Shouts, slamming doors, dust and heat- all part of being on tour. I can’t say that I’d missed it, because that would have been a lie. It wasn’t the same as before, I felt like a part of me was missing; I didn’t enjoy it here, it felt like nothing more than a chore… and I wanted to scream. For seven years it had been my life and now, now I despised it.

“Eve, briefing in ten.” Griff said, walking into our tent and snapping me out of my thoughts. One look at me and his face twisted into concern, he glanced down at his watch and frowned. “You’ve been tying your shoe laces since I left… half an hour ago. What’s wrong?”

I shrugged and sat up straight as I finished tying my lace. “Just missing home.”

He knew me too well though and the bed dipped down as he sat. “You’re missing Kade.”

I sighed and nodded, closing my eyes as I pictured his face. I really did miss him. He might not talk much, he might be a bit withdrawn and intimidating but he was my mate, he stood by my side and he made me happy. “Yeah, I miss my family.” The loss of my child and my humanity also rested heavily on my shoulders; I had failed my child and I didn’t feel like myself anymore. All my life I’d been the only human in a pack full of wolves, the outcast because of my humanity; all tears, rejection, torment and pain I’d endured all seemed pointless now; I was no longer human. “And it’s… it’s just not-“

“The same, I know.” Griff said with a sigh. “It’s not the same here; I used to love it here, this was what I lived for, but now I just feel incomplete.” With sad eyes he looked over at me. “I had a taste of what it could have been like; someone to love, children, a home, peace.” I nodded, my gaze fixed to the sandy material of the tent; he just voiced exactly what I’d been feeling.

I inhaled and turned to look at my friend. “I think my time in the military is coming to a close Griff; after this mission, I’m leaving.” I couldn’t force myself to stick with something I no longer enjoyed. A part of me felt like I was quitting but another, bigger part of me knew that it was time to move on; it was a new stage of my life and I knew exactly who I’d share it with. “You’ll know where to find me.”

He smiled and stood, offering a hand to me. “For now though, you’re still our captain, we still have a mission and you’re still gonna kick arse.” With a grin I took his hand and we headed out of the tent.

-

The rumble of the plane drowned out the beating of my heart as I checked my weapon. We were all loaded into a plane, waiting to be airdropped into enemy territory to capture one of the Al Qaeda leaders and eliminate any threats.

I could feel Griffin’s gaze on me every few seconds and I know that he was mulling over our conversation. The next time I caught him staring at me I frowned and decided that enough was enough. I walked over and knocked him on his chest, winding him a little with my strength. “Get your head in the game.” I said harshly. “You’re not immortal so don’t fuck this up or you’ll die.”

He gave me a wicked grin as he gestured down to my gun. “Who’re you kidding Eve, you don’t need that; why not wolf out?”

I knew that no one else but Gunner would be able to hear but I hit his chest again. “Shut it Griff. There’s a war brewing between supernaturals and human kind; if I wolfed out I wouldn’t just be kicked out of the military, I’d be tortured and executed.” Yet another reason why I had to leave. I’d come to that conclusion when one night I’d caught the scent of another wolf on the wind. I’d gone to investigate but it was too late and I had watched as three of the highest commanders in the outpost executed the wolf. War was coming and both I and Gunner had agreed that we had to go back to the pack or risk it all by staying.

The grin fell off his face and with a solemn nod I watched as he refocused on the task at hand. I turned to everyone and with an ear piercing whistle from me, all talk ceased. “Right, as you all know, we’ll be dropped off five miles from where al-Fahman has hidden himself. The only orders we have is to capture him alive and kill his associates so when we see the house, we pull back and plan an approach.” In truth I had no idea what we were heading into and the best way to keep my team alive as to be smart- that meant using my training to its fullest extent.

As I stared at the faces of my friends I knew that I would never regret my time spent in the military; they were the best years of my life but they were coming to a close now.

Everything blurred together as we were dropped over enemy territory, adrenaline pumping through my veins as we landed and regrouped.

As we approached the hideout, I knew that things weren’t going to be easy. He was in a town inhabited by civilians and so many would die tonight.

I paused as we reached the outskirts and my stomach grew heavy with dread. I had more respect for human life after my stay with my parents and the loss I experienced and I knew that I just couldn’t let so many innocent people die. They may have been hiding al-Fahman but I knew from experience many were reluctant to do so and leaders like Fahman would often blackmail and threaten civilians.

I hunkered down with the rest of the team and we sat in silence as I mulled over the plan of action. My mind flashed back to the link Jenna has with the entire pack and my eyes met Gunner’s. I gestured for him to follow me a few metres away so the others couldn’t hear.

“What are you thinking Eve?”

“Alphas have links with their packs and can pass images, words, feelings through the link. If I-,”

His eyes widened and he quickly cut me off. “No! No way!” He grabbed my arm and pulled me away futher when we attracted the attention of the others. “Surely you remember what happened last time you-,”

“How could I forget?” I hissed. “It was hell on Earth but they have people in there that you’re doing the exact same thing to and I can’t let that happen.” I said, pointing to the town. “They terrorise villagers, rape their daughters, wives, sister and I will not let that continue any longer. I’m not going to let innocent people die because we couldn’t be bothered to think of a plan; we’d be no better than them. I go in, I let you see through my eyes, hear what I’m seeing and you and the others follow behind.”

“They could kill you on sight.”

I shook my head and laughed. “No Gunner, they won’t and they can’t; I’ve got alpha blood now and we’re a lot harder to kill.”

I watched as he fought with himself; the solider within him battling the friend. Despite my bravado we both knew that a bullet in the right place could kill me; I was immortal but I wouldn’t recover from a bullet in my brain.

“Fine.”

We both knew what had to happen now and with a sigh I rested my weapon on the ground and began stripping off my gear. I could hear the hushed questions the rest of the team as I bent down to untie my boots.

“Eve what the hell are you doing? Now is not the time for your nudist habits to emerge.” Griff said as he approached.

I gave him a tight smile and shrugged. “I’m doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t do- wolfing out.”

His lips drew into a thin line and I knew that he was less than please- but I didn’t care in that moment. “But you said-,”

“I know what I said but all these guys know about wolves, they just don’t know about my change…” The only ones who knew I was now a wolf were Gunner, Griff and Jack. Obviously they knew that something was off when I came back childless but none asked and for that I had been grateful.

He sighed but took a step backwards and nodded. “Do what you want.” Even after everything that’d happened he still trusted my judgment and that put a genuine smile on my face despite the situation.

“You might want to step back.” We were far enough away from the town that as long as Gunner and I didn’t make too much noise, we’d be undisturbed. He did as I suggested and as I pulled off my remaining clothes, Gunner doing the same, I knew that the others were completely confused.

I grit my teeth as the change took over my body, my bones breaking and reforming- it was not a pleasant feeling but you got used to it, which I had obviously not as of yet.

I fell forward onto all fours as my paws formed, nails lengthening and digging into the ground as my face changed into that of a wolf’s- snout, ears and teeth. The change took place in a matter of milliseconds and where I used to stand, there was now a massive black wolf with dark brown streaks running over my back. I knew that it would be a little hard for my friends to comprehend and I could hear their hearts thundering in their chests. I turned my head to look at them and each had looks of astonishment- eyes wide open, mouths gaping. At least ten heavily armed, heavily trained, tough as nails SAS soldiers stood gobsmacked in the middle of hostile territory in Afghanistan- somehow I found the whole situation funny and fought to contain the laughter that shook my wolven body. It sounded like I was hacking something up and Griff and Jack looked utterly perplexed at the noises I was making.

It took me a little while but I managed to get myself under control and when I did, I turned my attention back to Gunner who patiently stood before me, partially crouched. With a low growl that I knew would only be heard by him I pounced, landing on his back and pushing him to the ground. He didn’t fight and let me place a few nicks and scratches on his body as I wrapped my jaws around his neck. With a louder growl m team would be able to hear I bit down and marked him as one of my pack. I knew that by doing this I was binding myself to him for the rest of mine and his life- I would be responsible for him as a member of my pack and as a friend.

I had never wanted to be a wolf or an alpha but I was now both and I would do it a hundred times more if it meant I could just save one person.

When I shifted back Gunner had blood covering his neck but the wound had healed, only a silver set of teeth marks to show for it- my mark as his alpha. I did what needed to be done and exposed my stomach to him. A blond as needed to make this final and to do that he had to bite me and take some of my blood- it was a pretty gruesome practise but it had been developed by witches thousands of years ago and still worked today.

I took a deep breath and without warning he pounced on me, knocking me to the ground as he bit down. I clamped my jaw shut as his teeth tore through my flesh- it would heal, it would heal, it would heal. I had to keep repeating it to myself as he pulled back and shifted. The pain was pretty intense but I could handle it, I knew I could.

“God you have a good bite- y-you should talk to Jenna.” I managed to tell him through gritted teeth as the skin on my stomach began to knit itself together; it was a very gruesome but oddly interesting sight.

“What the hell was that?” Jackson coughed.

I groaned as he helped me up and Griff helped me get dressed in my boots, pants and shirt. I left off my tactical gear because for this I wouldn’t need it and when I went it would tip them off that something wasn’t right. “That was blood bonding me as his alpha for what I’m about to do next.”

“What about Kade? Isn’t he your mate?” Just them saying his name felt like a bigger blow to the gut than Gunner could ever deliver. I missed him, I really missed him.

I simply nodded and allowed my nails to turn into nails as I began shredding my clothes. Once that was done I lay down and literally rolled through the dirt, much to the amusement of Jack.

“What is she doing? Since when was Capt. a werewolf?”

“Ok so that plan of action is that I go into town, ask for help and they’ll turn me into Fahman; since I’m now linked to Gunner, I’ll send through floor plans, security measures in place and the number of guards. Gunner will position you all and when I give the word we take out the guards and capture Fahman. I’ll try to clear the way but be prepared to make it rain. We have four hours left so let’s make it count.” I said diverting their attention from me back to the mission at hand.

“What?!?” None of them seemed very pleased about my proposal but I was still captain and I could pull rank over them if need be.

I stood, hands on my hips and stared at them. “You heard me- this is how it’s going to be so suck it up and obey orders.” With that I gave a single nod to Gunner and began walking towards town.

-

Phrases in afgani were spat at me as I was dragged kicking and screaming from the doorstep of a hut on the outskirts of the village. A harsh slap landed on my face and I stilled as they dragged me through the dusty streets. My eyes and ears took in everything and I relayed it to Gunner immediately. For him it would be like he was in my body, looking out with my eyes.

They pulled me into a building in the middle of town after passing many men armed with guns. Inside it was completely empty but when they opened a door that lead below the house, I knew that they had their hideout set underground and probably had a few escape routes if need be.

It was badly lit down here but it didn’t affect me and I’m sure that my eyes had a slight glow as I peered around the room.

‘Are you in place?’ I asked silently as more men walked into the room where they’d pushed me to my knees on the ground.

‘We’ve taken out the perimeter guards and are moving in through the town.’

I knew that they’d still be a few minutes before they were in position but I of all people knew how much damage they could do in a few minutes. I took a deep breath, calming myself as the target came into view.

He was fairly old, around forty with weatherworn tan skin, a thick black beard, dark brown eyes and bushy eyebrows- he was really average. He spat a few phrases at the men standing around the room- something along the lines of ‘English bitch’.

I stared at him blankly as he stood in front of me, looking down at me with disgust. He raised his hand just as Gunner gave word that everyone was in position. With superhuman speed I snapped the arms of the men holding me and grabbed the arm heading straight for my face. I twisted it as I stood, a malicious smirk plastered on my face.

I could sense the other men going for their weapons so I did the one thing I’d been ordered to do. I killed them. I reached near vampiric speed as I snapped their necks and turned their own weapons on each other. ‘Now!’

It was chaos as men came bursting through the cellar door. They shot at anyone with a weapon as I ran after al-Fahman who had disappeared down one of the escape routes like a weasel.

I found him trying to push open a rickety wooden door. With a growl I lunged for him, dragging him backwards by his clothing. I knew that he would be armed and I still considered him dangerous- after all, you didn’t have a crack team of SAS soldier sent after you for nothing.

He was quick but I was quicker as he pulled out a hand gun I smashed my fist into his face- but that didn’t stop him. The loud bang of a gun going off echoed through the narrow corridor and I felt a bullet lodge itself into my body. I gasped and knocked the weapon out of his hand as pain radiated through my stomach.

I heard shouts as Fahman tried to stand, blood freely pouring down his face. I lunged for his leg and took him down again, straddling his chest as I wrapped my hands around his throat.

I don’t know what happened, I don’t think I’d been paying enough attention but he reached down and I felt something lodge into my back.

I began coughing up blood as he pushed the knife in deeper and I fell forward as he pushed me off him. He stood once again, clutching his nose and out of the corner of my eye a glint of steel drew my attention. Gathering my strength I scrambled for the gun as footsteps echoed around the corridor. I turned, aiming at the man pushing against the door as I squeezed the trigger. The gun kicked back in my hand, the recoiling reverberating through my wrist and up my shoulder. I watched as his body slumped and he went down like a sack of potatoes.

I fired at him a few more times until I felt myself being pulled away. “Eve!”

“Get it out.” I growled, showing them my back. I knew it had to be done and reached down, inserting my fingers into the wound on my stomach. I thanked god that it hadn’t yet healed otherwise it would be a whole lot worse. I felt someone touch the knife in my back and I braced myself for more pain as my fingers grasped the bullet. I pulled it out the same time the knife was drawn from my back with a wet sucking sound. It hurt but I felt relieved to have it out. “Oh thank god.” I felt my muscles and skin beginning to knit back together and I rolled over to see my team standing above, Gunner kneeling behind me holding the knife.

I groaned as helped my stand and my head swam for a moment before I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. All I can say is thank god for alpha healing- it meant that I healed at least three times faster than normal wolves, without it I would probably be bleeding out on the ground and dead before any help came.

“Is he dead?” I asked, looking over my shoulder to where Fahman lay.

Griff walked over to him and nudged him with his boot. When he didn’t move he bent down, rolled him over and checked his pulse- but I already knew what he’d say. Fahman’s heart no longer beat, his eyes were lifeless, focused on nothing and blood trickled from his mouth. “Yeah and he’s got so many holes punched in him looks like Swiss cheese.”

I shrugged and gestured to the knife. “He shot and stabbed me; he was going to get away so I stopped him.”

“Command will be pissed- he’s the one they wanted.”

He’d seen me use my speed so he couldn’t have remained alive even if I had caught him. “I’ll deal with it when the time comes, the worse they could do is kick me out but… well I’m leaving guys.”

There was a pause as we walked out of the basement and I strained my hearing to make sure that there was no one else but they were all dead. Outside I could hear the villager’s panic at the sounds of a fire fight but none of the rebels remained.

“You mean, leaving leaving? As in no more SAS, no more captain, no more military?” Jackson asked perplexed as the rest of the team voiced their outrage- though neither Griff nor Gunner were surprised.

I simply nodded and opened the front door with the rest of the men following. We trekked through the desert to where we rendezvoused with a helicopter and returned back to the base.