Showdown - Chapter 11

"She said she was taking a flight. The nearest airport in Romania is there." Charley said, pulling out a map and pointing to a place, "Bucharest Henri Coanda International."

That's one of the largest airports in Romania. How will we ever find her?" Aunt Agatha asked.

"You forget I'm a werewolf now. I can track her scent once we get there." Charley replied.

"Then what are we waiting for? Winter? Let's go!" said a voice.

Everyone turned around to see Carbine standing in the doorway, fully dressed and twirling her blaster.

"No dice, babe. Don't you think you need to rest up some more? You got hurt bad." Throttle told her.

"I've had enough rest. Besides, I've got a score to settle with those oversized fireballs." She replied, determined look on her face.

Throttle, Vinnie, and Modo hopped on their bikes. They soon put on their helmets. Vinnie's long tail whipped around Charley's waist as he gently placed her on his bike. Throttle helped Carbine onto his.

Hecuba looked questioningly at the bikes.

"I've heard about riding machines that were like mighty steeds bit I've always been afraid to ride one. Y-you sure it's safe?" She asked Modo.

"Don't you worry none, Ma'am. I won't let you fall off." The gray furred mouse responded warmly, as he held out his hand.

The young brunette placed her hand in his. In that instant, a slight spark ignited between them as their hands touched. They both blushed.

"Hey, Romeo, Juliet, save it for later. We got a job to do." Throttle grinned.

...

At the Henri Coanda International airport, travelers walked through the boarding gates to get to their planes while others arrived from different places including the U.S. Vivica stood behind a large window watching the passing planes racing down the runway. But she had little interest in them.

Feelings of love filled her heart as the fleeting image of a tan furred, rugged muscular mouse entered her mind. She remembered Throttle's smile, his sweet kisses, his caresses, everything.

Then it all came crashing down the minute his girlfriend came into the picture.

Face it. You've lost him.

Vivica pressed her face against the glass pane of the window. Her red hair draped down. Her hand tightly gripped the straps of tbe large duffel bag she had stuffed the night before with clothes and other essentials she would need.

"Going somewhere?"

Vivica jumped as a voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked around. Rayford now stepped out of the shadows followed by three members of the pack transformed into humans.

Vivica was immediately on her guard. She got into a fighting stance.

"Don't come any closer!" She warned them.

"Relax, dear girl. My colleagues and I aren't here to battle. We're here to bargain." Rayford told her, palms up in surrender.

"You and the pack wanted to kill me and my mom. You attacked my friends, my cousin. And now you want to make a deal? Forget it!" She spat out.

"I'm sorry about everything that happened." He replied.

"Are you, Rayford?"Her eyes narrowed.

"Just hear me out. Daniel is now old thanks to Witch Hecuba's spell. He's too old and demented to lead the pack anymore." Rayford explained.

"So you think you can just what, take his place?"

"Exactly. I'm young and more mature. He's too obsessed over the Davidson female to think straight. The pack needs a strong, capable leader."

"I wouldn't underestimate Daniel if I were you. He'll kill you the first chance he gets if he thinks you're trying to turn the pack against him. "

"Why are you trying to defend him? You hate him as much as the rest of us do. Look what he did to your mother. Deserting her like he did to pursue younger women in the pack." Rayford said, "And one of those girls was my older sister."

"I'm not defending him. Don't you think I haven't forgotten what he did? I had no idea other members of the pack felt this way."

"We always felt like Daniel was ruining our clan." A blonde haired female said, "He's fathered more babies than I have toes."

"And he always wants to wed our female offspring when they turn fifteen." said another, with red hair.

The woman made a face as she said it.

"Under new leadership, the pack can prosper and grow." Rayford said.

"So what does all this have to do with me?" Vivica asked.

"Since I'm going to be the new king, I need a queen who can rule by my side rather than a whole harem of concubines." Rayford replied.

"I'm not gonna marry you!" She shouted.

"The pack needs someone to lead us. It was prophesied a long time ago that a woman from our clan would come forth and lead the pack into a new era. You can be that person, Vivica." Rayford replied.

"Rayford speaks the truth. The pack needs strong leadership now. You can lead us into a new path. A path of peace." said another wolf, another male.

"I-I don't know." Vivica said, looking down.

"Don't tell me you're still mooning over that mutant mouse monstrosity."Rayford said.

"Throttle isn't a mutant! He's twice the man you'll ever be!" She shouted, looking up quickly and glaring.

"Be realistic, Vivica. Do you really think you can have a life with that-that-creature?" He spat out.

"He's not a creature! Stop talking about him like he's some thing!"Vivica screamed.

"All I'm saying is help me save what's left of our people." Rayford replied, voice softened, "I'm offering you the chance to bring our clan into their rightful place in the pack. Too long we've had to hide in the shadows. We've had to hide who we are from the world."

"Because the world wouldn't understand. They'd fear and hate us. They'd hunt us down."

"Under me, we would easily conquer them."

"I don't want any part of this." Vivica said, attempting to walk away.

Rayford grabbed her wrist.

"Too bad you're going to help us overthrow Daniel and his crew whether you like it or not." Rayford told her.

"Let me go, you creep!" She screamed.

"Never! You're coming with me!"

Suddenly, a large brown wolf jumped in front of them.

"I don't think so, Mr. Man! Let her go! Now!" Charley's voice rang out from the body of the wolf.

"Miss Davidson, I presume?" Rayford said, then turning to Vivica, "We'll talk later."

He let go of her wrist. With a wave, he and the other wolves withdrew.

"Are you okay?" Charley asked her cousin.

"Fine."

"Then let's go."

"No, Charley. I can't ever go back."

"Sure you can."

"No, I can't. Don't you see? I can't bear to see him."

"See who?"

"Throttle. I can't bear to see him go home to...to...her every night. I can't take it. That's why I have to go. To get away."

"You mean join the clan? I heard everything. And you're not solving your problems. You're running away from them."

"Then what do I do? I mean, I really like him a lot."

"You have to face up to your problem. You and Throttle need to talk."