by M H Soars
Sam and I approach her, finding several leather-bound diaries inside the chest, some newer than others. One in particular catches my attention. When I reach over to retrieve it, I’m shoved to the ground by an invisible force.
“You’re not worthy of that knowledge,” the ghosts say while trying to get into my mind.
My skull feels like it’s going to split in two, and I let out a cry while clutching my head with both hands.
“Dante!” Sam yells. “Fuck! Do something, witch.”
My gums ache as my canines elongate. The pressure against my mental barrier is too much, and the spirits manage to breach it. I begin to shift without having wanted to do so. My wolf sensed the danger, and it’s taking control.
“You’re not like the others, are you?” A distinct woman’s voice sounds in my head. “You’re worried about one of our own, someone who has been hunted through several lifetimes.”
I can’t answer her. My thoughts are frozen. Then the cave vanishes, and I’m looking at a lab of sorts from a vantage point. Men and women wearing white lab coats are running about, and then dark-clad hunters storm the place. Soaring above them, I reach the end of a corridor. It’s then I see her, Red, trying to escape. Rochelle is with her.
The vision vanishes at the same time the ghosts depart my head. I take in deep breaths as if I have gone without air for several minutes. Sam’s face is above mine, staring down on me with panicked eyes. I manage to halt the shift, returning to my full human form.
“For fuck’s sake, Dante. Are you all right?”
“What happened?”
“You stopped moving and breathing for almost two minutes while stuck in mid-shift. I thought those ghosts were choking you with their invisible hands.”
“Red!” I sit up suddenly. “I saw her, Sam. She’s in danger. We need to get her now.”
“I got the diary we need,” Mrs. Redford says. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 29
Tristan
Outside the alpha’s manor, we find a flurry of activity already. From the youngest of our members to the elderly, wolves are coming and going with a sense of urgency in their step. Teenagers who are too young to fight were tasked with carrying boxes and materials to be used to barricade doors and windows. It seems someone has taken the reins of things. For a moment, I think perhaps Dante or Sam have returned, but I soon discover that’s not the case.
Folks slow down when they see Mom next to me, and some even drop their gazes to the ground as if they have something to hide. Damn it. I hope the topic of my conversation with the enforcers hasn’t spread throughout the compound. Slowing down my pace, I let Mom take the lead. There can’t be any doubt in their minds that she is the alpha. She strides across the quad fast, heading toward the mess hall.
Seth is in front of the building surrounded by three enforcers, busy giving out orders. Raising his head, he stops talking when he senses his alpha’s approach. Mom is projecting her power to the max. The other enforcers stare in our direction as well, bracing for what Mom is going to say. They seem cagey, and it’s no surprise. Not even an hour ago those shifters had been plotting to replace Mom.
“Seth, what’s the current status of the situation?” Mom cuts straight to the point. She doesn’t ask why her wolves are busy doing things she didn’t order.
“I’ve doubled the number of sentries to cover the compound’s perimeter and also the area surrounding it. Our security cameras have not picked up any activity yet, but it’s a matter of time before Valerius attacks.”
“Is that a guess or are you basing your opinions on facts?”
“Valerius killed Deacon and sent his severed head as a warning. His attack is imminent,” Charles replies, his tone a little disrespectful.
“So, it’s based on nothing but fear,” Mom replies, earning a glower from Charles, and the other two enforcers, Trent and Gareth. She chooses to ignore the angry expressions, turning to me instead.
“Tristan, I want a task force organized. Select our stealthiest enforcers and—”
“Actually, Dr. Mervina,” Seth interrupts. “I’ve already took the liberty to put together a team.”
Mom’s eyes widen a fraction, the only reaction that shows her surprise. I, on the other hand, feel several conflicting emotions. I’m pissed Seth went over Mom and me to put together the team, but also glad he took the initiative. But I’m mostly angry at myself for not being more proactive. Instead of running to find Mom, I should have given out orders first.
“Good. Who is in the team?”
“Charles, Trent, Gareth, and Lyria.”
It’s a good team, but Mom’s face goes cold, staring hard in Seth’s direction. She’s not pleased with his choices.
“I want Lyria to stay in the compound. Tristan will join the team.”
“She’s one of our fastest enforcers,” Trent says.
“We can’t send our best wolves out and leave the compound unprotected. Lyria and Seth will stay.”
“What about your other sons? I haven’t seen their faces in almost a day.” Charles crosses his arms, lifting his chin in a defiant manner.
That’s enough. Fighting the lethargy that is keeping me subdued somehow, I take a step toward the enforcer.
With a barely contained growl, I say, “You’d better watch your tongue, Charles. You’re speaking with your alpha.”
“Dante and Samuel are not your concern.” Mom’s tone is hard, leaving no room for argument. “They have their own assignments.”
Charles grinds his teeth, but refrains from speaking again. Good. I’d hate to put him in his place by force. We can’t fight among ourselves.
“I’ll let Lyria know she’s staying behind,” Seth chimes in. “But what’s the plan?”
“The task force will head to Shadow Creek and get any intel they can find. Valerius already caught us unprepared once. I want to know exactly when he begins to move his wolves into our territory.”
“That’s risky. What if the team gets caught?” Trent is the one posing the question, not out of defiance from what I can gather from his tone and body posture, but out of understandable concern.
“It’s a risk we must take. We can’t go head to head against Valerius blind.”
“When do we leave?” I ask before someone else decides to contest Mom’s orders.
“As soon as possible.”
No sooner does Mom give the command than a sentry comes running toward us, breathless and naked. He obviously just shifted back into human form, and didn’t have the chance to put clothes on.
“What’s the matter?” Mom and Seth ask at the same time. She stares at him through slits for a split second before turning her attention back to the sentry.
“Well?” she asks again.
“I spotted a group of fifteen Shadow Creek wolves coming our way from the northeast side of Irving Forest.”
“Did they see you?” I ask. “And how far were they from the compound?”
“I don’t think they saw me. They were ten minutes out when I caught sight of them. They should be here any minute now. I’m sorry. I ran as fast as I could.”
“I guess you’re too late, Alpha. Valerius is already upon us.” Charles makes the snide comment.
Faster than anyone can blink, I grab Charles by the collar of his shirt, lifting him off the ground. “You say one more disrespectful remark to your alpha, and I’ll make sure it will be your last day in this pack.”
My wolf is churning inside, begging to be set free. A vein throbs in my forehead, followed by the terrible headache that has plagued me since I woke up this morning. But I push through the pain, not wanting to show weakness in front of the enforcers.
“Look who’s finally found his balls,” Charles sneers. Before I know it, I’m throwing the guy to the ground.
I’m ready to shift and end this when Mom puts a hand on my shoulder. “Enough, son. Save your energy for the enemies that are coming.”
I taste blood in my mouth, realizing a second
later I must have bit my tongue. My body is shaking, and that’s due to trying to stop the shift from happening. I glance at Seth, who’s watching me with rapt attention. Our gazes collide. For the first time since I can remember, he can’t hold my stare. True, lower-ranked wolves usually can’t maintain eye contact with alphas and betas, but I’ve rarely exerted my power on Seth and I’m most definitely not doing it now. So why is he acting like he has something to hide?
Charles gets up, shoving the helping hand from Trent. The sentry who came with the news hops from foot to foot in a fidgety motion. “Er, what should I do?”
“You go warn those not fighting to stay behind closed doors, then join your usual sentry post.”
“Yes, Alpha.” The guy takes off, mercifully not questioning Mom’s orders. At least some wolves still have some sense left in their brains.
He has barely disappeared from view before Mom is in her wolf form. We all follow suit, then dash after her in the direction the sentry spotted the enemy. Soon, we’re joined by Lyria and two other enforcers, but we’re still outnumbered.
“Stay sharp and don’t make foolish mistakes. They have more wolves, so we need to be very careful.” Mom’s voice echoes in my head, and I’m sure in the others as well.
“We should call for backup.” Seth says.
“There’s no time,” I say. “We need to stop those wolves from reaching the compound.”
“It’s protected. The electric fence is on,” Lyria replies.
“That won’t stop them,” Mom’s voice says.
I hear what Mom doesn’t want to say. There’s a traitor in our midst. That wolf can simply turn off our defense mechanism, making it easy for a breach.
Not a minute after we reach the forest, the enemy’s stench reaches my nose before I get a visual. At the same time, my headache flares up, affecting my vision in the process. White, hazy spots appear, as if I’m peering through a window specked with water drops. Closing my eyes for a split second, I shake my head, trying to get my sight to return to normal. It only makes the pain that’s splitting my skull in two intensify, but at least the spots disappeared. Just in time because there’s a Shadow Creek wolf barreling in my direction.
He leaps on a fallen tree trunk, taking advantage of the higher ground to gain leverage and land on top of me. I saw exactly what the wolf was planning to do. I would have had enough time to jump out of the way, but my legs freeze in the last second as if the command my brain sent them wasn’t registered. In consequence, I’m pushed to the ground with the enemy on top of me, his jaw and sharp teeth too dangerously close to my neck. The impact of the fall snaps me out of my paralysis, and I manage to avoid getting a piece of my face chewed off. I still can’t dislodge the wolf; I’m pinned underneath him. It’s only a matter of time before he manages to sink his teeth on my jugular.
Then a sharp pain in my chest comes out of nowhere, robbing me of breath. It’s intense and soul crushing, the same sensation I felt when Red disappeared. Something happened to her. The knowledge she’s in grave danger gives me a bout of strength. Adrenaline kicks in, giving me enough muscle power to push the wolf off me. He doesn’t fall far, and he’s already on his paws by the time I stand up, getting ready to come at me again. I don’t give him the chance.
Baring my teeth, I body slam against his side, pushing him down on the ground again. Angry snarls and growls reverberate all around me, the sound of wolves fighting, but it’s dulled, as if I’m cut off from the noise by an invisible barrier. I think about Red, about the last time we saw each other, how she sacrificed herself to save me, and I see crimson. My teeth find the enemy’s neck, and I’m slashing his throat open in the next second. The taste of the enemy’s blood on my tongue only fuels my need for revenge more. These motherfuckers took my mate from me. I’m already searching for my next target before the fallen wolf has died. I’m thirsty for blood.
I see nothing but a red haze. I want to kill all these wolves until there’s nothing left but their putrid carcasses. Then I spot a Shadow Creek mutt breaking away from the group, dashing from the battle ground. No! I can’t let a single one of those bastards escape. Forcing my legs to run faster than ever before, I give chase. The fleeing coward is much smaller than me. It’s probably a very young wolf, but I don’t care. I jump on his back, clamping my jaw around his shoulder hard, until, with a whine, his front legs give out from under him. The sudden fall sends me flying against a boulder nearby. The side of my head collides with the hard surface, rendering me useless for a couple of beats. Just enough time for my prey to run away. I get up, ready to go after him, when Mom’s voice echoes in my head.
“Tristan. Where are you?”
“One of them is trying to escape. I’m going after him.”
“No, I need you back here. We’ve lost Trent and Gareth. We’re surrounded.”
Mom’s words should have propelled me to action immediately. They’re in danger, but it takes a few seconds for my body to respond to what my brain is telling it to do. Finally, I force my legs to move, running back to where I left the others. The sounds of vicious fighting get amplified when moments before it had been dulled somehow. It’s as if I removed a plug from my ears.
I reach the spot where Mom and our remaining enforcers are, right in time to see two of our wolves killed by the enemy. Now there’s only Mom, Seth, Lyria, and Charles against nine wolves, which are circling them like prey. Without thinking, I attack the closest to me, biting one of his hind legs to swing him away like a rag doll. Two wolves break away from the circle to come at me, but I’m ready. I’m still riding on the blood lust from before. I don’t even know how I kill the next wolf, but suddenly, I find myself circling only one of them, my body low, closer to the ground. I’m ready to pounce on him and end this fight quickly, when a whine of pain distracts me. I break eye contact with my opponent for a split second, finding Mom down with a wolf on top of her. I should help her, but I do nothing. I just stare like an idiot.
White-hot pain on my hind diverts my attention from the scene, making me howl. This moment of distraction cost me, and I’m now down as well. I try to get up, but my muscles seize as if my body is being electrocuted. The pain is unbearable. I can’t move; I can’t do anything. I have no sense to what’s happening until the assaults stops.
“Tristan, open your eyes. Are you okay?” I think it’s Seth’s voice in my head. I can’t be sure, everything is muffled.
“Mom?”
“She’s hurt, but I think she’ll be okay.”
“What happened?”
“You caved, that’s what happened,” Charles answers now. “If it weren’t for Seth, you would be dead.”
Charles’s reply is loaded with meaning. Mom couldn’t fend off the enemy, and I couldn’t step up to the plate and help her. This will not bode well for either of us, but somehow, I don’t have the strength to care.
Chapter 30
Red
Martin wasn’t kidding when he said my new quarters would be an improvement from the condemned shack Valerius assigned to me. Clutching the lapels of the white lab jacket he tossed my way before we left the hospital room, I follow him through a thick metal door that leads to a different area in the building. Even without the separation, I’d be able to tell we’re not in the lab area anymore. The colors on the walls are gray instead of bright white, and even the floor changed to concrete instead of linoleum.
The facility reminds me of the college dorm room I visited in Chicago before I made the decision to move to Crimson Hollow. I was set to attend Northwestern University, one of the best schools in the country, with my ex Alex. We couldn’t entertain the idea of going separate ways after high school graduation. But instead, he broke up with me after our senior year trip to Scotland, shattering my heart. With time, the pain went away, making me question if I had ever been in love with him for real. I definitely didn’t feel the constant pain I do now. My heart aches for three impossible wolves, and the idea I might never be with them again, that this
chip in my head will obliterate who am I, has the ability of ripping my soul apart if I let it take root in my mind. I have to find a way to remove the implant.
Martin comes to halt in front of a simple white door. There’s nothing on it to differentiate it from the other doors lining the hallway.
“Here we are, home sweet home.” He pushes it open, revealing a minuscule room that can barely fit one person inside.
One single bed is pushed against the wall, leaving just enough room for me to get to the other side. No windows, no desk. The only other piece of furniture is a nightstand with a couple drawers.
“Where’s the bathroom?” I glance over my shoulder, finding Martin’s gaze fixated on me. His dark eyes are unnerving; they almost don’t feel natural. I wonder if he’s something other than human. He definitely gives out the creepy vibes.
“It’s communal, down the corridor.”
I let my eyes wander freely around the space, taking in everything—not that there’s much to see. At least the mattress doesn’t look like it could be housing a colony of bedbugs and the sheets are clean.
“So this is it? Am I supposed to stay here and wait for orders?”
Martin shrugs, a casual gesture that’s at odds with what he represents. “You’re lucky you’re one of Valerius’s special wolves. Not everyone in his army is so fortunate.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, not everyone has a clean bed and a roof over their heads.”
A nagging suspicion sprouts in my head. “Where does Victor stay?”
The mood changes immediately, and I sense my question awakened Martin’s predatory nature. He narrows his eyes, his dark pupils glinting with malice. “I guess that rat Nadine managed to tell you a little bit about the history of this pack.”
