Assertion Trials

by Melaina Rayne

  The boisterous pack members and their high-spirited conversations soon became too much. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t steady myself and relax. I needed a place I could breathe, somewhere I could find my center again.

  The ideal place would be somewhere high above the festivities, a quieter spot where I could take in the fresh scents of the forest, somewhere away from the ever-watchful eyes of the guards.

  Though it wasn’t the best choice, inside the cabin was likely the only place Kene’s men wouldn’t follow me. If I managed to slip away without being spotted, I could take some time to recharge and simply rejoin the party without anyone ever noticing my absence.

  With everyone caught up in Otsanda’s story, I took full advantage. The second she shifted her gaze to the woman on her left, I made my move.

  Weaving through the crowd, going around several groups in deep conversation, I spotted the trio I’d been avoiding all night. All three of them stood by the porch, their backs against the railing. Resno’s hard stare remained on me, but that cocky smirk of his slowly returned as I approached the steps. Great. All I needed, forced to speak with him when my anxiety was at its highest.

  Resno pushed away from the rail and stepped directly into my path, effectively cutting off my escape. “Come for that dance?”

  I offered him what I hoped was a neutral smile. “Maybe later. I have something I must do.”

  Though clearly unhappy with my rejection, he stepped aside.

  I didn’t hesitate. I took advantage of the space he gave me and hurried into the cabin before anyone else had a chance to stop me.

  Shutting myself inside, I leaned against the door and breathed a sigh of relief. Alone, at last.

  In the relative comfort of the cabin, I didn’t have to worry about Resno and his unnerving friends watching my every move. I could relax and regroup before returning to the celebration. Or that was the plan.

  Instead, I found my mind wandering to the other males who’d introduced themselves. Most were attractive, respectable young men, but none stood out in my mind. Any of them would be better than Resno and his friends. Though I tried to recall one I could see myself with in the end, none of them sparked that interest I’d always hoped to find. Only one intrigued me, but it was pointless to think about him. That male wasn’t an option. He wouldn’t be participating in the Assertion trials. As a guard, he wasn’t even eligible.

  Still, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Every time I attempted to focus on something else, I saw his golden eyes and the intensity with which he watched me. I didn’t know much about males, but I knew one thing. I very much enjoyed looking at the guard’s heavily muscled body. I could only imagine what a male like him would be like in private. Intense and possessive. Strong and demanding. Hard and…

  Growling in frustration, I kicked a piece of Nailana’s scrap wood into the fireplace. The embers flared, sending sparks dancing up the chimney, only momentarily distracting me from my inner turmoil. If I had any hope of clearing my head, I had to get outside and away from the celebration.

  I moved to the back room and peered out the double doors, searching for anyone who might stop me. There wasn’t a soul in sight, so I slipped quietly outside, closing the doors behind me with a soft click.

  I drew a deep breath in and froze. A masculine scent drifted on the breeze. Someone stood nearby, but as I scanned the immediate area, I saw no one.

  Staring toward the shadows no more than fifteen feet away, I said softly, “I know you’re there.”

  Without making a sound, a rather large male stepped from the narrow strip of darkness against the cabin. Another guard. Of course, Kene had them everywhere. Why not behind the cabin as well?

  The guard didn’t come close. He didn’t even step onto the patio. Unlike some of the males I’d met, he respected my personal space.

  “You should not be out here,” he warned.

  “I know.” I sighed and quickly explained. “I only needed a few minutes to myself, someplace to breathe without everyone crowding me.”

  The guard inclined his head, his silvery blue eyes softening slightly. “My baby sister had a hard time during her Assertion, as well. Too many people in one place for her liking.”

  I let out a breath, relieved that he seemed to understand.

  “There were no more than eight girls in Fastness the entire time she lived there,” the guard explained further. “Because of that, her return to the packs was rather overwhelming.”

  I could relate. Only fifteen girls currently resided in Fastness, but it wasn’t merely the numbers that bothered me. The constant activity going on around me and the unending conversations were nearly unbearable. “So much is going on, and it’s hard to take it all in.”

  His eyes drifted over me as if studying me carefully. “If you are anything like your mother, you’ll do just fine.”

  I nodded. “She is a strong woman. I can only hope to be more like her.”

  As companion to the pack alpha, my mother had to be tough, yet kind. Not only did she support my father in every aspect of his role as leader, she also had her own role in pack politics as his advisor. Essentially, my father was the head and my mother the heart. Still, that didn’t mean she was easy. Sure, she had compassion, but the woman could be as cutthroat as any male. Everyone knew it and no one messed with her.

  The guard smirked. “You are more like her than you know. It is in your eyes.”

  His smile revealed faint laugh lines on his handsome face, suggesting he was much older than I’d first suspected.

  “You’ve known her a long time?” I asked curiously.

  He nodded. “She was born into my pack. Even as a little girl, she was a handful.”

  I laughed. “I’ve heard stories.”

  “You aren’t going to give me trouble, are you?” His voice suddenly held a hint of caution.

  Only if you give me trouble, I thought to myself, but I couldn’t say that to him. “I just need a little air. Some time alone to clear my head.”

  The guard held my gaze for a long moment as if he suspected I might make a run for it and I held my breath, waiting for him to say something further. Instead, his gaze did a thorough sweep of the yard.

  “Take your time, but stay close to the cabin,” he warned.

  I nodded, relieved he didn’t send me back inside. “What’s your name?”

  “Hagen.”

  I offered him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you for not being an impossible beast.”

  He hesitated, a sparkle of amusement in his bright eyes, and then he melted into the shadows once again.

  Though I could no longer see him, I still felt Hagen’s presence. He’d eased my nerves, but something about the way he warned me away from the forest worried me. Was there a feral threat?

  The possibility of encountering the rogue wolves scared the hell out of me, but my desperation for a clear head won over any fear I might have of running into one of them.

  Walking out to the edge of the stone patio, I tilted my head back and gazed up at the bright moon directly overhead. I could feel its pull growing and my wolf stirring just beneath the surface. In two more nights, I could unleash her. But this time, I wouldn’t be running with my friends. This full moon, I would exchange vows with my companion.

  Feeling my anxiety rise again, I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. The scents of the surrounding forest beckoned me, and I wanted nothing more than to disappear into the thick trees where I could at least pretend to be alone.

  A commotion drew my attention to the cabin’s west side. Two males, both clearly intoxicated, fought as if their lives depended on it. Such rage. Such violence. In shock, I stared as they exchanged brutal blows, but the fight didn’t last. Neither male landed more than four or five punches before a guard intervened.

  “Get inside,” Hagen ordered as he hurried past me.

  For a moment, I nearly did as he said. I took two steps toward the doors before a thought
occurred to me. The distraction of the fight might be just what I needed to get myself to the trees.

  I looked around for other guards, and seeing no one, I took cautious steps toward the forest. When no one called out for me to stop, I knew it was my chance to get the distance I needed.

  Light on my feet, I sprinted across the thirty yards of lawn and leaped into the nearest tree.

  With my heart thumping hard, I moved farther into the thick limbs, jumping deftly to the next tree before climbing higher. By the time I stopped to take a breath, I rested nearly fifty feet up a massive sycamore, well above the cabin and the celebration.

  Far below me, I watched the guards handle the brawl and send the two males their separate ways. The first guard disappeared around the cabin and Hagen scanned the yard before returning to his previous post in the shadows.

  From my perspective, I had a staggering view of the gathering. The party continued as if I’d never left, and it made me wonder just how long it would take for someone to notice I hadn’t returned. Hell, I didn’t want to return. I’d had about as much socializing as I could handle.

  Turning away, I rested against the tree’s smooth white trunk and I closed my eyes. Focusing only on the sounds around me, I drew a deep breath of fresh forest air and let it out slowly. I repeated the motion several times before I felt myself relaxing. I didn’t know what it had always been about heights that brought peace to my mind, but I instantly felt my tension easing.

  The breeze shifted, bringing with it a wild, masculine scent. Something familiar, yet foreign. It was wolfkind, but like none I had come across since arriving at Farkas House.

  Not wanting to give away the fact that I’d scented them, I remained motionless, but for my eyes. I let my gaze drift over the surrounding forest; though I could see no one, I knew they were close.

  With the full moon approaching and the noise of the celebration, others were bound to come investigate.

  Waiting, I studied the ground for as far as I could see, watching for even the most minuscule of movements.

  Thirty yards away, I spotted a hulking figure partially hidden behind an old oak tree. I had no doubt the wild-looking male was feral. My pulse raced and I fought to stay put until I fully assessed the situation.

  My first instinct was to run, but my training urged me to remain still. As a rule, where there was one, there were surely five more. Ferals may not live by pack laws, but they never ran alone.

  Scanning the area again, I called upon my wolf sight to seek out the others. The second their heat signatures registered, my heart sank. More than fifteen surrounded me, some in human form and others in wolf form. I could tell by their positions, they weren’t simply curious travelers drawn in by the celebration. They’d spotted me and fanned out to cut off every escape route, except for the clearing at my back.

  I had to play things smart. Still, I would have to fight my way out of the situation I’d unknowingly put myself in. I was fast, but not quick enough to leap from my high perch and still make it back within sight of the guards before the wild men caught me.

  There were only two possible outcomes. Neither boded well for me, but I couldn’t stay where I sat. I had two clear choices. Either draw attention to the interlopers by calling out to the guards or leap to the forest floor and take out as many Ferals as possible before they subdued me. Whatever I decided, it wouldn’t be pretty. Someone would die tonight. I only hoped it wasn’t me.

  I was terrified of what came next, but I refused to be a shrinking violet while the big, noble wolves came to my rescue. The ferals had another thing coming if they thought I would be easy prey.

  I drew a quiet breath, and the cool night air filled my lungs. Though I faced my first real threat, I didn’t panic. A calm came over me, and with my head clearer than it had ever been, I burst into action.

  I swung down from my perch and landed in a graceful crouch on the damp forest floor. Deftly retrieving both daggers hidden in my boots, I tucked them discreetly against my forearms and slowly rose to my full height.

  Several males stepped into view, and I knew by the looks on their faces, things were about to get bloody.

  Pack men looked beastly, but the feral men had another level of wildness about them. Their unkempt hair and minimal clothing only lent further to their untamed appearance. The ones in wolf form was a whole other level of frightening, but I wouldn’t let that intimidate me…too much.

  Ferals had an ugly reputation; not only known for their rebellion, but also for their cruelty toward women. They took what they wanted, uncaring of our people’s laws. I shivered at the mere thought of what they might do to me. Still, I remained calm, studying their subtle nuances.

  I’d always heard that spotting a leader in a feral group was difficult. They hated authority, but every pack had an alpha of sorts. There was always that one person they all followed and respected, whether spoken or not.

  Tonight, I didn’t have trouble finding the one leading this group. A big male with cold, silvery eyes sauntered forward, the confident way he carried himself telling me he was the one in charge.

  He gave me a once-over and raised a curious brow. “What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here all alone?”

  I matched his low tone. “Who says I’m alone?”

  He glanced around, his mouth curving upward at one corner as his gaze returned to me. “I see no one near enough to protect you, little one.”

  “I don’t need protection,” I answered confidently.

  He tilted his head, studying me for a moment. “Are you a newling rebelling against tradition?”

  I didn’t respond.

  “Rules are such a nuisance.” His tone was casual as he took a step forward. “I can show you a much more enjoyable way of life.”

  Without looking away from him, I searched my periphery, aware of each male within my immediate vicinity. I would know the moment even one advanced. And they would make their move. Their restless shifting gave that away.

  The leader offered me his hand. “Come with us.”

  “No,” I answered firmly, not moving a muscle.

  His demeanor instantly shifted, the clench of his jaw telling me he wasn’t happy with my reply. “Don’t make this difficult, little one.”

  Difficult? After hearing his furious tone over my denying his offer, I planned to make it impossible.

  Holding his gaze, I adjusted my grip on the daggers, openly challenging him. “Leave now and none of you will have to die tonight.”

  A spark of anger flared in his silver eyes, but he didn’t make another move toward me. “You are awfully small to be making such threats.”

  My size was of no consequence. It was my speed and agility he should worry about. He and his men would have to overpower me or knock me unconscious to get the upper hand. Either way, I wouldn’t go easily.

  I didn’t want to kill anyone, feral or not, but I would do whatever necessary to come out safely on the other side of the coming fight.

  The leader gave a nearly imperceptible jerk of his head, and two males came forward, one on either side of me. Judging by their determined expressions, wounding them was not an option. I had to be deadly and swift. I could show no mercy because they would show me none.

  The burly one on my left attacked the moment he stepped into striking distance. He swung his meaty fist at my face, but none of his punches connected. I simply ducked the blows; his size a downfall instead of the advantage he thought he had.

  Moving fast, I spun from his reach, cutting across his soft belly as I went.

  His hands flew to his middle and he staggered backward. I barely had time to register the shocked expression on his bearded face before the second male came at me.

  He was a bit quicker than his friend. Still, I managed to escape his grasp. A frustrated growl escaped him as he made another attempt to grab me. I took advantage, driving my blade into the exposed flesh beneath his raised arm.

  Before I had a chance to ensure he wo
uldn’t come at me again, I spotted three more approaching at a quicker pace. The fourth, I sensed too late. I had no time to defend myself.

  He caught me from behind, rendering my arms useless by pinning them firmly beneath his own. He held me so tight I could barely draw a breath. Panic should have set in, but fury filled me instead. I’d trained for years preparing myself to take on anything or anyone, yet the male easily took control of me.

  I struggled hard, kicking at his shins, hoping to hurt him enough he’d release me. No such luck. My heels connected with nothing but air, only infuriating me more.

  He laughed next to my ear. “Settle down, baby. You cannot fight us all.”

  Knowing his physical strength far surpassed my own, I stopped struggling, feigning defeat. I needed to conserve my energy and wait for the right time to strike again. Though my heart pounded, I forced several calming breaths, carefully eyeing the others.

  The leader stalked forward, his silvery eyes like ice. “You will pay for the lives you took.”

  Without so much as a pause for dramatics, he backhanded me so hard the loud smack echoed off the trees around us. Pain flared in my cheek, stars burst in my vision, and for the briefest of heartbeats, I thought I might lose consciousness.

  Blinking away the darkness threating to overtake me, I glared up at the furious male. Before I could conjure up something vile to say, an enormous black wolf slammed into him, knocking him clean off his feet. Both bodies tumbled from my line of sight, but the sickening sounds of carnage still made their way into my sensitive ears.

  Surprised by the sudden intrusion, my captor eased his grip on me. I noticed the subtle change in him and made my move. Lifting my right arm with a quick jerk, I buried the dagger in his muscular thigh.

  He yowled in pain, one hand going instinctively to his wounded leg. “You little bitch!”

  I took full advantage of his distraction, twisting free of the arm still clinging to me. With a practiced move, I spun around and slammed my blade into the side of his exposed neck. His eyes met mine and as he sank to the ground with a sickening gurgle, I yanked my dagger free and wiped the blood on my thigh.