The Last Hope (AU Book 1 of The Last Series)

Chapter 1

I peeked from behind the toppled building and watched as they led the prisoners away and towards their doom. I knew that I shouldn't be out and about, but I couldn't help it. I had this urge to help, but I knew that I wasn't of any use, not to them or to the group I lived with.

I knew that I was this "powerful" Red Wolf, but I didn't know much about my powers, except that I controlled water. And I was, unfortunately, unable to shift into my wolf form. I hadn't even found my Protectors, which sucked because I heard that Rylan, the Red Wolf before me, had found all of hers around my age. And she had been able to fight before she was able to shift into her wolf form, and she was able to protect others using the skills she had been taught.

Fighting to protect others was something I hadn't been taught, and I only knew how to "protect" myself. Unfortunately, I could barely do that because I had been told that I wasn't "ready" to fight and wouldn't be until I gained my wolf.

Quickly, I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts and watched what happened before me, anticipating a fight that was sure to follow.

The guards looked around the area, making sure that they were alone. Most of them were tense because they knew that the Rebellion would be close to them. They knew that there had been sightings of the Rebellion near here because of the prisoners they had collected over the past few weeks.

One of the guards caught sight of me, and I ducked down quickly, silently cursing myself for being stupid and not paying attention to my surroundings. Their footsteps started to come in my direction, and it took all of my self-control not to make a sound and keep my heart beating at a softer pace. They did not say a thing while they came my way, and I was sure it was because they wanted to sneak up on me.

Someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me near them. They covered my mouth to stop me from making a sound, even though I did let out a small gasp.

Shit, I thought as the person turned me around until I was facing them. I shut my eyes, not wanting to see the end of my life. I had no idea how to fight someone else because Cooper wouldn't let anyone practice with me. I am so dead.

***

"Admiral," one of the guards said, fear filling the person's voice. The person was a male, and I had no idea who he was talking to. Whoever it was caused this male to be very afraid, and I couldn't help but think that this was still the end.

"Yes," a voice grunted, and I almost sobbed in relief. I knew that voice, and I was sure that the person who was holding me was someone from our group too. "I was making sure that there was no one behind here. Wasn't that something you were supposed to be doing?"

"Uh... yes, yes, Admiral," the guard said, stuttering a bit. The guard cleared his throat, and his heartbeat picked up in fear.

I opened my eyes to see Fernos scowling down at me. I tried to give him a sheepish smile, even though he couldn't see it. I still had his hand over my mouth because he hadn't removed it. I flicked my eyes to the side, asking if I could see what was going on.

Fernos narrowed his eyes but nodded his head. He turned me around gently and took his hand off of my mouth. He understood that I was wanting to fight and wanting to help, but he knew the risks. He did try to help where he could, directing the shadows to show me the mistakes I had made while I was practicing on my own. He pushed me forward until both of us were able to see what was happening.

Vulcan stood in front of the wall, and I could tell that he was scowling at the guard. He was very scary, and I was grateful that it wasn't towards me, even though I knew that I was in deep shit. "We are trying to catch the leaders of the Rebellion," he said. "Dracul wants the Red Wolf before she becomes a problem."

The guard nodded his head and licked his lips. "Are you sure that the Rebellion has her?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," he replied. "Or know where she is." There was a tense pause. "There is no one back there. Would you like to go check?" He was baiting the guard. He knew that we were back there, but the guard wouldn't be able to see us, thanks to Fernos being a Demon and having powers over the shadows that surrounded us.

The guard shook his head and gulped. "No, Admiral," he said. His voice was becoming softer, and I could tell that he was very scared of Vulcan. "Please, don't..."

Vulcan raised his hand, and the guard closed his mouth. "Get back to your post, and King Dracul will never know about what transpired. Do you understand?"

The guard nodded his head, and I could tell that he was relieved. The weight of the world seemed to be lifted off of his shoulders, and I knew that it was because Dracul was a very evil king. "Yes, yes, tha-" He wasn't able to finish his sentence because of an arrow sprouting out of his chest, and some blood got on Vulcan's uniform, much to the Vampire's disgust.

The guard looked shocked at the arrow and looked at Vulcan. He tried to speak. However, he never said a word while he tumbled to the ground, dead.

And after that, all hell broke loose.