Chapter 1

Fall 2207: Floyal City, New Florida Territory

Zina McFin stared at the giant, almost-impenetrable Servicorps research lab. It was chilly, but not cold enough to form snow. Inside, Dr. Henry Le Croix, along with humans and some misguided Weres, gathered under the banner of "mutual scientific advancement" to find a way to subdue the genes that made Weres unique. She ran her fingers through her bobbed, blond hair and pondered how to make the Were traitors pay for their part in this mockery of science. 

 She hated humans and their callous disregard for lives unlike their own. Just the thought of those pathetic fools made her stomach roil. Since the beginning of time, humans had taken, pillaged, and destroyed everything that came in contact with them. Weres, like her, had been no exception. 

"You need to control yourself." Stefan McJeysen's brown-eyed stare collided with her gaze in a momentary battle of wills before he looked away. His shaggy, dirty blond hair fell forward to shield his face. 

"I don't have to follow anything you say or suggest. Or have you forgotten, Stefan, that you don't hold the rank of Beta anymore?" Her voice held a hint of barely leashed anger. 

"Of course not, my Alpha. I have not forgotten, nor did I mean any disrespect." 

She watched him, aware of his insolence, but chose to let it slide. Other things were more important, such as the lab before them. She could not, would not, allow the research. Weres had rights and, come hell or high water, those rights would be kept and maintained. 

"The troops are in position, my Alpha." 

The messenger's words brought Zina's thoughts back to the task at hand. She growled happily. "Let's go! Kill any who get in your way, no matter what age!" 

Ignoring Stefan's shocked look, Zina slipped by him and headed for the field where her troop prepared to shift. Unlike Stefan, they eagerly welcomed bloodshed. Killing humans excited and ignited Were-hunger and bloodlust. Both emotions were all consuming, almost living, breathing things that could topple governments and decimate enemies. 

"We are ready, our Alpha!" the group roared. 

"Death to those who oppose our will!" she bellowed. 

The assembled Weres gave voice to their bloodlust and malice making the very air reverberate with the weight of it. The group charged the building, shifting mid-run into their various Were forms. Felines, wolves, horses and even avian animals rushed at the human guards barring the entrance. 

The Weres in the lead smashed into the electric fence, screeching and yowling their intent as several lost their lives. An audible pop and crack signaled the imminent end of the gate. With a thunderous boom, the energy barrier died and howls of triumph filled the yard. 

Belatedly, alarms blared, but the Weres paid no heed, swarming over the top of the fence and attacking the guards. 

"My Alpha, the males have the scent of Henry and are tracking him now. The females have distracted the remaining guards and mercenaries with their…feminine charms." Stefan reported as he stood to Zina's right, his eyes on the fighting below. 

"I want Henry, his wife Helena, and their brat Laylah brought to me. Challenges to my authority and the established order of Were society will not be tolerated." 

"Yes, my Alpha." Stefan bowed and swiftly left to deliver her instructions. 

Fifteen minutes after it began, the assault on the Servicorps lab ended. Triumphant shouts reached Zina's ears and she watched the progression of a group of felines as they herded a man, woman and child to the spot where she stood. The small family was unceremoniously pushed to the ground in front of her feet, making Zina smile. A malicious glint filled her eyes. 

"Should have known it was you, Zina! Still striving to destroy things you can't control?" Henry snarled. 

She laughed at Henry. "Now, now, there's no need to get your fur knotted. You, of all people, should recognize that your union, and the resulting abomination it spawned, would not be accepted by the clans. Nor is your research on ways to get rid of our very essence being embraced. Face it, Henry, you are twice the fool!" 

She licked her lips and eyed him. Henry was a gorgeous specimen of what could go right in a Were. Giant, powerful six-foot-two frame, with piercing blue eyes...such a waste. 

Henry glared at her. Zina calmly stared at him, her eyes shining with cruelty. 

"Our child is not an abomination!" Helena snapped and hugged her frightened little girl closer to her body. The little girl trembled, glancing back and forth among the adults. 

Stefan mocked Helena's defense of her child. "Oh, do get over yourself, Helena. Just because you chose to whore yourself to the Le Croix clan does not give you the right to pretend your union to Henry is pure. There is a reason why we do not mix tribes." 

"Love does not recognize imposed boundaries. We're happy and content. Why can't you respect that and leave us be?" Helena implored. 

Henry shifted closer to Helena and took their trembling daughter into his arms. "It'll be all right, Laylah," he murmured. 

Zina stood there gloating. She would end this madness tonight. Before she could react, Helena shifted into her panther form and was headed for Zina. Dimly, Zina heard Henry shouting. She was too busy fending off Helena's claws that ripped into her clothes and left deep gouge marks on her chest. With a snarl, Zina leaped at the other woman. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Henry and Laylah escaping. 

::Stefan, stop Henry! Kill the child!:: Zina telepathically commanded and advanced on Helena. She didn't look to see if her orders were obeyed. No matter what, tonight would be the end of Helena Le Croix.