It wasn't long before the pack emerged from the warehouse, seven strong.  Argharna was looking determined with Candra and Adolph following closely behind him.  Candra was still concerned about what exactly they were doing.  The only knowledge Argharna had was that something large and strong was moving through the streets, killing randomly.  So far humans and garou were the only ones affected, but the pack was not about to seek out the kindred to discover if they were being hit by this new thing.<br/><br/>Rain had fallen and left puddles, and the earth smelled clean and pure.  It was easy for Candra to imagine that everything was all right, easy to release some of that tension that crawled along her neck and spine.  She fought to keep her senses alert, however, and not to let herself enjoy the night.  Again she felt the pull of the moon, and she yearned to bask in its soft light.  Her movements became more graceful, more predatory, and she felt the eyes of some of the other pack members upon her.  Argharna ruled their pack, it was true, but that didn't keep some of the other males from lusting after her.  She enjoyed the attention, enjoyed how they preened and petted, trying to gain her favor.  Candra would never betray her Alpha by becoming too intimate with another of his pack; no, she instead enjoyed the company of humans or of members of other packs.  There were certain things the Beta simply did not do.<br/><br/>They had moved from one part of town to another, and Candra noted that they were entering an area that was quieter, less affluent.  Something alerted her to the nearness of another type of power, and she felt the hair raise on the back of her neck.  A low growl seemed to come from the pack in a single voice, and she knew that she was not the only one to pick up the presence of the other creature.<br/><br/>Things began to happen almost immediately.  Time slowed down.  The small clearing surrounded by brick walls seemed to grow much smaller, and the moon broke free of the clouds enough for Candra's sharp eyes to note a shadow that moved toward them.  Its speed was something that caused her to blink, for even her gaze could not fully track its path.  Argharna was in mid-shift when the shadow hit him, and Candra could not believe the yelp of pain that she heard.  The metallic scent of blood filled the air, and her Alpha fell, his head rolling to the side separately from his body.<br/><br/>After that, it was a slaughter.  Candra had shifted as much as she could when she glimpsed the gleam of metal in the moonlight.  Human instincts begged her to turn and run, but the wolf within would not allow it.  She had just watched her Alpha fall, and now she must fight to protect the pack.  With a snarl of long, sharp canines, she lunged toward the flash of silvery metal, felt the wind whistle past her and the sting of a blade that had come too close to removing her head also.  Blood flowed into blonde fur from a slice just below one ear, but she was still moving.  The shadow was then gone, moving on to another of her pack, and another, and another.  Cries, growls, snarls, and screams filled the air, and the scent of blood drowned out all else.  Again the Beta moved after the shadow, could not quite follow it, felt the blade bite again.  Rage filled her as she watched her pack, her family die all around her.  Somehow she remained alive, moving toward that creature that tormented and left death behind.