Melanie woke up from her afternoon nap in the library seeing that the sun had almost totally disappeared from the sky. She was curled up in the only comfortable chair there, a copy of Shardik in her lap. The old fantasy novel was a favorite of hers from her teenage years, and was light enough she didn't have to think too much. Besides, it was better than most of the crap in the library, which seemed to consist of peaceful, calming books for people who obviously didn't need any more stimulation than necessary.

Damn, I missed the sunset, she grumbled, stretching out her legs. The view through the narrow window was the only one she got when she was inside, and not being able to watch the sky turn a riot of colors was regrettable. It was one of the few things about her capture that made each day worthwhile, even though she couldn't see the sun itself actually go down.

Melanie, can you hear me?

She sat up from her seat, galvanized at the words that came into her mind. Keith? Is it really you?

Yes, my love. I'm about four miles from your location. Can you tell me anything about where you are?

Melanie looked around. I'm in the library of the building, near one of the windows. There are two guards on the inside, one of them is sitting at a desk next to the main door that leads to the rest of the facility. I can't see the other one, he's most likely getting my dinner.

Can you tell me which wing you are in? The building has four wings, and each of them is separate from the others. I need to get into the right space.

I'm not sure, but the window I can see looks out to the southwest. It's parallel to my little exercise yard, which is pretty high security. Does that help?

Yes, I have aerial photos of the facility. You might hear a helicopter overhead soon, that'll be Kim doing recon for me. Next is going to be a distraction. That'll be Edward. Be ready to move then. Are you well?

Melanie grinned and looked out the window. Yeah, I can move. I've got my shoes on, I'm dressed and ready to kick some ass. Who's Edward?

Don't worry, I've got the ass kicking part covered. Let's get you out first, and I'll tell you about Edward.

Melanie rolled her neck and got up, nervous energy filling her. The guard at the desk saw her and looked up. "What do you need?"

"Gotta pee," she replied. "You know how we pregnant women are."

"All right, just don't disappear in there," he said. "Five minutes, and I'm coming in, panties down or not."

"Don't worry, I'll be done by then."

Hey, Keith?

Yes, my love?

I'm heading to the toilet now. Think you can find me there?

Of course.

Good. I love you.

I love you too.

Oh, and one other thing, just to let you know.

What is it?

It's a boy.

Melanie felt the rush of emotion over her link, and could feel another thread of emotion creep in, and knew Kimberly knew as well. We're going to have fun with that. See you soon, Sister.

Damn right.

Melanie found that once in the toilet she did feel the urge, so she quickly took care of her business. Just as she was washing her hands, she heard the faint sound of chopper blades above her and knew that the plan was in motion. Peeking her head out of the bathroom, she heard the radio on the guard's desk crackle, but couldn't hear much of what was said, other than "giant bear doing tricks."

Suddenly, the doors to the wing crashed open, and Keith burst through in full werewolf form, snarling and enraged. In a single sweep of his massive paw, he tore the guard in two, before looking around, growling menacingly. Melanie stepped out of the bathroom, her feet carrying her across the room to her Mate, leaping towards him as she cried his name. Keith turned, catching her in the air and holding her in his massive arms tenderly. "Come on, let's go," he growled, stroking her hair carefully, making sure his claws didn't scratch her at all. "But I need your help."

"What?"

"There's a radio beacon clipped to the belt around my waist. But I can't push the button with my claws. I'd prefer to have them ready if need be."

Melanie found the belt and beacon, pushing it. "You don't normally wear clothes in wolf form. You told me it gives you a rash, and you feel ridiculous in them."

"It was needed this time. Now follow me. If things go properly, there shouldn't be anyone inside in two minutes."

The first thumping roar of a rocket impacting another part of the building sent trembles through Melanie's feet as she walked quickly behind Keith, who kept his eyes sweeping side to side and his nose twitching. Reaching a stairwell, he checked carefully before leading her up. "Wait on this side of the door," he growled. "There are probably men on the roof."

As they approached, the sound of machine gun fire and animal roars came to her ears, but some of them sounded strange, not at all like the wolf growls and howls she had expected. She stopped where Keith said while he went back onto the roof. Looking through the glass, she watched in shock as she saw him fighting alongside what a massive grizzly bear, both of them slaughtering armed guards left and right. Within less than a minute, the roof was clear, and she heard Keith in her head. You're clear. Come on out.

Melanie reached for the door, only to be stopped as someone grabbed her wrist. Turning, she saw John, bleeding from a scalp wound, grinning maniacally and holding a serrated knife from the kitchen in his hand. "Oh no, you're not getting away," he said, going to stab her. "If you won't give me your child, I can at least make sure we won't deal with it either."

Melanie twisted to the side, the knife missing her stomach by less than an inch as she pivoted, freeing her wrist, while at the same time her other hand came around, deflecting John's thrust upwards. With her now freed wrist, she chopped the inside of his elbow, bending the arm as her deflection continued, the knife blade turning in a tight circle to stab him in the chest. John looked stunned for a second, like he didn't understand what was going on, staggering back a step. Melanie kicked him once in the stomach, sending him tumbling down the stairs behind him, crashing to the landing below. "Fuck you," she spat, turning and going out onto the roof.

"What happened?" Keith asked as he saw the blood that covered her shirt. "Are you okay?"

"I am. He isn't. Get me the hell out of here."

"Okay. Hold onto my neck," Keith said, picking her up. He ran to the edge of the roof, leaping into the night sky, easily clearing the perimeter fence before landing lightly on his back paws.

"By the way, this is Edward," he said, tossing his snout towards the gigantic bear who landed with a much heavier thud on the dirt next to them. "We'll do formal introductions later."

Kim? Keith thought, letting Melanie listen in.

You have her?

I'm here, Sister.

Good. I'm getting everyone clear.

Melanie watched as wolves, bears, and armed men peeled back from the facility. A few were limping, and two were being carried by compatriots. Keith picked up Melanie and ran, stopping on a hillock a mile away. We're clear.

Understood. Thornblood and the Aklark as well. Watch this.

The helicopter was barely visible to Melanie, even in the just past full moon, a ghostly black shape against the slightly less dark sky that glimmered when the moon hit it at the right angle. The streaks of rocket fire and machine gun fire that rattled out of the weapons pinpointed Kim's location, as she let loose with every bit of destruction at her fingertips. The building where Melanie had been held was torn apart by explosion after explosion, capped by a massive blast that tore through the very wing she had been kept, fire blooming into the night sky before Kimberly circled once, then flew off in a ghostly whine of turbines. The heat seared against her face, and she felt cleansed by it.

"Come on, let's get the hell out of here."