8 Ambush
„Do we have coffee?" Aura asked stepping into the kitchen, „Here." Sly grinned pouring the dark liquid into a white mug, „Thanks." Aura mumbled gulping it down, she sighed in relief placing the mug into a sink. Then without another word the werecat sulked away, „She's okay?" Emi asked from the sofa, Sly shrugged, „I don't know, hun."
„Aura?" her fur stood up straight, „Y..yes?" she stuttered turning around to face Renni. The teacher cleared her throat, „May I talk to you," she bit her lip hesitantly, „about yesterday?" Aura glanced at the clock, „I don't want to seem rude, but I'm already pretty late and Mrs. Sage will bite my head off if I won't get to class soon." Aura mumbled quickly backing away a little, „Can we talk this afternoon?" She asked and sprinted away before she could heard the answer, she slipped into her class panthing. She trembled all over her body, closing her eyes she took couple of deep breaths. 'I escaped the worst, for now.' She thought to herself suddenly worried about afternoon.
Flopping down onto her seat, Aura sighed in relief she saw Mrs. Sage closing the door behind her, „Good morning class." Joanna said in her unusual deep voice, she gestured for them to sit down walking to her desk, she set her stuff down. Opening her mouth to start explanation of today's lesson, sudden knock on the door cut her off. Aura felt her blood turning cold, her senses warning her something terrible is coming, 'Please don't let it be-, „Miss Hammer? What can I do for you?" Joanna's voice broke stream of her thoughs, 'I'm totally screwed now.' Aura freaked in her mind.
Watching her mentors silently talking to each other, she slid her paw into her bag and pulled her phone out slitting it into her pocket unnoticed, „MaxWolf?" Aura looked at Mrs. Sage trying to look calm, „I don't see why not." Gritting her teeth Aura watched Joanna walking to the desk once again while Renni watched her, gesturing for her to follow. Taking deep breath Aura stood up forcing her soft fur to lay still, she padded with each muscle tesnse, the sense of dread rising from deep within her. Renni mouthed to Joanna quick 'Thank you.' then closed the door behind them.
„Come." Renni said softly to Aura, the werecat followed in silence, head bowed down, trying to hide her fear. Looking back, Renni noticed her unease, chuckling slightly to herself, „You don't need to worry. I'm not sending you to principal." She said. Aura felt herself relax a bit, before tensing again as dark feeling overcame her. She felt her claws slid out of their sockets just as a flash of brightness came from somewhere, reaching for her phone, she texted to Matthew for help.
Suddenly an awfully familiar scent filled her nostrils, she felt deep growl escaping her throat, startling Renni who in mixed shock and confusion stared at her, „Well, well well, lookie who we have here." Sickening sweet malicious tone sound from up above her, „It's the Eastwool's rat." A dark hazel furred wolf sneered casting heartless glare to Aura who gladly return it, „It's MaxWolf, just so you know, idiot. Learn facts." Aura snarled ignoring Reni's confused glance. Stretching one paw ahead, she was suddenly pulled backward, glancing back she spotted Renni grabbing her hand, terrified expression plastered on her face. Aura jerked her hand, freeing it from the grip, „What are you doing?" she asked trying to hide her annoyance, „What does it look like?" Renni asked with slight anger, „I'm protecting you." She explained making Aura laugh,
„Now you care about my health?" Aura forced out of herself between the laughs, „Making me tremble and sweat each time, giving me cold shoulder for months without explanation, and getting me on verge of tears each and every lesson, not even praising me?! Breaking my mental state with each glance and not even bother to intervene when my classmates literally make rapist out of me in front of you?! Always staring at me like I killed you entire family, friends and dog?! But now you suddenly care?!" Aura growled, eyes slit into narrow tits, shaking her head, she turned away, „Pathetic hypocrite." She mumbled to herself bracing herself to leap up when sudden dark brown strike flashed around her, „You're unusually slow today. I was starting to get bored." The hazel male proclaimed parting his jaws in fake yawn. Suddenly his eyes locked onto Renni, „Got new toy, eh?"
Aura growled deeply, „Ignore her." She hissed bunching her muscles, she lowered herself prepared to leap at the intruder, the male snickered, „Oh, what is it?" he asked loudly turning his head backwards, „the walking cursed corpse wants to fight?" he added in false surprise, „We should teach her lesson then." Aura's eyes widened at the deep grumbled soon followed by its owner, dark muscular male with missing eye, „She certainly deserves one." He added with evil glee in his left eye and smirk, Aura shuffled herself closer to Renni, scolding herself for the protective manner, „Bring it on then!" She growled with confidence letting the rage imprisoned and held for so long fuel her. „You heard her guys, bring it on!" the hazel one howled and Aura's eyes widened a bit again as dark silhouettes started appearing all around her, shaking her head, she let her wolf form take control.
Bunching her muscles together, Aura leaped forward aiming for the dark furred male. Suddenly an impact came from both sides sending her onto the ground. Aura quickly rolled away as dark grey paw slammed down beside her. Quickly she turned her head and bit down feeling the metallic taste in her mouth. The male jerked with the paw as eerie yelp escaped his jaws. Letting go, Aura stood up just as pale tan female stroke with her paws, aiming for her flanks, the white wolf dodged slipping away as the female landed whiskers away with a snarl, not wanting to give her another chance to attack, Aura dashed forward and started cuffing the female's ears, tearing puffs of fur from them while her teeth nibbed at her muzzle. The female fought back sinking her teeth into Aura's scruff, she tried to pull her away but soon sharp talons hit her right under eye causing her to yelp. The female gave up, slipping from under Aura she dissapeared behind corner, jumping through nearest portal.
Claws screeching on floor caught Aura's attention, she quickly swung around leaping into the air, paws stretched she landed on small pale female, trapping her under herself. As Aura bent down, another male hurled himself forward, colliding with the white cub, sending them both onto the floor, freeing the small female in the process. The male rolled over quickly, getting Aura under him. The werecat shot up her hind legs, slashing at his belly. Swallowing hiss of pain, he raked his claws across her face where soon red marks appeared, causing her to stop. Looking around she spotted his front paw, its unsteady posture visible by trembling. She shot up aiming for the paw, the male pulled his paw up and as slammed it back down again, sending sharp pain through her front leg before pulling it back up again. Closing her eye, Aura waited for the blow.
Suddenly the weight was lifted off of her. Opening her eye, Aura spotted very familiar wolf, gray and pale sand fur spiky as if flames danced through it moments ago, holding the pale one down. „You're welcome." The wolf said turning his head back, amber eyes meeting teal ones, Aura scoffed, „I'd get out of it myself. No need to save me." She grumbled getting up, the male rolled his eyes, „Whatever you say sis." He muttered letting the male go, the foe got up, leaping into the air aiming for Matthew. He sat down waiting for the male to clash on him before lighting up his paw, buring the enemy on his back. He let the male go as painful screech escaped his muzzle.
After gasping for a while, he stood up. Casting one last narrowed glance at the duo he quickly lit up one portal and fled, stripes of smoke rising from his scorched fur.
As the situation settled itself, Aura twitched her ears as pained scream came from above, tensing her muscles, she creeped closer to the railing.
Just as she was about to jump, hands wrapped around her pulling her backwards. Forcing her claws to retreat she turned her head, scared light brown eyes met hers, „What are you doing?" Aura asked slowly trying to keep her calm mood, „What do you think?" Renni asked pointing at her face. Aura turned her head away, „Not that you cared before or anything." She mumbled to herself, „You're not even my head teacher." She said turning around, „Maybe not, but you're still my student." Aura narrowed her eyes, „Oh really? It didn't look like I existed for you at all." She felt Matthew's tail wrapped around her pulling her backwards, preventing her from launching herself at the human, shaking her head Aura turned away leaping up she dug her claws into the upper floor and dragged herself up, leaving her cantor and brother behind.
She dodged just in time as two small ginger apprentices rashed past her, „That's right run back to your moms and don't come back!" Kiki ran after them yelling threateningly, she stopped beside Aura, her eyes shining with pride big toothy grin plastered on her face, „How did you get here?" Aura asked smiling back at her and jumped above her as mentor of the cubs sprinted toward them, before Kiki could answer. Leaping up as well the two collided in the air, using her sleek body Aura pulled away from him scraps of his fur stuck between her claws. The male panted as he got up from the rough landing while Aura managed to steady herself on her paws. Her eyes were met with death glare. She jumped up again as he launched at her, landing on bookshelves nearby, she pressed herself against the wall. He fell onto the ground again, „Just wait till I get you!" he threatened her sniffing for her scent, „Good thing these idiots have none brain cells." She mumbled to herself.
„You subscribed your fate today. I'll be praised once Railey will have your corpse and I'll drink your blood as my dinner!" He licked his lips with sickening smile, Kiki sprang forward, „If you want to get her, you have to get through me first." She growled her pointed teeth visible, the male laughed, „Through this pigmy piece of meat, sure." He mocked her swiping her face with his tail, suddenly he yelped in pain when Kiki bit down on it, he quickly spun around paw outstretched, „You little-„ his hissing was cut short as Aura landed square on his back, bringing him down. Her front talons dug into him while her back feet stood beside his sides, immobilizing him, „Looks like that pigmy piece of meat manage to beat you!" Kiki taunted him as he pointlessly jerked his head at her, teeth bared. Aura locked her gaze with Kiki's, „Got any rope?" She asked as the two grinned at each other.
„Wolfi!" Sly yelled as the two females walked down the stairs, dragging the struggling male behind them. „Got new toy?" Matthew asked sitting on bench on his humanoid form, „Yeah, just tell Martine beforehand so he won't make fuss around it again." Aura added with chuckle.
„And what are you doing here?" Aura's blood went cold as Mona's voice rang through the hall, „Saving your butts. What does it look like?" Mikey said as Aura opened her mouth to speak, Mona narrowed her eyes, „Some respect young man- And what is that?"
Before anyone could answer, the doors all around them opened and scared curious eyes looked out. „That's one of Railey's mange pelts." Aura answered bringing attention to herself, „Shouldn't you be in class?" Mona asked raising an eyebrow, „Miss Hammer excused me before this whole mess started." She explained, „Speaking of her, where is she?" Aura asked mentally hissing at herself for caring, „She's downstairs in cabinet, we took her away the moment those furballs appeared. Don't worry she's uninjured." Lucky said walking up the stairs.
„Greetings, captain." Lucky said as she ascended, „It's nice to see you as well, Lucky." Aura replied avoiding Lucky's searching gaze. „When did you all get here?" Mikey winced jumping behind Matthew, who gave him questioning yet annoyed look, as Joanna stormed out of the class glaring at the newcomers. Giving himself shake, he faced her, „Your electric system is great…ehhm..ma'am, but one touch from sparks was enough for short circuit to happen." He explained poking his head from behind Matthew's back, „You did what?!" another voice yelled from behind, „Hey it was the only way how to save you!" Mikey yelled back in defense sparks shooting from his fur.
„Keep your furs on!" Aura hissed sharply stepping in before a fight could broke out, „You know them?" Mona asked, sighing Aura retreated her claws, patience running low. Biting back bitter response she took deep breath, „We'd all explain yesterday, but you all thought we got crazy so you made a lame excuse to end it sooner." She answered with calm voice stepping closer to the professors, „What about manners?" Nikki asked in disbelief as she joined the group, Aura shrugged her shoulders, „You mean saving your lifes?" she asked back, her head tilted to one side, „We could let them get to you. Hope you know that." Nikki's eyes widened as Aura's gaze turned to her, scarlett droplets caught in her fur around the claw marks, „If it wasn't for us," Sly joined the argument ignoring Aura's warning swish of tail, „you all could be dead by now at best, at worst they'd make their personal toys from you." She finished with slight snarl earning shocked gasps. „You're joking, right?" Nikki asked, „We wish we did." Matthew replied quietly as others just nodded.
Glancing from one to other Nikki's eyes stopped at Aura who busied herself with cleaning her face, „What should we do now then?" she asked, Aura shrugged, „Carry on with your schedules." She replied with chuckle, „What else is there to do?" She asked back,
„There has to be something." Mona replied looking at her colleagues for support, „There is- fighting." Simon said as he and Willow climbed up the stairs, „Violence never solved anything." Millie objected, „We should try reason with them." Other teachers nodded in agreement making Martine and Aura giggle, „I really want to see that." Martine cackled loudly causing Aura to laugh more „We can let them get beaten up and then finish them." Aura whispered back making Martine chuckle. „Are you finished?" Matthew asked, „Yeah." They replied in unison.
„What was so funny?" Millie wondered out loud, „These mitebags," Kiki said swinging her tail toward their prisoner, „don't know what reasoning is. They'll punch you and tackle you before you can even say the first letter." She explained as Martine opened his mouth for snarky remark. „Not just punch Kiki and you know it." Sly muttered to her friend, „We can't scare them, you know." Kiki whispered sending look to Aura who shrugged, „But they should know everything.��� She replied padding forward she looked at Nikki, „Kiki's right, they wouldn't bother with just punch you-" „Wait, shouldn't we, you know, lead this conversation somewhere private?" Clair piped up, „There are kids around." She added quietly glancing at the curious pupils standing in doors of their classes. „You're right as always." Martine remarked with suspicious grin, „But since these jer…uh I mean people," he corrected himself as Aura's glare clashed with his, „apparently think we're nuts. There's no point explaining these dumbasses anything-" „Please excuse his language," Simon said covering his mouth, „this jerk just doesn't know when to stop." He finished with stern look and gritted teeth making the scientist roll his eyes. Nikki's eyes shifted to her student once again, Aura ,who know was separating her two pack-mates before fight could start between them, gave her quick glance before looking away.
„Is it true?" Nikki asked leaning closer to Aura, sighing deeply the werecat looked up, „Yes." She whispered looking away again, „What can we do then?" Aura supressed another sigh from frustration, „What is there to do? You're humans, maybe skilled in teaching, mentoring or even some martial arts, but that's nothing compared to what Andarians do." Aura snapped in harsh cold whisper, „You don't stand chance, even less when you're thinking about diplomacy. If it wasn't for us, the best case scenario would be death!" She continued while pacing,
„That's ridiculous!" Clara called at her from the classroom doors, Aura turned to her, „It might be now. But just wait 'til they come. You'll whish to be killed instead any of the things they LOVE to do with their prisoners." She exclaimed in calm tone, „Didn't you just talk about protecting us?" her classmate shot back. Aura slowly shook her head, „Things changed. I can't speak for them, but for me, I'm not going to protect any of you." Aura replied before turning around and walking back to her pack, ignoring the mixed looks she got from everyone else, „You don't mean it, right?" Sly asked hopefully, Aura turned away keeping her mouth shut, „Yes, I mean it." She whispered after a while rubbing her bloodstained cheek.
„Please ignore her for now. She's in bad mood, her answers are affected by it." Matthew said loudly trying to ease the mood, clearing his throat, „Anyway, could we please hold a meeting soon?" he asked scratching his head, „I swear we'll explain and answer everything, honest." The teachers looked at each other then back at him, „Come to the cabinet we held the last meeting in ten minutes." Joanna said as others nodded in agreement.
„What are we going to do with him?" Sly asked poking their hostage, „Torture him for informations of course." Aura said after making sure Nikki was out of ear shot, „They managed to get my exact location, I'd love to know how." She added poking her talons under the male's eye, „They sneaked into the mansion." Johnny said before Aura could rip her new 'toy' apart, „They used Daniels for it. I bet Mayers gave the infos to thers as well." Others gave him nod in agreement, Aura turned back to her capture, „Is it true?" she asked, the male glared at her, „Of course it's true your pureblood scum! Do you really think we would bother going into that fucking deathtrap house for anything else?! Or going into this fucking stupid planet just by sheer luck?!" he snapped at her salive dripping from his mouth, „Okay I've got enough, let's get rid of him." Aura said grabbing one of the tangled ropes while Lucille and Zoey got the others. „Tami, where is the nearest portal?" Tamika pointed at opposite wall, „Thanks."
After getting rid of the male, the pack sat down to talk, „Are we realy going to tell them EVERYthing?" Annie asked glancing up at Aura who was sitting on window, the werecat leader shrugged, „I'd prefer keeping my past in secret, but if comes to it…" she let her sentence fade with another shrug, Annie nodded softly, „The more prepared the better." Aura inwardly cringed at the statement, „Who's going to talk?" Sly asked, the pack glanced from one to theor before settling their gazes at Aura once again.
She sighed, „Each one of us should at least introduce themselves. And afterwards, it doesn't really matter. Just keep up politeness." She said casting warning glance at Martine who turned his eyes up to ceiling, „I can't even give statements how I want now, can I?" he mumbled to himself.
Before anyone could gave him some remark, the cabinet door opened and Irine walked out, „We're sorry we let you waiting. We can start now if you don't need any preparations." She said with her usual energetic smile. Aura leaped down from the window gesturing with her tail for others to go, Martine quickly caught up to her, „The sooner this is over the better." He quietly muttered into her ear as they entered.
