Heaven Sent - (Contest Entry 999 Words)

         Oliver lifted his nose to the scent of Seluna and he suppressed a growl.  He sunk against a tree, letting the shadows devour him as he slowed his racing heart.  He could almost feel her breathing down the back of his neck.  It made his hackles rise.  Oliver looked down, the blood seeped through his shirt and he pressed against the soaked bandage.  The smell of it would draw Seluna and the rest of the pack right to him.  He could fight the others, but he wasn't too sure he could fight Seluna.
         Oliver leaned back and closed his eyes.  Jaelyn was out there, searching for him and if the others found her first, they would kill her.  Oliver had gone against pack rules.  He had refused Seluna as mate.  But how could he change his heart? he wondered.  Where was Jaelyn?
         As if in answer to his thoughts, he felt a whisper-like breeze across his cheek, felt her feather-light touch.
         “Oliver,” she whispered.  Her voice had a chorus of angels behind it, making him smile.
         “You shouldn't be here,” he scolded.  He opened his eyes and looked at the pale face that he had come to love.  She was a half-breed, part angel, part human and his heart seemed to always skip a beat when she was near.
         “You know you cannot keep me away.  I'm part of this too.”
         “Jaelyn –”  The gash in his stomach burned.
         “Shh!  Lie back and let me heal you,” Jaelyn said.
         “No time!  We need to get out of here.”
         “You are in no shape to move, at least let me stop the bleeding.”  She scowled and pushed him back.  Her hands hovered over his stomach, a soft glow emanating from them.  She wasn't quite touching his skin, but he could still feel his face flush.  As she worked, her wings unfurled, wrapping around them like a shield.  Her scent always changed when her wings were out.  Indescribably sweet, almost like cookies.
         “There,” she said.  “That should do for now.”  She pulled at her red braid.  “What?” she asked when she caught him watching her.
         “I love you,” he said.
         “I love you, too,” she smiled.
         “You still shouldn't be here.”
         “Oliver, we've been through this.  I love you, I worry about you.  We're in this together if we want to be together.”
         “I don't want something to happen to you.”
         “Nor I you,” she said.  “But we cannot help who we love.  I don't regret falling in love with you and if something happens –” he placed a finger on her lips, cutting her off.  Jaelyn removed it and kissed each fingertip.  “I know I will be with you again, somehow.  Somewhere.”
         Oliver moved to kiss her, their lips barely brushed when they heard the howl.
         “Come on!”  He struggled to his feet.  She held him tightly about the waist as he leaned on her.  They had just entered a clearing when Seluna dropped from a tree, halting them.
         “There you are, my love,” Seluna growled.  “Time to come rule the pack with me.”  She held a partly transformed hand out to Oliver.  Her fingers ended in razor sharp claws.
         “I can't do it, Seluna.  I told you already.”  Oliver stepped away from Jaelyn, glancing over his shoulder.  The pack had surrounded them.
         “You do not understand, whelp!” Seluna snarled as she took a step forward.  “You do not refuse me. If I offer you something, even a trifle, you take it and be grateful.”
         “I love her, Seluna.”
         “Fine.” Seluna snapped.  “Then she'll just have to fight me.  For you.”
         “No!” Oliver shouted, but before he could move, two werewolves grabbed and held him.
         Jaelyn stood straight and tall, her wings tucked behind her.
         “I'll fight you,” she said.
         “Good.”  Seluna nodded.  Her body twisted and a silver wolf stood in the moonlight, baring her teeth.  Jaelyn spoke and a silver pike appeared in her hand.
         “We fight to the death.”
         Seluna barked in response, circling.  Jaelyn stood, her arm wrapped around the pike, waiting for Seluna to make the first move.  The wolf leapt into the air and Jaelyn spun around, swinging her weapon.  She caught Seluna and knocked her to the ground.  Seluna gave a yelp and scrambled to her feet lunging again.
         Seluna caught her shoulder, her teeth sinking into Jaelyn's flesh.  Jaelyn screamed and Oliver struggled against his pack mates.  Jaelyn dropped the pike, grabbing Seluna by her scruff.  With monumental effort, Jaelyn flung the wolf away like a rag doll.  Seluna jumped to her feet and launched herself, landing on Jaelyn's chest.
         Jaelyn pushed against Seluna as the wolf snapped at her throat.  Seluna's breath was hot in her face.  Jaelyn reached for the weapon, her muscles straining.  Her fingertips barely brushed the pike.  The fur of Seluna's snout brushed Jaelyn's throat and with a grunt, Jaelyn forced both hands under the wolf's chest, shoving hard.  Seluna fell back enough for Jaelyn to twist and grab the weapon.  As Seluna fell, Jaelyn rammed it into her chest, hot blood spurting in her face.
         Seluna howled as the fur melted from her body, her features blurred back to human form.  Jaelyn held the silver weapon tightly, struggling to her knees.  Behind her, Oliver broke free and ran to her side.
         “Jaelyn,” he whispered.  He fell to his knees and held Jaelyn, gently prying her hands loose.  “Okay, it's okay.  Let go, Jaelyn.”
         The weapon fell and she leaned against Oliver's chest.  Her hands wound around his neck as he held her close.  The pack surrounded them, regarding them quietly.
         “I won't leave her,” Oliver told them as he held her.
         “We won't ask you to,” one said.  Oliver nodded as they all shifted, melting into the woods, leaving them alone.