through your veins sounded like a battle drum in your ears.
As much as you propelled yourself forward and as fast as you were even on two feet rather than four - it wasn't enough to outrun a second arrow. You heard it whistling through the air for a split second before you felt the ripping pain in your shoulder.
You screamed in an agony that was closer to a war cry but you didn't stop running, couldn't stop. Not when you were almost there. So, so close to your destination.
You knew this village. Knew these woods. And you knew that today was the day the little chapel you were headed for would contain five of the most powerful people in the region. If you could get there, it wouldn't matter how many were chasing you. They would be obliterated.
So by sheer willpower you forced your legs to move. Even as you felt the pain of another arrow graze your side. You were spurred on by the sight of the steeple of the exact chapel you were looking for break the horizon in the distance.
1000 yards.
You just had to make it 1000 yards.
You grit your teeth harder. You willed your body to push. The final sprint to freedom. The size of the building growing larger the closer you got. You were so, so close. Freedom so close you could taste it.
500 yards.
Another arrow thunked into a building on your left as you ran by. But it didn't matter. It just spurred you further. Even as every muscle in you burned. The air you forced in and out of your lungs felt like broken glass as it sawed through your throat.
100 yards.
You refused to slow. Even as another arrow buried itself right above your hip. Even as you crashed through the door of that small chapel. Even as the relief you felt at seeing that damned golden mask and those beautiful black wings washed over you as if you had run through a waterfall rather than a door. Your momentum carrying you forward until you barrel rolled over a table and crashed into the opposite wall of the building with a grunt and a sob of relief.
You turned around, leaning back heavily against the wall and took stock of the room quickly. Only Heisenberg and Miranda were there along with a lone fly buzzing, almost protectively, in front of Miranda. Not what you were expecting but it was better than nothing. You would take the wins wherever you could get them.
"Oh you beautiful bitch." You wheezed out as you doubled over. You heard the fly buzz louder but couldn't be bothered by it at the moment.
"Kat!?" Miranda's shock and disbelief were echoed by Heisenberg. Although his was more a 'what the fuck' rather than your name.
You let out a crying laugh. "Almost can't belive I made it." You mumbled out.
"Almost can't believe you get away with calling Mother a bitch" Heisenberg grumbled in addition as you huffed out a single, humourless laugh.
"I was referring to you Heisenberg." You said with a halfhearted playful smirk as you peeled yourself off the wall and looked to Miranda but addressed him. "Get this fucking collar off me Heis. As much as I love jewelry I dont think the electroshock choker is for me." You panted out. Swallowing air like it was liquid.
"Kinky bitch like you?" He tsked at you jokingly. "One would think that'd be right up your alley."
You smiled as Miranda pinched her nose in exasperation.
"I'm into most things Heis, not everything." You said as your grin widened and Miranda weakly scoffed at you for your antics.
You felt his presence at your back as he worked to remove the piece, his light chuckle more felt than heard at successfully riling up Miranda. Your chest still heaving as you caught your breath.
Miranda walked up to you and snapped the chain between the handcuffs so that they just dangled off your wrists. Then snapped those so they broke free and fell to the ground. The little fly now had two friends; all of whom were resting on Miranda's shoulder. You gave a half hearted smile as you quickly put together who they belonged to. Giving the insects a wink as you refocused back on Miranda.
"Thanks Mama" You mumbled, her face softening at the endearment, you giving a very practiced soft smile that had gotten you out of a million punishments as a child, as you reached behind yourself and broke off the ends of both arrows. You pulled the shafts through your front as you grunted in pain.
Blood dripped down your body. You took three of your fingers and swiped up some of the sticky crimson liquid as it dripped from you. You raised your hand level with Miranda's shoulder. Spread out your three fingers as you put your hand palm side up and flat as if it was a landing pad. Looked to the flies deliberately, then to your fingers and back to the flies as you raised your eyebrow expectantly.
One of them buzzed frantically in what appeared to be excitement. Did little loops in the air before dive bombing to one of your fingers as you watched it soak up your blood.
The next fly hovered up until it was directly in front of your face before it made a sharp jerk as if it were lunging at you like it expected you to flinch. When you didn't jump but tilted your head in curiousity while a smile played at your lips; the fly buzzed swiftly to your finger and took a sharp bite of it, causing you to laugh. When it looked up in what seemed like suprise you just smiled wider at the little bug. Until it began soaking up the blood on your fingers.
The last fly was the most conservative. It lifted gently off of Miranda's shoulder and just as gently landed on your last finger. Staring up at you from your hand, studying you, until after a few seconds it accepted your blood along with the others.
You refocused back on Miranda as the little flies ate their fill, she was eyeing you with equal parts amusement and bemusement. Shaking her head slightly in knowing disbelief. Causing you to beam further.
"I'm simply trying to make the best first impression with the Ladies of House Dimitrescu that I can Mother." Your tone dropping to that smooth as silk lilt that you reserved for when you were harmlessly flirting. The three flies buzzed and looked up to you in what you could only describe as shock as you bowed your head slightly towards them. Following the action up with the most dazzeling smile you had. The three insects buzzed rapidly again in what you hoped was approval.
"Settle girls." Miranda softly chastised and the bugs quickly responded by landing back on her shoulder. The Priestess turning back to you with a furrowed and worried brow.
"What in the Black Hell happened to you?" Miranda breathed out as she cupped your face gently.
"Umbrella." You said though gritted teeth and Miranda's eyes hardened. "They're probably going to burst in here any second so if you could hurry the fuck up knock off Magneto..."
Heisenberg growled non-threateningly. Which caused Miranda's lips to twitch up and her thumb to rub over the apple of your cheek affectionately. You leaned into the touch.
"Where are the other Lords Mama? Shouldn't they be here already?" You asked, slightly worried. Miranda hardened further as she dropped her hand.
"There was a coordinated attack on all four houses early this morning."
Your eyes glinted with anger as you grit your teeth once more. "Donna and Sal? Have they been harmed? And the Ladies? Is everyone whole?" You asked full of concern as you darted your eyes to the flies. The frantic fly flew up and down in what appeared to be the insect version of a nod. You gave a sharp nod in relief as you looked back to Miranda.
"Everyone is fine save for some property damage. The coordination of the attacks is cause for concern of course. And the fact that you are here, bloody in my chapel, gives me further pause. If Umbrella did this to you and they're close it stands to reason they're involved."
You couldn't help but agree. "They captured me and two pack guards about five days ago. They've been slowly dragging us here. Once I saw the outskirts of your woods and recognized where we were and what time of year it was I knew this would be the best shot we could get for an escape. I got lucky." You told her stoicly. Your heart rate began calming finally. As it did the soreness in your limbs and feet started thrumbing through your body as the shock began to wane.
Miranda took a step back as the collar clicked and fell off of you. You doubled over at the surge of feeling that ran through you, letting out a groan of pain laced relief. You had barely straightened yourself when the door to the chapel burst open. A burly man with caked blood over half his face caused by a deep gash on his forehead - carrying a crossbow - appearing in the doorframe. There was a split second pause before he launched himself at you.
You met him halfway.
With your full strength returned now that the collar was off, you threw him onto the table with a growl. Took a broken arrow and stabbed it into his eye before you started beating him. You felt his jaw crack underneath you. His cheekbone crushed after your third hit. Blood spurting out of his nose and onto your face after the sixth. Punch after punch until his entire face was caved in and you felt strong arms pull you backwards. Even as you tried to claw back to him in a frenzy.
"Se n'è andato. Non più tesoro mio. (He's gone. No more my darling.).
You were huffing to catch your breath once more. Donna had always been good at taming your tempers. You calmed slightly at the realization she had arrived safe. You turned in her arms. Gave her a once over, checking for any sign that she was injured and when you found no such signs, gave her a kiss on each cheek before you separated from her.
"Ho sentito che hai avuto una mattinata impegnativa (I hear you have had a busy morning.)" You said as you leaned against the table next to the now dead body of your former captor.
Donna nodded slowly. "E vedo che il tuo non era per niente più calmo. (And I can see yours wasn't any calmer.)"
You nodded slowly in return.
"How did you get away?" Heisenberg questioned from behind you. You huffed and shook your head while you grit your teeth.
"I showed up here with my hands bound but my legs free and in only my underware Karl. Do the math." You bit it out harshly.
Miranda lifted your chin with the tip of her finger to bring your eyes back to her. Her eyebrow raised in a silent, obvious question. You shook your head. "I broke free before he managed to succeed in his plans. He came close but him unbinding my legs allowed me to make a break for it." Your voice was rough with emotion. Heisenberg moved to hand you his coat but you shook your head. "Save it for when I get back. I'll need it more then." You said as you straightened, stretching your limbs as you prepared to shift.
Miranda's eyes blew wide and the flies on her shoulder buzzed in disapproval. "Where by the Black God do you think you're going? You need to be checked over. You have been injured. I'm not letting you out of my sight until we make sure you are fully okay."
You shook your head as you backed away from her. "I have to go. They have two of my pack. Their camp isn't far from here. I'll be back before you know it. But you know I have to. I'm honor bound to protect them. And besides you have to wait here for the other Lords, we both know that. You gather the information you need from your Lords and I'll gather my pack and whatever I can grab from Umbrella's camp."
She gave a heavy sigh. She knew you were right even if she didn't like it. She gripped your chin and kissed your forehead. "If you aren't back in thirty minutes I will be coming after you myself."
You gave her a small sly smile. "Oh Mama I'll be back in fifteen." She rolled her eyes at you as you shifted. Bones snapping with practiced ease as you transformed into a wolf. The hulking mass of the beast a contradiction to your normally tall but slight frame. Your wolf's fur matched your hair. A dark onyx color with a shock of silver at the tips of your ears. Making your blue eyes all the more bright. You made your way to Miranda and nuzzled her hand. Your attempt to comfort her. She gave a small smile to you in thanks.
You turned and rushed out of the door of the chapel, running full speed back towards Umbrella's camp and letting out a loud howl in the process. You wanted them to know you were coming for them as your paws thundered against the ground and a growl rumbled in your chest.
Four feet was much, much faster than two. You were out of the village in seconds and barreling towards the treeline in under three minutes. You could hear the voices and smell the scent of that camp as well as your pack members. Alive. They were still alive. You let out another howl to let them know you hadn't abandoned them. Thirty more seconds of running and you pounced into the camp. Ripping off the head of one of the agents in the process.
Eleven more to go. You tore through bodies. Blood and gore flying through the air and into your fur. The camp didn't stand a chance and you counted the bodies as they fell lifeless from your jaws and claws, you had the last one backed against your pack members cages, ripped out the girl's whimpering throat as she was pressed against the bars. Her body slumping to the ground.
Tasha and Merrick were both seated on the floors of their respective cages. Merrick staring at you with pinched eyebrows and obvious relief. While Tasha had her head leaned back against the bars with her eyes closed.
"Never doubted you for a second KitKat." Merrick huffed out as you shifted back into a human. You rolled your eyes as you made your way to the man you knew held the keys to the cages, not even bothering to grab spare clothing even though the only thing covering your skin was blood.
"All you did was whine about how we were going to die here." Tasha huffed out with an exaggerated sigh.
You chuckled as you unlocked the cages. You looked to Tasha, "Everything...okay... while I was gone.." you trailed off. She understood what you were hinting at and shook her head.
"They were too busy freaking out about you escaping. Left us alone. Hell, you interrupted my nap." She said in a casual tone that belied how actually shaken she was. She walked a few steps away from you and kicked at one of the dead bodies. "Too bad you killed the scientists. Not all that fond of the shock collar."
"Don't worry I've got a guy. We will have those off of you once we get to Miranda's chapel. There was an attack against all four Lords this morning. Shit's likely all connected. We have a lot to go over with my Mother and her Lords. We will have to send word back to The Den immediately. Have all patrols doubled at the very least."
They both nodded to you in agreement. "It's going to be a bitch of a walk back." Merrick grumbled.
"Not if I give you both a ride. We are on a time limit. Mother said if I wasn't back in thirty minutes she would come for me herself. I don't know about you two but I would prefer to not be on the recieving end of her wrath should she come for us because we worried her by taking too long. You both will just need to hang on tight on the way back and try not to rip out my fur."
They both grimaced but agreed all the same. "Before we do that though - we need to take everything we think is important here that we can. So spread out. Grab some bags from the dead and gather anything and everything that looks like it is important or could be as quick as possible."
Both of them immediately moved to do as you asked. You made your way to the main computer you had seen the head agent messing around on every day. You rummaged through until you found a blank chip that you inserted into the laptop. After using the leader's severed hand to unlock the biometrics you made sure to copy every single file as well as map the entire network and it's connections onto the microchip.
After a few minutes you had all rounded up what you could. "Want me to hold onto that for you?" Merrick asked as he nodded his head toward the chip.
You shook yours. Grabbed a knife instead and made a deep cut in your forearm and shoved the chip into the wound before it closed up and around it almost as if it was never there to begin with. Right next to the first one that you had placed into your body the day you were captured.
"That's their entire server. I'm not risking it falling out of a pocket."
"You do know how odd it is that you use your body as a personal carryall right? Merrick asked as he affixed a large bag stuffed with the Black God only knew what onto his back.
You eyed him before you made sure to relock the laptop. Umbrella would send other agents to clear the camp once they didn't get the daily check-in from this team. The missing papers would be obvious. But if you could hide the fact that you had their computer data then they may not remotely crash the laptop. You might even be able to find a way into their main network through it if they kept it active.
"It's the safest place for it to be and no one will know where to look for it."
You shifted once more and nodded your head to indicate for them to get on your back. As soon as they were situated, you broke back through the woods to head back to the chapel.
You were halfway to the village when you caught the scents. They were so strong it made you falter in your steps. You slowed down as you lifted your nose into the air to take a deeper breath of them. They were coming from the West and you felt yourself automatically drawn to the smells.
Patchouli... Campfire smoke... and Orange Blossoms...
You let out a huff and a small yip of excitement. Almost forgetting about Tasha and Merrick, the single most important thing now was finding out where those scents were coming from. Who they were coming from. It felt like you were in a haze as you kept moving towards the captivating scents and then you stopped dead in your tracks at the sight of four women. One significantly taller than the other three. You whined and shook your body in an attempt to get your companions off of you. Tasha and Merrick both sliding off your back immediately.
"What's going on Kat?" Tasha whispered and you whimpered again.
"It's her." One of the shorter ones breathed out, the red head. You tilted your head as you stopped about three feet from them. Studying them. Breathed them in and felt like your whole entire world narrowed down to this one moment.
They were stunning. All four women were stunning. You had heard tales and descriptions of the Dimitrescu women. The only thing more vehement than their ferocity was their beauty.
And you would be lying if you said that Countess Alcina Dimitrescu was not a stunning woman. Well over nine feet tall. Her light, bright skin protected from the sun by a large wide brimmed hat that made her look both unapproachable and enticing. A presence that screamed 'do come here dear' and 'I'll slit your throat if you try' at the same time. An effect that was only enhanced when her deep red lips parted slightly to show the glint of a bright white fang. Yes, the Lady was stunning.
But her daughters... her daughters were enchanting.
All three of them.
You recognized them of course. You knew Bela was the blonde, Cassandra the brunette, and Daniella the red head. All three wore identical black dresses with a hood that laid down across their shoulders. You had seen pictures of them over the years. You had been tangentially a part of each of their transformations. You knew of them, knew about them, but had never been given the opportunity to actually meet them. And now here they were in front of you.
Daniella was looking at you with barely contained awe and excitement. Glistening smile, subtly shifting back and forth from the balls to the heels of her feet. It gave the impression that this was the stillest the girl could get. She was almost vibrating where she stood, a literal beacon of joyful energy. Light and bright and beautiful.
Cassandra had her hand loosely clutching the handle of her sickle. She was wary and her face was stoic. Like she was anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop. So on edge and wary of any hint of danger. You could almost see the gears turning in her head trying to make sense of the situation in front of her. You knew she didn't see you as a threat but it was like she didn't believe that you couldn't be. So she remained guarded. You almost whined sadly but held yourself. She didn't know what was going on. You had to remind yourself that she wasn't a wolf. None of them were.
Bela looked like she was holding her breath. But her eyes gave away something that was a dangerous mix of hope and fear, each emotion feeding the other. Similar to Cassandra it seemed like she was waiting for something to go wrong, for you to do something wrong. But unlike her sister she seemed to know you weren't a threat, weren't going to hurt her or her family. She was hoping for something. For what you couldn't be sure but whatever it was you would give it to her.
You would give them anything.
From gold to maidens to kingdoms, you would give them absolutely anything. You knew you would do unspeakable things to ensure a smile stayed on each of their faces.
Mates.
The term floated around your brain like a whisper. You knew what this was. Felt the connection immediately. You looked back to your two pack members and gave a whine before looking back to the three ladies. You pawed the ground three times and then looked back to Tasha and Merrick hoping they would understand. You couldn't shift back. Not until everyone was safe at the chapel with Miranda. You had no idea if Umbrella had more agents lurking in the woods just awaiting an opportunity to strike.
Tasha and Merrick moved a bit closer to stand warily behind you. But before anyone could say anything you heard a rustling in the trees. Your eyes snapped to the sound and you let out a menacing growl as you stalked towards it and as three men with guns appeared behind the women you lunged for them before they even realized you were there. They were too focused on the ladies. Allowing you to rip out their throats in record time.
If Tasha and Merrick didn't understand what you were trying to say earlier they would certainly understand what you were about to do next. Once the men were dead you nosed through each of their chest cavities and pulled out their hearts. You carefully gathered all three hearts in your mouth and trotted back over to the women. You delicately placed a heart at the feet of each of the three daughters. One for Bela who smelled like patchouli. One for Cassandra who smelled like a campfire. One for Daniella who smelled like orange blossoms.
You laid down on your belly and pinned your ears back as you looked between the faces of each of them. An attempt to look non threatening. A show of I would never hurt you.
The taller woman was the first to break the silence as she chuckled. Daniella squeeled as she picked up her heart and placed the dripping, bloody thing in her pocket causing your ears to twitch happily. Bela and Cassandra moved cautiously to do the same. Cassandra's face remained stoic even as she accepted your gift. You didn't miss the way Bela's lips twitched upwards slightly as she gently gathered hers; causing your tail to thump on the ground excitedly.
"KitKat did you seriously stop mid rescue mission to flirt with the Countess's daughters?" Merrick asked in teasing amusement. You huffed at him but couldn't take your eyes off of the girls and they couldn't take their eyes off of you.
Tasha kept looking back and forth between the four of you. Before she gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth.
"No fucking way." She breathed out and then her eyes darted back and forth with record speed all while you looked at the ladies in front of you like a lovesick puppy. "Merrick are you seeing this?"
"No Tasha I've gone spontaneously blind in the last thirty seconds."
She smacked him upside the head. "How many scent glands does Kat have?"
"Three" He grumbled while he rubbed the back of his head.
"How many heat cycles does it take before hers passes"
"Three." He said exasperatedly as he turned to Tasha with an annoyed glare. "What does that have to-"
She gripped his jaw harshly as she faced him towards the scene in front of him. "And what do those THREE hearts mean Merrick?" She growled out.
"A wolf's intention of- oh! Oh shit!!" Having finally caught up his eyes traced the same path that Tasha's had.
Before anything could be discussed further there were shouts coming from the tree line behind you. You growled again as you sensed another approaching threat. Quickly spinning and taking a defensive stance in front of the ladies, ears and eyes trained on the approaching agents. Umbrella. You took one paw and traced a word into the ground before you gave a low bark to Tasha, looking at her firmly in the eye before you tapped the ground with your paw. After one last glance over your shoulder towards your bewildered looking mates you sped off towards the threat, teeth gnashing towards your enemy.
There were so many. Too many. You felt yourself get sliced, stabbed and punctured more than a few times as you dispatched the agents. One even managed to almost get another electroshock collar around your neck before you swiped your claws out and removed his legs from his torso. You ripped apart the rest huffing at the exertion. You were drenched in blood and gore once again and desperately needed a bath. But when you turned to head back to the chapel, you couldn't help the growl you let out when you saw your mates, their mother and Tasha and Merrick still standing there. You let out a bark that sounded veritabley pissed the fuck off and started trotting for them. The fuckers never listened. Stubborn idiots. When you turned back to a human you were going to give them extra patrol shifts for a damn month.
But time suddenly seemed to slow down when you noticed an agent quietly stalk out of the trees to your mates left. He had a shotgun. You weren't sure what kind of bullets were in the gun but you recognized the man's uniform as one of those who held a high rank. So whatever was in the weapon, it was some of the best weaponry they would have available. And your mates and pack members weren't paying attention. They were too focused on you even as you barked at them. Trying to warn them but no one could understand you. If you shifted to yell it would be too late and the agent was already raising his shotgun to aim. The Dimitrescus may survive but with the collars stifling your pack member's abilities you knew there wasn't a chance Tasha and Merrick would. You were already in a full out sprint. You judged the distance and knew there was only one choice to make. The agent's finger was already on the trigger.
You lept in front of your mates and pack members just as the agent's finger pulled. Stretching your body to cover as much mass as possible.
You felt the spray of the shotgun shell hit you square in the chest.
Your first thought was 'Thank the Black God it hit me' because if it hit you then it didn't hit them.
Your second thought was 'Black fucking God he hit me'
You landed in a crumpled mass on the floor. You quickly got back to your feet but even you could tell it was on shaky legs. You had a snarl halfway leaving your jaws when a second shot hit you.
Quicksilver. You could handle the first round but the second had you automatically shifting to your human form. Your wolf retreating at the pain that would have killed other shifters. Yet you kept moving still. Attempting to claw your way towards the enemy that had shot you so thoroughly. Your vision already swimming as you slowly shifted back to a human. Your attacker's blood spraying over your face the only thing that caused you to stop your weak attempt at a return assault.
You collapsed to the ground fully.
Rolled onto your back.
Your breathing shallow until you were barely pulling in any air.
You saw mouths moving but couldn't hear anything other than the pounding of your own heartbeat.
And as you stared up into three sets of golden eyes...
You welcomed the Black God.