Counting Our Stars • Tyler Joseph •

Chapter 6

          •  Tyler  •

On your left Ryan!

Tyler could feel the thick undergrowth as it whipped past him. His paws thrummed the earth as he swiftly darted in an out between the trees in his path. The environment around him was a hazy blur but his eyes were fixed on the creature ahead of them. His breath was becoming fast and ragged as he raced on with the others. And he slow to a halt as the other wolves ahead of him had seemingly lost the creatures' trail. His lips drew back in a furious snarl towards Ryan, a light tan colored wolf and he purposely showed his teeth at the older wolf. A deep growl rumbled in his chest as his head swung from one side to the other, trying to pick up any hint as to where the creature had gone. The other wolves Pricked their ears and lifted their muzzles trying to pick up any scent trail.

Liam! Scout ahead and find his trail!

Tyler's furious command cut into the pack link they all shared. His eyes narrowed in fury as he realized they had in fact, lost the vampires trail. Liam was young but he was shaping up to become the packs best tracker. He knew with a few more successful hunts that the teen would become better with his senses.

Tyler!

Tyler, it's him!

Liam's horrified yelp sliced through the link and Tyler's head snapped towards the direction of the smaller gray wolf. He was determined for this to be successful. He did not want to report a failure to his father, knowing he would feel guilty whether he was to blame or not. This was his job to train the fresh shifters and to teach them discipline and control.

Find him!

His command was both out of anger and determination. The wolves began to fan out in a semi-circle in order to corner the blood-sucking creature. Tyler trailed back and decided to keep watch on the younger wolves, this would be his opportunity to assess how they were coming along, a mixture of confusion and unease flash through the wolves' minds and he couldn't figure out why. Had no one spotted the creature yet?

Tyler!Watch out!

Ryan's warning came a bit too late as Tyler felt a heavy weight fall onto his back. He reared up on his hind legs, his head thrashing from side to side and trying to shake off the creature. His teeth snapped uselessly at the creature as it smeared at him. he knew how dangerous this could turn out especially because he couldn't get the vile thing off of him. Right now, he was in a vulnerable state and the vampire knew that.

Within a few moments the creature had a rat its arms around his neck and effortlessly squeezed. Tyler yelped out in fear and continued to thrash his head Why weren't his pack members coming to help him? He felt his body collapse onto the dusty ground as the breath was being driven out of him. And he snarled at the creature as one last attempt to ward him away but the creature took no notice. Instead, he sunk his razor-sharp fangs right into Tyler's shoulder, a sharp piercing whimper came from him as he felt the creatures venom already coursing through his system. The venom felt like fire as it swiftly course through his body, all he could focus on was the agony he was in.

Finally the other members snapped out of their horror and raced to rescue him. He could hear the sounds of yelping and barking coming from the others as they charged the creature. The last thing he heard was the tearing and ripping apart of the creatures body as he lay whimpering and twitching on the ground. Soon his vision became blurred and then darkness overtook him.

• • •

"Tyler! Alpha! He's waking up!" a distant voice cut through the darkness in his head. He couldn't quite place the voice but as his senses slowly became clearer and sharper, he realized it was Alex the pack medic. He must be in the medic wing of the pack house.

"Tyler! Son, you're safe now." His father's voice was of comfort to him. He slowly opened his eyes and gradually gazed up at his father. He felt like he was in a daze, his memories jumbled up and confusing. "W-Why am I here?" Tyler's voice comes out in a harsh whisper and just the simple task of speaking made him feel as though he had run a marathon.

"You were bit by a vampire. You've been unconscious for three days." Chris explained, a worried expression on his face. "it seems as though the creature was only targeting you." His father's tone suddenly grew very serious. His father took a hold of Tyler's hand and gave it a light squeeze. "Ty, it was him."

Tyler's eyes grew wide width horror as the realization hit him. He never thought he would come back for him, knowing what he had created. It was bound to happen eventually but now he was trying to kill Tyler.

"For now, I've got guards at your door and he will not get through to you. You are safe here and you will not leave. Do you understand?" The command was clear in his fathers tone and Tyler knew he had no choice but to obey his father and pack leader. He had no choice but to stay under guard until the threat was dealt with. But deep down, Tyler could feel the pull of the link that bonded Tyler with Him. It was not something he could simply ignore, the longer he was away from him the worse things would become. He had to deal with this himself. His family would be slaughtered because of him and he didn't want that. He had to let his injuries heal and track him down for himself. Why did his creator suddenly have an interest in him?