The Lure of the Pack (31 page)

But Kempler was far too fast for the CEATA Follower, for he
moved as a wolf would move. Swiftly he turned, rolled across the tarmac and
brought the SIG into his line of sight, emptying a full magazine into his prey.
With a terrifying, pain induced scream Suzanne Reline flew backwards, her blood
and body tissue splattering across the vehicle behind her. Swiftly Kempler
stood up as more pedestrians screamed, the sound of police sirens already
within earshot of his lupine hearing.

Lana Franke quickly stooped, pulling off Piper’s tie and
ripping his shirt collar open, “there my darling, just relax.” Ash Piper
struggled, but it was no use, he was pinned down securely. As one of the
grenadiers brutally yanked at his sweat sodden hair, jolting his head up,
exposing his neck he grunted in pain, the thin needle effortlessly entering his
artery.

With his vision beginning to blur and the room starting to
spin, Piper looked up at the pretty female face smiling down at him, “pleasant
dreams handsome, at least for the moment!” Piper’s body fell limp as Lana
Franke licked her lips, “take off his clothes, QUICKLY!”

“What dosage have you used?” Otto Von Kurst wiped yet
another trickle of blood from his swollen lip.

“I followed your advice Otto, this will be sufficient to
keep him quiet until I get him into theatre. Now, what about the serum?”

Suzanne Reline’s body slithered down the side of the bullet
ridden car behind her. She was still alive, but only just. The street was in
chaos. She looked up, her breathing slow and heavy, her blood oozing from her
mouth and nostrils. Just before death took her, she saw the other man, joining
her assailant.

“Pathetic shits!” Jurgen Falck took off the black raincoat
and loosened his shoulder holster, “quickly Fritz, the back alley over there,
it’s time!”

Fritz Kempler raised the SIG up to his prey’s head. “The
coup de grace,” he whispered, “I so enjoy head shots!” Suzanne Reline’s head
disintegrated as further screams filled the chaos ridden street.

“Quickly, the police are on their way, your handgun,
suppressor and holster!” Jurgen Falck held out his hand, his instructions being
briskly followed. Hastily, the Waffen SS veteran ran to the burning wreckage of
the car he had personally destroyed and tossed the items into the flames,
“prepare for the change Fritz, let’s go!”

“PLEASE EVERYONE, PLEASE REMAIN CALM, THE POLICE ARE ON
THEIR WAY!” Bernhard Steinhoff, the Production Director of VKE’s Dusseldorf
site looked a very worried man. Just what the hell is going on, he thought? Of
his Managing Director and Sales Director, there was no sign. It was up to him
and his senior colleagues to keep the guests in the VKE showroom safe from the
violence erupting outside.

Otto Von Kurst moved back to the now up-righted desk. He
opened a drawer and produced a small wooden box. “There is plenty in here to
keep him from shifting form for at least two weeks, more will follow. Remember;
inject him every twenty-four hours! I’ll give him his first injection, while
you search for the device.”

“Good,” Lana quickly opened her handbag again and produced a
small, thin, oblong box. She opened it. “Spread-eagle him! I want to look under
his arms first.” The three grenadiers stretched the now naked, heavily sedated
CEATA field agent over the desk as Lana Franke snapped on a pair of latex
gloves.

“What are you doing?” Helga Zeist was intrigued. It was her
lover, who replied.

“He will have a tracking device hidden somewhere on his
person, I’m certain of it, Lana is searching…”

“Got it! I thought as much!” It only took the skilled
physician two neat incisions with the scalpel she had produced from her handbag
to remove the microchip under Ash Piper’s left armpit. She threw the miniscule
device onto the floor, grinding the heel of her shoe on it as Von Kurst
injected Piper’s right arm.

“We have to move quickly,” said Helga, “Falck and Kempler
have succeeded, I can sense their triumph, but the police will arrive soon. We
must all be away as fast as possible.”

“You three, take him through there,” Von Kurst pointed to
another door, leading to a darkened rear area of the Von Kurst Electronics
site. “Put him in the van and make sure he’s secure. You will travel with
Doctor Franke, to Paris.” The grenadiers nodded their acceptance, picked up Piper’s
limp body and carried him out. 

“All contact with Spirits One to Four is lost sir! The
police are on their way and a GSG9 team will be on location in approximately
fifteen minutes.” Jean-Paul, just like his other CEATA colleagues, looked
desperately concerned.

“I just don’t believe this,” Maurice Hertschell shook his
head, “is there any contact whatsoever with Red Haze?”

“Still no signal, it’s useless!” The look in Charles Mann’s
eyes conveyed apprehension, but it was Jeanette Descard who looked truly
anxious.

“They’ve used some sort of electronic blocking device sir. I
can’t get through it,” said Nick.

“I think we have to accept the facts!” Colonel Mann’s gritty
tone of voice had changed, the look on his face now one of anger and
resentment, “there is now a distinct possibility our worst fear has become a
reality.” Commander Hertschell nodded his head in agreement, as everyone else
looked stupefied.

“Just what is that supposed to mean Colonel?” Jeanette
Descard knew exactly what her superiors were thinking.

“Put simply, from a military point of view Doctor Descard,
the facts speak for themselves.”

“Colonel, don’t tell me you think Ash…”

“Spare me your sentimental bullshit, Jeanette. We’ve just
lost four Followers in a very well planned and executed operation. Our contact
with Red Haze has vanished, so too, for all we know, have Von Kurst and Oratz.
Shit, Red Haze…he just couldn’t wait, could he?” The Colonel stood boldly and
folded his arms, “no, Piper is no longer with CEATA. I think it’s quite bloody
obvious what’s happened…he’s damned well joined his pack mates!”

“To you my dear Lana, I present a gift, to play with for as
long as you wish!” Otto Von Kurst gently kissed Lana Franke on her forehead,
“you know what to do?”

“Of course Otto, I won’t let you down. He’ll talk, I promise
you!” She giggled, her schoolgirl giggle.

“Otto! Quickly, we must disperse!” Helga Zeist’s voice was
frantic; the seconds were ticking away.

“Very well, I’m coming Helga, prepare for the change!” Von
Kurst looked again at Lana, “I want to know everything about our Mister Drake.
Who he really is, who he works for, EVERYTHING!” Briskly, Von Kurst moved
towards the open rear door of the office, his body beginning to enlarge, his
throat contracting. As the wolf inside Otto Von Kurst began taking control of
his human form, he looked back and shouted to his ex mistress, “AND LANA, MAKE
SURE HE SUFFERS!”

EPILOGUE

THEATRE

The explosion was deafening!

Ash Piper grunted, his body hitting the sand with a
sickening thud. Bastards he thought, the wind having been knocked out of him,
his vision blurred.

Another explosion! This time to the left. Grimacing, Piper
gazed down at Captain Peters, who was quickly bleeding to death. “SIR,” he
yelled, “CAN YOU HEAR ME? SIR, DON’T GIVE UP, DON’T…”

“ASH,” It was Chris Collins’ voice, to Piper’s right, “WE’RE
DEAD MEAT IF WE STAY HERE!”

More machine gun fire, scything across the dunes, getting
closer and closer! “PREPARE TO ENGAGE,” Piper hoped and prayed Billy Dunstan
and Chris Collins could hear his order.

“HERE THEY FUCKING COME! COME ON YOU BASTARDS, COME ON, I’LL
HAVE THE FUCKING LOT OF YOU!”

“NO BILLY, STAY DOWN, THEY’LL CUT YOU TO…” Ash Piper looked
on in horror as a swathe of tracer ripped into his friend’s body, hacking him
to pieces.

“NOOOOOO!” In a heaving fit of rage the dark blonde haired
SAS Trooper leapt up, the Iraqi militia running straight towards him, their
AK47s locked and loaded. With a dire sense of urgency racing through his veins,
he searched for his own weapon…nothing? Again, he searched…nothing! Just blood
and sand, lots of sand, and itching, rubbing, scratching at his ever so naked
body!

“Hello, my darling…”

“I’LL KILL YOU ALL, DO YOU HEAR ME!” Piper looked up towards
the sun, his eyes squinting. It was so bright, and the sand? The sand was
everywhere, across his naked body…and the Iraqis, running towards him? No, they
had gone, vanished, but where…just the sun…and sand! What the hell?

“Just lie still my darling, lie still…”

Itching, the sand itching, incessantly! I must scratch it
off, he thought, around my legs, near my groin. Damned bloody sand, always
bloody itching, SHIT!

“Oh darling, please, lie still, I’ve nearly finished.”

A woman’s voice, emanating from the sun, gentle, caring!
That’s strange, thought Piper, I know that voice. Mother? No, not mother,
but…she sounds so gentle. The sand, scratch it off, scratch it! I can’t…I can’t
move, I…wait…a figure, there…blurred, close to the side of me, he thought. A
woman? Yes…it is a woman!

Ash Piper awoke with a jolt and squinted, the light above
him still so bright, so…circular. The sun, he thought? No, not the sun, I’m in
hospital! Piper’s breathing became spasmodic, his chest rising and falling, his
mouth dry. There, a doctor…his thoughts were sluggish…to my right, leaning over
me, a lady in a white coat, her hair in a ponytail, she’s…smiling. The patient
closed his eyes.

Casually, Doctor Lana Franke smiled to herself. As always
her timing was perfect. Her patient was awake and very nearly fully prepped,
“how are you feeling, Oliver?”

That gentle voice again, but she’s not looking at me, no,
she’s…rubbing my skin…no, he thought, who the hell is Oliver? Why can’t I move?
Then he heard it, a slight, low humming sound, just barely audible, seemingly
in the background. It reminded him of something, but what?

“There, you’re lovely and smooth, now then, I’ll just move
the razor along, OH MY DARLING, I’M SO SORRY!”

Piper’s body bucked, but only his torso moved, the rest was
secure. It was the sudden nicking sensation, a catching of his skin at the
lower area of his stomach that made him wrench and grunt!

“Oh, how clumsy of me, this razor is so blunt. Never mind,
I’ve nearly finished.”

He bucked once more; this time with his eyes wide open.
There was an uncomfortable feeling around his groin, she, the lady in the white
doctor’s coat, was squeezing him in a very sensitive area, scraping something
across his wet skin. He blinked once, twice and looked again at the light, then
to his right, at the beautiful woman, smiling, her tongue licking her lips. His
eyes closed, perspiration dripping down his forehead, irritating his eyelids.
Slowly, he raised his head slightly; viewing the smile that had captivated him
just…when was it? He couldn’t remember.

“How are you feeling?”

Yes, the sultry voice speaking again, still so very caring,
the woman in the white doctor’s coat. “Lana?” he asked.

“No my darling, don’t call me Lana, you will address me as
Doctor Franke from now on, do you understand?”

Piper didn’t reply, he just lay quietly on the table. The
clean white and chrome operating table, his naked body spread-eagled and
secure, the thick, black leather straps holding his arms and legs tightly in
place with two wooden blocks very close to his head, one at each side.

“I asked how you’re feeling,” she said, still smiling.

Piper gazed into Lana Franke’s eyes. They seemed soft, but
holding a certain hint of menace. His heart was racing. “I’m thirsty, I need
water.”

“I need water, please…Doctor Franke!” The beautiful woman’s
face slowly lowered to his. Carefully, her latex gloved hand, smelling of soap,
gripped Piper’s jaw bringing his head in line with hers. Slowly, somewhat
provocatively, she licked her lips once again, her voice low, solemn. “You need
to learn some manners…Oliver, so ask me properly…for a drink of water.”

Piper breathed in deeply then spoke again, his voice barely
above a whisper, “please Doctor Franke, may I have a drink of water?”

She smiled, gently rubbing her left hand across Piper’s
cheek, up to his forehead, slowly playing with his thick mane of sweat soaked,
dark blonde hair, the sensation of her medical glove on his face feeling
surreal, the smell of soap and disinfectant, disturbing. “Of course you can
have a drink of water my darling, but say please once more.”

“Please, Doctor Franke,” he muttered, his breathing much
heavier.

The beautiful physician leaned closer, her lips meeting his,
her tongue slowly penetrating his mouth, kissing him eagerly, breathlessly.
“You’re so handsome, Oliver.” For some reason, her voice had suddenly become
slightly deeper in tone, her breathing, erratic. “Yes, my darling, so very
handsome, AND A FUCKING LIAR!”

Ash Piper didn’t even have time to blink as the woman’s
right hand lashed out, smashing into his jaw. He grimaced in pain as she
gripped his cheekbones, squeezing dementedly. He tried to speak, but couldn’t,
his jaws compressing together as her latex gloved hand applied brutal pressure.
“So, you want water, do you?” Her tone of voice had changed again. It was now
that of a raving lunatic, “well, you’re not having any. NO, NOT YET,” she
yelled, “I’VE ONLY JUST FINISHED PREPPING YOU, HOW DARE YOU ASK FOR WATER!”
This time it was two heavy handed slaps across his face that made Piper grunt,
his body writhing against the straps in response to the unexpected assault. “Oh
my darling…I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to lose my temper; let me get your
water.” Giggling, she moved away, across the small, well-equipped operating
theatre to a sink with several, cloth covered, stainless steel bowls next to
it.

My God thought Piper, his head reeling, I’m helpless…and in
her hands. Oh Christ! No…wait, he thought, CEATA, the wolf! A sudden burst of
adrenaline coursed through Piper’s veins as the white-coated woman returned to
his side. Smiling, she lifted his head up to a comfortable position. He drank
gratefully, the cold water moistening his dry throat.

“Slowly darling, slowly…there, now lie back.” Ever so
gently, she lowered his head on to the white headrest giving him support,
smiling even more affectionately as she did so. “I am sorry Oliver; I hope you
will forgive me for hitting you.” The look in her eyes was now one of pity as
she slowly walked around the operating table, over to Piper’s left, her smile
never receding. “I need to relax now my darling; I’m so flustered and overcome
with emotion. I feel terrible about hitting you like I did.”

Piper lay still, saying nothing. Keep quiet he thought, at
least for the time being.

“So, while I’m gone,” she continued, “I’ll let you watch
something entertaining.” Again, she giggled, whilst quickly removing a black
cloth cover, her swift movements revealing a television and DVD player. She
switched the equipment on and inserted a DVD. “I had such fun making this
recording, my darling. Otto thoroughly enjoys them, and I know he will greatly
enjoy the footage I record during your stages of treatment.”

Stay calm thought Piper, for God’s sake stay calm!

“Now then, here we are…” Lana Franke raised the volume on
the television as Piper held onto his thoughts of CEATA and the wolf inside
him. Then, his heart suddenly sank as he began to notice a sharp numbing pain
under his left armpit.

“You should enjoy this; these recordings always give Otto a
huge erection, well…” Lana paused, the look on her face turning to one of anger
“…they used too!” Again, she walked back to the table and leaned close to him.
“I’m going to have some pleasant refreshment now my darling, while you watch
this footage. The man on the table was my last patient, as you can see he’s
struggling wonderfully while I work on him.” She giggled again as Piper’s
breathing grew heavier, the sweat pouring down his face and body. Lana
continued, “I had hoped to give him several courses of treatment over at least
a week or so, but unfortunately I had to leave rather quickly. Look at him,
look Oliver…how he’s squealing under the gag!”

Piper didn’t look; his sweat sodden face still staring at
the bright, cold, theatre light above him.

“Look at the footage…my darling.”

Piper’s heart was racing. Fuck you, you mentally retarded
bitch, he thought.

“I said…” Savagely, she gripped his head tightly, her
fingers pulling back his eyelids, forcing him to watch the terrifying torment
of her patient, “…WATCH THE RECORDING, OLIVER!” Piper grunted, straining
against her latex gloved grip and the straps holding him so securely. “There…oh
look, there’s his right testicle, I removed it ever so slowly…look at his
scrotal bleeding!” It was as if a child’s voice was now next to Piper’s ear,
“watch him struggle, watch, oh…how wonderful!”

“Fuck you, Lana!” he grunted.

Viciously, the patient’s captor shook his head then let go,
the sounds of torment from the DVD continuing to echo around the theatre as
Piper began to feel physically sick.

“I’ll leave it on for you,” she said, her voice back to her
caring tone, “the castration was long. I made him suffer considerably.” Walking
to the metallic door at the far end of the theatre, Lana turned the handle and
looked back. “I will be about an hour or so Oliver, and then…” she paused, giggling
again, “I intend to give you a very thorough medical examination.” Her voice
lowered a tone, becoming sexual, almost stimulating. “I do hope you will be a
good boy for me my darling, oh, and if you’re thinking of changing into the
wolf,” Piper’s heart missed a beat as the alluring physician continued her
verbal torment, “don’t bother, because the wolf and your friends are no longer
a part of your life. No, Oliver, my darling, the wolf has gone…vanished, you’re
mine now to do with as I wish, for a very long time to come.”

Hastily, Doctor Lana Franke walked out of her operating
theatre, the heavy metallic door closing with a thud, leaving Ash Piper on his
own…utterly helpless.

How joyous it felt to be free from the bonds of human form,
with their sense of smell now more defined, their hearing, so intense and their
strength, their bodies, so powerful, so…wild. Yes thought Otto Von Kurst, this
was indeed a time for celebration, for a joyous reunion, of his kind.

They had travelled well, the two overly large wolves, moving
south from the city. As planned, Falck and Kempler had moved separately, like
ghosts through the labyrinthine back alleys, across darkened streets, always
keeping out of sight of Dusseldorf’s human inhabitants. The Fuhrer had followed
soon after, so too, his lover. For Helga Zeist, the feeling of wildness
enveloping her body had brought her to an almost sexual state of arousal. Now
she was free, in the form she had longed for, cherishing her new, fur laden,
powerful form. She had followed Otto’s instructions carefully, keeping close to
his side, never wandering more than a metre or so away from him, for she had so
much to learn.

It had taken several hours over the Thursday evening, to the
early hours of Friday morning and beyond, to complete the complex task of
leaving the city. But they had done so with consummate skill, there being no
other way, for this was the way of the Were. For Otto Von Kurst and Helga
Zeist, the exit from the city had been one of stealth, and cunning. With his tongue
hanging from his mouth, his large, beautifully furred, pointed ears twitching
slowly from left to right, his senses greatly enhanced, Von Kurst had accepted
the challenge willingly.

The firefight outside VKE had been intense, the police as
expected, arriving quickly on the scene. The lone one’s colleagues were
finished, and of the lone one himself? Von Kurst growled and turned his
piercing blood-red eyes to Helga’s. She returned the lupine gesture as the edge
of the city beckoned and so too, the start of their journey south. Yes, he
thought, the lone one! With his tail wagging in unison with Helga’s, Von
Kurst’s thoughts travelled to the house in Paris, and the operating theatre.
Yes, he knew all too well what would happen to his enemy, the one…who would not
join his own kind. His ex mistress, her medical knowledge and skills being
utilised so efficiently, so painfully, would interrogate and torture him
mercilessly, for days, week’s…months. Heartily, steadfastly, the two wolves
loped on, their keen sense of bonding with their own kind bringing them ever
closer to Falck and Kempler, and the beginning…of the hunt!