Page 5 of French Quarter Heiress

Luc's eyes flash with a dangerous light. "Let them come. We'll be ready for them. This is our city, Beau, and we're not going to let a bunch of bloodsuckers take it from us."

I nod, my resolve hardening. "Damn right, boss. We'll hit Bouchard where it hurts, and then we'll take the fight to the Delacroix clan. They'll learn what it means to cross the wolves."

Luc claps me on the shoulder, his grip firm. "That's the spirit, Beau. Now get out there and show them what you're made of. Make me proud, my boy.."

I crack my knuckles, excitement thrumming through my veins. "Consider it done, sir. We'll leave nothing but ashes in our wake."

Hours later, I find myself on the outskirts of Bouchard's plantation, the sweet scent of sugarcane fields filling the air. My pack moves silently through the shadows, their eyes glinting with the thrill of the hunt.

I signal to my second-in-command, Tony, who nods in understanding. He disappears into the darkness, leading a team to take out the perimeter guards. I hear the muffled sounds of struggle, followed by silence. He reappears at my side, a fierce grin on his face.

"Perimeter secure, sir. The path is clear."

I nod, my own smile mirroring his. "Good work. Now let's show these leeches what happens when you mess with the wolves."

We descend upon the plantation like a pack of hungry wolves, tearing through the guards with savage efficiency. I lead the charge, my claws and fangs bared as I revel in the chaos and destruction.

Gunfire erupts around us, but we press forward, undeterred. I leap over a barricade, taking down two guards with a swift, brutal assault. My pack follows suit, their howls of triumph mingling with the screams of the dying.

As we near the main house, I catch a scent that makes my blood run cold.

Vampires.

The Delacroix clan is here.

I let out a growl of frustration, realizing they must have anticipated our next move. But it's too late to turn back now. We're committed to this fight, and we'll see it through to the bitter end.

I burst through the front doors, my pack at my heels. We're met with a wall of armed vampires, their eyes glowing red in the dim light. At their head stands a figure I know all too well.

Elise Delacroix, the vampire heiress, regards me with a look of pure contempt. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the mangy mutts, come to play at war. Kind of adorable. But you have no idea what you've started, dog."

I bare my teeth in a snarl, my claws flexing at my sides. "And you have no idea what you're up against, leech. The Crescent City Wolves will never bow to your kind. This city belongs to us, and we'll fight to our last breath to keep it that way."

Elise laughs, a cold and mocking sound. "Such bravado, from a creature that spends half its time licking its own ass. You're outmatched and outnumbered, dog. Surrender now, and perhaps we'll grant you a quick death."

I let out a roar of fury, launching myself at her with all the speed and strength of my wolf form. She meets me head-on, her own fangs bared in a hiss of rage.

We collide in a clash of claws and fangs, our bodies a blur of motion as we fight for dominance. Around us, the battle rages on, wolves and vampires locked in a deadly dance of blood and violence.

I can feel the heat of the flames licking at my back as the fields burn, painting the night sky with flickering orange light. The scent of smoke and blood fills my nostrils, driving me to even greater heights of savagery.

She's fast, faster than any opponent I've ever faced, but I'm stronger, my wolf form giving me an edge in sheer brute force. Her hair is dark, her eyes the wildest of green. "You fight well, for a dog," she taunts, her eyes gleaming with malice. "But you're still just a beast, a mindless animal playing at being a man."

I laugh, a harsh and guttural sound. "And you're just a parasite, a leech feeding off the lifeblood of the city. You think you're better than us, but you're nothing more than a monster in a pretty dress."

She snarls, her face contorting with rage. "I am a Delacroix, you filthy mongrel. I am the rightful ruler of this city. It is my job to make sure little doggies like you play nice. So save it. Know your place."

We clash again, our bodies slamming together with bone-crushing force. I can feel the wounds on my body, the blood running hot and sticky down my skin, but I ignore the pain, lost in the thrill of battle.

Her ancient bloodline is not something I’ve faced and the world and everything narrows down to just me and Elise, our hatred for each other burning like a supernova. We slam together again and again, our bodies crashing with bone-jarring force, our blades seeking any vulnerability, any weakness to exploit.

I can feel my wounds taking their toll, the blood loss and exhaustion sapping my strength. Elise too is flagging, her once-impeccable hair and dress disheveled and stained with blood. But neither of us is willing to back down, to concede even an inch to the other.

It's a battle of wills as much as a battle of blades, a test of which of us is more determined, more ruthless, more willing to sacrifice everything for the chance to see the other fall.

“Why do you fight a losing battle?” I shake my head, a mirthless chuckle escaping my lips. "The truth is that your father, your precious clan - they're not the noble rulers you think they are. They're monsters, every bit as vicious and cruel as you accuse us of being."

In a flash of movement I have her in my arms, her back pressed into my chest, her crisp linens and light perfume filling my nose.

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