The party, fifteen minutes ago...
To say that he was pissed was something of an understatement, but it was the only word Donil could think of that fit his current emotional state.
He had been waiting inside, trying to give Laylah some space. He knew her emotions were fragile and, out of respect, wanted to give her some privacy. The blaring music and press of bodies was a little overwhelming, but he didn't mind it too much. Donil could see Matt, Leo and Benji in a corner chatting with some girls. Leave it to the three of them to start romancing at a party.
Britta was nowhere to be seen and she had a boyfriend to keep busy. After a few minutes, he started to worry and moved from the wall, intent on finding Laylah when suddenly the electricity shut down. The room plunged into chaos and screams of fear.
He knew then that Laylah was in trouble. With ease, he maneuvered around the party-goers using his feline vision. His nose picked up Alexis' and Gerard's scents. He charged outside only to be stunned by the sight before him. His sister, Mya, his flesh and blood, was offering his future mate to the enemy.
He couldn't fathom such a betrayal nor what drove his sister to take such a path. He didn't have time to ponder this. He saw the injector in Alexis' hand and smelled Laylah's terror. It roused his protective instincts and he readied himself to fight.
::Matt, I need backup now! Bring Leo and Benji. We have vermin to kill::
::On our way, Cousin.::
He kept his expression calm for Laylah's sake and to avoid tipping Gerard off to the arrival of his cousin and friends.
"Donil, watch out!"
He heard her shout a second after his ears picked up the sound of a charging Were. He barely managed to turn enough to keep from taking the full weight of the panther as they crashed to the ground. They scuffled and he bucked his opponent off. Donil glanced around quickly and cursed. Gerard, his minions, Mya and Laylah were gone.
In that moment, his rage rose as he turned yellow feline eyes on the growling panther. "You chose the wrong day to pick a fight with me, Panther!"
The big cat snarled and sprang into the air. This time Donil was ready but, before he could attack his opponent, a single shot rang out. The panther jerked mid-air and crashed to the ground, twitching in its death throes before going still.
"Dangit!" He glanced around and gaped in surprise. Ahdum Newsome stood on the back porch with a rifle in hand and a huge grin on his face.
"Better be glad, Donil, that I'm a good shot. Otherwise, you'd be wearing some scars."
"Thanks, Ahdum. There's no time to talk. Laylah was kidnapped and we have to leave to track them while the trail is still hot."
"Go, do what you have to. I've got to get people to go home. The lights going off did help," Ahdum laughed and went back inside.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance?"
Donil closed his eyes and counted to ten in six languages before speaking to the newest arrival. "Stefan, why am I not surprised to find you here? No, don't answer. What I would like to know is why show now when your niece needed you ten minutes ago?"
"I was saving your little kitty butt, Boy, that's why. There were two more Weres inside who were coming to help Panther Boy carve you up. Lucky for you, I intercepted them and kept them busy. Aw, here come your buddies."
He glared at Stefan before acknowledging his backup. "Leo, talk to me."
"I swear, Donil, I've not had this much fun in years. Matt, Benji and I ran into some cheetahs who took exception to us for some reason." Leo bared his teeth in a menacing grin. "Can't imagine why."
"I guess they didn't get the memo that the lions are still king of the jungle," Benji joked.
They laughed, but quieted at Stefan's stern expression.
"Hey, Old Man, no need to get angry. The enemy had scouted the party and covered all areas. We wouldn't have been able to save the girl," Leo explained.
Donil shook his head sadly. "They had help from one of us." He couldn't keep his bitterness and hurt hidden.
"Donil?" Matt touched his shoulder in concern.
"It was Mya." He ignored the horrified silence. "She helped Gerard. I don't know why, but I will find out. No one harms my mate or my family, even if it is a family member gone bad." His Alpha power flared, lashed out and slammed into all the males present, including Stefan, sending them to their knees, groveling in submission.
Donil saw Stefan's resistance to the Alpha call and he snarled. "I will not be beaten by Zina! Now get up! We have to save my mate!" He released them from his power and watched as they stood. Ignoring Stefan's fury, he pondered what to do.
"Well, if your Royal Pain has finished throwing around your weight, I'm leaving. I have calls to make. And this wolf does not obey a kitten who's wet behind the ears."
"You do what you have to, Stefan. Besides, I do believe I hear the Le Croix limo pulling up. That means, at the least, Jacques is here, or it could be worse. Henry might be in the limo, too."
Stefan chuckled before shifting into wolf form. He trotted over to Donil and started to hike up his leg.
"Don't even think about it. If you pee on my shoes, I'll force you to dance for hours on end. Don't test me, Omega." He could feel and see Stefan's mocking laughter as the wolf jogged into the forest beyond the gazebo.
"You realize he left you to explain what happened to Laylah?" Matt snarled at Stefan's disappearing form.
Donil's feral smile made Matt hastily bow.
"Cousin, do not bow. Besides, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's time Henry and his Betas get used to the way I do things. Show them all who is really dominant."
Matt laughed at his tough words and the two cousins watched an angry Jacques stride toward them.