My heart skipped a beat.
Crack.
Crack.
“Those are gunshots,” I blurted. That’s the sound Herc’s gun made when he shot Sascha.
Pascal’s exclamation was lost as I looked to the south to where the sound continued in a steady staccato.
“That’s Rhona’s position.” I swore.
I grabbed my walkie. “This is Big Red. South team. Stand down. Stand down immediately. Over.”
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
They were shooting Luthers with real bullets. I covered my mouth and clicked a different button on the walkie that put me through to all stewards. “South team. This is Big Red. This is your final warning to stand down. Our tribe does not condone the use of real bullets in the grid against any being. Stand down or face the consequences. Over.”
Five seconds was long enough to tell me they wouldn’t stop.
I gripped the balustrade. “I have to do something.”
“You don’t have the gear to protect you against real bullets.”
“This isn’t what we stand for. She’s putting everything at risk. Rhona has gone too far.”
Pascal returned to her tablet, tallying the blue flags. Luthers in the south territory were falling like flies.
Sliding down the observation tower ladder, I ran around the grid outskirts, sticking to human pace by the skin of my fangs.
I slowed as the shooting grew louder. What if Sascha is hit?
We’ll heal him, my wolf answered, a whine in her voice.
Bile rose up my throat as I saw the scene.
Luthers splayed on the ground, shot by the stewards concealed on the large clay rise to my right.
I watched three Luthers run for their injured from my left. They got halfway there before bullets tore through their bodies
Monsters.
And I wasn’t referring to the werewolves.
I strode into the middle of the gun fight, tensing for a hit that may very likely come.
Stopping near the centre, I stared at the man groaning at my feet.
The gunfire stopped.
“Come to join the fun, have you?” Rhona slid down the bank, a small gun in each hand.
“You’ve gone too far. Real bullets. I wouldn’t have believed you could do such a thing.”
She scoffed. “You—”
“Look at them,” I screamed in her face, making her jump.
I gestured at the Luther at my feet. “Look at him, Rhona. Look at what you’ve let your hate do. You foolish, foolish girl. They’re people.”
“That’s exactly what I’d expect a dog lover to say,” she hissed.
“I could no sooner treat a bear this way,” I replied, digging my claws into my palms. “These people have families that want to see them come home. They have children and lives.”
She opened her mouth.
“What would Herc say?” I asked her quietly, very much aware of the silence in front of me as well as behind.
“I’ll never know.” Loathing oozed through her emerald eyes like thick mud.
“You won’t. That’s because he used a gun on a Luther too.”
Rhona’s fist whipped out and only my new strength stopped me falling on my ass. My head rocked to the side, spinning me. Face to the Luthers, I battled to keep my wolf from ripping my sister’s head off.
Sascha pushed through the row to stand in the middle. His gaze fell on his injured pack members. Over the blood and pain, I smelled his horror.
I’m not backing down this time, I reassured my wolf.
She hit you.
I know. Trust me on this.
The stewards left their hiding spots on the tiers. While everyone else spent the first hour digging tunnels for future plans, I could assume that this team—under Rhona’s direction—made themselves a lovely battleground instead.
In control, I faced Rhona again.
Shooting holes in Luthers hadn’t done it, but Rhona was aware she’d overstepped by hitting me. And in the eyes of her supporters.
Stepping around her, I planted myself before the stewards. The Dakota woman was here.
Valerie.
Billy. Laura. Foley.
Several others from Rhona’s rally last night.
Fury filled my heart. “Put. Down. Your. Weapons.”
I stalked in front of them, meeting their gazes. “Now.”
Foley was the first to cave. After that, the rest followed.
“Each of you will attend a disciplinary hearing in the next two days that will decide your continuing role in this tribe. Valerie, effective immediately, you are no longer part of the head team. Your part in this horrific plan fills me with disgust. All of you, wait for me at our entry point for further orders.” My hands shook.
Turning from Valerie’s pale expression, I ignored Rhona again.
I located Sascha and tilted my chin. “The Ni Tiaki forfeit this grid to the Luthers with our sincerest and deepest apologies. Most of us share your horror and disgust for what a small and idiotic number of our tribe decided to do today. Please collect your injured and let us know if we can aid you in any way.”
Rhona exploded. “You can’t forfeit—”
I clicked my walkie on. “This is Big Red. Due to the actions of the south team under the direction of Rhona Thana, our tribe has forfeited the grid. The battle is over, everyone. This is an order for all stewards to gather at the manor without delay.”
She grabbed my shoulder.
I gripped hers right back. “I have a responsibility as head steward to protect this tribe. From our opponents,” I gestured at the stricken Luthers, “and from other stewards. I love you, Rhona, but what you did tonight was very wrong.”
She reeled back.
“Remember that what comes next I do as your sister and also as your leader. I hope you can accept that someday.”
“Will I accept the orders of someone who helped to kill my father?” she hissed for only us and the Luthers to hear. “Over my dead body.”
“You don’t have to accept my orders,” I told her. “But that choice will come with consequences. I’ve given you more than enough time to get a hold of your hate. Now you’re hurting others and I can’t stand by while that happens.”
I strode to where Sascha crouched beside a screaming she-wolf caught mid-shift.
He gripped her chin, locking gazes with her. “Shift,” he said in a gravel-ridden voice.
She sighed, completing the transformation to become a small brown wolf.
“Can I help in any way?” I said to his tense back.
He stroked the wolf’s head, and I took in the matted blood covering the fur on her chest.
“No,” Greyson answered. “Tribe presence here will create more problems than it will solve.”
I agreed. “This won’t go unpunished.”
He didn’t answer, and though I hadn’t fired the guns myself, if I’d been in wolf form, my tail would have been tucked between my legs.
How could Rhona do this?
Leaving him, I pulled out my phone, taking pictures of those I passed—of their wounds and tear-streaked faces, along with some videos of screaming Luthers and loved ones shouting for help.
Most stewards had left when I reached the entry point. Those who’d covered the farthest area trickled in last, shock blanketing their faces.
“Return to the manor,” I called. “All will be explained there.”
Pascal joined me, along with the head team—barring Valerie.
“Is it true? The south team brought real guns onto the grid?” Roderick said.
I glanced at the guilty culprits who lingered, heads bowed for the most part. Their ringleader was nowhere to be seen.
“Rhona has gone too far. Her actions will lose us the game if unchecked. Her views on violence have gained momentum and need to be addressed to the entire tribe. I will do so tonight and need your full support on that front.”
They were torn be
tween shock and anger as I was, but every one of them nodded.
Rhona’s actions were a slap for the tribe, yes. It was a larger slap to the head team, not only me. We’d banned her from meetings, and she’d retaliated in a horrific manner.
“Valerie was involved and is no longer part of the head team,” I stated. “That is my decision and it is final. We cannot be seen to condone such behaviour on any level, particularly not in our leading positions.”
No one made a peep, though Nathan’s eyes shot to the guilty group.
“Are there any thoughts on how best to convey this to the tribe?” I asked next.
Stanley rubbed his jaw. “They’ll feel as shocked as we do. Rhona’s violence and your forfeit will certainly create a divide. People will feel they need to pick a Thana. We should take steps to lessen that impact.”
“What do you suggest?”
“We have two weeks off Grids,” he said. “Let’s use that time to hold mandatory events to encourage team spirit and boost morale.”
“Great idea.” I mulled that over. “Okay, I need four of you to escort the group over there to the manor. The rest of us will brainstorm events on the drive back. I’d like to announce the first event tonight to provide everyone with positive focus.”
“Where’s Rhona now?” Trixie asked.
“She’s done a runner. After the tribe is brought up to speed, we’ll send a search party out. The Luthers could look for blood after this.”
Part of me wouldn’t blame them.
But even now, when she’d done something so heinous, I couldn’t let anyone hurt Rhona. It just wasn’t an option.
Not ever.
21
“There’s a brewery in town,” I said to Wade. “How about that?”
“Eh,” Wade replied from where he sprawled on my bed.
Cameron thumped her head against the back of the sofa. “Why does he get a King Wade Day anyway?”
“Because I’m awesome. I want adventure and drinking.”
I threw him a dry look. “Because that never led to disaster.”
He grinned.
Cameron said, “Let’s go river tubing Laos style.”
I sat next to her. “What’s Laos style?”
“Drinking while we do it.”
“As someone who nearly drowned in the river while sober, I vote for drinking after.” I’d have to fake drinking somehow, but I faked being human every day now. Fake drinking would be a breeze.
Wade hummed. “This would be an acceptable plan to King Wade.”
Cameron rolled her eyes. “I’m so glad. I don’t know about you guys, but I just really need chill out time with friends.”
“Is everything alright?” I asked. Her scent carried an edge of worry and sorrow that felt serious.
“You’re kidding, right? The tribe is crazy at the moment. Those pictures you showed everyone made me sick to my stomach.”
Which was why I did it.
Seeing was believing. I hadn’t let empathy for the tribe’s comfort affect me whatsoever as I relayed the happenings in Clay. Valerie and Rhona’s demotions were laid out for all to hear. The three units who’d combined to carry out the ambush were disbanded and relocated as individuals into teams selected by Roderick and Pascal. They were on a one-year probation to decide their participation in Grids and would be closely monitored. I promoted a woman named Catrina to team leader based on a recommendation.
“There has been a lot of change,” I answered.
I may have asserted authority over Rhona, but the ground felt shakier than ever, especially with my new hearing.
Why didn’t she wait?
She feels sorry for them and that won’t help us win.
Rhona is a Thana.
I heard she didn’t give Valerie any chance to explain herself.
I was the subject of growing conversation. I’d forfeited the grid, and stewards didn’t care that we probably would have lost the grid for inflicting serious and sustained injuries anyway. Even if they agreed the entire tribe should be held to account for Rhona’s actions, as the matter stood, my action was a small betrayal.
They were reeling, and I could only be as open as possible about what happened and continue to repeat myself until the heat died down.
“Maybe change is what we need,” Wade said.
Cameron balled her hands. “It’s past due.”
I inhaled the slight decay of lime. “Cam, is this the only thing bothering you?”
“Tomorrow morning then.” Cameron stood.
Uhm, blatant fob off.
“Works for King Wade.” He glanced at me.
Dang. I’d hoped to start my trimester assignment tomorrow. It was due in three weeks and with the new moon coming up, I had the entire day free until the meeting with the Luthers.
Still, I owed Wade big time. “I’ll be there.”
She let herself out.
There’s a problem in her life, my wolf said.
I’ll keep an eye on her.
Wade took Cam’s place on the couch, running a finger through the layer of dust covering my saxophone case. “Messaged Sascha about the kissing meet?”
I sighed, reliving—for the hundredth time—the absolute horror on his face when he saw his wounded pack members. “He’ll have his hands busy managing the pack. It’s not the time.”
“The whole point of getting through the meets is because there isn’t a good time. Text him, meet somewhere, lay one on him, done. One step closer to being free.”
My heart twisted. “It’s not that simple.”
“Why not?”
“It just doesn’t feel that simple, okay?”
We both jerked at the harshness of my lowered voice.
“Yikes, baby girl. Think wolfy wants out.”
He’s right. The new moon is drawing too close. We’ll need to do several shifts a day. And longer runs.
We’ll make it work. “I’ll need to shift more often in the next few days. On Wednesday, the shift will trigger when the sun goes down and I’ll remain a wolf until morning. I don’t know how to get out of tribe night with things so bad after Clay.”
“That’s a tricky one.”
“Tell me about it.”
“What if you came down with a sickness? That would inspire sympathy and cover you.”
“I can only do that so many times before my absence every new moon is noticed.” The change of day would help a little, but after a few years, surely someone would notice my continued absence.
Wade hummed. “How about this? We form an extra security squad for the new moon in case the Luthers seek revenge for Clay.”
I considered that. “We could spread around the manor lands in pairs.”
“I’d be your pair obviously.”
A smile broke over my face. “You’re a genius.”
“I know. Now go run. I’m staying here tonight.”
“Do I get a choice in that?”
He ignored me and, listening to the urging of my wolf, I grabbed my keys and slid into Ella F without further argument.
The lake again? I asked.
My wolf pondered. That will be fine.
We can run for longer tonight and explore something new.
That appealed to her more. It must get boring when there was an entire valley to explore. Directing Ella F along the dirt road that led to the swimming spot Rhona took me to so long ago, I scanned the area for company before stripping.
I want to try something, my wolf said.
We both loved a challenge. For the last week, we’d tried to complete our shift as fast as possible.
I’m not sure we can shift any faster. Well, not into wolf form. I still had work to do on the return shift.
That movie Wade was watching with the robot cars.
Transformers?
They shift in the air. I want to try it.
I laughed. Like a run and jump thing? Sure, why not.
Taking off at a sprint toward the lake, my eyes sharpened to
see easily in the darkening night, I pumped my arms and legs, gaining speed. Ready?
Do it.
At a full bolt, I threw myself forward headfirst.
I shrieked as the shift took over, my flight adding a layer of chaos to the already hectic flurry.
Yelping, we landed and rolled through the dry brush.
We stared at the night sky.
That’s not what Optimus Prime looked like, she wheezed.
My laughter came out as a series of huffs. We’ll work on it. You want control?
You should work on our legs first.
I didn’t like leg duty. Four legs were a lot to keep track of. I mean, two legs must have been an issue once, but four was crazy.
Rolling to our feet, I put a front leg forward, then the opposite back leg, then the other front leg, finishing with the last back leg.
I was a wolf doing the Cha Cha. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.
I tried to speed things up, aiming for a normal walking pace.
It was just a faster Cha Cha.
Would you like help?
Please. Take over.
No, you can learn. But here.
As she’d done once before, my wolf sent me a flurry of images. These were memories of her running. Of the rhythm. Through her memory, I felt the soft thudding beat of her paws on the forest floor.
Did that help? she asked.
I think so. I tried not to overthink the movement, allowing my body to mimic her memories.
We slipped into a relaxed lope.
I did it!
She smiled, and our tongue lolled. Maybe you can show me how to walk on two legs.
She struggled to balance on half the number of legs. Deal. How do you send memories?
The same way we talk to Greyson. Focus on what you want to tell me and push it through.
I’d give it a go when we shifted back. Your turn to run. Go wild. We’ve got plenty of time tonight.
My wolf took over, senses and all, and I let her at it, oddly glad for the chance to be a passenger.
We left the lake behind, and climbed the north slopes of the valley, then trotted along the ridge for an hour before descending.
My wolf paused. This area smells like you and Greyson. And another man. Stale, powerful scents.
I took notice of our surroundings. We were near Sandstone. This particular area had haunted me for a while. This is where Greyson killed Herc.
Moon Claimed: Supernatural Battle (Werewolf Dens Book 2) Page 22
